How Many Guys Are We Up To Now?

My heart briefly soared and then dropped back down with a dull thud at the end of the J4G vs. War Dogs match at the New Japan Cup final. When commentary started to get excited about a run-in to aid J4G, my mind immediately went "DOUKI?!" even though I knew it wasn't really realistic. Turns out it was members of Hontai, which makes sense after Tanahashi's post-match overture on 3/17. Tana offered the handshake of alliance/peace after chasing off the War Dogs and it seems like J4G are now a part of Hontai. 

I can only assume this means Taka sold his backlog of J4G shirts.

Tag Team Partner and I were talking about Tanahashi's initial offer to J4G and he wondered if New Japan is in line for a major stable reset. With Bullet Club fracturing, Hontai getting kind of bloated now that it officially includes Chaos and J4G, and even hints (at least in English commentary) of issues in United Empire regarding leadership, it seems like a possibility. Even LIJ has had a change, with Natio referring to Hiromu as the leader now (though LIJ is the one group I think would survive intact a major faction shakeup as they are just too damn popular to risk losing that revenue). J4G in Hontai both does and does not make sense to me at the moment. Yes, Bullet Club is a problem, but they are imploding, so really everyone else should just stand back and let it happen. Turn away from the train wreck, focus on your own problems, and try to shield yourself from getting unintentionally damaged. Be Switzerland. 

It's true J4G are having problems with Sanada, and commentary has repeatedly emphasized that they are not at full strength because Douki is out injured, but it's not really a numbers game issue J4G is dealing with. This match was a 3 vs. 3 and no one else from either side of Bullet Club interfered. It was heel tactics that were the problem for J4G; greater numbers can help with that, but so can being clever (which no one seems to be doing recently. How many matches can you have with people who give you a low blow before it occurs to you to wear a cup?). The end goal of all this being a series of major realignments resulting in a bunch of new factions would make the current alliance make sense. I guess we will have to see what develops along the road to Sakura Genesis.

For now, however, I think we should be getting some new merch soon. Chris Charlton had the right idea in his sing-song announcing. Hontai needs to re-brand as "Just a Bunch of Guys." It's plain and simple and would not create a situation where Taka had merch he could no longer sell if there is a defection or breakup (unless he ends up all alone and becomes Just 1 Guy). I'll be keeping an eye on the Tokon shop for updates.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

My Greatest Weakness: Mouth Guards

Image
I like to think, Dear Reader, that I am a person of, at minimum, average level intelligence. However, every now and then something happens that gives me the feeling that even a circle is sharper than I am. Case in point: Wrestlers and their teeth. Specifically, Shinsuke Nakamura and his teeth. When I first got into New Japan, Nakamura was still a member of the roster (though his tenure would soon come to an end). I also watched a fair number of old New Japan events online to catch up with who was who, faction histories, etc. One of the first things I remember thinking about Nakamura is “Huh, he has no teeth.” I would see close-ups of him during matches and there would always be a solid black line where his teeth would normally be. I thought it looked kind of odd, and my brain just assumed he’s lost his teeth as part of his MMA exploits, some match with a crazy stipulation, through an accident or who knows what and never bothered to get any kind of replacement. It never occurred to me t...
Read more

I've Had Worse

Image
One of my greatest assets (or greatest flaws depending on who you ask) is my willingness to try new foods. I do have my limits,* but I'll give pretty much anything a go as long as it seems edible. And sometimes even if it does not seem edible, if it arouses my curiosity enough.** Hence, when I went to the Tokon Shop this past weekend I decided to buy this: I'm also weak to things that come with free trading cards. I honestly did not have high hopes. I've only ever had protein bars in the States before, and none that impressed me much. The closest thing I have had to a protein bar in Japan is Calorie Mate, and that stuff was NASTY.*** However, I had previously tried the NJPW protein powder and it was ok, so I threw caution to the wind. Regret wrapped in a shiny package? The verdict? Edible. And the chocolate flavor was strong enough to satisfy my craving for sweets at the time. It was a little too hard, but I was drinking tea and that helped. The only bad thing was the packa...
Read more

What You Say Really Matters

Image
“Never do that again Cole, there’s people listening.” - Wade Barrett during the Women’s Royal Rumble The above quote made me laugh and inspired today's post.  The quality of commentary can have such a major impact on pro-wrestling. It’s not necessary for enjoyment, as attending a live event makes clear, but it can greatly enhance or detract from the experience when watching on TV or streaming. Good commentary can elevate an average match to good and great to legendary. Conversely, bad commentary belittles, if not ruins, a match; it can distract from talent and even harm careers. There have been many times over the years where poor commentary has made me reach for (or want to reach for in instances when it was not me in control of the remote) the mute button. Every time Jerry Lawler so much as mentioned women during the Attitude Era filled me with disgust and my brain tried to transform his voice to sound like a teacher from the “Peanuts” cartoons. Michael Cole’s tenure at attemptin...
Read more