Honestly, I think Naito getting time off working big title matches and getting to T-Shirt is probably for the best considering two matches of his this year where I couldn’t get the possibility of “Sure, what if he gets hurt?” out of my head. Now he gets a tour to T-Shirt it. Weak argument? Yes. That’s why there’s more.
Mox missing Road Tos I kinda don’t mind. Styles as champ worked a number of Road To tours could be counted on a single hand. Him defending against Hobbs is whatever, the old belt survived classics like Scott Norton vs Van Hammer and Scott Norton vs Lodi, so this defence doesn’t really bother.
The key of my point is what I’ve dubbed “The Dominion Problem”. New Japan had no Dominion main event that really made sense.
Zack probably could draw with the dream Suzuki match, but otherwise he’s actually got the same issue Nakajima had in NOAH: For some reason, he’s not a draw. Crosses him out.
Naito basically has EVIL or SANADA, and they already had ran SANADA back. Maybe Tsuji, but to me it appears they see Shota as the lead of the next generation and he’s gonna get his coronation at the Dome. So there’s no real avenue for Tsuji, being as interfaction challengers just aren’t a thing. EVIL meanwhile is being used for Umino, we’ll see them run that back soon for Shota to get his win back.
I’d stop watching NJPW if they put the belt on fucking Finley.
So I simply raise: Why not have an outsider play the heel in a way? Have him take the belt from the company and work that as the angle? Sure, not having him on the Dontaku tour might hurt gates, but that’s one tour. He’s working the two nights of the actual card, working the LA show’s main event which he’ll probably draw for, the BOSJ tour has lacked the champion many times (Okada basically never worked it) and for Dominion, Naito reclaims in a big match. I might have some bias, as a fan of Moxley’s work, but I’m also a fan of outsider angles. A quick V3 to put a few young guys over, give a top guy time to take it a bit easier, and throw a few good houses together sounds a great idea. It’s not like NJPW hasn’t done something like this before, both with the belt and taking a belt. So yeah, I’m into this Moxley reign. I’m excited for his Narita, Umino and Naito matches I’d wage money on coming up.
by SevenSulivin
