Some other interesting tidbits happened at the BOSJ show, let's quickly list them off.
TMDK have laid claim to challenge for the Jr Tag belts – don't think they'll do it at Dominion but certainly will do it soon.
Tsuji pinned Yano in an 8 man tag and LIJ have been set up as the next 6 man challengers, likely with BUSHI, Tsuji and Hiromu. Hiromu also interacted quite a bit with Tanahashi, makes me wonder if they're teasing something between them. Titan also had words with Wato on commentary, seemingly wishing him well in recovery so they can fight again.
Callum Newman set out a challenge to face Naito in a singles match – Naito proceeded to spit on him after winning the tag match, with Newman responding in kind. Ngl, Newman does have something and I'm wondering if Naito could bring out that spark from him.
Finally, Moxley's allies in the war against HoT are… the third generation dad's. Namely Tiger Mask, Yugi Nagata, Hiroyoshi Tenzan and Togi Makabe. Feel a little underwhelmed by this but the crowd seem to like it so probably something for the Japanese crowd. Also, Tenzan is really showing his age and it feels like he might be retiring soon with how bad some of his stuff looked.
Overall, a solid show that built a lot of title matches and teased some interesting stuff.
by BenTheHopeless
9 comments
Newman vs Naito has me actually quite interested, doubt Naito will put him over but it should be good for the young guy’s chances at getting into the G1.
Mox’s allies being the New Japan Dads is kinda funny but for some reason I love it lmao. Mox does have that “grumpy dad” energy!
The dads were a bit underwhelming but this is how they should be used. As a special surprise attraction on the side instead of guys who are used as numbers in tag matches.
When Tenzan does retire, him & Kojima having one last big tag match would be my preference. Maybe vs Bishamon?
Speaks to how unselfish Naito is (at least to me), that while a good IWGP WHC reign was taken from him, he’s now trying to elevate younger talent like Moloney and Newman.
Tenzan is just sad to look at nowadays. After he’s dropped so much size he looks a shell of himself, doesn’t help that he’s got the world’s largest noggin so it makes him look even smaller without his bulk.
Hope TMDK take the belts, War Dogs have been champs for a year (with a one month interlude in there) and beaten everyone already. Time to strap up Fuj and get the ball rolling on the Fujita BOSJ 2025 agenda
Imagine the dads turning on Moxley, embracing Evil as president and IWGP champion
aren’t Mikey Nichols and Shane Haste like 6’4ish? Glad to see them getting a push, will they eventually fill the “G.O.D Void”?
Did Taven and Bennet hold the NJ Jr. tags, or the Heavy Tag Belts?
Overall I’m hype for the developments. i hope the Jr tag belts was on the line at Dominion, but well, it will be a banger.
LIJ for the 6 man Never Title is perfect. It give the first title for Tsuji, and something for Hiromu and BUSHI. I’m totally hype and I hope it would bring the title as the same level they were before Okada’s leaving
Regarding Tenzan, I don’t think your offence looking bad has ever had much to do with retiring soon. Tanahashi’s wrestling these days is poor, but that’s not stopping him from taking a long rest and recovery period
The lumberjack picks are underwhelming because you expect the mystery of that and Shota’s partners to be spicier like the BCC and/or some past rivals of HoT members or something. But in terms of potential, the idea of the older vets stepping in to stop the heel menaces from touching the sacred IWGP title is actually pretty good. The big problem though is who the champion they’re trying to help is, and that to me makes this sort of ridiculous.
The outside champion we’re supposed to wanna see beat by homegrown talent allegedly, but has no real heat to speak of because he doesnt act like it and neither does the company, is facing the most hated wrestler in the company. To neutralize said heel and his gang, they bring in the aging vets with young Shota as allies to protect the IWGP title from the heel and keep it on the outsider. And Shota’s rah rah speech after the tag match felt silly because it’s him asking for their strength to help stop HoT for this AEW guy he’s friends with keep the title. If you pretend it’s Shota in Moxley’s ace, this actually makes sense.