Might be a surprising take but I think TJP had the best showing in this tour.

10 comments

1. He has a come a far way from that cringey dabbing gamer gimmick I hated so much. Akira is great but very young and has a lot more potential to realize. Him and TJP have become really cohesive so quickly and they made a great call putting Akira with a veteran like him. TJP really had a final boss energy about him during this tournament, every match with Catch 22 felt like the most important match of the league for the opposing team and whenever they lost to LIJ, SZKG and BC he had a reaction of “I’m not going to take this away from you but it’s never happening again.” That little interaction he had with DOUKI after they upset the champions was a cool moment for both of them (and as an aside I think having SZKG go on a losing streak only to beat the champions was the best booking decision of either tournament).

   I think my favorite wrestler archetypes are wrestlers who are kind of assholes but their desire to succeed is out of a legitimate respect for the sport and not just a vain ego thing. I think this is what separates UE from BC on the face/heel alignment spectrum.

2. Man’s found the fountain of youth.

3. They were awesome.

4. He’s been great during the BOSJ too, I want him to win the Jr Heavyweight title next year. I said what I said.

5. TJP’s been great in both BOSJ and Jr Tag League. Akira has definitely been my favourite wrestler that I’ve discovered this year.

6. He might be the most underrated wrestler in the world today. Everything he does looks so crisp and smooth.

7. I dont think this is surprising to anyone that watched this tour.

   Catch 2/2 were the team mvps and yeah tjp would probably be my singles mvp.

   He’s absolutely amazing in ring and I’ve loved what he’s been doing with Akira.

   I’ve also been a fan of his mire calm cold character and it plays great with Akiras hot headedness.

   I would want a long catch 2/2 reign but I wouldn’t mind TJP with a jr reign or a bosj finalist.

8. TJP and Lio Rush looked fucking great in this tournament. I hope Lio Rush sticks with NJPW.

9. His tattoos are still ugly

10. TJP has indeed been excellent this year but for me the stand out in SJTL was Lindaman. Thoroughly entertaining and his work was great and varied. TJP Did rely on a few of the same spots in every match.