What's Going on in All Japan?

[Pheonix_Chi25]

Haven't heard anything from Royal Road since Kawada left. What's the story with All Japan?

[Luds]

Not much really.

The buzz is about who Kojima will defend the TC agains. It's either Giant Bernard or Mutoh.

And Miyamoto will returrn soon from an excursion in the southern USA

[Pheonix_Chi25]

Just has been so quiet on this side of town that it made me wonder if All Japan was still alive after Kawada left.

[BusaLiger Dragon]

I heard that Miyamoto is still a Jr and he didnt really gain weight during his trip to the US.

[Pheonix_Chi25]

Just a Question but....
Do you think AJ should take a chance on bringing in Kenzo Suzuki?

[Haiku Warrior]

Well, ya know, he did just got released from the WWE...

[DANGEROUS DAN]

I think Mutoh is in the same boat as all the others running a full time wrestling promotion- throw it against the wall and hopes it sticks.

MMA is so much on the rise, and everyone is becoming a free agent, it makes the dream match scenario easier, but then it comes back to the put over. Since there is no loyalty anymore (there are exceptions I know) ego's reign. Look at Tenryu as the prime example.

[Pheonix_Chi25]

Kawada leaving is another example

[Tradition Rules]

Kawada leaving is another example

Keep in mind when saying that, that Kawada stayed when everyone left All Japan for greener pastures (both figuratively and literally) since everyone in NOAH was given a considerable increase in pay as well as health benefits. Also, All Japan would not even be here today as the company would have had absoutely NO big draws. Many fans and people in the media supported All Japan because of Kawada's loyalty to Shohei & Motoko Baba. Motoko Baba on the other hand, didn't show the same loyalty to Kawada. Even before Mutoh took over compleate control of All Japan, Mutoh DID have a considerable level of booking power.

Kawada should have been GIVEN the booking control, as he had a much better vision for the company and wanted to push the talented, under appreciated workers like Araya, Okamura, Nagai and even Kakihara. He was dissappointed when the company had guys like Masato Tanaka & Mohammed Yone working as freelancers and they didn't sign them to contracts,...when they could afford to.

But even though the company lived because of Kawada, Motoko apparently didn't believe this. She put all her trust in Tenryu first upon his return, and HE wasn't interested in developing new talant. Then she did the same with an outsider (admittidly a VERY popular outsider in Mutoh) instead of someone who spent their entire career in All Japan and not only stayed loyal in a time of major crisis, but actually saved the company. With the Baba family no longer involved in the day to day opporations in the company (Mutoh even had Giant Baba's likeness removed from anything All Japan related) or even at all, there was no longer the tie to the past to keep Kawada there. Now he is a freelancer making more money and he has a much lighter schedule and is free to spend more time with his family and even extend the length of his career.

If anyone in this situation was not loyal,...point the finger at Motoko Baba
if anyone at all.

T.R!

[darktowerchilde]

Can't argue with that. Man, I really wish Kawada became the full booker. Imagine Kawada vs. Masato Tanaka, where Tanaka wasn't booked to wrestle like a green rookie...

[Pheonix_Chi25]

I agree T.R. Kawada should have been booker and, hopefully this isn't taken wrong, Motoko Baba should have had more faith in the natives of AJ than to just "cast her fates to the wind" with Tenryu.

[OrangeCrush51]

After reading that, I guess I understand better why Kawada finally decided to leave. He was one of the few natives to stay with All Japan and remained faithful to the memory of Baba and Jumbo and the All Japan brand. Yet ultimately he was pushed aside and the very traditions he was trying to protect were brushed away. After all that, I'd want to HUSTLE too.

[darktowerchilde]

Kawada's one of the best ever; he can do pretty much what he wants, when it wants. It's not going to tarnish his reputation. He stayed with a company for as long as he could, showing more loyalty than just about any wrestler around today, and left when the time was right. That fact that he's a freelancer is incredibly exciting; imagine what he could do if he was able to get together with New Japan... And, Kawada as Hustle K is the best thing going today.

[BusaLiger Dragon]

Well besides the fact that Kawada is freelancing, Kojima is the top guy, and the Dudleys are in AJPW! I think the only other key that AJ needs that its lacting is AJ needs more natives. Mutoh needs to find another Suwama or if possible get a Young Lion system going. Then again, with Brock being in NJ and all the ex-wwe stars also being there. Its only a matter of time before(I think) NJ starts cutting back on its natives.