Yuji Nagata + NJPW= Bitter Enemies?

[Pheonix_Chi25]

Credit to Strong Style Spirit (Thanks 3-S)

Blue Wolf & Toru Yano re-signed with New Japan today but one key player turned down his contract offer and that was Yuji Nagata. Nagata returned from a vacation in Hawaii today and was still PO'ed that New Japan has him still booked to team with Hiroyoshi Tenzan facing Shinsuke Nakamura & Hiroshi Tanahashi for the IWGP Tag Titles on 1/30 at Tsukisamu Green Dome. Nagata is convinced that NJ booked him in that match because they know that him & Tenzan are not a regular team and will lose so they can push the young guys right over them. Nagata said that he isn’t their stepping stone and will prove that this year, as he wants them to get angry with him. Nagata said that he was busy with his position as Chairman of Wrestlers last year, which caused him to have a lackluster year in the ring, but he is ready to break out and if New Japan appreciates his talent, they would make him an offer that wouldn’t insult his pride. Nagata said that he has a plan in mind for 2005 and tore a New Japan logo in half before leaving their offices.

I have a feeling one of two things will happen:
1: Nagata signs elsewhere
2: Nagata returns a heel

Either way ladies and gentlemen, we have an unhappy Mr. Saikyo in New Japan and this could get ugly.

[ToXiK_James]

If he leaves their he will go to AJPW or NOAH...I agree with what you said about him being a steping stone. I hope if he isn't happy their...he should leave and have a cross over rivalry while he is with AJPW or NOAH. He has earned a title reign with all the hours and shows he has done for the company.

[Luds]

This sounds like a work to me.

But if it isn't, then Nagata would be better off leaving. There's no room for him in NJ. THere's too much talent.

Nagata has already been passed by Nakamura and Tanahashi, and Shibata isn't far behind. Tenzan and Chono are also ahead of him so there's nothing for him to do...

[Toan]

So much for the possibility of him and Lesnar in the ring after Lesnar's no-compete clause expires.

[Pheonix_Chi25]

So much for the possibility of him and Lesnar in the ring after Lesnar's no-compete clause expires.

I was looking forward to it myself. Actually it could still happen, if Nagata went to NOAH or All Japan they could do the cross promotional fight.

[Momaster]

I could see Yuji heading to Noah to give Kobashi an actual challenge for his GHC for the 1st time in a year and a half. I have to agree that Nagata is wasted in NJ competiton. Recycling geezers seems to be the best thing NJ has going for them Chosu, Sasaki, I hate to say it but Chono is in there as well, Is Inoki's grand comeback far away ? I've been a Nagata fan since his work in WCW and after his IWGP reign he's been dropped down the card and thrown into numerous useless feuds. Leaving is his best bet.

[edgehead1984]

I would like to see him go to NOAH, and have classics like his mach with Kobashi a couple years back...

[Tradewynd]

There is no possible way that could Nagata leaving like that could be a shoot. Even if you think he has it in him to double cross NJ like that, he doesn't have the charisma to really get the most media coverage out of it and try to bring his stock back up to where it was 2 years ago. Furthermore, he has already been advertised for the 2/20 Ryogoku show. Unless he hasn't signed a contract and has an offer on the table, he isn't going anywhere. You also have to question who would take him at this point. Like Kojima, he is damaged goods.

Another problem with Nagata is that he had a really long title reign that was really bad for a lot of reasons that really weren't his fault. While I'm a mark for the 60 minute draw, it doesn't make you a dominate champion. And a lot of his defenses were against shooters and freelancers, so he didn't really beat many top NJ wrestlers when he was on top.

Lesnar doesn't officially have a deal with NJ yet. He is still on the market. It's unlikely that anyone other than NJ will pay him more to do works, but then again, Mutoh made money come out of the woodwork to get Goldberg. Nothing is final in wrestling until pen comes to paper, and even then there's always the double cross.

[BusaLiger Dragon]

The whole Nagata in NOAH sounds good because its kobashi vs nagata... thats about it but Im liking that alot

Nagata in AJPW... Nagata vs Kawada, Nagata vs Kojima, Nagata vs RO&D, Nagata vs Mutoh...Nagata GO TO AJPW!!!!

[BusaLiger Dragon]

Actually Nagata in NOAH wouldn't be that bad either now that i think about it...so all i really have to say to Nagata is LEAVE New Japan and become a Freelancer.

[Luds]

Seems that he signed during the week end so Nagata will stay for at least q more year.

[Tradewynd]

The deal he got 3 years ago was for some big money, so I hope he's still at least getting paid well to flush his career down the toilet.

[Haiku Warrior]

Remember the picture of Yuji & Brock toasting beers? I do think Nagata will win it back to have Nagata v. Lesnar for the IWGP. The question could be at that point, who will win? I have confidence though that Nagata will win it back to defend it against Lesnar. The outcome of that, though...?

[BusaLiger Dragon]

MAN!!!!!! well i guess things will get better for him...IWGP title run!!!

[Pheonix_Chi25]

Well there goes the "Please Yuji join NOAH or All Japan" campaign and petition I was planning on posting, LOL.

Anywhoo, how many of you think that Nagata and Tanahashi will be brawling around the ring based on Tanahashi's comments about Nagata?