Yeah, this experiment has to end NOW. I was actually pleased when Ogawa moved up from the junior division, as I thought he'd sit on the mid-card at let Kannemaru and marufuji do their stuff; however, this has fone way too far, the only positive thing about this is it wasn't the Triple Crown, which could have happened.
Misawa can still do good with this though; all he has to do is book Takayama over Ogawa. Takayama makes a great transitional champ because he has credibility (he's a G1 Climax finalist, after all) but he'd not a major star. Then Misawa needs to have Kobashi work his way up to beat the hated 'dangerous shooter' who wants to stop one of the King's Road greats from obtaining gold. The belt can still be respectable, the whole mess can be forgotten; at least it wa only Taue (who in two years time will be where Fuchi is now) and Rikioh who Coffee Boy beat.
Takayama would be my choice anyway. I'm kind of curious as to how far over he can get with a big push. His Pride work has been fantastic except for that won-loss record or should I say loss-loss record. If NOAH gave him a big push and he picked up a win or two in Pride my gut feeling is he would get over with the fans big.
I say give it to Vader - Takayama doesn't really gain that much from beating Ogawa, and he needs to keep gaining credibility more than any belt. Have Vader destroy Ogawa, and then have Takayama beat Vader - this sets up Takayama/Kobashi, which could be great...
Misawa said recently in a interview that he might have to look into retirement considering the number of injuries he had over the years (including his bad shoulder). I wouldn't be suprised if he gets the belt one last time.
Originally posted by NineSpiral I say give it to Vader - Takayama doesn't really gain that much from beating Ogawa, and he needs to keep gaining credibility more than any belt. Have Vader destroy Ogawa, and then have Takayama beat Vader - this sets up Takayama/Kobashi, which could be great...
Jason
Takayama-Kobashi already happened as the last Triple Crown match before the split and Kobashi did the carry job even with Takayama's intense kicking. I doubt I'd take a Takayama with dyed hair seriously in a Takayama-Kobashi II.
First I say give it to Takayama. Why you ask. Well I feel the only other suitable people to hold the title are Misawa Akiyama Vader Kobashi & Omori. All these guys are already excepted as main eventers. With the exception of Omori maybe. Takayama is more marketable than Omori though. There could be big money drawn with Takayama v Vader/Kobashi. Have Misawa and Akiyama continue there great program at the same time. I would love to see Kakihara ascend in the card as well. Meanwhile I wish Ogawa would go to Big Japan and do jobs.
Well, Misawa just booked a guy New Japan's champion beat as his champion. Ooops. Well, Takayama's beaten Fujita, and Nagata hasn't, so it all works out.
Takayama's first challenger is likeley to be Misawa, so either Misawa takes the belt back for a brief run before he retires, leaving the belt vacant for a tournament (which Kobashi should win), or Takayama gets elevated big time, pinning Misawa. I'm favouring the former, although they do need to create new stars now that Akiyama has bee demoted, and Takayama would seem like good choice, what with wins over top tier New Japan guys like Nakanishi and Tenzan, and a win over Fujita.
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