Nakanishi vs Takayama for the GHC?

[Luds]

It was announced that Takayama would face Nakanishi in a rematch of 6/7 (Takayama > Nakanishi in 17:50 with a Kick) on the Tokyo Dome "The Spiral" show (10/14)

Many think that if Takayama defeats Misawa on the 9/23 NOAH card, that the Nakanishi match would be for the GHC... (Misawa losing )

Others think that it's yet another reason why Takayama will lose to Misawa... Since Takayama ows one to Nakanishi...

[JustS2pendous]

I thinks that's the clearest sign yet that Misawa will be the next GHC champ. Shame Takayama's reign never really got going, although as I've said in another post, Takayama regaining the belt from Misawa will do more for him than his win over Ogawa.

[ElGringo]

Nakanishi's win over Takayama should have been in the G1 swmi-finals, with Tenzan beating Chono in the other semi, setting up Tenzan vs. Nakanishi as final.

[Luds]

You're not the only person who feels that way Gringo!

[ElGringo]

What does Chono gain from winning the tournament? He's already an established star, and this does nothing for him; Nakanishi had far too many singles losses this year, and a push in the G1 would have made sense. New Japan is caight between Inoki's stupid power mongering and Chono's ego-stroking; pushing himself as the top star is stupid.

I've heard many people comment on how awesome Chono's booking is, but the fact is he doesn't book long term. He can put together a good top to bottom wrestling show, but he doesn't know how to advance talent, and its important he does as much as he can to do that, what with Inoki's chin in all the time.

[JustS2pendous]

I think sadly Chono's booking will forever be blotted with the words Joanie Laurer

[ElGringo]

I'm sure Chono didn't want to book Laurer. I'm sure it was all Inoki's idea.

If I were Chono, I'd leave New Japan right now, take Tenzan and whoever else wanted to follow with me and join NOAH; I would bever et myself be humiliated by being forced to wrestle Laurer.

[JustS2pendous]

Your right, Chono is in a no win political sitution I never meant to suggest that Laurer was Chono's idea, I meant no matter how good a job he may or may not do with the book, she will always be a black mark on his record, rightly or not. I would like both Chono and Tenzan to leave NJPW because Tenzan especially, will have to wait a long time for his just rewards. As I've said in another thread, I'd like to see Tenzan end up in All Japan and reform TenKoji, Chono in my opinion would be a healthy addition to either All Japan or NOAH. My he can forgive and forget Muto and join up again?

[ElGringo]

Chono has been ridiculed; he's had a cake shoved in his face and will now have to wrestle Laurer. If that were me, I'd be gone in a second; I said NOAH because of the tensions with Mutoh and Hashimoto; I'd love to see at least two of the three musketeers back together again.

[JustS2pendous]

Chono and Muto would be great to see again

[Luds]

Although I agree about many points that you 2 discussed here (Chono should not wrestle Laurer, Chono has not booked well with respects to young talents at times)

I think that we shouldn't forget how well he is booking Tanahashi & Suzuki... Evert NJ fan sees all the potential that Tanahashi has, and pushing Suzuki which people seem to like (I don't mind him) is good for the company.

I thought that by taking the G1 this year, Chono looked very strong having big wins against Nagata earlier this year, and could (should) have a match against Nagata for the title. Now if they want to keep the title on Nagata, having him beat Fujita and then Chono is a great idea... If they want the title on someone else, I'd let Chono take the belt away from Nagata, and drop it to Tenzan in what would be an epic battle... After all, Chono only carried the title for a month...

[ElGringo]

Yeah, he is booking Suzuki ad Tanahshi well, but Tanahashi needs to beat Suzuki now. That's twice Suzuki beat Tanahashi; they need to be seen to be an equal tag team.

I can only attribute Suzuki's push over Tanahshi to the same thing that saw Baba always beat Inoki back when those two were young lions; Suzuki is big and has a sports name value (like Baba) whilst Tanahashi is the superior worker but has no other special features.

[Luds]

I agree Gringo... I think that they're pushing Suzuki over Tanahashi since we "all know" how good Tanahashi will be, but Suzuki needs to be build strongly since he's not as good... Suzuki has picked up wins and will be seen as a good heavyweight soon enough, and stay at that level... But Tanahashi can take these jobs and still become an IWGP champion...

[JustS2pendous]

Tanahashi is similar to Tenzan in the way that doing a few jobs doesn't hurt his long term future.

[ElGringo]

I'm sure Kenzo will get to be pretty good in the end, a fundamentally sound worker who tries hard, does what he does well and tries to work around his limitations; I can see him being as good as Takayama (I would have said Nakanishi, but, having watched Nak in that 60min time limit draw, I don't think so anymore); he'll be a nice addition to the upper mid-card in the New Japan of the future.