I don't think this needed to be spoiler tagged, it's all over the place. Making me have to Google shit...

I'm actually quite excited for the top two matches. I'm invested in the Naito title win and Omega-Jericho is one of those freak show special attractions you just don't get to see anymore. It's exciting even though I don't expect a great match out of it.

Well, sometimes wrestling is about more than great matches. I know, heresy

I can't imagine Jericho vs Omega will be any good - if AJ couldn't get great matches out of Chris, him trying to keep up with Omega's go-go-go might get quite ugly. It'll be interesting to see critical response to it.

Man, I really wanted Omega vs Ibushi and I actually think it would've drawn better at the Dome than Jericho. This is still gonna be the biggest January 4th show in more than a decade most likely (in terms of legit paid attendance) and certainly the one with the most US exposure to date.

 

Jay White being groomed to be their next big gaijin star makes sense and I Iike his work so can't hate on that. But why not give the IC title to Ibushi and book White vs Tanahashi as just a singles "return" match?. I'm baffled Gedo doesn't give a proven draw like Kota a green light push given how they need a new star for the heavy division. Even if he can't commit long term, you just gave fucking Jericho a huge match, why not try to make the most money out of Ibushi while you can?

 

It's all about Naito's coronation though, It's fucking due.

Well, sometimes wrestling is about more than great matches. I know, heresy

 

What is this witchcraft you speak of?!

Ibushi vs Omega is bigger for the japanese audience...

Im sure its not a coincidence that they announced the return date to Long Beach on the same show Jericho pops up at. NJPW is all about world wide expansion in 2018.

It's an awful card, frankly. Naito-Okada is a fitting main event but not one I'm looking forward to, and the rest is shit.

I'm so confused. I thought everyone was "fooled" according to Twitter and that the match isn't happening. If that's not the case, what exactly are Jericho and Chris Cruise arguing about?

Apparently, they are arguing because people were "fooled" that they have legit heat based on some recent Twitter arguments. Sigh ...

Im sure its not a coincidence that they announced the return date to Long Beach on the same show Jericho pops up at. NJPW is all about world wide expansion in 2018.

 

It does seem that way, I'm not sure I like it.

Jericho and Kenny were clearly working an angle on Twitter so it looks like Chris Cruise is upset he thought it was real heat. Its apparently the worst thing that can happen nowadays to be convinced a wrestling storyline is real.

I can't imagine Jericho vs Omega will be any good - if AJ couldn't get great matches out of Chris, him trying to keep up with Omega's go-go-go might get quite ugly. It'll be interesting to see critical response to it.

I'm way more interested to see how Meltzer rates the match than see that actual match itself. The wrestler he's a giant fanboy for vs. his WWE source, I don't think he goes less than *** even if the match is a complete train wreck.

 

 

I can't imagine Jericho vs Omega will be any good - if AJ couldn't get great matches out of Chris, him trying to keep up with Omega's go-go-go might get quite ugly. It'll be interesting to see critical response to it.

I'm way more interested to see how Meltzer rates the match than see that actual match itself. The wrestler he's a giant fanboy for vs. his WWE source, I don't think he goes less than *** even if the match is a complete train wreck.

He certainly never acknowledged how awful Jericho was in the Styles series.

It should be interesting how this changes things business wise, as you have to think Vince isnt too happy about this.

I would be surprised if he won't end up in the Rumble for 40 minutes directing traffic anyway.

 

I can't imagine Jericho vs Omega will be any good - if AJ couldn't get great matches out of Chris, him trying to keep up with Omega's go-go-go might get quite ugly. It'll be interesting to see critical response to it.

I'm way more interested to see how Meltzer rates the match than see that actual match itself. The wrestler he's a giant fanboy for vs. his WWE source, I don't think he goes less than *** even if the match is a complete train wreck.

 

This match is already 4 1/2 stars and hasn't even happened yet

 

 

I can't imagine Jericho vs Omega will be any good - if AJ couldn't get great matches out of Chris, him trying to keep up with Omega's go-go-go might get quite ugly. It'll be interesting to see critical response to it.

 

I'm way more interested to see how Meltzer rates the match than see that actual match itself. The wrestler he's a giant fanboy for vs. his WWE source, I don't think he goes less than *** even if the match is a complete train wreck.

This match is already 4 1/2 stars and hasn't even happened yet

Yup, that's my estimate as well.

It should be interesting how this changes things business wise, as you have to think Vince isnt too happy about this.

 

I'd be shocked if Jericho negotiated this without WWE knowing about it. Wouldn't surprise me if this is a sort of deal that leads to Omega working Rumble/Mania or even signing for Vince.

It's also interesting that New Japan is sending Naito and Hiromu to CMLL, which I think is the first time they've sent a top level guy since Tanahashi won the Universal tournament in 2013.

I'm really not sure it's a given that Jericho got "permission" to do this. For one, it's easier to get forgiveness, especially from Vince. Second, it seems that negotiations began in earnest after an unsuccessful attempt to partner with NXT for his cruise.

Honestly, I think it's worth it if only for the fact that there are a lot of casual fans out there who will be exposed to a different style of wrestling thanks to this announcement. Regardless of how I feel about Jericho's work, his name carries a significant amount of weight in the wrestling world: enough to take someone who watches only WWE and make them at least want to check out the 1/4 show.

 

Sure, the match probably won't be great but it was a surprising (truly) announcement that's got everyone talking. Creating a buzz and getting the product over in a way that makes people want to tune in. That's just good booking.

I'm actually quite excited for the top two matches. I'm invested in the Naito title win and Omega-Jericho is one of those freak show special attractions you just don't get to see anymore. It's exciting even though I don't expect a great match out of it.

 

Exactly. I think its pretty well booked show. They've done a great job building towards Naito's title win. I look at Jericho's appearance as one of those side show special attractions that make the Dome special. The 3 matches announced on the undercard I see as solid opportunities to build for the future.

A few years back Jim Ross was heavily pushed on promoting the dome show. His announcing was the big draw to get eyeballs on the project. Jericho is similar except he wrestles. Like him or dont like him his name gets eyeballs on the product.