Speaking of Strong Style - An NJPW podcast

2023 Year In Review and WrestleKingdom Preview with Chris Samsa

Chris Samsa joins Steven and Jeremy for part two of the WrestleKingdom Week preview! The trio looks at the year that was in New Japan, looking at key moments, big matches and important angles that made for an eventful year in NJ history. They also talk more about New Japan's new president, Hiroshi Tanahashi, and what we can expect from him in his new role. They also look closely at each WrestleKingom 18 match, discussing possible scenarios for New Japan's biggest event. You can find video of part one of the Speaking of Strong Style preview with Scott Edwards here: https://www.youtube.com/live/cpFKGl78lEA?si=Que4su28i9wItAaO and part two here: https://www.youtube.com/live/W9Uwp48ksOQ?si=UdDX0hzl6lGc1wz1

WrestleKingdom Week Preview Part One with Scott Edwards

Scott Edwards from the "Five Star Joshi Show" and "Stardom Road" joins Steven and Jeremy for part one of a two-day preview of WrestleKingdom week. The trio discussed Hiroshi Tanahashi's appointment as the new president of New Japan, previewed STARDOM's Dream Queendom, NOAH's New Year show and of course, WrestleKingdom itself. They also talked about what Charlie Dempsey's Triple Crown title match could mean for Japanese wrestling and the WWE. Each match is discussed as we head toward the best week of the wrestling calendar! 

El Phantasmo and Hikuleo Join the Show on the Road to Wrestle Kingdom

We are thrilled to welcome NJPW Strong Tag Team Champions El Phantasmo and Hikuleo to the show! The champs talked to Steven and Jeremy about their title versus title match with Bishamon at WrestleKingdom 18, their journeys to New Japan Pro Wrestling, the past year that saw them on the front lines of a major NJPW feud, and how their persistence helped them overcome injuries to get to the biggest match of their lives. After the interview, Steven and Jeremy break down a great Road to WrestleKindom show from Korakuen Hall, featuring a brilliant NEVER Openweight Six-Man title match and a unique KOPW match, plus angles galore up and down the card. It's New Japan's most exciting season! Video can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/live/lMI-k_Xy22E?si=qqoEV_CtTD5W3Gvn

Bishamon Make History: Goto and YOSHI-HASHI three-peat in World Tag League.

Jeremy Finestone and Steven Conway looked at the 2023 World Tag League Finals and discussed New Japan's decision to make Bishamon into a Superteam. They discussed how Hirooki Goto and YOSHI-HASHI's win over El Phantasmo and Hikuleo is a signal the company wants to build the tag team division around its most consistent team and make it a Mount Everest for the rest of the teams to climb. They broke down the semifinals and finals shows, covering angles involving Ren Narita, Shota Umino, Minoru Suzuki, Yuji Nagata, Yuya Uemura, Yota Tsuji and more. The also kicked around ideas on what they could do with these angles as WrestleKingdom draws near. Jeremy and Steven also looked ahead to the Road to WrestleKingdom shows and looked back on the career of Osamu Kido and Tetsuya Naito's critical match with Kazuchika Okada at WrestleKingdom 8, and why it was so important to both his and New Japan's history. See the video version of this show each Thursday, live at 5:30 EST: Fight Game Media - YouTube

Ren the Rat: Betrayal at World Tag League 2023

This week, Steven Conway and Jeremy Finestone discussed Ren Narita's turn on Shota Umino, both the timing and execution of it, plus what it could mean for each, and the House of Torture, moving forward. They also talked about Kazuchika Okada and WWE's interest in New Japan's top star. Steven and Jeremy also broke down the final week of World Tag League, how Gabe Kidd and Alex Coughlin surged past Mikey Nicholls and Shane Haste at the finish line, the comeback stories of the two championship teams, Hikuleo and El Phantasmo as well as Bishamon, and how Minoru Suzuki and Yugi Nagata gave us the feel-good moment of the tournament. They also discussed Tetsuya Naito's Wrestle Kingdom history, looking back at his match with Keiji Muto at WrestleKingdom 6. Jeremy and Steven also brainstormed ideas for other Wrestle Kingdom matches.

World Tag League 2023: Hot Sauce

Steven Conway and Jeremy Finestone are back talking about World Tag League. The guys break down each team in the tournament and their journeys to this point. The teams of Lance Archer and Alex Zayne, as well as Ren Narita and Shota Umino are looking strong, but TMDK, Taichi and Yuya Umeura look strong also. They also look ahead to the final week and who is likely to be involved in the semifinals and finals. Plus, they talk about the Yuji Nagata - Minoru Suzuki dynamic, and why a winless team might be the most interesting one in the tournament.  They also look at the two new Young Lions who debuted on the first two shows of the tour. 

Lonestsar Shootout Recap, World Tag League Preview

Steven Conway and Jeremy Finestone talked about Kevin Kelly's departure, recapped Lonestar Shootout from Garland, TX (Steven was in attendance), and previewed World Tag League. Lonestar featured Eddie Kingston, Jon Moxley, Shingo Takagai and Mayu Iwantani, and included one of the best matches in New Japan all year, in Zack Sabre Jr. versus Mike Bailey. World Tag League has a slew of fresh teams, making it feel like a fresh, exciting event. They also talked about two Young Lions debuting this weeken, plus a King of Pro Wrestling title match. 

The Year of the Ospreay: Is Will Having the Best Year Ever, Plus Lone Star Shootout

Jeremy and Steven discussed the new matches announced for Wrestle Kingdom, including Bryan Danielson versus Kazuchika Okada in the dream rematch, Jon Moxley facing Will Ospreay and David Finley for a new title, Hiromu Takahashi taking on El Desperado and Clark Connors and Drilla Moloney defending their titles against Catch 2/2. They also previewed the Lone Star Shootout in Texas, featuring Shingo Takagi, Mayu Iwatani, Eddie Kingston, Mike Bailey, Zack Sabre Jr, Mistico, Atlantis, Rocky Romero, and many others. Jeremy and Steven also interacted with the live chat in discussing the best in-ring years in wrestling history, and what people hope to see at Wrestle Kingdom for favorites such as Hiroshi Tanahashi, Tomohiro Ishii, Claudio Castagnoli and others. It was a packed show with lots of fun discussion regarding NJPW's future. 

Power Struggle 2023 Review: Great Show, Great Crowd, Big Angles

Steven Conway and Jeremy Finestone are back with a special episode breaking down the Nov. 4 Power Struggle show from Osaka. They talked about the classic main event with Will Ospreay and Shota Umino, what it could mean to Umino's career and how the match led to a big angle for Wrestle Kingdom. The match-by-match analysis included discussion of Bryan Danielson, Jon Moxley, El Desperado, Kazuchika Okada, Hiroshi Tanahashi, Zack Sabre Jr. and more. Other matches analyzed included Hiromu Takahashi v Taiji Ishimori, the Super Jr. Tag League Finals with Catch 2/2 facing SHO and Yoshinobu Kanemaru, and Great O-Khan v Moxley. It was a great show with an enthusiastic crowd, and the guys were fired up to talk about it. 

DespaWato: The Ballad of Super Jr. Tag League

Jeremy Finestone and Steven Conway are back! It was a busy week in New Japan, and Steven related his experiences at both the Sphere and in the crowd at Fighting Spirit Unleashed. The pair broke down the Las Vegas card, including Shingo Takagi's title victory over Tama Tonga, Eddie Kingston defending his STRONG title against HENARE, Giulia facing an impressive Hyan for the Strong Women's title, Hikuleo and El Phantasmo's title defense against Lance Archer and Alex Zayne, plus a legends match featuring Hiroshi Tanahashi, Atlantis, Mistico, Rocky Romero and more. They also went through a packed week of shows back in Japan, with Super Jr. Tag League coming down to its final night of block action. They discussed how El Desperado and Master Wato made for the tournament's most interesting subplot, Catch 2/2's run as a babyface team, Clark Connors and Dan Moloney turning up the heat as the War Dogs and how Kosei Fujita and Kevin Knight are on their way to being superstars. Steven and Jeremy also looked ahead to Power Struggle on Nov. 4 as New Japan sets up angles and matchups for Wrestle Kingdom.