Speaking of Strong Style

New Japan Cup: House of Torture's Impact on the Tourney, Yoshie's Passing, Vaquer New Champ

Jeremy Finestone and Steven Conway return with Speaking of Strong Style! The pair discussed the past week's New Japan Cup action, with EVIL, Ren Narita, Jack Perry and the rest of House of Torture making a big impact on the bracket. They also talked about who is more likely to win among contenders such as David Finlay, Shingo Takagi, SANADA and Zack Sabre Jr. They also look at the efforts of Chase Owens, Hikuleo, Yota Tsuji and Gabe Kidd. Steven and Jeremy also covered Stephanie Vaquer's NJPW Strong Women's title win over Giulia and why it's a good thing for the title. They also covered news about the upcoming New Japan and STARDOM shows in Taiwan, Ryohei Oiwa's tag team tournament win in NOAH, and the sad passing of Yutaka Yoshie.
 
 

Special Guest Chris Samsa, New Japan Cup Begins, Jack Perry's NJPW Debut

Steven Conway and Jeremy Finestone are joined by Chris Samsa for the latest edition of Speaking of Strong Style! The trio looked at the first two nights of action from the New Japan Cup, one of which was the 52nd Anniversary show. They discussed Tetsuya Naito's drawing power after a strong crowd showed up for the heavyweight champion's match against junior heavyweight champion, SHO. They also discussed tournament matches such as TJP versus David Finlay, Jack Perry's NJPW debut against Shota Umino, Tomohiro Ishii versus Chase Owens, and how matches like YOSHI-HASHI versus KENTA can be used to set up title matches in the future. Chris also shared some of his data and unique statistical analysis regarding the tournament, and who fans feel will go deep into the Cup tournament. They also discussed the overall feeling in the air regarding fans and the state of New Japan. Do they have real cause for concern, and what's the reason for the recent feelings of near-existential dread for the company? Jeremy, Steven and Chris also looked at the schedule for Best of the Super Juniors and what it tells us about the direction of that division. The trio shared their feelings and kicked around ideas for the future. 
 

New Japan Cup Preview and Bracketology

The New Japan Cup is approaching, and Jeremy and Steven discussed their thoughts on the bracket and who might advance to the final. Jeremy had some interesting thoughts on TJP versus David Finlay, while Steven just hoped for Tomohiro Ishii versus Hirooki Goto in the second round. They also talked about the Shota Umino-Jack Perry first round matchup, plus the prospects for stars such as Yota Tsuji, EVIL, Shingo Takagi, Yuya Uemura, Gabe Kidd, Zack Sabre Jr. and others. Other topics include:
Anniversary show preview, with Tetsuya Naito facing SHO in the main event.
NJPW-related title matches in MLW (Matt Riddle), AEW (Eddie Kingston) and STARDOM (Giulia against Stephanie Vaquer).
News on Bushiroad business.
More names announced for Windy City Riot in Chicago.
How CMLL's visa issues could affect NJPW.
With the anniversary approaching, a look back at the very first show in NJPW history.
Speaking of Strong Style brings you up to date on all you need to know going into the New Japan Cup!

New Beginning in Sapporo Review: NJPW Lacks Conviction

Steven Conway and Jeremy Finestone are back with Speaking of Strong Style! The pair review the two New Beginning in Sapporo shows from New Japan Pro Wrestling, featuring a mixed bag of matches. STARDOM stole the show on the first night with a title defense by Mayu Iwatani. A pair of former WWE wrestlers, Nic Nemeth and Matt Riddle, made their debut in Japan while Kazuchika Okada and Tama Tonga made their farewells. On the second night, we saw five singles matches between Los Ingobernables and Just 5 Guys, culminating in an IWGP match between Tetsuya Naito and SANADA. Steven and Jeremy break down the chaos, try to rationalize some decisions (which ain't easy), and debate the direction of the promotion moving forward! A fun 80 minutes so check it out!
 

New Beginning in Sapporo Preview Plus Fantasticamania

This week, Steven and Jeremy looked to two major shows in the next couple of days, as New Beginning in Sapporo approaches. These shows could point toward a new course for the company, and they previewed the shows match-by-match. That preview included a slew of title matches featuring Tetsuya Naito, SANADA, Nic Nemeth and David Finaly in main events. They also speculated on the future of the CHAOS and United Empire factions as Kazuchika Okada has his final matches with the company. Plus, they previewed the big Hair versus Hair match between Yota Tsuji and Yuya Uemura, a crossroads NEVER Openweight title match between EVIL and Shota Umino, Matt Riddle challenging Hiroshi Tanahashi for the TV title, El Desperado versus SHO with a potentially interesting stipulation that could take SHO out of House of Torture, and Mayu Iwantani defending her IWGP Women's title against Mina Shirakawa.They also looked back at Fantasticamania and some of their favorite matches from the tour. They talked about the RevPro show and how New Japan talents such as Zack Sabre Jr., Shingo Takagi and former New Japan star Will Ospreay fared. Plus, they celebrated the excursion debut of Oskar Leube and Yuto Nakashima. They also discussed STARDOM and New Japan, their business relationship and how parent company BUSHIROAD can optimize the way the promotions work together.
 
 

Fantasticamania: New Japan Has Fun After Heavy New Beginning Show

After the emotional and sometimes brutal New Beginning in Osaka, New Japan took a lighter-hearted turn this week with Fantasticamania, when the stars of CMLL come to Japan for a brief tour filled with their brand of exciting lucha libre. It's also a time for some New Japan stars to loosen up, with Taiji Ishimori, Hiromu Takahashi, El Desperado, Hiroshi Tanahashi and others getting in on the act. Steven and Jeremy discussed seeing CMLL's Mistico, Mascara Dorada, Atlantis Jr., ,Volador Jr., Titan, Ultimo Guerrero, Soberano Jr. and others. They also looked at the first night of the tour from Osaka, and how Volador and Rocky Romero set things up for a class later in the week. They looked at key matchups ahead, including a women's match featuring Starlight Kid and Ruaka from STARDOM. Plus, they talked about how others who have made news in New Japan, such as Bryan Danielson, Jon Moxley and more will have a huge match in Arena Mexico later this month as part of these major promotions working with one another.
 
 

New Beginning in Osaka Review: Violent, Emotional, Poignant

Jeremy Finestone and Steven Conway are back with a special edition of the pod to break down the New Beginning in Osaka card! Topics covered include:
Will Ospreay's farewell as a New Japan-contracted wrestler with a main event that set new standards for violence in today's NJPW, but was it a good match?
How Ospreay and Francesco Akira and TJP worked hard to put over David Finlay's War Dogs crew, including Alex Coughlin, Gabe Kidd, Clark Connors and Drilla Moloney.
A look at how almost no one escaped the cage unscathed, from HENARE'S scary cut to Jeff Cobb's injury.
A technical masterpiece from Bryan Danielson and Zack Sabre Jr. that left both men feeling the high that comes from reaching the peak performance.
More tears as Kazuchika Okada and Hiroshi Tanahashi face one another one last time in a singles match, and how the Edion Arena plays into their historic rivalry.
Angles from early matches, including the Jr. Heavyweight title being put on the line versus SHO's faction allegiance and Shota Umino being spray painted.
A discussion of what's next for the IWGP Tag Team champions after a surprise finish.
New Beginning was a show that brought out some very real, raw emotions from the New Japan crew, some spectacular performances, and a divisive main event. Speaking of Strong Style looks at this historic show from every angle.

NJPW Wargames, Tsuji and Uemura Hair v Hair, Rossy Ogawa Fallout with Scott Edwards

Jeremy and Steven were joined by Scott Edwards, one of the top experts on the Japanese women's wrestling scene to discuss STARDOM's firing of Rossy Ogawa and how it may impact New Japan. They discussed the issues Ogawa had with Bushiroad (the same conglomerate that owns New Japan), and the dilemma STARDOM wrestlers face between staying with the country's top joshi promotion and joining Ogawa's upcoming new company.  They also discussed what stars such as Tam Nakano, Maika and others have said about their futures, and what we know about the NJPW titleholders, Giulia and Mayu Iwatani. Steven and Jeremy previewed Sunday's big show in Osaka, featuring Kazuchika Okada versus Hiroshi Tanahashi, Zack Sabre Jr. versus Bryan Danielson, and a special War Games-style cage match with David Finaly's War Dogs meeting Will Ospreay's United Empire in Ospreay's final match as a New Japan wrestler.  They also talked about injuries to Jeff Cobb and Drilla Moloney, plus some Fantasticamania chat with Mistico, Volador Jr., Atlantis Jr., Soberano Jr. and more coming to New Japan. 

A New Day Approaches for New Japan

Steven and Jeremy discussed some recent New Japan results and previewed the upcoming Korakuen Hall shows, featuring the United Empire squaring off with the War Dogs in a series of matches, plus a special gauntlet match with Tetsuya Naito's Los Ingoberable faction facing SANADA's Just 5 Guys. They also discussed why they don't think we'll be seeing Brock Lesnar back in New Japan (thank goodness). They also looked at the NJPW women's titles. With Giulia on her way out of STARDOM, what should the exit strategy be regarding the NJPW STRONG women's title? They also looked ahead to the rest of the New Beginnings tour, including Will Ospreay and Kazuchika Okada's final New Japan appearances for now, Bryan Danielson versus Zack Sabre Jr., and Nic Nemeth challenging David Finlay for the Global title. Other topics included ideas for Kosei Fujita and Oleg Boltin's excursions, and if they should even have one. Plus, the pair looked back on what was happening in New Japan at this time five years ago and in 2011, the last February in New Japan we had without Okada.

New Beginning: Emotions Run High in Korakuen, and a Bad Show in Nagoya

Jeremy Finestone and Steven Conway return to talk about New Japan's New Beginning tour, and how it has a more literal meaning than ever. The pair discussed a rough Nagoya show that didn't hit on any cylinders, followed by two Korakuen Hall shows that went much better. They talked about an excellent main event featuring Shota Umino and Ren Narita, the captivating United Empire - War Dogs rivalry, the tired-out Ingoberables - Just 5 Guys series, and how Tama Tonga left the company a hero in storyline. They also discussed the farewell tour of Kazuchika Okada, his emotional reaction to the New Japan fans and a moment that even made Tomohiro Ishii shed tears. They also previewed the upcoming New Beginning shows as New Japan works its way through one of the biggest adjustment periods it has faced in many years. Steven and Jeremy also discussed how the upcoming Windy City Riot show in Chicago is beating all expectations with Jon Moxley, Tetsuya Naito, Mustafa Ali and Hiromu Takahashi on top. Speaking of Strong Style is here to guide you through this fascinating time in New Japan history!