Speaking of Strong Style - An NJPW podcast

G1 Climax 34 Goto Stands Tall, Sabre Jr. Punches His Ticket

This week's episode reviewed a busy week of G1 Climax action. Zack Sabre Jr. punched his ticket to the playoffs, but he's the only one thus far. Steven and Jeremy also talked about the chances of other contenders in A Block, such as Shingo Takagi, EVIL, Great O-Khan. Will Shota Umino make an impact despite being eliminated? Can O-Khan take his comeback story all the way to the knockout rounds? They also looked at B Block, and how Jeff Cobb and Yuya Uemura have gone in opposite directions. They wondered if there was any way New Japan could just keep Konnosuke Takeshita, and they looked at the chances of B Block contenders such as David Finlay, Yota Tsuji, Ren Narita and this year's tournament Cinderella, Hirooki Goto.
 

G1 Climax Week 2, Will Anyone Deliver Us From EVIL?

This week, Steven and Jeremy discussed the G1 Climax tournament as it moves just past its halfway point. EVIL leads the field in the A Block, but the guys are skeptical that will continue. They discussed each participant in the tournament and their chances of advancing to the playoffs. They also wondered if Jake Lee will stay with the War Dogs, if Gabe Kidd will be turning babyface, and if Shota Umino is due for a late surge to take him to the knockout round with Zack Sabre Jr. They also looked at the logjam in B Block, and how matches involving David Finlay, Jeff Cobb, Konosuke Takeshita, Yota Tsuji and HENARE make for a fascinating home stretch for the tournament. They also wondered about Hirooki Goto's role as the "old guard" representative, and what the future holds for El Phantasmo.
 
 

G1 Climax 34: Yuya's Huge Week, Zack Leads Early

Jeremy and Steven discussed the first four nights of the G1 Climax tournament. They looked at each participant and how their individual stories unfolded into an intriguing tournament. They worried that things are going a little too well for Zack Sabre Jr., marveled at Konosuke Takeshita's early run, and spoke of how Yuya Uemura has been the surprise breakout star. They also looked at IWGP World Heavyweight Champion Tetsuya Naito and how his health has been woven into his storyline, why Gabe Kidd is so fascinating, and the outstanding matches piled up by David Finlay, Yota Tsuji, Shingo Takagi, HENARE and others. They also speculated on Hirooki Goto's future in the tournament and why he's so valuable this year, plus why Jake Lee has been an in-ring disappointment thus far. 
 
 

G1 Climax 34 Preview with Chris Samsa

Chris Samsa from sportofprowrestling.com joins Steven Conway and Jeremy Finestone for Speaking of Strong Style! This week, the trio previewed the G1 Climax tournament. Chris told Steven and Jeremy all about his G1 Climax Pick 'Em pool, then they got down to business looking at each entry in the G1 tournament, their chances of making the playoffs and what their overall story arcs might be. They discussed tournament favorites such as Zack Sabre Jr., Yota Tsuji, Shingo Takagi, Shota Umino and David Finlay, plus newcomers such as Konosuke Takeshita, Jake Lee, Oleg Boltin, Callum Newman and Yuya Uemura. They also talked about Hiroshi Tanahashi's new IWGP committee and El Desperado's pending leave of absence. They ended with a discussion of Fantasticamania in the US, which Jeremy attended live.
 
 

DOUKI's Big Day, Fantasticamania Preview, G1 Field Set

This week, Steven and Jeremy talked about Stephanie Vaquer's departure and the overall women's scene coming out of Mexico, and why it can have an impact on New Japan. They also broke down the New Japan Soul event from the Tokyo Budokan, why DOUKI's title win was a pleasant surprise, what Desperado's long-term story might be, and why the location of the show meant something to IWGP World Heavyweight Champion Tetsuya Naito and BUSHI. They also previewed the Fantasticamania event coming this weekend, with Mistico and DOUKI facing Volador Jr. and Rocky Romero on top. They also made their first forays into G1 analysis, looking at their top contenders for the tournament, who might struggle, and the key upsets that could decide the fate of the bracket.
 
 

G1 Qualifying: Youth Movement? End of an Era?

This week, Steven and Jeremy talked about the G1 Qualifying tournament. Steven spoke of his hesitation to declare anything a youth movement after seeing several potential ones cut off at the knees. They also pondered a G1 world without such mainstays and icons as Hiroshi Tanahashi, Tomohiro Ishii, Taichi and more. They also discussed whether what we've seen lately from IWGP World Heavyweight champion Tetsuya Naito is due to effort or injury. They looked ahead to Friday's show at the Tokyo Budokan and the newly-announced Wrestle Kingdom week schedule that involves shows, fan fests and more involving New Japan and STARDOM. Plus, did the company blow it with Jon Moxley's title reign? 
 
 

Forbidden Door 2024: New Champions and a Great Main Event

Steven and Jeremy are back with a special edition of Speaking of Strong Style covering a show that brought together talent from AEW, New Japan, CMLL and STARDOM. Topics covered include: 
An excellent main event between AEW Champion Swerve Strickland and Will Ospreay. A pair of NJPW title changes as Tetsuya Naito regained the IWGP World Heavyweight title and Mercedes Mone picked up the NJPW Strong Women's title, which was created for her in the first place. How Stephanie Vaquer won over the Long Island crowd despite losing her match.Naito's disappointing performance and possible reasons for it. How Toni Storm, Mariah May and Mina Shirakawa delivered an entertaining title match, and why Shirakawa should be on everyone's radar. A big night for The Elite with Jack Perry winning the TNT title and Kazuchika Okada teaming with the Young Bucks to beat The Acclaimed and Hiroshi TanahashiWhy Shingo Takagi versus Bryan Danielson and Orange Cassidy versus Zack Sabre Jr. couldn't miss.Speculation on upcoming directions for the champions coming out of the show. 
 

Forbidden Door 2024 Preview, G1 Qualifying Round One

This week, Steven and Jeremy previewed Forbidden Door 2024. They discussed the angles on AEW Dynamite that added a few matches to the card and broke down the event match-by-match. They talked about the title matches, including Stephanie Vaquer versus Mercedes Mone, Jon Moxley versus Tetsuya Naito and why they feel it's time for the IWGP title to come home. They also looked at the Mina Shirakawa match with Toni Storm, and why the two of them along with Mariah May have made this one of the most compelling matches on the show. They also previewed Shingo Takagi's match with Bryan Danielson, Zack Sabre Jr. versus Orange Cassidy and Kazuchika Okada meeting Hiroshi Tanahashi again in a six-man match. Plus, is Jeff Cobb really not defending the TV title after laying down that challenge? Jeremy and Steven also talked about the first round qualifying matches for the G1, and whether the company is truly moving toward a youth movement, or just teasing us. Finally, they covered NJPW stars in Mexico, plus the life of Sika and the Wild Samoans in Japan.

G1 Participants Announced, A G1 Without Tanahashi or Ishii? New Japan Soul Review

Jeremy Finestone and Steven Conway return with Speaking of Strong Style. This week, the pair looked at the lineups for the upcoming G1 Climax tournament and shared their early thoughts on how the blocks could play out. They also analyzed the two qualification tournaments to determine the final two entries. Will New Japan really have a G1 without Hiroshi Tanhashi or Tomohiro Ishii? What could their plans be if Shota Umino can't compete? Plus, they discussed New Japan Soul, why HENARE's NEVER Openweight title win was so satisfying, why El Desperado ascension to the top of the junior heavyweight division bodes well going forward, and why David Finlay's win over SANADA seemed a well-wrestled formality. Steven and Jeremy also looked ahead to upcoming matches and discussed the roles of guests like Takeshita and Jake Lee.
 
 

Despe Invitacional Wackiness, New Japan Soul Preview, G1 Climax 34

Steven Conway and Jeremy Finestone are back with Speaking of Strong Style! This pair talked about the Despe Invitational and how the bonkers show from Korakuen Hall was a lot of chaos and a lot of fun. They also discussed the new format of the G1 in a bit more detail and theorized how Zack Sabre Jr., Shingo Takagi and others could have a big impact on the tournament. Will there be room for guests from AEW or NOAH? They previewed All Together, featuring Tetsuya Naito versus Jake Lee, and the New Japan Soul show coming up. Jeremy and Steven looked at the title matches on that show and how some title changes could affect the G1, Forbidden Door and other upcoming events. With Jon Moxley versus Naito coming soon, these shows could tell us a lot about the future direction of New Japan. Plus, Steven looked back on the 15th anniversary of Mitsuharu Misawa's passing.