Speaking of Strong Style - An NJPW podcast

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!

BREAKING NEWS POD: Okada to Leave NJPW!

Jeremy and Steven are back with an emergency episode following the news of Kazuchika Okada's decision to leave New Japan Pro Wrestling. Topics covered include:
Discussion of the factors at play, Japan's economic conditions and the state of American wrestling today.
A look at why Okada should be a special case and not treated the way other Japanese talent has over the years.
What's ahead for Okada's faction, CHAOS? Should they continue with a new leader, or disband altogether?
Talk of the lack of strong leaders among New Japan factions. Who could step up, and who should form new ones?
Will New Japan strap the rocket to one of their new stars such as Shota Umino, Ren Narita, Yota Tsuji or Yuya Uemura?
Are there other stars from Japan that could make an impact by moving to New Japan?
Okada's departure is seismic event in professional wrestling. Will this shakeup lead to a new period of creativity, or will New Japan be hurting going forward? Speaking of Strong Style covers the angles of one of the year's biggest stories.

Battle in the Valley Recap, New Beginning Tour to Begin

This was recorded only an hour or two before the news of Kazuchika Okada leaving was posted on the New Japan site. We will have more reaction to that huge new soon.
In this episode, Jeremy and Steven talk Battle in the Valley! Jeremy attended the show in person, and saw an outstanding night of wrestling. They discuss Okada v Will Ospreay, Eddie Kingston v Gabe Kidd, Jon Moxley v Shingo Takagi, Shota Umino, Giulia and much more. The pair broke down each match on the card and why it was significant to New Japan storylines going forward. They also discussed possible leadership scenarios for United Empire, whether Matt Riddle will be able to stay in New Japan long, ideas on the NJPW Strong Women's title and how they think Jack Perry fits in the New Japan landscape. Jeremy and Steven also talked about why they think ticket sales for the upcoming Windy City Riot are selling so well. They covered the upcoming New Beginning tour, including Saturday's Tama Tonga-EVIL clash for the NEVER Openweight title and another Strong Tag Team title defense from El Phantasmo and Hikuleo, plus a wacky King of Pro Wrestling match. They also talk Fantasticamania and the big show coming in Osaka. It's all you need to know as a New Japan fan! 
 
 

NEW YEAR DASH recap and Battle in the Valley preview

Jeremy Finestone is joined by guest host Paul Fontaine of the Wrestling Observer and Fight Game Media to discuss the week that was in New Japan. Jeremy and Paul discussed the major news and notes out of Wrestle Kingdom and New Year Dash before previewing Battle in the Valley and the announced matches for New Beginnings.
Full video episode here: https://youtube.com/live/EuGBXoBudTU
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WrestleKingdom 18 Review

Steven Conway and Jeremy Finestone are working on short sleep, but they're happy to break down the wonderful WrestleKingdom 18 card. New Japan delivered an emotional, exciting event, with each match bringing something different to the table, along with some surprises. They break down all aspects of the show, from SANADA facing Tetsuya Naito in the main event, to a wild three-way featuring Will Ospreay, David Finlay and Jon Moxley, to the sublime rematch between Kazuchika Okada and Bryan Danielson. They also looked at an excellent Junior Heavyweight title match with Hiromu Takahashi facing El Desperado, a Tama Tonga-Shingo Takagi battle that almost stole the show, and a double tag team title match with a finish Jeremy hinted at with El Phantasmo and Hikuleo on this very show. All this and more as the guys do a deep dive into the biggest single show of the year! The video is available here: https://www.youtube.com/live/2rNMQ82-kRw?si=d_SJVFJGtshqFV-z

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