Lil' Kazu Posted January 21, 2017 Report Share Posted January 21, 2017 Gotcha, thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
classiq. Posted January 21, 2017 Report Share Posted January 21, 2017 Takaaki Kidani, the owner of New Japan Pro Wrestlings parent company Bushiroad and chairman of New Japan, recently spoke to Weekly Pro Wrestling about the promotions goal to expand into the United States, setting up a base of operations in California, and the challenges ahead of them competing with WWE. All translations are courtesy of Chris Charlton, whose book Lions Pride is available on Amazon and an excellent read if youre interested in the history of New Japan Pro Wrestling. On the success of Wrestle Kingdom 11 and its influence outside of Japan: We had a lot of attention not just in Japanese, but international media, with the event hashtag being the top trend not just in Japan, but America, the UK and Germany. New Japan World subscribers suddenly increased, with over half being from abroad. With the high quality of the event, news reverberated internationally more than we had anticipated. Additionally including promotion and program sales, we have been able to advance in nine different countries, with our talents foreign excursions being part of that too. On New Japan being a global product: I think you can already call us a global product. If you look at the breakdown of our performers at the Dome, its about 75/25 Japanese to foreign in a live setting. Compare us to say, the music industry. You wouldnt go to a single concert that had that proportion of Japanese and foreign artists. You might see collaborations with foreign artists or a guest spot on a music video but thats it. If you look at live performances in the entertainment or sports industries, ours is the most diverse. How a New Japan territory in the United States would function: The plan would be to have California as a base and run tours in the area in a similar way to how we run things here, with a few shows further afield. For the Japanese talent, there are all sorts of options. Some guys may want to tour there, some may want to spend half the year there. Still others may want to take two years or so and move out there. There are lots of ways around that and Im open to opinion from the wrestlers. When you ask what it is we can do with new Japan, it is to create an American based subsidiary and run shows there. In addition, it is to produce television in line with our Japanese content that can be sold cheaply to American cable networks. While we currently sell television content to AXS TV, the most popular and visible networks have a high demand for volume of content available cheaply. We have strong foundations in Japan, and over there, the Japanese style of wrestling is in vogue. If we establish a territory in California, well be able to produce more content cheaply. It has to be localized. On WWEs global expansion and their business model: If you look at WWE, with their show business base, they really only have a strong business in the UK, Canada and America. They sell their programming elsewhere, sure, but they need to actually be doing business in those areas. I said this on Twitter, but why do you think theyre pushing people to the network? Its because they know cable isnt going to be around forever and they have to make up that loss. Thats why they established a UK Champion and set up that tournament. For WWE, its vital they localize. Partner with a promotion, buy one outright, start a subsidiary, anything. But you get that going and you tie up the talent in that country. Then that way you dont have to send a bunch of guys out from America every time. Production as well. It starts getting cheaper to do business. And the people in these countries now have a star of their own to support, and they might buy into their Network. WWE have been poor at creating new stars, but thats a real way to do it, to think local. On New Japans immediate plans going forward: Things start with the G1 Special, which we announced will take place on July 1st and 2nd. That wont include any actual tournament matches, but we may hold qualifiers. At that point, office staff will also be heading to the US. We will set up a dojo, likely with a monthly fee system. And as far as talent is concerned, from October of last year we began signing wrestlers to long term contracts, and this includes foreign wrestlers. Of course there is a plan for progression. It starts with gradually increasing the number of towns we run in. At first wed be looking at 1,000 seat buildings. The important thing to growth is exposure of the talent and exposure to television. Its a very different way of doing things than in Tokyo. I have talked with the talent about this, but at that point it was less concrete than it is now. The plan is for things to really get going in 2018. http://www.wrestlezone.com/news/796283-njpw-chairman-takaaki-kidani-reveals-plans-for-u-s-territory-training-school-talks-wwe-business-model-global-expansion-their-plans-for-2017 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GDAWG Posted January 21, 2017 Report Share Posted January 21, 2017 If New Japan is to win in America, they need to get the mainstream casual fan base. How on earth are they going to do that? The WWE has The Rock, they have John Cena hosting Saturday Night Live and the Today Show, they'll get some attention if Ronda Rousey or Shaq shows up for Mania, etc. So how does New Japan do that in America? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lunchbox Posted January 21, 2017 Report Share Posted January 21, 2017 Just keep putting on can't miss shows. People have been looking to a alternative to WWE forever and they can be that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Generations Posted January 21, 2017 Report Share Posted January 21, 2017 If New Japan is to win in America, they need to get the mainstream casual fan base. How on earth are they going to do that? The WWE has The Rock, they have John Cena hosting Saturday Night Live and the Today Show, they'll get some attention if Ronda Rousey or Shaq shows up for Mania, etc. So how does New Japan do that in America? They really don't. Nor do they need to "win America"... All they really need to do is fill the US arenas...which I don't think should be a problem. Seeing as how their taped content will still be shown to Japan, which is their established fan base, they don't really "need" the US audience...they just need to slowly expose the US audience to their style of wrestling...and they will gain fans over time. As far as "needing" to "win" America? Nah...not really. They should be in a stable enough position to advance as slowly as they want. These California shows will sell out. The US has a larger NJPW fanbase than you're giving us credit for...not to mention, your average wrestling fan who would go see it just because it's wrestling...even if they aren't familiar with it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lil' Kazu Posted January 21, 2017 Report Share Posted January 21, 2017 If New Japan is to win in America, they need to get the mainstream casual fan base. How on earth are they going to do that? The WWE has The Rock, they have John Cena hosting Saturday Night Live and the Today Show, they'll get some attention if Ronda Rousey or Shaq shows up for Mania, etc. So how does New Japan do that in America? Where did Kidani ever say they want to 'win in America'? Anyways, I love the transparency Kidani has in all this, if only WWE acted like that towards their audience... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LEGION Posted January 21, 2017 Report Share Posted January 21, 2017 If New Japan is to win in America, they need to get the mainstream casual fan base. How on earth are they going to do that? The WWE has The Rock, they have John Cena hosting Saturday Night Live and the Today Show, they'll get some attention if Ronda Rousey or Shaq shows up for Mania, etc. So how does New Japan do that in America? Where did Kidani ever say they want to 'win in America'? Anyways, I love the transparency Kidani has in all this, if only WWE acted like that towards their audience... Aren't you constantly complaining about Triple H's interviews? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Fight Me. Posted January 21, 2017 Report Share Posted January 21, 2017 Wish there was a way to find the AXS TV version of Omega vs. Okada with JR's commentary. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lil' Kazu Posted January 21, 2017 Report Share Posted January 21, 2017 If New Japan is to win in America, they need to get the mainstream casual fan base. How on earth are they going to do that? The WWE has The Rock, they have John Cena hosting Saturday Night Live and the Today Show, they'll get some attention if Ronda Rousey or Shaq shows up for Mania, etc. So how does New Japan do that in America? Where did Kidani ever say they want to 'win in America'? Anyways, I love the transparency Kidani has in all this, if only WWE acted like that towards their audience... Aren't you constantly complaining about Triple H's interviews? Lol. Source? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
classiq. Posted January 23, 2017 Report Share Posted January 23, 2017 Following their just-for-fun tour with Mexican promotion CMLL, which wrapped up this weekend, New Japan Pro Wrestling is gearing up for their first major tour of 2017 coming off an incredible Wrestle Kingdom 11 event, and a New Year Dash show that completely shook up the roster. The Road to the New Beginning kicks off at Korakuen Hall this Friday with a live event streamed on New Japan World, followed by a house show tour that will conclude with two major events New Beginning in Sapporo (2/5) and New Beginning in Osaka (2/11). The biggest news, which had been speculated on but until now never confirmed, is that Kenny Omega is nowhere to be seen on either of the major cards. In fact, there will be no Bullet Club presence of any kind, on any show of the tour. Instead, the primary focus for the next few weeks will be the return of Suzuki-Gun, the main event title match between Okada and Minoru Suzuki, Michael Elgins return and his title match with Naito, and the juniors title match between Takahashi and Dragon Lee. Its important to point out that Bullet Club being off the tour doesnt necessarily mean anything. In fact, the idea that NONE of the Bullet Club guys who are all under contract and are major draws for the company (although its still not clear what Omegas contract status is) lends itself to the speculation that we will see a major return for the faction at one of the big shows. The New Beginning in Sapporo February 5, 2017 Kushida & Hirai Kawato vs. El Desperado & Kanemura Yuji Nagata, Satoshi Kojima & Tenzan vs. Henare, David Finlay & Yoshitatsu Tiger Mask, Jushin Thunder Liger & Katsuyori Shibata vs. Gedo, Jado & Will Ospreay Yoshi-Hashi (Chaos) vs. Takashi Iizuka (Suzuki-Gun) Tetsuya Naito, Bushi, Evil, Sanada & Hiromu Takahashi (Los Ingobernables de Japon) vs. Dragon Lee, Ryusuke Taguchi, Nakanishi, Hiroshi Tanahashi & Michael Elgin IWGP Jr. Tag Team Championship Roppongi Vice © vs. Taichi & Taka Michinoku (Suzuki-Gun) NEVER Openweight Championship Hirooki Goto © vs. Juice Robinson IWGP Tag Team Championship Tomohiro Ishii & Toru Yano © vs. Tomoaki Honma & Togi Makabe vs. Killer Elite Squad (Suzuki-Gun) IWGP Heavyweight Championship Kazuchika Okada © vs. Minoru Suzuki The New Beginning in Osaka February 11, 2017 Hirai Kawato & Yoshitatsu vs. Henare & David Finlay Kushida, Satoshi Kojima & Tenzan vs. El Desperado, Kanemaru & Takashi Iizuka Tiger Mask, Jushin Thunder Liger, Juice Robinson & Yuji Nagata vs. Gedo, Jado, Yoshi-Hashi & Hirooki Goto (Chaos) Roppongi Vice & Kazuchika Okada (Chaos) vs. Taka Michinoku, Taichi & Minoru Suzuki (Suzuki-Gun) NEVER 6-Man Tag Team Championship Tanahashi, Nakanishi & Taguchi © vs. Sanada, Evil & Bushi (LIJ) British Heavyweight Championship Katsuyori Shibata © vs. Will Ospreay IWGP Tag Team Championship Tomohiro Ishii & Toru Yano © vs. Tomoaki Honma & Togi Makabe vs. Killer Elite Squad (Suzuki-Gun) IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Championship Himoru Takahashi © vs. Dragon Lee IWGP Intercontinental Championship Tetsuya Naito © vs. Michael Elgin http://www.wrestlezone.com/news/796843-kenny-omega-bullet-club-will-not-work-new-japans-next-major-tour-match-cards-for-njpw-new-beginning-shows-revealed Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EJ! Posted January 23, 2017 Report Share Posted January 23, 2017 It's sad that Ospreay's about to die. RIP him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TNFNS Posted January 23, 2017 Report Share Posted January 23, 2017 Shibata sees nothing but red after that whole cheating thing. rip Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KingDW510 Posted January 25, 2017 Report Share Posted January 25, 2017 The new beggining is gonna be a good show I kinda hope suzuki gets the belt but what"s up with all these ppl that wanna see omega in WWE? nobody wants to see the rematch? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
E#37 Posted January 26, 2017 Report Share Posted January 26, 2017 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CROSS-Out Posted January 26, 2017 Report Share Posted January 26, 2017 Bump Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lil' Kazu Posted January 26, 2017 Report Share Posted January 26, 2017 Kenny just said on the Wrestling Observer Radio that he's staying with New Japan and looking to sign a 1 year contract. New IWGP champ boyzzzz Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CROSS-Out Posted January 27, 2017 Report Share Posted January 27, 2017 I was kind of interested to see what WWE would do with Omega (and what theme music they'd give him) but oh well. He's amazing no matter where he goes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
classiq. Posted January 27, 2017 Report Share Posted January 27, 2017 More on Kenny: Kenny Omega has told Wrestling Observer Radio that he has decided to stay with New Japan Pro Wrestling. The NJPW mainstay who last wrestled in Japan at Wrestle Kingdom 11 had been pondering his future with his contract set to expire at the end of this month. There had been strong speculation that he may make a surprise appearance at Sunday's WWE Royal Rumble pay-per-view, but that now certainly won't be the case. You can listen to Omega on WOR here: http://www.f4wonline.com/wrestling-observer-radio/wor-kenny-omega-talks-decision-he-has-made-his-wrestling-future-229081. http://www.wrestlingnewssource.com/news/44997/Kenny-Omega-Confirms-Hes-Staying-With-New-Japan-Pro/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lunchbox Posted January 27, 2017 Report Share Posted January 27, 2017 Thought NJPW was making people sign extended contracts? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cuey82 Posted January 27, 2017 Report Share Posted January 27, 2017 maybe it's more a case of that's all Omega wanted to sign for Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
classiq. Posted January 27, 2017 Report Share Posted January 27, 2017 Kenny Omega has uploaded the above video to the official YouTube channel for The ELITE. During the video Kenny encourages The Young Bucks to stay with NJPW and has the following to say: I wont be going anywhere but New Japan. Im going to stay with the company that was good to me. Im going to stay with The Elite, more importantly. 2016 was a big year, we can make 2017 bigger and better. We can only do it together. So us splitting apart, I dont see it in the cards, not this year. http://www.wrestlezone.com/news/798733-kenny-omega-encourages-young-bucks-to-stay-in-njpw-video-royal-rumble-bout-moved-to-kick-off-show#LKfZ3wUm7hWCM0XJ.99 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lil' Kazu Posted January 30, 2017 Report Share Posted January 30, 2017 So what's the deal with SANADA? Is the guy good? The commentary on WK11 was really putting him over but I've only seem him in multi man matches and he hasn't done much in him. Is he really a future main eventer? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LEGION Posted January 30, 2017 Report Share Posted January 30, 2017 So what's the deal with SANADA? Is the guy good? The commentary on WK11 was really putting him over but I've only seem him in multi man matches and he hasn't done much in him. Is he really a future main eventer?I would say... Yeah. He was misbooked by TNA like the rest of NJPW's main eventers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
classiq. Posted January 31, 2017 Report Share Posted January 31, 2017 Watch Okada vs. Omega FOR FREE: https://twitter.com/njpwworld/status/826399687879954432 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Fight Me. Posted January 31, 2017 Report Share Posted January 31, 2017 I'd love to watch it again, but with the AXS TV commentary with JR instead. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.