Eastern Lariat

On this episode STRIGGA & Dylan take a deep dive into most recent events in All Japan Pro Wrestling, first and foremost the Oudou Tournament, by analyzing standout matches, the booking of the tournament and its impact on AJPW’s future. The discussion then shifts to a spotlight on the best wrestlers in Japan under 30 in Japan and which company has the edge in this category. Lastly, Eastern Lariat crew covers Tokyo Joshi Pro Wrestling's Wrestle Princess V and also offers a look at Marigold Dream Star Grand Prix and where the company stands four months into its existence.
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Special thanks to Souichi Sakagami & Mikado Miyabi for the OFFICIAL Eastern Lariat theme song: "Rainy Day" - • [ Royalty FREE Japanes...

[@EyeOfTheWatcher]

I wonder has anyone in NJPW thought about having a rookie wrestler or a group of them, that have promise, stage a rebellion as part of character development and to fast track them into roster? I suspect that we will see Hockey jerseys at some point, if the particular wrestler makes it out of the NJPW dojo. NJPW already have an American Football Jersey with the young wrestler from LIJ because of his background of playing the sport.

[@EasternLariat]

I love the idea, I remember when WWE started Nexus it seemed like an industry game changer with a group of guys that meant very little on their own to the audience and it gave everything life. (Obviously they screwed it up horribly like they usually do but the initial concept and execution was great) If NJPW were to do something like that I think it would be an absolutely huge angle that everyone would freak out over as well as make the young lions stand out. But there would have to be some veteran egos set aside to put over these young guys, they would need to be an Anzai level prospect I feel like for the rest of the company to get on board even if it were best for business.
Also the hockey guy is an AJPW trainee, not a NJPW one, but hopefully they also can have one where they train as well.

[@EyeOfTheWatcher]

@@EasternLariat I agree with everything you said, as this can only be done once in order to make it special, and has a huge upside if done correctly. I don't know if Gedo can pull something like this off in NJPW and keeping himself from being attached to it on camera.

[@EasternLariat]

It's funny because in a lot of ways that was the idea behind the Rainmaker shock, a new guy fresh off excursion is on the level of the top star and is wildly successful but they've never tried to do something similar with these young guys after, and none of them have really been able to be true superstars for the company yet. I kinda think Gedo's an old dog beyond changing his spots at this point though, it bleeds through in the product and it's struggles but they are putting the best foot forward HE can with O-Khan and Tsuji, we'll see how Oiwa goes. But I just don't think he has any kind of gamechanging angle like that in him anymore.