New Japan Challenges WWE

[Epitaph]

From wrestlezone.com

New Japan owner and wrestling legend Antonio Inoki challenged WWE to take them on at the Strong Energy 2004 show on Saturday. Inoki said that he wants to challenge WWE and that American wrestling promotions are in a state of depression. Inoki went on to say that WWE should not be the leading force in the industry and New Japan will soon take that spot away. He has mandated his staff to contact all former WWE talent, including Steve Austin and Brock Lesnar to achieve the goal of being the new wrestling leader of the world.

Last week on WWE Byte This, Jim Ross ripped the Japanese wrestling industry and their tactics. “They are desperate. The Japanese pro-wrestling is sucking pond water,” said Ross, former WWE VP of talent relations. “It’s not drawing. Goldberg went there; he didn’t draw, maybe once or twice.”

Japanese wrestling journalists have deemed Ross’ statements as “ignorant”. The comments from Ross came just two days after WWE had announced two SmackDown house shows would be held in Tokyo, Japan in July.

The situation is said to be getting heated. You may remember that Austin was in contacts with Japan just before and after his release. Bill Goldberg also left WWE to jump over to Japan. Since then, WWE has been left with a bad taste in their mouths.


:winkok:
This is rather Interesting IMO! Japan are capable of putting on some Match's that could Possibly Beat anything that the WWE can do. I like Japanese Wrestling, But i find ***Cough*** Goldberg being nothing more than a Joke to be honest! For Japan to Move on and Draw they need actual guys that can Wrestle whilst Limiting appearances to the likes of Goldberg!!!

This could also be Trouble to the WWE after there has been talk of Japan running a Major PPV in the US! This of course wouldnt be good for them having a "Rival" Compete in PPV Buy rates! But whilst WWE is doing House Shows in Japan, That may not be good for the Japanese Wrestling Industry, Especially if they have Major Shows Planned.

Thoughts?

[The Kid]

My question would be, will the announcers be speaking English or Japenese. I've seen some older Japanese matches and the majority of them were announced in Japanese. I agree that this is BIG news. I wouldn't mind seeing New Japan becoming really big. If they do though I fear the American independant wrestling community will take a huge hit. Some TNA wrestlers might go to NJ if that becomes bigger than TNA. In turn TNA will steal wrestlers from ROH which hurts both companies. Oh well if that's what has to be done so WWE has competition than so be it.

[Wrestlingmann]

I think that the WWE and TNA should join together to take on New Japan.

[Peoples King]

I got one word for you........ publicity. IMO NJ are kind of getting overly excited with this and at the moment havent got the means to take on the WWE. They know this and are simply making such a bold statement for attention. All the wrestling magazines will go crazy with this. Unless you are Ted Tuner then you cannot really challenge the WWE. Its the sad truth and it is something alot of indie fans need to understand.

I think that you are getting too excited Gary. You know what I think of Indies and how much I appreciate the shows they put on. But TNA, NJ and everyone else havent got what it takes to go toe to toe with Vinnie and the boys. The thing is most of the US wrestling fan base believe the WWE to be wrestling at its best. They wont take a Japanese promotion funny because for some reason they find Japan comical.

Get back in your box Inoki. And dont come out until you can TRUELY challenge the WWE.

[Epitaph]

I just Creamed my Pants PK...Dam :(

Anyway Inoki is a former WWF Champion, He Beat Bob Backlund!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Anyway i really do think a Japanese/American like event COULD Cause McMahon to be scared of Competition. I really do get what your saying but with all these Free Agents, Austin, Lesner, Goldberg to name a few, Those could be the big Draws that are needed to create a Promotion! Shure if they pick up Hogan then they have some thing. But i stilll think Its a pretty neat idea

[Reedberg]

I got one word for you........ publicity. IMO NJ are kind of getting overly excited with this and at the moment havent got the means to take on the WWE. They know this and are simply making such a bold statement for attention. All the wrestling magazines will go crazy with this. Unless you are Ted Tuner then you cannot really challenge the WWE. Its the sad truth and it is something alot of indie fans need to understand.

I think that you are getting too excited Gary. You know what I think of Indies and how much I appreciate the shows they put on. But TNA, NJ and everyone else havent got what it takes to go toe to toe with Vinnie and the boys. The thing is most of the US wrestling fan base believe the WWE to be wrestling at its best. They wont take a Japanese promotion funny because for some reason they find Japan comical.

Get back in your box Inoki. And dont come out until you can TRUELY challenge the WWE.

Thing is tho, NJPW draws more of an audience than WWE does. -in my pants!

However I can see where your coming from with this, if WWE took on New Japan in America the casual fan would probably think "Who's New Japan?" and wouldnt really draw mutch. -with a loo brush!

However New Japan have took on a major promotion before in america(WCW) however I cant really remember when it was. -in my pants!