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NJPW Invasion Attack 2016 [OT] The Cure for the Common 'Mania

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Hi GAF!

Oh, hi EH...

What's wrong?

Nothing...it's just...Wrestlemania kinda sucked

Yeah, it sure did, didn't it :/

Yeah, but that AJ Styles guy was cool!

Yeah, he is!

And NXT Takeover: Dallas was awesome! I love that Nakamura guy!

Really?

Yeah! Where can I watch more wrestling like that?

I'm glad you asked!

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On April 10, New Japan Pro-Wrestling presents their big spring event with the fourth annual Invasion Attack, live from the Ryogoku Sumo Hall in Tokyo, Japan. Despite several top New Japan talents departing the promotion in the last couple months, New Japan is out to prove they are still the best wrestling promotion on the planet, with several new talents debuting, as well as six of New Japan's seven championships on the line. And you can watch all the action (and several other NJPW events) for just 999 yen (about $8) by signing up for njpwworld.com

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Ring of Honor's play-by-play man Kevin Kelly will once again return to call the action for the English-language broadcast. With Matt Striker not returning and Yoshitatsu having another commitment
thank God
Kelly's ROH color commentator, former ECW champion “The King of Old School” Steve Corino will be able to give his take on the action.

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Match 1 – Tag Team Match

Ryusuke Taguchi and Juice Robinson vs. Bullet Club (Bad Luck Fale and Yujiro Takahashi)


Invasion Attack's opener features a battle between the stars of New Japan vs. members of Bullet Club, one of the company's top heel factions. Former IWGP Jr. Heavyweight champion “Funky Weapon” Ryusuke Taguchi, known for his goofy antics and technical ability (not to mention a wide variety of ways to attack with his own buttocks) will join forces with one of the company's top rookies in Juice Robinson, who NXT fans may remember as CJ Parker in NXT. The opposition will first be provided by the 7'0'' “Underboss” Bad Luck Fale, who has proven to be among the most dominant big men in the business. His partner, “Mr. R Rated” Yujiro Takahashi, the only Japanese member of the faction, may not have the pure wrestling ability of his Bullet Club brethren, but he makes up for it with his rulebreaking tactics and distractions from the array of beauties he brings to the ring. All four of these men have found it difficult to pick up a win in recent weeks, so expect all four to try to pick a big win to kick off the Invasion Attack festivities.

Match 2 – Six-Man Tag Team Match

Satoshi Kojima, Yuji Nagata, and Jushin Thunder Liger vs. CHAOS (Toru Yano, Kazushi Sakuraba, and YOSHI-HASHI)


New Japan's veterans clash with members of one of NJPW's most dangerous factions in the second match. Former IWGP Heavyweight champions Kojima and Nagata, along with their respective tag partners Hiroyoshi Tenzan and Manabu Nakanishi, seemed to form an alliance at this year's New Beginning event, promising to show the fans of New Japan that the old guys still have what it takes. They are joined in this match by a true veteran, arguably the greatest junior heavyweight, the iconic Jushin Thunder Liger, to face the challenge of a very diverse CHAOS trio. Co-founder Toru Yano's rulebreaking tactics make up for his lack of wrestling talent, and became one-third of the first-ever NEVER Openweight Six-Man Tag champions earlier this year. He is joined by his typical tag partner, MMA fighter “IQ Wrestler” Kazushi Sakuraba, and the “Loose Explosion” YOSHI-HASHI, as he tries to earn another opportunity at the Six-man titles.

Match 3 – Special Tag Team Match

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CHAOS (Hirooki Goto and Tomohiro Ishii) vs. Los Ingobernables de Japon (BUSHI and EVIL)

Before Kazuchika Okada and Tetsuya Naito clash in the main event, their chief lieutenants will do battle in a tag team war. “Stone Pitbull” Tomohiro Ishii has been a CHAOS loyalist for years, recently winning the prestigious Ring of Honor Television Championship adding to his championship legacy. However, that hasn't been the case with his partner, the newest member of the faction, Hirooki Goto.

Goto picked up a huge win over Naito at Wrestle Kingdom 10, and tried to use that momentum to finally win his first IWGP Heavyweight championship at New Beginning in Osaka, but for the record eighth time, came up short. However, Okada, who mocked Goto at every chance during their feud, finally showed a measure of respect for his rival, inviting him to join CHAOS and take the place of the recently departed Shinsuke Nakamura. However, the ever-stoic Goto refused, as he struck out to win the 2016 New Japan Cup and get another shot at Okada. However, Naito, with help from his compatriots in Los Ingobernables de Japon, "King of Darkness" EVIL and BUSHI, put a stop to that by beating Goto in the finals. Okada and CHAOS would surprisingly come to Goto's aid, and after weeks of trying, convinced him to join the group. Now, Goto and Ishii try to get a measure of revenge against Los Ingobernables before their leader tries to get his.

Match 4 – IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Tag Team Championship

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Ricochet and Matt Sydal (c) vs. Roppongi Vice (Rocky Romero and Beretta)

After an upset win in the 2015 Super Jr. Tag Team Tournament, international stars Ricochet (better known as Lucha Underground's Prince Puma) and Matt Sydal (better known as WWE's Evan Bourne) finally won the IWGP Jr. Tag Titles at New Beginning, toppling the two teams that have defined the division over the last two years in the Young Bucks and reDRagon. However, a third team has come forth demanding respect, the CHAOS duo of Rocky Romero and (Trent) Beretta, Roppongi Vice.

Ricochet and Sydal upended RPG Vice to win the Jr. Tag Tournament, and now, the two teams square off in a rematch. Can Romero and Beretta win back the Jr. Tag titles and get the respect they feel they deserve? Or will it be another win for the Jr. Heavyweight dream team?

Match 5 – IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Championship

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KUSHIDA (c) vs. Will Ospreay

Winning the IWGP Jr. Heavyweight title for the third time at Wrestle Kingdom 10 propelled “Time Splitter” KUSHIDA to his ultimate destiny as the new ace of the Jr. division in New Japan. After a huge win over Los Ingobernables de Japon member BUSHI at New Beginning, many wondered who could step up to challenge him – a challenge that was answered by CHAOS leader Kazuchika Okada, who revealed the newest member of the group, the “Aerial Assassin” Will Ospreay.

Despite only in his fourth year as a pro, Ospreay has become one of the top high flyers in the world, competing for both PROGRESS and Revolution Pro Wrestling in his home nation of the United Kingdom. Able to pull off such dangerous moves as a 630 senton and corkscrew shooting star press, Ospreay is also a tremendous mat technician, making him the perfect opponent for KUSHIDA, who wrestles a very similar style. All signs point to an incredible dream match between these two top stars as they battle to become the top Jr. in NJPW.

Match 6 – NEVER Openweight Six-Man Tag Team Championship

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The Elite (Kenny Omega and the Young Bucks (Matt and Nick Jackson) (c) vs. Hiroshi Tanahashi, Michael Elgin, and Yoshitatsu

Big changes were in store for Bullet Club the night after Wrestle Kingdom 10. After a hard-fought tag match that saw “The Cleaner” Kenny Omega pick up a huge pinfall victory over IWGP Intercontinental champion Shinsuke Nakamura, Omega would turn on his tag partner, Bullet Club leader AJ Styles, with the rest of the group joining in behind him. Omega staked his claim as the new leader, and together with The Young Bucks of Matt and Nick Jackson, are now the top tier members of the group, and are collectively known as “The Elite”. Omega challenged Nakamura for his Intercontinental championship, but never got his chance as Nakamura left for WWE at the end of the month. Instead, Nakamura's greatest rival, Hiroshi Tanahashi, would step up to challenge Omega for the vacant title, but thanks to help from the Bucks, fell short as Omega captured the gold, becoming a dual champion when The Elite defeated Toru Yano and the Briscoe Brothers to win the NEVER Openweight Six-Man tag titles.

Tanahashi would join forces with his regular tag partner and new NJPW signee “Unbreakable” Michael Elgin and Juice Robinson to win the titles from the Elite, but fell short. But now, Tanahashi and Elgin get another chance with the return of someone with plenty of pent-up aggression against Bullet Club, former WWE star Yoshitatsu. After having his neck broken by a Styles Clash from AJ Styles in late 2014, Yoshi has spent the last year and a half on the mend, dreaming of the day when he will be able to step into the ring and get his revenge. That day comes at Invasion Attack, when he, Tanahashi, and #BIGMIKE will try to put an end to The Elite's reign of terror and take away one of the group's championships.

Match 7 – NEVER Openweight Championship

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Katsuyori Shibata (c) vs. Hiroyoshi Tenzan

Arguably the hardest hitter in the company, “The Wrestler” Katsuyori Shibata finally won his first singles wrestling championship at Wrestle Kingdom 10 after an absolute war with Tomohiro Ishii netted him the NEVER Openweight belt. A title that has represented New Japan's toughest competitors, Shibata has now set his sights on the top veterans of New Japan, believing them to be wasting space for the young, hungry competitors. This drew the ire of former IWGP champion Satoshi Kojima, who fell short in his opportunity for Shibata's championship. This led his tag team partner, Hiroyoshi Tenzan, to defend the honor of his close friend and put forth his challenge for Invasion Attack.

With four IWGP Heavyweight title reigns, 11 IWGP Tag Team title reigns, and 25 years in the business, they don't come much tougher than Tenzan, whose deadly chops and headbutts, not to mention his incredible haircut have wreaked havoc over New Japan for years. He also picked up a huge upset over Shibata in the 2015 G1 Climax, meaning he has proven he can beat him in the past. Can Tenzan add one more accolade to his storied career? Or will he fall at the hands of the new holder of fighting spirit?

Match 8 – IWGP Tag Team Championship

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Great Bash Heel (Togi Makabe and Tomoaki Honma) (c) vs. Guerrillas of Destiny (Tanga Roa and Tama Tonga)

Perhaps no tag team in NJPW is hotter right now than the duo of “Unchained Gorilla” Togi Makabe and “Everyone's Kokeshi” Tomoaki Honma, as they not only defeated the Bullet Club duo of “Machine Gun” Karl Anderson and “Outlaw” Doc Gallows to win the IWGP Tag Team titles at Wrestle Kingdom 10, they did what no team had been able to do and defeat them in a rematch at New Beginning. With Anderson and Gallows now on their way to WWE, it was time for a new team to step up to the challenge of Great Bash Heel (GBH).

Enter "Bad Boy" Tama Tonga, who had gone on quite the hot streak despite being one of the lower-tier members of Bullet Club. He challenged the duo of GBH to face him and a new mystery Bullet Club member, eventually revealed to be his brother, the former Camacho in WWE and Micah in TNA, now going by the name Tanga Roa. As the sons of the legendary King Tonga/Haku/Meng, the group now known as the Guerrillas of Destiny (GOD, get it?!?), certainly have huge shoes to fill, but they might get a little closer if they are able to defeat GBH for the tag titles at Invasion Attack.

Match 9 – IWGP Heavyweight Championship

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Kazuchika Okada (c) vs. Tetsuya Naito

After finally exorcising his final demon, defeating New Japan ace Hiroshi Tanahashi at Wrestle Kingdom 10, CHAOS leader “Rainmaker” Kazuchika Okada effectively became the new benchmark for the company. However, this only bred further jealously in “Stardust Genius” Tetsuya Naito, as this was a position he was supposed to hold.

Considered for years to be the heir apparent to Tanahashi, Okada would surpass him in 2012 by stunning the wrestling world and winning the IWGP title in February. A knee injury later kept him out of action for eight months, during which Okada's star continued to grow. A victory in the 2013 G1 Climax seemed to finally be Naito's chance at winning the title, but the fans seemingly turned on him in favor of Okada, and even worse, voted for the match between the two to not main event Wrestle Kingdom 8, it was only downhill from there for Naito, as he had a very disappointing 2014, with 2015 looking to be more of the same.

Everything changed, however, when Naito made an excursion to Mexico and joined the faction Los Ingobernables, a group of fellow heroes who turned on the fans after feeling disrespected. Naito brought his new attitude with him back to Japan, adopting a motto of “tranquilo”, no longer caring about anyone but himself, no matter what got in his way. Naito formed the Japanese wing of Los Ingobernables, Los Ingobernable de Japon, with the former Takaaki Watanabe, now known as “King of Darkness” EVIL, and fellow former babyface BUSHI as his allies, disrespecting other wrestlers in matches and attacking referees, announcers, and even cameramen to bring complete anarchy to New Japan. This came to a head earlier this year, when Naito won the prestigious New Japan Cup and earned a title match against Okada. While Naito intended on saving his title shot for the reasons of simply being a dick, Okada goaded him into a match at Invasion Attack, where he can finally get his revenge against the man who took everything once promised to him.
 

Jamie OD

Member
Attending this live! Was at the Korakuen show last week and it left me excited for the msin event and also Shibata Vs Tenzan. KUSHIDA Vs Ospreay has the potential to be wild too.
 
Can't wait for this, so surreal seeing Ospreay in NJPW after watching his career take off in the UK these past few years - he's the first Brit in New Japan since PAC (Neville) in 2012 and the first to challenge for an IWGP title since William Regal in 1995!

Really looking forward to Okada vs Naito as well, those two are money in the ring together. Shibata vs Tenzan should be fun, Tenzan always works hard for the big matches (although they're few and far between these days).
 

Foffy

Banned
Naito has become one of my favorite heels, and has one of the most hilarious entrances of anyone I have ever seen.

He is pulling Undertaker lengths in regards to how long it takes to get to the ring. I love it.
 

Protann

Member
Yeah, but that wasn't Styles' fault.

Right. It's kind of sad to see, Jericho can't come close to keeping up with AJ in the ring.

Anyways, pretty excited to watch this show, as it will be the first NJPW I've watched since WK10. I'm a bit disappointed Kenny isn't defending his IC belt but Shibata and Kushida/Ospreay makes up for that.
 

Foffy

Banned
Okada is one sexy looking guy, WWE needs to get bring him over

He doesn't want to go over.

Vince wants him because he found out Okada's tall. Not even fucking kidding. Not his wrestling skill, or the fact he has one of the best dropkicks ever, but lolsize.

Is this Ricochet's last match in NJPW or is he booked for more dates?

If he loses here, he's very likely in WWE's Global Cruiserweight tournament.
 
Predictions:

Juice Robinson & Ryusuke Taguchi vs. Yujiro Takahashi & Bad Luck Fale - who cares, but Juice is taking the fall

Toru Yano, Kazuchi Sakuraba & Yoshi-Hashi vs. Jushin "Thunder" Liger, Yuji Nagata & Satoshi Kojima - winner probably gets a NEVER Openweight trios shot, and both pairings are random enough that it doesn't really matter. Let's say Yano's team.

Tomohiro Ishii & Hirooki Goto vs. BUSHI & EVIL - let's go Los Ingobernables de Japon

IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Tag Team Championship match: Ricochet & Matt Sydal (c) vs. Roppongi Vice - I guess this will tip off whether Ricochet is WWE-bound. He's dropping the title if he is. Roppongi Vice wins, and reDRagon challenges them for the title.

IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Championship match: KUSHIDA (c) vs. WIll Ospreay - Ospreay would look like a chump if he comes with Okada's endorsement and loses his high profile debut. Ospreay wins.

NEVER Openweight 6-man Tag Championship match: The Elite (c) vs. Hiroshi Tanahashi, Michael Elgin & Yoshitatsu - LOL Yoshitatsu. However, Tanahashi, Elgin, and Yoshitatsu winning the title frees up Omega to work a singles program and for Tanahashi to be in title matches without being in singles matches.

NEVER Openweight Championship match: Katsuyori Shibata (c) vs. Hiroyoshi Tenzan - Tenzan's washed up, and Shibata should not drop the title here.

IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championship match: G.B.H. vs. Guerillas of Destiny - IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Champion Camacho? Tama Tonga needs to win to make his slow ascent this year worth it.

IWGP Heavyweight Championship match: Kazuchika Okada (c) vs. Tetsuya Naito - It feels too soon to give it to Naito, and NJPW isn't going with a screwy finish. Okada winning would force Naito to win the G1 to get the title shot at Wrestle Kingdom 11. On the other hand, who wants the opposite, where Okada needs to go through the G1 to challenge Naito at WK11? Let's go with Naito.

Ospreay's had a hell of a fortnight.
 

Amiibro

Member
It's an internet PPV - you can watch it by signing up at http://njpwworld.com for 999yen a month, which is about $8.

What do I use though a credit card? Can I sign up with a USA address??

I don't mind paying, but will it take my USA credit card? How hard is the site to navigate knowing no japanese? I know some of the site will translate via google.

What do you do when you want to cancel lol
 

MG310

Member
What do I use though a credit card? Can I sign up with a USA address??

I don't mind paying, but will it take my USA credit card? How hard is the site to navigate knowing no japanese? I know some of the site will translate via google.

What do you do when you want to cancel lol

Yes, a US credit card/address are fine. It's easy enough to navigate through the google translated version.

There's an option to cancel in the My Page menu at the top. The button stays in Japanese but the link points to a page with "withdraw" in it.
 
Predictions:

Juice Robinson & Ryusuke Taguchi vs. Yujiro Takahashi & Bad Luck Fale - who cares, but Juice is taking the fall

Toru Yano, Kazuchi Sakuraba & Yoshi-Hashi vs. Jushin "Thunder" Liger, Yuji Nagata & Satoshi Kojima - winner probably gets a NEVER Openweight trios shot, and both pairings are random enough that it doesn't really matter. Let's say Yano's team.

Tomohiro Ishii & Hirooki Goto vs. BUSHI & EVIL - let's go Los Ingobernables de Japon

IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Tag Team Championship match: Ricochet & Matt Sydal (c) vs. Roppongi Vice - I guess this will tip off whether Ricochet is WWE-bound. He's dropping the title if he is. Roppongi Vice wins, and reDRagon challenges them for the title.

IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Championship match: KUSHIDA (c) vs. WIll Ospreay - Ospreay would look like a chump if he comes with Okada's endorsement and loses his high profile debut. Ospreay wins.

NEVER Openweight 6-man Tag Championship match: The Elite (c) vs. Hiroshi Tanahashi, Michael Elgin & Yoshitatsu - LOL Yoshitatsu. However, Tanahashi, Elgin, and Yoshitatsu winning the title frees up Omega to work a singles program and for Tanahashi to be in title matches without being in singles matches.

NEVER Openweight Championship match: Katsuyori Shibata (c) vs. Hiroyoshi Tenzan - Tenzan's washed up, and Shibata should not drop the title here.

IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championship match: G.B.H. vs. Guerillas of Destiny - IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Champion Camacho? Tama Tonga needs to win to make his slow ascent this year worth it.

IWGP Heavyweight Championship match: Kazuchika Okada (c) vs. Tetsuya Naito - It feels too soon to give it to Naito, and NJPW isn't going with a screwy finish. Okada winning would force Naito to win the G1 to get the title shot at Wrestle Kingdom 11. On the other hand, who wants the opposite, where Okada needs to go through the G1 to challenge Naito at WK11? Let's go with Naito.

Ospreay's had a hell of a fortnight.

Bullet Club is winning the opener, likely after a Bad Luck Fall on Juice. This match is going to suck.

I actually have the vets picking up the win in the second match, predicting Nagata beats YOSHI-HASHI to win it. Nagata challenged for the NEVER title in the past (before Kojima and Tenzan) and this will likely lead him to make his chllenge.

Picking the CHAOS team to win the next match, they need to get Goto and Ishii over as a team. BUSHI, being a junior, will eat the fall.

Jr. Heavyweight Tag Titles: Agree with you on this one. I'm hoping Ricosydal take it, though, so we finally get them vs. reDRagon for the belts (which should be amazing)

KUSHIDA vs. Ospreay: Totally agree with you here, Ospreay needs to win or he looks like a chump. Should be an awesome match though.

NEVER 6-man: This is Yoshi's return so expect him to eat the fall in this. Omega and the Bucks are among the top heels so they need to be built up. Hopefully we'll see someone challenge Omega for the IC belt at Wrestling Dontaku, expecting Tanahashi but I'd be cool with Elgin.

NEVER title: Shibata has to win, no question there. I don't think he's dropping the title to anyone except Ishii or maybe his former bro Goto.

Tag Title Match: Again, GOD has to win here or BC look like chumps for bringing in Tanga Roa. They've looked good in the multi-man matches they've been in so far so I don't mind them as champs, plus Tonga has been very good for the last year.

Title match: Naito wins the belt here. I think it's time to solidify him as New Japan's top heel. I'm expecting someone to turn on Okada and join LIDJ...Yoshitatsu is my pick, but I could see Goto doing it also.
 

Amiibro

Member
Cool I'm all signed up now. Wondering why when I AirPlay to the Apple TV from the site it looks bad. I clicked HD I think heh
 

MG310

Member
Title match: Naito wins the belt here. I think it's time to solidify him as New Japan's top heel. I'm expecting someone to turn on Okada and join LIDJ...Yoshitatsu is my pick, but I could see Goto doing it also.

I had that thought about Goto but I imagine he would do it and then LIDJ would just immediately turn on him because he's Hirooki Goto.
 
Ospreay absolutely killed it, what a strong debut from him that demonstrated perfectly why he's more than just a flippy guy. Kid's got a big future, crazy that he's only 22!
 

lupin23rd

Member
Wonder if there is a site to bet on NJPW matches, 5/5 so far. Always bet on Yoshi-Hashi
eating the pin
. Hoping Naito can take the title tonight.
 

Kurita

Member
Only caught the highlights for the first half, lookeds sick as hell! Will watch as much as I can from now on.
Japanese crowds are really special, it's like they're watching an actual sports event.

Hope Okada retains, I only got into NJPW a few days ago but I already love him.
 

klonere

Banned
Praying that Will sticks with NJPW instead of heading to the all consuming NXT machine. That match was fucking ridiculous.

I hope Naito fucks around a ton in the main event because he's taunting Okada about having TWO title shots and not having to take this one as seriously. Tranquilo.
 
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