May 09, 2014

Marshall's Global Wars of the Worlds Preview

Last month, when I saw on ROH tv that NJPW were coming over to do a couple shows with them, I marked out.  I marked out like crazy.  New Japan is one of my favorite promotions going, and they have unmatched star power with the trifecta of Okada, Tanahashi and Nakamura.  Let's take a look at the cards for Global Wars (Toronto 5/10) and War of the Worlds (NYC 5/17).

Shinsuke Nakamura

Global Wars

In this one, the ROH guys and the NJPW guys are mostly kept separate.  It's a split-promotion card, as opposed to the second event, which will be more integrated.  Not as exciting, but still a lot to look forward to.

ROH TV Championship 4way: Heel Lethal v. Ciampa v. Taven v. Young
I never wanted to see Lethal turn heel.  He's such a natural babyface, I don't think he's very believable as a bad guy.  This match might give him the chance to prove me wrong.  Silas Young on the other hand, is a fantastic bad guy wrestler with an awesome bad guy gimmick. (for Rusty- he calls himself "the Last Real Man in professional wrestling" and he carries himself like an old-school badass.)  Taven had a really great run with the TV title last year, and Ciampa's great, but his run with the title was less memorable.  Ultimately, I'd have to pick Lethal to retain so that he can hopefully get over as a heel, but I'll look forward to this match most not for the finish, but for the story that each of these guys can tell in the ring.


Silas Young

ROH World Championship: Cole v. Steen
We've seen it before, we'll see it again.  And we'll probably love it, because booing Matt Hardy for interfering is just that fun.  The winner is spoiled by the second event's card.

IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Tag Team Championships 3-way: Hooligans v. Splitters v. Bucks
 ROH audiences are no strangers to the Forever Hooligans or the Young Bucks, and both are popular, but I'm guessing that the Time Splitters will get over with the North American crowd instantly.  Partly because Alex Shelley, and partly because Back to the Future gimmick.  Three over tag teams will make for a hell of a show.

Watanabi v. Elgin
The only inter-promotional match on the card.  I'm actually not that big on Elgin.  Well, to clarify, I think he's an awesome wrestler but I hate the "Unbreakable" gimmick.  There are just too many false finishes on ROH shows, and with Elgin's matches there are always three or four.  It's just too much, I like it when finishers mean more.  I'm glad Elgin isn't wrestling Okada, because if he kicked out of a Rainmaker I'd throw a beer bottle at my computer.  Still looking forward to this match.  Elgin loves Japanese wrestling, so he'll be at the top of his game.

Hiroshi Tanahashi

Bullet Club (Styles & Anderson) v. Okada & Gedo
To say that I'm a mark for Kazuchika Okada would be putting it lightly.  This will be an incredibly cool match, with long term ramifications in the NJPW universe.  While I'm missing Devitt in NJPW right now, Styles v. Okada makes a hell of a main event (but I haven't seen Donkatu yet).

Tanahashi & Liger v. Nakamura & Jado
This will be just plain awesome.  Tanahashi is a stud, and Nakamura is coolness personified.  These guys can rip it up and make it look like it's the coolest thing in the world.  The word "cool" is coming to mind a lot as I write this post.

War of the Worlds

Gedo & Jado v. Decade (Strong & Whitmer, w Jacobs)
I like the Decade angle, it makes sense.  This could be a good match for them to get some extra heat.

Okada v. Alexander
How lucky is Cedric Alexander to be in this spot?  An upcoming mid-carder who can get his ass kicked by Okada and look great for just being in there with him.  Totally looking forward to this, it's a hell of an opportunity for Alexander, and Okada's singles matches are always great.


Kazuchika Okada

Tanahashi v. Bennett
Not looking forward to this as much, but only because I'm not as high on Bennett.  I don't get his appeal.  I guess he must be a "good hand" for Lance Storm to want to come in and give him a few rounds, but he never had any real heat until he teamed up with Cole and Hardy.  Anyway, Tanahashi rules and this match could be a sleeper hit.

Nakamura v. Steen
Wow.  This reminds me of one of those EVOLVE "Style Battle" matches.  Poncho- you must be dying to see this one.  So am I.  The hippest in the East meets the hippest in the West.  Lots of hip tosses, maybe?  That's not funny.  Anyway, I don't even really know what to say about this one because it's boggling my mind with awesomeness.

reDRagon

ROH Tag Team Championship: reDRagon v. Young Bucks
IWGP World Tag Team Chapmionship: Briscoes v. Bullet Club (Anderson & Gallows)
These matches don't have as much of a New Japan feel, but at least Bad Luck Fale the Underboss and Tama Tonga aren't wrestling.  I'm hoping for at least one of these titles to change hands.  Just because it's fun when that happens.

IWGP Heavyweight Championship: Elgin v. Styles
Who'd have thunk it?  Well, get ready for false finishes galore!

ROH World Championship: Cole v. Liger
How cool would it be if the Legend won it?  Seems unlikely, but it would be radical.

Next ROH World Champion?

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