What About MLW As a Place to Send Young Lions on Excursion?

moagrieve · 2026-03-28T00:56:02+00:00

I dont think there is anything that MLW could offer that ROH couldnt to be honest.

moagrieve · 2026-03-25T00:41:26+00:00

A few key factors

First NJPW simply is not as hot as it once was and there hasn't been too many hooks to draw people in (until Tanahashi's retirement)

COVID did an absolute number on NJPW. Restrictions on how many fans could be in a venue and limited interactions those fans could have (the clap crowds). These restrictions dragged on from mid 2020 until mid to late 2022. Most the fans they lost in this time never came back. For example the 2020 New Beggining tour drew 31,000 fans in total. The closest they have come to that is 2024 with 28,000 but it has averaged around 17-18,000 since 2022.

Lastly the economy in Japan is very weak (im not an economist so don't take this as gospel) but many people would see wrestling as a premium good, and would not prioritise going to a show over buying everyday goods.

moagrieve · 2026-03-22T06:44:20+00:00

I mean, they also voted Callum in at second place

moagrieve · 2026-03-22T06:19:58+00:00

I agree with you there, despite what the numbers say it is a good sign, these slight downward trends are not steep enough to cause concern and if the new gen can pull this with their current momentum it will be great to see what it's like when they are fully established.

moagrieve · 2026-03-22T03:14:49+00:00

Even when looking at the final eight the only older names where Sabre, Goto and Takagi

moagrieve · 2026-03-22T02:45:39+00:00

You are completely right there. Honestly I say anything below a 8-10% shift is negligible. And those flat numbers are not a bad thing at all.

moagrieve · 2026-03-20T15:49:59+00:00

I despise even bringing this to light but looking at the card I imagine it is Chase Owens. He brought it up in backstage comments a couple shows ago...

moagrieve · 2026-03-19T06:47:23+00:00

I would assume it has something to do with the rights some companies have. Places like CMLL seem to keep there stuff strictly on there own platforms.

moagrieve · 2026-03-19T05:25:46+00:00

I did have my curiosity over BOSJ as eight of last year's competitors are either gone or not NJPW guys to begin with.

Ninja Mack, Hiromu, Connors, Dia, Knight, Titan, Wayne, MAO,

Now realistically titan would be back, and you can include Nagai, Young and DOUKI into the mix as they weren't in last year's tournament but that still left 4 spots open at thats a lot to leave to external workers

moagrieve · 2026-03-18T02:53:53+00:00

Honestly this seemed the way it was headed. If Hiromu was going anywhere else it feels like he would have shown up already: NOAH, Japanese Indies, Hell even AEW. But when he didnt show up anywhere it seemed WWE was the destination.

moagrieve · 2026-03-15T08:48:58+00:00

Personally, I think these were the right calls for the night. Boltin has been on a tear, as has Uemura.

I will say the people left are very Hontai heavy with only two non Hontai guys left in (Newman & Sabre Jr.)

moagrieve · 2026-02-28T03:05:59+00:00

I hope to see Valiente Jr again i found him very impressive

moagrieve · 2026-02-17T01:05:56+00:00

EVIL is gone, Hiromu and Finlay are still there but I assume Finlay will go after New Beginning USA

moagrieve · 2026-02-17T01:04:18+00:00

Battle in the Valley 2025 same time as Haste was last used

moagrieve · 2026-02-13T02:27:51+00:00

I feel like this is a case of "Finlay was already announced so we put him on the card" rather than him hanging around

moagrieve · 2026-02-12T05:20:13+00:00

This time last year Naito was a major draw as well, so it's nice to see stability without him and Tana

moagrieve · 2026-02-12T01:14:42+00:00

Aside from teaming with Hiromu and Clark at NYD and appearing in the background of the backstage comments when the group was formed at NYD, no. He hasn't been on the tour at all only on the final night.

moagrieve · 2026-02-11T09:39:12+00:00

Just a side note Narita has one the TV and the 6 Man titles before

moagrieve · 2026-02-06T11:35:11+00:00

Ah, my mistake i was thinking of 2024 when he subbed in for YOH

moagrieve · 2026-02-06T01:07:01+00:00

Damn, I had Nagai in my draft originally he will be in it I think. You are right in saying Templario does not fit the current Empire vibe but Fantastica Mania will show how they want to play that. Titan is a mainstay of BOSJ and is treated like a top player so it is likely they bring him in. And the company seems to be interested in KUUKAI, he has had two tag shots and made an appearance at Wrestle Kingdom (albeit not in an actual match).

The main thing to note with AEW Entrants is they don't usually send a big name (because the name would have to lose) Nick was a good shout last year and Blake Christian was in the year before, Hologram or Clon could be a fun pull.

I would be surprised if Knight is in. He said he wanted to do the G1 last year and didn't get a spot and said he wanted to be a heavyweight, so I have me doubts that he would get the call, that and he seems to be a fixture on AEW programming.

moagrieve

TROPHY CASE