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A lot of #njwk15’s theme, through matches made to the words being spoken in interviews and press conferences is about defining eras. Yes it’s about making it to the top, but I think in Naito’s case it’s about how he’ll be remembered when his tale is done. https://twitter.com/njpwglobal/status/1342085113811775488
Okada ospreay and Tanahashi and okhan are clear generational rivalries, but Naito vs Ibushi is so resonating to me, because here we have two guys at the top of their game who aren’t in the new, they’re in the now, but the former is quickly becoming the latter.
Naito has thought a lot about what it would mean to lose to jay, or to lose to Ibushi, and he hates the thought but will take the risk, because with a bump card fast filling, it could all end at any time. He’s not the guy at 29 doing everything he can to get to the top.
It’s 9 years later and he’s there, but he’s become fully aware of how transient that position is. So come what may, making sure as many people see him as he is in the now is the most important thing.
Then Ibushi is the same age, has made history his way but he hasn’t been to the top. I get the sense that maybe he’s asked himself the same questions as Naito did, but came to a different conclusion. Reject time, reject mortality, become capital G god.
Time waits for no man, but does it wait for deities? Either way, jay white is waiting for them both, and the New Era is an ominous turn of phrase to both main eventers on the 4th.
I would have absolutely loved Juice and KENTA, but Kojima and KENTA also helps make January 4 the most emotionally themed collective card I think I can remember, accidentally or not. From ‘it’s my turn now’ (naito, ibu, Okada) to ‘it’s me next’ (empire) and ‘it’s still me’(tana)
Kojima adds ‘it can be me again’ to that emotional core. And that rollercoaster then gives way to jan 5, and five title matches that will clearly establish a brand new chapter.
Sorry for the ramble, I just caught myself loving wrestling, and being very excited to be at Wrestle Kingdom. Hope you join us. It’s Christmas in half an hour here, but it’s *real* Christmas ten days later. #njwk15
