Speaking of Strong Style – Details, episodes & analysis

This week, Steven and Jeremy talked about four shows this past week, each of which provided an excellent main event. They discussed Shingo Takagi's 20th Anniversary Show, Jeff Cobb's TV title defense against Yota Tsuji, HENARE's NEVER Openweight title match with Hiromu Takahashi, and Taiji Ishimori's challenge of DOUKI for the Junior Heavyweight title. They also debated rematches, who might be the next challengers, and fretted about injuries to Jake Lee and Ren Narita. Finally, they looked back at the life of Kuniaki Kobayashi, a man who was part of a critical time in pro wrestling and had a long-term job behind the scenes making him a positive influence on the careers of many top stars of today.    

This week, Steven and Jeremy discussed news regarding Yuya Uemura's injury, Jake Lee's contract status and Ryohei Oiwa wrapping up his NOAH run. What would be the best fit for Oiwa's return to New Japan? Should he slide back into a faction or create something brand new? They also talked about Shingo Takagi's 20th Anniversary show and previewed this week's title matches, including DOUKI versus Taiji Ishimori and Jeff Cobb versus Yota Tsuji. Jeremy and Steven looked at each match and its implications, and whether Hiromu Takahashi should take the NEVER Openweight title from HENARE. Should there be big changes in LIJ? And should two members of the company's top faction square off at Wrestle Kingdom? Steven also went back in time to examine Hiroshi Tanahashi's first NJ Cup win, his first G1 victory and his first IWGP title run.    

This week, Steven and Jeremy talked about Stephanie Vaquer's departure and the overall women's scene coming out of Mexico, and why it can have an impact on New Japan. They also broke down the New Japan Soul event from the Tokyo Budokan, why DOUKI's title win was a pleasant surprise, what Desperado's long-term story might be, and why the location of the show meant something to IWGP World Heavyweight Champion Tetsuya Naito and BUSHI. They also previewed the Fantasticamania event coming this weekend, with Mistico and DOUKI facing Volador Jr. and Rocky Romero on top. They also made their first forays into G1 analysis, looking at their top contenders for the tournament, who might struggle, and the key upsets that could decide the fate of the bracket.    

This week, Steven and Jeremy talked about the G1 Qualifying tournament. Steven spoke of his hesitation to declare anything a youth movement after seeing several potential ones cut off at the knees. They also pondered a G1 world without such mainstays and icons as Hiroshi Tanahashi, Tomohiro Ishii, Taichi and more. They also discussed whether what we've seen lately from IWGP World Heavyweight champion Tetsuya Naito is due to effort or injury. They looked ahead to Friday's show at the Tokyo Budokan and the newly-announced Wrestle Kingdom week schedule that involves shows, fan fests and more involving New Japan and STARDOM. Plus, did the company blow it with Jon Moxley's title reign?     

Steven and Jeremy are back with a special edition of Speaking of Strong Style covering a show that brought together talent from AEW, New Japan, CMLL and STARDOM. Topics covered include: 

An excellent main event between AEW Champion Swerve Strickland and Will Ospreay.  A pair of NJPW title changes as Tetsuya Naito regained the IWGP World Heavyweight title and Mercedes Mone picked up the NJPW Strong Women's title, which was created for her in the first place.  How Stephanie Vaquer won over the Long Island crowd despite losing her match. Naito's disappointing performance and possible reasons for it.  How Toni Storm, Mariah May and Mina Shirakawa delivered an entertaining title match, and why Shirakawa should be on everyone's radar.  A big night for The Elite with Jack Perry winning the TNT title and Kazuchika Okada teaming with the Young Bucks to beat The Acclaimed and Hiroshi Tanahashi Why Shingo Takagi versus Bryan Danielson and Orange Cassidy versus Zack Sabre Jr. couldn't miss. Speculation on upcoming directions for the champions coming out of the show. 

 

This week, Steven and Jeremy previewed Forbidden Door 2024. They discussed the angles on AEW Dynamite that added a few matches to the card and broke down the event match-by-match. They talked about the title matches, including Stephanie Vaquer versus Mercedes Mone, Jon Moxley versus Tetsuya Naito and why they feel it's time for the IWGP title to come home. They also looked at the Mina Shirakawa match with Toni Storm, and why the two of them along with Mariah May have made this one of the most compelling matches on the show. They also previewed Shingo Takagi's match with Bryan Danielson, Zack Sabre Jr. versus Orange Cassidy and Kazuchika Okada meeting Hiroshi Tanahashi again in a six-man match. Plus, is Jeff Cobb really not defending the TV title after laying down that challenge? Jeremy and Steven also talked about the first round qualifying matches for the G1, and whether the company is truly moving toward a youth movement, or just teasing us. Finally, they covered NJPW stars in Mexico, plus the life of Sika and the Wild Samoans in Japan.

Jeremy Finestone and Steven Conway return with Speaking of Strong Style. This week, the pair looked at the lineups for the upcoming G1 Climax tournament and shared their early thoughts on how the blocks could play out. They also analyzed the two qualification tournaments to determine the final two entries. Will New Japan really have a G1 without Hiroshi Tanhashi or Tomohiro Ishii? What could their plans be if Shota Umino can't compete? Plus, they discussed New Japan Soul, why HENARE's NEVER Openweight title win was so satisfying, why El Desperado ascension to the top of the junior heavyweight division bodes well going forward, and why David Finlay's win over SANADA seemed a well-wrestled formality. Steven and Jeremy also looked ahead to upcoming matches and discussed the roles of guests like Takeshita and Jake Lee.    

Steven Conway and Jeremy Finestone are back with Speaking of Strong Style! This pair talked about the Despe Invitational and how the bonkers show from Korakuen Hall was a lot of chaos and a lot of fun. They also discussed the new format of the G1 in a bit more detail and theorized how Zack Sabre Jr., Shingo Takagi and others could have a big impact on the tournament. Will there be room for guests from AEW or NOAH? They previewed All Together, featuring Tetsuya Naito versus Jake Lee, and the New Japan Soul show coming up. Jeremy and Steven looked at the title matches on that show and how some title changes could affect the G1, Forbidden Door and other upcoming events. With Jon Moxley versus Naito coming soon, these shows could tell us a lot about the future direction of New Japan. Plus, Steven looked back on the 15th anniversary of Mitsuharu Misawa's passing.    

Steven Conway and Jeremy Finestone are back with a special edition of Speaking of Strong Style to break down the 2024 edition of Dominion. The pair discussed each match from the big Osaka show, headlined by El Desperado versus Taiji Ishimori in the Best of the Super Junior Finals, Jon Moxley versus EVIL in a Lumberjack Deathmatch for the IWGP World Heavyweight title, a NEVER Openweight showdown between HENARE and Shingo Takagi, more title matches. They looked at the results from Dominion and what they tell us about the company's potential long-term plans. They also examined the new format for the G1 tournament and how it might make for even more drama. 

Steven Conway and Jeremy Finestone are back with a special edition of Speaking of Strong Style to break down the 2024 edition of Dominion. The pair discussed each match from the big Osaka show, headlined by El Desperado versus Taiji Ishimori in the Best of the Super Junior Finals, Jon Moxley versus EVIL in a Lumberjack Deathmatch for the IWGP World Heavyweight title, a NEVER Openweight showdown between HENARE and Shingo Takagi, more title matches. They looked at the results from Dominion and what they tell us about the company's potential long-term plans. They also examined the new format for the G1 tournament and how it might make for even more drama.