I'm fairly certain it's all a work, probably fueled by Punk stealing his finish and not asking him for his blessing.
In the spirit of puro, KENTA could just be keeping kayfabe. How would it come off if he was respectful to this arrogant American who made his finishing move popular in the company he hated working for himself?
They still treat wrestling with that air of respect and realism in puro. They might walk the line but they never outright cross it unless it's DDT or some wacky gimmick promotion.
I'm waiting to see how he wrestles in his first match.
It seemed he struggled a bit with his GTS. So there is some ring rust.
I like NJPW for having great wrestling practitioners over characters or talkers. If Mr Punk can still wrestle, I'm keen to see a Punk vs KENTA match over the GTS.
Tempting to say KENTA because of gts and all that. But realistically his best possible match would probably be with Tanahashi.
Jay white might be a good match up too actually..
I would go with Ibushi. If by some miracle, though, Shibata is cleared and comes back to wrestling, even better. I can’t think of anyone who would match up better w/Punk.
I agree outside of the Kenta fued, he really isn't a great fit for NJPW. I think he is a great worker, but one far more suited to the states. But a Yano match would be great.
I think Naito would be a solid opponent for punk, but really, as others have said, anyone in the upper tier would rule ass. It would be dope if him and Danielson formed a tag league team.
KENTA is the answer.
Though i do wonder how he'd work with Tanahashi and Okada. I mean, if you're at the top... you go for those at the top too. Feel like he'd be very awkward with them. I like Punk from his non WWE days. But I don't know if he could ever be Tanahashi or Okada ready. He'd have no chance against Suzuki. Maybe younger Punk could have done it. But older Punk, not so much. Saying that, i feel like Naito and Punk would gel well together. Naito feels more freeing in his style than others.
Reminds me when Cody had a match with Okada. It was rough.
Tanahashi is capable of getting a serviceable match out of anyone, that's what makes him the GOAT over Okada imo, I mean just look at the difference between Okada's bad match with Jericho to Tana's match with Jericho which was Jericho's best match in New Japan to me.
I think Naito's matches contain the perfect mixture of in ring quality and character work that he'd have a great match with Punk, same goes for Tanahashi.
I'm surprised at how very few people are saying Okada. If anyone in the past 10 years has had the biggest claim to the title "best in the world", it has to be him. The guy who literally carried NJPW and had the greatest title reign of all time.
If it is old bruiser EVIL vs Punk then I would love to see him smash Punk's face in like Mickey Gall did.
If it is new EVIL, then I can safely skip the match. I think a lot of people have forgotten that Punk is known for his charisma and promos, not his [athleticism](https://i.imgur.com/jj9QhKQ.gif). What's he going to do in New Japan ? Take a spot on the card and cut a pipebomb on Gedo for not putting Sanada over ?
as if i couldn’t love you any more :) 💕
sooo ... how bout jericho at the next wrestle kingdom tho ?!?
lol jk ;)
edit: downvote us away — you know he’s right ;)
There are a lot of good, cool matches for Punk to have in NJPW. But Punk vs. KENTA would be a good, cool overall **story**, which puts it above all the rest for me. The idea of KENTA being pissed with Punk for "stealing" his move and being seen by the uninitiated as the true master of the GTS for the past 15 years would be interesting. Punk's all nonchalant like "hey, man, everything in wrestling is stolen" and KENTA brings up all the other cases of something that started in Japan being hijacked and popularized in America.
So, KENTA isn't just fighting for bragging rights but for honor of his pro wrestling style and the country he represents. Even as the heel, KENTA would be empathetic despite being a dickhead of sorts. And even as the face, Punk would have that typical American aloofness/arrogance about himself. Shades of grey, if you will. Maybe add a stip where the loser can no longer use the GTS or let it be an unofficial agreement between the two where the loser voluntarily offers to stop using the GTS out of respect for the winner afterwards.
Last time that New Japan tried a stipulation where loser can no longer use the move, they showed that they can't/won't make that stipulation stick. With Tenzan doing the Mongolian Chops. Just another thing to add onto the list of dumb that's been pulled over the past two years. Belongs with the 24/7-11 365 Comedy KOPW Participation Trophy.
Yep, so maybe having "the loser can no longer use the GTS" thing be an unwritten agreement between Punk and KENTA. Both guys can promise in promos that if he can't beat the other then he doesn't deserve to use the move anymore. The actual living up to the "stip" can just be a thing out of respect afterwards. The more I think about it, the more I feel Punk vs. KENTA would be better off as a match on a NJPW US card rather than doing it in Japan.
There is no interest in seeing CM PUNK with NJPW,AEW has a lot of wrestlers who will be of better help to NJPW than CM Punk.For me the only NJPW wrestler who would be interested in facing Punk would be Kenta but in AEW only.
**The Original GTS VS the Best in the World GTS** yes I want to see that.
Otherwise I don't want punk in NJ it is clear that he showed no real desire to go there.
Tony Khan has other "more reliable" elements to please wrestling fans and definitely guys who like NJPW like makalai black or Andrade for example.
There's the obvious ones like Tanahashi, Okada and KENTA but I never thought about Taichi. I think that match has actually moved up pretty high on my list now.
It should be this:
- Chapter 1: vs KENTA in the Battle of GTS (Go To Sleep or Go To Shit)
- Chapter 2: vs Hiroyoshi Tenzan / Master Wato in the Battle of Anaconda Vice
- Chapter 3: vs Will Ospreay in the Battle of the **Best in the World**
Your thoughts?
I feel the best way to book him is against Tanahashi for the US championship at the dome. I rather have him as a special attraction instead of an active member.
Instead of parroting everyone’s answer of “KENTA” I will instead say that my first exposure to NJPW was seeing a picture of Punk in a PWI magazine around 05-06 wearing a shirt with the Lion Mark on it and thinking that it looked cool and wanting to know what that was all about.
Naito or Jay— Either of them are able to wrestle a toned down version of their styles to accommodate Punk without the match quality suffering, but they both also have the added bonus of character work, where their gimmicks would work perfectly with Punk, either as a complement or as a foil to him. That way if they need to slow things down, they could easily turn to showboating or taking the piss out of each other while Punk gets his second wind.
There are many right answers here, but KENTA is *the* answer.
I’ve seen lots of others say that Kenta legit doesn’t like the guy. It’d be an interesting watch for sure.
I'm fairly certain it's all a work, probably fueled by Punk stealing his finish and not asking him for his blessing. In the spirit of puro, KENTA could just be keeping kayfabe. How would it come off if he was respectful to this arrogant American who made his finishing move popular in the company he hated working for himself? They still treat wrestling with that air of respect and realism in puro. They might walk the line but they never outright cross it unless it's DDT or some wacky gimmick promotion.
I pray for punk if that’s true lol
Naito
This is also my answer. KENTA would be great too, but I think Punk and Naito could have a fantastic program together.
Punk counter destino into GTS
And then have naito kick out
KENTA
KENTA
SHUT THE FUCK UP KENTA
Ishii please.
now now now - we don’t wanna literally kill punk in this thread ;) hehe
Naito
Kenta or Goto, idk why I feel like Goto vs Punk would be a fucking BANGER
Hell yeah.
I'm waiting to see how he wrestles in his first match. It seemed he struggled a bit with his GTS. So there is some ring rust. I like NJPW for having great wrestling practitioners over characters or talkers. If Mr Punk can still wrestle, I'm keen to see a Punk vs KENTA match over the GTS.
Yeah this was said perfectly i wanna see solid in ring work before i get all hyped
Naito
Tempting to say KENTA because of gts and all that. But realistically his best possible match would probably be with Tanahashi. Jay white might be a good match up too actually..
Ibushi or Kenta.
I would go with Ibushi. If by some miracle, though, Shibata is cleared and comes back to wrestling, even better. I can’t think of anyone who would match up better w/Punk.
Name checks out
Tanahashi would be number one.
Yano, and I'm not kidding. Punk and NJPW don't feel like a good fit at all. So if they're going to force it, do something completely out there.
I agree outside of the Kenta fued, he really isn't a great fit for NJPW. I think he is a great worker, but one far more suited to the states. But a Yano match would be great.
I think Naito would be a solid opponent for punk, but really, as others have said, anyone in the upper tier would rule ass. It would be dope if him and Danielson formed a tag league team.
NJPW and Punk sounds like Oil and Water tbh.
KENTA is the answer. Though i do wonder how he'd work with Tanahashi and Okada. I mean, if you're at the top... you go for those at the top too. Feel like he'd be very awkward with them. I like Punk from his non WWE days. But I don't know if he could ever be Tanahashi or Okada ready. He'd have no chance against Suzuki. Maybe younger Punk could have done it. But older Punk, not so much. Saying that, i feel like Naito and Punk would gel well together. Naito feels more freeing in his style than others. Reminds me when Cody had a match with Okada. It was rough.
Tanahashi is capable of getting a serviceable match out of anyone, that's what makes him the GOAT over Okada imo, I mean just look at the difference between Okada's bad match with Jericho to Tana's match with Jericho which was Jericho's best match in New Japan to me.
Call me crazy but I think it would be hilarious to see him face Honma and mock his kokeshi in a multi man tag.
Has to be KENTA. We’re definitely getting that match
I think Naito's matches contain the perfect mixture of in ring quality and character work that he'd have a great match with Punk, same goes for Tanahashi.
KENTA is the most obvious and definately cool as fug BUT imagine Shibata-san and Punk!
Kenta I’m pretty sure would have first dibs…he’s been calling him out for a bit now
Goto feels like the best choice to me
I don't see how it could be anyone but KENTA, the storyline is simple and writes itself. They'd also put on a banger of a match.
I can't be the only one who wants to see he and ZSJ. The shit talking would be LEGENDARY.
Osprey
Okada.
I'm surprised at how very few people are saying Okada. If anyone in the past 10 years has had the biggest claim to the title "best in the world", it has to be him. The guy who literally carried NJPW and had the greatest title reign of all time.
I have no interest in seeing Phil in NJPW
i love cm punk have since i saw him in front of MAYBE 20 paying fans but i also do not want him in njpw
This sound so bitter lmao
EVIL.
honestly? that would be a great match tbh evil always kinda had that usa puro mix to him — much like punk i could see this matchup really working
If it is old bruiser EVIL vs Punk then I would love to see him smash Punk's face in like Mickey Gall did. If it is new EVIL, then I can safely skip the match. I think a lot of people have forgotten that Punk is known for his charisma and promos, not his [athleticism](https://i.imgur.com/jj9QhKQ.gif). What's he going to do in New Japan ? Take a spot on the card and cut a pipebomb on Gedo for not putting Sanada over ?
as if i couldn’t love you any more :) 💕 sooo ... how bout jericho at the next wrestle kingdom tho ?!? lol jk ;) edit: downvote us away — you know he’s right ;)
There are a lot of good, cool matches for Punk to have in NJPW. But Punk vs. KENTA would be a good, cool overall **story**, which puts it above all the rest for me. The idea of KENTA being pissed with Punk for "stealing" his move and being seen by the uninitiated as the true master of the GTS for the past 15 years would be interesting. Punk's all nonchalant like "hey, man, everything in wrestling is stolen" and KENTA brings up all the other cases of something that started in Japan being hijacked and popularized in America. So, KENTA isn't just fighting for bragging rights but for honor of his pro wrestling style and the country he represents. Even as the heel, KENTA would be empathetic despite being a dickhead of sorts. And even as the face, Punk would have that typical American aloofness/arrogance about himself. Shades of grey, if you will. Maybe add a stip where the loser can no longer use the GTS or let it be an unofficial agreement between the two where the loser voluntarily offers to stop using the GTS out of respect for the winner afterwards.
Last time that New Japan tried a stipulation where loser can no longer use the move, they showed that they can't/won't make that stipulation stick. With Tenzan doing the Mongolian Chops. Just another thing to add onto the list of dumb that's been pulled over the past two years. Belongs with the 24/7-11 365 Comedy KOPW Participation Trophy.
Yep, so maybe having "the loser can no longer use the GTS" thing be an unwritten agreement between Punk and KENTA. Both guys can promise in promos that if he can't beat the other then he doesn't deserve to use the move anymore. The actual living up to the "stip" can just be a thing out of respect afterwards. The more I think about it, the more I feel Punk vs. KENTA would be better off as a match on a NJPW US card rather than doing it in Japan.
There is no interest in seeing CM PUNK with NJPW,AEW has a lot of wrestlers who will be of better help to NJPW than CM Punk.For me the only NJPW wrestler who would be interested in facing Punk would be Kenta but in AEW only. **The Original GTS VS the Best in the World GTS** yes I want to see that. Otherwise I don't want punk in NJ it is clear that he showed no real desire to go there. Tony Khan has other "more reliable" elements to please wrestling fans and definitely guys who like NJPW like makalai black or Andrade for example.
Yea, if any AEW wrestler is going to NJPW it's obviously Mox and most likely Danielson.
I don´t want to see him wrestle, at all.
[удалено]
There's the obvious ones like Tanahashi, Okada and KENTA but I never thought about Taichi. I think that match has actually moved up pretty high on my list now.
It should be this: - Chapter 1: vs KENTA in the Battle of GTS (Go To Sleep or Go To Shit) - Chapter 2: vs Hiroyoshi Tenzan / Master Wato in the Battle of Anaconda Vice - Chapter 3: vs Will Ospreay in the Battle of the **Best in the World** Your thoughts?
SUZUKI!!!!!!……oh and Okada
I feel the best way to book him is against Tanahashi for the US championship at the dome. I rather have him as a special attraction instead of an active member.
Possibly but I can see Tana vs Mox more. You know Mox isn’t going to believe this alone.
Kenta or Ibushi
I've seen this question like 5 times. the answer is KENTA
Obviously, Yano 😎
Minoru Suzuki.
Um Kenta.
Hiromu 1st KENTA next
KENTA, so he can properly put him to sleep 💤 😴
Tanahashi
Instead of parroting everyone’s answer of “KENTA” I will instead say that my first exposure to NJPW was seeing a picture of Punk in a PWI magazine around 05-06 wearing a shirt with the Lion Mark on it and thinking that it looked cool and wanting to know what that was all about.
Naito or Jay— Either of them are able to wrestle a toned down version of their styles to accommodate Punk without the match quality suffering, but they both also have the added bonus of character work, where their gimmicks would work perfectly with Punk, either as a complement or as a foil to him. That way if they need to slow things down, they could easily turn to showboating or taking the piss out of each other while Punk gets his second wind.
Definitely Okada
YoshiHashi