This week on Wrestling Omakase it's all about Japan's two oldest promotions! John is joined by returning guest and VOW contributor Gerard Di Trolio (@GerardDiTrolio) to discuss two shows from NJPW and the opening round of AJPW's annual Oudou Tournament. First we discuss New Japan's Destruction in Beppu, a not very good show that at least is nice enough to have an awesome main event. Then we talk Destruction in Kagoshima, a much better effort all around and featuring KENTA vs. Kota Ibushi, a match we're both stunned has turned out to be as divisive as it is. Finally we wrap up the NJPW talk with a look ahead at next week's Destruction in Kobe as well as possible match ideas for the US Fighting Spirit Unleashed tour.

Then it's on to All Japan to discuss the first eight matches in the single elimination Oudou Tournament, and here John and Gerard actually disagree quite a bit on what the best match of the opening round was. We then look ahead at the rest of the tournament as well as the final two tours for AJPW this year.

Plus we answer some questions on missing NJPW wrestlers, why Japanese wrestlers go to the fed, whether the heavyweight/junior divide will ever vanish in NJPW and if that would be a good thing, whether or not the Naito-White feud is really horny (spoiler: yes), and John presents their Theory of Why Sailor Mercury is Actually Bad, and much more!

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/wrestling-omakase/donations

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy