I know, I know. Shota Umino is always a hot topic in the subreddit but I honestly think that’s probably a good thing for NJPW.
My question is how are we all feeling about the “second chapter” so far. How are feeling about his image, his wrestling style and the “change” of his character that the commentary team is pushing.
I personally expect that we are getting Umino vs Gabe at WK for the global title but after last night, do we get a Okada > Tanahashi moment with Umino winning the G1 and running back the dome with Zack?
Let’s discuss
by hellomissyy
23 comments
It’s hard to say. I don’t think ZSJ is big enough to count as a passing of the torch type deal.
I think the play is to have one of the new gen get the belt, and then have all of them battle it out over a couple of years to establish the new ace.
Shota needs a guy like Shingo that will beat the holy piss out of him and we cheer on his comeback, I wanna see a full on Shota/Shingo feud in 2025, I think Shingo can beat the hell out of Shota too turn him into the biggest face on the card if done right with this redemption arc.
I hate to say it, but he’s just kinda boring. His in-ring is solid, but he’s not exciting in the way the other guys from his class are.
I did not like him upon return. Whole push as New Ace felt forced. Have found him more interesting since this second chapter/de-escalation of push since WK tho. Feels much more natural building him back up imo
I’ve believed this since Day 1, though I’m not sure it’ll happen because of his rivalry with ZSJ, but Shota Umino will be this generation’s Okada figure. This Second Chapter has been frustrating at certain points, especially concerning his presentation (the bald head, emotionless entrances, stripped-back moveset, etc.), but I think that it will prove to be the most valuable period in his career in the long run.
In terms of matches, they’ve definitely improved over time. It’s almost annoying (in a good way) watching a previous match of his because he changes something or does something better in every outing. He’s not a perfect wrestler, and has a lot of areas to grow in, but I believe we’ll have the full vision for him going forward – both his and the company’s – by Wrestle Kingdom 20, presentation-wise, moves, attitude, etc.
His ring work is better. Love his lariat. But his striking is still really inconsistent, usually bad.
Character wise- it was looking promising during the cup but he’s essentially back to the exact same character as before. Highly unsatisfied with his work and booking there
He’s still working himself out, but he’s going in the right direction at the very least. I liked his match with ZSJ last night much more than their previous encounters, he’s showing more aggression and fire which the crowd were really eating up.
I think his biggest challenge for the Ace throne will be Uemura. In my opinion he has risen to the occasion consistently and only gets better every time he steps in the ring. It also probably benefits him that his rivalry with Tsuji has been much better presented than Shota’s rivalry with Narita.
I hope he runs with what he’s been showing us so far this G1 and has a stronger second half of 2025.
I don’t think his second chapter is fully in effect until he has a complete presentation & consistency in his match quality.
1 Great match isn’t enough to immediately make me believe he’s the future or the now for that matter.
All of you who sold your stocks don’t get to buy them back now. I never gave up.
Most of the people here aren’t going to like him or praise him unless he turns heel like their fantasy booking says. Then he’ll be the second coming.
I like him and I believe he can make it to the top. I don’t care who the ace will be, I just want the young guys to do good and I want the company to be successfull. Many in this sub have chosen to hate him and are constantly trying to nitpick and find faults in his work. Right now I keep seeing the copy pasted complaint about his striking being bad and I don’t really get it. His elbow is not the sharpest the company has seen but even the elbows are alright and his striking is definitely not something I’d be worried about.
What I’d wish to see from him is more big match conistency. When given the chance he can either look like the best performer out of the young guys but the next week he can look barely satisfactory. Now what I’d like to see is for him to have two or three great big matches in a row whenever he gets the chance.
I’m enjoying his matches more and more but his character is still very shallow. And his look still sucks. There’s a lot of work to be done if he’s going to be an ace.
That said, I think his new hard hitting style could make him be a great fixture in the NEVER Openweight scene until he puts it all together.
He should remain a babyface no matter how much he gets beaten, and only Western fans would be happy if he turned heel. I think what’s needed from him now is consistency in quality. I think he’ll get better if he gets to face more people his own age. Up until now he’s only been fighting older generations.
A much needed improvement, more aggressive and no nonsense style, less play up to the fans which is simply not his style
I honestly hope he just keeps getting bigger and bigger to the point where he’s comically massive like Bobby Lashley. That’d be cool.
I like Shota always have. I’m glad the Japanese fans seem to be warming up to him more. I definitely notice he seemed to be getting more support from the live crowds lately.
I was hoping for more of a change in attitude, didn’t have to be a full heel turn or anything just someone to change it up. But it seems their going with he had rough start but now he’s back on track. Which again I’m ok with just not the direction I thought they were going with him.
I always liked Shota. I’m especially liking him since the reset. Matches seem to be better. New finisher is nice too.
I like the simpler entrance and gear. All that color and entering through the crowd doesn’t fit his personality much.
I like the basic white with very subtle flair (tassels and fur).
I like him as a stoic no no sense type that turns up the intensity after the bell rings. He seems much more authentic that way.
He’s also my guy for this G1 since Goto and Kidd(🤞) are out. I’m all in on Shota!
He’s doing well but they should go slow with him rather than hoist him into big programs again since he can’t really afford to fail again (although everything will work out eventually I guess)
Personally while I like the Umino/Kidd rivalry I don’t think that’s the move for the Dome, it seems much more likely the theme will be old vs new and Umino is likely better off involved in a match lower on the card that he can springboard from
If they pursue the tension between Uemura and him as Hontai’s main new gen guys then a tag match with them against Tana/whoever as Tana’s retirement match could feasibly elevate the both of them while sowing the seeds for Umino either rising to the occasion as a genuine challenger to Uemura’s ascension or turning on him to snap that friction (and it would make him holding on to his ‘old’ look make more sense)
They’d be crazy to try and run back ZSJ/Umino at WK, both have much better options for programs
He’s boring. Uemura, Tsuji, Gabe, Connors and Narita has personality.
You want to play a agressive in ring wrestler, yet dress in pink and white, wearing LED sunglasses, riding into the venue on a motorbike, interacting with children, etc.
Dude, pick a gimmick and stick to it.
I’m liking what I’m seeing out of Shota right now. Dude looks like an absolute killer (though I think he looked tougher with the shaved head than with the blonde hair). Still, he’s looking more confident in the ring and I think he is beginning to reach that main event potential.
Shota is making slow, yet steady progress in the aspects of pro wrestling he needs to be a top guy: his believe-ability, his ability to convey a genuine sense of adversity in his matches, and his capacity to invest the fans emotionally in his journey.
The match against Zack in this G1 was a good step forward, and the effort Shota has put into improving himself showed in the positive response from the fans.
I’m still catching up on NJPW. Just watched his match with Shingo at Dominion last night. Are crowds still booing the shit out of him?
I still think the kid needs to pull a Naito, go on another excursion, reinvent himself and come back again.
He’s fat SANADA.
He should be introduced as:
“Zero Charisma” Shota Umino.