Around the Internet, Chris' commentary seems very polarizing, especially in his "anti-AEW" statements made during the Omega/Kidd match.
One thing I really wanted to point out that some people seem to really be getting out of shape over is Charlton saying Omega isn't above NJPW, despite how much he did for the promotion (which is undeniable). I don't want to take away from Omega's success and how much he did for NJPW (which is a lot) but this idea that he's the big reason gaijins have all this opportunity in NJPW is false, as the real man responsible would be one Prince Devitt.
It was Devitt who became the "Junior Ace" in NJPW; it was Devitt who was doing some incredibly innovative things in the ring; it was Devitt who was wildly popular, both as a singles and a part of the tag team Apollo 55; it was Devitt who created the BC, resulting in the Young Bucks coming to NJPW, leading to the domino effect of the formation of "The Elite" and creation of AEW; without Devitt's sucess, Omega and literally every other gaijin wouldn't have the pathway to success that they do today.
by MrPuroresu42
17 comments
Njpw needs to not work with aew so often this year
Chris was very clearly playing it up in character, and his commentary added a lot to those matches, especially Kenny v Kidd.
On top of that, he praised AEW a lot at the end of the show.
Anybody complaining about it legitimately needs to stop watching wrestling. It’s not for you
Whether njpw plays along with Tony or not, he’s going to steal their talent. I don’t think I’d send over to America my prime talent I want to keep. And I’d keep them off cross promotional cards with AEW in Japan as well. When AEW signed Okada, whether or not AEW fans like it or not, that had to change how njpw deals with aew. Look at how few tickets were sold at WK this year to see the effect. But letting your talent in the future buddy up with Tony, has proven to be extremely bad for business.
Charlton is just working, brother. With that said, I haven’t liked this English booth in a while, They are boring to me; I usually go for Japanese audio.
It wasn’t Devitt who created opportunities for foreign talent in NJPW either. Before him, there was Hogan, Hansen, the Steiners, Norton, Sapp, Pegasus, Black Tiger, etc. A lot of people really buy into the idea that Omega saved NJPW, which is absolutely false, but stupidity isn’t in short supply these days.
Chris Charlton is a wealth of knowledge and his books on NJPW/The dome are sincerely great reads. I don’t even think hes wrong with what he tossed out there. This is the same kind of “brand supremacy” commentary that made the Noah vs NJPW shows unbearable in English.
Idk man, congrats to everyone who discovered the joy of the Japanese announcing.
AJ Styles and Kenny Omega were more successful in this role, though.
Charlton was popping me so hard, no hate to AEW at all but ever since it started and all the big stars of NJPW left, there’s been so much talk. I know Chris was working but I’m 100% certain there was some real passion in him saying no, Kenny isn’t bigger than this place, AEW isn’t bigger than this place, nothing is bigger than this beautiful place because we are watch NJPW in the Tokyo Dome, and Gabe Kidd represents that. I loved it.
English commentary is just severely lacking. Very boring dynamic, very little chemistry. I prefer Japanese. No idea what they’re saying, but at least they sound excited and authentic.
It’s polarizing because what he said was rooted in truth.
They need to do more imo
To add to your point, NJPW had their biggest drawing shows well after The Elite left.
I hope Chris keeps shading on AEW. Walker is usually the AEW defender when it’s just the 2 of them.
Wrestling is at its best when there is some truth mixed in with the rest of the shithousery.
I thought Charlton was great yesterday and the fact that he even got the fence sitters whining about it shows how good he played his part. That and someone shutting Rocky up is always good for the soul.
He told no lies and I think he is great.
Felt like Chris took away from the match.
He went a bit far during the Kidd/Omega match (probably wouldn’t have called Tony Khan a money mark if I were him) but the rest seemed fine.
My problem with Charlton’s commentary is it made no sense. A huge aspect of Kidd’s angle is NJPW are fucking up by putting so many (all?) their eggs in the AEW basket—a company that time and time again has taken without giving back—a company whose roster is full of wrestlers that used the lion’s mark as a stepping stone. Kidd’s position is anti-management but pro NJPW. Having half the commentary booth take this position as well just muddied the story telling.