Alex Shelley Was a Finalist in NJPW's Best of the Super Juniors

[The Dragon Saga]

Spoiler

Alex Shelley, the guy TNA had nothing for is tearing Japan to pieces.

Just watched the finals and he is so fucking over. He lost, but losing to Prince Devitt who is argubly one of the best wrestlers in the world right now and is definitely the top heel in Japan right now isn't anything to be ashamed of, but Shelley had this to say after the match to the press (Japanese media actually give a shit about wrestling) and I found it interesting.

"I'm really happy to have gone as far as I did, being in the ring with some of these guys and seeing some of these guys like Liger and Taka was an honor that I'll never forget. I can remember a few years ago thinking "what are you doing with your life? This isn't working out" and being really down on myself, but now I couldn't be happier, I haven't been this happy since the early days of my career working on the US indys. This is the best time I've had in my career and I'm going to keep striving towards my ultimate goal which is the Junior Heavyweight title. Winning that and beating a guy as good as Devitt would be incredible. I could retire the day after because winning that validates my entire career. I came to Japan because in this era, if you want to make it off your talent this is the place to be, there's nowhere else. And in the end I will make people remember Made in Detroit Alex Shelley."

 

[braveh]

It looks like he was wrestling in front of more people in the Impact zone than he is in Japan right now.

 

[The Dragon Saga]

These shows aren't intended for large arenas, they have a philosophy where the Tokyo Dome (which can fit up to 55,000) is used for special events only usually their "WrestleMania" Wrestle Kingdom, and then small 3,000 seater arenas (still more than the Impact Zone) in places like Dontaku are used for every other show. They do this so they can rise prices for the 3,000 seater arena because tickets will be in demand.

 

[Pay Per Ghost]

If he becomes a hit in Japan and only Japan, will that irk anyone?

 

[Bernkastel]

These shows aren't intended for large arenas, they have a philosophy where the Tokyo Dome (which can fit up to 55,000) is used for special events only usually their "WrestleMania" Wrestle Kingdom, and then small 3,000 seater arenas (still more than the Impact Zone) in places like Dontaku are used for every other show. They do this so they can rise prices for the 3,000 seater arena because tickets will be in demand.

And the venues are also that small because the population density in some areas can be less than a 10th of the big cities in America. An venue that holds 2000 and draws 3200 in a district with 75,000 people is pretty good.

As opposed to RAW which might draw 15,000 off a city with 700,000 people.

 

[justinsayne]

Still wish he would've went back to ROH instead, oh well. Good he's seeing success somewhere.

 

[The Dragon Saga]

I expect him to appear in ROH eventually, especially with the NJPW/ROH affiliation going on. Karl Anderson is coming back soon for a rematch with Elgin so with all the hope in the world Devitt will tag along and Bulletclub could make a North American appearance.

 

[Alex]

Even if he's only a hit in Japan he's done more in a year than most American wrestlers do in five

 

[ヒュー　G.　レックション]

That warms my heart that he is doing well. I really should try getting into the Japanese wrestling... does anyone have a link to that Shelley and Devitt match?

 

[Thriller Ant]

I will need to try and get a hold of those shows. I'm going on vacation next month and they make excellent viewing on a plane.

 

[Hollywood Naitch]

Always rated Shelley, top performer.

Hopefully he comes back to the US and gets a proper singles run in either TNA or WWE at some point, dude is very talented.

 

[Alex]

Always rated Shelley, top performer.

Hopefully he comes back to the US and gets a proper singles run in either TNA or WWE at some point, dude is very talented.

Doubt it. Watched one of his matches earlier and the after match promo he pretty muched ripped TNA saying they made him lose his love with wrestling. And WWE aren't exactly that much better, look what they've done with Tensai.

 

[Poop Master Flex]

Shelley is good between the ropes but his style is most definitely suited for Japan not North America. Doesn't really matter though, he's a solid wrestler and I can definitely see him going far in Japan. Well deserved.

 

[Mighty NorCal]

So much education gained from this thread.