These last few years have not been very kind to NJPW due to multiple circumstances, most of them out of their hands like the COVID-19 pandemic for example.
NJPW since their return, has tried to recover all the ground they lost due to the pandemic, in some ways, they’ve managed to somewhat recover but NJPW still doesn’t feel like the NJPW we all knew pre-pandemic. There are several reasons to this but the main one is the booking.
NJPW’s booking is as safe as it gets, and it’s understandable why. NJPW is trying to recover and getting things back on track. Right now, it’s not the time for bold booking, and we saw this recently with Hiromu Takahashi winning yet again the BOSJ, instead of NJPW trying someone else.
Last time NJPW did bold booking, we had EVIL as IWGP World Heavyweight champion, and no one wants that again. Putting the belt on EVIL was a huge gamble, and it didn’t payoff. Ever since, NJPW has gone back to a more conservative style of booking and taking the least number of risks as possible.
It makes sense why NJPW doesn’t want to take risks and it’s playing it safe right now. Currently, the best thing NJPW can do is to be ton their established stars and get things back on track. But NJPW, doing something else in the Jrs could’ve been the right move too, Takahashi didn’t really need the BOSJ and someone new could’ve used that win big time.
NJPW is in a conundrum right now. doing bold booking decisions is something NJPW could really use right now, but if it doesn’t work it would be a huge blow for NJPW. Conservative booking is the best course of action for NJPW, but being conservative for too long would be a mistake too.
