WOR: Cody talks with Dave Meltzer

As part our continuing coverage of the NJPW G1 Special in San Francisco, CA, Wrestling Observer founder and publisher Dave Meltzer spoke with former ROH Champion and Bullet Club star Cody on Friday afternoon.

In this 30-minute talk, the two discussed Cody’s impending battle vs. IWGP Champion Kenny Omega, the G1 tournament, where he’s at in his career, and more.

Also, be sure to check out Dave’s interviews with Hiroshi Tanahashi, Juice Robinson, and Jay White. Plus, subscribers will get the audio from Dave and Bryan Alvarez’s Q&A later Saturday afternoon.

Timestamps:

Start – 2:14: The eye, working at the Cow Palace
2:14 – 5:20: Juggling every opportunity 
5:20 – 12:31: Pro vs. Anti WWE, the growth of the industry
12:31 – 17:16: Taking the steps to leave WWE
17:16 – 20:00: The Young Bucks and Being the Elite
20:00 – 23:17: How he and the Young Bucks met
23:17 – 25:38: The status of All In’s distribution
25:38 – 27:24: The pitfalls of being a promoter
27:24 – 29:47: What he thinks his father would think of All In
29:47 – end: All In 2

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NJPW G1 Special: Josh Barnett conference call audio

As part of the build for this weekend’s NJPW shows in the U.S. with Saturday night’s show airing live on AXS TV, color commentator, pro wrestler, and former UFC heavyweight champion Josh Barnett answered media questions for about 45 minutes on Wednesday afternoon.

A few of the topics Barnett talked about:

– Whether he’s had discussions about getting into pro wrestling again

– Thoughts on his recent match with Jeff Cobb and past matches with Suzuki and Bobby Lashley

– Whether he wanted to work more with Impact Wrestling

– Working with Jim Ross and the transition of working with him vs. Mauro Ranallo

– What NJPW talent that he helped train has surprised him the most with his success

– What NJPW can learn from PRIDE’s expansion into the U.S.

– How he would compare the two Okada vs. Omega matches

– What NJPW talents he has seen progress since he began commentating on matches

– What pro wrestlers could hold their own in MMA…and more.

Click below to listen:

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NJPW G1 Special: Cody Rhodes conference call audio

On Tuesday, AXS TV continued their PR push in anticipation of this weekend’s NJPW G1 Special shows in Long Beach, CA, by hosting Cody Rhodes for a one-hour media call.

Rhodes will face Okada for the IWGP title on Night 1 of the event, aired live on AXS TV Friday. 

Among the topics covered today:

– The controversy around “The List” he posted after his WWE release

– His match Friday with Okada

– His post-WWE success and who has helped him most with advice

– The influence of the Bullet Club, Kenny Omega, and The Young Bucks on his life

– Thoughts on his ROH title win this past weekend

– When was he happiest in his career

– Thoughts on Daniel Bryan’s recent tweet at him

– Whether the door is open for him to return to WWE

– Whether NJPW is returning to the U.S…and more.

Click below to listen:

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NJPW G1 Special: Kenny Omega conference call audio

In an effort to promote this weekend’s NJPW G1 Special shows in Long Beach, CA, on AXS TV, Kenny Omega spent an hour Monday speaking to the wrestling media about the shows and his career.

A few of the topics discussed:

– The weekend’s IWGP U.S. title tournament and the potential impact for the title stateside going forward

– His feud with Okada and how this weekend affects that

– His thoughts on Okada vs. Cody and who he’d prefer to win in their IWGP title match

– His decision to work more U.S. based shows

– How non-Japanese talents are treated in NJPW 

– His thoughts on Dave Meltzer’s rating system and exceeding the five-star threshold

– What he’d like to see with NJPW’s presence in the U.S. in the future

– Some of his desired opponents in the future…and more.

Click below to listen now.

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