NJPW has two very well tested ways of setting up matches. The first is to pin a champion in a multi-man match or during a tournament, proving that you can beat them. Another is to call them out following a title match, and even laying them out. This was the case on the Tokyo Dome show earlier today, where after defeating Hiroshi Tanahashi in a fantastic match, Shingo Takagi got taken down by EVIL. However this isn’t the most notable part of their encounter, as NJPW had to edit something potentially problematic out.
EVIL Used A Questionable Term To Insult Shingo Takagi
During his address to the champion, EVIL would call the manhood of Shingo into question. That in itself is a fairly standard part of professional wrestling, but EVIL might have taken things a bit too far. The relevant bit has been edited out of the NJPW World broadcast and official transcription by NJPW, but when EVIL called Shingo out on this front, he would say the following. “Takagi, are you a man or “Okama”?”
Okama is a piece of Japanese slang. Taking to Google to gain some context, we would see that it is used to mean homosexual or transvestite, especially one who is viewed as effeminate or a drag queen. This is not something any major company wants in their programming, hence why NJPW was quick to edit this out.
While Japan isn’t as strict about LGBT issues as other countries, they know they have a global audience. Fans in general have not responded well to this, both globally and in Japan.
The Storyline Doesn’t Need Touches Like This
This is really something that this coming feud can do without. It’s a minor feud over the top title, likely to just boost the number of defenses that Takagi gets. There is some added interest, as Shingo was brought into Los Ingobernables De Japon while EVIL was still a member, and there is still a standing issue there between EVIL and his old allies.
While this storyline has been done to death with Naito, the match between SANADA & EVIL at Wrestle Kingdom earlier this year was impressive. The hard hitting styles of EVIL & Shingo should mesh well, and hopefully no more moments of the build will need to be edited out of the broadcasts.
Do you think EVIL will stand a chance against Shingo? Let us know what you think in the comment section down below.
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