​
https://preview.redd.it/dhl3dvndb8ra1.jpg?width=8337&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=502bb25e6e2b338523e2402cbda2f901ae0d86be
My idea comes from the Mods confirming through each blog and Q&A video that Sailing will not be instanced in any form, but then I began to wonder "If this isn't instanced, how can they prevent a level 1 Sailor on a raft from going into the middle of the ocean?"
Which is where I came up with the idea for "Sea Zones" the basic premise is that the farther from the mainland that the player goes, the more difficult the ocean currents become. Therefore requiring larger and more seaworthy ships, as what occurred in real life. Major sailing expeditions did not begin until the ships became more sea worthy. However, the sea zones also represent danger from pirates and sea creatures, not just the dangers of the sea itself ie. larger waves and choppier waters.
​
TL;DR - Look at my map above, the minimum level unlocks the zone the max level is more of a "I would expect to see this level in this region grinding xp before moving on." Pirate Zones are PvP enabled areas, and open up content from higher level zones earlier and increased xp/hr creating a risk vs. reward system. They are also supposed to make travel more inconvenient as you try to decide if its worth navigating through the area to save time. The Pirate Zones also spawn more deadly versions of enemies and has at least 1 world type boss inhabiting them.
​
Please note that the "levels" I assign to each area, are representative of when the zone unlocks and the top end level I would expect for players to occasionally stick around. Similar to current game skills such as woodcutting - its not unusual to see someone with 60 woodcutting still cutting Maples before moving onto something else.
The sea zones are as listed:

1. Levels 1 - 40 (Light Blue) - This area encompasses the entirety of what I am calling "The Inland Sea". Similar to the real life Mediterranean, this area would allow sailors to find their feet and begin learning how to sail on smaller vessels (rafts, row boats, Trimenes, Barques) before venturing out further from shore. You could expect to fight back Sea Slugs, low level Pirates, Mogres, and angry Tribesman from the Kharazi Jungle.
2. Levels 35 - 55 (Dark Blue) - This area, The Menaphite Coast, is similar in difficulty of The Inland Sea, however the enemies have increased in strength as they raid your ship carrying valuable spices from Menaphos and Sophanem. and ancient artifacts from your raids on the ancient cities on the coast. You can expect to fight Menaphite Pirates, Menaphite Authorities, Giant sea turtles, Crocodiles etc.
3. Levels 50 - 75 (Light Green) - Encompassing everything from the Fremmennik Sea to the Sea of Souls, the sea has become much more dangerous. The waves and obstacles are larger and more daunting, and the enemies have become more fearsome. You would be fighting Dagganoths, Elven Pirates, baby sea Krakens, Fremmennik Raiders, Sea Snakelings and Angry Souls.
4. Levels 70 - 85 (Light Orange) - The zone covers the Morytania coast and Mos Le'Harmless. The waters are similar to the 50 - 75 Zone, however the raiders are much tougher and the loot even greater. This area you can expect to fight Vampyres on Patrol, Tougher Pirates, Sea Horrors (similar to Jungle Horrors), Zombie Pirates, Ghost Pirates, and the occasional Eastern War Party.
5. Levels 80 - 90 (Red) - The first of the larger lumped areas, this area is when the player will truly begin to experience sailing farther away from the shorelines. The waters will be much choppier, winds more devastating, and enemies more fearsome. You can expect to fight larger adult Sea Krakens (Tougher than the current Kraken ingame), Pirates from Kourend, Mystifying magickal charms from Lunar Isle, Ninja Monkey Pirates, Gnome Pirates, Pest Control monsters and other sea creatures.
6. Levels 85 - 92 (Light Gray) - This area will introduce Ice berg type obstacles, and begins to finally allow the player to explore farther north into the Penguins territory. The creatures fought will include Penguins, a new type of Lizardmen bred specifically for water warfare, weak Cthulu esque creatures, Ice Spirits, and WateIce Wyverns. Then the Western half you can expect to fight Tougher Zombie Pirates, a new type of water fossil creatures, tougher Eastern Raiding Parties, Weak Cthulu type creatures, and the occasional Cultist ship dedicated to worshipping... The Dragonkin?
7. Levels 90 - 95 (Light Purpleish?) - This area will begin to explore more Dragonkin type isles, tips of Acheron, more Penguin bases, tougher Cthulu esque monster nests, small isles settled by Eastern Land settlers, and Varlamore settlements. On the West side you will fight Cthulu esque monsters, Larger Adult Krakens, Varlamore Pirates, and mysterious sea creatures. On the North, you can expect more penguin raids, and a mysterious group of Northmen who never left Acheron. On the East you can expect to begin fighting Eastern Land military patrols, giant sharks, tougher Cthulu esque enemies, Weak portions of Xau Tak, tougher Dragonkin cultists and more dangerous sea creatures.
8. Levels 95 - 99 (Maroon) - This represents the farthest and most dangerous regions of the Gielinor Sea. Here you will find in greater abundance the influence of Xau Tak the true Horror of the Deep, as well as uncovering the secrets of the last remaining Dragonkin and their cabal of worshippers. The Eastern Lands are still unreachable, however, you will begin to see signs of their presence as pirate raids have become non-existent and an eerie since of order envelopes the region. Here you encounter World Bosses, Stronger versions of Xau Taks tentacles inching their way into our world, tougher Eastern Land military patrols, and a more organized Dragonkin Cult navy.

​
The Pirate Waters on the map add variety to players who choose to increase their risk in order to obtain better loot from higher tier zones earlier, and wish to gain an increased xp/hr.
For Example - The area with the most xp/hr from level 1 - 60 could be The Pirate Zone around the Wilderness. However, in exchange not only do you have to worry about players blowing your raft out of the water, the zone would contain much tougher enemies who patrol the region, as well as tougher waves, winds, more obstacles etc. All these things will likely end in your death, but is the increased reward worth the risk?
I tried to put the pirate zones within only 1 sea zone, then take off 5 - 10 required levels to roughly match the lower level adjacent sea zone so that players can enter them early. This will allow players to obtain content rewards earlier, which would increase their gp/hr as well as add some increased variety in location for their training. The NPCs will mainly be those from the sea zone that the Pirate Waters intersects.
For Example - The Level 85 - 95 Pirate Waters (North West part of the map) would be populated by NPCs from the Level 90 - 95 Sea Zone.
PvP could work based on Sailing level instead of combat level, this way players with a Galleon sized ship doesnt return to the Wilderness Pirate Waters and blow some poor noob on a raft out of the water. I would say a static 15 - 20 level difference between the two players be the max difference allowed for combat to occur. Or perhaps it could be based on ship type instead, where a player with level 99 Sailing could still board a raft and fight a level 1 Sailor in the Wilderness Pirate Waters.
​
Thank you to everyone who bothered reading this much! I appreciate you and I hope my ideas at least sparked an interest in how sailing and sailing zones could be handled IF Sailing passes and makes it into refinement!
Let me know what suggestions and constructive criticisms you have, I would level to polish and build on this super rough foundation!

​
https://preview.redd.it/o71zilxbd6ra1.png?width=536&format=png&auto=webp&s=d357a02bacc47fda1eefd69ff587d2f91d27f4d5
​
Most wrestling championships are, of course, very similar. Same rules, same type of prestige, held by similar types of wrestlers, etc. The NJPW World Television Championship, though, is different. Every match has a fifteen minute time limit. If you run out of time, the match goes to a coin flip. The phrase “to be the man, you gotta beat the man” doesn’t apply here, because if the man fails to defeat you, then they could still lose the belt off of complete chance. It’s a concept that greatly interests me, and since it’s still new, the first year of its existence will shape how the gold is viewed in the future. It was captured for the first time at Wrestle Kingdom 17, so let’s book it until Wrestle Kingdom 18, shall we?
​
NJPW Sakura Genesis 2023
Shota Umino vs. Zack Sabre Jr. (c) - NJPW World Television Championship
Zack Sabre Jr. has had a fun reign with the NJPW World Television Championship so far (despite his banger of a theme being changed), and tonight, he’s defending against a man that some have called the future of FBE, Shota Umino. Umino became one of the most well known Young Lions in the company back when he was following Jon Moxley everywhere, but “Shooter” is not a Young Boy anymore. He’s received co-signs from legends of the game, but praise only goes so far. Tonight, it’s sink or swim in the biggest match of his career, and he’s facing a man more than capable of twisting him into knots and ripping his limbs clean off his body (okay, maybe not CLEAN off). It’s a huge test, but with his potential, anything is possible.
The match is a lot of fun, as they both work aggressively, not wanting to cut things close with this fifteen minute time limit. Sabre looks for a submission the whole time, but Umino is doing a good job of staying positioned near the ropes so that he can break the holds every time The Technical Wizard gets a hold of him. Shota tries to create space with his striking, and after a beautiful Dropkick, he takes control for a while. Time is starting to tick, and after wearing Blondie down with some strikes, Shota lifts the Champion up and plans him with a Fisherman’s Suplex! Hooks the leg with a Bridging Pin! One…Two…and Sabre kicks out! He picks Zack up, but Sabre catches him with a big Forearm and grabs a Headlock. He tries for a Headlock Takeover, but Umino manages to stay on his feet, and both men go toppling through the ropes and to the apron.
Sabre starts trying to lift Shota back into the ring so that he can submit him, with time ticking down. Desperately, he starts to wear Umino down by locking in an Octopus Hold! We breach the fourteen minute mark, and the challenger makes the daring move to leap off the apron, The Front Man still on his back! This hurts both men, but Umino limps to his feet and throws ZSJ in the ring, the clock dangerously low! He goes for the Death Rider on his opponent, but Junior counters and transitions into a Cradle Pin! One…Two…and Umino gets the shoulder up! Both men dart to their feet and throw a Lariat, and both connect and fall to the mat! Three…Two…One…ZERO! Time has expired, and we’re going to a coin flip decision! Both men stand up, and Sabre, with the Champion’s Right to choose, picks tails. The coin toss happens, and results in…HEADS! SHOTA UMINO HAS WON THE NJPW WORLD TELEVISION CHAMPIONSHIP, AND SABRE IS FURIOUS!
Shota Umino def. Zack Sabre Jr. in 15:00 to win the NJPW World Television Championship
​
NJPW Collision in Philadelphia
Danny Limelight vs. Shota Umino (c) - NJPW World Television Championship
Shota is right back in action, and after a callout on Twitter, Danny Limelight of Team Filthy has gotten himself a championship opportunity. This match is quite fun, with Limelight showcasing exactly why he’s one of the most underrated men in wrestling today. However, Shota is ultimately able to take firm control of the contest, and around the ten minute mark, he plants Limelight with a Spike Death Rider and pins him for the victory. Danny leaves the ring with Team Filthy, but they look back at Shota with vitriol in their eyes.
Shota Umino def. Danny Limelight in 9:21 to retain the NJPW World Television Championship
​
NJPW Hirooki Goto 20th Anniversary
Shota Umino and Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. TenKoji
On Hirooki Goto’s twentieth anniversary, we get a tag match with three NJPW legends and one potential future legend. The tag match is a lot of fun, and at the end, Shota gets a huge rub as he plants Tenzan with a Death Rider to pick up the victory. Everybody in the ring embraces each other, and then Tanahashi and Umino salute the crowd, but Team Filthy ruins the party, darting out and laying waste to Shota! Tom Lawlor stands tall, picking up the World Television Championship and posing with it while the rest of Team Filthy holds Tana off!
Shota Umino and Hiroshi Tanahashi def. TenKoji in 11:45
​
NJPW Road to Wrestling Dontaku 2023: Day Seven
Tom Lawlor vs. Ryohei Oiwa
Oiwa tries his very best in this one, showing tremendous heart, but of course, Lawlor is able to dispatch the Young Lion pretty quickly, locking him in a choke and forcing him to submit. After the match, Team Filthy celebrates in the ring, but Shota Umino runs out with a chair and starts knocking most of the members to the side! He gets a hold of Tom Lawlor and starts wailing on him with the weapon until officials get in between the two! They’re having a title match next week at Wrestling Dontaku, and this one is going to have some heat behind it!
Tom Lawlor def. Ryohei Oiwa in 3:08
​
NJPW Wrestling Dontaku 2023
Tom Lawlor vs. Shota Umino (c) - NJPW World Television Championship
Umino is pissed coming into this match, angry that Filthy Tom spoiled his moment at Goto’s Anniversary Show, and he starts swinging for the fences from the very beginning. Lawlor, a skilled grappler, is able to use Roughneck’s anger and aggression against him, taking advantage of his overzealousness. Because of this, the match lasts quite a while, even going late into the thirteenth minute, but Umino is able to retain with a Death Rider from the middle rope. His aggression worked this time, but Filthy gave him a hell of a fight. Could Shota’s style cost him in the future?
Shota Umino def. Tom Lawlor in 13:51 to retain the NJPW World Television Championship
​
NJPW Best of the Super Juniors 2023: Day Three
Robbie Eagles has just lost a match in the BOSJ, and he is furious about it. Instead of placing the blame on himself, though, he blames the referee for his contest, Red Shoes Unno! Eagles grabs Red Shoes and threatens him, but he isn’t safe for long because Unno’s son, Shota Umino, rushes out to defend him! Eagles runs off, but Umino stares him down. In the post-show press conference, Umino is furious and wants Eagles to face him on a night where Robbie’s block isn’t competing. The contest is scheduled for the sixth day of BOSJ.
​
NJPW Best of the Super Juniors 2023: Day Six
Robbie Eagles vs. Shota Umino (c) - NJPW World Television Championship
Shota, just like last time, comes out of the gate very aggressively, which is a good strategy for a match with a short time limit, but also a risky one. Eagles is able to do some damage, and a lot of it is because he manages to piss Umino off and take advantage, even hitting a brutal Poison Rana! It’s a back-and-forth affair, but eventually, Umino manages to escape a Michinoku Driver attempt, lock Robbie in a standing Sleeper, weaken him sufficiently enough, and plant him with a Death Rider for the pinfall victory!
Shota Umino def. Robbie Eagles in 12:24 to retain the NJPW World Television Championship
After the match, Eagles gets up and offers a handshake to the man that just defeated him. Shota seems very, very hesitant, but accepts it, and the two shake hands. However, Zack Sabre Jr., Robbie's TMDK stablemate and the man that Shota took the belt from, attacks Roughneck from behind! He soaks in the jeers from the crowd, and, in the post-show press conference, states that he wants to challenge for the TV Title at Dominion. He says that he lost the belt via coin flip, so Shota is the champion legitimately based on pure chance. He’s too aggressive, not refined enough, and he WILL make a mistake so big that Sabre will be able to capitalize and take his belt back. Later on in the scrum, Shota accepts.
​
AEW Dynamite (May 31)
Bryan Danielson doesn’t yet have a match for Forbidden Door, but he has a proposal. In New Japan, there’s a pretty new title, the World Television Championship. He knows that by Forbidden Door, that belt will belong to either Shota Umino or Zack Sabre Jr. The prospect of either match is exciting to him, because he has heard stories about “Shooter” from Moxley, and he was meant to face The Bone Master at last year’s Forbidden Door. Plus, the American Dragon wants to make in-roads in Japan, so this is the perfect opportunity. No matter who has the strap, the Blackpool Combat Club is coming for it in Toronto.
​
NJPW Dominion 6.10 in Osaka-Jo Hall
Zack Sabre Jr. vs. Shota Umino (c) - NJPW World Television Championship
This match literally went to the wire last time it happened, and Shota Umino doesn’t want to leave his aspirations and his destiny in the hands of fate once again, so he wrestles even more aggressively than last time! ZSJ, though? He sort of hangs back, takes a beating for a while, hoping for Shota to make a mistake. Indeed he does, as the champion goes for a Rolling Elbow without setting it up properly, and the Submission Master is able to isolate the arm and begin manipulating Shota in position for a Hurrah! Another Year, Surely This One Will Be Better Than The Last; The Inexorable March of Progress Will Lead Us All to Happiness! Shota has no choice but to tap out! After three defenses, the NJPW World Television Championship has returned to TMDK!
Zack Sabre Jr. def. Shota Umino in 10:59 to win the NJPW World Television Championship
​
AEW Dynamite (June 21)
Zack Sabre Jr., in a pre-taped segment, talks about his upcoming match with Bryan Danielson at the second Forbidden Door event. He says that he has been looking forward to this match for a long while, for two reasons. Firstly, last year, he was meant to face the Dragon, and it fell through. Secondly, last year, he lost to a Blackpool Combat Club member in Claudio Castagnoli, and Bryan denied him the chance to prepare, so he’s been holding that grudge ever since. He doesn’t want to inflict punishment on Danielson for only fifteen minutes, no. He has spoken to AEW and NJPW officials, and he has negotiated a stipulation. Two out of Three Falls, and every fall is contested under NJPW World Television Championship rules!
​
AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door II
Two out of Three Falls: Bryan Danielson vs. Zack Sabre Jr. (c) - NJPW World Television Championship
The first fall is a very fun one, as the two men in the ring exchange technical holds in one of the finest displays of chain wrestling in recent memory. It’s very evenly-matched, and even geared towards ZSJ for much of the contest, but once the BCC member is able to escape the Jim Breaks Armbar, he’s able to take control by peppering the TMDK leader with Roundhouse Kicks. One of the kicks catches Sabre directly in the skull, and Danielson takes him down and applies the LeBell Lock, but he hasn’t been paying attention to the clock, and time expires! The referee gets a coin, and ZSJ calls Tails for the coin toss. The coin lands on…TAILS! Zack Sabre Jr. escaped by the skin of his teeth, getting saved by the bell and then getting the luck of the draw!
In the second fall, though, Danielson carries on his momentum from the first, and on top of that, he is VERY angry about the coin toss not going his way. He comes out of the gate wrestling as aggressively as Shota Umino, but unlike Umino, Sabre can’t seem to counter it. He gets some offense in here and there, but Bryan is pressuring him too much, and all of the kicks do a lot of cumulative damage. After thwarting an attempt at Hypernormalisation, Danielson runs the ropes and levels Sabre with a Busaiku Knee! Makes the cover! One…Two…Three! That fall went less than seven minutes, and Danielson has full control! He waits in the corner for Zack to find his footing for the third fall.
The third and final fall begins, and Danielson goes for another Busaiku Knee, but it’s dodged! This one has plenty of reversals in it, neither man managing to lock the other in a submission! ZSJ is probably slightly more technically proficient, but Bryan is able to bridge the gap with his striking, and once we’re past the ten minute mark of this fall, both men are just absolutely destroyed! Danielson is throwing kick after kick after kick, and they’re landing to the body, but ZSJ catches one and slaps on a Heel Hook, or as he calls it, the Sunday Rail Engineering Works Replacement Bus Service! Danielson is locked in the middle of the ring, and he has no choice but to tap out! ZSJ has retained the NJPW World Television Championship!
Zack Sabre Jr. def. Bryan Danielson two falls to one to retain the NJPW World Television Championship
​
NJPW G1 Climax 33
The G1 Climax rolls around, and it’s NOT A FOUR BLOCK BULLSHIT G1. Zack Sabre Jr. is in the A Block, and, to the delight of NJPW fans and AEW fans everywhere, Bryan Danielson is in the B Block! Danielson is very angry that he lost at Forbidden Door, especially considering the fact that he was well on his way to winning the first fall before the coin flip went in Sabre Jr.’s favour. While both men have plenty of great matches in their respective blocks, neither one makes the finals. Their feud does result in a match at the Finals, though. TMDK is at ZSJ’s side, but BCC isn’t in Japan, so Danielson enlists the help of Strong Style.
TMDK (Zack Sabre Jr., Mikey Nicholls, Shane Haste and Robbie Eagles) vs. Bryan Danielson and Strong Style (Minoru Suzuki, Ren Narita and El Desperado)
Strong Style and Bryan Danielson are cut from the same cloth, and the quartet works well together, with the group allowing the American Dragon to get some shots in at ZSJ. However, the chemistry isn’t there as much as it is with TMDK, and Haste and Nicholls are able to isolate Despy on the outside of the ring and take him out. Suzuki and Sabre, as former stablemates, have a very fun sequence, and Narita shines in the contest as well, but the eventual finish comes when Eagles rolls a beaten-down Desperado into the ring, and ZSJ plants his former partner with the Zack Driver to pick up the win.
TMDK def. Bryan Danielson and Strong Style in 13:13
After the match, ZSJ grabs the mic and shit-talks Danielson, telling him to pack his shit and go back to the “Blackpool Country Club”. Suddenly, the big screen lights up, and on it is Jon Moxley! He talks about how he was supposed to face Zack Sabre Jr., but didn’t. Recently, he was supposed to wrestle in the UK, but he didn’t. If The Front Man hates BCC so much, how about they make up for all the lost time and face off for the Television Championship at Royal Quest? ZSJ contemplates it, and agrees to the contest. Mox, on the big screen, says “I don’t know what you just said, because this video just so happens to be…pre-recorded.” The champion turns around, and Mox is right there! Death Rider, and he runs away before TMDK can get to him!
​
NJPW Royal Quest III
Jon Moxley vs. Zack Sabre Jr. (c) - NJPW World Television Championship
This match has been long-awaited, and Zack Sabre Jr., in his home country, is looking to extend his second reign with the NJPW World Television Championship. Jon Moxley, though, is an absolute force. This is a great dichotomy of styles, as Mox tries to get the match on the outside of the ring to do damage with his great brawling, while The Submission Master wants things right in the middle of the squared circle so that he can submit the Death Rider. After a frenetic match, ZSJ is busted open, and he’s trying desperately to take Mox down, but he stuffs the takedown! Elbows to the back of the head! Hooks the arms! PARADIGM SHIFT/DEATH RIDER! COVER! ONE…TWO…THREE! JON MOXLEY IS THE NEW NJPW WORLD TELEVISION CHAMPION!
Jon Moxley def. Zack Sabre Jr. in 14:31 to win the NJPW World Television Championship
​
AEW Dynamite (September 6)
We get a recap of Royal Quest, showing the fact that Jon Moxley has won the NJPW World Television Championship, and then we cut to a backstage promo from the man himself. He talks about how he has always loved performing in New Japan, but it seems like wrenches always get thrown into his plans. The pandemic forced him to give up his US Title, he lost in the G1 back in the day because of Toru Yano’s bullshit, and he just hasn’t been there as much as he would have liked to be. However, now that he has gold, he doesn’t plan on letting it go. “The Blackpool Combat Club has the World Television Championship, and we’re bringing it to REAL television.”
​
AEW Dynamite (September 13)
Darius Martin vs. Jon Moxley (c) - NJPW World Television Championship
The younger member of Top Flight is in singles action tonight. He’s coming in as the huge underdog, but a win would propel him to superstardom, and over to Japan. His opponent, though, is Jon Moxley, a man that’s meaner now than he’s ever been. They have a fun match, with Martin’s insane pace seeming to benefit him with the short time limit. He’s very difficult to ground, but Moxley eventually does figure out a way to do so, locking Darius in the Bulldog Choke and forcing him to tap for the successful retention.
Jon Moxley def. Darius Martin in 8:20 to retain the NJPW World Television Championship
​
ROH TV (October 5)
Yuji Nagata vs. Jon Moxley (c) - NJPW World Television Championship
Yuji Nagata is in the United States for a tour, and after finding out, Jon Moxley challenged him to a match for the NJPW World Television Championship over in Ring of Honor. Blue Justice accepted, so now we’re here. We’ve seen this match before, and last time Mox won relatively easily, but Yuji is a legend because of his ability to adapt. He gives Jon a little bit more than he expected, and busts the champion’s chest open with a flurry of chops! Moxley comes alive after that, very angry, and after beating the legend down, hits three Regal Knees and a Paradigm Shift to take the victory.
Jon Moxley def. Yuji Nagata in 10:00 to retain the NJPW World Television Championship
After the match, Moxley walks up to Nagata aggressively, looking ready to attack. However, somebody runs out to make the save…SHOTA UMINO! Yuji Nagata is one of the men that trained The Roughneck, but Moxley is the one that taught him almost everything he knows! Umino doesn’t get physical, but he does try to defuse the situation, and Moxley backs off. Shota turns around to help Nagata up, and MOXLEY LAYS HIM OUT FROM BEHIND! PICKS HIM UP! DEATH RIDER! HE JUST DESTROYED HIS OWN PROTEGE!
​
AEW Dynamite (October 18)
Jon Moxley is interviewed by Lexy Nair, who asks why he attacked Shota Umino on ROH TV. He says that he looks at Shota and just feels disappointed. “Shooter, I trained you to be a vicious, violent son of a bitch, and to your credit, you try. You wrestle aggressively, but you leave yourself exposed, and you lose. I wrestle aggressively, and it wins me belts. You wear my jacket, and you use my finisher, but you are NOT me. You aren’t a wild man, you are a kid trying to be one. If you were really as violent as you’ve been trying to be, if you were really a Roughneck, you wouldn’t have let your heart get the better of you and make you come out to save Yuji Nagata. I know you want this belt back, and I know that I want to show you exactly why you aren’t the wrestler that I thought I had molded you into. At Power Struggle, Shooter, I will prove that no matter what you call yourself, you’ll never be anything more than my Young Lion.”
​
AEW Dynamite (October 25)
Shota Umino vs. Jack Cartwheel
Jack Cartwheel, seen on Dark a few times, is making his Dynamite debut against Shota Umino. Of course, this is a showcase match for the former NJPW World Television Champion, but Jack shows out as well, impressing the crowd with his almost supernatural agility. Unfortunately for the underdog Cartwheel, he gets caught with a Dropkick off of a springboard move, and Roughneck assumes control. He hits a Death Rider and makes the cover for the one…two…three.
Shota Umino def. Jack Cartwheel in 6:46
Shota picks up his jacket and goes to leave, but Jon Moxley comes out and gets in his face. He calls him a Young Boy, says that he doesn’t have what it takes to be champion, and Umino gets frustrated. He throws the jacket in Mox’s face and throws a punch! The two men brawl until officials pull them apart! Power Struggle is going to be one emotionally-charged match!
​
NJPW Power Struggle 2023
Shota Umino vs. Jon Moxley (c) - NJPW World Television Championship
Mentor vs. Protege, now bitter rivals. Jon Moxley looking to extend his title reign, Umino looking to reclaim the title that he lost earlier this year. Shota is no longer Shooter, he no longer has the Mox jacket, he is his own man. Not only is he his own man, but he goes to war with Jon Moxley. Moxley seems to be expecting Shota to be as aggressive as he usually is, but Umino has refined his style and instead of getting reversed and leaving himself exposed, is actually countering Moxley’s moves! He hits a Regal Knee on Moxley, busting the man open around the seven minute mark!
The blood seems to wake Moxley up, though, and he snaps, managing to do some prolonged damage to the challenger. Time is starting to tick, and with only about two minutes remaining, The Death Rider goes for a, well, Death Rider. Shota spins out of it, kicks Mox in the gut, AND GOES FOR A DEATH RIDER OF HIS OWN! CONNECTS! COVER! ONE…TWO…THR-AND MOXLEY KICKS OUT! HE’S NOT ABOUT TO LOSE TO HIS OWN MOVE! Shota checks the clock and quickly lifts Moxley to his knees. Runs the ropes, charges at him, and HITS HIM WITH A SHOTGUN DROPKICK TO THE BACK OF THE HEAD! ON COMMENTARY, KEVIN KELLY CALLS IT “THE STRAIGHT SHOOTER”! HOOKS THE LEG! ONE…TWO…THREE! YOUNG BOY NO MORE, SHOTA UMINO IS A TWO-TIME NJPW WORLD TELEVISION CHAMPION!
Shota Umino def. Jon Moxley in 13: 46 to win the NJPW World Television Championship
On the post-show press conference, Shota says that he wants his first defense to be against Ren Narita.
​
NJPW World Tag League 2023: Night Seven
Ren Narita vs. Shota Umino
Ren Narita’s faction, Strong Style, is busy feuding with TMDK, but he takes a night off from waging war to challenge Shota for the NJPW World Television Championship. The two of them are the future of the company, and they have one hell of a match tonight, with Narita coming within an inch of winning the belt after Umino just BARELY manages to get a rope break. Time is winding down, and this one may very well go to a coin toss! With about twenty seconds left, Narita goes for a takedown, but Shota rolls through, gets behind Ren, and hits a short Straight Shooter! RUNS THE ROPES AND DELIVERS A SECOND, BIGGER ONE FOR GOOD MEASURE! MAKES THE COVER WITH JUST A FEW SECONDS LEFT! ONE…TWO…THREE! HE WON WITH JUST A SECOND LEFT ON THE CLOCK!
Shota Umino def. Ren Narita in 14:59 to retain the NJPW World Television Championship
After the match, the two men shake hands, after proving that they have impossibly bright futures. Shota leaves the ring, and Narita goes to do so as well, but TMDK comes pouring out to assault Narita, their feud still ongoing! El Desperado and Minoru Suzuki come to his aid, but TMDK still has a numbers advantage…until SHOTA UMINO TURNS BACK AND RUSHES INTO THE RING! He pulls Zack Sabre Jr. away, and the two stare daggers at each other…BEFORE COMING TO BLOWS! THIS IS AN ALL OUT BRAWL, AND TMDK RUNS FROM IT! Minoru Suzuki gets a Strong Style shirt and hands it to Shota. After some deliberation, he PUTS IT ON! STRONG STYLE IS A FOUR MAN UNIT!
During the post show press conference, both Umino and Sabre call each other out for a rubber match, and the contest is made official for Wrestle Kingdom 18.
​
NJPW Road To Tokyo Dome: Night One
Strong Style (Minoru Suzuki, El Desperado, and Shota Umino) vs. TMDK (Zack Sabre Jr., Kohei Fujita, and Shane Haste)
For a throwaway tag, this one has a lot of heat behind it. It’s Shota Umino’s first match as a member of Strong Style, and a chance for him to establish dominance over ZSJ. The match is a fun one, but the most important moment of the match comes when Shota and Sabre are in the ring together. Zack goads him and insults him repeatedly, and frustrates him so much that the champion LEVELS HIM WITH A CLOSED FIST PUNCH! ZSJ smiles a shit-eating grin, pointing at Shota as if to say “You’re just as aggressive as you were during your first reign.” Umino has been keeping his cool lately, but ZSJ just got to him. Strong Style wins the match after Suzuki fucking MURDERS Fujita, but Umino looks shaken in victory.
Strong Style def. TMDK in 12:57
​
NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 18
Zack Sabre Jr. vs. Shota Umino (c) - NJPW World Television Championship
This is it. Each man has won one match apiece, each man has taken the Television Title off of the other. Shota has only ever defeated ZSJ via Coin Toss, and he’s looking for a more decisive victory tonight, while the Technical Wizard wants to prove that his spot will not be overtaken by a relative upstart. The contest is an intense one, and, with Shota trying to maintain his composure, a measured chess match.
Throughout, ZSJ tries to frustrate Shota, and as the match winds down, after nearly choking him out, he manages to. Shota winds back for a closed fist punch…BUT TRANSITIONS INTO A BRUTAL SLAP, SPINNING SABRE AROUND! WAISTLOCK! GERMAN SUPLEX! ROLLS THROUGH, ZSJ IS ON HIS KNEES AND UMINO RUNS THE ROPES! STRAIGHT SHOOTER! COVER! ONE..TWO…THREE!!! SHOTA UMINO IS NOT MOX’S YOUNG BOY, AND HE IS NOT ZSJ’S PUNCHING BAG! “ROUGHNECK” SHOTA UMINO IS HIS OWN MAN, AND HE IS YOUR NJPW WORLD TELEVISION CHAMPION!
Shota Umino def. Zack Sabre Jr. in 13:23 to retain the NJPW World Television Championship