March 24, 2016

Article by Izzac Mackenroth about Michael Elgin!!!

Source: Izzac Mackenroth

This is a article that our writer Izzac Mackenroth has done for us about New Japan’s Michael Elgin, enjoy:

When all the drama between ROH/Elgin became public last year a lot of people turned their back on Elgin. Even the ROH faithful felt like they didn’t want to see him in an ROH ring. In a very telling interview with ‘Highspots,’ he explained everything and Michael Elgin was even contemplating leaving wrestling. Luckily he didn’t, and that was one of the best decisions he has made. After a year of not really doing anything ground breaking in ROH, an opportunity arouse.

In early June NJPW announced that Michael Elgin would be competing in the illustrious G1 tournament. I have listened to numerous interviews with Elgin and he has stated many times that his goal is to wrestle in Japan. Even stating in 2013 on Colt Cabana’s podcast that he has sent feelers out to NJPW, AJPW and Noah. Many of the internet wrestling fans didn’t seemed pleased that Big Mike was in the G1 and that he would be a flop by the end of the tournament. Elgin made those select ‘fans’ eat their words. His first singles match in Japan was against one of New Japan’s biggest stars in Kazuchika Okada. None of the fans at the show really knew who Michael Elgin was and didn’t really care about him… That lasted about 5 minutes. Just 5 minutes into their match the crowd was really into the match, the Strength and athleticism of Elgin made the New Japan audience respect him instantly. Throughout the tournament the Crowd got more and more invested in him and his stock in New Japan continued to rise. He breathed some new life in New Japan and made all of his matches must see. My personal favourites of his G1 tour included his matches with Tomoaki Honma, Tomohiro Ishii, Karl Anderson and Hirooki Goto which I give his match with Goto ***** stars. In the Match with Hirooki Goto at Korakuen Hall, the audience was cheering Elgin over the much more established Goto and gave Elgin a standing ovation post-match. Elgin got to compete in Ryōgoku Kokugikan (Sumo Hall) on the last 3 dates of his NJPW tour and was the standout in all of his matches. All of the people that were upset Elgin was in the G1 were clamouring to have him come back for more tours.

At this point Elgin is over with Japanese crowds and the internet wrestling fans but then he makes his return to Ring of Honor after a gruelling near month long tour. The first few shows he returned, the crowds were definitely a little more welcoming to Big Mike but not near as much as the Japanese crowds which made me think if he should be a full time NJPW guy. Then Elgin started to get more and more over with the crowds once again. He focused on his power-moves and big man offence which makes him unique in ROH. The only other guy in ROH you could say is a ‘power guy’ would be Dalton Castle. With Elgin not being full time with NJPW whenever he returns it will feel special and there is endless opportunities for him. A tag team with Tomohiro Ishii would be awesome. He would be great in the ‘Never-Open weight division or just continue to be the big strong foreigner who puts on fantastic matches which got him over in the first place.

Michael Elgin is in the prime of his career and has so much left to do in the business that is Pro wrestling and sports entertainment. There have been rumours circling about his Ring of Honor contract being up which actually could mean a full time role in New Japan. What do I want to see out of Michael Elgin? I would love to see Elgin in the 2015 NJPW Tag League teaming with Hiroshi Tanahashi and Pin Tomohiro Ishii in a tag match to set up ‘Big Mike’ Elgin vs ‘The Stone Pitbull’ Tomohiro Ishii at the Tokyo Dome on January 4th. Now tell me that doesn’t sound great? If he doesn’t sign a deal with anyone it would be nice to see Elgin in NXT in 2016, because once again there’s no one else like him and he would get over fantastic because not a lot of WWE/NXT fans are common with the style that Elgin Works. The future is bright for Michael Elgin and it’s exciting to see what happens next. #BIGMIKE