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Wrestle Kingdom 12 is finally in the record books and what an event it was. I got six out of nine predictions correct which isn't so bad personally. Unfortunately, Tetsuya Naito was unable to capture the IWGP World Heavyweight championship. At least Naito got a sense of redemption, finally headlining at the Tokyo Dome after the opportunity was snatched away from him, four years ago.
On the other end, New Year Dash pretty much resets the year for NJPW, signalling towards the next set of storylines being built for the superstars. There are many hints towards the immediate future, as there are also signs of what might come to fruition for the whole year going forward.
From Kenny Omega being blasted by Jay 'Switchblade' White as a championship challenge, to the larger picture of dissension amongst the Bullet Club and Omega's protectiveness over former partner Kota Ibushi resulting in possible rivalries and reunions this year for the Bullet Club leader.
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To Tetsuya Naito seeking validation and heavyweight gold until Chris Jericho's attack, signalling that the Ayatollah of Rock and Rolla isn't yet done with NJPW and will be coming after the Tranquilo superstar soon.
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Whatever the case, everybody is chomping at the bit for the eventual build-up to next years Wrestle Kingdom. Me the most, as I've promised myself that I'm heading to Japan to see the show live.
Hopefully, then, my predicted card will be an epic reality.
(PS: I'm not going to predict the annual New Japan Rambo because it's too chaotic a match to do so and pointless, albeit fun)
IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship: Young Bucks (c) vs. Roppongi 3K
To be fair I'm not really up to date on the undercard scene of New Japan, hence I'm really unsure what teams if any deserve a shot at the Junior Tag Championships. As I see it, this division is pretty much shallow and beyond additions from Ring of Honor or the Young Lions; the Junior Tag Title contention is between these two teams.
So, in a rematch from this year's showdown, I expect Roppongi 3K to finally conquer the men that beat them for the titles at the Tokyo Dome event. Young Bucks will be reeling from the fallout with their Bullet Club friends, now running separately alongside Kenny Omega as the ELITE.
Roppongi 3K for a second year running will win the Super Juniors Tag Tournament to challenge the title holders, who they'll have been chasing for a year.
The matchup will energize the dome crowd before the big fights get going and finally end the Bucks reign at the top of the division.
What next for the Bucks? Well, they might move onto the heavyweight division or to a little brand called NXT!!!
Winner: Roppongi 3K
NEVER Openweight 6 Man Tag Team Championship Gauntlet
So it's going to be tough predicting the actual contestants of this match, however, for a third time in a row, New Japan will host a gauntlet match for the pretty much useless trios titles. This will consist of lower card wrestlers with no direction but bigger than the frivolous New Japan Rambo.
As factions wars continue and other things happen, the winners will most likely be one of the big teams with a decent story to tell just before they lose the titles again at the subsequent New Years Dash.
Hopefully, like with this years match there will be an intriguing element such as Trent Beretta's face in peril act.
Whatever the case, this is one contest that just doesn't matter.
Winner: One of any factions
NEVER Openweight Championship: Jay 'Switchblade' White (c) vs. Minoru Suzuki
As much as his crazy violent style requires the kind of loyal back up he has, I predict Minoru Suzuki will have a very interesting 2018. He's currently set up to face Hiroshi Tanahashi in an intriguing contest for the IWGP Intercontinental Championship.
He will fail and with that slowly but surely Suzuki will find himself on the outs from the very faction he dominates. Suzuki Gun will lose faith in the old lion, pushing him to become one of the well respected New Japan dads.
The man to cause this tectonic shift?
None other than Jay 'Switchblade' White.
Ever since White returned to NJPW late last year from his American excursion, the gaijin star has been primed for a big spot among the Elite (pun intended), positioned as the next Kenny Omega. Though it seemed like he'd be joining Bullet Club, White jumped the gun and attacked Omega at New Years Dash. For now, his eyes are set on the IWGP US Heavyweight title, which he may or may not win but won't hold onto for a year.
Instead, the quick push to the top for Switchblade will get a gradual cool down, allowing him to develop under watchful eyes for a while. Enter Suzuki, taking White under his wing and providing him with the impetus to make a showing of himself at this years G1 Climax.
Eventually, Jay's relative success to Suzuki's failures will position him as a future leader of the rowdy faction. Finally, Jay White, the young lion will challenge the battle-worn old lion of the tribe and succeed with his newly won NEVER Openweight title intact.
Suzuki Gun will become Switchblade-Gun, in a fitting homage to Suzuki's own usurping of former leader Satoshi Kojima. Of course, Minoru is not one to give up easily and so a rematch shall be set for Wrestle Kingdom 13; finally allowing White to put down the old man.
Winner: Jay 'Switchblade' White
IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championship: Guerrillas of Destiny (c) vs Tomohiro Ishii and Hirooki Goto vs Killer Elite Squad vs Good Brothers
The Good Brothers; Karl Anderson and Doc Gallows will make a huge return to New Japan in the form of strong backup for their former Bullet Club mates; The ELITE against the now Cody led Bullet Club.
In strong fashion, the four teams will collide for the tag straps in 2019, that for mostly rest of this year will be held by the team of Sanada and EVIL.
Sanada and EVIL are primed for bigger things, but these teams are tag division mainstays. In an interesting twist from the usual formula, the heavyweight tag titles will be defended in a multi-team match while the junior titles will be contested in a singles bout.
As veterans, Goto and Ishii will anchor the bout while the Suzuki Switchblade Gun team of KES wreak havoc. The real story will brew between the two sides of the Bullet Club coin, with Anderson and Gallows making a statement in the victory.
Though the Good Brothers will have a better 2018 in the WWE than they've had so far, it won't be enough to keep them hanging especially since the Big 'E refuses to use Karl Anderson to his full potential. The homecoming will be a rewarding experience indeed.
Winner: The Good Brothers (Karl Anderson and Doc Gallows)
ROH World Heavyweight Championship: Cody (c) vs EVIL
At the ages of 30 and 29 respectively, EVIL and Sanada the current IWGP Tag Team Champions are clearly the future of New Japan. They have so far got their licks in with the main event class, having or about to battle IWGP Heavyweight Champion Kazuchika Okada among others.
While in 2015 Sanada shown in a highlight reel of matches in the G1 Climax, last year EVIL elevated his game in the G1 to throw a wrench into New Japan's idea of who could be Tetsuya Naito's LiJ successor.
The two men might hold onto the tag titles for a long period this year, but it will only help elevate them for eventual grand singles runs among the top class in New Japan. Sanada clearly has a different direction to go into, but for EVIL who has been a regular at Ring of Honor; this one is his path.
After a gruelling break up with former partners the ELITE, Cody will find himself elevated into the echelons of New Japan and Ring of Honor. Cody will go on to regain his lost ROH World Championship, once WWE comes to call for current champion Dalton Castle, early next year.
At his third Tokyo Dome event, the American Nightmare and leader of a rejuvenated Bullet Club will face a tough task in LiJ's EVIL. EVIL will blow the wind out of the Ring of Honor champion, just about allowing him to eke out with his title intact.
Though I'd love EVIL to win, so as we can finally have the ultimate proof that ROH plays second fiddle to NJPW as well as allowing New Japan to secure Cody fulltime. That might be a dream because Ring of Honor has its honour (pun intended) to preserve.
Winner: Cody
IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship: KUSHIDA (c) vs Hiromu Takahashi
After this year's four-way showdown and an unbelievable story that focused more on Will Ospreay and Marty Scrull's tensions, rather than the homegrown rivalry between Kushida and Takahashi. The New Japan's Junior Heavyweight title will centre around its two big stars, especially in preparation to finally well and truly crown the divisions new ace.
Of course, the question remains what happens to the other two competitors. For one, I believe like fellow Brit Zack Sabre Jr., Ospreay will quickly push himself out of the juniors division into the Heavyweights. Unfortunately, that promotion will find him relegated to the gauntlet trios contest.
As for Scrull?
Heyman's recent praise of the villain will put WWE's target eyes on his back and sooner rather than later, Scrull will find himself on American shores but this time as an NXT mainstay.
This leaves us with the two contestants from Wrestle Kingdom 11. At that event and in a subsequent rematch, Takahashi pretty much annihilated Kushida. It took Kushida to find a darker edge for him to keep Takahashi down.
Since then last year, a rushed slew of stories has seen the fatal four way at Tokyo Dome come to pass this year. Takahashi has been punked out through the proceedings and is owed his retribution.
Kushida will find that very same edge growing as he reclaims his position at the top of the division, while Takahashi slips further and further into oblivion. A surprise victory at the Battle of the Super Juniors will lead Takahashi onto a path of redemption straight through Wrestle Kingdom 13 against Kushida.
Takahashi's second win at the Dome over Kushida will position him as the new Ace, while Kushida decides to make the leap to the already stacked Heavyweight division.
Winner: Hiromu Takahashi
IWGP United States Heavyweight Championship: Chris Jericho (c) vs Sanada
As mentioned earlier with EVIL, Sanada is ready to be elevated. Already it seems he is in line for a shot at the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship, after his altercation with champion Kazuchika Okada at New Years Dash. His real potential will be realized with one of the lower tier singles titles, for the next few years.
Meanwhile, his faction leader Naito seems to be headed towards a fight with Chris Jericho. The Ayatollah of Rock and Rolla is an unpredictable force that has changed the game of professional wrestling.
While I'm sure Vince McMahon is bidding his time, hoping Jericho's foray in Japan can result in Omega coming to the Big 'E. Jericho allowed to break free, from the heavy rules imposed by WWE is having a blast in New Japan.
The man of 1004 holds is always known for his reinvention, but also for his ability in selflessly putting over young talent. Believe you me, a shock victory over Omega for the IWGP United States Championship later in the year will allow Jericho to do just that.
His rivalry with Los Ingorbenable de Japon won't just end with a loss to Naito, instead, it will carry forward come Wrestle Kingdom 13 when he takes on the upstart Sanada. Chris Jericho is going to be quite the interesting addition to the New Japan dads scene, elevating not only the company but its future as well.
This year will be a hoot before Jericho steps down to return to where he belongs. As for Sanada, this is just the beginning as he prepares to either step out of Naito's shadow or takes over the Tranquilo's ungovernable faction.
Winner: Sanada
IWGP Intercontinental Championship: Hiroshi Tanahashi (c) vs Daniel Bryan
Daniel Bryan has been chomping at the bit ever since he went into pre-mature retirement after his history of concussions. He has since, at least according to himself gotten re-evaluated and cleared by doctors. However, it doesn't seem despite all the teasing that WWE is ready to play ball and one can understand why given the concussion lawsuits against them.
Though he is a family man now, and could comfortably segue into a lucrative coach role for the E as well as possibly wrestle years down the line, Bryan is itching to go and has stated if he is not cleared for Wrestlemania this year then it's all over.
With his contract up, Daniel Bryan seeks to head out back to the indies and create a storm in the wrestling world. He'll have to be careful with his in-ring style now, but Bryan will surely be headed home to Ring of Honor finding himself in the orbit of New Japan.
While it might be shocking to find this prediction place two men with a history of injuries up against one another (I seriously debated putting an even more stunning bet on Bryan facing fellow injured and retired Shibata, on the list), the dream match between Tanahashi and Bryan will keep fans salivating.
Plus, Tanahashi is the kind of hard-hitting Japanese superstar who will be able to help Bryan to a safer but thrilling match on the night. The men will clash on the field in an exhilarating match and though Bryan won't score the win, he will have found a friend and respect from Tanahashi.
This will position Daniel Bryan for an exciting few years on the New Japan scene until the WWE finally come back calling for a final run for the bearded GOAT.
As for the former ace Tanahashi, his reign with the vaunted Intercontinental title will take new heights as he consistently proves he isn't done just yet.
Winner: Hiroshi Tanahashi
Kenny Omega vs Kota Ibushi
That's a statement that has rung true for the past two years and will do so this year as well. After his exhilarating victory over the Alpha; Chris Jericho, Omega has already placed into motion three grand stories for the near future not to mention a certain 6-star rubber match just waiting to happen.
For all you fans out there, be ready to be disappointed. Kenny Omega is not going to face Kazuchika Okada one on one anytime this year or the next year. In fact, I believe, Okada vs Omega is a slow burn plan for Wrestle Kingdom 14, the final ever Tokyo Dome event for Omega.
Instead, the cleaner will carry the torch forward for New Japan as it pushes into the American market.
His bouts with Jay White in the first half this year, will steady the ship for Switchblade and sow further seeds of dissension in Bullet Club. A rematch against Jericho will go down as unexpected when the Alpha wins the US championship.
Finally, a string of losses and failures to lead will bring Omega to his knees when his and Young Bucks loyalty to Bullet Club will be called into question. A seismic fracture in the faction will see Bullet Club fall into the hands of Cody, while the ELITE faces them down.
Though the simmering tension between the two sides will continue, Omega will find a new direction come to Wrestle Kingdom. Having saved his former partner at New Years Dash, the two golden lovers Omega and Kota Ibushi will be primed for a fight of their lives when the latter throws down the challenge.
In a battle for supremacy and respect, Kota Ibushi and Kenny Omega will put on a classic that has been years in the making and strongly hinted at since last years G1 Climax. For Kenny victory will be the only option, as he prepares for his final year under the New Japan umbrella in 2019. Whether he knows it or not, Omega is going to WWE just like everyone else.
While Kota Ibushi will do the unthinkable, after years of ducking them and refusing to be tied down; the temptation to soon become an IWGP World Heavyweight Champion will see Kota sign exclusively with New Japan.
For Omega, this year and the next is going to be special.
Winner: Kenny Omega
IWGP World Heavyweight Championship: Tetsuya Naito vs Kazuchika Okada (c)
A lot of people were miffed that New Japan didn't pull the trigger on the title change at Wrestle Kingdom 12, letting Okada continue his historic run. While Naito winning the title would have been the icing on the cake. The real story for the Tranquilo superstar was his redemption by main eventing Wrestle Kingdom, after it was stolen from him four years ago.
Okada's own arc has it's natural conclusion waiting and it isn't like Naito already hasn't dethroned the Rainmaker. This year though Naito will first show Jericho his place after he tried really hard to usurp Naito's main event positioning with the whole 'Double Main Event' tag with his and Omega's match at Wrestle Kingdom 12.
Come same time next year, this rematch will well and truly be the Main Event. Kazuchika Okada will fight a worn battle through the year powering himself towards victory after victory en route to Wrestle Kingdom 13. He'll have created a well deserved historic run as the current greatest wrestler in the world.
Nobody will be able to touch him, not even in the G1 Climax that he will win by beating finalist Naito. This will elevate Okada to a whole other level, allowing him to pick his challenger at the Tokyo Dome. Okada knowing full well he has Naito's number, will pick him.
For Naito, this will be a great test of strength, as Okada will have since beaten him on several occasions. For Okada, it'll be about having gone overpowered yet been constantly brought over the limit with each contest.
This time around it's about the title and a redeemed Naito will seal the deal for a humongous victory filled with cheers for the deserving contender.
Winner: Tetsuya Naito
