Wrestle Kingdom 13: Premature Card Predictions

IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship: KUSHIDA (c) vs Hiromu Takahashi

A rematch with a twist!

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