Whenever a new champion is crowned in professional wrestling, there is always a long list of people waiting to challenge them. The same happens in New Japan Pro Wrestling’s EVIL who beat his former Los Ingobernables de Japon leader Tetsuya Naito for the IWGP Heavyweight and Intercontinental titles at Dominion. Even after successfully retaining his belts against Hiromu Takahashi, there is still a long list of wrestlers ready to cut the King of Darkness’s reign short and take those titles.
5. Hirooki Goto
After their recent bout during the New Japan Cup, you can bet that Hirooki Goto would love a shot at EVIL’s titles.
Both have wrestled each other in singles matches before and Goto currently sits at one win and two losses to the King of Darkness. These matches have all been tough affairs with two very passionate and strong men putting everything on the line to win. This doesn’t even count the endless tag matches the two have been in when Chaos and Los Ingobernables de Japon (LIJ) have been feuding. The two have amazing chemistry and bring out both the best and worst in each other.
On top of that, Goto is no stranger to big title matches. He is a wrestler that many wrestlers and fans have described as wasting talent or throwing away opportunities. Always the bridesmaid but never the bride is a fitting statement. He is a veteran of tournaments with a G1 victory and three New Japan cup wins. On top of that, he has won countless numbers of titles in both singles and tag action. However, in his nearly two decades of work in New Japan, he has never won the IWGP Heavyweight title.
Also, despite what many people think, Goto is a superb wrestler. People sometimes forget that during all the failed attempts to capture top gold despite being given opportunity after opportunity.
If there is a possibility for a fairy tale story for Goto, beating his rival EVIL would be the perfect ending.
4. Kazuchika Okada
Kazuchika is a 5-time IWGP Heavyweight Champion and there hardly seems to be a time when he wasn’t part of the title conversation in some way during his time on the main card. So, when there is ever a list of potential title challengers, no matter who the opponent is, the Rainmaker will always be near the top.
However, this time it’s personal.
Aside from Okada’s talent and status in the company, the Chaos leader has a lot of animosity towards the current champion. It was because of EVIL’s antics that Okada failed to win back-to-back New Japan Cup’s. It was the combination of his rule-breaking and interference from former manager Gedo and Yujiro Takahashi during the final that cost Okada the win. This won’t be forgotten and the Rainmaker will want revenge for that. What better way than taking his beloved IWGP Heavyweight title back?
Also, even though Okada has made it clear that he has no interest in the Intercontinental title, there is no way that he would turn down the opportunity to hold the beautiful white and gold belt for the first time in his career. By holding both belts, it would cement Okada in New Japan history books as one of the best of all time.
In the past, many fans in the past have complained about Okada’s endless opportunities and title reigns. However, many would welcome the chance to see Okada take those belts off EVIL.
3. Tomohiro Ishii
Whenever you think of the top names in New Japan, you can’t miss out on the ‘Stone Pitbull’ Tomohiro Ishii. He is a big, strong, and passionate wrestler who is willing to put his body on the line to get a win.
In the past, we’ve seen bouts between the two with the most recent being back in February during the New Japan New Beginnings tour. It was a match where Ishii came out on top. Whenever EVIL and Ishii step into the ring with each other, their matches tend to be hard-hitting, fast, and more like a street fight than a wrestling match. There will always be chairs, suplex’s and lariat’s with such force that the sounds echo across the arena.
However, EVIL isn’t the only person that Ishii produces magic in the ring with. Whether a tag, singles, or title setting, he is constantly putting on ‘Match of the Year’ candidates with any opponent New Japan gives him. He also has this talent of bringing out the best in his opponent whether it’s Taichi, Hiromu Takahashi, or El Desperado.
Despite his tough exterior, Ishii is wildly popular and fans across the world love his no-nonsense attitude and ability to withstand any punishment dished out by his competitors. For them, if there is anyone who deserves to hold the IWGP Heavyweight and Intercontinental belts, it is Tomohiro Ishii.
Beating someone like EVIL to get that first reign would be the perfect way to start a title reign.
2. Tetsuya Naito
If there is a list of challengers for the double titles, Tetsuya Naito will be one of the favourites. As the last champion, Naito will be facing EVIL at the Summer Struggle in Jingu.
However, this feud roots run deeper than just belts.
In New Japan, factions are as thick as blood and betraying them is like betraying your family. When EVIL turned his back on the faction that helped him gain success, it was a huge blow for LIJ which is built on loyalty. Also, EVIL beat Naito for the belts in the first place at Dominion. Considering that their bout was a match full of rule-breaking, the Ungovernable One will be out to get his titles back and get some revenge on his former Pareja.
During recent shows, fans have seen the aggression Naito had towards EVIL in their title match and even now during the tag matches. You can see the tension in the ring every time they meet. It will be exciting to see what the two can bring out of each other in another title match with even higher stakes than ever before.
Naito has already made it clear during the Summer Struggle Tour that he wants his rematch and with the stage set for Jingu Stadium, fans are excited to see what happens.
This won’t just be a battle for the belts but a battle for justice and retribution.
1. SANADA
However, even if Naito holds a strong claim to a title match, the most likely potential challenger for EVIL is his former LIJ member and tag team partner SANADA.
When EVIL decided to betray Los Ingobernables de Japon and made the move to Bullet Club, he also broke up his tag team with SANADA. Not only was it a duo with amazing chemistry but was also one of the most successful heavyweight teams that New Japan has seen. Even though SANADA, who is known for being calm and collected, seems to be coping well, there must be some anger lurking from the betrayal.
As well as his personal history with the champion, SANADA has proved time and time again he deserves his place near the top of the card in his matches against the likes of Okada and Zack Sabre Jr. Although he may have failed to capture the gold in big match situations, this added animosity and anger might be enough to give him that extra edge he’s needed.
A title match with EVIL would kill two birds with one stone. It would give him one more shot at holding the top prize in New Japan and also get retribution for everything his former partner has done to him. For fans, it would also be a chance to see another match between the two showcasing not only a contrast of styles but also personalities. Something which had previously led them to multiple IWGP Heavyweight Tag Champion reigns in the past.
Many people see SANADA as being a future champion. This could come at the expense of EVIL.
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