The biggest event of New Japan Pro Wrestling’s calendar is Wrestle Kingdom. Held in January, the event takes some of the company’s best wrestlers and puts on a spectacular.
Alongside the two main shows at the Tokyo Dome, New Japan has added a third day to the event in Yokahama.
However, unlike the other shows, this one is special as it is a collaboration with Pro Wrestling NOAH.
Although the two promotions used to have inter-company matches in the past, in tournaments such as the G1 and Best of Super Jr, this is the first time the two have officially collaborated.
With so many possibilities for matches, here is a look at seven dream matches for the event.
7. El Desperado & Yoshinobu Kanemaru vs. Nosawa Rongai & Eita
For many, New Japan’s Jr tag division has raised issues in the past due to a lack of consistency and teams.
Similarly, NOAH has suffered the same fate during the past year, with no team holding the belts for a long time.
The Wrestle Kingdom event could be the perfect time to prove people wrong by showcasing their best.
For NOAH, it has to be the Jr tag champions Nosawa Rongai & Eita, who have gained massive popularity in their faction Los Perros del Mal de Japón.
Despite not being Jr tag champions, El Desperado and Kanemaru have proven that they are the best team to represent the division.
Looking at both teams, they have similar styles that combine high flying, submissions and strikes to showcase the diversity of junior wrestling.
Compared to the other matches, a tag match between juniors could easily be overlooked.
If the companies put their best teams forward, it can really show off the best of the Junior division.
They can also show how far wrestling has come from the assumed “flippy” stuff people expect from the division.
6. KENTA & Jay White vs. Keiji Mutoh & Naomichi Marufuji
If there was ever an iconic feud between two wrestlers, KENTA and Kaomichi Marufuji should never be discounted.
Since debuting, the two have teamed together and battled each other in both tag matches and for the GHC Heavyweight and Jr Heavyweight titles.
With KENTA’s new mean streak, it seems like the perfect time for a rematch after Marufuji beat him in 2018.
Another wrestler who shocked fans after joining NOAH is legend Keiji Mutoh. After winning the GHC Heavyweight title in February, Mutoh proved he could still go 100%.
However, if anyone loves killing a veteran’s dream to shine, it’s Jay White.
After time away from New Japan, what better way to make his mark than beating a wrestling legend.
Between the four wrestlers, they have years of experience but very unique and different wrestling styles.
Each pair of wrestlers also have experience tagging together with Mutoh and Marafuji being NOAH tag champions. It will be a battle of smarts and wits, but one that is bound to be legendary.
5. Tetsuya Naito vs. Kenoh
If there are two men who have the complete opposite personalities in the two companies, then it would be Tetsuya Naito and Kenoh.
Tetsuya Naito is known for his carefree attitude. Although he has the same kind of charisma, Kenoh is definitely worlds away from being “Tranquillo.”
In the ring, they both have this same passion and willingness to put everything on the line to get the win.
The two men have also had a varied career with highs and lows. Starting as juniors, both Naito and Kenoh needed some time after moving to the heavyweight division to fully adjust to a new styling of wrestling.
Naito used an excursion to find a unique personality and Kenoh found a new form of aggression to win GHC gold.
Neither man holds any titles at the moment. Yet, this match could be the perfect place to prove why they deserve to be at the top of their company.
Fans have seen Naito’s passion beat his message of being “Tranquillo.” A battle for company pride could be enough to do that again.
This match also might be the perfect way for Kenoh to make his mark in wrestling and showcase what he is really capable of.
4. Hiromu Takahashi vs. HAYATA
In professional wrestling, there are always some wrestlers who throw any rule book out of the window and thrive on chaos.
In New Japan, Hiromu Takahashi is the epitome of that, putting his body on the line every time he steps in the ring.
As the NOAH GHC Junior champion, HAYATA showcases that same unpredictability with a diverse style that combines craziness and structure.
Looking at both wrestlers’ personalities, they couldn’t be more different and can be compared to night and day.
Hiromu is a ray of sunshine with his brightly coloured gear and hair. In contrast, HAYATA has a much darker look and is more subdued when he gets to the ring. However, sometimes, opposites can attract.
Although the two have never met in the past, this would be a dream match for many. Seen as two of the best Jr heavyweights in Japan, it could be the perfect way to showcase the Junior division.
It might just be a match that has viewers hiding behind cushions. However, it will no doubt be exciting from the minute the bell rings.
3. Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Go Shiozaki
In the press conference for the event, Tanahashi explained that he didn’t care if he faced a champion or not.
The Ace just wants to wrestle someone who represents the NOAH standard. Aside from the champions, one person who has always had NOAH in his veins is Go Shiozaki.
However, it won’t be the first time that the two have met. Back in 2010, Tanahashi and Shiozaki faced off at Wrestle Kingdom in a special singles match.
Although Tanahashi was the senior in the match, they both put on a strong fight and matched each other’s style even though The Ace came out on top.
Later in the year, Shiozaki defeated Tanahashi on NOAH ground in another singles match. It makes them tied at one win apiece.
Although the two have shown that they are on good terms, neither will want to leave the feud at a tie.
Wrestle Kingdom will be the perfect showcase of two veterans with both men showcasing pride for their brand and a desire to be the best.
2. Shingo Takagi vs. Katsuhiko Nakajima
Whenever two companies or brands battle, the first thing that people look at are the champions. In New Japan, Shingo Takagi is out to break the IWGP World Heavyweight “curse.”
For Pro Wrestling NOAH, Katsuhiko Nakajima beat legend Naomichi Marafuji to win the title for the first time since 2016.
The two are both successful and powerful champions who would want to showcase their strength.
Yet, it won’t just be a battle of the champions. If this match happens, it will be one with a lot of history.
During the press conference, Takagi stated that both he and Nakajima debuted the same year. However, during the only two matches the men have had, Nakajima has won both.
Nakajima also stated that he wanted to fight the best in New Japan. There is no denying that Takagi is at the top of the company holding the IWGP belt.
With both men having changed drastically since their last meeting in 2012, anything is possible. Both men are extremely powerful and have showcased their dominance to become champions.
With a battle for not only brand pride but their egos, this could be a possible MOTY.
1. Kazuchika Okada vs. Kaito Kiyomiya
In 2020, NOAH’s “Golden Boy” Kaito Kiyomiya made it clear that he wanted to face Kazuchika Okada, the “Golden Boy” of New Japan.
Fast forward a year, and this is the best chance he wrestler has to face one of the best in the world.
However, Okada’s indifference to the event and his prospective opponent has only motivated Kiyomiya to get his match at the event.
In terms of style, the two are very easily matched, despite Kaito’s young age. Despite being heavyweights, both wrestlers can combine strength, speed and athleticism in the ring.
With such a diverse wrestling style, they are always dangerous to any opponent they face. Yet, they also have the charisma and personalities to tell stories with their actions.
As two of the best wrestlers in Japan, Okada and Kiyomiya couldn’t be better suited. Although Okada seems dismissive of Kiyomiya, he has a lot more on the line.
If the match happens and Kiyomiya wins, he’s beaten one of the best champions New Japan has had.
If Okada loses, his pride will be damaged as he is meant to be the more experienced wrestler.
To make sure you stay updated with all the latest wrestling news, add WrestleTalk.com to your Google Discover feed and follow us on Twitter!
Comments.
Loading comments…