For the first time in 21 years, New Japan Pro Wrestling is holding a show at Jingu Stadium as part of their Summer Struggle Tour. With its large space and open-air setting, it is the perfect way to conclude the tour. On this massive stage, New Japan has made the card equally as good with five title matches for fans to enjoy.
Match One: Special Singles Match – Master Wato vs. Yoshinobu Kanemaru
Credit: NJPW1972
After going through Suzuki Gun’s DOUKI after returning from an excursion, Master Wato has a tougher challenge on his hands. Coming out after the match, Jr Heavyweight veteran Yoshinobu Kanemaru targeted Wato.
Although both are Jr Heavyweights, the two wrestlers style’s couldn’t be more different. Kanemaru prides himself on combining a more high-flying style with a smarter approach to wrestling. As seen by his matches during the Best of Super Jr tournaments, if he can win with as little effort as possible, then it’s a bonus. On the other hand, WATO has this youthfulness and determination mixed in with his Japanese/ Mexican hybrid style.
Going into the match, Kanemaru is at a distinct advantage with almost four times as much experience as the young Wato. However, he managed to beat DOUKI in the past. Maybe this desire to prove himself will pick up another win that will slowly move him up the New Japan ranks.
Match Two: King Of Pro-Wrestling 2020 Finals Fatal-4-Way Match
Credit: NJPW1972
After Kazuchika Okada announced this new King of Pro-Wrestling (KOPW) concept earlier in the month, nobody knew what to expect. In the lead up to this match, there will be four singles matches with fans voting for which stipulation they want to see.
The preliminary bracket matches took place at Korakuen Hall on Wednesday 26th August. The winners of those matches were El Desperado (via DQ), Toru Yano, SANADA and Okada. These four wrestlers will enter this fatal-4-way match final match at Jingu Stadium. The winner of this match will be the first owner of the most unpredictable title in New Japan.
With this match being so unknown, anything is possible and, no matter what happens, it will be impossible not to gain the attention of fans.
Match Three: NEVER Openweight Championship – Shingo Takagi vs. Minoru Suzuki
Credit: NJPW1972
After Minoru Suzuki beat Yuji Nagata during the Summer Struggle Tour, he told the audience that he had a new target on his mind. Fast forward to a tag match and this opponent was revealed to be NEVER champion Shingo Takagi. The Dragon was more than happy to accept the King’s request.
It is no lie that Minoru Suzuki is one of the names most linked to the NEVER title. He had a single reign lasting over 250 days and four defences. Shingo is also cementing himself as a strong NEVER champion with over 200 days with three successful defences.
Both men are extremely talented in the ring, if not very diverse. Shingo has the speed and agility of a Jr Heavyweight but also an unrivalled strength. Suzuki is a lot more methodical by targeting a body part on his opponent to showcase why he is one of the best submission wrestlers in the business.
There have also been rumours about other stipulations being considered due to the scale of Jingu stadium. However, no matter what happens, this match will be nothing short of a brutal, fistfight between two of the toughest in New Japan.
Match Four: IWGP Jr Heavyweight Championship – Hiromu Takahashi vs. Taiji Ishimori
Credit: NJPW1972
The feud between the Bullet Club and Los Ingobernables de Japon is hotter than ever at the moment. So, this match pitting Hiromu and Ishimori, who are considered two of the best Jr Heavyweights in the company, will definitely be a match worth watching.
Both Hiromu and Ishimori are more similar than many fans would initially think. It’s these similarities that cement their places at the top of their respective division. Although they have very different mentalities in the ring, in terms of abilities, they are very similar.
When you watch either man in the ring, it is nothing short of amazing. They are both the epitome of Jr Heavyweight wrestling utilising their speed, athleticism and risk-taking to beat their opponents. The only significant difference is Hiromu’s emphasis on recklessness and Ishimori’s submission ability which we don’t see much from the Ticking Time Bomb.
With both men being as talented as each other, it might be their willingness to break the rules that will give one the advantage. However, after their match during the finals of the 2018 Best of the Super Junior, many fans are expecting another 5* match from the two.
Match Five: IWGP Heavyweight Tag Championship – Dangerous Tekkers vs. Golden Ace
Credit: NJPW1972
It seems like the teams of Dangerous Tekkers (TAICHI and Zack Sabre Jr) and Golden Ace (Hiroshi Tanahashi and Kota Ibushi) can’t stay away from each other in the fight for the IWGP Heavyweight tag titles.
Both teams are as different as humanly possible from their wrestling styles to personalities. Dangerous Tekkers have a mixture of strength and submission skills with a willingness to break the rules. Tanahashi and Ibushi are the golden boys of New Japan with a Lion’s Pride mixed in with a high-flying Jr/Heavyweight hybrid style.
This match is also very personal. With TAICHI and Zack trying to prove that Tanahashi is no longer fit for the peaks of New Japan, they’ve made it no secret that they want to end his career.
There is also an added factor in this match concerning Kota Ibushi’s loyalty to The Ace. We saw during the last few shows that the Suzuki Gun members were trying to tempt Ibushi to the dark side. Although he refused each time, it seemed as if the invitation was ever more inviting to the Golden Star. It will be interesting to see if this plays a part in the match.
Match Six: IWGP Heavyweight and IWGP Intercontinental Double Championship – EVIL vs. Tetsuya Naito
Credit: NJPW1972
In a rematch from Dominion, Los Ingobernables de Japon leader Tetsuya Naito is out to regain both titles he lost to his former faction mate over a month ago.
EVIL already has one successful defence against LIJ’s Hiromu Takahashi. In this match, EVIL’s proved his willingness to break the rules and the presence of Dick Togo and the other members of Bullet Club will put Naito at a disadvantage.
However, Naito won’t let this get in the way of his destiny. He will have to use his speed, athleticism and unpredictability to beat the much larger and stronger EVIL with no morals. Naito might have to let out the Ungovernable One and sink to his opponents level to make it an even playing field. There will be nothing Naito won’t do to get back the titles he worked so hard to win in the first place.
On top of all that, this match will have more significance to Naito. 21 years ago, a young Tetsuya Naito attended the last New Japan show at Jingu in 1999. Now the cards are turned with him taking centre stage. Will this be enough to spur on the Ungovernable One? Or will EVIL’s tactics ruin a possible fairy tale ending?
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