After New Japan Pro Wrestling’s Sakura Genesis show, the company went straight into their annual Wrestling Dontaku tour. With a series of feuds set up, the “Road To” shows have featured some important warm-up and special singles matches.
Alongside this year’s two big Dontaku shows, there is a special Wrestling Satsuma no Kuni card. With this announcement, there are even more high calibre matches featuring some of your favourite wrestlers.
Here is a look at all the title matches you can expect during the 2021 Wrestling Dontaku Tour.
EVIL vs. Toru Yano – Provisional King of Pro-Wrestling Trophy (April 28, 2021)
Credit: NJPW1972
Since the KOPW concept was created, Yano has managed to get past every opponent in wild matches. His bout against EVIL is no exception with the “Creation of Darkness Blindfold Match.” Four blindfolds will be put on each corner post and, for a decision to be rendered, the opponent must be blindfolded.
It seems as if this might be the wildest stipulation seen. Combining both men’s identities of darkness and chaos, neither man will be at an advantage. Even with the addition of Dick Togo on the outside, nothing is certain as Yano has proved that he can beat any odds thrown at him.
With a stipulation as random as this, there is no doubt that both men are going to thrive in such a chaotic environment. Many fans will want to see a Yano victory because he has taken this concept and made it his own. There is no doubt that if EVIL wins the match, it will take on a very different tone and might not have the same lightness fans have come to love.
Roppongi 3K vs. El Desperado and Yoshinobu Kanemaru – IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship (April 28, 2021)
Credit: NJPW1972
Once again, it feels like history is continuing to repeat itself with the IWGP Junior tag titles. Due to the lack of teams in the division, New Japan is once again giving us Roppongi 3K versus Suzuki Gun’s duo of El Desperado and Yoshinobu Kanemaru.
As always, the talent within this match is second to none. On the Roppongi 3K team, there is a mixture of traditional high-flying, Japanese strong style and a power-based offence. Both Desperado and Kanemaru prefer a mat-based style with a strategy to win by any means possible. It is a combination fans have seen several times but is always effective.
The only difference in this match is that the result will impact a bout later in the tour. YOH is set to challenge Desperado for his Junior title and this match has the potential to alter the direction of the bout. If Roppongi 3K wins, it gives YOH a lot of momentum going into the match. If the CHAOS duo loses, Despy has the advantage and can use his renowned mind skills to help keep his belt.
Despite the lack of diversity, there is no denying that fans will be treated to a great wrestling match. The two teams will have to pull everything out of the bag to give viewers something new. Yet, if they manage to bring out the best in each other, it will be easy to forget that we have seen this match many times before.
Jay White vs. Hiroshi Tanahashi – NEVER Openweight Championship (May 3, 2021)
Credit: NJPW1972
With two of the company’s top stars battling for the NEVER singles title, the division has never been more important than it is now. With Hiroshi Tanahashi holding the belt, more eyes have been drawn to a division that has been previously overlooked. Whenever there is any attention, you can bet that Jay White wants a piece of it.
For many fans, Jay’s career has been linked with Tanahashi since returning from his excursion in 2018. Over the years, the two have had many high-stakes matches for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship and during tournaments.
After beating Tanahashi during the New Japan Cup, Jay started a new chapter to their story by challenging for the NEVER title. The two were involved in many verbal clashes and a battle of abs to get fans even invested in the rivalry. Despite Jay not being around for the warm-up shows, fans are invested in a battle of personalities and styles.
The two wrestlers are on an equal footing with wins and losses in their length rivalry. Tanahashi is out to prove that he can still raise the prestige of a New Japan title. Jay wants to ruin the Ace’s dreams and put an end to his career once and for all at Wrestling Dontaku.
El Desperado vs. YOH – IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship (May 4, 2021)
Credit: NJPW1972
After winning the vacant IWGP Junior Championship, El Desperado finally cemented himself as the top Junior Heavyweight in the company. YOH returned from his injury at Sakura Genesis and instantly challenged Despy who had seen no challengers come forward.
Although the two have wrestled many times for the tag titles, this will be the first singles meeting between very different athletes. Roppongi 3K’s Silver Standard is cool, calm, and collected with a combined traditional Japanese style and high-flying style. Desperado is sneaky, passionate and focuses more on keeping the fight on the mat and winning by any means.
With higher stakes, fans might see a match where both men showcase very different sides to their personalities. Many have often criticized YOH for his lack of passion and emotion in the ring compared to his partner SHO. This bout against Desperado could be the catalyst to bring out a meaner side to the usually cool and collected YOH. Despy may have to adapt his style to deal with an opponent who is a hybrid athlete.
With Desperado finally achieving his dream of holding the Junior title, he will not be giving YOH an easy ride during the match. After a year on the shelf, YOH has more to prove. He needs to show that he is still as strong as ever and can stand strong as a singles wrestler. The question is, who has more passion and determination to be the face of the division?
Will Ospreay vs. Shingo Takagi – IWGP World Heavyweight Championship (May 4, 2021)
Credit: NJPW1972
It seems as if every time Will Ospreay and Shingo Takagi meet in the ring, they can create magic. Whether it was during the Best of the Super Juniors, G1 Climax or their recent New Japan Cup meeting, they never cease to amaze fans with their skills. However, their match at Wrestling Dontaku has much higher stakes, with both men battling over the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship.
Since beating Kota Ibushi for the new title, Ospreay has had a new air of arrogance and confidence about him. For him, he has finally achieved his destiny of being at the top of the company despite all his critics. After narrowly missing out on the New Japan Cup, Shingo is at a stalemate in his career needing a big win to get back any momentum as a heavyweight.
As always, this match will be nothing short of a wrestling masterpiece. There is no denying that Ospreay and Shingo are seen as two of the best wrestlers in the world. They have a diverse and dynamic wrestling style. With both men having the pure strength of heavyweights, they combine aspects of their Junior past with speed, agility and style.
Both men have a lot to prove and a lot to lose in this match. Ospreay is out to show that he can stay at the top of the company. Yet, despite having nothing to lose, this is also a major proving ground for Takagi. He needs to show that he has the potential to hold New Japan’s top title. There is no denying that both men will put everything into the match. It should be another epic chapter to the duo’s historical rivalry.
What are your thoughts on the above story? Let us know in the comments on Twitter or Facebook.
Comments.
Loading comments…