Wrestle Kingdom 13 Predictions
Wrestle Kingdom 13 is tonight! As the biggest show of the year for New Japan Pro Wrestling, the January 4th show always has huge concequences to go with the amazing matches that are regularly delivered. This year in particular is looking like one of the greatest cards ever on paper, and knowing the talent involved, chances are they will come through on that potential. And it’s sponsored by BanG Dream!
Here are our predictions for the show, ranging from some no-brainers to some toss-ups up and down the show.
Makabe, Yano and Taguchi vs Nagata, Cobb and Finlay vs Goto, Beretta and Chuckie T vs Suzuki, Archer and Smith vs Page, Yujiro and Scrull. Gauntlet match for the NEVER Openweight 6-Man Tag Team Championship #1 contendership.
For what I would consider the least important title in the company, this #1 contender match is essentially on the card to get everyone who didn’t get a big match on the pre-show. It’s a shame to see Suzuki and Goto with nothing major to do on the show considering they had my sleeper match of the show at WK 12, but at least they’re on at all. I’m guessing Suzuki-Gun takes the win since they’re an actual long term team and aren’t leaving the company in a matter of weeks. Plus, Suzuki-Gun needs some gold in their group.
Ibushi vs Ospreay for the NEVER Openweight championship
Opening the show is a match that many expect to be a match of the year contender despite taking place four days into 2019. Ospreay making and Ibushi haven’t had a chance to clash prior to now since they were in separate divisions, which is why this match has become one of the most anticipated on an already stacked show. I say Ibushi retains after the two fight in a thrilling bout to see who can land on their heads the most.
Kanemaru and El Desperado vs Ropongi 3K vs Bushi and Takagi for the Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship
Despite being the champions coming in, Kanemaru and El Desperado have an uphill battle when it comes to retaining their Jr. Tag Team titles. Roppongi 3K have been the chosen ones of the division for awhile, but the newly acquired Shingo Takagi could use a big win on a show that seems poised to set NJPW up for the long term future. This is why I think Bushi and Shingo of LIJ will win the titles.
Tomohiro Ishii vs Zack Sabre Jr for the Rev Pro British Heavyweight Championship
Two incredible wrestlers that often spend their time in the shadows of their stable leaders, both Ishii and ZSJ had breakout 2018’s in their own way. Now clashing for a different company’s title, the Japanese Ishii will ironically be defending his title of British Heavyweight Champion against the British submission machine. After a hard hitting battle, I’m giving the win to ZSJ.
Guerrillas of Destiny vs EVIL and Sanada vs The Young Bucks for the IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championship
This match has me torn. After going through the World Tag League, I’d love to see LIJ add another set of titles to their ranks as EVIL and Sanada are two of my favorites in the company. However, Tama Tonga and Tanga Loa have the stench of the failed Bullet Club Civil War feud on them that they desperately need to shed. The only thing I know for sure is that The Young Bucks obviously aren’t winning, but although my heart says LIJ will win, logic dictates that GOD will retain. But screw logic. Bring it home, LIJ!
Cody vs Juice Robinson for the US Championship
This match is another no-brainer given the news that Cody is starting AEW. This makes the decision to give Cody the US Title in the first place even more confusing, but there’s no doubt in my mind that Juice Robinson will win back the US title and send Cody off towards his new venture. It’s just a shame that Juice’s momentum had to be hurt in the process.
Kushida vs Taiji Ishimori for the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship
The Junior Division was set to belong to Hiromu Takahashi before he was hurt in July. Once again, this match is one that looks to set up the future of NJPW. KUSHIDA has been a staple of the Jr. division for years and has had nearly every match he could have in NJPW. Ishimori on the other hand, is being set up to be a force in the division after coming over from NOAH. Both have a case for being two of the best wrestlers in the world, but with KUSHIDA representing the old guard and rumors of signing to an American company continuing to swirl, Ishimori will win his first singles title in NJPW to send KUSHIDA off.
Kazuchika Okada vs Jay White for the heart of Gedo
Throughout 2018, Okada went from breaking a championship record to losing his title, his identity, his manager and has seen his stable thrown into chaos, (no pun intended), after Jay White delivered on his promise to stab him in the back before becoming the new leader of the Bullet Club. Since the G1, Okada has slowly regained hints of what made him the Rainmaker, but he’s been foiled by Jay in every tag team encounter they’ve had since. While White would be a made man if he beat Okada at the dome, 2019 will be about the rebuilding of the Rainmaker. And that story will start when Okada beats Jay White and gets some revenge on Gedo for good measure.
Chris Jericho vs Tetsuya Naito for the IWGP Intercontinental Championship
I mentioned in the previous prediction that 2019 will be the year that rebuilds Okada, and the same will be true for Naito. After losing the Intercontinental Title to Jericho in the first place, Y2J’s sporadic appearances have meant that the belt he carries has been largely absent. Now this match is being treated more like a grudge match that happens to have a title on the line, which makes sense since Naito has notoriously hated holding this belt, but ironically, winning this belt will be what puts Naito back on track when he beats Jericho.
Kenny Omega vs Hiroshi Tanahashi for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship
Omega etched his name in the history books when he finally beat Okada for the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship at Dominion, a feat Hiroshi Tanahashi has failed to accomplish for years. But since Tana won the G1 tournament and was named the #1 contender for the belt heading into Wrestle Kingdom 14, this feud has become about more than just the title. Even more so than the incredible comeback story that Tanahashi has told heading into the event, this match is about the ideals that will carry New Japan into the future. One side represents changing the world through Western personalities and YouTube shows. The other has seen growth because of the traditions and stars of Japan, fearing that the company he’s dedicated a decade and a half to will become unrecognizable under Omega’s reign. Yet, when it’s all said and done, after showing the undeniable fighting spirit that The Ace is known for, I’m guessing that Kenny Omega will retain in the best match of the night.
So there you have it! Any predictions you agree with or any you think are off the mark? Let us know in the comments!
