Wrestling Brain: I’ll begin these predictions with admitting, I’m not an NJPW guru, I dip in and out of it now and then, I don’t have NJPW world, mainly because I can’t afford it and I probably wouldn’t have much time to watch even more wrestling. However, considering this PPV is being headlined by the much anticipated 6* epic between Kenny Omega and Kazuchika Okada, I’ve decided not only to give my prediction on the main event, but the whole card in general.
Cody vs. Michael Elgin
Wrestling Brain: Cody vs Michael Elgin I’ve seen bits of Michael Elgin in NJPW, but not masses, so I don’t really know what to expect from him. I do know a fair amount of his opponent Cody, (formerly Cody Rhodes) from his time in WWE, by looking at the current card albeit on Wikipedia it seems as though this match will open the show, and my prediction entirely depends on which promotion Cody decides to align himself with. If Cody does compete in the upcoming G1 Climax I anticipate him to win because he needs momentum heading into the tournament, however if he commits to a ROH contract, then I expect him to lose to Elgin, as it wouldn’t make much sense for a ROH guy to win against a NJPW star in the NJPW promotion. Therefore my prediction is that Michael Elgin will defeat Cody in a lively and competitive 15 minute match.
Curtain Jerker: Both guys are in need of a victory in the worst way. Elgin hasn’t had a big victory since winning the IWGP Intercontinental Title in NJPW’s 1st ladder match last June due to injury and his involvement with his own promotion. Cody hasn’t exactly set the world on fire since debuting for New Japan at Wrestle Kingdom in January. Cody has only defeated Juice Robinson and David Finlay one-on-one. Also, the G1 Climax tournament is coming up and I don’t think Cody will be in it, because I believe he will win the ROH World Title at “Best In The World”. I predict Elgin will win here.
Roppongi Vice vs The Young Bucks (IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Title Match
Wrestling Brain: So, as I’ve said I’m fairly new to NJPW and ROH, and I was incredibly surprised to see another former WWE star in Trent Beretta do well for himself on the Independent scene as part of Roppongi Vice with Rocky Romero. However, I will be supporting Matt and Nick Jackson, aka The Young Bucks. Back in March I met them at a live show in Nottingham and I could honestly say I was in awe with them, they were a joy to watch and genuinely nice people to meet and to talk to, also I’ve bought a shirt so how could I not support them. Therefore, this is an easy prediction for me to make as I hope The Young Bucks win and become the new IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions
Winners and New Champions – Matt and Nick Jackson (The Young Bucks)
Curtain Jerker: This is the toughest of the predictions that I have to make. The Young Bucks are the best tag team in the world, so you’d think I’d predict them to win. However, the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Titles have been hot-potatoed around so much in 2017 that I completely forgot Roppongi Vice had the titles. Therefore, just so that they kind of mean something, I predict Roppongi Vice to pull off the upset.
Winners and Still Champions: Roppongi Vice
Kushida vs Hiromu Takahashi (Junior Heavyweight Title Match)
Wrestling Brain: So, of course as a British wrestling fan I was frustrated that Will Ospreay lost in the final of the Best Of The Super Juniors to Kushida, and really my excitement for this match has soured just because I don’t have a huge interest in whoever wins. But just because he beats Ospreay I hope Kushida beats Takahashi and becomes the Junior Heavyweight Champion
Winner and new champion – Kushida
Curtain Jerker: I saw no reason for Kushida to win Best of the Super Juniors over Will Ospreay. He has tried and failed on 3 different times to beat Hiromu Takahashi, who is looking more and more like a major superstar every time I see him. At their last meeting, Takahashi beat Kushida in under 3 minutes. It might be time to move Kushida up to heavyweight and bring in the new generation of junior heavyweights.
Winner and Still Champion: Hiromu Takahashi
Kenny Omega vs Kazuchika Okada (IWGP Heavyweight Championship)
Wrestling Brain: In a rematch from their 6* epic at Wrestle Kingdom 11, “The Cleaner” Kenny Omega takes Kazuchike Okada, for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship and boy am I looking forward to it. After watching their close to an hour classic just 5 months ago, I knew both men were special and this was me watching both Omega and Okada for the first ever time, but also after the match I found a new favourite wrestler in Kenny Omega. For months there were rumours that Omega could join WWE, but he stayed in Japan and because of his loyalty to NJPW, I believe he deserves to win on Sunday. But also in one month’s time NJPW are taking the G1 climax to USA and it would make a lot of sense financially for a American/Canadian to be the main champion for the US Tour. Therefore my prediction (and I will be wearing my Elite Shirt with a smile) is Kenny Omega will become the new IWGP Heavyweight Champion
Winner and New Champion – Kenny Omega
Curtain Jerker: The rematch of the century won’t live up to the hype, the rematches never do, but if Okada and Omega just go 3/4 of how hard they went in January it will be a 5-star classic. For the past 5 months, both guys have tried to out-do each other on each show for “Best Match on the show”. These are the 2 best professional wrestlers on Earth. Omega will win because he has to win. New Japan is heading to America and it would sell a lot of novices to New Japan by having an English speaking champion. Also, if Omega loses, that’s 2 big matches in a row that he has lost to Okada and Okada has beaten everybody else. Omega wins at Dominion, Okada wins the G1 and we do this all over again at the Tokyo Dome at Wrestle Kingdom.
Winner and New IWGP Heavyweight Champion: Kenny Omega
SLTD Wrestling brings you all the greatest wrestling content. from blogs, to podcasts to exclusive Predictions and Fantasy Leagues.
Recent Comments