WrestleZone Staff Picks: Wrestle Kingdom 13 Predictions

We’re starting a new feature where the WrestleZone staff will pick the winners of major events, and we’re kicking off with New Japan Pro-Wrestling’s biggest show of the year, Wrestle Kingdom 13.

Togi Makabe, Toru Yano and Ryusuke Taguchi vs. Yuji Nagata, Jeff Cobb and David Finlay vs. Hirooki Goto, Beretta and Chuckie T. vs. Minoru Suzuki, Lance Archer and Davey Boy Smith Jr. vs. Hangman Page, Yujiro Takahashi and Marty Scurll

Bill Pritchard: Pick: Hangman Page, Yujiro Takahashi and Marty Scurll
Tyler Treese: It’s borderline criminal to stick Minoru Suzuki on the pre-show, and I think he’s going to be out for blood! Pick: Minoru Suzuki, Lance Archer and Davey Boy Smith Jr.
Robert DeFelice: This gauntlet should be a fun thing to watch, I don’t know if it’s going to be super fun at 2 in the morning but it should be fun nonetheless. As a unit, there’s no one I like more than Suzuki-Gun. They’re all pretty vicious and hard-hitting and I think they could make for a good six man tag against the Bullet Club tomorrow. Pick: Minoru Suzuki, Lance Archer and Davey Boy Smith Jr.
Harry Kettle: Pick: Hirooki Goto, Beretta and Chuckie T.
Christopher McManus: Pick: Most Violent Players and Ryusuke Taguchi
John Clark: Pick: Hangman Page, Yujiro Takahashi and Marty Scurll
Michael McClead: Pick: Hangman Page, Yujiro Takahashi and Marty Scurll
Jasmine Olan: It’ll be interesting to see how this match fairs as a replacement for the New Japan Rumble. Some great teams are competing in this match, and it will definitely be fun to watch. Pick: Minoru Suzuki, Lance Archer, and Davey Boy Smith Jr.

Kota Ibushi (c) vs. Will Ospreay

Bill Pritchard: Pick: Kota Ibushi
Tyler Treese: This might be match of the night! Pick: Kota Ibushi
Robert DeFelice: The unbelievable show stealer of the evening and it’s match number one. I’m going with Ibushi because of the fact that he just won the title. Will Ospreay will do great things in 2019, he’s even been touted by Chris Jericho as the next big foreign heavyweight in Japan. However, Kota is going to win tonight and continue his legacy now that he’s a New Japan guy. Pick: Kota Ibushi
Harry Kettle: Pick: Kota Ibushi
Christopher McManus: Pick: Kota Ibushi
John Clark: Pick: Kota Ibushi
Michael McClead: Pick: Will Ospreay
Jasmine Olan: Pick: Both men will definitely be bringing their A game to this match, and it’ll be another test for Will Ospreay as he looks to make the move up to the heavyweight division. The core theme in this match will definitely be passion. It will surely mark the beginning of the NEVER Openweight Championship being raised to a new level of prestige and honor. Pick: Kota Ibushi

Yoshinobu Kanemaru and El Desperado (c) vs. Roppongi 3K vs. Bushi and Shingo Takagi

Bill Pritchard: Pick: Yoshinobu Kanemaru and El Desperado
Tyler Treese: This should be a fast-paced match, and I’m sensing a title change. Pick: Bushi and Shingo Takagi
Robert DeFelice: These three teams have been embroiled in quite the rivalry all year. On any other card, this might be the match of the night, but as far as Victor, I think it’s going to go to LIJ and I think this will be the first of quite a few wins for them tonight. Pick: Bushi and Shingo Takagi
Harry Kettle: Pick: Bushi and Shingo Takagi
Christopher McManus: Pick: Bushi and Shingo Takagi
John Clark: Pick: Bushi and Shingo Takagi
Michael McClead: Pick: Yoshinobu Kanemaru and El Desperado
Jasmine Olan: This one is another toss up. All three teams are going in ready to win, but it’s truly anybody’s ball game here. However the titles could most likely end up changing hands in the Tokyo Dome. Pick: Roppongi 3K

Tomohiro Ishii (c) vs. Zack Sabre Jr.

Bill Pritchard: Pick: Tomohiro Ishii
Tyler Treese: I love the Stone Pitbull, but I don’t think it makes sense for him to continuing being Rev Pro’s Champion for much longer. Pick: Zack Sabre Jr.
Robert DeFelice: In what may be the sleeper match tonight, look for Zack Sabre Jr. to pick up a major victory and bring the RPW championship home to the UK. Pick: Zack Sabre Jr.
Harry Kettle: Pick: Zack Sabre Jr.
Christopher McManus: Pick: Tomohiro Ishii
John Clark: Pick: Zack Sabre Jr.
Michael McClead: Pick: Zack Sabre Jr.
Jasmine Olan: This will probably end up being the hardest hitting match on the card. This will most likely go to Zack Sabre Jr. here, but the tough as nails Stone Pitbull is not going to go down without a fight. Pick: Zack Sabre Jr.

Guerrillas of Destiny (c) vs. Sanada and Evil vs. The Young Bucks

Bill Pritchard: Pick: Guerrillas of Destiny
Tyler Treese: I see big things for LIJ in 2019, and I think Sanada and Evil will get even more gold for them. Pick: Sanada and Evil
Robert DeFelice: This match might be one of the few matches that all of the casual fans actually tune into due to all of the Bullet Club inclusion here. However, I think this is also a match that LIJ will win and kick off a boom period for them. Pick: Sanada and Evil
Harry Kettle: Pick: Young Bucks
Christopher McManus: Pick: Sanada and Evil
John Clark: Pick: Guerrillas of Destiny
Michael McClead: Pick: Guerrillas of Destiny
Jasmine Olan: PG.O.D. have had a good run with the titles, but this could most likely be the time the titles change hands. Pick: Sanada and Evil

Cody (c) vs. Juice Robinson

Bill Pritchard: Pick: Juice Robinson
Tyler Treese: Even if All Elite Wrestling doesn’t work with NJPW going forward, there’s enough time until things really get going for Cody to drop the belt later. I see him once again besting Juice. Pick: Cody
Robert DeFelice: For me, there’s not much talk about here. Cody is going to lose just as he lost at Final Battle. Cody is moving on and the US title will go back to Juice. Pick: Juice Robinson
Harry Kettle: Pick: Juice Robinson
Christopher McManus: Pick: Juice Robinson
John Clark: Pick: Cody
Michael McClead: Pick: Cody
Jasmine Olan: With the rumor mill buzzing the ELITE may be leaving New Japan, we could most likely end up seeing a huge win for Juice Robinson. This would make Juice the first ever two time IWGP United States Champion. Both men will no doubt deliver rock solid performances in this match. Pick: Juice Robinson

Kushida (c) vs. Taiji Ishimori

Bill Pritchard: Pick: Kushida
Tyler Treese: Kushida deserves the belt and I think NJPW will keep him happy considering all the WWE interest in him. Pick: Kushida
Robert DeFelice: The Bullet Club need a win. Pick: Taiji Ishimori
Harry Kettle: Pick: Kushida
Christopher McManus: Pick: Taiji Ishimori
John Clark: Pick: Kushida
Michael McClead: Pick: Kushida
Jasmine Olan: Ishimori was already a decorated junior champion for Pro Wrestling NOAH before arriving in NJPW and can definitely hold his own against KUSHIDA. As the Ace of NJPW’s junior division, KUSHIDA is going to put up a huge fight in his effort to retain. Expect a knockout performance from both men. Pick: Ishimori

Kazuchika Okada vs. Jay White

Bill Pritchard: Pick: Kazuchika Okada
Tyler Treese: It’s time to make Jay White a made man rather than someone that can’t capitalize on big matches. Pick: Jay White
Robert DeFelice: The only match on the card that doesn’t have a championship attached. That’s okay because there’s all storyline in the world to carry this one. This is the year of Switchblade Jay White. I think it starts here with a big win over Kazuchika Okada by the skin of his teeth. Pick: Jay White
Harry Kettle: Pick: Kazuchika Okada
Christopher McManus: Pick: Kazuchika Okada
John Clark: Pick: Kazuchika Okada
Michael McClead: Pick: Kazuchika Okada
Jasmine Olan: This one is a bit of a tough call. Jay White may have been dominating this feud lately, but the Rainmaker isn’t someone who can be easily counted out. The tide can definitely turn either way here. A win here could be a huge momentum builder for Jay White as he looks to have another breakout year. Pick: Kazuchika Okada

Chris Jericho (c) vs. Tetsuya Naito

Bill Pritchard: Pick: Tetsuya Naito
Tyler Treese: Naito can’t lose to Jericho again. Time for him to get his win back even though he should be feuding for a more prominent belt. Pick: Tetsuya Naito
Robert DeFelice: This one is the one that nobody’s talking about because of all the stuff going on with The Elite. This one is going to be intense and violent and I think Tetsuya Naito will come away with the Victory and the Intercontinental Championship. However, I’m not sold that it will be the last time we see Chris Jericho. I think tomorrow night might be the actual last appearance. Pick: Tetsuya Naito
Harry Kettle: Pick: Tetsuya Naito
Christopher McManus: Pick: Tetsuya Naito
John Clark: Pick: Tetsuya Naito
Michael McClead: Pick: Tetsuya Naito
Jasmine Olan: Pick: The two have been at each other’s throats for months and are without question ready for war. This could end up being the most brutal on the card. Pick: Tetsuya Naito

Kenny Omega (c) vs. Hiroshi Tanahashi

Bill Pritchard: Pick: Kenny Omega
Tyler Treese: I just don’t see a foreigner coming out on top to close the show. Pick: Hiroshi Tanahashi
Robert DeFelice: This one is for all the marbles. It’s old school vs new school. I think Kenny Omega has put a lot of eyes on to NJPW, but I think ultimately The Winds of Change are blowing and everybody is going in a different direction and New Japan will start a new era under Tanahashi until it’s time for him to lose that belt to either Naito or Switchblade. Pick: Hiroshi Tanahashi
Harry Kettle: Pick: Hiroshi Tanahashi
Christopher McManus: Pick: Hiroshi Tanahashi
John Clark: Pick: Hiroshi Tanahashi
Michael McClead: Pick: Kenny Omega
Jasmine Olan: This match will be a knockdown drag out for sure. Despite rumors of an ELITE departure, it’s still pretty likely that Kenny Omega could retain seeing as how his title run hasn’t quite felt long enough. Pick: Kenny Omega

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