WK13 PREDICTIONS
By Jasmine Olan
Kota Ibushi vs. Will Ospreay for the NEVER Openweight Championship:
This match will no doubt be one of the best on the card.
Most likely Ibushi will retain as it seems way too soon to take the title off of him yet. Both men will definitely be bringing the 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.
Tetsuya Naito vs. Chris Jericho for the IWGP Intercontinental Championship:
This one will most likely end in a win for Naito given Jericho’s status with NJPW and the title not having been defended in a while. 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.
EVIL & Sanada vs. G.O.D. vs The Young Bucks for the IWGP Tag Team Championships:
With the future of the Young Bucks in NJPW kind of up in the air heading into the Tokyo Dome, this one could go to EVIL and Sanada. G.O.D. have a good run with the titles, but this could most likely be the time the titles change hands.
Kazuchika Okada vs. Jay White (Special singles match)
This one is a bit of a tough call. Jay White May 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. This encounter will definitely be a heated one with Okada possibly getting his revenge on Jay White.
KUSHIDA vs. Taiji Ishimori for the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship:
This match will most likely end in Ishimori winning the IWGP Junior Heavyweight title for the first time. He 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.
Cody vs. Juice Robinson for the IWGP United States Championship:
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.
Zack Sabre Jr vs. Tomohiro Ishii for the REVPRO British Heavyweight Championship:
This will probably end up being the hardest hitting match on the card. The 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.
ROPPONGI 3K vs. Yoshinobu Kanemaru and El Desperado vs. BUSHI and Shingo Takagi for the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championships:
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.
Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Kenny Omega for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship:
The war of words between these two has been brewing for months, and things will finally come to a head in the Tokyo Dome. 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. Don’t count the Ace Of The Universe out just yet as he could just easily emerge victorious. With a historic eighth reign in his sights, Tanahashi is no doubt ready to bring the heat in this battle of ideologies. This match is bound to deliver in spades.
Pre-show gauntlet match for NEVER Six Man Tag Team Championships:
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. Most likely Suzuki gun will get the win here.
