Now that WrestleMania Season has mellowed done, it is time for some more action provided to us by New Japan Pro Wrestling. The following weeks they'll be having tours across the country leading up to their Wrestling Dontaku event. Before the event itself there will be "Road To" events which are basically House Shows but some do involve high profile and title matches. So today I'll be sharing to you my predictions for every major match regarding the Wrestling Dontaku Tour of NJPW! APRIL 23 IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Tag-Team Championships: |
Singles Match: | Singles Match: |
Story: A Wrestle Kingdom re-match for the semi main event of Wrestling Dontaku Day 1 between Kota Ibushi and Cody. The hatred between these two seems like it just keeps on growing, all interconnected to one Kenny Omega as well. We've seen them brutalized each other before, even to the point where blood got involved. Now they are back at it again looking to decimate the other one more time. Prediction: Cody This might come off as a shocker to some but yes I'm predicting Cody might get the upset victory here over Ibushi. I think it will be a nice progression to further this storyline if Cody gets a win going for the upcoming All In event. | Story: Former friends now foes, Kenny Omega and Hangman Page will be facing each other at the main event of Wrestling Dontaku Day 1. It will be interesting though as in the Being the Elite series, Hangman seemed to have left Cody's side, but in NJPW canon they are still somewhat together. Hangman has chosen Cody's side in multiple occassions over Kenny's. Now the two will face each other 1 on 1 for the first time and more storyline progression for this Bullet Club affair. Prediction: Kenny Omega it's obvious Kenny will win, whether Cody, Ibushi, or others will get involved is the real prediction. I doubt they'll give Hangman a surprise win, but that's definitely not out of the picture knowing Gedo but I'm confident The Cleaner will sweep. |
MAY 4
WRESTLING DONTAKU DAY 2
10 Man Tag-Team Match:
Bullet Club Civil War
I don't usually give out predictions for undercard multi men tag matches but this one actually interests me. We are getting a 10 Man Tag-Team match circling around the Bullet Club Civil War storyline ongoing between the OG's, The Elite, and Golden Lovers.
Omega & Ibushi will be teaming up with Fale & GoD and they'll be taking on Being the Elite cast members: Cody, Hangman Page, Marty Scurll, and The Young Bucks. It's practically the epitome of Bullet Club vs. Bullet Club! The interactions will be interesting just as the match itself.
Prediction: OG BC & Golden Lovers
It could definitely go either way but I think the safer bet would be for The Tongans and Golden Lovers. Here's hoping Chase Owens and Yujiro Takahashi would somehow involve themselves in this match too, don't get left out now.
IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Championship:
Will Ospreay (c) vs. KUSHIDA
Will Ospreay has successfully won the IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Championship at Wrestle Kingdom 12 in an amazing four way match. In his first title defense he manage to defeat Hiromu Takahashi at the New Beginning in Osaka.
Then at Strong Style Evolve, Rey Mysterio Jr. was scheduled to face Jushin "Thunder" Liger in a singles match for Rey's first match ever at NJPW, but that was cancelled due to the luchador getting injured so Ospreay replaced him.
After Ospreay's victory over Liger, he challenged Rey into a match but got attacked by Marty before it can even be made official. The bitter Brit rivals would go on to steal the show at Sakura Genesis in a phenomenal 5 star match with The Aerial Assassin still coming out on top!
Post match, Ospreay has challenged the 5x Former IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Champion KUSHIDA in a match at Wrestling Dontaku so here we are. KUSHIDA has been floundering a bit after he loss the belt, mainly only competing at multi men tags. He is looking to reclaim the spotlight by winning the belt he is always associated with.
Prediction: Will Ospreay
IWGP Heavyweight Championship:
Kazuchika Okada (c) vs. Hiroshi Tanahashi
Where do I even begin with this one? An old warfare being revived once more. Naito, Marufuji, Omega, Suzuki, Shibata, Fale, Cody, EVIL, SANADA, and Sabre Jr. have all fallen at the hands of The Rainmaker.
There is only one man left that will prove as a challenge to Okada and that is The Ace himself: Hiroshi Tanahashi. These two know each other well more than anyone, they've had storied battles before, and are looking to do the same again.
After Okada's victory against Zack Sabre Jr. at Sakura Genesis, it was Tanahashi who stepped up into the stage to challenge for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship, a belt he has held a record 7 times.
Speaking of records Okada and Tanahashi are currently tied for most title defenses with the IWGP Heavyweight Championship as well. A lot is at stake for this match, will it truly be a passing of the torch moment? Or will Tanahashi have a "final hoorah" perhaps with the IWGP Heavyweight Championship?
Prediction: Kazuchika Okada
The Rainmaker shall continue his reign. As he said he'll have 100 defenses for all he cares and still come out on top! I have a feeling that Tana might win but we all have those feelings for all of Okada's opponents, that's how great the booking is. But in the end no matter how they may seem to beat the champ, he still won't be dethroned.
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Super Mastodon. Spent countless of hours throughout my life watching professional wrestling. Now I write about it, because I like that too.
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