NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 10: AJ Styles vs. Shinsuke Nakamura Prediction
By Jay Sichler
In this clash of two of the top wrestlers in the world, who will get the victory at Wrestle Kingdom 10?
For the last two years, AJ Styles and Shinsuke Nakamura have helped make NJPW the most exciting wrestling promotion in the world. Next week on Jan. 4th in the Tokyo Dome the two will finally clash. After both came up short in the G1 Climax tournament over the summer it seemed apparent that these two would meet at Wrestle Kingdom.
For the last few years, the duo has led two of the most dominant factions in NJPW. Nakamura has led Chaos, which includes Yoshi Hashi, Tomohiro Ishii, Toru Yano and IWGP Heavyweight Champion Kazuchika Okada. Originally viewed as the top heel stable in NJPW, the faction are now all viewed as fan favorites with two of the biggest stars (Nakamura & Okada) leading the group.
AJ Styles has been the leader of The Bullet Club since 2013. The Bullet Club which includes Karl Anderson, Doc Gallows, Bad Luck Fale, The Young Bucks and Tama Tonga. The group though popular in the western part of the world, are considered villains and the top heels in NJPW.
The year of 2015 both consisted of highs and lows for both Styles and Nakamura. AJ Styles started the year by defeating Tetsuya Naito at Wrestle Kingdom 9. The following month Styles would win the IWGP Heavyweight Championship from Hiroshi Tanahashi.
However, Styles would lose his championship in July at Old Dominion to Okada. Styles woes would continue when he lost the G1 Climax Tournament A Block Final to eventual winner Tanahashi. He would then lose his IWGP Championship rematch to Okada in October.
Nakamura began 2015 by defending his IWGP Intercontinental Champion against Kota Ibushi at Wrestle Kingdom 9. Nakamura would then though have a tough spring and summer, losing his title to Hirooki Goto in May. He would then lose his rematch to Goto in July at Old Dominion.
Nakamura would then lose the G1 Climax Finals to Tanahashi in what could be considered the match of the year. However, he would end the year strong winning back his Intercontinental Championship from Goto in the Fall.
Prediction: Shinsuke Nakamura defeats AJ Styles via pinfall.
With both stars having up and down years, both will truly want to start 2016 with a huge win. Despite this match being four days into 2016, it could certainly be a match of the year candidate. A major indicator that could determine the winner of this match is the status of Styles’ contract.
Styles is currently wrestling in New Japan Pro Wrestling without a contract. There have been vast rumors detailing the idea of either AJ staying with NJPW, or going to WWE. Depending on what decision AJ is leaning towards could determine who wins the match.
Related Story: Why AJ Styles Should Be Signed by WWE
If this is indeed AJ’s last match in NJPW he is certainly going to want to go out with a bang. Knowing these two this will be a 5-star match and will help to solidify the point that NJPW is the best wrestling promotion in the world today.