NJPW G1 Climax 2017: 3 Reasons Tetsuya Naito Should Win

3. It’s The Perfect Story

If Okada is still champion when Wrestle Kingdom comes around, that’ll put his title reign right up around 550 days which would shatter Shinya Hashimoto’s 489-day record with that belt.  So it doesn’t really have to be said, but I’m going to say it anyway: when it happens, it’ll be a massive deal.  What better way to make that moment even better than reopening the book on a rivalry that never really got to where it needed to be?  Yes, that’s right.  If Naito wins this year’s climax, he will defeat Okada at Wrestle Kingdom.  It has to be that way.

As mentioned in the opening slide, Naito had his chance at Okada at Wrestle Kingdom in 2013 and the NJPW audience voted to have it pulled from the main event.  That alone may explain why Naito has become what he has.  The angry, bitter heel has an ax to grind against the fans that shunned his opportunity to close out the biggest show of the year.  There would be no better way than to stick it back to them defeating their hero on the biggest stage that the company has to offer.

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When he defeated Okada back in 2015 for the title, it took outside interference from his stable mates.  This time around, he needs to do it all on his own.  And when he does, Tetsuya Naito will be the new face of New Japan Pro Wrestling.  A fitting end to this run, but an open book for the future.  Naito has everything he needs right now to be a dominating champion, complete with a slew of ready and willing challengers.  Now he just has to win Sunday night.  And if he does, his journey will have come full circle and his new found bitterness will have officially been worth it.