NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 12: Predictions For Each Match
Credit: NJPW1972 Instagram
IWGP Intercontinental Championship: Hiroshi Tanahashi (c) vs. Jay White
It’s hard to know what to expect from this match, given how important it is despite having so little buildup. Jay White’s return match could set him up for greatness, but there are few matches bigger than taking on Tanahashi at the Tokyo Dome.
The deciding factor in this match could be Tanahashi’s gradual deterioration as he performs through nagging injuries. Many of us want to see The Ace take an extended absence to heal, and this gives him the perfect opportunity. He can go all-out at Wrestle Kingdom 12, put over a returning youngster, then take some much-needed time away.
Highlights from “Road to #NJWK12” Night02 : Tanahashi's appearance is cut short by @JayWhiteNZ himself! The ruthless attacks on the champion continue! Replay the full video only on @njpwworld pic.twitter.com/7oIp1w4JEQ
— NJPW Global (@njpwglobal) December 18, 2017
Also, an additional prediction involves what I expect to be the freshly-bald Suzuki. Should the event pan out as I have imagined, Suzuki-gun will be in freefall, and may have to make a last-minute recruitment of the unaligned Jay White. Switchblade could even end up winning due to a Suzuki interference, giving him a new home, a new mentor, and a new Championship to start 2018.
Winner: Jay White
IWGP U.S. Championship No DQ Match: Kenny Omega (c) vs. Chris Jericho
Chris Jericho’s surprise announcement turned an already hyped show into absolutely unmissable.
Jericho vs. Omega is a dream match we only thought we’d see at a future WWE show. Instead, Y2J will be dragging a lot of WWE eyes to the Tokyo Dome on January 4th, sure to be the most watched New Japan show by Western fans in history.
In predicting a winner, the most important development has been the ‘No DQ’ tag. It was previously unthinkable that Omega would lose to the visiting Jericho. No DQ is likely a way to make their match stand out even more, but it has introduced an element of doubt in Omega’s win.
Theories include Cody costing his Bullet Club leader his Championship, with Jericho taking the belt onto his wrestling and rock’n’roll cruise. In all likelihood, it is smoke and mirrors. We’ll get a hell of a spectacle, but Kenny has too many other potential opponents to be taking on in 2018.
Winner: Kenny Omega