There’s nothing more buzz-worthy in all of Professional Wrestling than The Golden Elite in NJPW. Here’s three different scenarios that I would love to see play out for four of the best wrestlers in the world.
Lover vs Lover
Since Ibushi/Omega is set to go down on the final night of G1’s B block, I’d assume Ibushi would have to win or draw in order to win the block. If he could lose the match and still advance to the final, there wouldn’t be any real stakes or drama. Ideally, their G1 match goes to a draw, but Ibushi advances to the final via tiebreaker or two point lead. Then, he goes on to defeat Okada or Tanahashi in the final. Additionally, Omega manages to hold onto the strap, setting up Golden Lover vs Golden Lover for NJPW WrestleKingdom 13’s main event.
Who turns?
There’s three different possibilities within this scenario that NJPW’s creative team could go with: 1) Omega turns heel, 2) Ibushi turns heel, or 3) Neither man turns and they have a joyous face vs face match at WK.
I’m here for any of these options… it just depends on what Omega’s future with New Japan looks like. There’s a real possibility that he’ll decide to sign with WWE when his current NJPW contract expires in 2019. If this is the case, I’d go with a Cleaner heel turn, and Ibushi going over in the Tokyo Dome. This would firmly establish Ibushi as a mega-babyface star in New Japan’s main event scene, as he’d be the first G1 winner to win the belt at Wrestle Kingdom since 2012 (when the winner of the G1 first started officially getting the Tokyo Dome contract).
If both guys are going to remain in the promotion full-time going forward, I think I’d prefer neither man turning (CAUSE LOVE WINS). However, an Ibushi heel turn would be extremely shocking and interesting. Really, regardless of specifics, NJPW couldn’t go wrong with The Golden Lovers main event’ing the Dome.
What about The Bucks?
In this scenario, The Bucks would be more in the background. Hopefully they hold onto the tag titles and have a big Wrestle Kingdom match no matter what, but as far as their role in the Omega/Ibushi program, it would just depend on exactly where the story goes. If it remained face vs face, The Bucks could just stay out of it entirely. However, if either man turned, I’d definitely have The Bucks side with Omega.
All Gold-en Elite
If I were to make a prediction right now, my money would be on Ibushi winning the G1. However, I think Okada, Naito, and Tanahashi all have great odds as well. In this scenario, Ibushi wouldn’t win it. Perhaps a draw with Kenny keeps him out of the final, and allows Naito to move on instead. Or Ibushi defeats Kenny, but goes on to lose to Okada or Tana in the final.
With Omega set to defend the IWGP Heavyweight Championship at Wrestle Kingdom against one of Okada, Naito or Tanahashi, Ibushi would need his own opponent.
Potential Wrestle Kingdom Opponents for Ibushi:
-vs: Cody, I’d bet that Cody will have the ROH Title back at this point, so maybe it could be a ROH World Championship Match like what originally was planned for WK12. The story is already entirely laid out for this
-Jericho, I mean, who wouldn’t want to see this. It would play nicely off of Jericho’s previous rivalry with Kenny, and if Jericho’s last match with NJPW is set for WK13, I could think of no better opponent for him than Ibushi (other than Okada of course). If Y2J still has the IWGP Intercontinental Championship at this point, then heck yeah it’s for the title. If not, non-title would still be legendary.
-Naito, Maybe Ibushi avenges last year’s loss to Naito by defeating him in the G1 this time around. Then, maybe Naito wins the IC Title back from Jericho at KOPW. Finally, maybe Ibushi challenges Naito for the belt at WK. Sounds fantastic to me.
-Tanahashi, It’s probably unlikely, but it would be absolutely massive for Ibushi if he were able to defeat the veteran Ace on January 4th.
-Okada, I mean… same as the last one (except even more unlikely)
-Goto, If Goto continues to run with the NEVER belt and put on great matches, his title reign will carry a ton of value by January. I would love a match between him and The Golden Star in the Tokyo Dome. Ibushi would have the opportunity to show off a more physical side of his offense, and it would leave the two top belts to be contested for by some combinations of Omega, Okada, Naito, and Tanahashi. This is the least flashy of the possibilities, but it also may be my favorite.
Again, What about The Bucks?
Again, The Bucks would just have a nice run with their Tag Team Championships, and compete in a top match against a great team at WK.
Note: Although Omega vs Ibushi wouldn’t go down in the main event of The Dome in this scenario, it could definitely still happen at King of Pro Wrestling. Say Ibushi defeats Omega in the G1, then Omega extends the challenge to his Lover for KOPW.
(Obviously, neither man would turn on the other if this were to happen. It wouldn’t be worth breaking up The Golden Lovers for anything less than Wrestle Kingdom.)
Lovers vs Bucks II
This is probably significantly less likely than the first two, but it would certainly be interesting. Who wouldn’t want to see a Wrestle Kingdom rematch of that amazing Strong Style Evolved match? Answer: No one.
The main drawback of this scenario is that it would probably require some dissension within The Golden Elite. Not that I don’t enjoy some good ol’ fashioned faction drama, I just would like to see the quartet show some strength and unity for a good while before anything comes between them. Still, if NJPW’s creative team decided to go with this, I would be down to ride.
So what about the IWGP Heavyweight Championship?
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Unless Kenny pulled double duty at Wrestle Kingdom (which he won’t), he would need to lose his belt beforehand to free him up to be involved in the IWGP Tag Team Championship match. So who beats him for the belt? Easy. It’s gotta be Naito.
I think it would be great if Naito were to defeat Omega in the G1, go on to take the belt off of him at King of Pro Wrestling, then successfully defend against Okada in the Tokyo Dome. It’s the perfect way for the leader of LIJ to finally get his big Wrestle Kingdom moment, completely bypassing the system that is meant to set up such moments. This would befit Naito’s anti-establishment character perfectly. Also, it would be giving Kenny’s Title Reign to the only guy who’s worthy of ending it any sooner than WK.
Trouble in Paradise
For the sake of this scenario, let’s say The Golden Elite really is too good to be true. Honestly, do we expect Nick and Matt to not get jealous of Kenny’s relationship with Ibushi? Of course they’re going to get jealous! And of course they’re going to turn on The Golden Lovers! Those filthy gaijins!
Imagine it- Omega vs Naito at KOPW. Kenny’s on his way to victory with Ibushi cheering him on from ringside when, all of a sudden, The Bucks come out of nowhere and superkick Kota. This completely shocks and distracts Omega, allowing Naito to hit Destino for the win. It would be absolutely tragic. Just think of the heat The Bucks would get. It would be absolutely nuclear!
The story would tell itself from there. Omega and Ibushi — the lovable babyface duo with a bond stronger than any adversity. Nick and Matt Jackson — the evil exes, hellbent on ruining Kenny’s life and relationship. The match could co-main event Wrestle Kingdom, with the potential to go down as the greatest tag team match in the history of Professional Wrestling.