NJPW DESTRUCTION 2018 Predictions: A Win For Hiroshi Tanahashi?

from: njpw1972.com

DESTRUCTION in Beppu (September 17th)

NEVER Openweight Championship: Hirooki Goto(c) vs Taichi

After posting only six points in the G1, it seems like Goto has to get the win to get back on track. At the same time, Taichi was left out of the tournament entirely and needs a big win to truly establish himself in the heavyweight division.

I personally feel that Goto works much better when he’s chasing a belt versus when he’s on top and defending, so I guess I’ll go with “The world’s slyest wrestler” (per njpw1972.com) to score the biggest win of his career. Why not? Regardless of your opinions about him, it’s hard to deny the fact that Taichi brings something fresh and unique to the table in New Japan. A title reign for Suzuki Gun’s obnoxious, wanna-be popstar, pretty boy could be absurdly entertaining.

Prediction: Taichi

from: njpw1972.com

Minoru Suzuki vs Tetsuya Naito

It would make a lot of sense for Suzuki to go over here as he lost to Naito earlier this year and New Japan likes to have wrestlers trade wins. With that being said, it feels like El Ingobernable needs to buck the norm and pick up another victory over The Lonely Warrior.

We’re officially on the road to the Tokyo Dome, and of course Naito is going to be involved in a huge match on January 4th. It’s time for him to get some momentum and remind everyone that he’s still in the very exclusive upper echelon of the company.

Suzuki’s great, and will probably have an important role at Wrestle Kingdom too, but there’s no reason for him to be picking up wins against top guys at this time of the year.

Prediction: Naito