NJPW King of Pro Wrestling Preview and Predictions

IWGP Heavyweight Championship: Kenny Omega(c) vs Kota Ibushi vs Cody

I can’t decide how I feel about this. I’m sure it will be a fantastic match, and I’m a big proponent of NJPW throwing in a few triple threats and fatal four ways here and there, but I just don’t understand the inclusion of Cody. At all. WHY ISN’T IT YANO? YANO MAKES SO MUCH SENSE. IT WOULD BE PERFECT.

Don’t get me wrong, Cody rocks and totally deserves all of his recent success, but this just feels a bit random and forced to me. I get that his interrupting Kenny and Kota’s post main event banter at Fighting Spirit Unleashed is totally consistent with his character. I just thought the Cody vs Kenny stuff was done and over with, and I don’t understand what Cody has done in NJPW to warrant a IWGP Heavyweight Championship at this point. Kenny should’ve chuckled at his challenge and said something like “Look, bro. We’re cool now. But like, nah. Get out of here. I beat you already. Plus, you just won the US Championship. Why aren’t you happy? WHY AREN’T YOU EVER HAPPY?!”

Admittedly, Cody’s inclusion in the match helps to protect the sacredness of the eventual Kota vs Kenny championship singles match, and it adds a bit of unpredictability. I think there’s a chance now that they swerve us and have Ibushi pin Cody, stealing Kenny’s title and Wrestle Kingdom main event. The amount of tension between the Golden Lovers would be immeasurable, plus a Ibushi vs Tanahashi rematch in the Tokyo Dome would be awesome. With that being said, smart money’s on Omega.

Prediction: Kenny Omega