NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 13: Post-Power Struggle Predictions

Credit: NJPW1972.com

Chris Jericho vs Tetsuya Naito – IWGP Intercontinental Championship Match

Naito might consider the IC title pointless, and Jericho is currently claiming that this match ain’t gonna happen, but there’s a score to be settled and one way or another, we’ll see it settled at Wrestle Kingdom. Jericho incurred the wrath of the former Stardust Genius at Power Struggle, where he subjected Naito’s LIJ stablemate EVIL to a prolonged (and entirely unnecessary) beatdown.

And while they’ve clashed before, this second round promises to be a truly vicious affair; you don’t mess with one of Naito’s boys. Jericho’s sadistic streak and Naito’s bloody-minded determination go together like petrol and a lit match.

Expect plentiful shenanigans on the road to Wrestle Kingdom as Jericho attempts to wriggle out of this rematch with his dignity intact. Ultimately, though, with Jericho an admittedly entertaining part-timer in New Japan and Naito long overdue his redemption arc, I fully expect this one to go Naito’s way. But you can guarantee it won’t come easy. Prediction: Naito to win the Intercontinental Championship

Credit: NJPW1972.com

Kushida vs Taiji Ishimori – IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Championship Match

Career babyface Kushida puts his recently-won Jr. Heavyweight title on the line against the unmasked Bone Soldier and miniature Bullet Club goon, Taiji Ishimori. Ishimori impressed alongside tag partner Robbie Eagles during the Super Jr. Tag League, and judging by his callous (and some might say, cowardly) attack on Kushida at Power Struggle, he’s ready to stake his claim as the top dog of the Junior division.

Both Kushida and Ishimori claim this match is about prestige, not entertainment, but Kushida is one of New Japan’s most consistently polished performers, and Ishimori is no slouch either. Expect a lightning-quick affair full of improbable reversals and painful-looking submissions. Ishimori’s ankle might have been a ruse, but he might not leave the Wrestle Kingdom ring intact.

Kushida might be one of the few Juniors to make it onto the Wrestle Kingdom poster, but Ishimori’s star is on the rise, and with the momentum he’s gathered, it seems pretty likely that he’ll walk away from this one with the gold. Prediction: Ishimori to win the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship