NJPW: 3 Potential Opponents for Cody’s U.S. Title at Wrestle Kingdom
“The American Nightmare ” Cody Rhodes defeated Juice Robinson at “Fighting Spirit Unleashed” on September 30th, 2018 to become the fourth U.S. Champion in NJPW history.
One could argue that Cody Rhodes is the most polarizing figure to hold the title since its inception in July of 2017. NJPW has been making concentrated efforts in making itself the “Largest Global Brand” of professional wrestling in the world, while making their style of wrestling popular in the United States. Cody’s name and brand holds tremendous merit among American wrestling fans.
Cody started his career in the WWE, and he became a multiple time Tag Team and Intercontinental Champion with the company. After disagreements with WWE management about the direction of his character, Cody left the promotion in a decision that rattled some wrestling pundits.
He has done a masterful job reinventing himself. He ultimately signed with Ring Of Honor in September of 2016, and his star has shown brightest on the ROH and NJPW stages. Cody aligned with “The Bullet Club” upon his arrival in ROH and New Japan, becoming a leader among the group. His heelish ways have stirred up emotions amongst BC members, especially in the sub- faction “The Elite.”
Cody’s been embroiled in classic matches with Kenny Omega and Kota Ibushi over the last several months. Immediately following his IWGP United States Title win, he challenged for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship in an incredible triple threat match at “King Of Pro Wrestling” on October 8th. Falling to Omega and “The One Winged Angel, Cody is now setting his sights upon becoming an “Elite” United States Champion.
With NJPW’s Wrestle Kingdom 13 shaping up to be a barn-burner on January 4th at The Tokyo Dome, “Where does the IWGP U.S. Championship fall in the grand scheme of things at Wrestle Kingdom? Roughly half of the card has been announced and it’s top-heavy, led by Kenny Omega defending his IWGP Heavyweight Championship against Hiroshi Tanahashi and Chris Jericho clashing with Tetsuya Naito for the IWGP Intercontinental title.
It now raises the question, whom will Cody defend HIS United States Championship against at Wrestle Kingdom?