NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 13 For Beginners Part One

Tomohiro Ishii (CHAOS) vs. Zack Sabre Jr. (Suzuki-gun) – RevPro British Heavyweight Championship

Josiah: Tomohiro Ishii is one of the toughest men in wrestling. Ishii has been one of the MVPs of NJPW for years now, producing outstanding match after outstanding match. Ishii has also extended his reach to the United Kingdom, becoming the RPW British Heavyweight Champion in April 2018 before losing the title to Minoru Suzuki in July 2018. Ishii managed to win the title back from Suzuki in October 2018, and his held it ever since.

ZSJ, however, is looking to become a three time RPW British Heavyweight Champion. Sabre won the title initially from AJ Styles before losing it to Katsuyori Shibata, and then regaining it back in March of 2017. However, since losing to the title to Ishii in April 2018, ZSJ has been without the gold that is so closely associated with him. Sabre wants to bring gold back to Suzuki-gun for his mentor, Minoru Suzuki, and the issue is complicated further as Suzuki held the title as well. Sabre wants his belt back, and Suzuki wants him to bring the gold home. Sabre has defeated a who’s who of wrestlers in NJPW, and you can bet he will try and tie Ishii up in knots in this one.

Josiah’s Prediction: Zack Sabre Jr.
Laura’s Prediction: Never bet against the Stone Pitbull.

Recommended Viewing:

Zack Sabre Jr vs. Hiroshi Tanahashi (New Japan Cup 2018 – March 21, 2018)
Zack Sabre Jr vs. Kazuchika Okada (NJPW/RevPro Strong Style Evolved UK – July 1st, 2018)
Zack Sabre Jr vs. Tomohiro Ishii (G1 Climax 2018 – July 26th, 2018)

Tomohiro Ishii vs. Kota Ibushi (G1 Climax 2018 – July 28th, 2018)
Tomohiro Ishii vs. Kenny Omega (G1 Climax 2018 – August 2018)
Tomohiro Ishii vs. Minoru Suzuki (Power Struggle 2018 – November 3, 2018)

Guerillas of Destiny (Tama Tonga & Tanga Loa) vs Young Bucks (Matt & Nick Jackson) vs Los Ingobernables de Japon (EVIL & SANADA) – IWGP Tag Team Championship

Laura: In a decision even more inexplicably odd than adding Bushi and Shingo to the Junior Tag Title match, Young Bucks Matt and Nick Jackson were thrown into what should have been a straightforward tag match despite not actually being in the World Tag League at all. It seems a tad unfair that both LIJ’s Evil and Sanada and GoD’s Tama Tonga and Tanga Loa did all the legwork to get to the Tag League finals only for the Bucks to waltz in, throw a wobbly and end up rewarded with a title shot.

There’s a reasonable argument to be made in that we’ve seen plenty of G.O.D and LIJ matches as of late, so adding the Bucks at least lends a point of interest, but it’s still frustrating as, as with the Junior Tag League, undermines the prestige of winning the tournament. As a result, it’s really difficult to care a great deal about this match. I’ve been cold on G.O.D since the seemingly endless series of run-ins and interferences during the G1, and the likelihood that the Bucks will soon decamp to All Elite Wrestling means that this is ultimately low-stakes stuff for them. If there’s a silver lining, it’s that all three teams are usually solid in the ring, so the match itself will likely be enjoyable enough.

Josiah’s Prediction: GoD
Laura’s Prediction: G.O.D

Recommended Viewing:

Guerillas of Destiny (Tama Tonga & Tanga Loa) vs Young Bucks, Fighting Spirit Unleashed 30/9/18
Young Bucks vs Kenny Omega & Kota Ibushi, Strong Style Evolved 25/3/18
LIJ (Evil & Sanada) vs Young Bucks, Dominion 9/6/19