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NJPW: 5 Ways The Landscape of New Japan Shifted With G1 Supercard

By Corey Collins

NAGAOKA,JAPAN - MARCH 23: Kazuchika Okada enters the ring prior to the Semi Final bout during the New Japan Cup of NJPW at Aore Nagaoka on March 23, 2019 in Nagaoka, Japan. (Photo by Etsuo Hara/Getty Images)
NAGAOKA,JAPAN - MARCH 23: Kazuchika Okada enters the ring prior to the Semi Final bout during the New Japan Cup of NJPW at Aore Nagaoka on March 23, 2019 in Nagaoka, Japan. (Photo by Etsuo Hara/Getty Images) /
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Where Do Kota Ibushi and Tetsuya Naito Go From Here?

When Kota Ibushi announced that he had finally signed a contract with New Japan, many fans felt that the company would strap a rocket to his back sooner than later. The consensus amongst most was that the main reason Ibushi hadn’t risen to the IWGP Heavyweight Title was his insistence on remaining a freelancer.

With the news of Ibushi’s signing and the subsequent announcement of him competing in the New Japan Cup, he became my quick pick to take the entire tournament and challenge Jay White for the championship in MSG. It felt too soon for White to lose, and Ibushi/White felt like a suitable main event for the show.

After being knocked out of the tournament early by Zack Sabre Jr, Ibushi and Tetsuya Naito began to set their sights on one another. Ibushi, after all, eliminated Naito in the very first round earning an eventual shot at the IWGP Intercontinental Title.

For Naito to find himself out of the tournament so early was a crushing blow to the leader of Los Ingobernables de Japon who saw his future as one draped in gold. Naito sought to become the first person in New Japan history to hold both the Intercontinental and Heavyweight Titles at the same time.

Through a brutal match full of terrifying head drops, a little bit of sloppiness, and a tremendous story told of two men who simply love to destroy one another, Ibushi came out with his very first reign as IC Champion at G1 Supercard

To reach this point for Ibushi is a logical next step. His short reign as NEVER Openweight Champion ended in spectacular fashion against Will Ospreay at the Tokyo Dome, and with that prize in his rearview mirror, the next stepping stone toward the IWGP Heavyweight Title was the Intercontinental Title.

In the case of Naito though, there is a fear of being lost in the shuffle in the New Japan roster yet again. His partner in LIJ, SANADA, went on an absolute tear in the New Japan Cup and solidified himself as a true main eventer. Now, with the loss of the IC Title for which he holds so much disdain, where does he focus his gaze?

Naito’s ultimate goal of holding the two top titles in the company at the same time have gone up in smoke, but could we see that same goal reached by Kota Ibushi instead? Ibushi will undoubtedly be a part of the G1 Climax and, with his commitment to New Japan, he runs as good a chance as anyone to win the grueling tournament.

With Ibushi becoming a constant in New Japan and with SANADA’s meteoric rise, where does Naito fit on a Tokyo Dome card? A step back to the NEVER Openweight Title would seem like a demotion for a man who doesn’t take being left out of the main event very well. Naito may simply become a victim of a stacked roster as his allies and enemies leave him wanting more.

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