NJPW: Previewing The Road To Wrestling Dontaku 2019

May 3: Wrestling Dontaku, Night One

The main event of night one will see the Junior Heavyweights on full display as Taiji Ishimori looks to recapture the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Title from Dragon Lee. The title changed hands at G1 Supercard in a three-way also featuring Bandido, but Ishimori was not involved in the decision.

Ishimori has long promised that the Junior Heavyweight division would be reborn under his command, but that all came to a screeching halt in New York City. With the Best of the Super Juniors just around the corner, this will be Ishimori’s quickest shot at regaining the title and walking into the massive round-robin tournament with an added advantage.

Dragon Lee, though, may already be looking past Ishimori. In post-match comments after G1 Supercard, Lee made it known that his dream was to wait for Hiromu Takahashi to return and defend the championship against him.

Hiromu, one of the brightest and most beloved stars in New Japan, had his neck broken by Lee in a match at G1 Special in San Francisco last summer. While Hiromu miraculously went on to finish (and win!) the match, he later vacated the title due to injury.

Could this all be pointing to a Hiromu return in time to compete in the BOSJ? Or, will Dragon Lee retain the championship against Ishimori, go on to win the tournament, and then call out Hiromu as the challenger to a title he never technically lost?

With the Junior Heavyweight division on the verge of becoming as stale as the Junior Heavyweight Tag Team division, the breath of fresh air that Dragon Lee brings to the table is much-needed – and any tease of a Hiromu return gives both the title and the division an extra spark.

The NEVER Openweight Title will be on the line as new champion Jeff Cobb defends against Our Holy Emperor Taichi. Cobb, who is always impressive, is coming off of a huge victory over Will Ospreay at G1 Supercard. With both the ROH TV Title and NEVER Openweight Title on the line, Cobb secured himself a more permanent spot on the New Japan roster by walking away with both prizes.

The former champion, Taichi, had hoped to be the one to wrest the title away from Ospreay especially after having pinned the champion in a tag team contest prior to G1 Supercard. With a victory over the former champion and a standout showing against Tomohiro Ishii in the New Japan Cup, Taichi has something to prove.

Can Taichi stay on the roll he started with Ishii in the Cup? Or, will that contest wind up being the exception to the rule of Taichi in New Japan? His in-ring skills have never quite matched up to the extravagance of his character as a whole threatening to see him lost in the shuffle of more dynamic performers.

Win or lose, this match is all important for Taichi. This could be the start of a tremendous run for the holder of Iizuka’s iron fist, or could cement his place as a mid-card wrestler with occasional main event flirtations.

May 4: Wrestling Dontaku, Night Two

Never let it be said that Kazuchika Okada isn’t a man of his word. After winning the New Japan Cup, the Rainmaker professed his desire to defend the IWGP Heavyweight Title against SANADA were he to win the championship in Madison Square Garden.

The prophecy foretold by the Rainmaker came true and on May 4, SANADA will have the biggest match of his career.

Not waiting for the formalities of the G1 Climax or any other tournament to crown a number one contender, Okada will make his very first defense of the IWGP Heavyweight Title against SANADA in Fukuoka on the final night of Wrestling Dontaku.

SANADA’s performance in the New Japan Cup was awe-inspiring and star-making. He was able to put to rest his tormentor Minoru Suzuki in a classic battle which saw both men struggling for victory up until the very last moment. His victory over Hiroshi Tanahashi proved that SANADA was ready for the main event level, and even his matches with Hirooki Goto and Colt Cabana showed another side of his character.

The New Japan Cup was as important for SANADA’s growth and progression as it was for Okada’s. Now, the two most dominant figures from that tournament will meet once more with an even bigger accolade in front of them.

Could SANADA continue the trend of the past 3 IWGP Heavyweight Champions and stop Okada’s run at zero successful title defenses? Or, is this Okada’s time to prove that the Rainmaker of old is finally, finally back at 100% and ready to dominate New Japan as he did for nearly 2 years as champion? The answers will unfold on NJPW World as the Road To Wrestling Dontaku rolls on!