Daily DDT
Fansided

NJPW Royal Quest: 3 reasons Minoru Suzuki should win the IWGP Heavyweight Title

By Patches Chance

TOKYO, JAPAN – AUGUST 12:Minoru Suzuki looks on during the New Japan Pro-Wrestling G1 Climax 29 at Nippon Budokan on August 12, 2019 in Tokyo, Japan.(Photo by Etsuo Hara/Getty Images)
TOKYO, JAPAN – AUGUST 12:Minoru Suzuki looks on during the New Japan Pro-Wrestling G1 Climax 29 at Nippon Budokan on August 12, 2019 in Tokyo, Japan.(Photo by Etsuo Hara/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
1 of 2
Next

NJPW Royal Quest descends upon London’s Copper Box, but can Minoru Suzuki take the IWGP Heavyweight Championship from Kazuchika Okada?

NJPW Royal Quest boasts several big championship matches, but perhaps none as big as Minoru Suzuki’s shot at reigning IWGP Heavyweight Champion Kazuchika Okada. This is Okada’s fifth reign as IWGP Heavyweight Champion, having defeated Jay White for the belt back at G1 Supercard in New York City.

Their clash at NJPW Royal Quest will undoubtedly be an instant classic, but could Minoru Suzuki actually pull out the win? Most fans are likely thinking Suzuki is only there to give Okada another strong title defense, but there three key reasons why this should be Suzuki’s night.

1. Minoru Suzuki has never been IWGP Heavyweight Champion

The first, and honestly most important, reason that Minoru Suzuki should defeat Kazuchika Okada for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship is that the absolute legend Suzuki has somehow never held the title. At 51 years of age, Minoru Suzuki made his in-ring debut as far back as 1988.

Suzuki first spent five years as a professional wrestler before transitioning to MMA competition for a decade from 1993 to 2003. Suzuki won his first seven MMA contests, going on to a final record of 30 wins and 19 losses.

Suzuki returned to the world of wrestling in 2003, making his mark in NJPW, Pro Wrestling NOAH, and All Japan Pro Wrestling in the coming years. He’s a 2-time AJPW Triple Crown Heavyweight Champion and a former GHC Heavyweight Champion but has never reached the top of the mountain in NJPW.

It’s an absolute travesty, and there is perhaps no better time than at NJPW Royal Quest. Kazuchika Okada is fresh off failing to win the G1 Climax, which makes him a bit more vulnerable as he prepares to defend against Suzuki.

Home/NJPW