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NJPW: 7 Takeaways from Power Struggle

By Franny Crocker

OSAKA, JAPAN - NOVEMBER 03: Hiromu Takahashi and Will Ospreay square off during the New Japan Pro-Wrestling 'Power Struggle' at the Edion Arena Osaka on November 03, 2019 in Osaka, Japan. (Photo by Etsuo Hara/Getty Images)
OSAKA, JAPAN - NOVEMBER 03: Hiromu Takahashi and Will Ospreay square off during the New Japan Pro-Wrestling 'Power Struggle' at the Edion Arena Osaka on November 03, 2019 in Osaka, Japan. (Photo by Etsuo Hara/Getty Images) /
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Juniors are getting a little more card respect

This one was just something I noticed, considered among the usual conversation about the Junior division and comments made by wrestlers within the division — Ospreay especially, who had some words to say about the lack of juniors as headliners and featured on posters. He had even more to say during the Wrestle Kingdom 14 press conference last night, which you can watch here for free.

Obviously, the finals of the Super Jr Tag League are important, as that tournament shared space with the Road to Power Struggle, but it was nice to see that sandwiched between a heavyweight special match and the Never Openweight Championship match. Further on in the show, the IWGP Jr Heavyweight Championship match happened right before the main event with White and Goto.

Ospreay’s outbursts, plus the return of Hiromu — who was constantly and passionately supporting and trying to elevate the junior division — could build to something new, a shift within the division. For now, they are getting higher on the card, which is nice.

The Super Jr Tag League final was a blast 

Honestly, it was delightfully surprising enough that El Desperado got the pin and won his comeback match during King of Pro Wrestling. Even having been out on injury for several months, it seems he and Kanemaru are as strong as ever, having blitzed through most of the Tag League and going up against SHO and YOH for the big win.

This fight — especially brutal.

While SHO and YOH beat them here – making this their third year in a row as Super Jr Tag League champions – it’s no small matter that El Desperado and Kanemaru got as far as they did. Whatever’s in store for them at Wrestle Kingdom remains to be seen, but they’ve shown up as strong future contenders, perhaps, for the reclamation of the Jr. Heavyweight Tag Team Titles.

As it stands now, SHO and YOH are going up against current Jr. Heavyweight Tag Team champions El Phantasmo and Ishimori. If they’ll get their stolen trophies back anytime soon is still up in the air.

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