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NJPW: 6 possible new challengers for Jon Moxley’s IWGP United States Championship

By Tom Colohue

TOKYO, JAPAN - JANUARY 04: Jon Moxley of United States enters the ring prior to the IWGP US Championship bout during the New Japan Pro-Wrestling 'Wrestle Kingdom 14' at the Tokyo Dome on January 04, 2020 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Etsuo Hara/Getty Images)
TOKYO, JAPAN - JANUARY 04: Jon Moxley of United States enters the ring prior to the IWGP US Championship bout during the New Japan Pro-Wrestling 'Wrestle Kingdom 14' at the Tokyo Dome on January 04, 2020 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Etsuo Hara/Getty Images) /
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NJPW
TOKYO, JAPAN – JANUARY 05: Jon Moxley of United States celebrates the victory during the New Japan Pro-Wrestling ‘Wrestle Kingdom 14’ at the Tokyo Dome on January 05, 2020 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Etsuo Hara/Getty Images) /

If there’s one thing we can say for certain about NJPW, it’s that you can expect Jon Moxley’s match to be the most high tempo, brutal and aggressive thing on the card.

NJPW’s current United States Champion – having seen off the former champion Lance Archer and his first challenger in long term rival Juicy Robinson – Moxley is positioned as the most prominent face of what needs to be a strong division heading into New Japan’s new American expansion. How’s the division looking at the moment? Well, it’s hard to say.

The United States Championship hasn’t really been a prime feature of New Japan programming since it was initially won by inaugural champ Kenny Omega in July 2017. Moxley’s arrival and victory over Juice Robinson would set off the beginning of a new phase.

Like it or not, the WWE made Moxley a big name. Leaving the company in the way he did made the name even bigger. He was certainly a good person to have as the champion.

No Japanese superstar has been a United States Champion. This is not a promising sign for the man who seems all set to be Moxley’s next challenger: Minoru Suzuki. If you don’t know the name, you will soon. You know how everyone has that one friend whose dad definitely murdered like six people? That’s Minoru Suzuki.

What does New Japan need? An effective US launch. With a large part of their American roster having gone to All Elite Wrestling, they need new challengers. Despite being an AEW man himself, Moxley is the man charged with taking that forward.

What he needs to make that happen is opponents.

I’ve picked out six potential opponents for Moxley in a newly shaped championship division ready to take the world by storm. Suzuki’s not the only man ready to be held in the air while Moxley brutally puts himself through a table.

NJPW Will Ospreay
TOKYO, JAPAN – JUNE 05: Will Ospreay celebrates the victory following the final bout during the Best Of The Super Jr. Final of NJPW at Ryogoku Kokugikan on June 05, 2019 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Etsuo Hara/Getty Images) /

6. Will Ospreay

Will Ospreay is considered by many to be the best pro wrestler in the world.

Currently in the midst of an ascension from the Junior Heavyweight division, Ospreay has gained weight and an extra aggression without losing any of his guile, flexibility and invention. The quick Brit is adding a little more brutality and a colder demeanor on route to victory in a stronger and more competitive division.

A move into the United States division would be a stepping stone for Ospreay but it would do good things for him, Moxley and the division itself. Ospreay is one of those who can hit five stars with one leg, two hernias and the hands of a Lemur with marital problems. Up the pace slightly to match up with Moxley and all that’s going to happen is magic.

Ospreay is responsible for some of the most memorable matches in New Japan over the last few years. Why would he make a move after the United States championship? Simple. It’s time for Will to be taken seriously as a heavyweight. Now is the time.

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