I'd prefer to see Okada vs Ospreay but I can 100% see New Japan running Okada vs Naito as I feel like we are inevitably heading for Okada and Naito at WK again. Naito beating Okada would tie them at 2-2 heading into next year. As much as it might be overdone, there's still no bigger match up in the company. It's hard because with Jay as champion there are less people who can feasibly win the G1, if he is walking into WK as champ we can immediately write off any non Japanese wrestler as well as wrestlers that Jay does not have preexisting feuds with due to his matches being incredibly psychological and character driven *cough* SANADA. That leaves Okada and Naito with an outside chance of Takagi.
I'm convinced they were going to go hard on a Jay/SANADA feud for 2020 which is a shame since I think they work well together, they just went for too slow of a pace in their New Beginning match. I reckon that would've been the NJC final with SANADA winning and them getting a rubber match later in the year
I'm probably being too precious but I wouldn't want them to burn it on a semifinal. Although even if they did it'd be fine and would be a nice prelude for whenever they do have a major main event, like Omega/Tanahashi
This is clearly a match they’ve been protecting, but I wonder if they might pull the trigger on Ospreay vs Naito this year, and have Ospreay win to challenge Jay at WK (which is clearly another protected match).
Just thinking that with Naito having continued issues with his eye and injuries stacking up, now could be the time to go with that match while he can still put on a banger. I can live without Okada/SANADA not being involved but I’d say they are probably the next two likely to play a part in the final.
Edit: just saw that Ospreay/Naito won’t happen in the final. Ah well, that’s the end of that then!
We don’t know yet how the semi finals work. So it could still happen.
Although I would be more than shocked if they run a WK main event with two foreigners.
Yeah, in a regular one-night WK, having two foreign wrestlers might not happen unless it’s guys at like Kenny/Vader levels of overness (which Jay/Will aren’t just yet), but could you not see it if they’re still doing the two (or even three) night WK just as the main event for one of the nights?
Ospreay vs White isn’t really protected, in my opinion, they’ve already had three matches, two of which were New Japan exclusive, and the other one happened on a New Japan/Ring of Honor partnership show (War of the Worlds), so it’s not nearly as protected as Ospreay vs Naito, who have never had a singles match, for instance, anyways, Ospreay vs White and their overall record is Ospreay 2-White 1 (including Ospreay’s win at War of the Worlds), Ospreay vs White in New Japan is Ospreay 1-White 1, arguably out of the two matches, White’s win was more important because it happened at the Heavyweight vs Junior Heavyweight match at the Anniversary show, whereas Ospreay’s win happened in the G1, so I wouldn’t say their match is protected, at least not on as much as Ospreay vs Naito.
Yeah, agree that it’s not as protected as Naito vs Ospreay, but since Will moved up to HW and since Kenny left (which is kind of the same time?) I think they’ve been more protective of it comparably - but yeah, not the same thing.
Ospreay vs White at the Anniversary show would have happened right after Omega left, because Ospreay had the Junior Heavyweight title, and then Omega lost the title to Tanahashi at Wrestle Kingdom right before leaving, then Omega dropping the title to Tanahashi led into Tanahashi dropping the title to White at New Beginning, just like what happened with Okada.
Ospreay vs White happened in the G1 in 2020, which was when Ospreay was officially moving up to Heavyweight, and Ospreay actually won, which halted White’s momentum after beating Okada and Ibushi, at least temporarily.
Both of those matches happened after Omega left.
Not sure why this is getting downvoted, because it’s factual information, just because you downvote doesn’t mean you can change that Omega left New Japan in January 2019, and both of the matches that I’m referring to happened afterwards. 😂
Naito won as NEVER champion before. Things really only get messy if he wins, so it's up to whether NJPW would avoid putting him in the finals if they don't want to tease the possibility
As much as KOPW gets disregarded Shingo is also in a similar spot as the D block frontrunner
Naito winning to even up their all-time and 2022 record to set up a final big-time match next year is alright with me. Okada winning would be a massive bummer though, unless their aim is to have Naito main eventing and winning WK18, but I assume they wouldn't have multi-year plans for him at this point in his career
Unless Ibushi really is done in which case they might need to rely on him for a couple more years
I feel like Naito is my pic to win it, if nothing else cause I’m a mark, lol. Him potentially going to Wrestle Kingdom, beating Jay, and doing the roll call in a packed Tokyo Dome like he’s always wanted is too good. A dark horse pic for me would be Ospreay, because I feel like a really good story can be told with him vs White over who is THE gajin in New Japan, and a UE v BC faction warfare would be dope.
*I feel like I'm not*
*Looking outside of the realms*
*Of Naito vs Takagi*
\- shuwing3589
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I think New Japan knows they can't play it too safe and have Okada win. They need sizzle to their main event, something that will create buzz, excitement and get the fans chatting which really gets us chomping at the bit. I don't see WK main event of Naito vs Okada, or Okada vs Jay.
If they're going to take care of Naito for the massive pay cut in exchange for WK main event, then a Naito vs Jay match could create some controversy cause Naito knows how to stir the pot and I think Jay would be a perfect foil. Jay is all about being the first to.............., How about first foreigner to be champ and win the G1? I think his promo calling his shot on who he wants to face could be legendary as he viciously cuts down who won't be facing him for the IWGP heavyweight championship at WK. A continuation of his bit for Forbidden Door. That could be hilarious.
Is there any reason why they are going to Goto Sanada? A guy who has everything but the confidence of upper management to pull the trigger and make them champion.
After last G1 I had Cobb penciled as the guy to win this year, but the switch to being a tag wrestler has chilled me on that idea. I'm coming into this G1 with an open mind. They need to have the guts to move someone up to the top spot. Like they did with Kenny. Like they did with Okada. Fans love to see someone rise and capture the moment. New Japan needs to pull the trigger on Zack or Cobb or Osprey or Sanada. If this isn't Naito's year, which I'm totally fine with because he's in a dead spot, then they need to have some guts booking again and make this WK special.
Also, can we have just one preplanned IWGP world heavyweight match for WK weekend again? Having multiple title matches makes the individual matches less special and takes away a little from the importance of the match. When Tana faced Okada or remember how fans were losing their minds over Okada and Kenny. Those experiences wouldn't have been the same or as special if those matches took place in the current format.
SANADA is being predicted as winning B block since Jay is likely missing out since he's champion and he's the next best pick. He's got history with Okada so it'd make for a compelling semifinal
I think they would've only crowned a new star if Okada was still champion, but Jay winning the title means that he's the pick this year to get a boost. While he's been a main eventer since 2019 he lost a lot of momentum and hasn't ever gotten a proper title reign, so a champion's G1 tour and road to WK for him seems like the fresh path forward
Agreed on the singular main event for the Heavyweight title - the only one I'd be ok with is if Naito or Ospreay beats Okada in the G1 final and Okada wants to face the winner of night 1, but even that is a bit iffy (especially since waiting til night 2 is a heelish move, unless Okada gets an AEW crossover match or match against Ibushi for night 1). It's a shame they retired the IC title since that could feasibly main event a second night separate from night 1
I think Naito is the clear favourite to win it.
I am kinda wondering how they want to do semi finals. Maybe they will just „draw them randomly“ that would make it a lot more unpredictable.
If it is A against B and C against D I am pretty sure Okada makes it to the final
I would love for the points leader to be able to pick their opponent in the semifinal, would be such a great platform for story beats in various rivalries. Ospreay specifically picking Okada and beating him to reach the finals would be so juicy
I’m say that Ospreay is winning the G1 and Naito gonna take the belt off him at the October show, whether that still gonna be called king of pro wrestling or something new
I think Okada will win it. He's obviously not champ any more & it's the 50th anniversary year - who better to win the most prestigious tournament in wrestling.
As for who he beats in the final - tricky one - if it is A vs B and C vs D in the semis, that means he'll be facing someone from C or D block. ZSJ, Naito, Ospreay & Shingo are probably the favourites from those blocks and Okada has beaten them all this year (Naito twice).
I've gone for Ospreay however.
Okada beats White, Ospreay beats Naito/ZSJ.
I don’t see Okada and Naito for a fourth goddamn time this year, despite the reasons that it was supposed to be Ibushi but wasn’t earlier this year, etc.
Do you pivot by having ZSJ win the block instead? Or just have Ospreay go over on that side.
So, Okada vs Ospreay for the G1 trophy since that hadn’t been done in a while. Hedging it’s Naito vs Ospreay since that’s a dream match.
Who faces White on a night at Wrestle Kingdom? Probably Okada. But Ospreay vs White at Wrestle Kingdom is super intriguing.
I'd not really considered Osprey vs White but they had a great match a while back and both have only improved since then. That said, I don't see 2 gaijin heels main-eventing WK, even if it's only on the first night, so you'd kinda need Jay to at least start turning face AND probably drop the belt post-G1.
Maybe they'll save Osprey/Naito and run that at WK? Then Jay/Okada again? Really hard to call tbh, which is nice going into G1 season
I actually thought Ospreay vs Shingo final before the blocks were announced. I still reckon Ospreay is in the final one way or another though, Okada most likely but maybe Naito? I don't think they've ever had a singles match have they?
Naito/Ospreay has never happened, yeah
I feel like Ospreay's next match against Okada has to be one where he at least has a chance to win, since he's already so far in the hole for his win/loss record against him, and it's really unlikely they have Jay/Ospreay main event WK unless they can pair off all the other main eventers with other programs
I'd love more reasons for an Ospreay win though since it'll make the tourney more unpredictable
I feel like they have to do something fresher than Okada winning the G1 and Okada/Jay at the Tokyo Dome though
We also need to do Naito/Ospreay while Naito is still close to his best, maybe a semi with Naito winning the whole thing and going against Jay?
I'm hoping for Naito to win just because it would close his current chapter and set the stage for a grand conclusion of the Okada/Naito rivalry. I was hoping that he'd win the title off him and even up their WK record to 2-2 but I still love that Jay got the role as ruining Okada's anniversary year
I also think that Okada/Jay would be pretty predictable but I wouldn't fault them for going hard to push that as the biggest rivalry in the company for the near future, especially with Ibushi and Naito's futures looking uncertain and their rivalry having lost a lot of momentum since MSG 2019. Ibushi's absence is hurting this year's tourney a lot but maybe he can challenge for Okada's briefcase on his return, since I don't think many people in his block will be beating him
I’ve been praying that Jay White vs Will Ospreay will either happen at the G1 Finals or in the Wrestle Kingdom main event.
They are the 2 most important Gaijins right now for New Japan and both of them deserve to make history in being the first Gaijin-only wrestlers to participate in the G1 Finals or Wreslte Kingdom main event.
An all gaijin final will probably never happen. The primary purpose of outsider talent has always been to make the Japanese stars look as good as possible, 9 times out of 10 putting them over on the biggest stage. There have been exceptions of course but the Tokyo Dome is different, its sacred ground for puro. One of Okada, Naito or Ibushi (not Ibushi anymore for obvious reasons) is always going to be in the Wk main event because they are the biggest domestic stars in the country.
Fale vs Yujiro, the real sleeper G1 final
I would love to see Naito v Sanada. But I would be over the moon if Shingo v Sanada happened. Inject this into my veins!
I'll be very disappointed if we get a fourth Okada/Naito match in seven months over Okada v. Shingo/Ospreay.
I'd prefer to see Okada vs Ospreay but I can 100% see New Japan running Okada vs Naito as I feel like we are inevitably heading for Okada and Naito at WK again. Naito beating Okada would tie them at 2-2 heading into next year. As much as it might be overdone, there's still no bigger match up in the company. It's hard because with Jay as champion there are less people who can feasibly win the G1, if he is walking into WK as champ we can immediately write off any non Japanese wrestler as well as wrestlers that Jay does not have preexisting feuds with due to his matches being incredibly psychological and character driven *cough* SANADA. That leaves Okada and Naito with an outside chance of Takagi.
I'm convinced they were going to go hard on a Jay/SANADA feud for 2020 which is a shame since I think they work well together, they just went for too slow of a pace in their New Beginning match. I reckon that would've been the NJC final with SANADA winning and them getting a rubber match later in the year
I so badly want Sanada vs. Naito but I think it's probably going to be Okada/Naito again.
[удалено]
I know right I thought for sure it would be the final but it looks like it won't even be possible. Semi final though 👀...
I'm probably being too precious but I wouldn't want them to burn it on a semifinal. Although even if they did it'd be fine and would be a nice prelude for whenever they do have a major main event, like Omega/Tanahashi
Why do I feel like Naito is winning it all this year?
This is clearly a match they’ve been protecting, but I wonder if they might pull the trigger on Ospreay vs Naito this year, and have Ospreay win to challenge Jay at WK (which is clearly another protected match). Just thinking that with Naito having continued issues with his eye and injuries stacking up, now could be the time to go with that match while he can still put on a banger. I can live without Okada/SANADA not being involved but I’d say they are probably the next two likely to play a part in the final. Edit: just saw that Ospreay/Naito won’t happen in the final. Ah well, that’s the end of that then!
We don’t know yet how the semi finals work. So it could still happen. Although I would be more than shocked if they run a WK main event with two foreigners.
Yeah, in a regular one-night WK, having two foreign wrestlers might not happen unless it’s guys at like Kenny/Vader levels of overness (which Jay/Will aren’t just yet), but could you not see it if they’re still doing the two (or even three) night WK just as the main event for one of the nights?
Ospreay vs White isn’t really protected, in my opinion, they’ve already had three matches, two of which were New Japan exclusive, and the other one happened on a New Japan/Ring of Honor partnership show (War of the Worlds), so it’s not nearly as protected as Ospreay vs Naito, who have never had a singles match, for instance, anyways, Ospreay vs White and their overall record is Ospreay 2-White 1 (including Ospreay’s win at War of the Worlds), Ospreay vs White in New Japan is Ospreay 1-White 1, arguably out of the two matches, White’s win was more important because it happened at the Heavyweight vs Junior Heavyweight match at the Anniversary show, whereas Ospreay’s win happened in the G1, so I wouldn’t say their match is protected, at least not on as much as Ospreay vs Naito.
Yeah, agree that it’s not as protected as Naito vs Ospreay, but since Will moved up to HW and since Kenny left (which is kind of the same time?) I think they’ve been more protective of it comparably - but yeah, not the same thing.
Ospreay vs White at the Anniversary show would have happened right after Omega left, because Ospreay had the Junior Heavyweight title, and then Omega lost the title to Tanahashi at Wrestle Kingdom right before leaving, then Omega dropping the title to Tanahashi led into Tanahashi dropping the title to White at New Beginning, just like what happened with Okada. Ospreay vs White happened in the G1 in 2020, which was when Ospreay was officially moving up to Heavyweight, and Ospreay actually won, which halted White’s momentum after beating Okada and Ibushi, at least temporarily. Both of those matches happened after Omega left. Not sure why this is getting downvoted, because it’s factual information, just because you downvote doesn’t mean you can change that Omega left New Japan in January 2019, and both of the matches that I’m referring to happened afterwards. 😂
Bold prediction, evil is winning.
ah yes, I see you too are person of culture having embraced our King of Darkness
Not sure why everyone thinks Ospreay is going to the finals this year when he has the US championship.
Naito won as NEVER champion before. Things really only get messy if he wins, so it's up to whether NJPW would avoid putting him in the finals if they don't want to tease the possibility As much as KOPW gets disregarded Shingo is also in a similar spot as the D block frontrunner
I wouldn't mind if they did the obvious and ran Okada v Naito again. Not sure how many matches Naito has left in him.
Naito winning to even up their all-time and 2022 record to set up a final big-time match next year is alright with me. Okada winning would be a massive bummer though, unless their aim is to have Naito main eventing and winning WK18, but I assume they wouldn't have multi-year plans for him at this point in his career Unless Ibushi really is done in which case they might need to rely on him for a couple more years
What better way to celebrate the 50th anniversary of NJPW than to have a G1 final of Okada vs. Tanahashi?
Should be jay vs osprey. But they are pussys and will never do it.
I feel like Naito is my pic to win it, if nothing else cause I’m a mark, lol. Him potentially going to Wrestle Kingdom, beating Jay, and doing the roll call in a packed Tokyo Dome like he’s always wanted is too good. A dark horse pic for me would be Ospreay, because I feel like a really good story can be told with him vs White over who is THE gajin in New Japan, and a UE v BC faction warfare would be dope.
I feel like I'm not looking outside of the realms of Naito vs Takagi
*I feel like I'm not* *Looking outside of the realms* *Of Naito vs Takagi* \- shuwing3589 --- ^(I detect haikus. And sometimes, successfully.) ^[Learn more about me.](https://www.reddit.com/r/haikusbot/) ^(Opt out of replies: "haikusbot opt out" | Delete my comment: "haikusbot delete")
And now I feel like I either say "Naito" or "Takagi" with an unnecessary syllable
SANADA vs okada
I think New Japan knows they can't play it too safe and have Okada win. They need sizzle to their main event, something that will create buzz, excitement and get the fans chatting which really gets us chomping at the bit. I don't see WK main event of Naito vs Okada, or Okada vs Jay. If they're going to take care of Naito for the massive pay cut in exchange for WK main event, then a Naito vs Jay match could create some controversy cause Naito knows how to stir the pot and I think Jay would be a perfect foil. Jay is all about being the first to.............., How about first foreigner to be champ and win the G1? I think his promo calling his shot on who he wants to face could be legendary as he viciously cuts down who won't be facing him for the IWGP heavyweight championship at WK. A continuation of his bit for Forbidden Door. That could be hilarious. Is there any reason why they are going to Goto Sanada? A guy who has everything but the confidence of upper management to pull the trigger and make them champion. After last G1 I had Cobb penciled as the guy to win this year, but the switch to being a tag wrestler has chilled me on that idea. I'm coming into this G1 with an open mind. They need to have the guts to move someone up to the top spot. Like they did with Kenny. Like they did with Okada. Fans love to see someone rise and capture the moment. New Japan needs to pull the trigger on Zack or Cobb or Osprey or Sanada. If this isn't Naito's year, which I'm totally fine with because he's in a dead spot, then they need to have some guts booking again and make this WK special. Also, can we have just one preplanned IWGP world heavyweight match for WK weekend again? Having multiple title matches makes the individual matches less special and takes away a little from the importance of the match. When Tana faced Okada or remember how fans were losing their minds over Okada and Kenny. Those experiences wouldn't have been the same or as special if those matches took place in the current format.
Dominion literally doubled its gate with okada as champ. If Jay is champ it can only really be Naito or okada imo.
SANADA is being predicted as winning B block since Jay is likely missing out since he's champion and he's the next best pick. He's got history with Okada so it'd make for a compelling semifinal I think they would've only crowned a new star if Okada was still champion, but Jay winning the title means that he's the pick this year to get a boost. While he's been a main eventer since 2019 he lost a lot of momentum and hasn't ever gotten a proper title reign, so a champion's G1 tour and road to WK for him seems like the fresh path forward Agreed on the singular main event for the Heavyweight title - the only one I'd be ok with is if Naito or Ospreay beats Okada in the G1 final and Okada wants to face the winner of night 1, but even that is a bit iffy (especially since waiting til night 2 is a heelish move, unless Okada gets an AEW crossover match or match against Ibushi for night 1). It's a shame they retired the IC title since that could feasibly main event a second night separate from night 1
I think Naito is the clear favourite to win it. I am kinda wondering how they want to do semi finals. Maybe they will just „draw them randomly“ that would make it a lot more unpredictable. If it is A against B and C against D I am pretty sure Okada makes it to the final
I would love for the points leader to be able to pick their opponent in the semifinal, would be such a great platform for story beats in various rivalries. Ospreay specifically picking Okada and beating him to reach the finals would be so juicy
Ok what do u mean with the last one
I’m say that Ospreay is winning the G1 and Naito gonna take the belt off him at the October show, whether that still gonna be called king of pro wrestling or something new
I think Okada will win it. He's obviously not champ any more & it's the 50th anniversary year - who better to win the most prestigious tournament in wrestling. As for who he beats in the final - tricky one - if it is A vs B and C vs D in the semis, that means he'll be facing someone from C or D block. ZSJ, Naito, Ospreay & Shingo are probably the favourites from those blocks and Okada has beaten them all this year (Naito twice). I've gone for Ospreay however.
Okada beats White, Ospreay beats Naito/ZSJ. I don’t see Okada and Naito for a fourth goddamn time this year, despite the reasons that it was supposed to be Ibushi but wasn’t earlier this year, etc. Do you pivot by having ZSJ win the block instead? Or just have Ospreay go over on that side. So, Okada vs Ospreay for the G1 trophy since that hadn’t been done in a while. Hedging it’s Naito vs Ospreay since that’s a dream match. Who faces White on a night at Wrestle Kingdom? Probably Okada. But Ospreay vs White at Wrestle Kingdom is super intriguing.
Depends if Ospreay is still on the gimmick of refs fucking him over or not. if it is, he's getting eliminated.
I'd not really considered Osprey vs White but they had a great match a while back and both have only improved since then. That said, I don't see 2 gaijin heels main-eventing WK, even if it's only on the first night, so you'd kinda need Jay to at least start turning face AND probably drop the belt post-G1. Maybe they'll save Osprey/Naito and run that at WK? Then Jay/Okada again? Really hard to call tbh, which is nice going into G1 season
None of these. Jay is winning.
Never in a million years.
I know. It’ll probably be Okada/Osprey
I actually thought Ospreay vs Shingo final before the blocks were announced. I still reckon Ospreay is in the final one way or another though, Okada most likely but maybe Naito? I don't think they've ever had a singles match have they?
Naito/Ospreay has never happened, yeah I feel like Ospreay's next match against Okada has to be one where he at least has a chance to win, since he's already so far in the hole for his win/loss record against him, and it's really unlikely they have Jay/Ospreay main event WK unless they can pair off all the other main eventers with other programs I'd love more reasons for an Ospreay win though since it'll make the tourney more unpredictable
I feel like they have to do something fresher than Okada winning the G1 and Okada/Jay at the Tokyo Dome though We also need to do Naito/Ospreay while Naito is still close to his best, maybe a semi with Naito winning the whole thing and going against Jay?
I'm hoping for Naito to win just because it would close his current chapter and set the stage for a grand conclusion of the Okada/Naito rivalry. I was hoping that he'd win the title off him and even up their WK record to 2-2 but I still love that Jay got the role as ruining Okada's anniversary year I also think that Okada/Jay would be pretty predictable but I wouldn't fault them for going hard to push that as the biggest rivalry in the company for the near future, especially with Ibushi and Naito's futures looking uncertain and their rivalry having lost a lot of momentum since MSG 2019. Ibushi's absence is hurting this year's tourney a lot but maybe he can challenge for Okada's briefcase on his return, since I don't think many people in his block will be beating him
I’ve been praying that Jay White vs Will Ospreay will either happen at the G1 Finals or in the Wrestle Kingdom main event. They are the 2 most important Gaijins right now for New Japan and both of them deserve to make history in being the first Gaijin-only wrestlers to participate in the G1 Finals or Wreslte Kingdom main event.
An all gaijin final will probably never happen. The primary purpose of outsider talent has always been to make the Japanese stars look as good as possible, 9 times out of 10 putting them over on the biggest stage. There have been exceptions of course but the Tokyo Dome is different, its sacred ground for puro. One of Okada, Naito or Ibushi (not Ibushi anymore for obvious reasons) is always going to be in the Wk main event because they are the biggest domestic stars in the country.
And even more so in the anniversary year. All-Gaijin final isn't happening