4: Tetsuya Naito caps off an excellent 2016 by retaining the IWGP Intercontinental Championship
Early in 2016, New Japan Pro Wrestling got rocked by the sudden departures of Shinsuke Nakamura, AJ Styles, Karl Anderson and Doc Gallows. In response, they decided to elevate from within the company and one of the major beneficiaries of that decision was the leader of the Los Ingobernables de Japon – Tetsuya Naito.
Naito was always a good wrestler but his popularity has sky-rocketed this year – both domestically and abroad – as he’s led his boys against the men from CHAOS and the Bullet Club amongst others. Naito defeated Okada earlier on in the year to become IWGP Heavyweight Champion only to lose it back to him down the line.
Following his defeat to Naito at Dominion 6.19, he beat Michael Elgin to win the IWGP Intercontinental Championship. At Wrestle Kingdom 11, Naito will face one of the stalwarts of New Japan Pro Wrestling – Hiroshi Tanahashi – in what can be deemed as the semi-main event.
Tanahashi is a grizzled veteran and a former 5-time IWGP Heavyweight Champion who thrives on the big occasion but expect Naito to pull off the win when it matters and continue his ascent through 2017.
