5 Possible Future IWGP World Heavyweight Title Challengers

The IWGP Heavyweight Championship is the most prestige title in all of wrestling. Since Hiroshi Tanahashi defeated Satoshi Kojima back at Wrestle Kingdom V on Jan 4th, 2011, only five men have held the championship; Tanahashi, Kazuchika Okada, AJ Styles, Tetsuya Naito and current champion - Kenny Omega. Five of the best today, and men who will undoubtedly be among the greatest of all time.

To just get a shot at the IWGP Heavyweight Championship is an achievement. Tomohiro Ishii, who has been with New Japan regularly since 2006, has only received two IWGP Heavyweight Title shots in his entire career.

The title is defended roughly 7-8 times a year; each defence is a major occasion.

New Japan is on the cusp of a new era, with young wrestlers emerging and others looking to assert their place at the top. Here are five wrestlers who have never received an IWGP Heavyweight title but may do so soon.

#1 Jay White

White joined the Bullet Club OG at King of Pro Wrestling

'Switchblade’s’ career trajectory is almost identical to Kazuchika Okada’s six years ago

A 24-year old Okada shocked fans in 2012 when he defeated Hiroshi Tanahashi to win his first IWGP Heavyweight title at The New Beginning 2012. Similarly, Jay White surprised fans when he beat Kenny Omega to win the IWGP United States Championship at The New Beginning 2018.

After returning from his excursion, Okada aligned himself with Chaos in 2012. When White joined Chaos earlier this year, Okada had become the boss of the group.

Both impressed in their debut G1 Climax tournaments. White finished third in Block B this year. Okada did one better in his first G1; he won the whole thing.

Most crucially, ‘Switchblade’ now has Gedo by his side - as Okada did. The wrestling world was stunned when Gedo betrayed Okada to side with White. Clearly, Gedo sees the same potential in White that he saw in The Rainmaker.

At King of Pro Wrestling earlier this week, White cut ties with Chaos completely when he, Gedo and Jado switched to the Bullet Club OG. ‘Switchblade’ looks set for a showdown with his former boss.

It’s inevitable that White will get an IWGP Heavyweight Title shot in 2019 and perhaps like ‘The Rainmaker’ previously, White will seize his opportunity and take the throne.

#2 Hangman Page

2018 has been a breakout year for Page. He impressed in his first G1 Climax, and he won an insane street fight against independent star Joey Janela at All In. Page has broken free of his label as “The Young Bucks and Cody’s friend”, he’s his own man.

Page is a former Ring of Honor (ROH) Six-Man Tag Team Champion, but he’s yet to claim any solo gold. Hangman’s only singles title match in an NJPW ring was against Jay White for the IWGP United States Championship at Strong Style Evolved in March of this year.

Hangman should focus on winning a singles titles in his home promotion, ROH. Winning the ROH World Championship boosted Cody’s profile in NJPW, allowing him to challenge for the IWGP Heavyweight Title on three occasions.

The road to an IWGP Heavyweight Title shot is a long one; Hangman must put in the miles before he can get his chance.

#3 Tama Tonga

Tonga has competed in three G1 Climax tournaments

Tonga has been with NJPW since 2010 but has never challenged for a singles title.

Instead, Tonga has focused on procuring tag team gold. Tonga is currently is a double tag-team champion, holding the IWGP Tag Team Titles with his Guerrillas of Destiny partner, Tanga Loa and the NEVER Openweight Six-Man straps with Loa and Bullet Club OG teammate Taiji Ishimori.

Having successfully conquered the world of tag team wrestling, many ponder why Tonga hasn’t gone for solo glory. Simply because he’s not interested in it.

Tonga has always been about putting the group first over individual glory. He and Bad Luck Fale were not interested in winning this year’s G1, most of their bouts were DQ losses. Both men wanted to cause havoc and send a message.

With Jay White set to be the new ‘ace’ for Bullet Club OG, Tonga seems content to hang back and let the youngster shine.

#4 Michael Elgin

Elgin has won numerous titles in his career

Elgin debuted with NJPW at the 2015 G1 Climax. Since then, ‘Big Mike’ has racked up wins over name opponents, won titles, but has yet to receive an IWGP Heavyweight Title shot.

One of Elgin’s most significant wins was over current IWGP Heavyweight Champion Kenny Omega. Elgin defeated Omega to win the Intercontinental title in NJPW’s first ever ladder match.

However, Elgin has a hit a bit of a slump this year. A seven-day NEVER Openweight Title run was followed by a lacklustre run in the G1.

He did rebound recently, winning the CMLL Grand Prix on October 6th.

‘Big Mike’ will need to rack up a few more big wins before he can claim a shot at the richest prize in the game.

#5 Will Ospreay

Ospreay challenged for the ROH Championship recently

The two-time IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion has been rubbing shoulders with the big boys recently.

Ospreay teamed up with fellow Chaos member Tomohiro Ishii to take on The Golden Lovers – Kenny Omega and Kota Ibushi in a match last month that had people raving. ‘The Aerial Assassin’ performed admirably amongst three of the top heavyweights. Ospreay also tangled with Kazuchika Okada at the Anniversary show in February in another classic match.

At King of Pro Wrestling, Ospreay pinned NEVER Openweight Champion Taichi in a six-man tag. He will challenge for Taichi’s title at Power Struggle 2018 on November 3rd.

Whether this is a permanent promotion or not remains to be seen. Junior heavyweights can challenge for the NEVER Championship, but it’s been years since a junior has tried - and only heavyweights have lifted the belt.

Ospreay has the talent create as big of an impact as Kenny Omega did in his first year as a heavyweight – ‘The Best Bout Machine’ won the IWGP Intercontinental Title and the G1 Climax that year.

2019 could be Ospreay’s time to shoot to the top.