Wrestle Kingdom 14: Night 1 Predictions

New Japan Pro-Wrestling's blockbuster two-day Wrestle Kingdom is only a few days away. A first for the company's iconic Tokyo Dome show, Wrestle Kingdom 14 will not just take place on the January 4th, but the 5th as well with some intriguing matches lined up for both nights. Of particular interest is how NJPW will incorporate their foreign superstars from AEW and the double gold rush quest into the main events.

On one end Tetsuya Naito seeks to fulfill a grand dream to win the main event at the dome, in a contest where he's on the lowest rung of the totem pole. At the same time the involvement of Chris Jericho and Jon Moxley in big matches across the two nights, places into question how AEW may or may not get involved with NJPW.

Among all of this is the grand culmination of Jyushin Thunder Liger's retirement tour. The legendary masked Junior Heavyweight will have special exhibition matches on both nights, highlighting his history in the company and the influence he will be leaving behind.

Apart from this, there is a stacked card awaiting on night one with a Tag Team Championship challenge, the return of Hiromu Takahashi, and some fascinating faction wars even though that means wasting some top tier talents. Regardless, on both occasions, Wrestle Kingdom 14 promises to be a barn burner of a show.

To celebrate the two nights of Wrestle Kingdom 14 and its historic moments, let's see what the show might look like.

Stardom in the Dark

A historic night for Joshi Puroresu awaits

Special Stardom Match: Mayu Iwatani and Arisa Hoshiki vs. Giulia and Hana Kimura

With Bushi Road buying out Stardom Wrestling, it was only a matter of time that the company integrated the Joshi promotion into the NJPW product. Unfortunately for the two promotions, their differing TV deals mean that this historic contest won't get televised during the event. There's no sign of it being showcased on New Japan World or Stardom World services either.

Even then one can't deny the big deal this is, despite it being absolutely necessary in tradition and traction to keep the Joshi's separate from the main world of New Japan. The exposure in their insulated environment will allow Stardom to gain a new breed of fans and even more visibility, if consistently showcased on big shows such as this.

As for the match, it's quite predictable despite being a showcase. On one end of this tag team contest, there is the World of Stardom Champion Mayu Iwatani and Wonder of Stardom Champion Arisa Hoshiki. With one stacked end, the champions side has to come out the winner especially allowing Stardom's ace Iwatani a big roar of approval at the Tokyo Dome. She is after all the best female pro-wrestler going today.

Result: Mayu Iwatani with Arisa Hoshiki picks up the win for her team in this Stardom Exhibition Special

Pre Show: NJPW Dads vs. Young Lions

8 Man Tag Match: Great Bash Heel (Tomoaki Honma and Togi Makabe), Yuya Uemura and Yota Tsuji vs. Toa Henare, Alex Coughlin, Clark Connors, and Karl Fredricks

Despite a power-packed two days, there is no doubt that NJPW has a deep pool of wrestlers allowing for big pre-show contests. With the mentality to get everyone on the card and with a lack of day 1 title matches to fill spots, NJPW is pulling out the NJPW Dads and Japanese Young Lions against the International Young Lions for the pre-show.

With Toa Henare having been a bust in World Tag League while Fredricks gained real clout with the Young Lions Cup victory, it is the perfect time to have the International Young Lions go over huge. However, with Henare in limbo between the rookies and his persona, this has the potential for an intriguing storyline development.

The evolution of Henare has gone through his mentorship under Togi Makabe and with it the return of Tomoaki Honma, in the past year. A wrinkle could be the victory of the NJPW Dad's team of GBH to send Henare eventually spiraling against them or his partners, with this turn most likely for the New Years Dash rather than the pre-show, which will just prolong it.

Result: Togi Makabe takes the International rookies down in a somewhat plodding match to give the New Japan Dads the first win

Pre Show: Shallow Tag Ranks

Tencozy (Hiroyoshi Tenzan and Satoshi Kojima) vs. Yuji Nagata and Manabu Nakanishi

The second pre-show match for night one features a special tag team match, with the established team of Tencozy taking on the other half of the remaining New Japan Dads. Considering that the New Japan tag ranks are very low on quantity and quality, it is fair to assume that this match, despite its position, will hold importance for the coming shows or roadshows in the year.

Being the established tag team means Tencozy should do good as a mellow placeholder feud for the champions coming out of night one. Unfortunately not much is expected from the contest, which is most likely to plod along as the crowd files into the dome.

It's weird to consider that both pre-show matches, besides the heated presence of Young Lions, could end up a disappointing warm up for the crowd. Hiroyoshi Tenzan could act as the lynchpin of the match with the energy to go, however, not much else is expected for sure.

Result: Hiroyishi Tenzan picks up the pin as Tencozy wins the big tag team match

Liger Retirement Tour Part 1

The history of Liger revisited one last time

Special Eight Man Tag Match: Jyushin Thunder Liger, Tatsumi Fujinami, The Great Sasuke and Tiger Mask (with El Samurai) vs. Naoki Sano, Shinjiro Otani, Tatsuhito Takaiwa and Ryusuke Taguchi (with Kuniaki Kobayashi)/with Special Guest Referee Norio Honaga

The first of two final matches of the legendary career of Jyushin Thunder Liger. The matches feature tons of history, with iconic competitors on both ends encompassing great phases and rivalries of Liger's lengthy career. Ryusuke Taguchi provides a chance for the contest to feel respectable, while those outside the ring add to the whole festivity.

Liger has so far gone for a very traditional retirement tour with big matches and blockbuster rivalries, while pulling out his historic personas from Battle Liger to Kishin Liger. That traditional element also includes putting over his opponents on his way out. While night two features a battle against the Junior Heavyweight future of the division, night one is a perfect chance to give Liger a huge win.

This is a very special event for NJPW fans, celebrating 30 years of the greatest Junior Heavyweight career which began at the Tokyo Dome. Lots of eyes are on Wrestle Kingdom 14 for just this reason, with Liger able to go in more ways than one and Taguchi on the other end, a great match is possible. Look for some special moves and sequences from the other legends with an homage to Liger's history. The crowd is bound to end up in tears and cheers.

Result: Jyushin Thunder Liger gets the pin one final time at the Tokyo Dome for the win!

Faction Wars Part I

Is Suzuki-gun bound to become Sabre Gun?

Eight-man tag match: Los Ingobernables de Japon (EVIL, Sanada, Shingo Takagi, and Bushi) vs. Suzuki-gun (Minoru Suzuki, Taichi, Zack Sabre Jr. and El Desperado)

There are a lot of moving pieces in this one, primarily the fact that this is a showcase for night two's single match between Sanada and Zack Sabre, as well as the NEVER Openweight Six-Man Tag Title match. It is, however, unfortunate that New Japan couldn't balk tradition to give us special singles matches with such an array of talent, and that truly feels like a waste.

Even then the contest provides interesting combinations, particularly the heated confrontations between Shingo and Suzuki. With the leader of Suzuki-gun rumored to leave New Japan, this is a perfect opportunity to punctuate this rivalry. Having Shingo pick up a huge pinfall can lead to an eventual match against Suzuki at New Years Dash.

At the same time, the real eyes are on Sanada and Zack Sabre, as there is a huge singles match set for the two men to not only steal night two, but also stake their claim for the main event spot in New Japan going forth. The enigma in all of this is EVIL, with his increasing dissonance from LiJ, the elevation of Sanada is another reason to forget LiJ and make everything evil.

Result: Sanada gives Los ingobernables de Japon the big night one win taking the pin on El Desperado

Faction Wars Part II

Eight-man tag match: CHAOS (Hirooki Goto, Tomohiro Ishii, Toru Yano, and Yoshi-Hashi) vs. Bullet Club (Bad Luck Fale, Chase Owens, KENTA and Yujiro Takahashi)

Another faction match is the showcase for the NEVER Openweight and Six-man Tag Team Title matches on night two. The biggest disappointment from this is having to see Fale plod through another tag contest. With KENTA set to defend his championship on night two, he will also take it casually for sure. This leaves things up to Chase Owens and the CHAOS boys.

With another terrific year under New Japan, it's sad to see Tomohiro Ishii so poorly placed on the card in meaningless tag team matches. It's a terrible drop from last year's singles title showcase against Zack Sabre Jr. Still one can expect the 'Stone Pitbull' to carry the bulk load of this bout alongside Goto.

A huge upset for Bullet Club is the perfect way to go, as long as there aren't a lot of shenanigans set to take place. A win will boost Kenta's ego, including a post-match beat down giving Shibata the impetus to interfere and show up on night two in order to pop the crowd.

Result: Kenta smacks down Yoshi-Hashi for the cheap win for Bullet Club

A Thin Tag Team Division

NJPW needs to rethink its tag team division for the New Year

For the IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championships: Guerillas of Destiny (Tanga Loa and Tama Tonga) (c) vs. FinJuice (Juice Robinson and David Finlay)

With the NJPW tag team ranks severely depleted, the World Tag League pulled a miracle with FinJuice breaking the two-year streak of EVIL and Sanada. It allows some fresh blood in the tag ranks to contest the dominant runs of Guerillas of Destiny. This, however, doesn't seem destined for long with Finlay needed back in ROH and Juice looking at better things on night two.

While this might seem like the perfect opportunity to hotshot Juice and tease the fact that he could also end Wrestle Kingdom as a double champion, it is far more likely a way to pump both the Japanese and foreign crowds that love the ever-improving performer. With the Guerillas often bringing it on the big stage and a feisty 'FinJuice,' this one has the chance to steal night one's underwhelming undercard.

For Guerillas, this is the perfect chance to put a stamp of dominance of New Japan's tag ranks and demand fresh blood from elsewhere. A huge win at the dome has alluded the Tongan brothers from Bullet Club and this one is it. A hard-hitting battle from the babyface duo and Juice Robinson's eventual struggle will still result in a huge victory for the Guerillas of Destiny.

Result: Guerillas of Destiny hit the kill shot on David Finlay to win and retain the IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championship

From Texas, with Death

Texas Deathmatch for the IWGP United States Championship: Lance Archer (c) vs. Jon Moxley

This one's a tough nut to crack, particularly with the stipulation demanding that either man be knocked out for a ten count or submit to lose. While Jon Moxley never really lost the title, Lance Archer has been on a tear since the G1 Climax, and is deserving of a fruitful reign. The other wrinkle remains that Archer will have to play a big part in the future American expansion of New Japan, as well as a possible leaderless Suzuki Gun.

With a second match penciled in for night two against Juice Robinson, it seems a foregone conclusion to have Jon Moxley partake there as well. In a way New Japan can reset their US title scene, giving Juice the redemption his story built towards last year. Similarly, however, with Moxley not able to partake in US shows, this would mean having the title change multiple times.

It is time for the US Title to find a permanent and strong home, especially with the merger of New Japan's two big singles titles at Wrestle Kingdom 14. It's a huge gamble, yet strapping the rocket onto Lance Archer is the perfect step for this, despite his age. To save face, Suzuki-gun shenanigans can ruin Moxley's night at Tokyo Dome, but also leave the door open for a dream match on night two. Minoru Suzuki doesn't seem busy after all.

Result: With the help of Suzuki Gun, Lance Archer takes Jon Moxley down and wins to retain the IWGP United States Championship

Passing the Timebomb

For the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship: Will Ospreay (c) vs. Hiromu Takahashi

It seemed like Hiromu Takahashi would never return to the squared circle, and thankfully that ended up to be false. Hiromu's huge return last year has resulted in a blockbuster match against his friendly rival Will Ospreay. This is the perfect time for Hiromu to once again ascend to the top of the Juniors Division and become its Ace.

At the same time, the best wrestler of the year can move on from the Juniors, as he wanted to do early last year. Will Ospreay will pass on the torch to 'The Timebomb' in a thrilling contest. If the road to Tokyo dome showed us anything, then Hiromu has recovered and how. While one would wish the two dial it down, there's no doubt Hiromu's willing to throw himself headfirst to make this a blockbuster.

Undoubtedly the two juniors are more than set to steal the show. The beauty of this, regardless of the result or match itself, is the joy of seeing a passionate artist like Takahashi get to return to New Japan. Fans have won as have the competitors, who were all in unison praying last year for his recovery, and now their prayers have been answered.

Result: Hiromu Takahashi wins to become the NEW IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion!

Gold Rush: Naito Two Belts

A Switchblade stands in the way of Naito's Dream

For the IWGP Intercontinental Championship: Jay White (c)/with Gedo vs. Tetsuya Naito

The first of the gold rush matches that highlight the main event of Wrestle Kingdom 14 sees Jay White defend his Intercontinental Championship against Tetsuya Naito. While it's been an odd road for Naito to find himself in this contest, beating Taichi for a shot yet losing the G1 Climax and championship, it has still been his dream to win New Japan's two biggest titles.

This all relates to Naito's insistence to make sure he is the one and only winner of the main event of the dome show, a feat that has eluded him due to external factors over the past few years. For New Japan, the question arises if this is the perfect time to finally hammer onto Naito's story or whether that time has truly passed.

Despite Jay White as a perfect heel foil, Naito is guaranteed a win to boost night two and give us a blockbuster match against one of his two old rivals. Wrestle Kingdom 14 is about Naito's quest to become a double champion and a preliminary win will add to the heat of night two.

Result: Despite the interference, Tetsuya Naito perseveres to win and become the NEW IWGP Intercontinental Champion!

Gold Rush: Tokyo Dome Main Event

For the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship: Kazuchika Okada (c) vs. Kota Ibushi

The big one of night one allows Kota Ibushi to earn the vaunted main event of the dome show, now that he is full time with New Japan. 'The Golden Star' is hot at the moment, especially with the last year affirming his loyalty to New Japan. It would be pertinent to strike while the iron is hot, and a double championship challenge against Tetsuya Naito creates an intriguing drama.

Though Naito and Ibushi have given New Japan a hot rivalry and match of the year in 2019, can New Japan dare not to have 'The Rainmaker' in their big main event two years in a row? If Tetsuya Naito is to truly conquer his demons, he must go through Kazuchika Okada, crafting a complete trilogy of Wrestle Kingdom's events in the past half a decade.

Similarly it would save from having the title switch multiple hands even if Ibushi is a perfect man to carry the company on his broad shoulders with two titles. This will nonetheless be a blockbuster end to the first night, the two have solid chemistry and the match is so far under-seen, especially for such a big moment. This will prove to be a fresh battle to bring night one to a riveting close.

Result: Kazuchika Okada barely scrapes through Kota Ibushi for the win to retain the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship!

Edited by Michael McClead