'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
#4 SANADA as NJPW's King
SANADA has been one of the more overlooked members of Los Ingobernables de Japon and the NJPW roster overall. LIJ has seen a major shift as of late with EVIL turning his back on the stable, joining Bullet Club and defeating the leader of the group, Tetsuya Naito, to become the IWGP Heavyweight and Intercontinental Champion at Dominion.
Going into the New Japan Cup 2020, which EVIL won, SANADA was considered one of the favorites to win, having lost in the finals in 2019. The Cold Skull had one of his most successful years yet with his biggest career win over Kazuchika Okada in the NJPW G1 Climax 29 last August. His momentum has slowed in 2020, but a win to become the inaugural KOPW 2020 would definitely turn things around for the former IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Champion.
Widely considered one of the most versatile performers on the NJPW roster, SANADA has been one big victory away from reaching his full potential for the past few years. He has seen success in the tag team division with former partner, EVIL, but has yet to win singles gold in NJPW.
Although the IWGP tag team gold seems out of his reach for now, the introduction of this new title gives SANADA another achievement to strive for in New Japan. A skilled wrestler such as SANADA would become a star with a KOPW 2020 win elevating his profile, which should be the goal of a new title like this.
SANADA's so-so 2020 in NJPW and questionable contract status leaves him lower on this list than he would have probably been if the title was introduced earlier this year. There are just other performers who have more momentum going for them to become the inaugural champion.
Do you love to play crosswords, Wordle or other exciting games? We'd like to connect with you. Fill the form here!
