NJPW Summer Struggle In Jingu Preview

Match Four: IWGP Jr Heavyweight Championship – Hiromu Takahashi vs. Taiji Ishimori

The feud between the Bullet Club and Los Ingobernables de Japon is hotter than ever at the moment. So, this match pitting Hiromu and Ishimori, who are considered two of the best Jr Heavyweights in the company, will definitely be a match worth watching.

Both Hiromu and Ishimori are more similar than many fans would initially think. It’s these similarities that cement their places at the top of their respective division. Although they have very different mentalities in the ring, in terms of abilities, they are very similar.

When you watch either man in the ring, it is nothing short of amazing. They are both the epitome of Jr Heavyweight wrestling utilising their speed, athleticism and risk-taking to beat their opponents. The only significant difference is Hiromu’s emphasis on recklessness and Ishimori’s submission ability which we don’t see much from the Ticking Time Bomb.

With both men being as talented as each other, it might be their willingness to break the rules that will give one the advantage. However, after their match during the finals of the 2018 Best of the Super Junior, many fans are expecting another 5* match from the two.

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Match Five: IWGP Heavyweight Tag Championship – Dangerous Tekkers vs. Golden Ace

It seems like the teams of Dangerous Tekkers (TAICHI and Zack Sabre Jr) and Golden Ace (Hiroshi Tanahashi and Kota Ibushi) can’t stay away from each other in the fight for the IWGP Heavyweight tag titles.

Both teams are as different as humanly possible from their wrestling styles to personalities. Dangerous Tekkers have a mixture of strength and submission skills with a willingness to break the rules. Tanahashi and Ibushi are the golden boys of New Japan with a Lion’s Pride mixed in with a high-flying Jr/Heavyweight hybrid style.

This match is also very personal. With TAICHI and Zack trying to prove that Tanahashi is no longer fit for the peaks of New Japan, they’ve made it no secret that they want to end his career.

There is also an added factor in this match concerning Kota Ibushi’s loyalty to The Ace. We saw during the last few shows that the Suzuki Gun members were trying to tempt Ibushi to the dark side. Although he refused each time, it seemed as if the invitation was ever more inviting to the Golden Star. It will be interesting to see if this plays a part in the match.

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Match Six: IWGP Heavyweight and IWGP Intercontinental Double Championship – EVIL vs. Tetsuya Naito

In a rematch from Dominion, Los Ingobernables de Japon leader Tetsuya Naito is out to regain both titles he lost to his former faction mate over a month ago.

EVIL already has one successful defence against LIJ’s Hiromu Takahashi. In this match, EVIL’s proved his willingness to break the rules and the presence of Dick Togo and the other members of Bullet Club will put Naito at a disadvantage.

However, Naito won’t let this get in the way of his destiny. He will have to use his speed, athleticism and unpredictability to beat the much larger and stronger EVIL with no morals. Naito might have to let out the Ungovernable One and sink to his opponents level to make it an even playing field. There will be nothing Naito won’t do to get back the titles he worked so hard to win in the first place.

On top of all that, this match will have more significance to Naito. 21 years ago, a young Tetsuya Naito attended the last New Japan show at Jingu in 1999. Now the cards are turned with him taking centre stage. Will this be enough to spur on the Ungovernable One? Or will EVIL’s tactics ruin a possible fairy tale ending?

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• Tetsuya Naito
• summer struggle
• EVIL
• NJPW

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