Top 10 Potential Wrestle Kingdom 15 Matches

With the road to New Japan Pro Wrestling’s Wrestle Kingdom 15 well and truly underway, there is still a lot that can happen in the next two months. With the G1 Climax at an end, there is still World Tag League and Best of Super Jr tournament to come. That is not even taking into consideration what else could happen from now until January 4^th.

However, with two days set for the Tokyo Dome, there is no question that New Japan will put on some stand out matches from all of our favourite wrestlers.

Here is a list of 10 potential matches we could see at the Tokyo Dome for Wrestle Kingdom 15.

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10. YOSHI-HASHI, Hirooki Goto & Tomohiro Ishii Gauntlet Match – NEVER Openweight 6-Man Championship

Is it ever a Wrestle Kingdom without a gauntlet match for the NEVER 6-man championships? It takes wrestlers from every faction and pitting them against each other. The last team standing becomes the NEVER 6-man title holders.

This match is always a great way to start the show because it is light-hearted and is a combination of quick and dynamic matches. It is also a way for more New Japan wrestlers to be showcased on a card which is extremely difficult to get on.

There is an endless number of possible teams we could see from the factions with both Jr’s and Heavyweights. Some of these include the Hontai/CHAOS team of Ryusuke Taguchi, Togi Makabe and Toru Yano. There is also the LIJ team of Shingo Takagi, BUSHI and SANADA and Bullet Club’s Yujiro Takahashi, Chase Owens and Bad Luck Fale.

With the CHAOS champions YOSHI-HASHI, Hirooki Goto and Tomohiro Ishii on a roll, they are strong contenders to retain the titles. The trio has been fighting champions and won’t lose those belts without a fight.

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9. El Desperado & Yoshinobu Kanemaru vs. Rocky Romero & Robbie Eagles – IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship

Many fans have seen the Jr tag division as one of the weakest in New Japan. In terms of talent, it is as good as any other. Yet, there is a lack of quantity in teams at the moment. However, throughout it all, Suzuki Gun’s Yoshinobu Kanemaru and El Desperado have stayed stable.

As a duo with one of the longest single reigns in the title history, they deserve a strong set of opponents for Wrestle Kingdom. If they get passed Hiromu Takahashi and BUSHI at Road to Power Struggle, it will be time for some fresh opponents.

CHAOS has always been known for strong Jr tag teams with Roppongi 3K, Roppongi Vice and Birds of Prey. However, with Beretta gone, YOH injured and Ospreay now part of the Empire, we seem to be lacking a tag team from the faction. However, it might be for a new team and who better than wrestling veterans Rocky Romero and Robbie Eagles? We know that Romero is a Jr tag legend with more reigns with the title than any wrestler. Also, Robbie dominating the wrestling scene in Australia and beyond.

This duo could cause problems for the experienced team of Kanemaru and Despy with a sense of the unknown from two skilled and diverse wrestlers. It would also be great to see both Rocky and Robbie on a big stage competing for a title because we have not seen that from both men in a long time.

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8. Dangerous Tekkers vs. Guerillas of Destiny – IWGP Tag Team Championship

Since winning the IWGP Heavyweight tag titles, Dangerous Tekkers have been out to raise the standard of the tag division. As a team, Zack Sabre Jr and TAICHI work effortlessly together and have some of the best tag team chemistry in the company, despite being a team for just under a year. They claim that nobody is worthy of their titles.

However, it seems like forever since we have last seen Tama Tonga and Tanga Loa as IWGP champions. They seem like the perfect opponents. With World Tag League on the horizon, it seems fitting that the Guerillas of Destiny make their return and win a spot at the Tokyo Dome. The duo has not had the best run at Wrestle Kingdom failing to successfully defend the titles they have won six times.

Although this match seems like the perfect example of your standard heel vs. heel match, all four men are extremely diverse athletes. There is the strength and power from Tanga Loa and TAICHI, the athleticism of Tama Tonga and submission prowess of ZSJ.

Fans could be treated to some fantastic wrestling combined with some sneaky style on the side.

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7. Taiji Ishimori vs. SHO – IWGP Jr Heavyweight Championship

With the Best of Super Jr announced for next month, who is going to challenge Taiji Ishimori for the IWGP Jr Heavyweight title? After their spectacular match at Jingu and the 2018 BoSJ final, many expect it to be Hiromu. However, there may be one other person that is vying for the title: Roppongi 3K’s SHO.

After having to relinquish the Jr tag titles, now seems like the perfect time for SHO to make his mark as a singles competitor. What better way than by defeating Taiji Ishimori.

Ishimori and SHO are the perfect examples of the new generation of Jr Heavyweights who have attributes of a Heavyweight. Both are extremely fast, agile and are not scared to go high-risk. They are also both well built and can use their strength to dominate their opponent regardless of weight class.

The two men have also had a history Japan whether in the Best of Super Jr or fighting over the Jr tag titles. Looking at the record, Ishimori is more successful in singles. But SHO had the advantage in the tag division. This match could be a stand-out match between two hybrid Jr Heavyweights.

• Tetsuya Naito
• new japan pro wrestling
• kota ibushi
• Wrestle Kingdom

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