NJPW New Japan Cup 2017: Early Favourites To Win

As soon as the fever pitch from Wrestle Kingdom 11 died down, New Japan Pro Wrestling fans started looking towards the next major event on the company's yearly calendar. In March, NJPW will host a four-day, single-elimination tournament called the New Japan Cup. The winner will receive an IWGP Heavyweight Championship opportunity.

It doesn't get the same press as the G1 Climax, but it does provide some incredible moments. Most recently, Los Ingobernables leader Tetsuya Naito completed his journey to the very top of the company when he won the Cup in 2016. He went on to capture the richest prize in Japanese wrestling in a historic win over Okada.

Now 'The Rainmaker' is awaiting his next adversary. Could it be a former Cup winner making the charge once more through the tournament ranks? Could it be a long-time rival darkening his door in the hopes of taking his beloved title? Or could it be a new up-and-comer, putting themselves amongst the company's elite?

We don't have long to wait.

The LIJ enforcer Sanada is a dark horse to pull off a surprise victory at the New Japan Cup. This is down to the general consensus that the former TNA X-Division Champion is remaining a little too quiet for a man of his talents.

In the true spirit of tranquilo, Sanada has quietly backed up his faction leader Naito while other teammates seek glory in pursuit of singles championships. Currently a trios champion with Bushi and EVIL, Sanada can go in a one-on-one match as well as anyone on the roster as his stand out G1 has shown. Though he is young and nowhere near his ceiling as a competitor, NJPW could pull the trigger on creating a brand new star in their ranks by crowing Sanada 2017's Cup winner.