12 Biggest Stories From New Japan's Power Struggle And What They Mean Going Forward
A new champion crowned, Jericho clashes with Naito again, Okada pursues Jay White, and more.
On Saturday, 3 November, New Japan Pro Wrestling held their eighth annual Power Struggle event in Osaka. The show is the last major stop on the road to January's Wrestle Kingdom 13 - the promotion's biggest annual show, held every 4 January. Saturday's event featured three championship matches and the exciting conclusion of the month-long Super Junior Tag League tournament.
Power Struggle also saw heated rivals battle in wild brawls around the arena in preparation for future meetings at the Tokyo Dome in January. Kenny Omega and Hiroshi Tanahashi came face-to-face as they prepare to main event the Wrestle Kingdom show. Meanwhile, Kazuchika Okada was out for revenge on Jay White and the Bullet Club. In the night's final bout, Chris Jericho defended his Intercontinental title against EVIL but found himself focused on a past rival by the night's end.
Following Saturday's event, NJPW officials formally announced many of the marquee matches for Wrestle Kingdom during a press conference on Monday. Join us as we look at what exactly happened at Power Struggle and how it sets the stage for January's Wrestle Kingdom.
12. Will Ospreay Injured And Out Of Championship Match
— ウィル・オスプレイ (@WillOspreay) September 16, 2018
Will Ospreay was seemingly set for a marquee match at the upcoming Wrestle Kingdom 13 event. Unfortunately, before Power Struggle or even its Road To shows could take place, Ospreay suffered an injury during a match in the UK. Gone was his opportunity at Taichi’s NEVER Openweight Championship, and former champion and fellow Chaos stablemate Hirooki Goto was chosen to take Ospreay’s place against Taichi.
Furthermore, it was speculated and assumed by many that Power Struggle would see the UK high-flyer take the NEVER belt en route to a match with Kota Ibushi at Wrestle Kingdom. Ospreay had been calling out the Golden Star for the past few months, and while initially reluctant to answer the call, Ibushi was likely to accept the challenge for the Tokyo Dome.
Now, with Ospreay currently sidelined, those plans have been derailed. If he can return in time for 4 January, the match with Ibushi may still take place - though likely not for the NEVER title. Hirooki Goto did state after Power Struggle that the UK star should receive the next shot at the belt. If Ospreay can return in time for Wrestle Kingdom, perhaps he'll face Goto instead, delaying the inevitable meeting with Ibushi.