10 Best Things Happening In Wrestling Right Now (November 2018)
2. The Road To Wrestle Kingdom 13
New Japan’s World Tag League tour is a welcome break for tired fans who’ve been following the promotion all year. Its dry nature gives diehards a chance to relax, knowing there’s no need to pay attention to every small detail, but its conclusion signifies the start of one of the company’s more exciting periods: the road to Wrestle Kingdom.
To the surprise of precisely nobody, the 4 January card is absolutely stacked. Hiroshi Tanahashi and Kenny Omega will battle for the company’s very soul in the night’s main event, with both keen to impart their own genius brand of wrestling on New Japan’s future. Then there’s drunk Chris Jericho vs. Tetsuya Naito for the Intercontinental Title, down-and-out Kazuchika Okada vs. Bullet Club’s Jay White, KUSHIDA vs. Taiji Ishimori, and a blazing clash of styles when Tomohiro Ishii faces Zack Sabre Jr.
Rumour has it that a first-time showdown between Kota Ibushi and Will Ospreay may soon make it onto the card as well. That sounds bananas, and while each of these bouts will deliver on the star-rating front, and many have stories stretching back years, the final narratives will really start taking shape with the Tag League final on 9 December.
Bring it on.