10 Big Predictions For NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 11

7. A Dream Start For The American Nightmare

Wrestle Kingdom 11 1
ROH

Cody Rhodes has worked for almost every company that matters since leaving WWE, and on January 4th, he’ll finally make his NJPW debut. The company aired a stellar promo package during December’s World Tag League finals to hype The American Nightmare’s long-awaited arrival, and he’ll debut at Wrestle Kingdom 11 as part of the Bullet Club.

This is the show’s most predictable match, and Cody’s debut will almost certainly end in victory, particularly if the quality of his promo package is anything to go by. There were rumours that NJPW would thrust him into a program with Katsuyori Shibata late last year, and if that’s the plan, the company need to him to look strong at the Tokyo Dome. Expect a relatively short match, with Cody walking out a convincing winner.

NXT fans will recognise Juice Robertson as the former CJ Parker. The Young Lion has had a tremendous year in Japan, and when 2016 finally draws to a close, he deserves to be mentioned as one of the year’s most improved wrestlers. He’s a brash, charismatic wrestler who excels at selling, and never fails to make his opponents look like a million bucks. Juice will likely fall to defeat here, but he’ll look excellent in the process.

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Andy has been with WhatCulture for eight years and is currently WhatCulture's Wrestling Channel Manager. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.