10 Early Predictions For NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 12

2. IWGP United States Championship - Kenny Omega (C) Vs. Kota Ibushi

Kenny Omega Dominion
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From the moment Kota Ibushi was announced for the 2017 G1 Climax, this match has seemed inevitable. Fans went from clamouring for Okada/Omega III to desperately wanting a singles clash between the former Golden☆Lovers. When the two were named in opposing G1 blocks, these calls intensified - what price Omega vs. Ibushi in the G1 Climax final?

Despite the hysteria, that match is unlikely to happen so soon. Omega is a potential winner of this year's tournament, but Ibushi's reluctance to become a full time talent is always going to work against him. Ibushi won't win the G1, but a big time singles match at Wrestle Kingdom 12 is now more likely.

Kenny Omega vs. Kota Ibushi is a match deserving of the biggest stage in wrestling. Wrestle Kingdom may not be watched by as many people as WrestleMania is, but the highlight of the New Japan calendar is fast becoming the most credible pro wrestling event of the year - Omega vs. Ibushi must happen on 4 January.

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Born in the middle of Wales in the middle of the 1980's, John can't quite remember when he started watching wrestling but he has a terrible feeling that Dino Bravo was involved. Now living in Prague, John spends most of his time trying to work out how Tomohiro Ishii still stands upright. His favourite wrestler of all time is Dean Malenko, but really it is Repo Man. He is the author of 'An Illustrated History of Slavic Misery', the best book about the Slavic people that you haven't yet read. You can get that and others from www.poshlostbooks.com.