10 HUGE NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 12 Predictions You Need To Know
4. Takahashi Survives The Scramble
There's a lot going on in this IWGP Junior Heavyweight Title bout.
Current champion Marty Scurll stole a pinfall victory over Will Ospreay, the former title-holder, at King Of Pro-Wrestling. 'The Aerial Assassin's' shoulder was up, but a WWE-style finish saw 'The Villain' get, well, villainous, thus writing the latest chapter in their years-long feud. KUSHIDA, meanwhile, is the division's former ace and a constant presence in the title hunt, while Hiromu Takahashi looked like his apparent heir at the start of 2017, but has since fallen off.
If you're a fan of flips, dives, and big spots, this is the match for you. Hiromu and Ospreay are complete maniacs with little regard for their own safety in such scenarios. Scurll and KUSHIDA's styles are more grounded, but both will gladly throw themselves around in an adrenaline-fuelled spotfest, which is exactly what this match will be.
Don't expect a psychological masterclass - you'll need to wait for the last three matches for that. Instead, get ready for the kind of all-out blitzkrieg synonymous with the lighter weight classes, with Takahashi taking the victory, re-positioning him as the division's alpha.
Winner: Hiromu Takahashi