10 Major Predictions For NJPW Dominion 2018

6. Hiroshi Tanahashi & Rey Mysterio & Jushin Liger Vs. The Bullet Club

Tetsuya Naito Chris Jericho
NJPW1972.com

This is a dark horse for the midcard show-stealer. It has so much going for it; really, only the lack of stakes and the attention/mental stamina required elsewhere steal focus away from it.

On one side of the ring stand, as this is no exaggeration, three of the purest and most talented babyface performers in the worldwide history of professional wrestling. Tanahashi, Mysterio and Liger have passed their physical peak, but this is a match that does not require major physical stamina - only a series of electrifying, uplifting, all-action cameos sequenced together through the immaculate selling and storytelling with which their legends were forged.

On the other stand three prominent members of wrestling's preeminent heel faction, all of whom are over and talented enough themselves to generate heat regardless of the legends on the receiving end of their d*ckheaded tactics. The dynamic, the multi-man tag format, the personnel, the novelty of Rey Mysterio's long-awaited return - woe betide the match that follows. If any match is going to break NJPW's near-perfect card-sequencing formula, it is this.

Prediction: A win for the babyface tandem may not serve to set up Rey's first NJPW singles match in years, but just look at that babyface triumvirate.

How can you not throw your support behind them?

Contributor
Contributor

Michael Sidgwick is an editor, writer and podcaster for WhatCulture Wrestling. With over seven years of experience in wrestling analysis, Michael was published in the influential institution that was Power Slam magazine, and specialises in providing insights into All Elite Wrestling - so much so that he wrote a book about the subject. You can order Becoming All Elite: The Rise Of AEW on Amazon. Possessing a deep knowledge also of WWE, WCW, ECW and New Japan Pro Wrestling, Michael’s work has been publicly praised by former AEW World Champions Kenny Omega and MJF, and current Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes. When he isn’t putting your finger on why things are the way they are in the endlessly fascinating world of professional wrestling, Michael wraps his own around a hand grinder to explore the world of specialty coffee. Follow Michael on X (formerly known as Twitter) @MSidgwick for more!