10 Times The Wrong Wrestler Won
7. Shinsuke Nakamura Over Hirooki Goto (Destruction 2015)
In 2008, Hirooki Goto returned from excursion to win the G1 Climax in his first attempt. He wowed crowds with his impressive offence and intensity and it seemed like only a matter of time before he joined the likes of Hiroshi Tanahashi as a leading star of the promotion.
Fast forward 11 years and Goto is yet to hold the IWGP Heavyweight Championship, and has failed to claim it eight times now. While still a popular performer, it is safe to say fans have lost faith in Goto as a main eventer. In 2015, a change appeared to be on the way when he bested Shinsuke Nakamura for the IWGP Intercontinental Championship. Goto announced his intention to hold it with the IWGP Heavyweight Championship and beat heavyweight champ Kazuchika Okada during the G1 Climax to cement his claim to a title for title match.
Sadly, once the G1 was over, Goto feuded with Nakamura once again and lost the white belt back to him. Goto has since been demoted to the NEVER Openweight title scene and has not challenged for the heavyweight title in almost four years. Nakamura left New Japan a few months after his title victory over Goto. He cited his entrapment in the Intercontinental division despite his immense popularity as a primary reason for his departure and he vacated the title in the process.
Having Nakamura win and prevent either man from moving up the card was a damaging blow to Goto and ultimately to New Japan itself as they never got to pull the trigger on the long awaited Nakamura vs. Okada feud either.