9 HUGE NJPW Power Struggle Predictions You Need To Know
Chris Jericho makes his NJPW return on a card with huge Wrestle Kingdom ramifications.
Lost in the wrestling community to the unwelcome hype for WWE Crown Jewel, New Japan Pro Wrestling have assembled a Power Struggle card that has the potential to be one of the sleeper hits of the year.
The bumpy road to Wrestle Kingdom has levelled off over the past couple of months, rendering much of the product frustratingly predictable. But the measured expectations for a card that actually looks exceptional on paper have allowed some of the company's top midcard matches to sneak up on audiences.
The presence of Chris Jericho in the show's main event hasn't even been over-played this time. Jericho kicked off the rivalry with EVIL by refusing to acknowledge his presence on commentary following his shocking Dominion victory over Los Ingobernables de Japon leader Tetsuya Naito.
The Intercontinental Champion's Far East alter ego has been one of the highlights of the wrestling year but has stole most headlines in the process - the entire card has spoke loud enough for itself this time, with 'Y2J's face at the front the extra sales pitch rather than the lightning rod he's been thus far.
With only the World Tag League between here and the Tokyo Dome spectacular, Power Struggle could deliver some of the company's last great matches.
9. Soberano Jr, Volador Jr, Tiger Mask & Jushin Liger Vs Toa Henare, ACH, Chris Sabin & Ryusuke Taguchi
Taking the opportunity to build on some of the more exciting undercard moments from the 2018 Super Jr Tag League away from the final itself, this eight-man opener will at least provide the Power Struggle crowd the increasingly rare spectacle of seeing Jushin Liger and Tiger Mask interacting with yet more intriguing new opponents.
Chris Sabin and KUSHIDA were particularly impressive despite just losing out on a place in the final, with the former finding renewed form in the high intensity battles that made up the bulk of this year's tournament.
With little storyline emerging either side of this encounter, there seems no reason to not give the combined hooded crew (and Volador Jr) a chance for one last big win to capitalise on the League's critical acclaim, concluding an unexpectedly enjoyable end of the year for the rank-and-files of the Junior division.
Winners: Soberano Jr, Volador Jr, Tiger Mask & Jushin Liger