9 HUGE NJPW Power Struggle Predictions You Need To Know

4. Taichi Vs Hirooki Goto

Power Struggle
NJPW

As New Japan Pro Wrestling's current king of banter, Taichi may dodge losing his NEVER Title in his first defence thanks to the injury suffered by planned opponent Will Ospreay.

It was Goto that fell to the miming maestro earlier this year, having suffered the onslaught of all of Taichi's Suzuki-gun's run-in buddies. He can afford to lay down again, even if it means the trouser-tearer will somehow make his way to the Tokyo Dome for an unlikely spotlighted position at Wrestle Kingdom.

If anything, Hirooki Goto could unlock a genuinely decent match from the Champion when he needs one most. Taichi get only get by on gimmick alone for so long. There are currently more dangerous and devious heels elsewhere on the roster with Jay White and the BC OGs running rampant on those at the very top of the card. If this match over-delivers on low expectations, Taichi might yet prove his worth on a stage so grand.

Winner: Taichi

Contributor
Contributor

Michael is a writer, editor, podcaster and presenter for WhatCulture Wrestling, and has been with the organisation nearly 8 years. He primarily produces written, audio and video content on WWE and AEW, but also provides knowledge and insights on all aspects of the wrestling industry thanks to a passion for it dating back over 35 years. As one third of "The Dadley Boyz" Michael has contributed to the huge rise in popularity of the WhatCulture Wrestling Podcast and its accompanying YouTube channel, earning it top spot in the UK's wrestling podcast charts with well over 62,000,000 total downloads. He has been featured as a wrestling analyst for the Tampa Bay Times, GRAPPL, GCP, Poisonrana and Sports Guys Talking Wrestling, and has covered milestone events in New York, Dallas, Las Vegas, Philadelphia, London and Cardiff. Michael's background in media stretches beyond wrestling coverage, with a degree in Journalism from the University Of Sunderland (2:1) and a series of published articles in sports, music and culture magazines The Crack, A Love Supreme and Pilot. When not offering his voice up for daily wrestling podcasts, he can be found losing it singing far too loud watching his favourite bands play live. Follow him on X/Twitter - @MichaelHamflett