Ranking The 10 Biggest Wrestling Matches Coming In September
9. Kushida Vs. Bushi (New Japan)
At the G1 Special in San Francisco, Hiromu Takahashi suffered a severe neck injury in his match with Dragon Lee. His immediate future was unclear to fans throughout the entire G1 tournament, and all they knew was that he was still recovering in hospital. With the announcement of New Japan's Destruction tour, the company formally stripped Takahashi of the IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Championship, as they expect him to be out for at least six months.
With the title vacant, the company also announced a four-man tournament (comprising of the last four men to hold the title aside from Hiromu) which will culminate at October's King of Pro Wrestling. The first semifinal pits old rivals Kushida, the former ace of the Junior division, and Bushi, Hiromu's stablemate in Los Ingobernables De Japon.
This match is set for the 23rd at Desturction in Bepu. Obviously, this match will be great in-ring, as Kushida is one of the best in the company, and Bushi's no slouch. However, the real intrigue going into this one is to see if New Japan will give Bushi, who as of late has been the guy in LIJ to eat pins, a sympathy push to avenge the fallen Hiromu. Or, conversely, they could tell the story of Kushida's redemption as he climbs back to the top of the Junior division.
Either way, it'll be one to watch with interest.