Mozenrath
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Post by Mozenrath on Sept 30, 2020 4:46:26 GMT -5
Simple enough premise for a thread. After EVIL won the title in what was most certainly an upset, and arguably before when Jay White won it for the first time, we know that NJPW doesn't mind taking risks sometimes. So, who do you believe could win the title for the first time next that would be a first?
In all likelihood, it'd be Ibushi. Popular, talented, good-looking, and fully committed to NJPW, he just seems like the most likely candidate, especially as a reward for being a team player for last Wrestle Kingdom. If he isn't the man to defeat Naito, he will probably be the one to beat whoever dethroned Naito.
Barring Ibushi, Goto and Suzuki don't seem wildly outside the realm of possibility. Neither seem like men who would hold the title long if they did win it, but NJPW isn't afraid of "thank you" runs, so to speak, and either man would qualify as someone with plenty of credibility for a transition or a shakeup.
Juice Robinson is someone I could see possibly reaching the mountain top, but I can't see him doing it before either of these three men. Then again, I can't say I'd have guessed EVIL would leapfrog into one of the top heel spots in the company, either, so I can't be arrogant.
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clifford
King Koopa
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Post by clifford on Sept 30, 2020 4:51:01 GMT -5
It's whoever wins it first between Ibushi or (sigh) Ospreay. White is getting a proper reign with it in the next couple years too.
I think the 3 of them and Okada make up 90% of the heavyweight title reigns of the next few years, until Shota Umino gets his first reign. And he will be IWGP champion, I have zero doubts about that.
I don't see Juice, SANADA or Shingo (sad face) ever holding it. And I dunno if EVIL will ever get back there.
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4real
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Post by 4real on Sept 30, 2020 6:22:04 GMT -5
Has to be Ibushi you would think with Sanada 2nd.
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Post by toodarkmark on Sept 30, 2020 6:37:17 GMT -5
The fact Ibushi hasn't gotten it yet is weird to me. I'm not sure why he's not their top babyface, but I guess he's kind of in that Steamboat "top babyface but needs the right match to be world champion" spot.
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Mozenrath
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Post by Mozenrath on Sept 30, 2020 7:21:36 GMT -5
The fact Ibushi hasn't gotten it yet is weird to me. I'm not sure why he's not their top babyface, but I guess he's kind of in that Steamboat "top babyface but needs the right match to be world champion" spot. Before, it was because he didn't want to sign a full-time deal, and after he did, he did get pushed a lot but they wanted to pay off the Naito vs Okada story. He's definitely being treated as a top guy. |
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clifford
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Post by clifford on Sept 30, 2020 7:50:12 GMT -5
The fact Ibushi hasn't gotten it yet is weird to me. I'm not sure why he's not their top babyface, but I guess he's kind of in that Steamboat "top babyface but needs the right match to be world champion" spot. Since he committed full-time to NJPW he's won the IC title twice, won the tag titles, won a G1 and main evented a Wrestle Kingdom. So he's getting plenty from the promotion. But New Japan play the long game. The way they treat their heavyweight title and reigns means that just not that many people are going to get to hold it. Hell, look at Naito. He got hot and had that short reign in early 2016 and didn't regain the title til the start of 2020. Ibushi WILL be IWGP heavyweight champion at some point. It's all about just having to wait til the time is right. I really see it happening in 2021. I feel like this is Naito's last hurrah at the very top of the promotion and that Ibushi will be in the Naito role (top babyface, biggest support) once Naito's current run is over. |
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Post by Captain Stud Muffin (BLM) on Sept 30, 2020 8:00:07 GMT -5
The fact Ibushi hasn't gotten it yet is weird to me. I'm not sure why he's not their top babyface, but I guess he's kind of in that Steamboat "top babyface but needs the right match to be world champion" spot. Before, it was because he didn't want to sign a full-time deal, and after he did, he did get pushed a lot but they wanted to pay off the Naito vs Okada story. He's definitely being treated as a top guy. Yea, pretty much this. NJPW were right to never fully trust him without a signed contract. Since he has signed the contract they have def put it in the air he's going to win the IWGP HW title sooner then later But to answer the question, my answer is Ibushi. Outside of another out the box circumstance like what we got with EVIL, the only other person close enough to get their first crack is SANADA and he is just like Ibushi where he needs to sign a contract Will Ospreay in about another 2 years will be considered heavily. Despite his behavior, they don't seem to care and have invested in him big time |
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Crappler El 0 M
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Post by Crappler El 0 M on Sept 30, 2020 10:16:20 GMT -5
I would think Ibushi. I would give an outside shot for Ospreay, but think he's less likely than Ibushi to be the next new person to win it.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Sept 30, 2020 17:34:38 GMT -5
Ibushi is next, I'd put money on it. It might be a little while, though; potentially the New Japan Cup 2021?
I really hope Ospreay never gets it. Ideally New Japan releases him soon, but realistically he could just cap out at the IC title level.
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Post by Crow Dust on Sept 30, 2020 19:27:45 GMT -5
Should be KENTA but probably Ibushi
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chazraps
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Post by chazraps on Sept 30, 2020 19:50:51 GMT -5
Sanada then Ibushi.
And I say this as someone who called an EVIL title win.
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Post by Captain Stud Muffin (BLM) on Oct 1, 2020 14:53:33 GMT -5
Sanada then Ibushi. And I say this as someone who called an EVIL title win. Not until Sanada signs that contract |
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chazraps
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Post by chazraps on Oct 1, 2020 17:12:16 GMT -5
Sanada then Ibushi. And I say this as someone who called an EVIL title win. Not until Sanada signs that contract Of course, but I fully see Sanada signing that contract. |
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Allie Kitsune
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Post by Allie Kitsune on Oct 1, 2020 17:15:15 GMT -5
As much as I'm one of those dumb LIJ fans, I'm starting to think I want KENTA to get a reign.
He's rapidly been winning me over.
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Post by Captain Stud Muffin (BLM) on Oct 1, 2020 17:15:45 GMT -5
Not until Sanada signs that contract Of course, but I fully see Sanada signing that contract. For sure, at some point just a matter of when They no doubt trust him more then they did Ibushi to hold any other title tho sans the IWGP HW title until he puts pen to paper but I think it is coming soon |
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Allie Kitsune
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Post by Allie Kitsune on Oct 1, 2020 17:17:02 GMT -5
Should be KENTA but probably Ibushi And now I want a KENTA/Ibushi match where Ibushi goes into his "Vacant Eyed Killer" state, and KENTA just takes it all and fires back like the bitter-ass Terminator he's become. |
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Post by Duke Cameron on Oct 1, 2020 17:36:39 GMT -5
Ibushi and then Ospreay.
I’d love to see ZSJ win it but I don’t see that happening.
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Post by Crow Dust on Oct 1, 2020 19:14:32 GMT -5
Should be KENTA but probably Ibushi And now I want a KENTA/Ibushi match where Ibushi goes into his "Vacant Eyed Killer" state, and KENTA just takes it all and fires back like the bitter-ass Terminator he's become. KENTA catching a Kamigoye and hitting the GTS would be just perfect |
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Bad Moon
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Post by Bad Moon on Oct 2, 2020 6:42:00 GMT -5
I wonder if Ibushi secretly is like the Japanese Seth Rollins who embaresses himself and everyone listening to him whenever he opens his mouth, and I just somehow haven't noticed cause I don't speak Japanese.
Someone, anyone, please explain to me how Jay White and EVIL are IWGP champions and Ibushi is not. It's driving me insane the more I think about it.
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Post by AwamoriRock on Oct 2, 2020 7:17:19 GMT -5
I wonder if Ibushi secretly is like the Japanese Seth Rollins who embaresses himself and everyone listening to him whenever he opens his mouth, and I just somehow haven't noticed cause I don't speak Japanese. Someone, anyone, please explain to me how Jay White and EVIL are IWGP champions and Ibushi is not. It's driving me insane the more I think about it. He only officially signed with them relatively recently. NJPW usually prioritizes their own and don’t wanna put the title on a guy whose appearances they can’t control. |
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