1 EVIL/SANADA
- i know, i know. This isn't everyone's favorite pick, but i do think it's a strong possibility that one of these men walk away with the win, as both men have the most history with our IWGP World Heavyweight champion. It would bridge the story from the main event of WK18 and wrap up the story of the 3 former friends as whoever doesn't win it, would still be involved in the story leading up to the event with a triple threat being possible. EVIL is also in a storyline with President Tana, and that could play into the overall story of WK19 and the story moving forward.
2 Shingo Takagi
There's not much to say here other than the fact that LIJ is hot with the crowd; Shingo is hot with the crowd, and it's one of the few “big money” matches that NJPW could pull to help draw fans into buying a ticket for WK19. If shingo does win the title, he could be the goal to overcome for the new generation, while allowing Naito to rest up.
3 Yuya Uemura
- the generational rival of Yota Tsuji, giving him the G1 win the same year that Yota won the NJC would make sense. His besting Naito for the belt is a big risk but would help 2025 start off hot as it would allow Yota and Yuya to reignite their feud, as Yota would be looking to get the title that his stable member lost.
4 Shota Umino
- cementing his place as the “ace” of the company. Ren Narita, Yuya Uemura, and Yota Tsuji have all won something “first” (Yuya won the first singles title, Yota won the first tournament, and Ren was the first man of the new generation to win a title), so it would make sense for Shota to win and stay on track with the rest of the R3M+Y
5 OTHER
What other possible winners actually have a story going in to WK19? Let me know in the comments.
by Emerald_Wave1
