I think this is a really underrated pairing, and Ospreay injuring SANADA last year, forcing him to vacate the US title, and then beating him again for it is what started the downward slump that lead to him ditching LIJ. Really hope it happens again.

9 comments

1. SANADA is yet to beat him too. 0-4 in G129, NJC 2021 and 2022, and the US title match (which is probably my favorite of the 4)

2. Glad I’m not the only one who thinks this

3. I think this is next for SANADA once he loses the World title. There’s a reason they haven’t gone back to it yet.

   It’s perfect because SANADA can have the reign he never had with it, and Ospreay is freed up to go after and once again become the World Champion by finally overcoming Okada at Wrestle Kingdom 19 in the main event.

   At least, I think and hope this is where it’s all going.

4. I agree.

   Sanada needs to beat Ospreay to crown himself as a full top guy imo.

   Same way Ospreay needs to beat Okada.

   I think this would be a great defense for sanada In between wk and I’d say ospreay would actually have a decent chance of winning
   (atleast more than alot of the inbetween g1 and wk opponents)

   I’m not sure how that match will happen is it possible they face in the quarters?

   Ospreay honestly has a decent claim to just challenge sanda tbf even without a win in the g1 over him

5. SANADA is always great against guys who are also super athletes, and will is good against pretty much anyone, so i agree

6. I’m all for it if it happens during the G1. I’m not for it if it’s just a transitional title shot, Ospreay is on a nice slow burn to the top right now and I think his next title shot needs to have him win it, even if that takes longer.

7. If not Naito, this is the WK main event

8. NJPW certainly thinks so too – I remember being very hyped for their likely meeting in the original NJC2020, which I thought would be SANADA’s breakout tournament. It’s a shame both that and this year’s NJC meeting between them didn’t happen

9. I think Kiyomiya wins the G1

   Okada eliminates SANADA in the Quarterfinals.

   Okada challenges & defeats SANADA in the fall.

   If that scenario comes to pass, I could see SANADA going in to WK to challenge for the US Title.