Today is the first of October. This is a Tuesday, so this year has KOPW at its latest date possible. Earliest is the 8th, by the by. Until then we have untaped Road Tos (meaning we’ll never see Main Event Hartley Jackson, a greater crime then even booking Riddle) and Blue Justice, which should be a fun show as always but… well, it’s a one match show. So why not predict KOPW, and justify the predictions? There’s no answer, so let’s do that.
Match 1: Mistico vs Hiromu Takahashi
This is an INSANE match to kick a show off with. Mistico wins but don’t hold me to that, because I’m honestly not sure. If Mistico wins, he goes over Douki for the belt and drops to Hiromu at Dynasty, giving Hiromu a money match. That’s what I’m thinking.
Match 2: IWGP Jr Heavyweight Tag Team Championship Defence: War Dogs(c) vs Intergalactic Jet Setters
War Dogs. This match reeks of “Might as well run a defence since they missed the US show and Destruction”. War Dogs go over, heading into SJTL.
Match 3: IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championship Defence: TMDK(c) vs Caveman Ugg and Bad Luck Fale
I’m like… 90% sure they’re running this because Jake “It Easy” Lee fucked his leg so he can’t team with Kidd. TMDK win. Match is Fale’s best match in years but one that would be much better if he wasn’t in it.
Match 4: NEVER Openweight Championship Defence: Shingo Takagi(c) vs Ryohei Oiwa
Oiwa wins. Staking that now. He comes in hot, takes the belt off Shingo, establishing himself as a guy. Big push, a solid reign. Shingo might challenge the winner of the main at Power Struggle or something. But Oiwa wins the NEVER belt like I called in a discord voice call during the match. Got it down to the event and the champ.
Match 5: New Japan World TV Championship Defence: Jeff Cobb(c) vs Yota Tsuji vs Ren Narita
Narita does it. Considering this my call. I think he wins the TV belt. Can see him defending against Shibata at Wrestle Dynasty. Tsuji's earmarked for Stopping the Finley in my book, or at least definitely to working him. Souled Out is going to get a run with a belt, and I cannot be more excited. Mark my words, he’s in for a big push next year alongside the other three Reiwa Three Musketeers.
Match 6: Hiroshi Tanahashi, Shota Umino and El Phantasmo vs Evil, Yujiro Takahashi and Yoshinobu Kanemaru
This is a Tanahashi anniversary special. He’s not gonna do the job. Think Umino gets the win though. I think you’re all underrating him and how much the company sees in him. Thinking he’ll get a blowoff with EVIL on the road to the Dome.
Match 7: IWGP Jr Heavyweight Championship Defence: DOUKI(c) vs SHO
I mean, I said it in the Mistico match. In a match better then any of you will give them credit for, DOUKI retains against his brother in capital letters and belt kleptomaniac SHO.
Match 8: IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship Defence: David Finley Jr(c) vs Hirooki Goto
I desire Goto’s victory. Don’t think we’ll see it. Finley has another defence I’m much colder on than the rest of you. Tsuji working Drilla in the UK is definitely part of a build I feel for a match with Finley but I can see them not doing this at PS and holding it until the Dome. Tsuji vs Finley at WK is the best place to end his reign.
Match 9: IWGP World Heavyweight Championship Defence: Tetsuya Naito(c) vs Zack Sabre Jr
He does it. Zack Sabre Jr wins the belt. All things are good in the earth except British politics, where I suspect Zack’s passion for Corbyn didn’t pass to Starmer. I pop huge in the middle of a lecture on European Politics. Zack etches closer to taking Yano’s record of most singles match with Naito. Zack winning just feels like what they’re going for, especially with the SANADA match at RQ. Throw a defence at Power Stuggle probably, maybe XOver but not both, and then a big Dome event. Vs whom? Well, my three possibilities, from I want lead to I want most, are Shingo, Naito and Shota Umino. I’m telling you, it’s not Uminover. Gonna beat ZSJ at WK and Mox at WD to show he’s the man and you’re ALL wrong about him. Anyways, Zack does it and hopefully begins a new precedent of the old precedent that the G1 winner doesn’t always challenge at the Dome.
These are my predictions and while they are all opinion they’re also the objectively true future. Especially the Shota Umino stuff. But if you have any opinions on my opinions or objectify true futures of your own, I would love to hear them.
by SevenSulivin
