Since it’s essentially a forgone conclusion that he drops the title to Naito in the Dome. How do we feel about Sanada’s title reign?
I personally was happy they finally pulled the trigger on him and had him win the big one, and he had some solid defenses before the G1, but after the G1 it all went downhill.
12 comments
Hunky.
I mean after the G1 he went on a 2 months feud with HoT, can’t really blame the guy.
Overall I really like this new SANADA, I wasn’t a fan of LIJ SANADA but since his match with Taichi in the Cup I really started to enjoy him. Honestly I would actually like if he manage to retain against Naito.
Foregone conclusion? I wouldn’t be so sure about that. Sanada has one of the best chances to retain since Okada in 2018.
One of my favs since he came into NJ. I’m beyond happy that he’s having a run. Naito should win since he’s on his last legs, but I wouldn’t mind if Sanada retains.
i mean i could see him retaining tbh
I love SANADA. I’m hopeful that this is isnt his only shot at the top, had he won the belt whilst still in LIJ like Shingo did i wouldnt be so sure. Plus they are very clearly focusing on getting fresh faces in the main event scene. The reign itself has been a mixed bag. He’s still settling into the main event role and it’s showed. The defenses themselves i’ve mostly enjoyed, i like the through line of all of them minus Jungle Boy being guys linked to either himself or LIJ. However, i think he’s lacked a true signature defense. They’ve all just been pretty decent minus the aforementioned Jungle Boy match. Another thing that i think has hampered things a bit is the lack of a true heel foil up until recently. Say what you will about HoT and EVIL but they did their jobs. Still, overall the most excited i’ve been for a reign in quite a while
I’m actually rooting for SANADA to win because I wanna see him beat an actual threat in his former leader. That the change he made is the right move. And with the seemingly theme of NJPW this year being “change”, I think it’s appropriate that he’s the champ for next year when the new generation starts gunning for the top spot.
A decent reign. 8 months, 4 defences and going undefeated in the G1 before EVIL. I think they missed a chance by not having 1 more defence against Takagi at Power Struggle but seems as though they want Tama vs Takagi there
I thought his reign was solid. It had more highs than lows, with his defenses against Hiromu and Tsuji being particularly good. He was also booked well in the G1. You mentioned his reign went downhill after the G1, but just remember that things slow down a bit during the fall season in NJPW. His feud with EVIL wasn’t the best, but I think that is because the post-G1 tour is quite long. In backstage comments, one wrestler said they competed in 21 matches before Ryogoku, so that’s why the feud could have felt like an eternity to some fans.
SANADA is our one true ace and will retain.
The fact that so many people are sure that Naito is going to win is exactly why SANADA is going to.
His reign has been mediocre.