Jan 3, 2019

Card:

• IWGP Heavyweight Championship Match: Kenny Omega vs. HiroshiTanahashi
• IWGP Intercontinental Championship Match: Tetsuya Naito vs. Chris Jericho
• Kazuchika Okada vs. Jay White
• IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship Match: Kushida vs. Taiji Ishimori
• IWGP United States Heavyweight Championship Match: Juice Robinson vs. Cody
• IWGP Tag Team Championship 3-Way Match: Tonga Loa and Tama Tonga vs. Evil and Sanada vs. The Young Bucks
• British Heavyweight Championship Match: Tomohiro Ishii vs. Zack Sabre Jr.
• IWGP Junior Tag Team Championship 3-Way Match: Yoshinobu Kanemaru and El Desperado vs. Roppongi 3K vs. Bushiand Shingo Takagi
• NEVER Openweight Championship Match: Kota Ibushi vs. Will Ospreay

@NJPWBros who is staying up tonight? Let’s talk WK13 here

 

Jan 3, 2019

@NJPWBros Added a poll, also anyone feel free to make your outcome predictions

I say winners;

Omega
Naito
Okada
Ishimori
Juice
Tongans
ZSJ
R3K
Ibushi

 

Jan 3, 2019

Winners: Same as Big's except Shingo & Bushi in the 3-way tag, and Ospreay in the opener.

Best match: Omega/Tana

This is probably the most excited I've been for a PPV since the Money in the Bank where Punk beat Cena. There's this sense that we're going to see a show completely out of this world with real, genuine stakes that far exceed Omega/Jericho or Okada/Naito last year. The All Elite thing/Tana's last run has given me legitimate doubt that Kenny's going to win, Jericho's future, Ospreay/Ibushi's health, Jay White cementing himself as their western future with a blow away Tokyo Dome match, Juice being coronated in Japan, the rumors about Kushida going to WWE, the stories are everywhere. I care less about The Bucks because they're a non-factor in Japan right now, but it's almost every match.

When Dave interviewed Tanahashi this summer, he said his last goal or dream is to main event Madison Square Garden. When Okada talked to Dave, he mentioned wanting a singles match with Tanahashi in the US, because they did a tag match where the response was blow away when they got in the ring together. I chuckled at work hearing that, only to have the MSG show be announced not too long after. Having a Japanese company run Madison Square Garden, with the ace who saved the company facing their top star one last time in the main event for the IWGP title is just too perfect of a story not to do.

But at the same time, Kenny capping off the last two years with a main event win as the champion is just as important for his arc. He's already beaten a Tanahashi who was two years younger, he's 2-1-1 against Okada, he's 2-1 against Naito - a win puts him at the top. Really pulling for him.

 

Jan 3, 2019

There is no way Tanahashi doesn't win.

A. It makes sense from the story they have been telling all year with him...the old guy's last main event event run, etc
B. I just don't think there is anyway any of The Elite guys (or Jericho) walk out tonight with titles. Word on the street is there is a meeting going on in Japan as we speak between NJPW/ROH/AEW to see how/if they can all work together in the future. That is a lot to hash in one meeting and I don't think NJPW takes any chances even though I think Kenny will end up splitting his time between AEW and NJPW when all the dust settles next month. Omega will probably win it back in MSG anyway but I don't see him winning tonight.

Best match of the night IMO will be Ospreay/Ibushi

 

Jan 3, 2019

I could see Tanahashi winning the belt and Omega taking it back off of him at the MSG show. But the G1 winner like never beats the champ so Tana has that working against him.

I’m not sure how the AEW NJPW thing is going to workout but I absolutely want Kenny to stay in NJPW. He can’t leave now that they’ve gave him the belt

 

Jan 4, 2019

Honestly Gedo is f---ing impossible to predict. Im just excited as h--- for this event. Finally able to watch something live again.

 

Jan 4, 2019

im going to bed but ill probably catch this while i work tom. osprey, jericho's, and kenny omega's matche are going to be at least 5 stars in my eyes

 

Jan 4, 2019

@NJPWBros good video on the history of Okada and Gedo, a primer for Okada vs Switchblade tonight

https://njpwworld.com/p/o_original_0093_49

 

Jan 4, 2019

My eyes are already getting heavy so I’ll probably watch when I wake up

 

Jan 4, 2019

Should’ve took a nap ye fuckn weakling

 

Jan 4, 2019

@Big Dangerous you watching live also?

 

Jan 4, 2019

I don't have NJPW world, so I'll just avoid Twitter and spoilers and download it later

 

Jan 4, 2019

h--- yeah

 

Jan 4, 2019

Well here we go. What should be the wrestling event of the year

 

Jan 4, 2019

Don Callis is on commentary! It’s gonna be a great night!!

 

Jan 4, 2019

Holy s--- the new design in NJ world is lit...here we go!!

 

Jan 4, 2019

The Elites elimination was kinda wack but whatever. This was meant to replace the New Japan rumble

 

Jan 4, 2019

Get ready for more wack losses by Elite members tonight lol

 

Jan 4, 2019

Well yeah its expected but apparently after tonight AEW is meeting with ROH & NJPW execs to try and negotiate a talent exchange deal