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Looking back at 2023:

The theme of 2023 for New Japan is "Restock and Rebuild" and that should continue in 2024 .   This past year, New Japan has focused their efforts on building new talent like:  Shota Umino, Ren Narita, Yota Tsuji, Callum Newman, Yuya Uemura, Ryohei Oiwa, and Kosei Fujita.   They have elevated talents like Gabe Kidd, Alex Coughlin, Drilla Moloney, Clark Conners, and Hikuleo to become main event title holders.  There was the creation, dissolution or restructuring of factions like Suzuki-Gun, Just 5 Guys, Guerrilas of Destiny, Bullet Club and House of Torture.  

The Bullet Club seems to be splintered between the War Dogs, House of Torture (who have always done their own thing), and outliers like Bad Luck Fale, Taiji Ishimori, Chase Owens and KENTA.  Chris Bey and Ace Austin have been in Bullet Club but have not made an appearance in Japan since 2022.   Jay White and Juice Robinson use the Bullet Club name but are focusing on AEW, and may not be appearing in Japan any time soon.  Gedo is putting a lot of emphasis on the violence and unpredictability of his new Bullet Club, which has built heat but no major main event stars.  Yet.

After the hype of the IWGP Women's Title last year, Kairi Sane is now in WWE and Mercedes Mone is in limbo at the moment.  Current Champion, Mayu Iwatani, is not on this main card, which is disappointing.

This theme of "restock and rebuld" will continue into 2024 which hopefully will see the continued elevation of young talents to the main card at Wrestle Kingdom 19.

PREDICTIONS (based on the advertised card as of 12/30/23 on http://www.njpw1972.com):

King of Pro Wrestling 2024 Ranbo:

This will be a Royal Rumble style match using everyone else on the card, not in a top match.   It is a way to get everyone on Wrestle Kingdom.   It was originally for a trophy for Toru Yano.  Yano's gimmick is that he is an advertising machine and is attached to all these products from companies who will pay him to shamelessly plug their product.  Yano at Wrestle Kingdom gets all these advertisers in front of many eyeballs.    Over time, the KOPW title became where the fans could vote on a match stipulation.  Check out the KOPW matches between Shingo Takagi and Taichi in 2022 and 2023 for great wrestling.

I would also expect a bunch of wrestlers to be in this match including, Taichi, Great O-Khan, Jeff Cobb, HENARE, Toru Yano, Master Wato and others.   

The Final Four men left in the match will face each other for the KOPW 2024 Title at New Year's Dash on January 5.   

I predict Taichi, Toru Yano, Great O-Khan and SHO as the final four.

IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Tag Team Championship:  Francesco Akira and TJP vs. Drilla Moloney and Clark Conners

United Empire and Bullet Club are both at a cross roads.  Ospreay is leaving and United Empire will lack a leader.   Moloney and Conners are the only members in Bullet Club that are champions.   If Catch 22 wins, United Empire will look stronger as their Kingpin is about to move to AEW.  However, Moloney and Conners need the titles for Bullet Club to remain strong.    Bullet Club beat Catch 22 in a Coffin Match on December 22, when they locked TJP in a coffin.  Catch 22 get their win back here and regain the titles.

NJPW World Television Championship:   Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Zack Sabre Jr.

This is a spotlight match for the new President of New Japan, so he can perform in a top singles match on the big stage.   Tanahashi is not the wrestler he once was.  Zack Sabre Jr. will bring out the best in Tanahashi.  One year ago, when this TV Title was created, New Japan announced that this was a belt to help build younger stars.  Zack has held the title for all of 2023 and built the prestige of this belt with over 13 successful title defenses.  However, Tanahashi does not need the TV Title.  If Tanahashi wins, he can say he is a "grand slam champion" in New Japan, but that will go against what the belt was originally designed for.   Zack should retain the Television Title.

Tanahashi also stated in his press conference that he will continue to wrestle and win titles.  I hope this is not the case.  He said jis goal for New Japan is for more "sold out" arenas across Japan.   That should be based on on booking, storylines and marketing.  

Special Single Match:   Yota Tsuji vs. Yuya Uemura

Uemura pinned Tsuji on December 22 at Korakuen Hall.   Tsuji should get the win back here.  The story between these two is just beginning.

Special Tag Match:   Kaito Kiyomiya and Shota Umino vs. EVIL and Ren Narita

I am looking forward to this match and how they follow up on New Year's Dash.

The current conflict between Umino and Narita has a year-long developing saga.   They have been opponents, teammates and now hated rivals.   Kiyomiya and EVIL are the supporting characters in this drama.   This story should not be ending on January 4.  This  conflict needs to build over time and many matches.  Neither Kiyomiya or EVIL will be hurt by a loss.   Umino has been chasing Narita for weeks and Narita has been able to attack and escape.   The heat for Narita and House of Torture is nuclear with Japanese fans and New Japan should continue to milk it.  I see Dick Togo and the rest of House of Torture getting involved and Narita pinning Kiyomiya after a ton of shenanigans. 

NEVER Openweight Championship:  Tama Tonga vs. Shingo Takagi

Takagi won the NEVER Openweight Title from Tama Tonga on October 28, but he has been in a supporting role and not in a major title picture in 2023.   Tama Tonga and David Finlay dominated the NEVER division for most of 2023.   I see Tama Tonga winning back his title here and perhaps having a rubber match with Takagi at New Beginning in Nagoya on January 20.

IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championship and New Japan Strong Tag Team Championship:   El Phantasmo and Hikuleo vs. YOSHI-HASHI and Hirooki Goto

I expect this match to be awesome.   I hope all four men are healing from their last encounter in World Tag League.  I predict BIshomon to pull out a victory to retain the IWGP Tag Titles and perhaps become the greatest tag team in New Japan history.

IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Championship:  El Desperado vs. Hiromu Takahashi

After a storyline between El Desperado and Master Wato as reluctant teammates in Super Jr. Tag League, Hiromu made an offer to Desperado for this match, which Desperado accepted.   This should be a good match, but the manner by which it came about was lackluster.  There was no heat or storyline to be built around it.   Master Wato is left out completely, when he was in the Jr. Heavyweight match last year.  Hiromu should retain.

IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship:  Jon Moxley vs. David Finlay vs. Will Ospreay

New Japan is now calling this the "Global" Heavyweight Championship.   This reminds me of Global Force Wrestling and sounds too close to "World Title".   They made a mistake of getting rid of the IWGP Intercontinental Heavyweight Championship when Kota Ibushi merged the titles in 2021.   This should be the Intercontinental Title.   The renaming of the belt from US to UK to Global makes the belt lack meaning and feels unimportant.

Moxley and Finlay could have a good brawl.   Ospreay's style as been more high flying and more like a babyface in recent months in New Japan, so his style would clash with Moxley and Finlay.   Ospreay is leaving New Japan.  Moxley will be going back to AEW, so an instant feud with Ospreay could happen.  Finlay pins Moxley to win the belt and build Bullet Club back up to what it once was.    His pinning Moxley will lead to more matches in AEW which will make Tony Khan happy.

Special Single Match:  Kazuchika Okada vs. Bryan Danielson

On paper, this match should be amazing.   However, Danielson's injuries have been well documented and he is approaching the end of his career.  Okada has been relatively healthy all 2023, and getting ready for his climb back to the World Title at Wrestle Kingdom 19.  Danielson won their last match, but wants revenge for getting hurt in the match and blames Okada for his injuries.  Danielson won, so why does he want another match?  It is a weak storyline point, but it should be a good match nonetheless.   Okada will get his win back here in front of the Japanese fans. 

IWGP World Heavyweight Championship:  Tetsuya Naito vs. SANADA

It has been 4 months since the G1 Climax.  The build for this match has been somewhat quiet.   Tetsuya Naito has massive support behind him despite barely wrestling the past 4 months.  He had eye surgery during the Tag League tournaments.  When he made appearances, the fans went crazy for him.  SANADA is still a popular champion, but I see the fans supporting Naito more in his bid to win his last potential main event on the Wrestle Kingdom stage.    Naito will get the victory here and he will give the fans what he promised which was reciting the Los Ingobernales de Japon Roll Call in the Tokyo Dome as the confetti flies.

Thank you for reading.

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