NJPW Power Struggle 2019 Preview & Predictions

This Sunday is NJPW's last major show in Japan before the Tokyo Dome (they're returning to California next weekend but no word on what the cards look like yet), so let's take a gander at the half-card that's been announced for NJPW Power Struggle!

Power Struggle is one of the lesser major PPVs in the New Japan calendar but usually there are at least a handful of notable matchups and we get a further idea of what the WrestleKingdom card will be.  This year's show features two big singles championship matches plus the Super Junior Tag League final.  Let's predict some winners....

Super Junior Tag League Final: El Desperado & Yoshinobu Kanemaru vs. RPG3K

We've seen this match a thousand-or-so times, so this isn't the most exciting final I could've wished for.  But hopefully this will catapult Sho and Yoh back into title contention.  RPG3K vs. Ishimori and El Phantasmo would be a fine Jr. Tag Title match at the Dome I'd say.  This should be an okay match.

Pick: Sho & Yoh gotta get it done

Special Tag Team Match: Kazuchika Okada & Yoshi-Hashi vs. Hiroshi Tanahashi & Kota Ibushi

This is all about building up the Night 1 Dome main event (a match I'm quite pumped for), Okada vs. Ibushi.  Hashi seems out of place here but I guess he's the only choice left in CHAOS, what with Goto and Ishii being indisposed.  He's obviously there to take the pinfall.  Thus the logical pick is....

Pick: Hirota Tanabushi

Tetsuya Naito vs. Taichi

Here's one I don't care much for.  Haven't these two had pretty shoddy outings in the past?  Both these guys love to stall so half the match is probably gonna be that.  Naito needs a decisive win to get back on track.  I assume they're still toying with his pledge to unify the World and I-C belts?

Pick: Naito

NEVER Openweight Championship: Kenta vs. Tomohiro Ishii

These guys had what should've been a pretty great match at Destruction, but it was derailed by an early-bout Kenta concussion.  Let's hope we get a match that lives up to its potential this time.  If that happens I'd say this steals the show.  Go forth and beateth the shit out of each other, gents, just watch the head.

Pick: I'll go with Kenta to retain

IWGP Intercontinental Championship: Jay White vs. Hirooki Goto

Mr. White is just beginning his third singles championship reign in New Japan and he's only the second man to have held the IWGP, Intercontinental and US Titles at one time or another.  White will obviously be in the second-night main event mix at the Dome, so I don't see him losing here.  This match should be quite good.

Pick: White retains



Well that's the show so far.  I'm sure the first four bouts will be tags and six-man tags, I'm just not sure why they haven't been announced yet.  Power Struggle will likely be an easy show to watch regardless, and then we'll be on the road to WrestleKingdom!


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