NJPW Top 10 Ranking – November 2018

This review period runs from the Power Struggle event in November to the end of World Tag League.

10. WILL OSPREAY (NR)

The Aerial Assassin returned from injury during the final of World Tag League, defeating former NEVER Openweight Champion Taichi. He is now the number-one contender for that same championship at Wrestle Kingdom. One year ago, he left the Tokyo Dome with the Jr. Heavyweight Championship and now he looks to make it two years in a row in title victories.

9. YOUNG BUCKS (NR)

While not actually apart of the World Tag League tournament this year, Nick and Matt Jackson jumped to the head of the line and challenged not only the winners of the tournament, but the champions themselves and have set up what promises to be an instant classic at Wrestle Kingdom.

8. KUSHIDA (-1)

Kushida is the current IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Champion, but the odds may not be in his favor on January 4th against Taiji Ishimori. Wherever the Bone Soldier goes, Kushida has to stay vigilant of the remaining members of the B.C.O.G.

7. CODY (-1)

The American Nightmare captured the United States Championship back in September over Juice Robinson and hasn’t looked back since. Despite not winning the IWGP Heavyweight Title at King of Pro Wrestling and amid questions about his future with the company, Cody must keep his eyes open on Juice who is looking to take his title back.

6. G.O.D. (+2)

Two years in a row the Guerrillas of Destiny made it to the finals of World Tag League, but sadly, they fell short once again to Evil and Sanada. Throw the Young Bucks now into the equation and the current IWGP Tag Team Champions have a tall mountain to climb January 4th if they want to keep their titles.

5. KOTA IBUSHI (NR)

Ibushi has been struggling to win a major match since losing the finals of the G1 in August, but he seized an opportunity against Hiroki Goto and captured the NEVER Openweight Championship. The “Golden Star” now has a dream match set with Will Ospreay for Wrestle Kingdom in what I’m already predicting will be match of the night.

4. L.I.J. (+1)

I’m including many factors on this decision, but Naito has Jericho in less than a month’s time for the Intercontinental Championship and wants revenge in the worst way. Meanwhile, his comrades Evil and Sanada won World Tag League for the second year in a row. They now look to capture gold in the form of the IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championships.

3. HIROSHI TANAHASHI (-)

The “ACE” of New Japan has been sitting (figuratively) for almost two months now waiting for January 4th. Tanahashi has won the title on seven other occasions and must go through The Cleaner to win his eighth title.

2. JAY WHITE (-)

No one has been more dangerous in New Japan in a calendar year than “Switchblade” Jay White. He alone (or so it seemed) set the entire CHAOS faction into straight chaos and looked its leader in the eye on his first day, telling him he was coming for him. When Jay White made that promise to Okada, he knew exactly what he was doing and how his plan would come together. The last step is total elimination of the Rainmaker at Wrestle Kingdom.

1. KENNY OMEGA (-)

He is the “Best Bout Machine” for a reason. He is also the current, reigning and defending IWGP Heavyweight Champion. Omega will be ready to fight Tanahashi on January 4th and knows that this is his biggest threat to the title thus far. While Omega may play coy and act like he has this match on lock, I’m sure he knows exactly what he is in for come Wrestle Kingdom.

Thank you for checking out this month’s Top 10. Please share any and all comments below and follow me @Nwagner2sweet on Twitter.

In lieu of a Top 10 next month, I’ve decided to do a Year in Review piece(s) for NJPW and use it as a look back into the memorable year that was and also serve it for the purpose of your Wrestle Kingdom preview piece.