The New Japan Cup is just a few days away! With Kota Ibushi and Hiroyoshi Tenzan already removed due to injuries, there are still 46 competitors that will compete in the biggest #NJCup ever.

Listen to Episode 108 of #thegeekyjuans podcast and find out our predictions

Today, I’ll be giving my list of 3 possible wrestlers who could call themselves the 2022 New Japan Cup winner.

1. Tetsuya Naito

Naito strikes a pose with Okada outside (Photo from NJPW1972)

I have a feeling that Tetsuya Naito could end up being the dark horse of the tournament. He just lost to Okada in the finale of the Golden Series so you know he’s out to attempt to build his reputation back up.

2. Kazuchika Okada

Kazuchika Okada is the reigning IWGP World Heavyweight Champion (Photo from NJPW1972)

Why not have the champion himself win the New Japan Cup? If Kazuchika Okada wins this year’s Cup, he can choose his opponent and that would give the tournament some unpredictability beyond the first round.

As much as I hate to say it, you can tell who most of the 32 men in Round 2 will be based on their card position. I’d rather see Okada pick his opponent instead of us being dragged through boring matches.

3. Great-O-Khan

Great-O-Khan lifts Satoshi Kojima (Photo from NJPW1972)

The former Tomoyuki Oka is my personal pick to win the New Japan Cup. When he was still a Young Lion I only knew of Oka as the biggest weeb in New Japan. His appreciation of Vtubers is public knowledge and that one little tidbit is such a humongous contrast to his current persona.

I would love to see how NJPW attracts Vtuber fans to watch pro-wrestling if Great-O-Khan wins

Who do you see winning the 2022 New Japan Cup? Share your predictions below!

Steven Tan Profile Picture

Steven Tan

Steven is an e-commerce employee by day and geek by night. He loves reading comics, watching cartoons and the occasional session of ice skating. You can learn more about his other geeky antics on Twitter: @steviesaidyup


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