Tossing Salt Presents:
NJPW x AEW: Wrestle Dynasty
Thoughts & Predictions
DougMaynard.com
Doug Maynard

Tomorrow, it’s New Japan versus AEW, live on PPV, from the Tokyo Dome in Tokyo, Japan. It starts at 11 PM ET (January 4, 2025). The event will air on NJPW World and Triller. And although my knowledge of Japanese wrestling isn’t what it once was, I’ve still got to make a few predictions. So are you ready? Let’s go.

Kenny Omega vs. Gabe Kidd.

I haven’t seen much of Gabe Kidd, but the dude has a mouth on him to be sure. This is Omega’s first match back in over a year, plus I keep hearing rumors that Kidd’s time with NJPW is nearly over as his contract expires soon. So, with all of that in mind, Omega wins.

Winner: Kenny Omega.

IWGP World Heavyweight Title Match:
Zack Sabre Jr. vs. Ricochet.

Ricochet can fly, but Sabre Jr. is a lucha legend and wrestling machine. Sabre keeps his title.

Winner and STILL IWGP World Champion: Zack Sabre Jr.

NEVER Openweight Championship Match:
Shingo Takagi (champion) or Konosuke Takeshita vs. Tomohiro Ishii.

I’m not sure how this works, but it doesn’t matter who the champion is. Ishii is walking out with the title.

Winner and NEW NEVER Openweight Champion: Tomohiro Ishii.

Yota Tsuji vs. Jack Perry

Would a scapegoat fly halfway around the world just to lose a match? In Jack Perry’s case, the answer is yes.

Winner: Yota Tsuji.

Shota Umino vs. Claudio Castagnoli.

I remember when Claudio used to be a beast in that ring. Now, it just seems like he’s phoning it in and going through the motions. I don’t like this version of Claudio. Look for Umino to win.

Winner: Shota Umino.

David Finlay vs. Brody King.

Finley’s contract with New Japan allegedly expires soon. I guess that this match is an audition to impress Tony Khan and become All Elite. King has no momentum coming into this match. He won’t have any when the match is over either.

Winner: Dave Finlay.

Vacant IWGP Tag Team Championship Match:
Great-O-Khan and Jeff Cobb vs. The Young Bucks (Matthew Jackson and Nicholas Jackson) vs. Tetsuya Naito & Hiromu Takahashi.

A.B.B. Anybody but the Bucks! Cobb needs to cut back on the steaks and baked potatoes, but he’s a beast. Let’s go with Great-O-Khan and Cobb to win.

Winners and NEW IWGP Tag Team Champions: Great-O-Khan and Jeff Cobb.

IWGP STRONG Women’s & Undisputed British Women’s Title Match:
Mercedes Mone (champion) vs. Mina Shirakawa (champion).

We’re either getting a no-contest or a victory for Mercedes. Japan doesn’t do non-finishes very often, so let’s go with the latter.

Winner and NEW Double-Champion, IWGP STRONG & Undisputed British Women’s Champion: Mercedes Mone.

Eight-Man Lucha Gauntlet Match:
TBA Participants.

I can’t make a prediction unless I know who’s in the match. But I’ll make a guess anyhow.

Winner: The Guy in a Mask.

Hiroshi Tanahashi vs Katsuyori Shibata.

I know both of these men. Both are impressive and Japanese legends who have been around for a while. Tanahashi will win.

Winner: Hiroshi Tanahashi.

ROH Tag Team Championship Match (Kickoff Show):
Dustin Rhodes & Sammy Guevara (champions) vs. House of Torture (SHO & Yoshinobu Kanemaru).

Finally, an easy one. Dustin and Sammy are keeping those belts.

Winners and STILL ROH Tag Team Champions: Dustin Rhodes & Sammy Guevera.

Women’s International Cup Match – a women’s championship match from the participating promotion of their choosing (Kickoff Show):
Persephone (CMLL) Vs. Momo Watanabe (Stardom) vs. Willow Nightingale (NJPW) vs. Athena (ROH).

I’m not sure how this works. Is it a Fatal 4-way match, a Gauntlet Match, or what? I suppose I could go look it up and find out, but why bother? Four champions and they’re stuck on the Kickoff Show. I’ll assume that it’s a 4-way,non-title match. And the winner, representing Stardom, is Momo Watanabe.

Winner: Momo Watanabe.

And there you go with my predictions. Is anyone in the U.S. actually planning to watch this? I would for the Dustin/Sammy title defense, and Omega versus Kidd, but the rest? Nah! Share your thoughts and predictions, along with any thoughts, comments, or questions. All are welcome. And I guess that’s all for now. I’ll see you at the matches.

Ubuntu!