ROH/NJPW Global Wars Preview & Predictions

On May 15, 2015, Ring of Honor and New Japan Pro Wrestling are putting on a joint event in Toronto. It’ll probably be lots of fun! Let’s see what’s scheduled to go down.

Giving their thoughts and predictions on what to expect from the PPV are members of the site @JoeySplashwater, @BradFGN and @indiandeathlock.

The Kingdom (Matt Taven & Mike Bennett with Maria Kanellis) vs. Matt Sydal & Jushin Thunder Liger

Deathlock:

So, these Kingdom boys are the IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Champions now, and Maria has a win in New Japan over Amber Gallows. At the last NJPW show, Liger, on commentary, described getting motorboated by Maria and said, well, “It was like having two giant gummy bears against my face” more or less. Then Liger made this hilarious motorboat sound like “pururum pururum” and I swear I’m not making this up. Anyway, I’m sure there will be antics. I am hyped as ever for any Liger match all the time forever and amen.

Interest Level: (/ω＼)
Prediction: The Kingdom are victorious.

Joey:

Maria Kanellis vs. Jushin Liger is the hottest feud of the NJPW/ROH shows. The idea of a Matt Sydal and Jushin Liger team just seems like a perfect idea. The Kingdom should have instant chemistry with a team like this and the match should be good. Hopefully they do that over the top rope doomsday on the floor during the week shows at some point.

Interest Level: 8/10
Prediction: The Kingdom win

Brad:

The Kingdom has been so impressive in Japan that they were even able to capture tag team gold. Japan was just what Kingdom needed to boost their stock and looked at as more credible performers. Sydal and Liger should be a pretty good tandem, the ROH faithful should treat Liger as a big star and it will be a hot match to open the show. I am going with Kingdom to take the win here.

Interest Level: 6/10
Prediction: The Kingdom win

Chris Sabin vs. KUSHIDA

Deathlock:

This is the match that would convince me to fly to Toronto. I’m not going to, but I thought about it. KUSHIDA is one of the best wrestlers in the world and Chris Sabin is a long-time favorite of mine. Mostly I hate Alex Shelley because he’s been tying both of them up in mediocre tag teams for a decade. ¯_(ツ)_/¯ But enough about that! This will be amazing. My heart is happy. Thanks, NJPW/ROH (& Joey).

Interest Level: ･:*:･ﾟ☆ｄ(≧∀≦)ｂﾟ+.ﾟｲｲ
Prediction: Sabin wins, but NOT CLEAN, NOPE.

Joey:

I am responsible for this match being booked!

Give me Sabin vs. KUSHIDA @ringofhonor

— Human individual (@JoeySplashwater) April 5, 2015

The battle of Alex Shelley’s superior tag team partners should be outstanding. KUSHIDA is going to steal the shows during this ROH tour. He’s most suited for the style and has more to prove than the heavyweight main eventers.

Interest Level: 9/10
Prediction: KUSHIDA wins.

Brad:

It has been awhile since we have seen Sabin in a big role in ROH and this match with Kushida, a guy who may win the BOSJ, will be a great reintroduction to the ROH fanbase. These two guys are two of the best junior wrestlers in the world and their unique offense will make for a very fun matchup. This one is a pick em but Im going with Sabin to continue momentum of KRD.

Interest Level: 8/10
Prediction: Chris Sabin wins.

Gedo & Moose vs. Watanabe & Silas Young

Deathlock:

I’m kind of confused about this. I don’t watch ROH (sorry! I have so much NJPW to keep up with!), are Moose & Silas angry at each other for some reason? Or is this just some fun tag team match? Should be fun.

Interest Level: ヾ(＾-＾)ノ
Prediction: Gedo & Moose CRUSH THEM.

Joey:

I watch every ROH show and I’m also confused about this match-up. Moose is great. Basically any match with Moose is guaranteed to be a good time.

Interest Level: 6/10
Prediction: Moose! Moose! Moose!

Brad:

This is an only in Ring of Honor scenario that you can see a booker of the best wrestling promotion in the world tag with a former NFL football player. They take on a grizzled NJPW wrestler who is tagging with a wrestler that is a throwback to the 30’s. I have absolutely no idea what to expect or what may happen but it has peaked my interest a bit. I am on board with Moose Nation so I expect big things from this matchup but also expect the worst if that makes sense. Going with Team Moose Gedo Nation here.

Interest Level: 7/10
Prediction: Moose and Gedo win.

ACH vs. Shinsuke Nakamura

Deathlock:

*incomprehensible sounds* *staring into the distance* *wishing for sweet death* Should be a great match, right? I think ACH is going to dress as Luffy. I can’t decide whether I’m embarrassed.

Interest Level: ヽ(▽ ｀)ノﾜｰｲ♪ヽ(´▽｀)ノﾜｰｲ♪ヽ( ´▽)ノ
Prediction: I’ll never not pick Shinsuke to win. Gets me in trouble sometimes.

Joey:

Here’s a hot take – ACH disappoints in the big matches. He gets matches vs. the big star attractions and none ever stand out as anything special or memorable. Is this circumstantial or a trend? We’re about to find out. Shinsuke Nakamura wrestling in ROH is always going to be a fun time based on his theatrics alone. I wish he would bring the Wrestle Kingdom crown to North America for photo-ops.

Interest Level: 8/10
Prediction: Nakamura wins

Brad:

The incredible feats that ACH is able to pull off in the ring will make for a great clash in style with the more strike and jujitsu heavy offense of Shinsuke Nakamura. Nakamura was half of what may end up being match of the year. Nakamura a former world and current IC champion that can be flashy as well. ACH, while he may not have held ROH gold, has taken Jay Lethal to the limit. That is what ACH is all about – he will take you to the limit. This may be match of night and will be most fun match of card. I’ll give ACH a punchers chance, but there is no stopping the Swaggsuke.

Interest Level: 10/10
Prediction: Nakamura wins

The Addiction vs. RPG Vice vs. The Decade vs. ReDRaG0N

Deathlock:

Okay so at the last NJPW show there was a three way match with RPG Vice vs. RedRaGoN vs. the Bucks and it was actually really not good. Usually I’m a fan of the fast paced crazy tag team thing they like to do and it can be fun, but it went on way too long and wasn’t engaging and it soured me a little on watching any more of them for a while.

Interest Level: (´∩｀。)
Prediction: Maybe RPG Vice gets the win, maybe.

Joey:

I agree with Deathlock. That tag match on the last NJPW show was not a good time. They need to stop having all the big tag matches consist of 3-4 teams. It’s more understandable here in a show where everyone needs to get on the card but who knows what to expect. Red Dragon and RPG Vice are great. The Addiction should be great now that they are playing the roles best suited for them. The Decade is hot garbage with the two interesting wrestlers leaving the faction. I don’t know?

Interest Level: 6/10
Prediction: The Addiction wins.

Brad:

One thing that ROH and NJPW are known for is that their tag team wrestling is stronger than their competition. The Addiction were recently revealed to be part of the KRD so you know they are looking to prove something. RPG Vice is a hot new tandem in Japan as Trent Barreta joins up with Rocky Romero formerly of Forever Hooligans who recently won IWGP JR tag gold. The Decade have most to gain with a somewhat troubled past who are looking to get back on track. Former tag champs reDRagon will be looking to extract revenge on The Addiction. So with that said you got 4 hungry teams that will make for a combustible situation and we will no doubt see 4 of the best teams lay it all on the line. Gotta go with reDRagon here as they will be looking for revenge but do not count out The Addiction.

Interest Level: 7/10
Prediction: reDRagon wins

Cedric Alexander vs. Kazuchika Okada

Deathlock:

I’m very excited + glad that this match is taking place. It should be great. Yas queen slay.

Interest Level: (♥ω♥*)
Prediction: Okada yas queen slay~!

Joey:

Cedric Alexander is a very talented wrestler and deserves this match that was taken away from him last year. Kazuchika Okada is one of the best in the world and I can easily see this being the match of the night. Alexander is getting a character reboot soon so maybe it begins here?

Interest Level: 8/10
Prediction: Okada wins

Brad:

A match that was supposed to take place in New York last year, but due to an injury suffered by Alexander it never took place. Okada who was involved in the main event of the Tokyo Dome has been trending downwards ever since. Alexander ever since the injury has never been quite the same. A win here by Alexander could propel him in the eyes of decision makers and a win by Okada will add momentum to Okada title challenge at Dominion. The match itself should be very hard hitting and should flow with a fast pace. I expect fireworks when it’s all said and done. Gotta go with Okada here as he is on a mission to regain the IWGP title

Interest Level: 9/10
Prediction: Okada wins

Michael Elgin vs. Hiroshi Tanahashi

Deathlock:

I actually don’t dislike Michael Elgin like so many of my fellow sitemates and friends do. Maybe Elgin is “boring” but I was enthralled by a Zybysko/Windham match for a good twenty minutes so. Whatever. ANYWAY. I think it’ll be fun. Tanahashi is never tired and Elgin is unbreakable so at least they both have traits that are impossible to overcome?

Interest Level: ( ✧Д✧)
Prediction: Tanahashi stands proud as the personification of the Lionmark and defeats all of Canada.

Joey:

Michael Elgin has been very improved in 2015. He should give a good outing vs. Hiroshi Tanahashi as long as no baseball fields are nearby. This intrigues me most on the card. It can be “match of the night” or “just a match” status. I trust the Japanese Dreamboat to give me a great performance.

Interest Level: 8/10
Prediction: Tanahashi wins

Brad:

Elgin has had very disappointing performances ever since he won the ROH title in June or 2014. He went on to have a mediocre title run and lost it in a anticlimactic fashion. His awkward heel turn continues to put a dark cloud surrounding Elgin. One might say ElG1N not happening drove him to this downturn. Tanahashi on the other hand would lose the IWGP title and is hurting. If you asked me about this match 3 years ago I would be really excited about it. 2015? Both performers are in a really bad place.  I’m not saying this match is guaranteed to be bad but the chances of it being good are slim. Gotta go with Tanahashi here as he might be down but I expect an impressive G1 performance from him in 2015.

Interest Level: 4/10
Prediction: Tanahashi wins

Jay Lethal vs. Tetsuya Naito

Deathlock:

I am REALLY EXCITED because I REALLY LOVE both Jay Lethal and Naito. I think it’ll be great and maybe surprise some people who don’t know how great Naito is yet.

Interest Level: ☆*: .｡. o(≧▽≦)o .｡.:*☆
Prediction: NAITO WINS.

Joey:

I am not a big Naito fan but he’s alright. I love Jay Lethal. I can’t say I’m too excited for this match but ROH’s best champion should make it work.

Interest Level: 6/10
Prediction: Lethal wins

Brad:

Love him or hate him, Tetsuya Naito is one of smoothest pro wrestlers in the business today. His ability to pull the best out of his opponents is a something I love about him the most. When you talk about Jay Lethal, he is a guy who is most improved in ring and on interviews. So he isn’t exactly a guy who needs the best brought out of him. I think the two similar styles will make for a fantastic match. Naito could use the win here but a win by Lethal could help cement his legacy. Gotta go with Naito here as he is just too good

Interest Level: 9/10
Prediction: Naito wins

The Briscoes, Roderick Strong, and War Machine vs. Karl Anderson, Doc Gallows, AJ Styles, & the Young Bucks

Deathlock:

I feel like I might go to sleep early. Nothing against many of these fine wrestlers, but how many multi-man tags can I take in a week? Two is my limit, and I think I’m already going to see eighteen. Whatever.

Interest Level: ( ′Д`)p
Prediction: The god damn Bullet Club.

Joey:

I usually love these ROH Champions vs. All Stars matches but I don’t believe the stipulations will be the same aka elimination rules and it shouldn’t in this situation. I’m also confused about the All Stars team. Raymond Rowe is a ROH All Star?! That being said, the match should be great. I’m fairly certain this is a Bullet Club win.

Interest Level: 9/10
Prediction: Bullet Club wins

Brad:

I think both of the teams here are very formidable as one side you have the tag team you associate Ring of Honor with – The Briscoes. Alongside is Mr. ROH Roderick Strong and two hungry lions Hanson & Rowe. On the other side you have IWGP World Champ AJ Styles, former ROH & IWGP tag champs Young Bucks & former IWGP tag champs Karl Anderson & Doc Gallows.

While Team ROH represents well, the opposition is The Bullet Club. The group that has ran ruckshot over NJPW and the wrestling world for years. A win by anyone in Team ROH will propel their career but a win by the club will add more terror to the darkside known as The Bullet Club. Is it the match I am most excited about? Not really, but it could surprise me and I hope it does. Gotta with Bullet Club here as I don’t see them being stopped

Interest Level: 7/10
Prediction: Bullet Club wins