When Hiromu Takahashi was able to win the 2021 Best of The Super Juniors tournament, fans were excited for what was coming. El Desperado vs. Hiromu Takahashi has twice now been the best junior heavyweight match of the year, with their BOSJ finals in 2020 and their recent time limit draw in the 2021 tournament. Now, they meet under the bright lights of the Tokyo Dome – but are only in the semi main event.
Hiromu Takahashi Feels NJPW Should Have Had The Junior Heavyweights In The Main Event
During the press conference for Wrestle Kingdom 16, Hiromu Takahashi would ponder why they’re only in the semi-main event, when this is perhaps the most anticipated match on the show aside from the return of Katsuyori Shibata.
“After I won this trophy, and after I challenged El Desperado, I went backstage and I said this: I want the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship to headline in the Tokyo Dome. The press conference came the next day, the card was announced, and we were the semi-main. I thought that more than anything I wanted the juniors to headline, so I figured I’d put it to the company- why don’t we have a vote? We’ve had a vote for the main event before. So I thought I would suggest it. But then I thought again. If we did have a vote, and if the juniors did win- is that the way I really want it?
I want the company to decide. I want the company to look at everything the juniors have done through the year and say that the junior heavyweights belong in the main event in the Tokyo Dome. So this match is the most important beginning there could be. This semi main is the most important match there could be. It’s not important just to win, it’s important for us to steal the show in the minds of the fans, the other wrestlers and the company.”
No Excuse With Two Main Events
Right now, there is no excuse for NJPW to not give their Junior Heavyweights this spotlight. They have stayed firm in their two nights of Wrestle Kingdom, just to have two heavyweight main events. While the IWGP Heavyweight Championship is undeniably important, and Okada vs. Shingo & Ospreay vs. Shingo are huge matches – it’s a lazy way to book the two main events.
Right now, Hiromu Takahashi is one of their biggest stars – and more than worthy of being in the headline spot of the Tokyo Dome. El Desperado has similarly become a fan favorite through his hard work and excellent matches. They will likely have one of the best matches of the year, but being in the semi-main event won’t give it the same impact.
Should El Desperado vs. Hiromu Takahashi have main evented the January 5th Tokyo Dome event? Let us know what you think in the comment section down below.
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