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NJPW - Power Rankings - Post Dominion

After a landscape shattering couple of days it is time to analyse the NJPW landscape and take stock of who holds the power in Japan's biggest wrestling company.


1. EVIL


Unranked in the post-New Beginnings Power Rankings as he was in the Post Wrestle Kingdom Power Rankings. EVIL bursts right to the top of the Power Rankings as the undoubtably most powerful man in New Japan after besting the historic and first Double Crown Champion.


Now 8-1 in 2020, having just defeated SANADA, Kazuchika Okada and Tetsuya Naito and now holding 3 belts, who is even in the conversation with Naito?


Previously Unranked



2. Tetsuya Naito


You may be expecting to find Tetsuya Naito plummeting further down the rankings after such a momentous loss. However after achieving such a historic achievement in January he must not be discounted too soon. It is not customary for a defeated champion to return into the title fold too quickly, in New Japan, but you may see an exception here.


Tetsuya Naito will be out for crushing revenge and EVIL may find the Bullet Club, in it's current form, insufficient to prevent the potential onslaught of a motivated and recently united LIJ.


Down 1 place



3. Kazuchika Okada


Another victim of EVIL's treachery, the record breaking face of New Japan is now searching for meaning but will be a huge threat to the new champion. Okada already had issues with the Bullet Club due to Jay White and Gedo, after EVIL's tatics in the NJ Cup final, expect that to amplify.


With Naito and Okada chasing him, EVIL's shock title reign may be a short one.


Rank maintained



4. Hiromu Takahashi


Until the dramatic events of the last couple days, one would have said nobody had taken advantage of the tumultuous New Japan landscape more than Hiromu Takahashi. He looked a broken man by the end of Dominion.


However after his bombastic return to action this year coupled with his superb NJPW Junior Heavyweight Championship victory you would be foolish to think this would disrupt Takahashi's work in the ring.


After big victories over Ryu Lee, Toro Yano and Tomohiro Ishii expect Takahashi to continue this run of form throughout 2020.


Down 2 places



5. Kota Ibushi


Perhaps a surprising entry for a man that has just lost a championship and is more defined by his big losses in 2020. However, last year Kota Ibushi won the G1 which essentially catapulted him into the stratosphere alongside Naito, Okada and Tanahashi.


Currently there is a lot of flux in the NJPW landscape and with that there will be opportunities for individuals to step up and challenge for the big championship belts. Kota Ibushi's 2019 and supreme performance against Okada at Wrestle Kingom are the evidence to back this up.


Up 2 places



6. Shingo Takagi


A double champion and a dominant NEVER champion thus far. Takagi repelled an able challenger in SHO and was the only championship retention at Dominion. He seems the only member of LIJ unaffected by the actions of EVIL.


Down 1 place



7. Jon Moxley


The Death Rider has not been seen in New Japan since New Beginnings for obvious reasons. It is hard to justify any wrestler not currently in Japan's place in the Power Rankings. However Jon Moxley's current run of form and possession of the US Championship keeps his place, for now.


Down 3 places



8. Taichi


What a year for Taichi, entered in the G1, a match with Okada, a tremendous run in the NJ Cup and now he's taken the Tag Championships from Ibushi and Tanahashi, no less.


That being said, where does he go next? That is pretty unclear.


Previously Unranked


9. ZSJ


New tag team champion but he lost the British Heavyweight since the last Power Rankings. That being said he has substantial victories under his belt this years and just defeated Kota Ibushi and Hiroshi Tanahashi for tag gold.


Down 3 places



10. Jay White


Not currently able to compete in New Japan but makes the rankings due to being leader of the Bullet Club which is currently in possession of the 2 top belts in the company.


Down 5 places




Faction Power Rankings


1. Bullet Club


A very unexpected result pre-dominion. That being said, the Bullet Club have just recruited a big part of a rival stable, got one over on Okada once again and most importantly captured the World and Intercontinental IWGP Championships.



2. Los Ingobernables de Japon


LIJ would have been a lock for top spot at the end of Wrestle Kingdom or New Beginnings but they have unquestionably been usurped by the Bullet Club who have taken their most prestigious belts and even one of their very own stable members.



3. Suzuki Gun


The rise of Taichi over the last 12 months has been a big thing for Suzuki Gun. Now with Taichi, ZSJ and Suzuki at the head of the stable they are a force to be reckoned with. Now with tag gold in their ranks they are a growing force.



4. Chaos


Only 4th due to the resurgence of Kazuchika Okada so soon after losing the big one at Wrestle Kingdom. Bolstered by dependably strong performances from Hirooki Goto and Tomohiro Ishii in the NJ Cup.



5. NJPW Main Unit


It has not been a good year for NJPW Unit. Ibushi failed at Wrestle Kingdom as did Tanahashi and the two of them just lost their tag belts. All hopes will now lie with Ibushi and the notion that he could have another big G1.




Power Rankings Within Factions


Chaos

1. Kazuchika Okada

2. Tomohiro Ishii

3. Hirooki Goto

4. SHO

5. Yoshi-Hashi

6. Toro Yano

7. Robbie Eagles

8. Rocky Romero

9. YOH


Los Ingobernables de Japon

1. Tetsuya Naito

2. Hiromu Takahashi

3. Shingo Takagi

4. SANADA

5. Bushi


NJPW Main Unit

1. Kota Ibushi

2. Hiroshi Tanahashi

3. Juice Robinson

4. Rysuke Taguchi

5. Master Wato

6. David Findlay

7. Satoshi Kojima

8. Hiroyoshi Tenzan


Bullet Club

1. EVIL

2. Jay White

3. Kenta

4. Taiji Ishimori

5. Yujiro Takahashi

6. El Phantasmo

7. Tama Tonga

8. Tanga Loa

9. Bad Luck Fale

10. Gedo

11. Jado


Suzuki Gun

1. Taichi

2. Zack Sabre Jr

3. Minoru Suzuki

4. El Desperado

5. Yoshinobu Kanemaru

6. Douki

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