[potential spoilers for Power Struggle @ presser]
https://news.njpw1972.com/sabre-surprised-by-sanada-at-post-ryogoku-presser-9d35c9bf2dfd
So particularly the last part, where ZSJ + SANADA now basically "drawing" who they'd face next if they win their IWGP championship match @ Royal Quest:
"Sabre would pull Shingo Takagi as his next potential challenger in Osaka, while SANADA drew Shota Umino as his first challenger should he capture the world title in London. Which of these potential title matches we’ll see will depend on the result Sunday at Royal Quest."
I'm curious if you all think this is a pivot based on the reaction Umino got when he challenged Zack alongside SANADA + Shingo post KOPW match. Instead of a guaranteed defenses for ZSJ at big shows against Umino + Shingo post Royal Quest (assuming ZSJ wins, which seems extremely likely), it seems like they're trying to tell us how they're going to write off Umino in the short-term (Umino only gets a challenge if SANADA wins) instead of giving him the championship challenge they were planning for him. Did they get spooked by Umino getting rejected so heavily and decided now is not the time to make him a title contender?
by coppersquire