I think has NJPW has actually set themselves up for a good run of fresh champions leading into this new era, despite some middling booking decisions and unfortunate circumstances. Although I appreciate ZSJ and Goto holding up NJPW in the midst of a mass exodus of main event talent and getting their moment in the sun- now is the perfect time to finally pull the trigger on their future stars.
Imo Takeshita's talent being a standard bearer for the next NJPW ace to step up and bring the championship home actually turned out to be a great idea- and no one better to do it at this moment than Yota Tsuji; setting the stage for a perfect crowning, and a feel good moment.
The future doesn't end there. I also feel like this is the perfect time to elevate two other stars. Currently teaming together, I think after losing to KOB at WK or the World Tag League finals to Bishamon- Shota Umino should turn heel on Yuya Uemura; (you could give them a run with the tag titles but Idk) then at WK and/or the following tours, they can feud, while Tsuji gets a few defenses under his belt. I say you then have the hot new heel Shota either win the feud and/or the New Japan Cup, and finally take the belt from Tsuji, either to good heel heat, a long overdue acceptance from the fans or a mixture of both.
Then, you have Uemura get his win back, perhaps with a G1 win leading to Shota Umino v Yuya Uemura at next year's WK, or Yuya wins at King of Pro Wrestling and you get Yuya v Tsuji. Then you have put yourself in a situation where your main event scene has become so competitive that you have the fun problem of not knowing when to put the title on any of the three, Tsuji, Shota, Yuya, and other darkhorses like Ren Narita, a potential Aaron Wolf, or my hopes and dreams of Yuto-Ice.
The most exciting New Japan's future prospects have been in quite awhile, since Okada's emergence, and this time with even more sure-fire main eventers; because while talent like Omega, Ospreay, and Jay White were fresh young superstars- they were gaijins destined for the US, and while Naito and Ibushi were superstars- they weren't exactly fresh young talent. It can be argued it's the most promising future since the trio of Tanahashi, Nakamura, and Shibata. All in time for Tanahashi to finally lay his boots down and leave NJPW in good hands.
by Theblowfish3556