Zack Sabre Jr: IWGP World Heavyweight Champion?

 

I have struggled to get motivated in regards to writing blog posts recently, so I apologise if any of the recent ones seem lacking. Some big things have happened in the world of wrestling lately and I wanted to highlight and discuss my thoughts on NJPW in particular. 

Zack Sabre Jr has been a mainstay in NJPW since around 2017. During his time with the company, he has proven his talent and honed his craft as one of the very best technical wrestlers in the world. Recently, he has been amongst the most consistent performers on the roster, having some really great matches with just about anybody. He was the man who made the rather shoddy World Television Championship mean something after having been the first to win it before defending it 16 times. He even managed to have a pretty good match with a banged-up, aging Hiroshi Tanahashi. 

Recently, he became only the second ever Gaijin after Kenny Omega, to win the much coveted G1 Climax. The biggest question surrounding his big win is, was he the right choice? To be completely honest with you, I am unsure. Heading into the tournament, I was rooting for either Shingo Takagi or Yota Tsuji to win it. Either one would ensure a pretty cool LIJ showdown with Tetsuya Naito, presumably at Wrestle Kingdom. Zack Sabre Jr beat both men in the semi-finals and finals respectively. To be fair, the booking made both Takagi and Tsuji look strong, with the younger Tsuji's stock being raised as a result of him making it to the finals. 

As Zack is one of the most consistent performers on the roster, it would seem to make sense that he get the nod to win the G1 Climax. He represents the opportunity for fresh match-ups at the top of the card and also some tantalising cross-promotion matches, including a showdown with Will Ospreay amongst others, should NJPW want such a thing.  

I do have my doubts that he is Heavyweight Championship material however. His drawing ability is a concern for NJPW, especially in regards to their domestic market. Even his Royal Quest III match with Will Ospreay in England didn't draw the large crowd that the company had hoped it would, barely drawing three thousand fans. Whereas, the Japanese fans show up in droves to see their beloved Tetsuya Naito. 

Also of concern is his rather small stature. He's certainly not a large man, especially for a heavyweight and not someone that would be seen as intimidating. He doesn't look like your typically built heavyweight champion. To his credit though, he has tried his best to bulk up since moving up the card as a heavyweight.  

I could see the company having him with the title at KOPW so that he holds it heading into Royal Quest 4 before dropping it back to Naito and having Naito hold onto it until Wrestle Kingdom. I just don't think that he'd hold onto it any longer and feel like the company could have went with Tsuji to give the young lion the rocket, having him gain a huge boost by beating Naito at Wrestle Kingdom, that or Takagi establishing himself as a main event main-stay in case Naito's knees explode.