Who should dethrone Nagata as champ(when the time comes)

[El Fiasco]

I would really love to see Lyger finally get the IWGP title...he's had some classic bouts for it(Fujinami, Sasaki) but never pulls off the win. Didn't Nagata used to be a junior himself? If there was ever a champ that Lyger could realistically dethrone, it would be Nagata. Tenzan would be a great champ as well, since he's been consistent for years now and never won the belt or even a G-1 Climax.

Personally, I think Nishimura is the best New Japan has right now, and would love to see him get the title eventually...Lyger and Tenzan should rightly go first though.

I'm just about positive Inoki will give it to Chono though...and probably sooner than we think...

[Luds]

Chono had a great career and due to his neck injury, only has a single one month reigh... I'd like to carry it and give it to Tenzan...

If this is not the case, I could see Nakanishi take it from Nagata, feud with Tenzan (might exchange the belt) and lose it to Nishimura...

[Spunkwhy]

I definatly want to see Tenzan or Nak get it.. With Nishimura getting a run maybe, hopefully.

[Chewtoy]

I would love to see Lyger win it. I don't anyone that deserves it more than he. Tenzan is my second choice, though.

[Haiku Warrior]

I would like to see Curry Man get it.

[Hijo de Carlos]

I would love to see Ken the Box or Ramen-Noodles Man win it

[EvilMidnightBomber]

I'd have to vote for Lyger as well. For all he's done in his career, it's only fitting that he gets a run with the belt. Not saying it needs to be a particularly long run or anything though.

[Souder]

Here are my five picks who should be the next IWGP Champion and the reasons why.

1. Masahiro Chono-He had one run that wasn't long because of a neck injury. Have him beat Nagata. Give him a couple of month run with few defenses in there. Create a feud between him and Tenzan.

2. Hiroyoshi Tenzan-Tenza finally gets a big win over his mentor. Tenzan wins the title along with the G1 Climax. Tenzan has a nice long run as champion with some awsome title defenses along with the reign. Have him feud with Nakanishi.

3. Manabu Nakanishi-Have him beat Tenzan at the 1/4 Tokyo Dome show. Nakanishi follows the some formula like everybody else has so far. Have him start feuding with Nishimura.

4. Osamu Nishimura-Wins the G1 Climax by pinning Manabu Nakanishi in the finals. Have them continue to feud for a couple of months. He wins the title and follows the same formula like everybody else. Has feud with Liger.

5. Jushin Thunder Liger-Has an swome feud with Nishimura. Gets the surprise win over him along with the IWGP Heavyweight Title. Does has a long one and only has like 1 or 2 defeneses. Lose the title to whoever.

This right here is the way to go. Almost everybody can feud with each other and have an awsome feud along with title matches and title defenses. If they do this then I think they can raise the IWGP Heavyweight Title status as the most pretigious belt there is in wrestling. Whoever dares to disagree with me then I'm going to fine you, beat you, until you agree with me.........Just kidding.

[StrongStyleKid]

I've got my mind on Chono or Liger almost for the exact same reason everyone else has here. So that will save me the explanation. GO LIGER & CHONO!

[Muiyan]

Personally, i think that instead of doing the "chain-thing" of 1 person dropping to the second dropping to the third...etc., the title needs two HEROES going at it. Two dead-on enemies. Two equal forces going at it. In other words, they need a giant rivalry between 2 guys and have them switch the title back and forth for a year or two creating epic matches, not unlike the ol' Triple Crown days. Okay fine, mebbe add in one more guy, but that's it. The title must revolve around these 3 g0d-like guys for a year or two. Now THAT would raise the value of the belt.

[Luds]

Originally posted by Muiyan
Personally, i think that instead of doing the "chain-thing" of 1 person dropping to the second dropping to the third...etc., the title needs two HEROES going at it. Two dead-on enemies. Two equal forces going at it. In other words, they need a giant rivalry between 2 guys and have them switch the title back and forth for a year or two creating epic matches, not unlike the ol' Triple Crown days. Okay fine, mebbe add in one more guy, but that's it. The title must revolve around these 3 g0d-like guys for a year or two. Now THAT would raise the value of the belt.

I do agree with Muiyan here, an epic battle between 2 titans is what we need...

I do see many possibilities...

1) Nagata - Nakanishi (2 old friends, Nakanishi has pinned Nagata in the G1)
2) Nakanishi - Nishimura (Together they form a great tag team... And have wrestled excellent matches)
3) Tenzan - Nakanishi (2 enemies... great potential...)
4) Chono - Tenzan (the mentor and the protege... no it ain't Seinfeld talkin'!!!)

I also agree with Souder's chain idea, but not in one year... I could see all these changes within 2 years maybe, but not one...

[Chewtoy]

I changed my mind. I agree with having two or three people battling it out for the belt for around 2 years. My pick would also be Chono-Tenzan and maybe Nagata.

[El Fiasco]

I like the year-long rivalry thing...it certainly worked for Misawa, Kawada, Kobashi & co. What about a Nagata\Chono feud?

[Mutoh-Mania]

Put the belt on Joanie Laurer Joking guys joking...seriously I have to go with Chono. The guy in my opinion is due a reign with some significance.

[Mutoh-Mania]

Originally posted by Haiku Warrior
I would like to see Curry Man get it.

From me here...although I believe that Nagata is afraid to face the Spicy One