After appearing alongside his brother, Ryan Nemeth, at Wrestle Kingdom earlier today, the former Dolph Ziggler posted a short video to social media.
The video features Ziggler fighting off zombies and concludes with him superkicking the head off one before dramatically putting on a pair of sunglasses and saying, “Groovy.” The words “Wanted Man” then appear on the screen before it goes to black.
After attacking Finlay, Ziggler then cut the following promo:
Professional wrestling is about honor and believing in yourself, and something bigger than you, a championship, which means you are the one that strapped the entire company and the world on your back. This title, this brand new championship, this global championship means more to me and I have never even been here. You want to be a champion, you want to be a leader, you stand up for it, you stand up for what’s right, and you do the damn thing and you set an example for the rest of the dam world. If you want to be the best, you back it up, and if you’re not, I’m going to stomp on your ass and take this championship to the top where it belongs.
Ziggler has also been announced for a WWC show in Puerto Rico on January 20. He is scheduled to wrestle Ray González.
The 43-year-old was released from WWE in September after having been with the company since 2004 and wrestling over 1500 matches.
Stardom’s return to the United States is just three months away.
At its January 4 event in Tokyo, Stardom announced that it will be holding a show in Philadelphia on Thursday, April 4. The show, which is part of WrestleCon, will take place at the 2300 Arena. It’s happening during WrestleMania week in Philly.
Stardom American Dream 2024 in The Keystone State is the name of the show. It will begin at 3 p.m. Eastern time on April 4.
The show will see “the best female wrestlers in the world compete and present the colorful and impactful action that only Stardom can.”
While Stardom wrestlers have been featured on NJPW shows in the United States, this will be the first full Stardom event to be held in the US since 2019. Stardom presented a show in New York City during WrestleMania week that year.
NJPW wrote:
STARDOM had a major announcement on January 4 during their Tokyo Dome City Hall event, as they revealed a huge event in the USA for the first time since 2019!
As WrestleCon takes over in Philadelphia, STARDOM will be a part of festivities on Thursday April 4. STARDOM American Dream 2024 in The Keystone State will see the best female wrestlers in the world compete and present the colorful and impactful action that only STARDOM can! Tickets are on sale TODAY at 1PM Eastern- get yours while you can!
WrestleCon is taking place in Philadelphia from April 4-7.
New champions were crowned in all seven title matches at NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 18 in Tokyo Dome on Thursday.
In the main event, Tetsuya Naito defeated SANADA in 25:42 to win the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship. Naito, the G1 Climax 33 winner in August 2023, won this iteration of the top prize in NJPW for the first time after hitting Destino and beating his former LIJ stablemate via pinfall.
After the main event, EVIL attacked Naito with help from Dick Togo to establish himself as the likely first challenger of Naito’s reign. SANADA helped Naito dispatch EVIL and Togo before leaving the ring to Naito for a roll call and celebration.
The first IWGP Global Heavyweight Champion was also crowned on the show as David Finlay pinned Will Ospreay in a three-way also involving Jon Moxley to christen the new title. The debuting Nic Nemeth and Finlay had a skirmish after the match to set up Nemeth as Finlay’s likely first challenger.
El Desperado pinned Hiromu Takahashi in the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship match to win the title and kick off his third reign with that belt.
NJPW Strong Openweight Tag Team Champions Hikuleo & El Phantasmo defeated IWGP Tag Team Champions Hirooki Goto & YOSHI-HASHI on the card in a double title match to win IWGP gold.
Tama Tonga captured the NEVER Openweight Championship at the Tokyo Dome for the second consecutive year, defeating Shingo Takagi to begin his third reign with the NEVER title.
New NJPW president Hiroshi Tanahashi is once again a champion after defeating Zack Sabre Jr. to win the NJPW World TV Championship in the second match of the main card. Tanahashi becomes just the second man to hold the title as Sabre was the lone champion in the title’s first 365 days after its inception at Wrestle Kingdom last year.
In the main show opener, Catch 2/2’s TJP & Francesco Akira regained the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship, defeating Clark Connors & Drilla Moloney of Bullet Club War Dogs.
On the pre-show, Toru Yano, Great-O-Khan, Taiji Ishimori, & YOH were the final four in the New Japan Ranbo and will now do battle in a four-way at New Year Dash to crown the first KOPW 2024 Champion.
NJPW crowned the inaugural IWGP Global Heavyweight Champion on Thursday at Wrestle Kingdom 18.
David Finlay won a three-way match also involving AEW’s Jon Moxley & Will Ospreay to win the title and the distinction of first-ever IWGP Global Champion.
Finlay pinned Ospreay in 22:17 in a wild brawl that included interference from Finlay’s Bullet Club War Dogs stablemates Alex Coughlin & Gabe Kidd.
As they revealed at the pre-Wrestle Kingdom press conference, Ospreay & Moxley agreed to a truce for the first five minutes of the contest and doubled up on Finlay. Tables & chairs were used liberally throughout the no-DQ contest, and Moxley bled.
After the victory, Finlay jawed with Nic Nemeth (Dolph Ziggler) at ringside, leading to a fight around the ringside area between the two. The debuting Nemeth looks to be the first title program for the new Global Champion.
Finlay’s destruction of Ospreay’s IWGP UK and US title belts in November was the impetus for the creation of the new Global title, as he interrupted a faceoff between Moxley & Ospreay at Power Struggle, inserting himself into the new title picture.
The former Dolph Ziggler and Ryan Nemeth were at Wrestle Kingdom 18 on Thursday.
Ziggler, who was identified as Nic Nemeth, and his brother made their way to ringside prior to the IWGP Tag Team & Strong Openweight Tag Team title match. After David Finaly defeated Will Ospreay and Jon Moxley to become the first IWGP Global Champion, he and Ziggler had a confrontation, having to be seperated by security.
Ziggler was released by WWE shortly after the sale to Endeavor went through on September 21 of last year. His first match since being released by WWE will take place on January 6 at WWC Dia de Reyes in Puerto Rico, where he’ll face Ray Gonzales.
Ryan Nemeth has made appearances for AEW, though has only wrestled sporadically in recent months. His last match was on the November 4 edition of ROH on HonorClub, where he and Peter Avalon lost a an eight man tag team match along with Lee Moriarty and Shane Taylor against Action Andretti, Darius Martin, and The Infantry. Ryan was also a regular on Being the Elite before the show ended late last year.
The four-way match to determine the first KOPW 2024 Champion is set for Friday’s New Year Dash event.
Great-O-Khan, YOH, Taiji Ishimori, and Toru Yano were the final four participants in this year’s Ranbo battle royal that kicked off Wrestle Kingdom 18. Chase Owens was the final participant eliminated. As a result, The four will now advance to a four-way match to determine the first KOPW Champion of 2024 at Friday’s New Japan Dash show at Sumida City Gymnasium.
Two surprise entrants during the battle royal included Fujita Jr. Hayato and Takashi Iizuka, who retired back in 2019. Iizuka played a part towards the end of the match where he turned on Taichi, biting his forehead before both were eliminated. Taichi had been the champion at the end of 2023, defeating Yoshinobu Kanemaru in a whiskey on a poll match to become the official KOPW Champion of 2023.
Most of the card for New Year Dash usually isn’t announced until the start of the show. Last year’s main event had Kazuchika Okada and Kenny Omega defeat Aaron Henare and Jeff Cobb.
NJPW returns to the Tokyo Dome today for its biggest show of the year, Wrestle Kingdom 18.
In the main event, SANADA will defend the IWGP World Heavyweight title against G1 winner Tetsuya Naito.
In the co-main event, AEW’s Bryan Danielson travels to Japan to face Kazuchika Okada in a rematch from last June’s Forbidden Door pay-per-view.
The inaugural IWGP Global Champion will be crowned in a triple threat match featuring Jon Moxley, Will Ospreay, and David Finlay.
IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion Hiromu Takahashi defends his title against El Desperado.
In a double title match, IWGP Tag Team Champions Hirooki Goto & YOSHI-HASHI face NJPW Strong Openweight Tag Champions Hikuleo & El Phantasmo.
Shingo Takagi defends the NEVER Openweight Championship against Tama Tonga.
Shota Umino & Kaito Kiyomiya face EVIL & Ren Narita.
Yota Tsuji faces Yuya Uemura in a special singles match.
NJPW World TV Champion Zack Sabre Jr. defends against Hiroshi Tanahashi.
Clark Connors & Drilla Moloney defend the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team titles against TJP & Francesco Akira in the main card opener.
The pre-show kicks off at 1:30 a.m. Eastern time with the traditional New Japan Ranbo. The final four competitors advance to tomorrow’s New Year Dash where they will square off for the KOPW 2024 title.
Ishimori, Owens, Yano, and O-Khan win King of Pro Wrestling 2024 Rambo
Another year, another rambo. That said, this was better than most Rambos. Michinoku Pro’s Fujita “Jr” Hayato and Takashi Iizuka we’re the surprises.
This year’s rambo opened with Chase Owens and Great-O-Khan. The first person to enter the match after the opening was Gabe Kidd, who attacked Owens, his faction mate, and O-Khan. As soon as Kidd had a lead, the second War Dog, Alex Coughlin, entered the match. Jeff Cobb was next to enter, helping the others, especially his faction mate O-Khan, challenge the War Dogs. HENARE followed, giving United Empire an even more significant advantage. Together, United Empire eliminated Kidd and Coughlin.
With three members of United Empire standing strong, Ishii made his way to the ring. Mikey Nicholls entered next, followed by Shane Haste, both of TMDK. Yujiro Takahashi joined the match after TMDK. TMDK eliminated Cobb and Henare as Master Wato walked to the ring. Yoshinobu Kanemaru followed.
YOH sprinted to the ring only to be attacked with his own shoes as soon as he made it inside. SHO entered next, but YOH met him on the ramp and attempted to take his wrench. YOH, in his socks, slipped while fighting SHO, allowing SHO to choke him with the wrench. Fujita “Jr” Hayato from Michinoku Pro stopped SHO and YOH from fighting and carried them to the ring. Taiji Ishimori entered as Ishii eliminated Haste. Yujiro then eliminated Ishii and Nicholls. DOUKI joined the match but was eliminated alongside Fujita Jr. shortly after entering.
Toru Yano walked to the ring next, but he refused to enter the ring. Takashi Iizuka, who retired three years ago, joined next, fighting off a wave of men on the outside of the ring before meeting House of Torture on the inside. HoT offered him a shirt, which he put on and immediately ripped off before attacking them. Taichi came to the ring next, backing up Iizuka and passing him the iron finger gifted to him by Iizuka. They then worked together to eliminate a lot of the field before shaking hands. Taichi went in for a hug, but Iizuka bit him, opening the door for the rest of the competitors to eliminate them.
The final five, Ishimori, Owens, Yano, YOH, and O-Khan, worked for eliminations. O-Khan eliminated Owens by dropping him on the apron, leaving Ishimori, Owens, Yano, and O-Khan as the winners. Tomorrow, they advance to challenge for the KOPW 2024 title.
IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship: Catch 22 (Francesco Akira & TJP) defeated BULLET CLUB War Dogs (Clark Connors & Drilla Moloney) (c)
This was a creative, fast-paced match. A fun way to open the show.
TJP emerged from the casket he was sealed in on December 21st. He dressed as an Aswang, a Filipino cryptid. Akira was also in special attire, with his body painted in green flames. The War Dogs’ entrance was also unique, as they debuted the new, all-white Junior tag belts.
The challengers started the match by rushing the champions, but the War Dogs gained advantage on the floor. Connors attached a collared chain to TJP, choking him against the barricade while Moloney beat down Akira. Back in the ring, the War Dogs continued the attack on a completely isolated Akira.
TJP eventually freed himself, saving Akira with a tag while taking out the War Dogs with intensity. The rally was short-lived as the War Dogs bounced back fast. They hit TJP with the Drilla Killa, but TJP broke the count by grabbing the hand of the referee. TJP then bit Moloney before spraying him with mist à la Muta. Catch 22 then hit Moloney with tandem knees to win the match and the belts.
NJPW World Television Championship: Hiroshi Tanahashi defeated Zack Sabre Jr. (c)
This was another fast-paced match, bordering a sprint at times. An excellent outing from both men.
ZSJ tried grappling early, but Tanahashi answered with two quick twist and shouts, a slingblade, and a crossbody before attempting High Fly Flow. ZSJ blocked Tanahashi’s finish with his knees and transitioned into a bridging pin that nearly won him the match. Tanahashi tried to rebound with a dragonscrew and a Texas cloverleaf, but ZSJ caught him again, taking control of the arm.
After a short strike exchange, the pair traded trap pins. Once ZSJ escaped, he secured a sleeper before transitioning to an octopus hold. ZSJ stuffed a dragonscrew, opening the door for two neck cranks and a penalty kick. ZSJ attempted to follow up with a Zack Driver, but Tanahashi reversed into a quick pin. The pair then rolled back and forth, trading pins. After a slew of attempts, Tanahashi pinned ZSJ to the mat for three, winning the match and the NJPW World Television Championship.
Yuya Uemura defeated Yota Tsuji
This was a rock-solid match with some quick sequences that the crowd ate up. Uemura got the win, which he desperately needed.
This match opened with a collar-and-elbow that transitioned into some typical chain wrestling. Once separated, Uemura tried running at Tsuji, but Tsuji caught him with a sudden spinebuster followed by a tope to the floor. Back in the ring, Tsuji scored a nearfall with an electric chair drop.
Tsuji maintained his control until Uemura landed an arm drag and a dropkick. A backdrop allowed Uemura to climb to the top, but he missed the crossbody, leaving Tsuji free to hit Uemura with a backbreaker, retaking control.
Tsuji attempted a Gene Blast, but Uemura reversed with an arm drag. Tsuji transitioned into a pin and followed up with a curb stomp once Uemura kicked out. Uemura avoided the second curb stomp and landed a suplex to score a nearfall in response. Uemura didn’t let this opportunity pass, following up with a deadbolt suplex into a pin, winning the match.
House of Torture (EVIL & Ren Narita) defeated Kaito Kiyomiya & Shota Umino
This match was very enjoyable ahead of the frustrating finish. Oh, well. Umino looked like a star. Kiyomiya was fantastic (as always). A significantly better-than-average HoT match.
HoT attempted to take advantage early, but Kiyomiya responded with a firey attack. He fought off Kanemaru on his own while maintaining control over EVIL. Narita eventually hit the ring, prompting Umino to stop him. The babyfaces tied up HoT with submissions, prompting the heels on the outside to ring the bell. This distraction led to HoT rushing the ring and overwhelming the faces.
After a short period of isolation, Kiyomiya tagged out to Umino, leading to a strong rally. Umino took out Narita and the HoT soldiers on the floor. Back in the ring, Umino continued his advance with help from Kiyomiya.
HoT tried to rush the ring again, choking the babyfaces as they did at the press conference yesterday. Kiyomiya held them off momentarily, but a distraction allowed Evil to land Everything is Evil, leaving Narita in control of Umino.
As Umino gained control back, Yujiro distracted the referee, allowing Narita to strike Umino with his pushup bar. Narita then hit Umino with the double cross spike and pinned him to win the match.
NEVER Openweight Title Championship: Tama Tonga defeated Shingo Takagi (c)
This match opened with shoulder blocks, testing each other’s footing. Tama was the first to strike landing a dropkick and a pair of suplexes, putting Shingo on the backfoot. Shingo fired back, hitting a shoulder tackle, a slam, and a tope con hilo to gain the lead.
A Tama neckbreaker reset the match, leading to a strike exchange in the center of the ring. Shingo fought into the corner, landing a superplex to re-cement his lead. A sliding lariat seemingly furthered this lead, but Tama answered with a Tongan twist moments later. Then, supreme flow from Tama scored a nearfall.
Shingo stuffed the gun stun, leading into a quick back-and-forth exchange. Shingo won out, landing a powerbomb that turned into another nearfall. Shingo then hit Tama with the pumping bomber before attempting Made in Japan; Tama reversed into a gun stun, taking the lead back.
Tama dropped Shingo with Bloody Sunday, but Shingo kicked out at one. Tama followed up with a lariat before attempting a DST. Shingo escaped but ate a forearm. Tama attempted another gun stun, but Shingo hit one of his own. Shingo then hit a pumping bomber and Made in Japan; Tama kicked out.
Shingo unloaded on Tama, dropping him with strikes before attempting Last of the Dragon. Tama freed himself and hit a Styles Clash. Tama tried to close, landing another gun stun; Shingo kicked out. Finally, Tama hit the DST, winning the match. Tama Tonga is a four-time NEVER openweight champion.
Nic Nemeth (formerly Dolph Ziggler) and Ryan Nemeth Appear
In between matches, the Nemeth brothers walked to the VIP section while on camera, seemingly to watch the tag team title match. What this appearance means is to be seen.
IWGP / NJPW STRONG Openweight Tag Team Championships: Guerrillas of Destiny (El Phantasmo & Hikuleo) (c) defeated Bishamon (Hirooki Goto & YOSHI-HASHI) (c)
Bishamon gained an early lead by double-teaming ELP. They attempted to do the same to Hikuleo, but his strength proved to be too much. GoD then established control by using double team moves of their own.
A suplex to ELP allowed Bishamon to fight back into the match, but a rana from the top rope sent both members of Bishamon to the floor. Hikuleo furthered this lead for quite some time.
A miss from ELP allowed Bishamon another opportunity. After a prolonged offensive sequence, Bishamon hit ELP with Shoto, forcing Hikuleo to break up the pin. ELP then used head-scissors to throw Bishamon into each other, buying him some time.
ELP dropped Goto with a superkick. Hikuleo then landed a chokeslam, leaving ELP free to land a super Thunderkiss 86; Goto kicked out. ELP then hit Goto with CR3 as Hikuleo climbed to the top rope. Hikuleo hit Goto with a splash and pinned Goto. GoD now controls both tag team titles in New Japan.
IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship: El Desperado defeated Hiromu Takahashi (c)
Desperado started the match by diving onto Hiromu as he made his way to the ring. Back in the ring, the pair traded moves until a dropkick sent Desperado from the floor into the barricade. Hiromu, now with the lead, drove Desperado into the corner.
Desperado retook the lead, using a stretch muffler to focus Hiromu’s leg. Once Hiromu escaped, Desperado continued to focus on the limb. In an attempt to damage the leg further, Desperado leapt towards Hiromu, but Hiromu sidestepped the attack.
Hiromu gained some footing, but Desperado caught him in the stretch muffler again moments later. Hiromu powered out into a destroyer to regain the lead. Hiromu followed up with Timebomb for a two-count. Hiromu tried for Timebomb 2 but failed, forcing Desperado into the corner instead.
On the top rope, Hiromu attempted to fling Desperado but was caught. Desperado, now in control, slammed from the top to the mat. Hiromu tried to power up, but Desperado hammered him with strikes to keep him grounded. Hiromu dodged a punch, landing a lariat to regain advantage momentarily. Desperado fired back, landing Pinche Loco for a nearfall.
Desperado attempted Pinche Loco again, but Hiromu reversed into his unnamed roll. Desperado kicked out and landed another Pinche Loco. Instead of trying for the pin, Desperado hit Desperado with another Pinche Loco. This time, it was enough to win the match.
IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship: David Finlay defeated Will Ospreay & Jon Moxley
Moxley and Ospreay opened the match by rushing Finlay as they promised to do at yesterday’s press conference. They beat him up, inside and outside the ring.
After taking care of Finlay, Ospreay and Moxley traded suplexes in the middle of the ring. Ospreay attempted the OsCutter, but Moxley stuffed it before delivering another suplex. Ospreay tried for a Spanish fly, but Moxley reversed into an armbar, which he transitioned into a choke. Ospreay powered out, powerbombing Moxley in the corner but Moxley popped up and dropped Ospreay with a lariat.
Moxley attempted a Death Rider on the apron, but Ospreay stuffed it. Once Moxley was clear, Finlay attacked Ospreay. Ospreay tried to fight off Finlay with a cutter, but Finlay stopped him with a shillelagh.
Back in the ring, Finlay focused a bloody Moxley. Once Ospreay re-entered the match, he took out both men. Finlay was thrown to the outside and dropped with a tope from Moxley. Ospreay then took out both men again with a dive to the floor.
Back in the ring, Ospreay lept towards Moxley, but Moxley caught him with a forearm, followed by the death rider. Ospreay kicked out, but Moxley immediately transitioned into the choke. Once Ospreay was free, Finlay hit the ring, only to eat a piledriver into Ospreay.
Moxley exited the ring to grab chairs, which he threw back inside. He sat up the chairs, but Finlay drove him into the backs. Finlay then hit Ospreay with a dominator onto Moxley. Finlay then hit Ospreay with a backbreaker, but Moxley responded with a quick knee.
Moxley turned his attention to Ospreay, hitting another deathrider. Ospreay ate the move and hit Moxley with a hidden blade. Finlay then threw Ospreay to the floor and attempted to pin Moxley. Once Moxley kicked out, Finlay hit him with a dominator, prompting Ospreay to breakup the pin with another hidden blade, this time to Finlay.
Once the men returned to their feet, they took turns trading strikes. Moxley and Ospreay focused on Finlay again. When Finlay looked to be out, Gabe Kidd and Alex Coughlin, the Bullet Club War Dogs, hit the ring, attacking Moxley and Ospreay.
Ospreay and Moxley managed to fight back, driving both War Dogs through tables with a crazy dive. Back in the ring, Moxley dropped Finlay with a pair of deathriders before eating two hidden blades. Ospreay hit Moxley with Stormbreaker, but Finlay stopped the pin. Finlay then landed Oblivion, a curb stomp, and a new variant of his previous finish before pinning Ospreay to win the match. David Finlay is the first IWGP Global Heavyweight Champion.
After the match, Finlay taunted Nic Nemeth. Finlay pushed Nemeth, leading to a short scuffle.
Kazuchika Okada defeated Bryan Danielson
This was one of the greatest matches I have ever covered. It was focused, vicious, and emotional. This is what professional wrestling is all about.
The opening tie-up saw Okada trying to bait Danielson into striking. Instead, Danielson took Okada to the mat and began going for Okada’s arm. Once they returned to their feet, Okada caught Danielson with a couple of strikes, flooring Danielson. Okada landed a dropkick to Danielson’s eye before landing a DDT on the floor.
Okada attempted a running dropkick, but Danielson cut him off with a leaping knee strike. Danielson then placed Okada against the barricade, slamming his arm into the metal. Back in the ring, Danielson continued his focused attack, brutalizing Okada’s rainmaker arm.
After minutes of torture, Okada caught Danielson with a big boot. The follow-up air raid crash left Okada in a relatively strong position. Okada tried climbing to the top, but Danielson cut him off with a barrage of uppercuts. Danielson then hit a butterfly suplex from the top and continued his wear-down attack.
Danielson carried Okada to the apron, but Okada surprised Danielson with a scary piledriver. Back in the ring, Okada taunted Danielson with flat foot kicks to the eyepatch. Okada then ripped off Danielson’s patch and drove his foot into Danielson’s bad eye.
Okada landed an elbow drop from the top rope, but this further injured the arm of Okada. Okada then tried for the rainmaker, but the injury-induced hesitation gave Danielson the time duck. Danielson followed up with a kick and his signature elbow strikes. After eating a slew of elbows, Okada powered up, but Danielson answered with a busaiku knee and the Labell lock. Danielson transitioned into the hold he used to submit Okada at Forbidden Door, forcing Okada into the ropes.
Once Okada escaped, Danielson stomped his head into the mat. Danielson pulled to a standing position, where Okada fired back with a sudden rainmaker. Okada fell in pain and was unable to follow up.
Danielson pulled Okada to the ground, but Okada fought back with strikes on the mat. Once standing, Okada tried another rainmaker, but Danielson stuffed it. Danielson hit one busaiku knee but didn’t go for the cover, instead opting for another. Danielson missed, leaving Okada an open opportunity. After dropping Danielson, Okada landed another rainmaker and collapsed onto Okada. The referee counted to three, leaving Okada with the win.
After the match, both men showed their respect for one another.
IWGP World Heavyweight Championship: Tetsuya Naito defeated SANADA (c)
A great main event here. This was a feel-good match if there ever was one.
Naito gained control on the mat early and tried sending SANADA to the floor. SANADA reversed, sending Naito to the floor before doing his own version of the Naito taunt. Back in the ring, Naito began wearing down SANADA’s neck with strikes and a slam. Naito maintained control standing and on the mat, focusing on the neck.
SANADA fired back with a plancha. A fireman’s carry cutter left SANADA with a two count. After a little bit of work on the neck, SANADA locked in skull end. Once Naito escaped, SANADA attempted the moonsault, but Naito avoided it. A dropkick from Naito sent SANADA to the ground, leaving Naito free to focus the neck once more.
A neckbreaker from the barricade to the floor left SANADA outside high into the referee’s count. Once SANADA made it back, Naito dropped SANADA’s neck onto his knee, followed by a frankensteiner.
SANADA reveresed Naito’s tornado DDT into a magic screw. He followed up with a poison rana and a shining wizard before attempting another moonsault. This time, Naito stuck out his knees to block the finish.
Once standing, Naito landed a barrage of strikes on the neck of SANADA. Naito followed up with Esperanza and Destino. Naito, knowing one Destino wouldn’t be enough, tried for a second, but SANADA reversed into a TKO.
SANADA tried for a moonsault again; this time he overshot by a hair. SANADA tried again, landing it this time, but Naito kicked out anyway. Naito then interrupted SANADA’s follow-up with a spinebuster.
SANADA tried hoisting Naito up again, but he dropped him. Naito hit Destino once, but, again, was forced to try for another. This time, SANADA slipped free, making the move partially land. After SANADA kicked out, he hit Naito with a sudden Deadfall, forcing a match reset.
SANADA hit a Destino of his own, but Naito stuffed the Deadfall. Naito then landed the tornado DDT. SANADA fired back briefly but could not hold on to any lead. Naito’s own Deadfall left Naito uncontested into another Destino. This time, it proved enough to pin SANADA and win the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship.
After the match, Naito grabbed a microphone. Just as he was going to speak, Evil and Dick Togo attacked him. Evil told him he wouldn’t let him have his roll call as he propped him up for a belt strike. Before Evil could take him out, SANADA made the save, dropping Evil with a shining wizard.
Once the ring was cleared, Naito thanked SANADA with blood pouring from his head. He thanked the fans for their support and delivered the LIJ role call after winning the main event in Tokyo Dome. His goal is complete.
NJPW has unveiled the new IWGP Global Championship belt.
During the Wrestle Kingdom 18 press conference on Tuesday night, NJPW Chairman Naoki Sugabayashi showcased the new championship. The first champion will be crowned at Wrestle Kingdom 18 on January 4 in a three-way match between David Finlay, Will Ospreay, and Jon Moxley.
The match between the three comes after an angle took place at Power Struggle in November where Finlay took a mallet and attacked the United Kingdom Championship, destroying it in the process. Sugabayashi announced at a press conference later that month that the United Kingdom Championship, which at one point was also the IWGP United States Championship, would be retired and instead a new championship would replace it. In December, it was announced the new title would be called the IWGP Global Championship.
A new design for the IWGP Junior Tag Team titles was also unveiled by the current champions, Clark Connors and Drilla Moloney. They will defend the titles against TJP and Francesco Akira at Wrestle Kingdom 18.
Former NJPW and WWF wrestler Killer Khan (Masashi Ozawa) has passed away at 76 years old.
Khan’s death was announced by NJPW on Saturday. Tokyo Sports reports that the cause of death was a ruptured artery. Khan collapsed at his bar in Tokyo on Friday, with Tokyo Sports writing that his condition suddenly deteriorated while serving customers. He was rushed to the hospital but did not regain consciousness.
During his wrestling career, Khan was a famous opponent of Andre the Giant and was a WWF title challenger for Hulk Hogan. He wrestled from 1971 until retiring in 1987.
Khan operated bars and restaurants in Japan after his in-ring career and was known for having a good singing voice.
Tokyo Sports writes that Khan struggled financially after his previous restaurant/bar closed during the COVID-19 pandemic. His new bar opened in March of this year.
NJPW sent its deepest sympathies to Khan’s family, friends, and fans:
Former wrestler Masashi Ozawa, better known to wrestling fans as Killer Khan passed away on December 29 after collapsing in his bar in Tokyo. He was 76.
After training in sumo in the famed Kasukano stable, Ozawa joined the JWA in January 1971. Standing at an imposing 195 cm (6’6”), hopes were high for him as a prospect when he joined New Japan Pro-Wrestling in 1973. In 1978 on excursion to Mexico he transformed himself into a Mongolian inspired persona that sparked a hugely successful campaign in America in 1979 as Killer Khan.
Khan transitioned into the WWF in 1980, and after a famous knee drop that put Andre the Giant on the injured list with an injured right leg, instantly found himself the top heel in the organization, with big matches against Hulk Hogan ensuing.
On his return to NJPW he was in the top flight as he had been overseas, with an influence felt today- particularly in the Mongolian Chops used in the years to come by Hiroyoshi Tenzan, Great-O-Khan and others.
In April 1982, the fifth MSG Series saw Antonio Inoki forced to withdraw with a right knee injury. Inoki nominated Khan to take his place in the final with Andre, and the result was a thrilling match that saw Khan advanced in status even in defeat.
In 1983, Khan joined Riki Choshu in Choshu’s influential Ishingun faction. From there, he would follow Choshu to Japan Pro-Wrestling in 1985, wrestling in the All Japan ring as a result as well as back in the WWF. Khan retired from pro-wrestling in November 1987 in New Jersey before running numerous bars and restaurants in Tokyo.
New Japan Pro-Wrestling sends its deepest sympathies to Killer Khan’s family, friends and fans.
Ohbari stepped down from his role as NJPW president last week following a shareholder and Board of Directors meeting on December 23. Hiroshi Tanahashi was announced as his replacement.
Our own Dave Meltzer covered NJPW’s front office changes in today’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Meltzer writes that NJPW losing many of its top stars to other companies, and failing to sell out the G1 finals this summer played a role in the change but Ohbari’s relationship with staff and talent was also a factor.
Meltzer writes:
Another key reason has been that there were issues with staff members and Ohbari’s usage of power over them. Another major reason was that Ohbari had heat with a number of people, including the company’s top star, Kazuchika Okada. Okada was said to have wanted him out. Others said that Ohbari never really understood the wrestling business and didn’t respect the value of Okada. One person said that Ohbari saw Okada as the lead role actor in a touring show.
The change in management comes just weeks after Sports Illustrated reported that Okada was “seriously entertaining” signing with a company other than NJPW.
Meltzer’s coverage of New Japan’s management changes also includes comments from former NJPW staff.
One former staffer wrote of Tanahashi replacing Ohbari:
Depending on how successful Tanahashi as president will be, it could be one of the best business decisions made by Bushiroad about NJPW.
Since 2013, all presidents were Bushiroad people (Kaname Tezuka and Katsuhiko Harada), or people chosen by Bushiroad (Harold Meij and Ohbari). It was the way Bushiroad controlled NJPW, but they were all people with either a little or zero experience in the industry so (they) couldn’t be popular enough among the NJPW talents and employees. While it was one of the reasons why all of them didn’t last long, Tanahashi has no such issues and should be meant for a long-term as president that would give NJPW stable leadership.
Though the power structure will remain the same (Bushiroad will always remain the highest decision maker), Tanahashi’s regime should influence their power balance for the better for NJPW.
Another former NJPW staffer offered the following:
I think it’s great. He’s going to be a guy who changes how you do business
I know he sees NJPW as being the WWE of Japan and he is young enough to enact changes and get New Japan out of the dark ages of how they do business.
Hiroshi Tanahashi outlined his goals as NJPW President in a press conference held Tuesday morning in Japan.
During the press conference, Tanahashi said one of his first goals is to sell out the Tokyo Dome. He also said that he wanted to have more title matches “outside of the norm.”
“As a wrestler our goals years ago was to first get 500 in smaller towns, then 1000, then more. If we pack those markets, then a sold out Tokyo Dome is achievable,” he said via NJPW Global’s translation.
Tanahashi said that he would continue to be on the road for NJPW.
“I’ll be on the road with NJPW when the company is on the road, but when New Japan is in Tokyo, I will be in the office,” he said.
Tanahashi said the talk of him becoming the next NJPW President became serious back in November as a request from NJPW’s owner Takaaki Kidani. He also said that wrestlers found out about the change at the December 22 Korakuen Hall show.
One of his goals still is to win the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship, which he hasn’t done yet.
“As an active wrestler I still haven’t won the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship and there is a lot left undone, but an Ace can be an Ace on both sides of the fence, I thought,” Tanahashi said. “There’s an extent to where I have to live in this dual role a bit to find out just what it’s like, and how much I can handle. But I’ve never been tired, so I think I’ll be fine.”
Tanahashi was named President of NJPW on December 23, replacing Takami Ohbari. Kidani during the press conference said that he felt the next level for NJPW was to get more people into the building beyond what they had at pre-pandemic levels, and felt as a result that a new director was necessary.
“Right now, I think the next level for NJPW is to get more people in the building, not just to pre-pandemic levels, but beyond that and to have them enjoy the live experience even more,” he said. “With that in mind, we decided to make amendments to the management structure and this is the result. I’d like to see (Ohbari) continue his efforts, but with a new era, a new representative director was necessary.”
Will Ospreay still has unfinished business with Kazuchika Okada.
While speaking as part of NJPW’s Wrestle Kingdom 18 interview series, Ospreay issued a challenge to Okada for NJPW Battle in the Valley. Ospreay said he’s confident that he’s going to become the first-ever IWGP Global Heavyweight Champion. Ospreay then wants his first title defense to be against Okada in San Jose.
Ospreay is facing Jon Moxley and David Finlay in a three-way match at Wrestle Kingdom 18 to determine the inaugural IWGP Global Heavyweight Champion.
Ospreay was the final IWGP United States/United Kingdom Heavyweight Championship before the title was retired. The title belt was destroyed by Finlay during the build to Wrestle Kingdom.
Though this is his last Wrestle Kingdom as a full-time NJPW-contracted talent, Ospreay said he’s still dedicated to competing in an NJPW ring. He wants to show that with this match against Okada. Ospreay has signed a multi-year deal with AEW but will still be able to wrestle for NJPW as well.
Ospreay said in his challenge to Okada:
Asked if his AEW status affects Wrestle Kingdom and @willospreay in 2024, Ospreay has an idea of how to show his commitment to the IWGP Global title- a challenge to Okada Jan 13 in San Jose!
I’m confident going into this match that I’ll be walking away with this championship. I’m that confident in doing it, like, I’m prepared to make a challenge right here for San Jose. I know it’s on the poster that Okada is on that poster. And we have so much unfinished business. Yeah, granted, I was able to get that win in the G1 and I could finally prove to everybody that I can beat Okada. But I’m happy to put this challenge out right here, right now in front of you all that I want to face Okada in San Jose.
Okada is facing Bryan Danielson at Wrestle Kingdom 18 on January 4.
Okada’s NJPW contract is set to expire at the end of January. He’s reportedly “seriously entertaining” the idea of signing with a promotion other than NJPW, which would mean WWE or AEW.
Battle in the Valley is being held at the San Jose Civic in San Jose, California on Saturday, January 13.
NJPW has revealed the full card for Wrestle Kingdom 18.
Two more matches have been added to the card. A special tag match will see Shota Umino and Kaito Kiyomiya of Pro Wrestling NOAH take on EVIL and Ren Narita. Earlier this month, Narita turned on Umino and aligned himself with the House of Torture stable. EVIL and the rest of House of Torture recently appeared at a Pro Wrestling NOAH event targeting Kiyomiya.
In addition to the new tag match, the annual New Japan Rambo has been confirmed. The final four in the timed battle royal will move on to New Year Dash the following night in a four-way match where the winner will become the first holder of the KOPW Championship belt in 2024.
Here’s the updated card for Wrestle Kingdom 18:
IWGP World Heavyweight Champion SANADA defends against Tetsuya Naito
Kazuchika Okada vs. Bryan Danielson
Three-way match: Will Ospreay vs. Jon Moxley vs. David Finlay to determine the inaugural IWGP Global Heavyweight Champion
IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion Hiromu Takahashi defends against El Desperado
NJPW World Television Champion Zack Sabre Jr. defends against Hiroshi Tanahashi
NEVER Openweight Champion Shingo Takagi defends against Tama Tonga
IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions Clark Connors & Drilla Moloney defend against TJP & Francesco Akira
Winner-takes-all Tag Team title match: IWGP Tag Team Champions Hirooki Goto & YOSHI-HASHI vs. NJPW Strong Openweight Tag Team Champions Hikuleo & El Phantasmo
Yuya Uemura vs. Yota Tsuji
Kaito Kiyomiya & Shota Umino vs. Ren Narita & EVIL
New Japan Rambo – final four advance to New Year’s Dash for KOPW 2024 belt
Outgoing NJPW President Takami Ohbari has posted a statement addressing his departure from the promotion.
On Friday night, NJPW shared the surprising announcement that Hiroshi Tanahashi has been named the promotion’s new president and representative director. Ohbari stepped down from the roles effective December 23.
Tanahashi, one of NJPW’s greatest wrestlers of all time, is an eight-time IWGP Heavyweight Champion. He currently holds the NEVER Openweight Six-Man Tag Team titles with Kazuchika Okada & Tomohiro Ishii.
A press conference to address NJPW’s management changes will be held on December 26. Hitoshi Matsumoto (Chief of Business Production, TV Asahi) and Taro Okada (President & CEO, Bushiroad Fight) have been named directors of NJPW. It was noted that Taro Okada’s position is a part-time one. Taro Okada is Stardom’s president and representative director.
Michiaki Nishizawa has resigned from his director position.
Ohbari made a social media post on Saturday following his resignation. Ohbari said there’s no doubt that, as president, Tanahashi will create the best NJPW ever.
Ohbari will be at the December 26 press conference to thank everyone. His full statement can be read below:
For our international fans,
Today, I resigned from the roles as president of NJPW and NJPW of America, and, as you know, our ‘ACE’ Tanahashi-san just took over my roles.
As he has fan’s, wrestler’s, and management perspectives, there is no doubt that he will create the best NJPW ever.
I spent five years with NJPW, and as its president 3 years and two months. My management started from the depths of the COVID-19 pandemic, when cheering, the number of attendance, and many other key factors for both fans’ and wrestlers’ motivation were strictly restricted by the government. People out of Japan might not be able to imagine how despairing environment it was.
As our traditional business model collapsed quickly, I focused on prevention of COVID-19 and cost reductions first. To adapt to this changing external environment, I put all my efforts to modify the old system, to create new businesses, and to accelerate the globalization. Honestly, most of the time I had felt ‘pains of birth’.
However, whenever I went to the venues in Japan and overseas, I always received huge encouragement from our fans like you and wrestlers, which motivated me to do my best again. Through this cycle, which might be called ‘STRONG STYLE’, we managed to recover our business to the level that almost hits the record high.
All the new president, Tanahashi-san, to do is to easily surpass the record and make a much brighter future of NJPW. I know everything is prepared.
Although I left NJPW and will leave Bushiroad quite soon, I would like to once again thank everyone at the press conference on December 26.
In an announcement on their website Friday evening, it was announced that the eight-time IWGP Heavyweight Champion has been appointed the new President & Representative Director of New Japan Pro Wrestling. This appointment came following a meeting of NJPW’s board of directors and shareholders.
Tanahashi will talk about his new role within the company at Wrestle Kingdom 18 on January 4. The company issued the following message to NJPW fans:
Thank you for your ongoing support of New Japan Pro-Wrestling. On January 4 at Belc Presents Wrestle Kingdom 18 in the Tokyo Dome, Hiroshi Tanahashi will address the fans directly in his new role as President. NJPW looks forward to your continued support under the new leadership structure.
Takami Ohbari, who has been President and Representative Director of NJPW since 2020, will step down from the role effective December 23. In addition, Michiaki Nishizawa, another Director, will also step down on December 23.
Along with Tanahashi’s appointment, Hitoshi Matsumoto (Chief of Business Production for TV Asahi) and Taro Okada (President & CEO of Bushiroad Fight) have been named Directors of the company. Okada will be a Director on a part time basis.
A press conference regarding the new changes will take place on December 26 at 1 pm JST.
