The Big Audio Nightmare is back to talk about everything happening in the very busy world of Japanese professional wrestling as guest co-host Jeremy Diemer (get well soon, Mike!) joins me.
This week’s topics include:
A full recap of Wrestle Kingdom 18
Did Okada vs Danielson live up to expectations?
Was SANADA the true MVP of the Tokyo Dome?
A rundown of all the big NJPW matches on the New Beginning tour including Danielson vs ZSJ
Thoughts on WWE’s interest in partnering with Japanese promotions
Roman Reigns vs. Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson appears to be the favorite to main event day two of WrestleMania after Johnson’s remark about going out to eat at the head of the table on the 1/1 Raw show from San Diego.
This has been a match talked about for years and was planned to be last year’s main event, but Johnson, who never 100 percent committed although had talked about it since prior to the pandemic for a planned show in Dallas or Los Angeles, said he didn’t have time to get into ring shape to do a WrestleMania caliber main event a few months before the show. Cody Rhodes ended up getting the slot. If this is the main event, that would reverse it as Johnson would get the slot originally earmarked for Rhodes.
Vince Verhei goes solo for the first-ever Vinny Show talking all about NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 18 from Tokyo, Japan.
Let’s look back at TJP’s new gimmick, the continuing ascension of President Ace, Yota Tsuji’s battle for the future with Yuya Uemura, Shingo Takagi’s war with Tama Tonga, El Desperado’s championship win, the outlook for Hiromu Takahashi, the debut of Kerwin White’s old caddy, Tetsuya Naito’s return to the throne, plus Okada vs. Danielson II, aka this week’s Best Match of All Time of the Week.
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.
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 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
Wrestle Kingdom 18 will include a match between two of NJPW’s top up-and-coming stars.
Yuya Uemura vs. Yota Tsuji was set up for Wrestle Kingdom 18 at Friday’s Road to Tokyo Dome event. With a pinfall victory over Tsuji in a six-man tag bout, Uemura earned a singles match between the two.
Uemura, Taichi & SANADA defeated Tsuji, Tetsuya Naito & Shingo Takagi in the main event of Friday’s show. It was the final NJPW event before Wrestle Kingdom.
Tsuji had said that he would only face Uemura in a singles match if Uemura scored a direct pinfall over him. Uemura won the match with a crucifix pin.
The match came back to Uemura and Tsuji, Heat Storm being willed on by his teammates as he escaped a Tsuji combination to hit an uranage. The match breaking down and LIJ getting involved, Tsuji mocked Uemura with a Young Lion esque Boston Crab; after Taichi made the save, Tsuji persisted with a Curb Stomp and set for the Gene Blaster but was surprised with an armdrag and crucifix pin.
Post match, Uemura made reference to a promise Tsuji had made the night prior- that for a singles match between the two to happen Uemura needed a direct pinfall. Uemura issued his challenge and Tsuji accepted for Wrestle Kingdom.
Wrestle Kingdom is NJPW’s biggest event of the year. It takes place from the Tokyo Dome annually on January 4.
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
NJPW holds their final show of 2023 today at Korakuen Hall.
Today’s Road to Tokyo Dome event will feature previews of the main Wrestle Kingdom 18 bouts.
In the main event, IWGP World Heavyweight Champion SANADA and his Wrestle Kingdom challenger Tetsuya Naito will be on opposite sides of a trios bout, with SANADA, Taichi, & Yuya Uemura facing Naito, Shingo Takagi, & Yota Tsuji.
Kazuchika Okada & Hiroshi Tanahashi will team against Zack Sabre Jr. & Kosei Fujita in the semi-main. Okada faces Bryan Danielson at Wrestle Kingdom, while Tanahashi will challenge Sabre for the NJPW World TV Championship at the Tokyo Dome.
NJPW’s first-ever coffin match will be held on today’s show, as IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions Clark Connors & Drilla Moloney face TJP & Francesco Akira. The titles will not be on the line today, but the teams will meet again in a championship match at Wrestle Kingdom.
I’m such a sucker for these simple Young Lion tags. Both of the new guys looked good, given their limited experience.
This match opened with some Young Lion grappling. Murashima tagged out first, giving Kojima time to work over Kato. After being on the back foot for some time, Kato dropped Kojima with a drop kick, leading to a Makabe hot tag.
Makabe forced Kojima to tag out, setting up Murashima for defeat. Makabe beat down Murashima and locked in the Boston crab. Kojima tried breaking up the crab, but Kato hit the ring, occupying Kojima long enough for Makabe to secure the win.
The masked men tried opening the match with silliness, but we were out-maneuvered. Horse and Boltin took control back as CHAOS tried removing their masks, but Yano’s use of a whip allowed him to stay ahead.
Boltin interrupted YOH on the top rope, slamming him to the mat before using the whip himself and dropping his singlet straps. Boltin the suplexed YOH after rocking him like a baby. Horse tagged in to close, only for YOH to catch Horse in the Kido clutch, winning the match.
Tomohiro Ishii defeated Callum Newman
While a bit overindulgent for my liking, this very ambitious match aimed to establish Newman. At multiple points, I thought he was winning this one.
This match opened with a collar-and-elbow tie-up that turned into Ishii-favored striking. Newman attempted to match Ishii’s strikes, but Ishii repeatedly flattened him for trying. Over and over, as Newman would gain footing, Ishii would drop him with a stiffer strike, a slam, or a suplex.
Newman eventually landed a kick that sent Ishii to the floor. Newman capitalized with a moonsault to the floor. Back in the ring, Newman hit a forearm from the top rope, followed by a penalty kick for a nearfall.
Ishii fired back with a backdrop, resetting the match. A high German suplex and a lariat scored Ishii a nearfall. This led to a back-and-forth of tackles and kicks before Newman scored a nearfall with a Spanish fly. Another convincing nearfall for Newman followed an OsCutter.
Trying to close, Newman flipped from the top rope. Ishii avoided the dive, leading into a brief strike exchange. Ishii won out, leading to another big lariat from Ishii. After Newman kicked out, Ishii attempted a brainbuster, but Newman wiggled free. Another quick back-and-forth followed. Ultimately, Ishii won the match with another sliding lariat and brainbuster.
This was great. Leube has a fantastic energy about him, and Nakashima was on tonight. It was simple structurally, but the expected dynamic was flipped on its head, making for a very exciting match.
Young Blood opened the match by cornering Bishamon with strikes. Bishamon tried fighting back, but Youg Blood were able to win out early, establishing a solid lead while isolating Goto. Once the tag to YH came, Bishamon turned things around momentarily, but Young Blood didn’t take long to retake control. Young Blood’s lead survived multiple double-team attempts and tags. Nakashima eventually locked in a deep Boston crab, forcing a desperate rope break from YH.
After multiple attempts, Bishamon were finally able to rush the ring together, isolating Nakashima. Goto took out Leube on the floor, leaving Nakashima with no backup. Bishamon then hit Shoto, winning the match, but only after a prolonged struggle.
El Desperado & Master Wato defeated Los Ingobernables de Japon (BUSHI & Hiromu Takahashi)
Heading into WrestleKingdom, this division feels ice-cold.
Hiromu and Desperado opened the match with some standard back and forth, and Wato continued this after he tagged in. To turn things around, BUSHI rushed the ring, leading to the first stint of LIJ control.
After a while on the back foot, Wato reached Desperado for a tag. Desperado turned things around for his team, gaining a substantial lead over the champion.
Eventually, Hiromu forced a double tag with a superkick, leading to an athletic struggle for control. BUSHI won out by utilizing a dive to the floor. Wato fired back with a couple of quick pin attempts. BUSHI tried to hold on, but a sudden jackknife pin from Wato secured the win.
Coffin Match: BULLET CLUB War Dogs (Clark Connors & Drilla Moloney) defeated Catch 22 (Francesco Akira & TJP)
There were some ideas in this match that I really enjoyed, but at times, the stipulation got in the way. Some of the violence was exhilarating, but it was interrupted by the awkward “place a guy in a box” win condition.
This was the first coffin match in NJPW history. To win, you only needed to place one opponent into the coffin and close the lid.
Before the match could begin, the War Dogs rushed Catch 22 from behind. The match spilled to the floor, where Catch 22 was actually able to gain the lead. They attempted to close Moloney in the coffin, but Connors cut them off with a pounce, allowing the War Dogs to take control.
A pair of spears from the War Dogs left them in a strong position. With their newfound lead, they attached a pair of dog collars to Catch 22. The War Dogs then beat down Catch 22 while strangling them with the collars at every opportunity.
Catch 22 used the chain from their collars to clothesline the War Dogs, gaining the upper hand for the first time in a while. TJP hit Moloney with a splash before calling for the coffin to be opened. After placing Moloney in the coffin, TJP tried closing the lid, but Connors used his body to block the door.
Connors hit TJP with a spear, sending him crashing into the coffin. Akira barely made the save before dropping Moloney with a cutter. Catch 22 followed up with an alley-oop and a pair of knees before rolling Moloney into the coffin. Connors saved Moloney again by attacking the referee before hanging Akira with the collar still attached to his neck.
Connors tied Akira to the post with his collar, freeing the War Dogs to focus on TJP. The Dogs landed Hit and Run and their tandem spear, incapacitating TJP long enough to place him in the coffin and close the door.
This match was awesome. Everything about it was on point. Okada’s motivation to punish the kids on the roster will never get old, and his Danielson prep with ZSJ here added a compelling layer. ZSJ and Tanahashi had incredible chemistry, as always. A great match in a vacuum, and even better considering the implecations for WrestleKingdom.
Tanahashi and ZSJ opened the match with focused grappling that spilled to the floor. Once they returned to the ring, they tagged out. Frustrated with his young challenger, Okada beat him in and out of the ring. Fujita eventually landed a dropkick that sent Okada to the mat, buying him enough time to tag out to ZSJ.
ZSJ out-grappled Tanahashi and Okada, gaining a lead in the center of the ring. Okada tried firing back with an air raid crash, but ZSJ reversed into another hold. Tanahashi tagged in and was able to turn things around for a moment, but ZSJ caught him on hold as well.
Okada tagged back in, giving his team the upper hand. ZSJ was forced to escape to Fujita, who tried unloading on Okada. Okada ate a ton of firey Fujita offense before turning the match back around with a flapjack. An air raid crash forced ZSJ to hit the ring. Tanahashi hit the ring to even the odds, leaving Okada alone with Fujita once more.
Okada floored Fujita with dropkicks before attempting the rainmaker. Fujita ducked the finish attempt and landed a German in response, scoring a nearfall. Another dropkick left Okada free to grab Fujita’s wrist, but instead of hitting the rainmaker, he pulled Fujita into a snug trap pin to win the match.
Just 5 Guys (SANADA, Taichi & Yuya Uemura) defeated Los Ingobernables de Japon (Shingo Takagi, Tetsuya Naito & Yota Tsuji)
The other points of focus were less than compelling, but Uemura and Tsuji were great throughout this match. I expect their match on the 4th to be something special.
The match opened with SANADA and Naito feeling each other out for a good minute. SANADA tried taking Naito to the mat, but Naito escaped to the floor and tagged out after returning to the ring.
Tsuji and Uemura were next to face off. Shingo hit the ring to help Tsuji establish the lead. LIJ then traded tags to isolate Uemura from the rest of J5G. Eventually, a fired-up Uemura knocked LIJ to the floor, buying time to tag out to Taichi. Taichi turned the match around for his team, challenging Shingo with heavy strikes and forcing a double tag.
With Naito and SANADA legal again, Naito gained control by taking the match to the mat. Once standing, SANADA landed a dropkick to take control, but Naito avoided the moonsault attempt. Naito tried for Destino but slipped. SANADA failed to follow up, leaving Naito free to hit a tornado DDT before another double tag.
Tsuji and Uemura entered the match again, with Uemura taking the lead. Again, Shingo hit the ring, leaving Uemura outnumbered. Shingo dropped Uemura with a pumping bomber, setting Tsuji up for a Boston crab in the middle of the ring. Taichi saved Uemura, but the rest of LIJ were quick to clear the ring again.
Tsuji crushed Uemura with a curb stomp, drawing blood. Tsuji attempted the Gene Blast, but Uemura reversed into an arm drag/crucifix pin combination that won the match, stealing the win right from under Tsuji.
After the match, Uemura grabbed the microphone to challenge Tsuji. Tsuji accepted the challenge. Tsuji asked where, and Uemura answered with “Tokyo Dome”.
Taichi followed Uemura with a year-end promo of his own. He plugged his YouTube and the success of his new faction in 2023.
SANADA closed the show with his promo. He announced an upcoming vinegar advertisement with J5G. He then told the crowd that DOUKI’s birthday was on the 24th, forcing him into the ring. The crowd sang Happy Birthday. SANADA closed by handing the microphone to TAKA, who promised 2024 would end the same way, with J5G on top.
On their way out of Korakuen, J5G went through the crowd and snow fell from the ceiling.
A double Tag Team title match has been added to the lineup for NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 18.
IWGP Tag Team Champions and World Tag League 2023 winners Hirooki Goto & YOSHI-HASHI will face Tag League runners-up and NJPW Strong Openweight Tag Team Champions Hikuleo & El Phantasmo at Wrestle Kingdom. The company made the official announcement at a Monday press conference.
Hikuleo & ELP own a victory over Goto & YH after defeating them in the block portion of the Tag League, before dropping the tournament final to them on Sunday.
Wrestle Kingdom 18 takes place Thursday, January 4 at the Tokyo Dome and streams live on NJPW World beginning at 2:30 a.m. Eastern time. The card for the show:
IWGP World Heavyweight Champion SANADA defends against Tetsuya Naito
Kazuchika Okada vs. Bryan Danielson
Inaugural IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship match: Will Ospreay vs. Jon Moxley vs. David Finlay
IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion Hiromu Takahashi defends against El Desperado
IWGP Tag Team Champions Hirooki Goto & YOSHI-HASHI vs. NJPW Strong Openweight Tag Team Champions Hikuleo & El Phantasmo for both titles
IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions Clark Connors & Drilla Moloney defend against TJP & Francesco Akira
NJPW World Television Champion Zack Sabre Jr. defends against Hiroshi Tanahashi
NEVER Openweight Champion Shingo Takagi defends against Tama Tonga
NJPW is introducing a Global Championship, with the first title holder set to be crowned at Wrestle Kingdom 18.
The promotion revealed in a press conference Monday that the three-way between Jon Moxley, Will Ospreay, & David Finlay set to take place at Wrestle Kingdom will decide the inaugural IWGP Global Heavyweight Champion.
The new title takes the place of the now-defunct IWGP United States/United Kingdom Heavyweight Championship that was abolished following Power Struggle in November when Finlay destroyed the title belts held by Ospreay as Moxley stepped forward to challenge Ospreay for Wrestle Kingdom.
NJPW released a statement attributed to NJPW chairman Naoki Sugabayashi explaining the decision to name the new title:
The IWGP US Heavyweight Championship came into being in July 2017 to mark NJPW’s first major event in the United States of America in Long Beach. After its introduction, it became the symbol of NJPW competition in the USA.
In the years that followed, the title would be defended in Japan, becoming familiar to Japanese fans as well. However, with the introduction of the IWGP UK Championship this summer, there was confusion among fans as to the status of the title.
With that in mind, this new championship combines and adds to the US and UK Championship roles, and will be called the IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship. As has already been discussed in a recent business strategy presentation, NJPW is working to ensure that 2024 sees our presence grow not just in the UK and the US, but throughout all of Europe, the rest of Asia and Oceania.
With a mindfulness on the international space, there was discussion of renewing the defunct IWGP Intercontinental Championship, but as we see an entirely new level of international involvement, the IWGP Global Heavyweight name was decided to be the most fitting. We hope fans look forward to seeing the brand new title and the matches contested for it.
As a result, January 4’s three way at Wrestle Kingdom between Will Ospreay, Jon Moxley and David Finlay will officially determine the first IWGP Global Heavyweight Champion. Thank you
Wrestle Kingdom 18 airs on NJPW World on January 4, 2024 at 2:30 a.m. Eastern time. The card for the event:
IWGP World Heavyweight Champion SANADA defends against Tetsuya Naito
Kazuchika Okada vs. Bryan Danielson
Inaugural IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship match: Will Ospreay vs. Jon Moxley vs. David Finlay
IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion Hiromu Takahashi defends against El Desperado
IWGP Tag Team Champions Hirooki Goto & YOSHI-HASHI vs. NJPW Strong Openweight Tag Team Champions Hikuleo & El Phantasmo for both titles
IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions Clark Connors & Drilla Moloney defend against TJP & Francesco Akira
NJPW World Television Champion Zack Sabre Jr. defends against Hiroshi Tanahashi
NEVER Openweight Champion Shingo Takagi defends against Tama Tonga
Shingo Takagi will put his NEVER Openweight Championship on the line against Tama Tonga at Wrestle Kingdom. Zack Sabre Jr. vs. Hiroshi Tanahashi is also now official for the January 4 Tokyo Dome event. If Sabre is still champion, his NJPW World Television title will be on the line.
Takagi won the NEVER title by defeating Tonga at Fighting Spirit Unleashed this October. Their rematch was set up for Wrestle Kingdom when Tonga confronted Takagi at Lonestar Shootout last Friday.
Sabre is approaching one year as NJPW World Television Champion. He became the inaugural champion at Wrestle Kingdom 17. During his reign, Sabre has made 16 successful title defenses. The most recent of those was against Mike Bailey at Lonestar Shootout.
Tanahashi pinned Sabre during a trios match at Power Struggle earlier this month, setting up that he would be a future challenger for Sabre’s title.
Wrestle Kingdom 18 streams live on NJPW World starting at 2:30 a.m. Eastern time on January 4, 2024. Here’s the updated card for the event:
IWGP World Heavyweight Champion SANADA defends against Tetsuya Naito
Kazuchika Okada vs. Bryan Danielson
Three-way match: IWGP United States/United Kingdom Heavyweight Champion Will Ospreay defends against Jon Moxley and David Finlay
IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion Hiromu Takahashi defends against El Desperado
IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions Clark Connors & Drilla Moloney defend against TJP & Francesco Akira
NJPW World Television Champion Zack Sabre Jr. defends against Hiroshi Tanahashi
NEVER Openweight Champion Shingo Takagi defends against Tama Tonga
Four matches have been added to NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 18 set for Thursday, January 4, 2024 at the Tokyo Dome.
As was expected following an angle at Saturday’s Power Struggle event, AEW’s Bryan Danielson will take on Kazuchika Okada at Wrestle Kingdom in a rematch from this past June’s Forbidden Door pay-per-view. Danielson issued a challenge to Okada for the rematch in a video promo played Saturday and Okada quickly accepted the challenge in a follow-up promo.
AEW’s Jon Moxley is also set for action at Wrestle Kingdom, as he will challenge IWGP US/UK Heavyweight Champion Will Ospreay, as well as Bullet Club’s David Finlay in a three-way for the US/UK title. There had been speculation that this match would be for a resurrected Intercontinental title after Finlay destroyed the US/UK title belts at Power Struggle, but the match is officially billed as a US/UK Championship bout at the moment.
IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion Hiromu Takahashi will defend his title at the Tokyo Dome against career rival El Desperado in a bout that was all but announced at Power Struggle as Hiromu called out Desperado as his next challenger.
The IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship will be defended as Bullet Club War Dogs (Clark Connors & Drilla Moloney) defend against United Empire’s Catch 2/2 (TJP & Francesco Akira) after the latter duo won the Super Junior Tag League finals at Power Struggle.
A change in start time has also been announced for the show which will begin at 4:30 PM local time/2:30 a.m. Eastern time, a half hour earlier than originally announced.
The official lineup for the show thus far:
NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 18, Thursday, January 4, 2:30 a.m. Eastern time on NJPW World —
IWGP World Heavyweight Champion SANADA defends against G1 winner Tetsuya Naito
Bryan Danielson vs. Kazuchika Okada
IWGP United States/United Kingdom Heavyweight Champion Will Ospreay defends against Jon Moxley & David Finlay in a three-way
IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion Hiromu Takahashi defends against El Desperado
IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions Bullet Club War Dogs (Clark Connors & Drilla Moloney) defend against United Empire Catch 2/2 (TJP & Francesco Akira)
