The biggest event of New Japan Pro Wrestling’s calendar year has to be Wrestle Kingdom. Once again, this year’s show spans over two days at the Tokyo Dome.
The card has been set is full of all kinds of matches, from tag, special singles, and title bouts featuring the best wrestlers in the company.
Despite the lack of gaijin wrestlers, Wrestle Kingdom is bound to be unmissable. Here are five matches to make sure to watch!
5. SANADA vs. Great O-Khan – Night Two
Amidst all of the huge title matches, Los Ingobernables and The Empire members will be battling in special singles bouts.
One of those that could surprise many fans is between SANADA and Great O-Khan.
During World Tag League, the two factions butted heads during their match and put on one of the best bouts of the tournament.
While Naito and Cobb fought, SANADA and O-Khan found their rivalry based on mutual respect and humiliation.
The two have yet to face off in a singles match but have more similarities than expected.
Although SANADA’s offence is more focused on speed compared to O-Khan’s strength, both wrestlers are extremely proficient on the mat.
Yet, their conflicting personalities could cause issues with SANADA being a true “Tranquilo” LIJ member and O-Khan trying to prove how good he is.
Fans can expect a true wrestling masterclass from two rising New Japan stars. They might also bring out new sides to each other that could surprise viewers.
4. KENTA vs. Hiroshi Tanahashi – IWGP United States Championship – Night Two
After finally winning the IWGP United States Championship from Hiroshi Tanahashi in America, KENTA showcased the title with pride.
Yet, Tanahashi wouldn’t let the title go so quickly and was adamant about having his rematch.
After weeks of silence, KENTA sent a VT at the Best of the Super Junior and World Tag League final, agreeing to the match and making it “No Disqualification.”
The lack of restrictions with the nature of the match is what KENTA would want. In the past, he has never been afraid of breaking the rules and this gives him free rein to do whatever he wants to injure the Ace.
Yet, Tanahashi also isn’t a stranger to this kind of match or opponents, but it will take a lot to outsmart KENTA.
With anything possible during the match, KENTA will be advantageous. To have even a shot at winning, Tanahashi will have to push aside his morals and play dirty like the Bullet Club member.
Although “No DQ” matches are rare in New Japan shows, this could be the perfect balance between chaos and fantastic wrestling.
3. Katsuyori Shibata v X – Special Singles Match – Night One
When Katsuyori Shibata appeared at the Best of the Super Junior and World Tag League final, nobody knew what to expect from “The Wrestler.”
Yet, fans were over the moon when Shibata announced that he would be returning at Wrestle Kingdom 1,199 days after his last official match.
His five-minute grappling match with Zack Sabre Jr reignited this desire and set the special singles match for the first night.
Although his opponent is yet to be announced, it will no doubt be a special match for not only Shibata but fans watching worldwide.
Yet, despite the uncertainty of the match, it will no doubt be an essential moment for him.
No matter what is thrown at Shibata, it is guaranteed that The Wrestler will showcase why he needs to be wrestling in a New Japan ring.
From grappling to strikes, it will no doubt feel as if Shibata never even stopped to begin with.
2. El Desperado vs. Hiromu Takahashi – IWGP Jr Heavyweight Title – Night One
One of the most iconic rivalries in New Japan has to be between El Desperado and Hiromu Takahashi. Both men had very different experiences as Young Lions.
After returning from excursion, their careers couldn’t have been more different. Hiromu rocketed to the top of the division while Desperado became a standard-bearer in the tag division.
Two very different journeys for two wrestlers who seem to be connected somehow.
Yet, ever since their first singles meeting in 2018, the two have consistently produced MOTY candidates in matches with fantastic wrestling.
More importantly, they have incredible storytelling with a rivalry that blurs the lines between love and hate.
Yet, with El Desperado adamant that he needs to beat Hiromu to secure his position as IWGP Jr Champion and Hiromu wanting the title back after relinquishing it due to injury, the stakes are higher than ever.
Fans will never know what to expect between the two. With Hiromu’s unpredictability and Desperado’s mat-based style, it will be a clash of styles and personalities that always seems to work.
With such a long history between the two, it will undoubtedly be a fan favourite and have viewers torn between who they want to win. It also can beat their other bouts, which fans have loved.
1. Shingo Takagi vs. Kazuchika Okada – IWGP World Heavyweight Title – Night One
After winning the G1, Kazuchika Okada earnt the chance to challenge IWGP World Heavyweight Champion Shingo Takagi at Wrestle Kingdom.
Despite Shingo holding the new world title, Okada still believes there is only one true belt, and it is the one he became synonymous with. This match isn’t just a battle for the title; it’s about history.
The two have already met on several occasions and have produced stand-out matches. Considering that the stakes are even higher, there is no denying that this match will be even better.
Okada and Shingo are pure athletes with the true New Japan heart. This is bound to create magic on a stage like the Tokyo Dome. There will be speed, strength, and power throughout and it is going to be tough to predict a winner.
If the main event opportunity isn’t enough motivation, closing out the two nights as champion after beating Will Ospreay is. With a match between two of the best wrestlers globally, it is no doubt the perfect way to end the first night.
Regardless of who wins, fans will finish the show happy knowing they watched a possible MOTY candidate.
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