If Wrestle Kingdom 18 is any indication the future of NJPW is in very good hands. With approximately half the card resting on the shoulders of newer, younger NJPW talent like the Bullet Club War Dogs, Catch 2/2, Yota Tsuji, Yuya Uemura, Shota Umino, Ren Narita, ELP, Hikuleo and others it is apparent the next generation is up to the task of carrying NJPW into 2024 and beyond.
The veterans still brought it though and once again Wrestle Kingdom featured definite contenders for Match of the Year despite us being only four days into 2024.
Kazuchika Okada versus Bryan Danielson was clearly the most anticipated match of the card even though it wasn’t in the main event spot. Danielson cut some of the best promos of his career working his real-life injuries into a fiery Okada revenge angle.
As Danielson came to the ring he picked up one of Okada’s bills that fell from the ceiling of the Tokyo Dome and ripped it in half.
Danielson not only received big cheers from the crowd but also a hug from Red Shoes, the official. Danielson wore an eye patch covering his right eye and part of his face.
Okada stuck out his chin daring Danielson to hit him, to strike him. When Danielson did Okada would smack the hand away. Cheeky that.
As Danielson hovered and slid over Okada he tried to lock in some sort of submission but Okada fought him off.
As they locked up both men growled at each other and started labelling each other with forearm smashes. Okada got the first big strike in though with a running elbow strike to the face. He gave Danielson a hip attack in a corner and a DDT for a two count.
Okada put Danielson in the Money Clip. Danielson got out of it by bringing them both into the ropes. A drop kick to Danielson’s injured eye had him exiting to the floor. A big mistake as Okada DDTed Danielson on the floor. Okada charged at Danielson only to get a running knee in the ribs and chest.
Danielson took exception to Okada targeting his eye.
“You want to play that game?” shouted Danielson slapping Okada in the face over and over.
Danielson wrapped Okada’s arm through a ringside railing cranking down on it before he slammed the barricade door on it twice before Red Shoes stepped in.
Danielson rolled Okada back into the ring. Okada rolled around on the canvass holding and cradling his arm. Danielson suplexed Okada on his arm then bent his arm backwards stomping it into the canvass.
Danielson yelled to the crowd: I am going to break his arm You tell him! I am going to break his arm!
Danielson wrapped Okada’s arm in the ropes pulling down on it. Danielson demanded Red Shoes get out of the way as he struck Okada’s arm with two shotgun drop kicks.
An Air Raid Crash from Okada separated the two men. Danielson met Okada on the top rope with a chain of European uppercuts to the face, a butterfly suplex to the mat and a Yes Lock. Okada was able to drape his leg over the ropes to escape.
Absorbing Danielson’s kicks on the apron Okada spiked Danielson with a Tombstone Piledriver. Giving Danielson some of his own medicine, Okada ripped the protective guard off stomping Danielson’s bad eye. Okada hits Danielson’s eye with a pinpoint flying drop kick and a flying elbow smash from the top rope. Danielson blocked the Rainmaker Clothesline with a crucifix and a kick to the injured arm.
It was hammer and anvil time for Okada. Okada became furious as he fought out of the hold. A Busaiku Knee Kick got Danielson a two count. Okada refused to quit as Danielson put him in another Yes Lock for minutes and minutes on end.
Danielson demanded Okada tap-out as he began to fade with a concerned Red Shows looking on. Okada finally got his legs on the bottom rope once again to escape.
Danielson held Okada’s arms as he stomped his face. Okada broke the hold to hit Danielson with the Rainmaker Clothesline. Holding his arm in pain, Okada couldn’t make the cover.
Another Busaiku Knee folded Okada up. Danielson led the Tokyo Dome in a Yes! Chant as he prepared to land another. Okada ducked though, gave Danielson a drop kick, Landslide and a Rainmaker Clothesline for the 1, 2, 3. After the match both men bowed to each other, shook hands and Danielson held up Okada’s hand in victory.
The actual advertised main event pit the leader of Los Ingobernables de Japón, Tetsuya Naito, against his former stablemate and betrayer, IWGP World Heavyweight Champion, Sanada. Earlier this year, Sanada dumped LIJ for the new Just Five Guys stable.
The two battled with Sanada almost being counted out after Naito gave him a neckbreaker off the ringside barricade. Naito gave Sanada’s neck and shoulders all of is attention softening them up for his Destino finisher. Sanada avoided Destino often using his TKO.
Naito eventually claimed the title from Sanada with Valentina and Destino. Naito had blood streaming from his injured eye though.
Naito didn’t have any time to celebrate or enjoy the moment he worked so hard for though. As he was about to address the crowd he was attacked from behind by Evil and Dick Togo.
“I won’t let you have your role call,” said Evil reminding Naito that he was very much against unifying the IWGP Heavyweight Championship and the IWGP Intercontinental Championship into the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship in the first place.
Evil threatened to steal the belt but Sanada leapt into the ring drop kicking him in the face. Sanada and Naito double-teamed Dick Togo. The crowd cheered for Sanada as he made his way to the back allowing Naito to have him moment in the sun. Before he thanked the fans Naito had something to say to Sanada though.
“I am holding this microphone right now because of you. Thank you,” he said.
Wrestle Kingdom 18 Results
New Japan Ranbo
The big surprise is that madman Takashi Iizuka came out of retirement for the match. He and his former pal Taichi teamed up for a bit after Taichi gave him the iron claw back. Iizuka turned on Taichi though. The final four who will face each other at New Year Dash to become the first KPOW Provisional Champion of 2024 are:
Winners: The Great-O-Khan, Yoh, Toru Yano and Taiji Ishimori.
Rating: 7 / 10
Bullet Club War Dogs (c) vs. Catch 2/2 – IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship Match
When Francesco Akira comes down to the ring there at his feet is the coffin TJP was locked in weeks ago during their coffin match against The War Dogs. TJP rises out of the coffin with one skeletal hand and a hideous mask on as well. He is dressed as Filipino mythological creature known as The Aswang. The Aswang is “an umbrella term for various shape-shifting evil creatures in Filipino folklore, such as vampires, ghouls, witches, viscera suckers, and transforming human-beast hybrids (usually dogs, cats, pigs).
The Dogs aren’t sure what to make of this especially with the Aswang breathing mist. The Aswang leaps at them knocking them out of the ring. Catch 22 hits the Leaning Tower but Drilla Moloney smartly rolls out of the ring.
Catch 2/2 double-team Connors. Connors backdrops Akira over the top rope and to the floor.
As Drilla holds up Aswang up for a suplex on the floor Connors spears Aswang off the apron. The War Dogs bring their dog collar into the equation. Connors puts the collar around Aswang’s throat and ties the chain around a steel barricade. He chokes Aswang out.
The War Dogs double-team Akira. Akira fights on leaping over Connors and delivering a destroyer to Moloney. Aswang makes it back to the apron and hot tags in.
Aswang bites Drilla’s neck as he grabs onto the official. Akira gives Connors a Spanish Fly off the top rope. Aswang spits red mist in Drilla’s face as Akira moonsaults Connors on the floor. Drilla is pinned after Two-By-Two running knee strikes by Catch 2/2.
Winners: …and new IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions, Catch 2/2.
Rating: 7.5 / 10
Zack Sabre Jr. (c) vs. Hiroshi Tanahashi – NJPW World Television Championship Match
As with all Television Championship matches this has a 15 minute time limit. Zack twists this way and that folding up Tanahashi in hold after hold. Tanahashi fires back with two slingblades and a flying crossbody from the top rope. Zack puts up his knees though as The Ace goes for High Fly Flow. Zack puts The Ace in a zillion submission holds. The Ace finally breaks out grasping for and reaching the bottom rope.
The Ace counters the Zack Driver. Both men try to roll the other up time and time again. Tanahashi wins that battle and the belt.
Winner: …and new NJPW World Television Champion, Hiroshi Tanahashi.
Rating: 7.5 / 10
Yota Tsuji vs. Yuya Uemura
Uemura counters Tsuji’s strength with his speed. The big man dives through the ropes knocking Yuya into the ringside barricade. An electric chair back in the ring scores Tsuji a two count as the pace of the match really slows down. Tsuji shrugs off Yuya’s chops to bowl him over with a shoulder tackle. Yuya unleashes a series of arm drags and ends that combination with a drop kick. A bulldog gets Yuya a two count.
Yuya pushes Tsuji off the top rope. Tsuji lands on his feet. Yuya dives off the top rope. Tsuji kicks him in the face. Yuya kicks out of a brainbuster bomb.
Tsuji sets-up Yuya for his spear. Yuya catches him in an arm drag and almost pins him. Tsuji kicks out a Dragon Suplex but not a Deadbolt Suplex.
Winner: Yuya Uemura
Rating: 7.5 / 10
Shota Umino and Kaito Kiyomiya vs. House of Torture (Evil and Ren Narita)
The House of Torture are in submission holds. Kanemaru rings the bell causing confusion. Evil shoves the faces into the official. Kanemaru, Sho and Yujiro enter the ring and attack while the official is down. Togo hits his crotch shot from the top rope. Umino spikes Narita with an over the top rope DDT on the ring apron.
Kanemaru and Sho try to throw Umino into a ringside barricade. Umino bounces off of it and drop kicks them both. Evil chokes Umino with t-shirt around the throat.
Yujiro distracts the official so that Kanemaru can slide a push-up bar into the ring. Narita clobbers Umino in the face with it. Narita spikes Umino for the win.
Winners: House of Torture (Evil and Ren Narita)
Rating: 7 / 10
For Part Two Click on the link below
Shingo Takagi (c) vs. Tama Tonga – NEVER Openweight Championship Match
Tama suplexes Shingo around but Shingo sits right back up no-selling it all until the third suplex stuns him. A Stinger Splash by Tama only makes Shingo sit up and take notice. He fires back with a haymaker and clothesline combination. Shingo smashes his own head into the turnbuckle pad. Shingo splashes Tama on the floor.
Tama lays Shingo out with a neckbreaker from the top rope. Shingo blocks Tama’s attempt at a Supreme Flow from the top rope. Shingo turns it into a Superplex.
Tama transforms a Made in Japan into a Tongan Twist. Tama lands the Supreme Flow from the top rope for just a two count. Tama signals for the Gun Stun. Shingo shrugs it off powerbombing Tama.
Tama spins end over end after Shingo’s Pumping Bomber. Shingo goes for Made in Japan but Tama hits the Gun Stun out of nowhere. Tama cannot capitalize on the move and make the cover though.
A furious Shingo kicks out at one after a Sunday Bloody Sunday from Tama. The crowd is shocked when Tama kicks out after receiving a Gun Stun, a Pumping Bomber and Made in Japan from Shingo.
Shingo batters Tama until he falls to his knees. Tama turns a Made in Japan into a Styles Clash and another Gun Stun. Shingo barely kicks out. Tama pins Shingo with PST. Thus far, this is the best match of the night.
Winner: …and new NEVER Openweight Champion, Tama Tonga
Rating: 8 / 10
Before the next match starts, Nick Nemeth (Dolph Ziggler) and Ryan Nemeth take their VIP seats at ringside to watch the tag match.
Bishamon (IWGP) vs. Guerrillas of Destiny (Strong Openweight) – Winners Takes All tag team match
ELP blocks Shoto by sending Bichamon into each other. Goto gives the gigantic Hikuleo a Ushikoroshi. ELP frees Hikuleo though with a super kick to the jaw. ELP splashes Hashi on the floor as Hikuleo chokeslams Goto. ELP climbs on Hikuleo’s shoulders for the Super Thunderkiss ‘86. Goto kicks out though. ELP hits the CR3 on Goto. Hikuleo flies off the top rope for his version of the Thunderkiss ‘86 for the pin.
Winners: …and new IWGP Tag Team Champions, Guerrillas of Destiny.
Rating: 7.5 / 10
Hiromu Takahashi (c) vs. El Desperado – IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship Match
Hiromu doesn’t even get his intricate robe off before Desperado splashes him on the floor. Back in the ring, Hiromu dares Desperado to drop another elbow on his neck. Desperado obliges.
Desperado follows up a running clothesline in a corner with a slam but Hiromu counters with a shotgun drop kick in the ring and then off the apron sending Desperado over the ringside barricade. Hiromu then just threw Desperado over another.
Desperado follows up a spinebuster with a stretch muffler. Hiromu makes it to the ropes though.
Desperado begins working over Hiromu’s knee damaged from the stretch muffler. Hiromu backdrops out of a Pinche Loco attempt. A wheelbarrel flatliner has Desperado clutching at his left eye and face. Desperado puts Hiromu into the stretch muffler and tries to transition to Numero Dous. Hiromu sits up though and counters with a destroyer.
Desperado slips out of a Time Bomb escaping to the top rope. Desperado slams Hiromu down from the top rope to the mat below. Desperado is clutching his own neck as well. Desperado gets to his feet and just lays in haymaker after haymaker. Hiromu fires back with some super kick and a lariat. Desperado puts an end to the back and forth with a Pinche Loco.
Winner: …and new IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion, El Desperado.
Rating: 8 / 10
Will Ospreay vs. Jon Moxley vs. David Finlay – Three-way match for the inaugural IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship
Moxley comes down with a red mask and leather jacket on looking like the DC hero, Red Hood. As per their deal at the press conference, Moxley and Ospreay attack Finlay right out of the gate stomping him and choking him into a corner. The chops were next with Moxley and Ospreay taking their turns.
Finlay attempted to battle back but decided to take a hike slipping through the ropes to the floor. Ospreay and Moxley followed him out with Moxley giving Finlay an atomic drop on the fence. Ospreay and Moxley battled Finlay into the crowd.
Ospreay devastated Finlay with a neckbreaker on a steel barricade. Finlay finally got some offence in slinging Moxley into an equipment case and dropping Ospreay on his throat on a barricade. Moxley put an end to that flurry with a snap suplex on the floor. Moxley set-up a table on the floor. Moxley and Ospreay slammed Finlay through the table.
With Finlay incapacitated, Ospreay and Moxley looked at each other and decided to settle things in the ring. Ospreay and Moxley threw forearms at each other, trading suplexes and clotheslines as well. Moxley trapped Ospreay in a corner and rained down haymakers on him. Moxley blocked an Oscutter suplexing Ospreay to the canvass.
Moxley backdropped Ospreay on the ring apron. Finlay reentered the fray pushing Moxley head-first into a steel post and then using his shillelagh to drop Ospreay with a neckbreaker on the apron. Moxley returned to the ring bleeding from his forehead. Finlay laid Moxley in the ropes raking his forehead over and over again.
Ospreay bounced off the ropes nailing both Finlay and Moxley with kicks. Moxley reached under the apron pulling out chair after chair and throwing them into the ring. One hit Ospreay in the head.
Moxley picked up a chair throwing it in Finlay’s face. Moxley put two chair back-to-back but Finlay slammed him onto them instead for a two count. Finlay turned his attention to Ospreay smashing a chair over his back.
Later on, all three men threw punch after punch at each other in the middle of the ring. Finlay spit at both Ospreay and Moxley giving them the finger. Finlay bounced between Moxley and Ospreay’s fists.
Alex Coughlin and Gabe Kidd hit the ring choking out and punching out Moxley and Ospreay. Moxley and Ospreay fought off Finlay and the War Dogs. Moxley laid out Coughlin and Kidd on two tables so that Ospreay could splash them from the top rope. Kidd went through his table but Coughlin was stuck halfway through his.
Moxley stopped Finlay from nailing him with his shillelagh dropping him with two Death Riders. Ospreay flew across the ring with a Hidden Blade for a one count on Moxley. Ospreay hit Moxley with another Hidden Blade and a Stormbreaker. Finlay though snuck back into the ring getting a two count with Oblivion on Ospreay.
Finlay drove his knee into the back of Ospreay’s head and pinned him with a second Oblivion. The crowd rained down loud boos on Finlay. Finlay then had some words with the former Dolph Ziggler at the VIP area.
“You are talking to me for some reason? You think you deserve to talk to me?” asked Nick Nemeth getting in Finlay’s face.
“You think you deserve to be in my presence?” asked Finlay shoving Nemeth. The two then began brawling all the way to the backstage area.
Winner: …and first-ever IWGP Global Heavyweight Champion, David Finlay.
Rating: 8 / 10
Kazuchika Okada vs. Bryan Danielson
Winner: Kazuchika Okada
Rating: 9 / 10
Sanada (c) vs. Tetsuya Naito – IWGP World Heavyweight Championship Match
Winner: …and new IWGP World Heavyweight Champion, Tetsuya Naito.
Rating: 9 / 10
