Mercedes Mone has opened up about suffering a panic attack before her most recent championship match.

The CEO faced Mina Shirakawa in a double championship match earlier this month. The Wrestle Dynasty bout coming from Tokyo Dome was her first match ever in the legendary arena. The AEW star talked about this bout in the most recent edition of her newsletter and revealed that she suffered a full-blown panic attack on the morning of the January 5 show:

“Though I have nerves and butterflies for all my big matches, my match at the Tokyo Dome against Mina was somehow different. From the moment I landed in Japan, where I actually bawled my eyes out with both disbelief and gratitude, to the morning of the event, where I had an actual panic attack, making history was the last thing on my mind.”

• Mercedes Mone Wants Beyonce For Her Entrance at AEW All In Texas

Female Athletes Deserve Prominent Recognition: Mercedes Mone

Mercedes Mone noted that it was her lifelong dream to have a match at Tokyo Dome. She claimed that to her Japan feels like a second home. Though the current TBS Champion was not only excited but also petrified cause she didn’t want to let anyone down and do a good job of representing female athletes:

“I didn’t want to let the promoters down. I didn’t want to let the fans down. I didn’t want to let Mina down. I especially, and as always, didn’t want to let the women wrestlers of today AND tomorrow down. I want New Japan, and all promotions, globally, for that matter, to know that we female athletes deserve prominent recognition and a prominent place on the card. “

Mone defended her NJPW STRONG Women’s Title against Mina’s RevPro Undisputed British Women’s Championship at the PPV match. The American star came out victorious in the bout, adding another title to her prestigious collection.

• Mercedes Moné Eyes Historic Main Event After Wrestle Dynasty Win

Fans can expect to see much more of Konosuke Takeshita in New Japan as the AEW International Champion has signed a deal with the promotion. Speaking backstage at Wrestle Dynasty, Takeshita announced his commitment to the Japanese promotion.

Takeshita, the reigning NEVER Openweight Champion, won the title at Wrestle Kingdom 19 by defeating Shingo Takagi. At Wrestle Dynasty, he successfully defended both the NEVER Openweight Championship and the AEW International Championship in a grueling match against Tomohiro Ishii.

Full Results From Wrestle Dynasty 2025

Fans won’t have to wait long to see Takeshita in action again. NJPW confirmed during Wrestle Dynasty that Takeshita will defend his NEVER Openweight Championship against KUSHIDA at Battle in the Valley on January 11th. Additionally, Oleg Boltin confronted Takeshita backstage at Wrestle Dynasty, hinting at a future clash, though no match has been officially announced.

In addition to his commitments with AEW and NJPW, Takeshita is also under contract with DDT Pro Wrestling, exemplifying his status as a true international champion. Stay tuned to SEScoops for updates on Konosuke Takeshita as challengers line up for the NEVER Openweight Champion and AEW International Champion.

Kenny Omega’s long-awaited return to the ring was a triumphant one. The former AEW World Champion defeated Gabe Kidd at Wrestle Dynasty in a thrilling penultimate match of the show, marking his first bout since December 2023.

Omega, who had been sidelined due to diverticulitis and underwent surgery in 2024, made a significant impact with his return. Fans were also treated to a surprise when Omega debuted a brand-new entrance theme composed by Masayoshi Soken, the acclaimed composer behind Final Fantasy XIV and Final Fantasy XVI.

With Omega back in the ring, fans are excited to see what’s next for him, both in New Japan and AEW. The Cleaner appeared at Worlds End following the Continental Championship match, where he presented Kazuchika Okada with the gold. Omega will be part of next week’s Dynamite, and after his successful return at Wrestle Dynasty, fans can expect many more high-profile feuds and matches for the 41-year-old wrestler.

Mercedes Moné added another championship to her growing collection at Wrestle Dynasty by defeating Mina Shirakawa to capture the RevPro Undisputed British Women’s Championship. The match’s climax saw Moné hit the Moné Maker for the victory in the match that also featured her NJPW Strong Women’s Championship on the line.

You can check out some highlights below:

With this victory, Moné ended Mina Shirakawa’s title reign at 134 days. Shirakawa had held the championship since the RevPro 12th Anniversary Show in August 2024. Meanwhile, Moné has held the NJPW Strong Women’s Championship since Forbidden Door in June 2024, where she dethroned Stephanie Vaquer.

This win cements Mercedes Moné as the first American to hold the RevPro Undisputed British Women’s Championship. Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest updates on Mercedes Moné as “The CEO” continues to dominate on the global wrestling stage.

NJPW’s Wrestle Kingdom 19 took place on January 4, 2025, at the Tokyo Dome in Tokyo, Japan. Here are the results from the show:

• IWGP World Heavyweight Championship: Zack Sabre Jr. (c) vs. Shota Umino. Sabre kept his championship reign alive and well by defeating Umino in the show’s 43-minute main event. Sabre will face Ricochet at Wrestle Dynasty.

• Special Singles Match: Tetsuya Naito vs. Hiromu Takahashi. Naito got the victory in this battle of two of the biggest stars in New Japan Pro Wrestling.

• IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship: David Finlay (c) vs. Yota Tsuji. Tsuji entered the record-breaking reign of Finlay by getting the win and the title. Finlay had held the title for 245 days before being dethroned.

• IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship: DOUKI (c) vs. El Desperado. El Desperado was awarded the title after DOUKI suffered an arm injury during the match.

• Double Championship Match: Shingo Takagi (NEVER Openweight Champion) vs. Konosuke Takeshita (AEW International Champion). Takeshita defeated Takagi to win the NEVER Openweight Championship, adding it to his AEW International title. Takeshita will defend both titles against Tomohiro Ishii at Wrestle Dynasty.

• Lumberjack Death Match: Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. EVIL. Tanahashi put his career on the line and secured a victory against EVIL.

• NJPW World Television Championship — Four-Way Match: Ren Narita (c) vs. Ryohei Oiwa vs. Jeff Cobb vs. El Phantasmo. El Phantasmo emerged victorious, becoming the new NJPW World Television Champion.

• IWGP Women’s Championship: Mayu Iwatani (c) vs. AZM. Iwatani retained her title against AZM in a competitive match.

• IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championships — Tokyo Terror Ladder Match: Kevin Knight & KUSHIDA (c) vs. T.M.D.K. (Robbie Eagles & Kosei Fujita) vs. Catch 2/2 (TJP & Francesco Akira) vs. BULLET CLUB War Dogs (Clark Connors & Drilla Moloney). Robbie Eagles and Kosei Fujita captured the titles in this high-stakes ladder match.

The stars of New Japan will be back in the ring tomorrow as part of Wrestle Dynasty. The first-of-its-kind show will feature talent from New Japan, AEW, STARDOM, Ring of Honor, and CMLL.

New Japan Pro Wrestling star Gabe Kidd could soon become a free agent and depart the promotion.

NJPW Strong Openweight Champion Gabe Kidd’s contract is expiring soon, according to Fightful. However, the exact timeline has not been shared. It is unclear whether the negotiation process has started between the two parties. However, the outlet reported that Kidd is expected to be retained by NJPW.

Kidd is set to face Kenny Omega at AEW Wrestle Dynasty following his return at AEW Worlds End pay-per-view. The pair got into a backstage altercation back in November after Omega announced his return after a year-long battle with diverticulitis.

During NJPW Power Struggle, Kenny Omega opened up on his recovery from diverticulitis and stated that he’d love to make an in-ring comeback at Wrestle Dynasty on January 5th. He had also expressed his desire to square off against one of the young talents from NJPW at the event.

However, chaos ensued when Omega got backstage as he came across Gabe Kidd. The reigning NJPW Strong Openweight Champion took some shots at him and a massive brawl broke out between the two.

Gabe Kidd’s future with NJPW might be up in the air but doesn’t mean he will be heading to AEW. Kidd previously made it clear that he was not interested in joining Tony Khan’s promotion. Kidd had expressed his frustration over AEW in an interview where he said he not only doesn’t plan to join AEW. He further said that he’s not happy with the relationship between NJPW and AEW.

New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW) is set to kick off 2025 with its flagship event, Wrestle Kingdom 19, taking place on January 4, 2025, at the iconic Tokyo Dome. This annual spectacle is often compared to the Super Bowl in the wrestling world, showcasing some of the biggest stars and most thrilling matches.

Read More – NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 19 Start Time: US, Canada, UK, Australia, Europe and more

When to Watch NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 19

Fans can catch all the action live via NJPW World, the promotion’s official streaming service. The event will start at 5 PM JST, which translates to 3 AM ET and 12 AM PT for viewers in the United States.

Subscriptions for NJPW World are available for $9.99 per month for international fans, while Japanese viewers can subscribe for ¥1,298 to ¥1,500 depending on their chosen platform.

Alternative Streaming Options

In addition to NJPW World, fans can also watch Wrestle Kingdom 19 on TrillerTV, which is offering a special bundle that includes both Wrestle Kingdom 19 and Wrestle Dynasty 2025.

This package allows fans to enjoy both events with a single purchase, providing a seamless viewing experience. The bundle comes with a 20% discount, making it an attractive option for wrestling enthusiasts looking to catch all the action from Tokyo

Match Card Highlights

Wrestle Kingdom 19 promises an exciting lineup of matches, including:

• IWGP World Heavyweight Championship Match: Zack Sabre Jr. (c) vs. Shota Umino
• Tokyo Terror Ladder Match: Intergalactic Jet Setters vs. Catch 22 vs. Ichiban Sweet Boys vs. Bullet Club War Dogs
• IWGP Women’s Title Match: Mayu Iwatani (c) vs. AZM

This year marks a significant moment as both Sabre Jr. and Umino will headline their first Tokyo Dome event, adding extra stakes to this already thrilling card.

New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW) is set to kick off 2025 with its flagship event, Wrestle Kingdom 19, taking place on January 4, 2025.

This year’s event promises to be monumental, featuring top stars and thrilling matches at the iconic Tokyo Dome.

Start Time for Wrestle Kingdom 19 in Different Regions

United States

Fans in the U.S. can catch the action starting at 3 AM ET / 12 AM PT. This early morning start time allows wrestling fans to enjoy the event live as it unfolds in Japan.

Canada

Similar to the U.S., Canadian viewers will also tune in at 3 AM ET. The time zone alignment ensures that fans across North America can share in the excitement simultaneously

United Kingdom

For those in the UK, Wrestle Kingdom 19 will begin at 8 AM GMT. This timing makes it convenient for British fans to watch the event during daylight hours.

Australia

Australian viewers will have to set their alarms for 6 PM AEDT, making it a perfect evening event for fans down under. This timing allows for a prime viewing experience without sacrificing sleep.

Europe

In mainland Europe, the start time varies by country but generally aligns with Central European Time (CET). Expect the show to begin at 9 AM CET, allowing fans across Europe to join in on the action as it happens.

Asia (excluding Japan)

Fans in countries like South Korea and China will see Wrestle Kingdom 19 starting at 5 PM KST/CST, which aligns with Japan’s local time.

South America

Viewers in Brazil can tune in at 5 AM BRT, while those in Argentina will watch at 6 AM ART.

NJPW and AEW are set to run their first Wrestle Dynasty show on Sunday, January 5th, a day after the iconic Tokyo Dome Wrestle Kingdom show on January 4th. There are already some pretty big matches confirmed for that show, but it appears as though New Japan actually wanted more talent from All Elite that they couldn’t get a hold of.

According to a new report from Fightful Select, NJPW wanted to bring more talent in for the event, but due to Collision taking place on the Saturday night, the talent wouldn’t be able to appear at both:

“There were a number of talent that NJPW wanted for Wrestle Dynasty, but were already planned for Collision the same day.”

Fightful Select

We do not currently know how the talents are, but there will probably be some more indication when Collision takes place on January 4th when the show goes live.

Wrestle Dynasty Card

Here are the matches that have been confirmed for Wrestle Dynasty:

• Kenny Omega vs. Gabe Kidd
• Zack Sabre Jr. vs. Ricochet
• Claudio Castagnoli vs. Shota Umio
• David Finlay vs. Brody King
• Jack Perry vs. Yota Tsuji
• NEVER Openweight Championship Match – Shingo Takagi or Konosuke Takeshita (c) vs. Tomohiro Ishii
• IWGP Tag Team Championship Decider Match – Great-O-Khan and a Mystery Partner vs. The Young Bucks (Matthew Jackson and Nicholas Jackson)
• NJPW STRONG Women’s Championship and RevPro Undisputed British Women’s Championship Match – “The CEO” Mercedes Moné (c) [NJPW STRONG Women’s Champion] vs. Mina Shirakawa (c) [RevPro Undisputed British Women’s Champion]
• Lucha Gauntlet Match – Four NJPW Stars and Four CMLL Stars Will Compete
• Kickoff Match #1 – International Women’s Cup Fatal Four Way Match: Momo Watanabe (STARDOM) vs. Willow Nightingale (AEW) vs. Persephone (CMLL) vs. Athena (ROH)
• Kickoff Match #2 – ROH World Tag Team Championship Match: The Sons Of Texas (Dustin Rhodes and Sammy Guevara) (c) vs. House Of Torture (Yoshinobu Kanemaru and SHO)

Either Mercedes Moné or Mina Shirakawa will leave Wrestle Dynasty a double champion after agreeing to face off at the January 5, show. At this past weekend’s NJPW Strong Style Evolved, The CEO succesfully defended her NJPW Strong Women’s Championship against Hazuki.

After the match, Moné was confronted by Shirakawa, who challenged her to a NJPW Strong Women’s Title match for Wrestle Dynasty. Moné accepted, but said Mina’s RevPro British Women’s Title must also be on the line. The pair agreed to the Winner Takes All showdown and ended the segment with a dance.

Moné has held the NJPW Strong Women’s Championship since Double or Nothing in June, where she defeated Stephanie Vaquer in a match that saw the AEW TBS Championship also on the line. As for Shirakawa, she has held the RevPro British Women’s Title since August’s 12-Year Anniversary show, where she dethroned TNA Wrestling’s Dani Luna.

Wrestle Dynasty will take place on January 5, 2025, from the legendary Tokyo Dome in Tokyo, Japan, just one day after NJPW: Wrestle Kingdom 19 in the same venue. In addition to AEW and New Japan talent, the show will also feature names from Ring of Honor, CMLL, and World Wonder Ring Stardom. The show was announced back in June of this year during the AEWxNJPW: Forbidden Door pay-per-view.

Stay tuned to SE Scoops for all the latest news about Wrestle Dynasty 2025 as both The CEO and Shirakawa plan on leaving the event as a double champion.

The Young Bucks surprised fans with their appearance at NJPW Strong Style Evolved, and the AEW EVPs weren’t afraid to get physical. The show saw Jack Perry and Konosuke Takeshita struggle to co-exist in their tag-team match, but were able to defeat Shingo Takagi and Yota Tsuji.

After the match, Takeshita and Perry ganged up on Takagai until Hiromu Takahashi arrived to fight them off. The Young Bucks then blindsided Takahashi with a superkick, though Perry seemed far from happy to see his fellow Elite allies and headed to the back.

Matthew and Nicholas Jackson discussed challenging for the IWGP Tag Team Championships at Wrestle Dynasty on January 5. The duo also took aim at Kenny Omega and Kota Ibushi, with Nick saying the pair are injury prone after Matt pondered what happened to the pair.

The Bucks will challenge Great-O-Khan and a mystery partner for the vacant tag team titles at Wrestle Dynasty. The titles are currently vacant after Henare suffered a knee injury, forcing him and Great-O-Khan to give up the gold. The match will be the first time the Bucks have competed since the October 20, 2024 edition of AEW Dynamite, when the brothers lost the AEW World Tag Team Championships to Private Party.

Wrestle Dynasty will be the first show of its kind and take place in Tokyo Japan on January 5, one day after NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 19. The blockbuster show will feature talent from AEW, New Japan, Ring of Honor, CMLL, and STARDOM. Stay tuned for the latest on Wrestle Dynasty and The Young Bucks’ involvement with the show.

Wrestle Dynasty 2025 is shaping up to be one of the biggest events of the new year, with five promotions coming together for the first-of-its-kind event.

Wrestle Dynasty 2025 will take place on January 5, from the legendary Tokyo Dome in Tokyo, Japan. The show will feature talent from AEW, New Japan Pro Wrestling, Ring of Honor, STARDOM, and Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre. The show will happen one day after NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 19, which will also air from the Toyo Dome.

Current Card for WrestleDynasty

The match card for Wrestle Dynasty so far is as follows:

Kenny Omega Vs. Gabe Kidd: After close to 400 days, Kenny Omega will finally be in action when he takes on the man who assaulted him at NJPW Power Struggle: Gabe Kidd

Yota Tsuji vs. Jack Perry: Fresh off his AEW TNT Title loss at Full Gear, Jack Perry is looking to rebuild his momentum when he faces off against New Japan Cup 2024 winner Yota Tsuji

Shingo Takagi (c) or Konosuke Takeshita vs. Tomohiro Ishii: The NEVER Openweight Championship will be on the line, but who will face Ishii remains in the air. If Takeshita is still the AEW International Championship and faces Ishii, the match will be for both titles.

Zack Sabre Jr. Vs. Ricochet: A dream match of two of wrestling’s most athletic stars competing today, Ricochet could earn himself a title match if he can score a non-title win on the IWGP World Heavyweight Champion.

Shota Umino Vs. Claudio Castagnoli: A match that’ll be as physical as it gets, will the Death Riders’ Swiss powerhouse overcome the New Japan’s resident Roughneck?

International Women’s Cup Four Way: A representative from AEW, CMLL, ROH, and STARDOM will compete in this four-way, with the winner earning a title match from the participating promotion of their choosing.

The Young Bucks in Action: The Young Bucks have confirmed their role at Wrestle Dynasty, though time will tell who steps up to face the AEW EVPs.

With these matches announced, and Mercedes Mone teasing a role at Wrestle Dynasty, the January 5, show will be a huge event. Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest on Wrestle Dynasty including breaking news and live results.

Kenny Omega’s return to action will come on January 5, at Wrestle Dynasty against Gabe Kidd, it has been confirmed. In a statement from New Japan Pro Wrestling, it was confirmed that the match has been made official:

“Kenny Omega will step into a pro-wrestling ring in anger for the first time in 396 days, and in an NJPW ring for the first time in two years exactly. Will he prevail against the violent mad man in the Tokyo Dome?”

Omega and Kidd have been at odds since NJPW Power Struggle where the AEW EVP teased wrestling at Wrestle Dynasty. After speaking of wanting to face one of New Japan’s young talent, Omega had an altercation with Gabe Kidd backstage.

Omega has been out of action since December of 2023 due to a battle with diverticulitis. The former AEW World Champion’s last match came against Ethan Page at the December 12, 2023 episode of Collision and he underwent surgery earlier this year. Now, Omega is poised for his long-awaited return, in what should be a must-see match at the first-ever Wrestle Dynasty pay-per-view.

Kenny Omega has seemingly confirmed his in-ring return match against Gabe Kidd at next year’s Wrestle Dynasty PPV event.

This comes after the Cleaner made his first wrestling appearance in a long time at the November 4 Power Struggle PPV. Omega announced his intention to make an in-ring return at the January show. He was then attacked by Gabe Kidd backstage.

In a new interview with NJPW, the former AEW World Champion addressed these recent events, saying that he has had some time to reflect on things since Power Struggle:

“Well, I’d like to address recent circumstances, and things that have happened with Gabe Kidd. I’ve had time to reflect after Power Struggle, and I feel I would regret not being able to make things right. I would hate for this situation to cause a rift between AEW and New Japan Pro-Wrestling.”

• Kota Ibushi Teases AEW Return with Kenny Omega

Kenny Omega then seemingly confirmed his return match for the Wrestle Dynasty event on January 5, claiming that he’ll do it if that’s what the fans want:

“So after conversations I’ve had with President Tanahashi and other executives in NJPW, I’ve decided that if New Japan requests it, if Gabe requests it, and if the fans want it, then I will wrestle Gabe Kidd, as a professional at Wrestle Dynasty January 5.”

The former IWGP World Champion went on a hiatus at the end of 2023 after being diagnosed with diverticulitis. His last match came against Ethan Page at the December 12, 2023 episode of Collision.

Omega also recently explained his decision to make his in-ring return in Japan instead of US. You can check out his comments on the matter here.

• Kenny Omega on His Comeback: ‘I’m Still Standing, Fueled by Passion’

New Japan Pro Wrestling has ‘punished’ Gabe Kidd following his altercation with Kenny Omega at NJPW Power Struggle 2024. On X, NJPW President Hiroshi Tanahashi had the following announcement:

“On November 4 in Osaka, after he delivered an address to the crowd, Kenny Omega was involved in a physical altercation with Gabe Kidd.

“We take this type of incident seriously, and after investigation have determined that Kidd’s actions in physically assaulting a non active wrestler were unbecoming of a professional.

“Gabe has been issued with a formal warning and a fine as a result.

“I would like to formally apologise to Kenny Omega and AEW for the distress caused.”

The incident between Omega and Kidd came after the former AEW World Champion teased a return to the ring as part of the Wrestle Dynasty event on January 5. After going backstage, Omega and Kidd ‘brawled’ in the closest Omega has come to a fight since December of last year. It was also the first time Omega has gotten physical at a wrestling event since being attacked by The Elite in May.

Omega’s brawl with Kidd has sparked talk among fans of a match between the pair for the latter’s Strong Openweight Championship at Wrestle Dynasty. The first-of-its-kind show will feature talent from AEW, New Japan, CMLL, Ring of Honor, and Stardom and will take place from the famed Tokyo Dome in Tokyo, Japan. The show will take place one day after NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 19, which will also emanate from the Tokyo Dome.

Any match for Omega will hinge on him being cleared in time, though Kota Ibushi has predicted a return is not too far away. Nevertheless, the idea of Omega finally getting back in the ring to wrestle is welcomed news to his legion of fans eager to see him back in the ring.

Kenny Omega wasn’t afraid to get physical at NJPW Power Struggle 2024, as Gabe Kidd discovered firsthand at the event in Osaka, Japan. During the show, Omega spoke about his recovery from diverticulitis and said he’d love to return to the ring at Wrestle Dynasty on January 5. Omega added that he wants to face one of the young talents from New Japan at the event.

When Omega got backstage, he was confronted by one of those young stars, 27-year-old Gabe Kidd. The reigning NJPW Strong Openweight Champion had some barbs for Omega, resulting in a brawl between the two. The segment marked the closest Omega has come to a fight since December of last year, and his first time getting physical at a wrestling event since being attacked by The Elite in May.

It’s not just at NJPW Power Struggle that Kidd and Omega have been at each other’s throats, as Kidd and Omega beefed via X in August.

Omega’s brawl with Kidd has already sparked talk among fans of a match between the pair at Wrestle Dynasty. The first-of-its-kind show will feature talent from AEW, New Japan, CMLL, Ring of Honor, and Stardom and will take place from the famed Tokyo Dome in Tokyo, Japan. The show will take place one day after NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 19, which will also emanate from the Tokyo Dome.

While Kota Ibushi has predicted Omega’s imminent return, a match with Kidd or anyone else will hinge on the AEW EVP being cleared in time. Nevertheless, the idea of Omega finally getting back in the ring to wrestle is welcomed news to his legion of fans who could get to see him tangle with Kidd once again soon enough.

Kenny Omega is inching closer to a return to the ring and shared at NJPW Power Struggle 2024 that he hopes to wrestle in a matter of months. Appearing at the Osaka event, Omega said that he’d spoken with NJPW President Hiroshi Tanahashi and they’d shared their ideas. One idea was for Omega to wrestle again for New Japan against one of the company’s young talents.

Omega said he’s been making progress in his recovery and “in a little bit” he should be able to return to action. Despite being a member of the AEW roster, and an EVP, He added that if he returns to wrestling, he would like to be back in Japan.

The Canadian wasn’t sure when he’d be able to be back, but said “How about January 5th?”, the date of Wrestle Dynasty. Omega ended by calling New Japan the King of Sport, the best pro wrestling in the world, and his home.

Omega has been out of action since December 2023 due to diverticulitis, a condition that has affected other wrestling names including Brock Lesnar and Shane McMahon. Omega’s desire to return in time for Wrestle Dynasty fits in with last month’s comments by Kota Ibushi, who predicted Omega would be wrestling again within a matter of months. Omega underwent surgery earlier this year after appearing on AEW TV where he was betrayed by The Elite.

Fans are excited at the prospect of Omega wrestling again, though the AEW staple’s comments about NJPW being the best are bound to raise some eyebrows. Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest on Kenny Omega and his journey back to the ring.

Due to a difficult bout with diverticulitis, Kenny Omega has been out of action for the entirety of 2024 with only a handful of AEW appearances to his name. While questions remain about Omega’s in-ring future, the Cleaner will make a return to New Japan Pro Wrestling next month as part of the company’s Power Struggle event.

The event will mark Omega’s first time appearing for New Japan in close to two years. His most recent match for the promotion came in January 2023 when he and Kazuchika Okada defeated Aaron Henare and Jeff Cobb at the New Year’s Dash event.

NJPW Power Struggle 2024

NJPW Power Struggle 2024 will take place on November 4, from the Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium in Osaka, Japan. The card is as follows:

• Zack Sabre Jr. (c) vs. Shingo Takagi (IWGP World Heavyweight Championship)
• David Finlay (c) vs. Taichi (IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship)
• Douki (c) vs. Master Wato (IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship)
• TMDK (Mikey Nicholls and Shane Haste) (c) vs. United Empire (Great-O-Khan and Henare) (IWGP Tag Team Championship)
• 2024 Super Junior Tag League finals
• Hiroshi Tanahashi and Boltin Oleg vs. House of Torture (Evil and Ren Narita)
• Sanada vs. Shota Umino

Omega’s appearance adds a layer of unpredictability to the show and fans are eager to see what he has to say and do. Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest on Kenny Omega and his continuing journey to recovery.

The retirement tour of Hiroshi Tanahashi will kick off this coming January at Wrestle Kingdom 19, New Japan has announced.

At New Japan Pro Wrestling’s King Of Pro Wrestling event in October 2024, Tanahashi announced that he would end his career on January 4, 2026, after competing for the promotion since 1999. Now, New Japan has confirmed that exactly one year before he hangs up his boots for good, Tananashi will start his farewell tour at Wrestle Kingdom 19 against Evil

From NJPW:

Wrestle Kingdom 19 on January 4 in the Tokyo Dome has gained its first official matchup, as Hiroshi Tanahashi will be battling EVIL.

At King of Pro-Wrestling on October 14, Tanahashi made the earth shattering announcement that he would be retiring on January 4 2026. That drew the ire of EVIL, who barked that he would be putting an end to the Ace much earlier. The King of Darkness interrupted Tanahashi’s retirement press conference to issue a challenge that has now been accepted for the Tokyo Dome. Will the retirement road for one of the greatest of all time be put to an end before it properly begins, or will Tanahashi’s last year in pro-wrestling begin with a high?

At a press conference earlier this month, Evil vowed to retire Tananahshi when they face off one year earlier than when the Japanese legend plans to retire from in-ring competition. Stay tuned to SEScoops for all the latest from Hiroshi Tanahashi’s retirement tour and plans and matches for Wrestle Kingdom 19.

On January 4, 2026, Hiroshi Tanahashi will end his legendary in-ring career, mere days after John Cena ends his in-ring career at the end of 2025. After first joining New Japan Pro Wrestling in 1999, Tanahashi is ready to say goodbye to competition, but he won’t be parting ways with the company.

At a press conference, Tanahashi addressed his retirement plans and what will come after January 4. Tanahashi confirmed that he will remain with New Japan in an office role and that this will be a full-time commitment.

“This time I have left as a wrestler and executive will give me a lot of valuable experience so I can transition into full-time office life with confidence. The people we have now are definitely more than capable to bring NJPW into its best era ever, and I have no concerns whatsoever.”

Tanahashi was appointed President of New Japan in December of last year, replacing Takami Ohbari who had been in the role since 2020. At the time of his appointment, Tanahashi said he had always dreamed of being President. Tanahashi also shared goals as President including selling out the Tokyo Dome and hosting more title matches outside of major cities.

With decades of experience in New Japan, including as one of the company’s very top performers, Tanahashi is well-equipped for a full-time life in the company’s offices after his wrestling career ends. Stay tuned to SEScoops for all the latest on Hiroshi Tanahashi and his farewell tour from the ring.

WWE World Heavyweight Champion GUNTHER has congratulated Zack Sabre Jr. on his major victory at Monday’s NJPW King of Pro Wrestling event.

Sabre Jr. defeated Tetsuya Naito to capture the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship, marking a monumental achievement in his career. He is only the second British wrestler to win this prestigious title, following Will Ospreay’s triumph in 2021.

Gunther, a former rival of Sabre’s from their days on the UK independent wrestling scene in 2019, acknowledged this milestone on social media. He posted a simple yet supportive message featuring applause emojis and the initials “ZSJ.” It was a gracious gesture from the Austrian Superstar, likely appreciated by Sabre on this memorable occasion.

TNA World Champion Nick Nemeth, formerly known as Dolph Ziggler in WWE, also saluted ZSJ.

Gunther battles Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes at WWE Crown Jewel on Saturday, November 2, 2024. They’ll have a face-off on tonight’s WWE Raw.

Hiroshi Tanahashi has announced that his legendary career in the ring will come to an end in January 2026, with his final match coming at that month’s Wrestle Kingdom 20 pay-per-view. At New Japan Pro Wrestling’s King Of Pro Wrestling event, Tanahashi teamed with Shota Umino and El Phantasmo to defeat House of Torture’s Yujiro Takahashi, EVIL and Dick Togo. After the match, the 47-year-old shared the news that he will have his final match on January 4, 2026. While Tanahashi did not confirm the show he will retire on, New Japan’s Wrestle Kingdom event takes place each year on January 4.

Tanahashi joined New Japan Pro Wrestling in 1999 and has been one of the promotion’s very top stars for several years. In the late 2000s and early 2010s, it was the efforts of Tanahashi that helped revive the company’s brand which had taken a hit in the mid-2000s.

The Ace’s legendary career includes eight IWGP Heavyweight Champion reigns, two Intercontinental Title reigns, three G1 Climax victories, and three reigns as IWGP United States Heavyweight Champion. In recent years, Tanahashi has taken on an executive role, and was made New Japan President last year.

With such a legendary career both in and out of the ring, Hiroshi Tanahashi has certainly earned a fond farewell from the ring. After the NJPW exit of Kazuchika Okada in February 2024, it remains to be seen how the company will fare as another one of its top stars prepares to leave the ring, this time for good.

Related: The Young Bucks Returning to New Japan In January 2025

NJPW legend Kuniaki Kobayashi passed away on September 9 at the age of 68. Kobayashi had a legendary career that spanned several decades. He was also known for his rivalry with the first and second Tiger Mask. After 25 years of fighting liver cancer, the Japanese legend passed away.

New Japan Pro Wrestling published an obituary on Medium, and issued this statement on social media:

“New Japan Pro-Wrestling is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of former IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion, and Noge Dojo manager Kuniaki Kobayashi.

Our deepest sympathies go to Kobayashi’s family, friends and fans.”

We at SEScoops send our deepest condolences to Kuniaki Kobayashi’s family and friends.

Kuniaki Kobayashi’s career

Kobayashi broke into the wrestling scene as a teen when he joined the NJPW Dojo in 1972. He went on to make his official debut in January 1973. Kobayashi went on several international excursions through the 1970s, including to Mexico, and for NWA Los Angeles in the States.

Following his return from the US in 1982, he started his red martial arts gear that would become a signature and set his sights on the rising talent and fan-favorite Tiger Mask. Kobayashi appointed himself as NJPW’s ‘Tiger Hunter’ and competed in memorable matches.

Kobayashi headed to Japan Pro-Wrestling and AJPW, where he battled the second Tiger Mask Mitsuharu Misawa. He defeated Hiro Saito to become the second-ever World Junior Heavyweight Champion. He also had a run in the WWF/E as Chin Kobiashi.

During his in-ring career, Kuniaki Kobayashi was diagnosed with colon cancer. However, he returned to the ring after undergoing surgery. In the latter stages of his career, cancer spread to his liver. He started to wear a tank top to hide the scars from surgery which led to the former IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion’s retirement. He also underwent surgeries for lung cancer. 

Following his retirement from in-ring competition, Kobayashi became the manager of the New Japan Dojo and helped in shaping the future of the emerging talents. He would make occasional special appearances. He also made an appearance at Wrestle Kingdom 11 kickoff Ranbo in 2017. He was extremely active in the management of the NJPW Dojo until his passing.

Tributes

Zack Sabre Jr. has continued to etch his name in the history books by winning the 2024 G1 Climax. Sabre Jr. defeated Yota Tsuji in a thrilling finale which saw Sabre get the submission victory after countering Tsuji’s attempted Gene Blaster.

With this victory, Zack Sabre Jr. has earned the right to challenge for the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship, currently held by Tetsuya Naito. Traditionally, the G1 Climax winner challenges the champion at Wrestle Kingdom in January, but the British wrestler doesn’t plan on waiting that long. Speaking after his win, Sabre said he plans on challenging for the gold at King of Pro Wrestling on October 14 in Ryogoku Sumo Hall.

Sabre also mentioned his love for Ryogoku Sumo Hall as a reason for wanting his title match earlier than planned. Sabre also intends to defend the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship at NJPW Royal Quest 4 on October 20 in his native England.

Sabre is one of two non-Japanese wrestlers to win the G1 Climax, the other being Kenny Omega who won the tournament in 2016. Despite his success in Japan, Sabre is yet to capture the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship. Naito is in his record-tying second reign after regaining the title at AEWxNJPW: Forbidden Door.

Sabre’s victory in the tournament was hard-fought, but now the British wrestler has another huge match ahead of him. Stay tuned to SE Scoops for the latest on Zack Sabre Jr. and his pursuit of the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship.

AEW TBS/NJPW Strong Women’s Champion Mercedes Mone will step foot in an NJPW ring this month for the first time since suffering a career-threatening ankle injury. On Twitter, the New Japan account shared that Mone will compete at the Capital Collision show on August 30, in Washington, D.C. An opponent for Mone has not been named at this time.

This will be Mone’s first match in NJPW since her Resurgence 2023 match with Willow Nightingale in which she suffered an ankle injury. The injury forced plans to change and Nightingale won the Stong Women’s Championship that had reportedly been created with Mone in mind. The injury would also cost Mone over a year of action before returning to the ring at AEW Double or Nothing in May 2024, where she’d win the AEW TBS title from Nightingale.

NJPW Captial Collision will feature other top names including NJPW Strong Openweight Champion Gabe Kidd, who’ll defend against Lio Rush. Zack Sabre Jr. Trish Adora, Fred Rosser, and Tom Lawlor have also been announced the the upcoming event.

Mercedes Mone’s Future Plans

It isn’t just in New Japan that fans will get to see Mone in action. The CEO will defend her AEW TBS Championship at All In against Britt Baker. On this week’s Dynamite, Mone claimed that “my EVPs” the Young Bucks had suspended Baker following an altercation between the DMD and Mone at San Diego Comic-Con. Baker and Mone will collide inside Wembley Stadium on August 25.

Keep tuned in to SE Scoops for all the latest on Mercedes Mone and her journey to AEW All In: London 2024 later this month.