Posts Tagged ‘NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 18’

Wrestle Kingdom 18 Takeaways: Okada Avenges Danielson Loss, New Champions, Nic Nemeth Debuts

New Japan Pro Wrestling has wrapped up one of their biggest annual event, NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 18 (#WK18) from the historic Tokyo Dome in Tokyo, Japan. 

The show featured a stacked card, including the long-awaited rematch between Kazuchika Okada and Bryan Danielson. 

Here are the four takeaways and highlights from NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 18.

Kazuchika Okada Avenged His Forbidden Door Loss To Bryan Danielson

Fans have been looking forward to Okada and Danielson’s rematch since their legendary first encounter at AEWxNJPW Forbidden Door on June 25, 2023. “The American Dragon” won a hard-fought contest against Okada by submission. Looking to avenge his loss, the NJPW superstar was motivated to get a big victory over Danielson at NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 18. 

In the match, both talented wrestlers tried to outmaneuver the other in the co-main event. Danielson had control of the match early by working over Okada’s right arm. Although “The American Dragon” gave his opponent problems throughout the match, Okada was able to land the Rainmaker to avenge his loss. 

After the match, both superstars respected each other by bowing their heads in the ring. The win for Okada may set up another match to end their rivalry once and for all. 

David Finlay beat Moxley and Ospreay to become the first IWGP Global Heavyweight Champion, then got into it with Dolph Ziggler

David Finlay defeated Will Ospreay and Jon Moxley in a tense three-way match to become the inaugural IWGP Global Heavyweight Champion. The matchup saw all three competitors were able to have their moments, but the Finlay did just enough to get the victory. 

The action took both in the ring and the crowd, as each wrestler did whatever it took to win. Weapons also got involved in the hard-hitting title match, including steel chairs and a table. One notable highlight in the match was Jon Moxley spiking Finlay on his head on Ospreay’s chest with a Pile Driver. 

The turning point in the match was when BULLET CLUB War Dogs (Alex Coughlin & Gabe Kidd) attacked Ospreay and Moxley to help Finlay. The two AEW superstars overcame the assault, which eventually led to Finlay winning. The BULLET CLUB leader landed a Suplex into a knee to the face of Ospreay to become the champion. 

While celebrating his victory, Finlay got into an altercation with former WWE superstar Nic Nemeth at ringside. This was seemingly done to set up a match between the two for the title. 

Tetsuya Naito defeated his former ally to become the new IWGP Heavyweight Champion

The NJPW legend has concluded his journey to become an IWGP World Heavyweight Champion in the main event. Tetsuya Naito earned his opportunity to challenge SANADA for the title by winning last year’s G1 Climax. In a match months in the making, Naito earned a tough win over his former Los Ingobernables de Japon ally.  

SANADA gave Naito everything he could handle as he tried to defend the IWGP World Heavyweight Champion for the fifth time successfully. However, Naito was able to end SANADA’s reign after landing Destino. 

Before Naito could celebrate his win, he was attacked by EVIL and Dick Togo. SANADA would make the save and take out the “heels.” After taking out the House of Torture members, SANADA left the ring to give Naito his moment to celebrate with the NJPW fans. 

Guerrillas Of Destiny won both IWGP/ NJPW Strong Tag Team titles

The tag title match was set after Bishamon (Hirooki Goto & YOSHI-HASHI) won the 2023 World Tag League. In the finals, they defeated Guerrillas Of Destiny (El Phantasmo & Hikuleo). After the win, Goto and HASHI gave G.O.D. a rematch at NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 18 in a winner-takes-all match for the IWGP & NJPW Strong Tag Team Championships. 

This proved to be a mistake, as G.O.D. won both tag titles. Both teams went back and forth, as neither wanted to take the loss. Towards the end of the match, Phantasmo took out HASHI outside the ring with a Moonsault from the top rope. The match finished when Hikuleo landed Super Thunder Kiss 86 from the top rope on Goto for the pin.  

After the match, both teams showed respect for each other, and G.O.D. celebrated with the crowd before returning backstage. 

Conclusion

NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 18 was a great card with plenty of incredible matches. Each match delivered exciting action and great moments, including seven title changes. 

One of the matches that fans will discuss is the three-way match for the IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship. The match was fast-paced and delivered memorable moments, but it teased what could happen next with Nemeth. 

The next notable event for the company will be the NJPW Battle In The Valley on January 13 at the San Jose Civic in San Jose, California. Currently, NJPW has announced who will compete on the card. Fans should expect match announcements to come soon. 

Posted January 4th, 2024 in Results. Tagged: , , , , , , .

Tama Tonga Wins NEVER Openweight Title, Plans to Finish With NJPW This Month

Tama Tonga is once again the NJPW NEVER Openweight Champion, but it appears that his reign will be a very short one. 

At Wrestle Kingdom 18, Tonga dethroned Shingo Takagi to regain the gold. Takagi, a three-time NJPW NEVER Openweight Champion, had held the title since October’s Fighting Spirit Unleashed event, where he beat Tonga. Tama’s victory this week makes him a four-time champion. This also makes Tonga the wrestler to have held the title for the third most amount of reigns, behind Hirooki Goto (five reigns) and Tomohiro Ishii (six reigns. 

You can check out some of the highlights from Tonga’s title win below. 

Finishing with New Japan Pro Wrestling

While Tonga is once again the champion, it appears that a lengthy title run isn’t in the cards. In a post-match press conference, Tonga announced that January will be his final month with the promotion. In his comments (courtesy of PWI Contributor Issa) Tonga said he wants to find work closer to home. He added that he misses his family and doesn’t want to keep leaving them behind, as this was the case in his childhood. 

Tonga made it clear that he loves Japan, NJPW, and every wrestler who works for the promotion. He is also elated at the current state of his career but realizes it is now time for him to go home to his family. Tonga is the nephew and adoptive son of legendary tough-man wrestler Haku. 

NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 18 saw the arrival of a former WWE World Champion. Click here to find out more. 

Posted January 4th, 2024 in News, NJPW. Tagged: , .

Nic Nemeth (Dolph Ziggler) Brawls With Second Generation Champion at NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 18

Former WWE Superstar Nic Nemeth caused quite a stir when he made his debut for New Japan Pro Wrestling at Wrestle Kingdom 18. 

Nemeth, best known to wrestling fans as Dolph Ziggler, was dressed to impress as he appeared in front of the crowd in the Tokyo Dome. The former Superstar was accompanied by his brother and AEW star Ryan Nemeth. 

Nemeth’s Appearance Kept A Surprise

According to Cassidy Haynes of BodySlam.net, Nemeth’s presence was kept a secret from virtually everybody. Two sources who were backstage at the Tokyo Dome relayed that Nemeth was not in public view before he appeared on the broadcast and most of the wrestlers on the card found out along with the fans watching at home around the world.

Nemeth and Finlay brawled backstage, all but guaranteeing that this was more than just a cameo:

Nemeth’s arrival in New Japan comes months after his surprising release from WWE in September of 2023. The first wave of releases after the launch of TKO Group Holdings, Nemeth was cut alongside Mustafa Ali, Shelton Benjamin, Matt Riddle, Emma, Riddick Moss, Aliyah, and other Superstars. 

What’s Next? 

Nemeth watched on as David Finlay faced Jon Moxley and Will Ospreay to crown the first IWGP Global Champion. After the match, Finlay got in the face of Nemeth, who had some choice words for the new champion. The two would brawl at ringside. 

This post-match incident is seemingly setting Nemeth up as a future challenger for the IWGP Global Championship. It’s possible that the match could come as soon as NJPW Battle in the Valley which will take place on January 13. 

NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 18 also saw the crowning of the second-ever NJPW World TV Champion. Click here to find out more. 

Posted January 4th, 2024 in News, NJPW. Tagged: , , , .

NJPW President Hiroshi Tanahashi Wins World TV Title at Wrestle Kingdom 18

Hiroshi Tanahashi has ended the historic reign of Zack Sabre Jr. to become the second-ever NJPW World Television Champion. 

Tanahashi and Sabre met on the second match of the main card of NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 18. The two held nothing back in their efforts to leave the Tokyo Dome with the gold. 

Tanahashi won the gold following a series of pinfalls that were countered by both men. The Ace earned a huge response from the crowd in Tokyo. 

After the match, Tanahashi shared his delight about the win and wished those watching a Happy New Year. 

This win makes Tanahashi the second-ever NJPW World Television Champion. Sabre held the gold for exactly one year after becoming the first champion at Wrestle Kingdom 17 in January 2023. Sabre defeated Ren Narita in the finals of a tournament to capture the gold. 

President Champion

This win comes mere weeks after it was announced that Tanahashi is NJPW’s new President. The wrestler will also serve as the company’s Representative Director. This appointment came following a meeting of NJPW’s board of directors and shareholders.

Hitoshi Matsumoto (Chief of Business Production for TV Asahi) and Taro Okada (President & CEO of Bushiroad Fight) have been named Directors of the company. Tanahashi has been with New Japan for years and is an eight-time IWGP Heavyweight Champion, a record number.  

What does Hiroshi Tanahashi have planned now that he is New Japan’s new President? Click here to find out. 

Posted January 4th, 2024 in News, NJPW. Tagged: , , .

Bryan Danielson Vows to Break Kazuchika Okada’s Arm at NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 18

AEW’s Bryan Danielson will walk into this week’s NJPW Wrestle Kingdom with one goal in mind: to break the arm of Kazuchika Okada. 

Okada and Danielson last faced off at AEWxNJPW: Forbidden Door II in June 2023. While Danielson would win the match, he’d suffer a fractured forearm in the process. The injury would keep Danielson out for months and force the American Dragon to miss AEW’s biggest-ever show, All In. 

Bryan Danielson’s Vow to Okada

Appearing at the Wrestle Kingdom 18 press conference, Danielson spoke about his previous showdown with Okada and the effect his broken arm had on his life. 

“That led to me not being able to carry my son, it led to a tag match where he broke my orbital bone, led me to not being able to drive my kids to school and now to here. So am I angry, yes. Am I hungry for revenge, yes.”

Danielson then made his threat to Okada ahead of their much-anticipated match tomorrow. 

“I’ve said I was going to break Okada’s arm for two reasons. I want revenge. But I also want to see if breaking his arm will break him, or make him better. And after I break his arm, I’ll kick his f**king head in.”

NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 18

NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 18 will take place on January 4, from the Tokyo Dome in Tokyo, Japan. The show will feature talent from NJPW, Pro Wrestling NOAH, and AEW. Wrestle Kingdom 18 will also be the first event to feature Hiroshi Tanahashi as the new president of New Japan Pro-Wrestling. 

Posted January 3rd, 2024 in News, NJPW. Tagged: , , .