NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 18 started off the year for Wrestling with a bang. With new champions in Tama Tonga, El Desperado, Guerrillas Of Destiny, Catch2/2 and David Finlay. The most important one coming out of the Tokyo Dome event is Tetsuya Naito finally winning the big one and finally got his LIJ role call to close the show. Overall the show was nicely spaced and formatted greatly. I would have had the Tonga and Takagi match later in the show as it was one of the better matches of the show. But the last 3 matches all had different qualities/strengths to make that part of the show not be the same matches. Most, if not all of the matches had satisfying storytelling to start the year off for NJPW.
NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 18 2024 continues its return to a one night event after last years success. With a completely different championship picture, Tetsuya Naito got the ticket to the main event by winning the G1 Climax. IWGP World Heavyweight Champion Sanada awaits him as former LIJ stablemates collide in a New Japan Cup rematch. Kazuchika Okada looks to defend the honor of NJPW in Japan as he faces the American Dragon Bryan Danielson. Jon Moxley, David Finlay and Will Ospreay collide to crown the inaugural IWGP Global champion. Zack Sabre Jr. looks to make it a full calendar year as NJPW World Television champion as he faces Hiroshi Tanahashi. El Desperado faces Hiromu Takahashi for the IWGP Junior Heavyweight championship as well. All this and so much more!
Pre Show:
KOPW New Japan Rambo:
Results: Taiji Ishimori, YOH, Great O Khan and Toru Yano Advance To The KOPW 4 Way.
Main Show: NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 18 2024
GREAT Catch 2/2 Vs Bullet Club War Dogs – IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship Match: NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 18 2024 Opening Match
Fundamentals: 0.75
Atmosphere: 0.75
Storytelling: 0.75
Psychology: 0.75
Innovation: 0.50
I can’t lie and say I wasn’t disappointed in the way it played out. They had a story with the coffin match, and TJP got a new look and a new character to support it. I just feel it took away from the match itself. Their Junior Tag League match was much better than this one. Nothing truly wrong with the match as the expected result did happen. The gimmick change is interesting and TJP now has a burnt fiend like mask on. This was a fine Wrestle Kingdom opener but nothing special.
Results: Catch 2/2 by Pinfall via 2 By 2 on Moloney
Coby Galenzoski WR Star Rating – 3.50 Stars
AMAZING Zack Sabre Jr. Vs Hiroshi Tanahashi – NJPW World TV Championship Match:
Fundamentals: 0.75
Atmosphere: 1
Storytelling: 0.75
Psychology: 0.75
Innovation: 0.75
The story of the match had Tanahashi already counting himself out, saying he would probably lose in the match. The action of this match was already a step up compared to the opener, which was interesting but I expect solid wrestling from Hiroshi and Zack. I found the finish to be quite a shocker with the roll ups being traded and countered before Tanahashi got the victory. Definitely a shocking way for the victory to be obtained but I did want Zack to reach 1 full year with the NJPW World title.
Results: Hiroshi Tanahashi by Pinfall via Twisted Leg’s Roll Up
Coby Galenzoski WR Star Rating – 4.00 Stars
GREAT Yota Tsuji Vs Yuya Uemura:
Fundamentals: 0.75
Atmosphere: 0.75
Storytelling: 0.75
Psychology: 0.75
Innovation: 0.75
For a showcase match with two of NJPW’s future main event stars, this was a solid match. Yuya and Yota have the history and this was all about Yota bringing out the old Yuya Uemura. There is great action and great sequences and this is a solid showing of what the two can bring on a higher level like a Wrestle Kingdom. I was shocked that Yuya got the victory but it made sense for the story they were telling. Solid match that should be much better the next time.
Results: Yuya Uemura by Pinfall via Deadbolt
Coby Galenzoski WR Star Rating – 3.75 Stars
GOOD House Of Torture, Ren Narita and EVIL Vs Kaito Kiyomiya and Shota Umino:
Fundamentals: 0.75
Atmosphere: 0.75
Storytelling: 0.50
Psychology: 0.75
Innovation: 0.50
I don’t actually have an issue with how this match played out. We have Shota Umino looking like a star with his motorcycle entrance. And EVIL destroyed a pro Wrestling NOAH shirt to disrespect Kaito Kiyomiya. Its clear House Of Torture over use their antics and it does happen here but it didn’t take away from the match. The match was good enough and there have been much worse House Of Torture stuff from the last year.
Results: Ren Narita by Pinfall via Double Cross on Shota Umino
Coby Galenzoski WR Star Rating – 3.25 Stars
MUST WATCH Tama Tonga Vs Shingo Takagi – Never Openweight Championship Match:
Fundamentals: 0.75
Atmosphere: 1
Storytelling: 1
Psychology: 1
Innovation: 0.75
Not a long match from Tama and Shingo but this is how to maximize your minutes. A sub 14 minute match where mostly everything done in this match is smooth, crisp, we have solid counters and engaging sequences. This is probably my second favorite match from this show from an in-ring standpoint. Definitely worth the watch since it is not a long match and its intensity from start till finish.
Results: Tama Tonga by Pinfall via Jay Driller / DSD.
Coby Galenzoski WR Star Rating – 4.50 Stars
GREAT Hikuleo and El Phantasmo Vs Bishamon – NJPW Strong Openweight Tag Team Championship and IWGP Tag Team Championship match:
Fundamentals: 0.75
Atmosphere: 0.75
Storytelling: 0.75
Psychology: 1
Innovation: 0.50
The difference between the two other matches they had in 2023, is this was way shorter. These teams had a 40 minute tag main event to close the world tag league before coming to Wrestle Kingdom to have a sub 10 minute match. This was a solid and good enough match that can be debated to be more effective at this length instead of the other length from their second match. I was shocked by the victory by Hikuleo and Phantasmo but am excited to see what is next for them.
Results: Hikuleo and El Phantasmo by Pinfall via Hikuleo hitting an Assisted Thunder Kiss Splash on Hirooki Goto
Coby Galenzoski WR Star Rating – 3.75 Stars
AMAZING El Desperado Vs Hiromu Takahashi – IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship Match:
Fundamentals: 0.75
Atmosphere: 1
Storytelling: 0.75
Psychology: 1
Innovation: 0.75
Is this their best match together? Not by a long shot, this was the second match of the show that I felt disappointed with how it played out. The opener failed to be better than the other matches they had in 2023 and the same for this match. Was it a bad match? It was a great match but I was expecting more. The atmosphere with both men and the psychology in the match was top notch. I love the story of Hiromu winning the title in a fatal four way and going through the people he beat. He beat Master Wato, he beat Ishimori but failed when it came for Desperado. It’s an effective story.
Results: El Desperado by Pinfall vía Pinche Loco
Coby Galenzoski WR Star Rating – 4.25 Stars
AMAZING Jon Moxley Vs David Finlay Vs Will Ospreay – Inaugural IWGP Global Championship Match:
Fundamentals: 0.75
Atmosphere: 1
Storytelling: 1
Psychology: 0.75
Innovation: 0.75
You are either going to really like this match or you wouldn’t. I thought Moxley had a dope entrance until I saw his mask. Everything was really good because the story was David Finlay effectively stole the fans from having the Moxley Vs Ospreay match. David Finlay was the one person that nobody wanted to see win the match, or even be in the match. The Mox and Will ceasefire for the first five minutes is effective, but if you were going to have the war dogs come out, it kind of is dumb to not have them come out when the ceasefire was ongoing. But it made sense. I thought the run-ins were effective with the War Dogs and the United Empire. Definitely an enjoyable match for the new championship. Excited to see Nic Nemeth working with David Finlay.
Results: David Finlay by Pinfall via Suplex Knee Strike on Will Ospreay
Coby Galenzoski WR Star Rating – 4.25 Stars
MUST WATCH Bryan Danielson Vs Kazuchika Okada: NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 18 2024 Semi Main Event
Fundamentals: 1
Atmosphere: 1
Storytelling: 1
Psychology: 1
Innovation: 0.75
The match that these two were meant to have. Okada and Danielson was always going to be a better match in the atmosphere of Japan. This was hard hitting, this was technical. I loved everything being done, from Okada having to sell his arm believably. The story was that everytime they have been in the ring with each other, they have injured each other. Okada got Bryan twice; one with the arm and another with “the eye”. Bryan came in this match with a purpose because he wanted to injure Okada but also this was a dream for the American Dragon. Every part of this match was phenomenal with this crowd being the type of crowd that deserved this match. Definitely a match of the year candidate but the only downside is the somewhat abrupt ending with only one rainmaker.
Results: Kazuchika Okada by Pinfall via Rainmaker
Coby Galenzoski WR Star Rating – 4.75 Stars
MUST WATCH Sanada Vs Tetsuya Naito – IWGP World Heavyweight Championship Match: NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 18 2024 Main Event
Fundamentals: 0.75
Atmosphere: 1
Storytelling: 1
Psychology: 1
Innovation: 0.75
This is what wrestling is about, telling stories. Tetsuya Naito did everything he could to be in the best position he could be in for what could have been his final chance at the big one. Also his final chance to get his LIJ role call in the Tokyo Dome. This match has a crowd firmly behind Tetsuya Naito as he is about to be the last of his era in NJPW. They use their connection towards Keiji Mutoh and Naito is such a great seller. There are a handful of botches that do not look good as well and this match was never going to prioritize being innovative.
Results: Tetsuya Naito by Pinfall via Destino
Coby Galenzoski WR Star Rating – 4.50 Stars
After the match as Naito was about to get his roll call, EVIL ran down to the ring. As it looks like Naito will get his roll call ruined again, Sanada makes the save. The emotion between Sanada and Naito is there as Naito finally gets the role call.
NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 18 2024 Overall…
NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 18 started off the year for Wrestling with a bang. With new champions in Tama Tonga, El Desperado, Guerrillas Of Destiny, Catch2/2 and David Finlay. The most important one coming out of the Tokyo Dome event is Tetsuya Naito finally winning the big one and finally got his LIJ role call to close the show. Overall the show was nicely spaced and formatted greatly. I would have had the Tonga and Takagi match later in the show as it was one of the better matches of the show. But the last 3 matches all had different qualities/strengths to make that part of the show not be the same matches. Most, if not all of the matches had satisfying storytelling to start the year off for NJPW.
Matches: 0.75/1 Stars
Show Structure: 0.75/1 Stars
Atmosphere…: 1/1 Stars
Storytelling: 0.75/1 Stars
Production/Theme: 1/1 Stars
Overall Rating. 4.25/5 Stars
Photo Credit: NJPW – January 4 2024
For inquiries about the rating criteria check out the article announcing the new system here:
