Every January 4th the wrestling community descends upon the pinnacle of Japanese grappling! Wrestle Kingdom has become one of the biggest showpiece wrestling events of the year and you are almost guaranteed to see at least one match of the year contender. As exciting as this time is, it can be difficult going into a show for the first time, or after even a short break, given storylines in any wrestling company are consistently evolving. To help with those looking for a leg up, I have put together a primer on each match on the card, discussing the wrestlers and their stories so you can enter this show knowing as much as possible!
This years event is almost entirely built around its main event. The retirement of one of the greatest to ever step in a ring of course was bound to dominate the discourse. As a result though the rest of the card is a little condensed, with more multi man matches getting as many people on the card as possible. Because of this it should be a fairly comfortable card for a newcomer. This is because you’ll see a lot of stars in matches that will show off their strengths without having a huge amount of story to memorise. Let’s go match by match and see what you all should look out for!
Kickoff Match 1- Shoma Kato and Tatsuya Murashima vs Katsuya Morashima and Masatora Yasuda
Young Lion action to kick off the pre-show here. For those unaware these are wrestlers still in training. As a result you will likely see them with limited character, plain trunks and wrestling simple matches to test their fundamentals, as it is merely a chance for the rookies to gain experience. Look out in particular for Katsuya Morashima who is a really fun power wrestler with a lot of potential. Interesting to hardcore fans or those looking to spot a gem. If you are just tuning into New Japan for the first time though it may be a jarring experience.
Kickoff Match 2- El Phantasmo vs Chris Brookes- NJPW World TV Championship
Do not let this match’s placement fool you, there is a real chance for fireworks in this clash of the gaijin’s. El Phantasmo has reigned as NJPW’s World TV Champion for one year on and off, taking on open challenges for months. Following his most recent defence he was confronted and attacked by DDT star Chris Brookes. Brookes has cemented himself as one of the very biggest names in the promotion and certainly its highest ranked western talent. This match marks Brookes official New Japan debut so expect an immediate impression. Somewhat of a dream match for myself so expect high energy action and a clash of one-up-manship.
NEVER Openweight 6 Man Tag Team Championship Rambo
This match is possibly the biggest indicator of card downsizing to fit time for Tanahashi’s extended retirement. In years past the New Japan Rambo was essentially a mix between a Royal Rumble and the Andre The Giant Battle Royale. It was used as a way to get those without a Wrestle Kingdom spot onto the show. It mixed in some undercard stars, veterans, and the unlucky few to miss out on a main card space. Elimination can occur by Pinfall, Submission or being thrown over the top rope. The final four left standing would usually then meet in a 4 way match at the following nights New Years Dash for the comedy King Of Pro Wrestling Championship.
The prize changed last year with the retirement of that belt to instead be a shot at the IWGP Heavyweight Championship at New Beginning in Osaka. That match was won by Hirooki Goto, which led to a serious resurgence for the veteran in 2025, so there is precedent for this match to really relaunch a character into the new year.
This year it’s the tag team’s turn as the match will be contested for the 6 man tag titles. This year marks the 10th anniversary of the belts being introduced. So, to demand their inclusion on the show, champion YOH held a sit-in protest at Korakuen Hall to get the match. He was surprised to discover however he would defend them not against one other team, but seven. To go through each team in detail would take a long time, so here is a brief rundown of each team you can expect to see
Master Wato, YOH and Toru Yano- The current champions. Wato and YOH are exceptional high flyers while Yano is a comedy veteran with a penchant for devious tricks.
Shota Umino, Yuya Uemura and Kaisei Takechi- A fall down the card for Shota who unsuccessfully challenged for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship in the main event of last years edition. Has a complicated relationship with fans (sometimes compared to early Roman Reigns in his overpushing) but has found a reliable tag partner in superb technical grappler and Tanahashi protege Yuya Uemura. They team with DDT dancer turned wrestler Kaisei Takechi, in a bit of an odd couple affair.
Hirooki Goto, Yoshi-Hashi and Boltin Oleg- A combination of experience and youth. Goto and Yoshi-Hashi form Bishamon, one of the most successful tag teams in New Japan History. They reformed in November’s Tag League following a world title run and subsequent injury to Hirooki Goto. They team with Boltin Oleg, a Kazakstani strongman who is an impressive young power wrestler and excelled this year in wars against Konosuke Takeshita.
Zac Sabre Jr, Ryohei Oiwa and Hartley Jackson- Members of TMDK (The Mighty Don’t Kneel). Zac Sabre Jr, who is arguably the best technical wrestler on planet earth, was IGWP Heavyweight Champion this time last year and has had two seperate runs with the gold this year. He, alongside incredible prodigy Ryohei Oiwa, won the World Tag League and will face The Knockout Brothers for the tag team titles on January 5th at New Years Dash. Hartley Jackson is the groups muscle, appearing most often with the group in undercard multi-man tag matches.
Tiger Mask, Togi Makabe and Ryusuke Taguchi– A team of veterans who will likely pose little threat but will provide some fun nostalgia.
Yuto-Ice, Oskar and Clark Connors. Members of the Bullet Club War Dog’s. Yuto and Oskar form The Knockout Brothers, the current IWGP Tag Champions. They comprise the swaggering Yuto-Ice (think Solo Sikoa meets Shinsuke Nakamura) with the imposing 6 foot 7 South African Oskar. They are teaming with a returning Clark Connors, a cocky western American with real flair. Expect interactions between them and TMDK to set up the match at New Years Dash.
Tomohiro Ishii, Taichi and Satoshi Kojima- Notoriously hard-hitting veterans, these 3 men have cycled in and out of teaming and fighting each other all year. Ishii and Taichi were tag champions for a short time in the summer of 2025 but fought for the final spot in the G1 Climax tournament in an amazing battle. When Ishii went down with an injury before the tag league, Kojima stepped in alongside Taichi, and now with Ishii back the 3 men come together in search of trios gold.
Ren Narita, SANADA and Yoshinobu Kanemaru- Members of House Of Torture. The top heel faction in New Japan who utilise all the nasty tricks in the book and never play fair. They may be the bane of our owner Ben Allison’s existence, but they always prove a very potent threat to win.
Syuri vs Saya Kamitani- IGWP Women’s and Strong Women’s Championship Double Title
It is frankly astonishing, though sadly keeping with tradition on New Japan cards, that a match of this magnitude is only 2nd on the card. Since their first inclusion on the Wrestle Kingdom card in 2022, the women’s matches are rarely afforded much time. As a result, they are usually high octane sprints. Though Saya Kamitani was Tokyo Sports MVP this year for both men and women and is the world champion of two different major companies, for now this early position must suffice. Saya is leader of the HATE faction in Stardom, a group of heels that can sometimes fall into the same category as the aforementioned House Of Torture. In spite of this, Saya has risen above it to shine as arguably the best women’s wrestler on the planet right now. She has also become a mainstream figure in Japanese pop culture, bringing in record crowds for Stardom.
Her opponent, Syuri, has been on her own journey in 2025, coming back from injury to become a 2 time IWGP Women’s Champion. A wrestler with a proficiency in kick boxing and MMA, Syuri hits incredibly hard with her feet and hands and has wrestled around the world. She briefly appeared at All In Texas during the Women’s Casino Battle Royale, but hasn’t appeared for the company since due to the injury. While I hope this match can go more than 10 minutes and act as a legitimate true showcase for Joshi, I expect both women to do everything they can to make the best of this double title match and put on a hell of a show, in spite of any possible time restrictions. Hopefully Stardom can soon get the Tokyo Dome extravaganza Kamitani has been pushing for!
Bullet Club War Dogs (David Finlay, Gabe Kidd and Drilla Moloney), Hiromu Takahashi and Shingo Takagi vs United Empire (Callum Newman, Great O Khan and HENARE) Andrade El Idolo and X
If this match had happened in years past then it would be the War Dogs the savage heels and United Empire the valiant babyfaces. After a year spent slowly switching the dynamics, it is United Empire under the brash new leadership of Callum Newman that are likely to be jeered come Sunday. Newman accused the War Dogs of going soft, and said that playing nicely led to all his former partners departing for pastures new. This led him to take control of the group, entering the Tokyo Dome with a chip on his shoulder. He brings with him United Empire stalwart and master of the Mongolian Chop Great O Khan.
Alongside him is the returning HENARE, a beast from Oceania who is guaranteed to thrill new viewers. We will also see the returning Andrade El Idolo, back from contract purgatory to take his place on the show. The 5th spot is still unknown and while my prediction would be a returning Jake Lee, it really could be just about anyone!
The War Dogs find themselves in an odd position going into this match, with every member of the original faction participating (Finlay, Kidd and Drilla) seemingly having one foot out the door. They are all top talents and will give it their all, but I would be surprised to see them come out with the win here because of that. They are teaming with two of New Japan’s best, Hiromu Takahashi fresh off stealing the show at NOAH on New Years Day, and Shingo Takagi who is in my view the most consistent wrestler in the world. It should be a hot tag match given those involved, and I would anticipate a key development in Callum Newman’s position of top dog at UE.
El Desperado vs Taiji Ishimori vs Kosei Fujita vs SHO- Junior Heavyweight Championship Contenders Match
In a rather baffling decision, the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship will not be defended at Wrestle Kingdom this year, its first exclusion since 2012. The story of this match revolves around 4 guys that have either been wronged by champion DOUKI or who want their revenge on the man he has become. DOUKI was a valiant babyface and excellent junior heavyweight wrestler before a horrible injury at last years Wrestle Kingdom put him on the shelf for months. Upon returning however, he shockingly aligned with House Of Torture, cheaply winning the title from El Desperado in October. He refused to wrestle on January 4th, instead requesting the ‘DOUKI Games’ and making this 4 way match.
His challengers are all great wrestlers and should provide a fun, flippy contest, with a clear heel spoiler in the mix. El Desperado, the former champ, wrestles a mixture of cruiser and occasionally deathmatch violence, and so while the former is more likely here, never count out the lengths he will go to get back his title. Then there’s Kosei Fujita, submission machine and the winner of the Best Of The Super Juniors tournament earlier in 2025. Douki also wronged Fujita in the tag division, and so Kosei will be looking for revenge for himself and his partner Robbie Eagles. Taiji Ishimori also has the capability to pull out phenomenal matches and wants to avenge the man DOUKI has become. The spoiler comes in the form of DOUKI’s partner SHO, looking to keep the title in the Torture family. Could go in any direction, and expect a high octane bout!
Aaron Wolf vs EVIL- NEVER Openweight Championship
It is almost unheard of for a worker to have their first ever wrestling match in New Japan for a championship, never mind at the Tokyo Dome! That is however the challenge that faces New Japan’s newest signee Aaron Wolf. The first ever Japanese Olympic Gold Medallist to turn to Pro Wrestling, Judo star Wolf looks to do the improbable, toppling New Japan’s big bad champion Evil. G1 finalist, leader of House Of Torture and general nuisance to babyfaces and fans everywhere this year, Evil won the title from Boltin Oleg at King Of Pro Wrestling in a critically panned match.
Evil and his minions will provide plenty of smoke and mirrors to cover any shortcomings Wolf may have, which does make him a smart debut choice, but my hopes are not high for a classic. New Japan will be hoping to emulate WWE’s success with Kurt Angle in transitioning a big mainstream Olympic star to the squared circle. Expect a lot of sports entertainment, though results may vary.
Yota Tsuji vs Konosuke Takeshita- IWGP Heavyweight and Global Championship Double Title Match
This match, beyond featuring two of the best in-ring performers New Japan have to offer, is based around a very simple story of identity. Yota Tsuji is a homegrown New Japan talent, brought up through the Young Lion program and entrenched firmly in the DNA of New Japan. He has been outspoken about his distaste for the outside partnership with AEW, promised the outgoing Tanahashi that he could be trusted with New Japan’s legacy and has even vowed to bring back the original IWGP Heavyweight Championship design. For him, New Japan is what matters.
Konosuke Takeshita feels differently, decrying the nostalgic eyes of Tsuji and arguing that him as champion increases the profile of wrestling worldwide. He is a triple contracted talent, raised in DDT, given international recognition in AEW and cemented at the mountain in New Japan. Takeshita won the G1 Climax tournament in August, cashing in his shot for the gold to beat Zac Sabre Jr at King Of Pro Wrestling. This frustrated more traditional Japanese fans, as those commitments prevented him from giving his full attention to New Japan. What’s more he has scarcely been seen in the months since. He wants to move to the future, keep the current belt and advance his stock, thus increasing New Japan’s stock by association. For him, wrestling is what matters.
These two styles should make magic together in the ring, as the story of outsiders against homegrown stars often provide easily compelling story beats (see Takahashi vs AMAKUSA from NOAH’s January 1st show just 2 days ago). Both men are big match wrestlers and heavy hitters so don’t expect a technical clinic. Instead expect hard hits, big kickouts and a fight for survival and soul.
Main Event: Hiroshi Tanahashi vs Kazuchika Okada- Tanahashi’s retirement match
We’re all here for this. New Japan have sold out the Tokyo Dome on this. The entire card has been built around the last ride of New Japan’s Ace, Hiroshi Tanahashi.
If you haven’t encountered Tanahashi before then nothing I can say here can do his legacy justice, so I will merely encourage you to seek out his work, and simply say he is the most important person to New Japan’s legacy since Antonio Inoki. Carrying the company for two decades, he has been the proving ground for so many top stars, none more so than his final opponent, Kazuchika Okada.
14 years ago and fresh off a fairly wretched excursion to TNA, a fresh faced Kazuchika Okada returned to New Japan. One of his first acts was to shockingly challenge and then dominate Tanahashi to win his first IGWP Heavyweight Champion. Since then their paths have crossed 14 times, and every time has produced some level of classic. They have main evented Wrestle Kingdom 3 times, their last being a decade to the day of his retirement in 2016. Though it appeared Okada’s final outing with the ace would come in 2024, he shockingly returned alongside Gedo to challenge Tanahashi. He accused the ace of being tired and said given Okada started with Tanahashi, it only seemed right he should be the one to put the old dog down.
After an amazing retirement year of Tanahashi expect one last classic from the two men here, less about the athleticism they once displayed, but more about wrestling gods so intertwined giving every last bit of will to each other to send Tanahashi out on the best possible note!
But what do you think? Let me know your thoughts and predictions! You can also read my breakdown of Tanahashi’s first ever Wrestle Kingdom match HERE!
Photo Credit: New Japan Pro Wrestling
