January 4 Tokyo Dome Show Explained

January 4 Tokyo Dome Show
Promotion:New Japan Pro-Wrestling
First Event:1992

The January 4 Tokyo Dome Show is a professional wrestling event produced annually on January 4 in the Tokyo Dome by New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW), a Japan-based professional wrestling promotion. NJPW has promoted events in the venue every January 4 since Super Warriors in Tokyo Dome in 1992.

The January 4 Tokyo Dome Show became NJPW's premier annual event and the biggest event in Japanese wrestling, similar to what WrestleMania is for WWE and American professional wrestling.[1] It has been described as "the largest professional wrestling show in the world outside of the United States" and the "Japanese equivalent to the Super Bowl".[2] [3] The show expanded to two nights, with the 2020 edition being the first one to include matches on January 5, and further expanded to include a third night (January 8) in 2022. The event would go back to one night in 2023.

The first two January 4 Tokyo Dome Shows were also the last two WCW/New Japan Supershows. Since 2007, when the event was renamed Wrestle Kingdom in Tokyo Dome, the Dome shows have been broadcast on pay-per-view (PPV). All the Dome shows have featured championship matches, including several titles not owned by NJPW. On three occasions (1998, 2006 and 2013), no titles changed hands during the show. The 2019 show, which featured eight title matches, was the first in which all contested titles changed hands.

Some of the earlier January 4 show attendance numbers have been disputed. Officially, the 1993 Tokyo Dome show set the attendance record with 63,500 fans packing the Tokyo Dome, while according to Dave Meltzer, the 1998 show holds the record with an attendance of 55,000.[4] The lowest attendances for any Dome Shows were for the 2021 event, held under attendance restrictions due to COVID-19; NJPW announced an attendance of 12,689 for the first night and 7,801 for the second.[5] Prior to COVID-19, the 2007 and 2011 Dome shows drew the lowest unofficial gates, with only 18,000 in attendance.[4]

As of 2021, the January 4 shows (including matches held on January 5 as part of two-night events) have hosted 328 matches (not including dark or pre-show matches), 126 of which were title matches leading to 69 title changes in total. The 2005 Tokyo Dome show had a 16-match card, the largest of any single-night show, while 2001, 2002, 2007, 2013, 2016, 2018 and 2019 featured 9 matches, the lowest number of matches on a single-night show (again, not counting dark or pre-show matches). The first two-night show in 2020 featured a total of 16 matches, tying the 2005 show for the most in a single event, but each night featured only eight matches, fewer than any previous Dome Show card. The second two-night show in 2021, affected by COVID-19, had only 6 matches scheduled for each night.

Events

EventDateCityVenueMain EventRef
Super Warriors in Tokyo DomeJanuary 4, 1992Tokyo, JapanTokyo DomeRiki Choshu (Greatest 18) vs. Tatsumi Fujinami (IWGP Heavyweight) for the Greatest 18 Championship and IWGP Heavyweight Championship[6]
Fantastic Story in Tokyo DomeJanuary 4, 1993Genichiro Tenryu vs. Riki Choshu[7]
BattlefieldJanuary 4, 1994Antonio Inoki vs. Genichiro Tenryu[8]
Battle 7January 4, 1995Shinya Hashimoto (c) vs. Kensuke Sasaki for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship[9]
Wrestling World 1996January 4, 1996Tokyo, JapanTokyo DomeKeiji Mutoh (c) vs. Nobuhiko Takada for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship[10]
Wrestling World 1997January 4, 1997Shinya Hashimoto (c) vs. Riki Choshu for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship[11] [12]
Final Power Hall in Tokyo DomeJanuary 4, 1998Kensuke Sasaki (c) vs. Keiji Mutoh for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship[13]
Wrestling World 1999January 4, 1999Scott Norton (c) vs. Keiji Mutoh for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship[14]
Wrestling World 2000January 4, 2000Genichiro Tenryu (c) vs. Kensuke Sasaki for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship[15]
Wrestling World 2001January 4, 2001Kensuke Sasaki vs. Toshiaki Kawada in the IWGP Heavyweight Championship tournament final[16]
Wrestling World 2002January 4, 2002Jun Akiyama (c) vs. Yuji Nagata for the GHC Heavyweight Championship[17]
Wrestling World 2003January 4, 2003Yuji Nagata (c) vs. Josh Barnett for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship[18]
13Wrestling World 2004January 4, 2004Shinsuke Nakamura (IWGP) vs. Yoshihiro Takayama (NWF) for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship and NWF Heavyweight Championship[19]
14January 4, 2005Hiroshi Tanahashi (c) vs. Shinsuke Nakamura for the IWGP U-30 Openweight Championship[20]
15Toukon Shidou Chapter 1January 4, 2006Tokyo, JapanTokyo DomeBrock Lesnar (c) vs. Shinsuke Nakamura for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship[21]
16Wrestle Kingdom IJanuary 4, 2007Tokyo, JapanTokyo DomeKeiji Mutoh and Masahiro Chono vs. Tencozy (Hiroyoshi Tenzan and Satoshi Kojima)[22] [23] [24]
17Wrestle Kingdom IIJanuary 4, 2008Hiroshi Tanahashi (c) vs. Shinsuke Nakamura for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship[25] [26] [27] [28]
18Wrestle Kingdom IIIJanuary 4, 2009Keiji Mutoh (c) vs. Hiroshi Tanahashi for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship[29] [30] [31] [32] [33]
19Wrestle Kingdom IVJanuary 4, 2010Shinsuke Nakamura (c) vs. Yoshihiro Takayama for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship[34] [35] [36] [37]
20Wrestle Kingdom VJanuary 4, 2011Satoshi Kojima (c) vs. Hiroshi Tanahashi for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship[38] [39] [40] [41]
21Wrestle Kingdom VIJanuary 4, 2012Hiroshi Tanahashi (c) vs. Minoru Suzuki for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship[42] [43] [44] [45] [46]
22Wrestle Kingdom 7January 4, 2013Hiroshi Tanahashi (c) vs. Kazuchika Okada for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship[47] [48] [49]
23Wrestle Kingdom 8January 4, 2014Shinsuke Nakamura (c) vs. Hiroshi Tanahashi for the IWGP Intercontinental Championship[50] [51] [52] [53]
24Wrestle Kingdom 9January 4, 2015Hiroshi Tanahashi (c) vs. Kazuchika Okada for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship[54] [55] [56] [57]
25Wrestle Kingdom 10January 4, 2016Kazuchika Okada (c) vs. Hiroshi Tanahashi for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship[58] [59] [60] [61]
26Wrestle Kingdom 11January 4, 2017Kazuchika Okada (c) vs. Kenny Omega for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship[62] [63] [64]
27Wrestle Kingdom 12January 4, 2018Kazuchika Okada (c) vs. Tetsuya Naito for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship[65] [66]
28Wrestle Kingdom 13January 4, 2019Kenny Omega (c) vs. Hiroshi Tanahashi for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship[67]
29Wrestle Kingdom 14January 4, 2020Kazuchika Okada (c) vs. Kota Ibushi for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship[68]
30Wrestle Kingdom 15January 4, 2021Tetsuya Naito (c) vs. Kota Ibushi for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship and IWGP Intercontinental Championship[69]
31Wrestle Kingdom 16January 4, 2022Shingo Takagi (c) vs. Kazuchika Okada for the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship[70]
32Wrestle Kingdom 17January 4, 2023Jay White (c) vs. Kazuchika Okada for the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship[71]
33Wrestle Kingdom 18January 4, 2024Sanada (c) vs. Tetsuya Naito for the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship[72] [73]

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Japanese Wrestling's Golden Age Comes to America . Martin . Garrett . January 16, 2015 . August 25, 2017 . Paste.
  2. Web site: GFW News: New Japan Pro Wrestling "Wrestle Kingdom 9" press conference details . December 23, 2014 . October 9, 2017 . Pro Wrestling Dot Net.
  3. Web site: New Japan's WrestleKingdom 11 to air on AXS TV starting Jan. 13 in four weekly special episodes with Ross & Barnett on commentary . Keller . Wade . Wade Keller . December 13, 2016 . October 9, 2017 . Pro Wrestling Torch.
  4. Meltzer . Dave . Dave Meltzer . January 16, 2012 . Jan 16 Observer Newsletter: Cyborg busted for steroids, all the details, Edge and Horsemen going into WWE Hall, New Japan Dome Show review, 30 year Muchnick retrospective, TNA and Strikeforce shows, more . . . 1083-9593 . 14–16.
  5. Web site: NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 15 Notes; Jay White, SANADA, Stardom . Bryan . Rose . Wrestling Observer Newsletter . 2021-01-05 . 2021-01-05.
  6. Web site: Super Warriors in Tokyo Dome . January 4, 1992 . April 13, 2010 . ProWrestlingHistory.com.
  7. Web site: Fantastic Story . January 4, 1993 . April 13, 2010 . ProWrestlingHistory.com.
  8. Web site: Battlefield . January 4, 1994 . April 13, 2010 . ProWrestlingHistory.com.
  9. Web site: Battle Seven . January 4, 1995 . April 13, 2010 . ProWrestlingHistory.com.
  10. Web site: Wrestling War in Tokyo Dome 1996 . January 4, 1996 . April 13, 2010 . ProWrestlingHistory.com.
  11. News: Butcher, Rob. The Money Factory. 26–27. Power Slam Magazine. 32. March 1997. SW Publishing LTD. Lancaster, Lancashire, England.
  12. Web site: Wrestling World in Tokyo Dome 1997 . January 4, 1997 . April 13, 2010 . ProWrestlingHistory.com.
  13. Web site: Power Hall in Tokyo Dome . January 4, 1998 . April 13, 2010 . ProWrestlingHistory.com.
  14. Web site: Wrestling World 1999 . January 4, 1999 . April 13, 2010 . ProWrestlingHistory.com.
  15. Web site: Wrestling World 2000 . January 4, 2000 . April 13, 2010 . ProWrestlingHistory.com.
  16. Web site: Wrestling World 2001 . January 4, 2001 . April 13, 2010 . ProWrestlingHistory.com.
  17. Web site: Wrestling World 2002 . January 4, 2002 . April 13, 2010 . ProWrestlingHistory.com.
  18. Web site: Wrestling World 2003 . January 4, 2003 . April 13, 2010 . ProWrestlingHistory.com.
  19. Web site: Wrestling World 2004 . January 4, 2004 . April 13, 2010 . ProWrestlingHistory.com.
  20. Web site: Wrestling World 2005 . January 4, 2005 . April 13, 2010 . ProWrestlingHistory.com.
  21. Web site: Toukon Shidou Chapter 1 . January 4, 2006 . April 13, 2010 . ProWrestlingHistory.com.
  22. Web site: TNA, Tokyo Dome results, Sylvia's next battle, Death of WCW, Dark Angel, more . https://web.archive.org/web/20070108002302/http://www.f4wonline.com/content/view/2891/1/ . Alvarez . Bryan . Bryan Alvarez . January 8, 2007 . January 8, 2007 . August 25, 2017 . Wrestling Observer Newsletter.
  23. Web site: http://www.nikkansports.com/battle/report/2007/nj_070104.html . https://web.archive.org/web/20070708225544/http://www.nikkansports.com/battle/report/2007/nj_070104.html . ja:詳細速報 ＜新日本１・４東京ド＞ . July 8, 2007 . August 25, 2017 . . ja.
  24. Web site: http://www.njpw.co.jp/result/2007/0104/0104_01.html . https://web.archive.org/web/20070216053344/http://www.njpw.co.jp/result/2007/0104/0104_01.html . ja:1月4日(木)東京ドーム . February 16, 2007 . August 25, 2017 . . ja.
  25. Web site: New Japan Tokyo Dome results featuring TNA stars . January 4, 2008 . August 25, 2017 . Pro Wrestling Insider.
  26. Web site: NJ vs. TNA, Tank, Serra, Raw, TNA, more . https://web.archive.org/web/20080108054536/http://www.f4wonline.com/content/view/4726/105/ . Alvarez . Bryan . Bryan Alvarez . January 8, 2008 . January 7, 2008 . August 25, 2017 . Wrestling Observer Newsletter.
  27. Web site: http://www.nikkansports.com/battle/report/2008/nj_080104.html . https://web.archive.org/web/20080914173530/http://www.nikkansports.com/battle/report/2008/nj_080104.html . ja:詳細速報 ＜新日本１・４東京ドーム＞ . September 14, 2008 . August 25, 2017 . . ja.
  28. Web site: http://www.njpw.co.jp/tornament/12335?showResult=1 . ja:レッスルキングダムII in 東京ドーム . August 25, 2017 . . ja.
  29. Web site: New Japan-TNA 1/4 Tokyo Dome results . Relph . Lee . January 4, 2009 . August 25, 2017 . Pro Wrestling Insider.
  30. Web site: 1-4 Tokyo Dome results, TNA teams captures titles . https://web.archive.org/web/20090107231510/http://www.f4wonline.com/content/view/7952/ . January 7, 2009 . January 7, 2009 . August 25, 2017 . Wrestling Observer Newsletter.
  31. Web site: 1/4 NJPW Wrestle Kingdom III Results: Tokyo, Japan . Martin . Adam . January 4, 2009 . August 25, 2017 . Wrestleview.
  32. Web site: http://www.nikkansports.com/battle/report/2009/nj_090104.html . https://web.archive.org/web/20110210095839/http://www.nikkansports.com/battle/report/2009/nj_090104.html . ja:詳細速報 ＜新日本1・４東京ドーム＞ . February 10, 2011 . August 25, 2017 . . ja.
  33. Web site: http://www.njpw.co.jp/tornament/12442?showResult=1 . ja:フィールズPresents レッスルキングダムIII in 東京ドーム . August 25, 2017 . . ja.
  34. Web site: New Japan Wrestle Kingdom IV results from Tokyo Dome: Team 3D lose IWGP tag straps, Terry Funk returns to the ring in Japan and more . Johnson . Mike . January 4, 2010 . August 25, 2017 . Pro Wrestling Insider.
  35. Web site: January 4 New Japan Tokyo Dome report – legends, promotional wars . https://web.archive.org/web/20120503101209/http://www.f4wonline.com/component/content/article/11848/ . May 3, 2012 . January 4, 2010 . August 25, 2017 . Wrestling Observer Newsletter.
  36. Web site: http://www.nikkansports.com/battle/report/2010/nj_100104.html . https://web.archive.org/web/20100212031742/http://www.nikkansports.com/battle/report/2010/nj_100104.html . ja:詳細速報 ＜新日本1・４東京ドーム＞ . February 12, 2010 . August 25, 2017 . . ja.
  37. Web site: http://www.njpw.co.jp/tornament/12553?showResult=1 . ja:ユークス Presents レッスルキングダムIV in 東京ドーム . August 25, 2017 . . ja.
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  40. Web site: Daily Pro Wrestling History (01/04): NJPW Tokyo Dome cards . Hoops . Brian . January 4, 2017 . August 25, 2017 . Wrestling Observer Newsletter.
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  42. Web site: 1/4 NJPW Tokyo Dome results: MVP & Benjamin, Tanahashi remains IWGP Hvt. champion, Mutoh, NJPW vs. Noah matches . Charlton . Chris . January 4, 2012 . August 25, 2017 . Pro Wrestling Torch.
  43. Web site: New Japan Tokyo Dome results 1–4 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120108101130/http://www.f4wonline.com/more/more-top-stories/96-wwe/23632-new-japan-tokyo-dome-results-1-4 . Meltzer . Dave . Dave Meltzer . January 8, 2012 . January 4, 2012 . August 25, 2017 . Wrestling Observer Newsletter.
  44. Web site: New Japan Pro Wrestling Tokyo Dome results: ROH stars appear and more . Johnson . Mike . January 4, 2012 . August 25, 2017 . Pro Wrestling Insider.
  45. Web site: Viva La Raza! Lucha Weekly . Nemer . Paul . January 7, 2012 . August 25, 2017 . Wrestleview.
  46. Web site: http://www.njpw.co.jp/tornament/12799?showResult=1 . ja:NJPW 40th anniversary Tour. レッスルキングダムVI in 東京ドーム . August 25, 2017 . . ja.
  47. Web site: Show results - 1/4 New Japan Tokyo Dome Show: Former WWE stars in undercard matches, Tanahashi vs. Okada, did any titles change hands? . Caldwell . James . January 4, 2013 . August 25, 2017 . Pro Wrestling Torch.
  48. Web site: New Japan Pro Wrestling Tokyo Dome report . January 4, 2013 . August 25, 2017 . Pro Wrestling Insider.
  49. Web site: http://www.njpw.co.jp/tornament/12943?showResult=1 . ja:Wrestle Kingdom 7 〜Evolution〜 in 東京ドーム . August 25, 2017 . . ja.
  50. Web site: Caldwell's NJPW Tokyo Dome results 1/4: Complete "virtual-time" coverage of New Japan's biggest show of the year - four title changes, former WWE/TNA stars featured, more . Caldwell . James . January 4, 2014 . August 25, 2017 . Pro Wrestling Torch.
  51. Web site: New Japan Tokyo Dome show report . January 4, 2014 . August 25, 2017 . Pro Wrestling Insider.
  52. Web site: 1/4 NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 8 Results: Tokyo, Japan . Namako . Jason . January 6, 2014 . August 25, 2017 . Wrestleview.
  53. Web site: http://www.njpw.co.jp/tornament/13046?showResult=1 . ja:バディファイトPresents Wrestle Kingdom 8 in 東京ドーム . August 25, 2017 . . ja.
  54. Web site: Previewing this weekend's New Japan WrestleKingdom PPV. Pro Wrestling Insider. December 30, 2014. May 25, 2015.
  55. Web site: Meltzer. Dave. Dave Meltzer. New Japan Wrestle Kingdom 9 live results and recap: Tanahashi vs. Okada, Ibushi vs. Nakamura plus 4 way juniors tag. Wrestling Observer Newsletter. January 3, 2015. May 9, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150727204307/http://www.f4wonline.com/more/more-top-stories/102-japan/40606-new-japan-wrestle-kingdom-9-live-coverage-from-the-tokyo-dome-tanahashi-vs-okada-ibushi-vs-nakamura-plus-4-way-juniors-tag. July 27, 2015.
  56. Web site: Caldwell. James. Caldwell's NJPW Tokyo Dome show results 1/4: Complete "virtual-time" coverage of live Wrestle Kingdom PPV – Tanahashi vs. Okada, Bullet Club, Nakamura, Jim Ross, more. Pro Wrestling Torch. January 4, 2015. May 9, 2015.
  57. Web site: ja:Wrestle Kingdom 9 in 東京ドーム . http://www.njpw.co.jp/match/detail_result.php?e=902 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150104154549/http://www.njpw.co.jp/match/detail_result.php?e=902 . January 4, 2015 . . May 9, 2015 . ja . dead .
  58. Web site: Wrestle Kingdom 10 live results: Kazuchika Okada vs Hiroshi Tanahashi . Meltzer . Dave . Dave Meltzer . January 3, 2016 . January 4, 2016 . Wrestling Observer Newsletter.
  59. Web site: Okada vs. Tanahashi, Lethal vs. Elgin, Styles vs. Nakamura, title changes & more: complete New Japan WrestleKingdom 2016 coverage . Johnson . Mike . January 4, 2016 . January 4, 2016 . Pro Wrestling Insider.
  60. Web site: 1/4 NJPW "Wrestle Kingdom" Tokyo Dome Show – Caldwell's Complete Live Report . Caldwell . James . January 4, 2016 . January 4, 2016 . Pro Wrestling Torch.
  61. Web site: http://www.njpw.co.jp/match/detail_result.php?e=1065 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160107013028/http://www.njpw.co.jp/match/detail_result.php?e=1065 . ja:Wrestle Kingdom 10 in 東京ドーム . January 7, 2016 . January 4, 2016 . . ja.
  62. Web site: Omega vs. Okada classic, Tanahashi vs. Naito, lots of title changes & more: complete New Japan Wrestle Kingdom 11 coverage . Johnson . Mike . January 4, 2017 . January 4, 2017 . Pro Wrestling Insider.
  63. Web site: NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 11 live results: Kazuchika Okada vs. Kenny Omega . Rose . Bryan . Currier . Joseph . January 3, 2017 . January 4, 2017 . Wrestling Observer Newsletter.
  64. Web site: http://www.njpw.co.jp/tornament/13455?showResult=1 . ja:戦国炎舞 -Kizna- Presents Wrestle Kingdom 11 in 東京ドーム . January 4, 2017 . . ja.
  65. Web site: NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 12 live results: Okada-Naito, Omega-Jericho . Renner . Ethan . Currier . Joseph . January 3, 2018 . January 4, 2018 . Wrestling Observer Newsletter.
  66. Web site: http://www.njpw.co.jp/tornament/113188?showResult=1 . ja:ブシモ 5th Anniversary Wrestle Kingdom 12 in 東京ドーム . January 4, 2018 . . ja.
  67. Web site: Fight Size Update: Wrestle Kingdom 13 Logo Revealed, New PROGRESS Tag Team Champions, Kairi Sane Responds To Cody's Comments, More - Fightful Wrestling. www.fightful.com. 16 August 2018.
  68. Web site: Big matches in 2019 are now announced!! . January 4, 2019 . January 8, 2017 . New Japan Pro-Wrestling.
  69. Web site: Three matches set for January 4 & 5 at Wrestle Kingdom . New Japan Pro-Wrestling. October 18, 2020. October 18, 2020.
  70. Web site: Wrestle Kingdom 16 set to start 2022 in the Tokyo Dome and Yokohama Arena! . New Japan Pro-Wrestling. August 4, 2021. August 4, 2021.
  71. Web site: 【緊急決定！】2023年1月4日（水）『WRESTLE KINGDOM 17』東京ドーム大会が開催！ 1月5日（木）は『NEW YEAR DASH!!』大田区総合体育館大会！. New Japan Pro-Wrestling. August 18, 2022. August 18, 2022.
  72. njpw1972 . 1676546834138038272. 【特報！】2024年1月4日（木）東京ドーム『WRESTLE KINGDOM 18 in TOKYO DOME』の開催が決定！詳細は後日発表となります！#njwk18 #WRESTLEKINGDOM18.
  73. Web site: NJPW officially announces Wrestle Kingdom 18, reveals logo . Carey . Ian . July 5, 2023 . July 6, 2023 . Wrestling Observer Newsletter.

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