Wrestle Kingdom Explained

Wrestle Kingdom is a professional wrestling event produced annually by New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW), a Japan-based professional wrestling promotion.

Wrestle Kingdom
Promotions:New Japan Pro-Wrestling
Firstevent:Wrestle Kingdom I

Since 1992, NJPW has held the January 4 Tokyo Dome Show. 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. 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".[1] [2] From 1992 to 2006, the event was promoted under different names. In 2007, the event was rebranded as Wrestle Kingdom which has been the event name ever since.

From 2007 until 2019, Wrestle Kingdom was held on January 4 on Tokyo Dome, but the show expanded to two nights in 2020. Wrestle Kingdom 14 was the first one to include matches on January 5, and further expanded to include a third night (January 8) in 2022.

Wrestle Kingdom VI drew the highest single-day attendance since the annual event was branded as Wrestle Kingdom, at 43,000.[3] Counting events held over two nights, Wrestle Kingdom 14 had the highest overall attendance, with 40,008 announced for night one[4] and 30,063 for night two,[5] a total of 70,071 attendees.

The lowest attendance was for Wrestle Kingdom 15, 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.[6] Prior to COVID-19, the Wrestle Kingdom I and Wrestle Kingdom V events drew the lowest unofficial gates, with only 18,000 in attendance.[7]

Events

EventDateCityVenueMain EventRef
1Wrestle Kingdom IJanuary 4, 2007Tokyo, JapanTokyo DomeKeiji Muto and Masahiro Chono vs. Tencozy (Hiroyoshi Tenzan and Satoshi Kojima)[8] [9] [10]
2Wrestle Kingdom IIJanuary 4, 2008Hiroshi Tanahashi (c) vs. Shinsuke Nakamura for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship[11] [12] [13] [14]
3Wrestle Kingdom IIIJanuary 4, 2009Keiji Muto (c) vs. Hiroshi Tanahashi for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship[15] [16] [17] [18] [19]
4Wrestle Kingdom IVJanuary 4, 2010Shinsuke Nakamura (c) vs. Yoshihiro Takayama for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship[20] [21] [22] [23]
5Wrestle Kingdom VJanuary 4, 2011Satoshi Kojima (c) vs. Hiroshi Tanahashi for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship[24] [25] [26] [27]
6Wrestle Kingdom VIJanuary 4, 2012Hiroshi Tanahashi (c) vs. Minoru Suzuki for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship[28] [29] [30] [31] [32]
7Wrestle Kingdom 7January 4, 2013Hiroshi Tanahashi (c) vs. Kazuchika Okada for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship[33] [34] [35]
8Wrestle Kingdom 8January 4, 2014Shinsuke Nakamura (c) vs. Hiroshi Tanahashi for the IWGP Intercontinental Championship[36] [37] [38] [39]
9Wrestle Kingdom 9January 4, 2015Hiroshi Tanahashi (c) vs. Kazuchika Okada for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship[40] [41] [42] [43]
10Wrestle Kingdom 10January 4, 2016Kazuchika Okada (c) vs. Hiroshi Tanahashi for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship[44] [45] [46] [47]
11Wrestle Kingdom 11January 4, 2017Kazuchika Okada (c) vs. Kenny Omega for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship[48] [49] [50]
12Wrestle Kingdom 12January 4, 2018Kazuchika Okada (c) vs. Tetsuya Naito for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship[51] [52]
13Wrestle Kingdom 13January 4, 2019Kenny Omega (c) vs. Hiroshi Tanahashi for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship[53]
14Wrestle Kingdom 14January 4, 2020Kazuchika Okada (c) vs. Kota Ibushi for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship[54]
January 5, 2020Kazuchika Okada (Heavyweight) vs. Tetsuya Naito (Intercontinental) in a Double Gold Dash match for both the IWGP Heavyweight Championship and the IWGP Intercontinental Championship
15Wrestle Kingdom 15January 4, 2021Tetsuya Naito (c) vs. Kota Ibushi for both the IWGP Heavyweight Championship and the IWGP Intercontinental Championship[55]
January 5, 2021Kota Ibushi (c) vs. Jay White for both the IWGP Heavyweight Championship and the IWGP Intercontinental Championship
16Wrestle Kingdom 16January 4, 2022Shingo Takagi (c) vs. Kazuchika Okada for the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship[56]
January 5, 2022Kazuchika Okada (c) vs. Will Ospreay for the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship
January 8, 2022Yokohama, JapanYokohama ArenaKazuchika Okada and Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Keiji Muto and Kaito Kiyomiya
17Wrestle Kingdom 17January 4, 2023Tokyo, JapanTokyo DomeJay White (c) vs. Kazuchika Okada for the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship[57]
January 21, 2023Yokohama, JapanYokohama ArenaTetsuya Naito vs. Kenoh
18Wrestle Kingdom 18January 4, 2024Tokyo, JapanTokyo DomeSanada (c) vs. Tetsuya Naito for the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship[58] [59]
19Wrestle Kingdom 19January 4, 2025TBD

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: GFW News: New Japan Pro Wrestling "Wrestle Kingdom 9" press conference details . December 23, 2014 . October 9, 2017 . Pro Wrestling Dot Net.
  2. 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.
  3. 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 . June 25, 2023 . . ja.
  4. Web site: 2020.01.04 WRESTLE KINGDOM in TOKYO DOME night 1. New Japan Pro-Wrestling. January 4, 2020. June 25, 2023.
  5. Web site: 2020.01.05 WRESTLE KINGDOM in TOKYO DOME night 2. New Japan Pro-Wrestling. January 5, 2020. June 25, 2023.
  6. Web site: NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 15 Notes; Jay White, SANADA, Stardom . Bryan . Rose . Wrestling Observer Newsletter . 2021-01-05 . 2021-01-05.
  7. 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.
  8. 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.
  9. 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.
  10. 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.
  11. Web site: New Japan Tokyo Dome results featuring TNA stars . January 4, 2008 . August 25, 2017 . Pro Wrestling Insider.
  12. 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.
  13. 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.
  14. 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.
  15. Web site: New Japan-TNA 1/4 Tokyo Dome results . Relph . Lee . January 4, 2009 . August 25, 2017 . Pro Wrestling Insider.
  16. 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.
  17. Web site: 1/4 NJPW Wrestle Kingdom III Results: Tokyo, Japan . Martin . Adam . January 4, 2009 . August 25, 2017 . Wrestleview.
  18. 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.
  19. 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.
  20. 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.
  21. 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.
  22. 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.
  23. 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.
  24. Web site: 1/4 NJPW results in Tokyo: Detailed report on TNA at Tokyo Dome Show – Jeff Hardy's performance, reactions to TNA wrestlers, Borash ring intros . January 4, 2011 . August 25, 2017 . Pro Wrestling Torch.
  25. Web site: 1/4 TNA and NJPW Results: Tokyo, Japan . Nemer . Paul . January 4, 2011 . August 25, 2017 . Wrestleview.
  26. Web site: Daily Pro Wrestling History (01/04): NJPW Tokyo Dome cards . Hoops . Brian . January 4, 2017 . August 25, 2017 . Wrestling Observer Newsletter.
  27. Web site: http://www.njpw.co.jp/tornament/12683?showResult=1 . ja:レッスルキングダムV ｉｎ 東京ドーム . August 25, 2017 . . ja.
  28. 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.
  29. 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.
  30. 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.
  31. Web site: Viva La Raza! Lucha Weekly . Nemer . Paul . January 7, 2012 . August 25, 2017 . Wrestleview.
  32. 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.
  33. 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.
  34. Web site: New Japan Pro Wrestling Tokyo Dome report . January 4, 2013 . August 25, 2017 . Pro Wrestling Insider.
  35. 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.
  36. 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.
  37. Web site: New Japan Tokyo Dome show report . January 4, 2014 . August 25, 2017 . Pro Wrestling Insider.
  38. Web site: 1/4 NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 8 Results: Tokyo, Japan . Namako . Jason . January 6, 2014 . August 25, 2017 . Wrestleview.
  39. 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.
  40. Web site: Previewing this weekend's New Japan WrestleKingdom PPV. Pro Wrestling Insider. December 30, 2014. May 25, 2015.
  41. 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.
  42. 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.
  43. 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 .
  44. 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.
  45. 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.
  46. 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.
  47. 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.
  48. 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.
  49. 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.
  50. 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.
  51. 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.
  52. 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.
  53. 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.
  54. Web site: Big matches in 2019 are now announced!! . January 4, 2019 . January 8, 2017 . New Japan Pro-Wrestling.
  55. Web site: Three matches set for January 4 & 5 at Wrestle Kingdom . New Japan Pro-Wrestling. October 18, 2020. October 18, 2020.
  56. 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.
  57. 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.
  58. 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.
  59. 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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