Wrestle Kingdom 18

Promotional poster featuring various NJPW wrestlers

**Wrestle Kingdom 18 in Tokyo Dome** was professional wrestling event promoted by New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW). The show took place on January 4, 2024, at the Tokyo Dome in Tokyo, Japan. This was the thirty-third January 4 Tokyo Dome Show and the eighteeth promoted under the Wrestle Kingdom name, which is NJPW's biggest annual event and has been called "the largest wrestling show in the world outside of the United States" and the "Japanese equivalent to the Super Bowl".

The show was headlined by SANADA defending the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship against the winner of the 2023 G1 Climax, Tetsuya Naito. Wrestle Kingdom also featured two high-profile matches with Will Ospreay facing David Finlay and Jon Moxley to crown the inaugural IWGP Global Heavyweight Champion and Bryan Danielson facing Kazuchika Okada in a rematch from the 2023 Forbidden Door.

Four other title matches also announced for the show with Hiromu Takahashi defending the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship against El Desperado, Bullet Club War Dogs (Clark Connors and Drilla Moloney) defending the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship against Catch 2/2 (Francesco Akira and TJP), Bishamon (Hirooki Goto and Yoshi-Hashi) facing Guerrillas of Destiny (Hikuleo and El Phantasmo) in a "Winner takes all" tag team match for the IWGP Tag Team and Strong Openweight Tag Team Championships, Zack Sabre Jr. defending the NJPW World Television Champion against Hiroshi Tanahashi and Shingo Takagi defending the NEVER Openweight Championship against Tama Tonga.

The event featured wrestlers from NJPW partner promotion All Elite Wrestling (AEW). The event aired live on NJPW's streaming service NJPW World and on FITE TV as a pay-per-view (PPV) in both English and Japanese commentaries. This was the first Wrestle Kingdom event to feature Hiroshi Tanahashi as the new president of New Japan Pro-Wrestling. This was the first Wrestle Kingdom since Wrestle Kingdom 13 to have a one-night format, as the previous Wrestle Kingdoms had been held across multiple nights in a row. The event was also notable for appearances by former WWE wrestler, Nic Nemeth, formerly known as Dolph Ziggler, and his brother Ryan Nemeth who were in the front row.

## Production

### Background

Since 1992, NJPW began annually producing shows on January 4 in the Tokyo Dome, becoming NJPW's premier annual event and the biggest event in Japanese wrestling, similar to what WrestleMania is for WWE and American professional wrestling. Since 2007, when the event was renamed "Wrestle Kingdom in Tokyo Dome", the Dome shows have been broadcast on pay-per-view (PPV). Wrestle Kingdom 18 was officially announced on July 5, 2023 on the second night NJPW Strong Independence Day.

On September 15, NJPW announced that international ticket sales would take place on that same day. On October 10, in a joint conference was held between NJPW and their sister promotion World Wonder Ring Stardom (Stardom), it was announced that ticket sales were going strongly, and that Stardom would not be featured at Wrestle Kingdom and instead would host their own show on the same date at Tokyo Dome City Hall, with the main event featuring a title match for the IWGP Women's Championship.

### Storylines

Wrestle Kingdom 18 featured professional wrestling matches that involved different wrestlers from pre-existing scripted feuds and storylines. Wrestlers portray villains, heroes, or less distinguishable characters in the scripted events that build tension and culminate in a wrestling match or series of matches.

Wrestle Kingdom 18 was main evented by SANADA defending the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship against the winner of the 2023 G1 Climax, Tetsuya Naito. The two had a history dating back to 2005, when they took part in NJPW's introductory test together. Naito passed the test, eventually earning a spot on the promotion's roster. Meanwhile, SANADA would eventually join All Japan Pro Wrestling (AJPW) being trained by Keiji Mutoh and later joined Mutoh's promotion Wrestle-1, before he returned to NJPW in April 2016, joining Naito's *Los Ingobernables de Japón* (L.I.J.) stable. On March 17, 2023, SANADA defeated Naito in the second round of the 2023 New Japan Cup. Afterwards, he was approached by Taichi, accompanied by the rest of his Just 4 Guys stable. As Taichi extended his hand over to SANADA, he shook it; and SANADA left L.I.J. to join Just 4 Guys. SANADA would eventually win the 2023 New Japan Cup and the IWGP World Heavyweight Championshipon the next month.

On August 13, Tetsuya Naito defeated Kazuchika Okada to win the 2023 G1 Climax, earning a shot at the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship at Wrestle Kingdom. The following day, during a press conference, instead of receiving a briefcase containing a contract for a title shot at Wrestle Kingdom, Naito was automatically inserted into the main event at the Tokyo Dome, instead of defending is title shot, a tradition that was broke by Kazuchika Okada the previous year. However, Naito still defended his title shot, and after successfully defending his contract against Jeff Cobb, on September 24 at Destruction in Kobe, his spot was confirmed at the main event of Wrestle Kingdom 18. On October 9 at Destruction in Ryogoku, SANADA successfully defended the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship against EVIL in a lumberjack match, setting up the main event of Wrestle Kingdom 18 in Tokyo Dome between himself and Naito. Afterwards, SANADA was confronted by Naito, with their title match being announced by NJPW on the following day. On November 6, it was reported by *Tokyo Sports* that Naito would undergo a surgery on his right eye to improve the upper oblique muscle paralysis in his right eye, which he has been suffering from since 2019.

On June 25, 2023, at Forbidden Door, Bryan Danielson defeated Kazuchika Okada in the main event, despite Danielson suffering a broken arm midway through the match. This was Okada's first submission loss in eight years. On the October 25 episode of *AEW Dynamite*, Okada teamed with Orange Cassidy in a losing effort against Danielson and Claudio Castagnoli; towards the end of the match, Danielson suffered a broken orbital bone. On November 4, at Power Struggle, after Okada, Hiroshi Tanahashi and Tomohiro Ishii successfully defended the NEVER Openweight 6-Man Tag Team Championship against TMDK (Zack Sabre Jr., Mikey Nicholls and Shane Haste), Danielson made a surprise return to NJPW, appearing in a video, where he challenged Okada to a rematch at Wrestle Kingdom, vowing to break Okada's arm and never perform the *Rainmaker* again. The challenge was quickly accepted by Okada, setting up their rematch for the event.

At Power Struggle, Will Ospreay defeated Shota Umino in the main event to retain the  IWGP United States (United Kingdom) Heavyweight Championship. After showing respect to Umino, Ospreay called out Umino's former mentor, AEW's Jon Moxley, with a furious Ospreay taking on Moxley guilty due to Moxley's lack of respect due to not defending the title over one year during the pandmic before both wrestlers being attacked from behind by Bullet Club's leader David Finlay, who took a sledgehammer and smashed both the U.S. and Ospreay's custom UK belt, destroying the title that connected Moxley to NJPW from his first day in the company, and arguably destroying the summation of Ospreay’s lifework. Afterwards, in a post-match interview, Ospreay proposed a three-way match between him, Moxley and Finlay at Wrestle Kingdom for a new title. On November 6, NJPW officially announced the match. At a press conference, that same day, NJPW chairman Naoki Sugabayashi announced that a new championship would replace the U.S./U.K. Heavyweight Championship. On December 11, Sugabayashi revealed the new title would be the IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship, with the winner of the match becoming the inaugural champion.

The same event, Hiromu Takahashi successfully defended the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship against Taiji Ishimori. After the match, Takahashi nominated El Desperado as his challenger for Wrestle Kingdom, which he accepted. However, before their title match, Desperado would undergo a surgery to correct his vision. Two days later, NJPW oficially announced the title match. Over the five previous years, Takahashi and Desperado had become synonymous with the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship facing each other in various title matches, with both having three victories and a draw against each other, as both would become fan favorites during the time as part of their rivalry.

On June 4, 2023 at Dominion 6.4 in Osaka-jo Hall, after Catch 2/2 (TJP and Francesco Akira) regained the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championships, Clark Connors confronted the new champions, teasing he and a partner would challenge them to a title match. Afterwards, Drilla Moloney was revealed to be his partner after turning on TJP and Akira joining the Bullet Club. On July 4 at NJPW Strong Independence Day, Connors and Moloney defeated Catch 2/2 to win the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship. At Power Struggle, Catch 2/2 defeated House of Torture (Sho and Yoshinobu Kanemaru) in the finals to win the Super Jr. Tag League, thus earning a title match for the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship at Wrestle Kingdom 18.  Afterwards, Connors and Moloney attacked Catch 2/2, before being saved by their United Empire stablemates. On December 21, in a match between War Dogs and Catch 2/2, Connors and Moloney carrried a coffin, with Moloney declaring that it was for them. Following the match, War Dogs attacked Catch 2/2. Shortly after, Catch 2/2, who were recovering from the attack, challenged the Wars Dogs to a Coffin match on the following day. The following day, War Dogs defeated Catch 2/2 at the Coffin match, with TJP being rolled into the coffin for a third victory over Catch 2/2, and questions being raised as to whether Catch 2/2 would appear in the match.

On October 14 at Royal Quest III, after Shingo Takagi was confronted by reigning NEVER Openweight Champion Tama Tonga, who challenged him to a match for his title, having been previously defeated by Takagi during the 2023 G1 Climax, which he accepted, setting up the match at Fighting Spirit Unleashed. At the event, on October 28, Takagi defeated Tonga to become the new champion. On November 10 at Lonestar Shootout, Takagi defeated Beretta to retain the NEVER Openweight Championship. After the match, Takagi called out anyone to challenge him for the title. Tonga then came out and challenged Takagi to a rematch for the title, which he accepted, setting up their match at Wrestle Kingdom.

At Power Struggle, Zack Sabre Jr. was pinned by Hiroshi Tanahashi in the NEVER Openweight 6-Man Tag Team Championship match. Afterwards, in a post-match interview, Tanahashi indicated that he wanted to face Sabre in a match. At Lonestar Shootout, after successfully defending the NJPW World Television Championship against Mike Bailey, Sabre challenged Tanahashi to a match at Wrestle Kingdom. Before the title match, Sabre set the goal of having 20 successful title defenses before the end of the year. However, Sabre gave up on his objective in order to give Tanahashi his title shot.

From November 20 until December 10, IWGP Tag Team Champions Bishamon (Hirooki Goto and Yoshi-Hashi) and Strong Openweight Tag Team Champions Guerrillas of Destiny (El Phantasmo and Hikuleo) took place in the 2023 World Tag League, being both in the block B. In the opening match, Guerrillas of Destiny defeated Bishamon, but both teams managed to advance from their block with Guerrillas of Destiny winning the block, and Bishamon finishing second, respectively. The final of tournament on December 10, was a repeat of the opening match, with Guerrillas of Destiny and Bishamon facing off in a rematch. Bishamon defeated the Guerrillas of Destiny to win the 2023 World Tag League, and as result, they used their champions privilege to choose their opponents for Wrestle Kingdom, challenging the Guerrillas of Destiny to a match, for both IWGP and the Strong Openweight Tag Team Championships in a Winner Takes All" match.

On December 22, following a match between Just 5 Guys and *Los Ingobernables de Japón*, Yuya Uemura challenged career rival Yota Tsuji to a match at Wrestle Kingdom, which he accepted. Afterwards, Uemura referenced a promise Tsuji had previously for a singles match between the two. Both were trained at NJPW and worked the follwing years as young lions, with their first match being in April 2021 and traded wins over the following years, before going an excursion and returning to NJPW in 2023. This was Uemura first singles match since he returned from his excursion.

On December 6, in the final round robin match of the World Tag League, Ren Narita turned on Shota Umino to join the House of Torture. Afterwards, Narita revealed that he had been looking forward to this for a long time. Over the following weeks, Umino tried and failed to get his hands on Narita, but failed. On December 10, Kaito Kiyomiya and Ryohei Oiwa were attacked by House of Torture, only to be saved by Umino. Afterwards, Oiwa and Kiyomiya challenged EVIL and Takahashi to a match. On December 20, House of Torture made an appearance in NOAH attacking Kiyomiya, Oiwa, before EVIL proposed a match between all members of House of Torture and Kiyomiya, and their potential partners. The following day, Kiyomiya and Oiwa made an appearance in NJPW saving Shota Umino from an attack by House of Torture. Afterwards, Kiyomiya announced that he would be appearing at Wrestle Kingdom. On January 2, 2024 at NOAH The New Year, Kiyomiya, Oiwa, Umino, Junta Miyawaki and Shuji Kondo faced House of Torture in a winning effort.

## Notes

1. ↑ The other participants were Gabe Kidd, Alex Coughlin, Jeff Cobb, HENARE, Shane Haste, Mikey Nicholls, Tomohiro Ishii, Master Wato, Fujita "Jr." Hayato, DOUKI, Sho, Yujiro Takahashi, Yoshinobu Kanemaru, Takashi Iizuka, Taichi and Chase Owens.

## References

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 NJPW Officially Announces Wrestle Kingdom 18, Unveils Logo  (in English) (2023-07-07). Retrieved on 2023-08-18.
2. ↑ ベルク Presents WRESTLE KINGDOM 18 in 東京ドーム  (in Japanese). *njpw.co.jp* (2024-01-04).
3. ↑ Kreikenbohm, Philip 2024-01-04. NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 18 In Tokyo Dome . *cagematch.net*.
4. ↑ GFW News: New Japan Pro Wrestling "Wrestle Kingdom 9" press conference details . *Pro Wrestling Dot Net* (2014-12-23). Retrieved on 2017-10-09.
5. ↑ Keller, Wade 2016-12-13. New Japan's WrestleKingdom 11 to air on AXS TV starting Jan. 13 in four weekly special episodes with Ross and Barnett on commentary . *Pro Wrestling Torch*. Retrieved on 2017-10-09.
6. ↑ Super Warriors in Tokyo Dome . ProWrestlingHistory.com (1992-01-04). Retrieved on 2010-04-13.
7. ↑ Alvarez, Bryan 2007-01-08. TNA, Tokyo Dome results, Sylvia's next battle, Death of WCW, Dark Angel, more . *Wrestling Observer Newsletter*. Archived from the original on 2007-01-04. Retrieved on 2017-08-25.
8. ↑ ja:詳細速報 ＜新日本１・４東京ド＞ (in Japanesepanese). *Nikkan Sports*. Archived from the original on 2007-07-08. Retrieved on 2017-08-25.
9. ↑ ja:1月4日(木)東京ドーム (in Japanesepanese). *New Japan Pro-Wrestling*. Archived from the original on 2007-02-16. Retrieved on 2017-08-25.
10. ↑ Currier, Joseph 2023-07-05. NJPW officially announces Wrestle Kingdom 18, reveals logo . *Wrestling Observer Newsletter*.
11. ↑ International Wrestle Kingdom ticket sales start Friday September 15! 【WK18】 . *NJPW* (2023-10-10).
12. ↑ STARDOM Hosting Show At Tokyo Dome City Hall Ahead Of NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 18 . *Wrestling Headlines* (2023-10-10).
13. ↑ Positive results, powerful alliances from NJPW & STARDOM presentation; NEW JAPAN PRO-WRESTLING .
14. ↑ Grabianowski, Ed. How Pro Wrestling Works . *HowStuffWorks, Inc.*. Discovery Communications.
15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 15.2 15.3 15.4 15.5 15.6 【来年1月4日(木)東京ドーム大会の“第1弾カード”が決定！】IWGP世界ヘビー級選手権を賭けて、“王者”SANADAと“『G1』覇者”内藤哲也が頂上対決!!【WK18】  (in English) (2023-10-10). Retrieved on 2023-11-14.
16. ↑ SANADA Leaves LIJ, Joins Just 4 Guys  (2023-03-17).
17. ↑ Four become Five Guys as SANADA leaves LIJ to join Taichi group | NEW JAPAN PRO-WRESTLING .
18. ↑ Tetsuya Naito vs SANADA Will Headline Wrestle Kingdom 18 At The Tokyo Dome - Atletifo  (in en-GB) (2023-08-13).
19. ↑ 2023.08.13 G1 CLIMAX 33 | NEW JAPAN PRO-WRESTLING  (in en).
20. ↑ [“My motivation is the main event in the Tokyo Dome” Naito speaks at post G1 presser 【G133】 https://www.njpw1972.com/158095 ] (in en).
21. ↑ Rennar, Ethan 2018-09-23. NJPW DESTRUCTION IN KOBE LIVE RESULTS: OKADA VS. TANAHASHI . *Wrestling Observer Newsletter*. Retrieved on 2018-09-23.
22. ↑ Carlin, James 2023-10-09. NJPW Destruction in Ryogoku Results – 10.9.23 . *monthlypuroresu.com*.
23. ↑ Gibbons, Aidan 2023-10-09. NJPW Destruction In Ryogoku Results. All The Results From NJPW Destruction In Ryogoku . *cultaholic.com*.
24. ↑ Fritts, Chick 2023-10-09. NJPW Destruction in Ryogoku live results: SANADA vs. EVIL lumberjack match. The IWGP World Heavyweight title is on the line in the main event. . *f4wonline.com*.
25. ↑ [【新日本】内藤哲也 １・４決戦前に３度目の右目手術へ　主治医「手術ができるのは３回まで」 https://www.tokyo-sports.co.jp/articles/-/281892 ] (in jp).
26. ↑ Powell, Jason 2023-06-25. AEW-NJPW Forbidden Door results: Powell's live review of Bryan Danielson vs. Kazuchika Okada, Kenny Omega vs. Will Ospreay for the IWGP U.S. Championship, MJF vs. Hiroshi Tanahashi for the AEW World Championship . Retrieved on 2023-06-25.
27. ↑ 27.0 27.1 27.2 27.3 27.4 27.5 Four massive matches added to Wrestle Kingdom 18! 【WK18】 . *NJPW* (2023-11-06). Retrieved on 2023-11-14.
28. ↑ Barrasso, Justin 2023-11-05. Bryan Danielson-Kazuchika Okada Bout Set For Wrestler Kingdom 18 . *Sports Illustrated*.
29. ↑ Thompson, Andrew 2023-11-04. Will Ospreay Calls Out David Finlay & Jon Moxley For NJPW Wrestler Kingdom 18, Three Way For A New Championship Belt . *POST Wrestling*.
30. ↑ Brennan, Corey 2023-11-04. NJPW Creating New Title To Replace IWGP US And UK Championship . *Fightful*.
31. ↑ Brennan, Corey 2023-11-04. NJPW Creating New Title To Replace IWGP US And UK Championship . *Fightful*.
32. ↑ 32.0 32.1 Renner, Ethan 2023-12-11. NJPW introducing IWGP Global Championship at Wrestle Kingdom 18 . *Wrestling Observer Newsletter*.
33. ↑ Carlin, James 2023-11-05. El Desperado vs. Hiromu Takahashi Set For Wrestler Kingdom 18 . *Monthly Puroresu*.
34. ↑ Catch 2/2 Win IWGP Junior Tag Titles at NJPW Dominion, Dan Moloney Turns on United Empire | Fightful News .
35. ↑ https://www.wrestlinginc.com/1330392/bullet-club-captures-gold-njpw-strong-independence-day/
36. ↑ Thompson, Andrew 2023-11-04. Catch 2/2 wins 2023 NJPW Super Junior Tag League, challenging for IWGP Jr. Tag Titles at Wrestle Kingdom 18 . *POST Wrestling*.
37. ↑ https://www.njpw1972.com/162674
38. ↑ Coffin Match for Catch 2/2 and War Dogs? . *NJPW* (2023-12-21). Retrieved on 2023-12-21.
39. ↑ Fritts, Chick 2023-12-22. NJPW Road to Tokyo Dome live results: NEVER Six-Man title match . *Wrestling Observer Newsletter*.
40. ↑ [hhttps://www.njpw1972.com/166877 TJP in question ahead of Wrestle Kingdom after coffin match ]. *New Japan Pro-Wrestling* (2023-12-22).
41. ↑ Boone, Matt 2023-10-14. NJPW Royal Quest III Results 10/14/23 . *wrestlingheadlines.com*.
42. ↑ Fritts, Chick 2023-10-14. NJPW Royal Quest III live results: Will Ospreay vs. Zack Sabre Jr. Tomohiro Ishii vs. Shingo Takagi is also set for the show. . *f4wonline.com*.
43. ↑ Rose, Bryan 2023-10-29. Shingo Takagi wins NEVER Openweight title at NJPW Fighting Spirit Unleashed Notes from Saturday's NJPW event in Las Vegas. . *f4wonline.com*.
44. ↑ Tessier, Colin 2023-11-04. Shingo Takagi vs. Tama Tonga Set For Wrestle Kingdom 18 . *Yahoo*.
45. ↑ 45.0 45.1 Shingo vs Tama, Sabre vs Tanahashi set for Wrestle Kingdom! 【WK18】 . *NJPW* (2023-11-13). Retrieved on 2023-11-14.
46. ↑ G., Joey 2023-11-13. Zack Sabre Jr. Defends NJPW TV Title Against Hiroshi Tanahashi And More Added To Wrestler Kingdom 18 . *Wrestling Headlines*.
47. ↑ First ever threepeat for Bishamon in WTL . *NJPW* (2023-12-10). Retrieved on 2023-12-10.
48. ↑ Fritts, Chick 2023-12-10. NJPW World Tag League finals live results: Bishamon vs. GoD . *Wrestling Observer Newsletter*.
49. ↑ Snow falls on Just 5 Guys as SANADA gives spotlight to his team . *NJPW* (2023-12-22). Retrieved on 2023-12-22.
50. ↑ 50.0 50.1 50.2 Wrestle Kingdom 18 (January 4) Preview 【WK18】 . *NJPW* (2023-12-30). Retrieved on 2023-12-30.
51. ↑ Ren Narita Joins HOUSE OF TORTURE in Karatsu . *NJPW* (2023-12-06). Retrieved on 2023-12-22.
52. ↑ TORTURE KILLER! EVIL & House of Torture ATTACK Kaito Kiyomiya & co.! . *NOAH* (2023-12-20). Retrieved on 2023-12-22.
53. ↑ NJPW ‘S House Of Torture Appears At Pro Wrestling NOAH Star Navigation, Destroys Kaito Kiyomiya & Ryohei Oiwa . *NOAH* (2023-12-20). Retrieved on 2023-12-22.
54. ↑ #njwk18 4th match Backstage Backstage 12/21/23 (with Subtitles)｜Road to TOKYO DOME 第4試合 Backstage . *NJPW* (2023-12-21). Retrieved on 2023-12-22.
55. ↑ 2023.01.04 Wrestle Kingdom 17 in Tokyo Dome | New Japan Pro-Wrestling .
56. ↑ Wrestle Kingdom 18 (January 4) Preview 【WK18】 . *New Japan Pro-Wrestling* (2023-12-24).
57. ↑ Renner, Ethan 2023-11-04. NJPW crowns Super Junior Tag League 2023 winners . *Wrestling Observer Newsletter*.
58. ↑ Tessier, Colin 2023-11-13. Zack Sabre Jr. vs. Hiroshi Tanahashi Set For NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 18 . *Wrestlezone*.
59. ↑ Defelice, Robert 2023-11-11. Tama Tonga To Challenge Shingo Takagi For NEVER Openweight Title At NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 18 . *Fightful*.
60. ↑ Thompson, Andrew 2023-12-10. Bishamon wins 2023 NJPW World Tag League, offers El Phantasmo & Hikuleo title match at Wrestle Kingdom 18 . *POSTWrestling*.
61. ↑ Thompson, Andrew 2023-11-04. Hiromu Takahashi offers El Desperado IWGP Jr. Title match for NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 18, Desperado to undergo surgery first . *POSTWrestling*.
62. ↑ Renner, Ethan 2023-11-04. Bryan Danielson challenges Kazuchika Okada for NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 18 . *Wrestling Observer Newsletter*.
63. ↑ Carey, Ian 2023-10-09. Main event official for NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 18 . *Wrestling Observer Newsletter*.

## External links

* The official New Japan Pro Wrestling website