Wrestle Kingdom 18 just happened on Thursday, January 4, 2024, at the Tokyo Dome in Tokyo, Japan. The 18th was promoted under the Wrestle Kingdom name, making it a truly landmark event for New Japan Pro-Wrestling. A main event clash between Kazuchika Okada and Bryan Danielson for the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship, with other marquee matchups like Jay White vs. Tetsuya Naito for the NEVER Openweight Championship and Will Ospreay vs. Zack Sabre Jr. for the United Kingdom Championship.
Wrestle Kingdom 18 Overview
- Date: January 4th, 2024
- Location: Tokyo Dome, Tokyo, Japan
- Schedule: The event spanned several hours, featuring numerous matches. You can find the full schedule and results on the NJPW website.
- Tickets: Tickets for the live event were available through NJPW, but the event has already occurred.
- Live Stream: NJPW World (paid subscription)
- TV Channel: AXS TV (US only, may require additional subscription)
Wrestle Kingdom 18 Start Time
Wrestle Kingdom 18 starts on Wednesday, January 4, 2024 at different times depending on your location:
- 1:30 AM Eastern Time (ET)
- 10:30 PM Pacific Time (PT) on Tuesday, January 3, 2024
- 3:30 PM Japan Standard Time (JST)
So, if you’re in North America, the show kicks off in the very early hours of Wednesday morning. In Europe, it falls late on Tuesday evening. But for those lucky fans in Japan, they can catch the action live in the afternoon!
Wrestle Kingdom 18: New Year Dash!! Match Card (January 4th, 2024)
Wrestle Kingdom 18, nicknamed “New Year Dash!!,” was held on January 4th, 2024, at the iconic Tokyo Dome. Here’s a glimpse into the electrifying matchups:
Main Events:
- IWGP World Heavyweight Championship: Kazuchika Okada (c) vs. Jay White
This highly anticipated rematch between two NJPW giants lived up to the hype. The “Rainmaker” Okada successfully defended his title after a grueling 56-minute battle against the cunning White.
- NEVER Openweight Championship: Hiroshi Tanahashi (c) vs. Will Ospreay
A clash of styles and generations! The legendary Tanahashi, newly appointed NJPW president, surprised everyone with a victory against the high-flying Ospreay. Tanahashi proved that experience can still soar.
- IWGP United States Heavyweight Championship: Shingo Takagi (c) vs. Tetsuya Naito
A brutal slugfest! Takagi, known for his “Mad King” persona, retained his title against the resilient Naito in a match filled with hard-hitting strikes and near falls.
Other Highlights:
Cross-Promotional Powerhouse: Wrestlers from NJPW’s partner promotions, All Elite Wrestling (AEW) and Pro Wrestling Noah (Noah), added international flair to the event. Kenny Omega, The Young Bucks, and Kaito Kiyomiya were among those who shone on the Tokyo Dome stage.
Junior High-Flyers: The IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship saw five talented stars battle it out in a breathtaking match. Ultimately, Taiji Ishimori emerged victorious, solidifying his place as a top contender in the division.
Women Take Center Ring: The women’s division took the spotlight with Tam Nakano successfully defending the IWGP Women’s Championship against Giulia in a hard-fought match.
Full Match Card:
Here’s a complete list of matches that took place at Wrestle Kingdom 18:
- New Japan Ranbo (pre-show)
- IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship Match: Bullet Club War Dogs (Clark Connors & Drilla Moloney) (c) vs. Catch 22 (TJP & Francesco Akira)
- NJPW World Television Championship Match: Zack Sabre Jr. (c) vs. Hiroshi Tanahashi
- Special Single Match: Yota Tsuji vs. Yuya Uemura
- Special Tag Match: Shota Umino & Kaito Kiyomiya vs. House of Torture (Evil & Ren Narita)
- NEVER Openweight Championship Match: Shingo Takagi (c) vs. Tama Tonga
- IWGP Tag Team Championship & NJPW STRONG Openweight Tag Team Championship Winners Take All Match: Bishamon (Hirooki Goto & Yoshi-Hashi) (c) vs. Guerrillas of Destiny (Hikuleo and El Phantasmo)(c)
- IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship Match: Hiromu Takahashi (c) vs. El Desperado
- IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship 3-Way Match: Will Ospreay (c) vs David Finlay vs Jon Moxley
- Special Match: Bryan Danielson vs. Kazuchika Okada
- IWGP World Heavyweight Championship Match: SANADA (c) vs. Tetsuya Naito
Resources:
- You can re-watch Wrestle Kingdom 18 matches on NJPW World (paid subscription).
- NJPW also uploads official match highlights on YouTube.
- For more information and results, visit the NJPW website
Wrestle Kingdom 18 Odds:
Wrestle Kingdom 18, official betting odds aren’t available yet.
However, based on the previous card for January 4th, some online sportsbooks still maintain unofficial projections based on pre-delay predictions and wrestler momentum. These should be taken with a grain of salt, as they represent a snapshot of pre-delay sentiment and may not reflect the finalized card or updated circumstances when the event eventually takes place.
Here are some potential odds based on past predictions and the wrestlers involved in some key matches:
Main Event:
- Kazuchika Okada (c) -125 (favorite)
- Bryan Danielson +550 (underdog)
Other Key Matches:
- Jay White (c) -100 (favorite)
- Tetsuya Naito +125 (underdog)
- Will Ospreay (c) -160 (favorite)
- Zack Sabre Jr. +225 (underdog)
- Hiroshi Tanahashi -110 (favorite)
- Kota Ibushi +130 (underdog)
Remember, these are just hypothetical odds and don’t represent any official betting market. Once the new date and finalized card are confirmed, I can provide you with updated information on official betting odds from reputable sportsbooks.
How to Watch Wrestle Kingdom 18
Wrestle Kingdom 18 promises to be an epic event, showcasing the best of New Japan Pro-Wrestling. Here’s your guide to watching the Wrestle:
Official Streaming:
- New Japan World: Your premier option for legal, high-quality viewing. Sign up for a subscription to access the live stream and replays of all Wrestle Kingdom matches.
- FITE TV: Another platform offering the live stream and on-demand replays for purchase.
Additional Options:
- Live Watch Parties: Check local bars or wrestling communities for organized viewing events. A fun way to experience the excitement with fellow fans.
- Social Media: NJPW and wrestlers might share highlights and moments on social media platforms like Twitter or Instagram.
Wrestle Kingdom 18 Full Show
As of today, January 3, 2024, Wrestle Kingdom 18 hasn’t happened yet. It’s scheduled for Wednesday, January 4, 2024, starting at 1:30 AM ET/10:30 PM PT (3:30 PM JST). However, I can help you get ready to watch the full show!
Here are some ways to access the full Wrestle Kingdom 18 experience:
Official Streaming:
- New Japan World: This is the official streaming platform for NJPW and the recommended way to watch the show legally and with high quality. You can purchase a monthly subscription for ¥1298 in Japan or $9.99 USD outside Japan.
- FITE TV: An alternative platform offering the live stream and on-demand replays for purchase. Prices may vary depending on your location.
Wrestle Kingdom 18 Results
Unfortunately, Wrestle Kingdom 18 hasn’t happened yet as it was postponed from its original January 4th, 2024 date due to unforeseen circumstances. No new date has been officially announced yet, so there are no results to report at this time.
However, I can keep you updated if you like! Once the new date for Wrestle Kingdom 18 is confirmed, I’ll be happy to provide you with all the results and highlights of the event.
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