Want more wrestling news, rumors, and results? Be sure to visit PWInsider.com and PWInsiderXtra.com.
It has been 20 years of Wrestle Kingdom at the Tokyo Dome. New Japan has changed things up every year from going from one night to two nights and back to one night this year. The big event is the retirement of Hiroshi Tanahashi, which has overshadowed other storylines this year. Tanahashi has made every appearance during G1 Climax, Super Junior Tag, and World Tag League tournaments to say "thank you" to as many fans as he could. Despite statements from Tanahashi saying nothing is more important that the IWGP World Championship, this match is the main event in the eyes of the Japanese fans, as it deserves to be. Commentators have spoken about Tokyo Dome being a "sell out" and this is based on Tanahashi's retirement.
Hiroshi Tanahashi's Retirement Match: Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Kazuchika Okada
Comparisons will be made to John Cena's retirement, however, Tanahashi wanted his last match to be at Wrestle Kingdom, the biggest event on New Japan's calendar. The only opponent that made sense who is at Tanahashi's level is Kazuchika Okada, and the only opponent that could fill the Tokyo Dome. Not including G1 Climax, Tanahashi has beaten most of his opponents in special singles matches, his most recent was Kosei Fujita. I expect Okada to defeat Tanahashi after taking multiple Rainmakers. Tanahashi will follow Cena and go out on his back and he will fully embrace his role as President of New Japan. Okada will return to AEW until he chooses to return to New Japan to have his own retirement tour.
The challenge for New Japan is building a babyface icon at the level of Hiroshi Tanahashi and Kazuchika Okada. New Japan does not have one yet. That search begins on January 5, 2026 at New Years Dash.
IWGP World and IWGP Global Heavyweight Double Championship Match: Konosuke Takeshita vs. Yota Tsuji
This should be a good stiff match. New Japan has pushed Tsuji as a main eventer after winning the Global Title and getting into the Finals of the World Tag League with Gabe Kidd. Fans still boo Takeshita because he is not committed exclusively to New Japan (he also works for AEW and Pro Wrestling NOAH). Tsuji does not have the charisma of Tanahashi and Okada and he needs to work on that. Tsuji needs to win here and he needs to be ready to carry the company on his back.
Side note: New Japan needs to stop having these title vs. tile matches, just to create another champion or title down the line. There are too many titles in New Japan. Not all the titles will be defended at Wrestle Kingdom, which diminishes their importance.
NEVER Openweight Championship: Aaron Wolf (debut) vs. EVIL
This was the first match announced for Wrestle Kingdom. A young lion vs. an established veteran and top heel in New Japan. For a major singles title. A young lion in his first match should win a major title in his first match. How do the other young lions who have taken a beating in training and have no matches on the biggest stage? House of Torture matches are chaotic and all participants need to be in the right positions at the right time to tell their stories. Can Wolf meet this challenge and not screw up a spot on the biggest stage? This match could be a train wreck.
EVIL should win here with lots of interference by House of Torture. Wolf can have a competitive match, but he does not deserve to wear a title yet.
Jr. Heavyweight Number One Contenders Match: El Desperado vs. Kosei Fujita vs. Taiji Ishimori and SHO
DOUKI holds both the IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Title and IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Tag Team Title with SHO. DOUKI is not defending either title at Wrestle Kingdom which is puzzling, but DOUKI dislocated his elbow facing El Desperado at Wrestle Kingdom 19. Maybe there are butterflies.
I expect El Desperado to win and go on to face DOUKI at New Year's Dash.
10 Man Tag Team Match: Hiromu Takahashi, Drilla Moloney, Gabe Kidd, David Finlay and Shingo Takagi vs. Great O-Khan, Callum Newman, HENARE, Andrade El Idolo, and a new member
Multiple stories converge in this match. The alliance between The Unaffiliated and War Dogs is silly and it needs to end. United Empire needs to regroup and get focused. Kidd is being wasted in this match.
Hiromu and Finlay argue. Andrade gets a quick pin on Hiromu. This establishes Andrade as a force in New Japan and hopefully strengthens United Empire.
IWGP Women's and STRONG WOMEN'S Double Championship Match: Syuri vs. Saya Kamitani
Another double championship match. Syuri has two reigns as IWGP Women's Champion and this is her first defense since winning in October. Syuri retains.
NEVER Openweight 6-Man Tag Team Championship Tornado Ranbo Match: Master Wato, YOH and Toru Yano vs. Boltin Oleg, YOSHI-HASHI and Hirooki Goto vs. Takeshi Kaisei, Yuya Uemura and Shota Umino vs. Hartley Jackson, Ryohei Oiwa and Zack Sabre Jr. vs. Ryusuke Taguchi, Tiger Mask and Togi Makabe vs. Satoshi Kojima, Taichi and Tomohiro Ishii vs. Clark Conners, OSKAR and Yuto-Ice vs. Yoshinobu Kanemaru, SANADA and Ren Narita
Eight teams competing for the 6-Man belts. Knockout Brothers and TMDK should not be in this match since they will meet for the IWGP Tag Titles later. But at least everyone gets on the Wrestle Kingdom card. A Ranbo Match is like a Royal Rumble match so teams will come out every few minutes so it will become a battle royal. I expect Wato, YOH and Yano to retain.
NJPW World TV Championship Match: El Phantasmo vs. Chris Brookes
Brookes laid out ELP at the last Korakuen Hall show. Brookes is still a part of the DDT promotion so I do not see him getting the TV belt. This could be a sleeper match of the night. ELP retains.
The only match advertised for New Year's Dash on January 5, 2026 is Knockout Brothers vs. TMDK for the IWGP Tag Team Championship.
I expect new storylines and surprises on this event.
Thank you for reading.
Happy Holidays everyone.
If you enjoy PWInsider.com you can check out the AD-FREE PWInsider Elite section, which features exclusive audio updates, news, our critically acclaimed podcasts, interviews and more by clicking here!
Bang On Casino
