The Grandest Show in Japanese Wrestling: Wrestle Kingdom 20

The biggest event on New Japan Pro-Wrestling’s (NJPW) calendar, Wrestle Kingdom, is set to take place this week. Like always, the show will be held on January 4 at the Tokyo Dome, a venue that has become synonymous with the annual spectacle. This year’s edition promises to be particularly memorable, as it marks the end of an era for one of the most iconic figures in wrestling history.

A Farewell to the Ace: Hiroshi Tanahashi’s Final Match

Hiroshi Tanahashi, known as “The Ace” and a cornerstone of NJPW for decades, will be retiring after his final match against Kazuchika Okada. This encounter will be their 18th singles clash, with Tanahashi leading the series 8-6 and three time-limit draws. While Tanahashi will continue to serve as President of NJPW, this match will be his last in the ring. Fans from around the world are expected to gather at the sold-out Tokyo Dome to witness the farewell, which will include a retirement ceremony featuring past NJPW rivals and current AEW stars like Kenny Omega and Will Ospreay.

Title Resets and High-Stakes Matches

This year’s Wrestle Kingdom card also features two high-stakes “Winner Takes All” matches that could reshape the top titles in NJPW. Konosuke Takeshita, who currently holds the IWGP World Championship, will face Yota Tsuji, the reigning IWGP Global Champion. Tsuji, a rising star in NJPW, will have the opportunity to bring the World title back to the company. Additionally, Saya Kamitani, the NJPW Strong Women’s Champion, will challenge Syuri, the IWGP Women’s Champion, in a battle for supremacy.

Kamitani was recently named Tokyo Sports’ Pro Wrestling MVP of 2025, making her the first woman to earn this prestigious honor. Her performance in the ring has been nothing short of exceptional, and this match could be a defining moment in her career.

A New Star Enters the Scene

Another exciting addition to the card is Aaron Wolf, an Olympic gold medal-winning judoka who will make his NJPW debut. He will challenge EVIL for the NEVER Openweight title, marking a new chapter for both the wrestler and the promotion. This match is expected to showcase Wolf’s unique background and skills in a high-stakes environment.

Schedule and Viewing Options

The main card of Wrestle Kingdom 20 will begin at 4 p.m. local time in Tokyo, which translates to 2 a.m. Eastern Time in the United States. A kickoff show will start at 3:15 p.m. in Tokyo, or 1:15 a.m. ET. For those unable to attend in person, the event will be available exclusively on NJPWWorld, the official streaming service of New Japan Pro-Wrestling. Subscribers can access the show for $9.99 per month, with options for Japanese or English language commentary.

The Full Card of Wrestle Kingdom 20

Here is the full lineup for the upcoming event:

• Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Kazuchika Okada – A historic match that will mark the end of Tanahashi’s legendary career.
• Tanahashi’s retirement ceremony – A special event celebrating the legacy of one of wrestling’s greatest icons.
• IWGP World champion Konosuke Takeshita vs. IWGP Global champion Yota Tsuji – A high-stakes battle for the ultimate prize.
• NJPW Strong Women’s champ Saya Kamitani vs. IWGP Women’s champ Syuri – A winner-takes-all match between two of the best in women’s wrestling.
• EVIL (c) vs. Aaron Wolf for the NEVER Openweight title – A debut match that could change the landscape of the division.
• El Desperado vs. Kosei Fujita vs. Taiji Ishimori vs. SHO – A four-way match to determine the #1 contender for the IWGP Jr. Heavyweight title.
• YOH, Master Wato & Toru Yano (c) defend the NEVER Openweight 6-Man championship in a Tornado Ranbo vs. TBA – A tag team battle that could set the stage for future storylines.
• Bullet Club War Dogs (David Finlay, Gabe Kidd & Drilla Moloney), Shingo Takagi, and Hiromu Takahashi vs. Andrade El Ídolo and United Empire (Callum Newman, Great-O-Khan, Henare, and TBA) – A massive showdown between some of the top names in the industry.
• NJPW Television champ El Phantasmo defends against Chris Brookes (pre-show) – A pre-show match that sets the tone for the main event.
• Shoma Kato & Tatsuya Matsumoto vs. Katsuya Murashima & Masatora Yasuda (pre-show) – Another early contest that builds anticipation for the night’s main events.