WRESTLE KINGDOM:
THE NIGHT DREAMS ARE MADE OF
By Jasmine Olan
It’s the international wrestling scene’s biggest night of every year. January 4 is the date everything builds to in New Japan Pro Wrestling. While it takes place at the beginning of the calendar year, WRESTLE KINGDOM is the night NJPW ends one chapter in their history as it prepares to begin a new one the next night at NEW YEAR DASH in the historic Korakuen Hall. Taking place at the legendary Tokyo Dome, WRESTLE KINGDOM is the grandest stage a non WWE wrestler can appear on and is a night where stars are born and legacies are cemented. In many ways, WRESTLE KINGDOM is both the most exciting and nerve wracking time of the year for NJPW’s finest.
At WRESTLE KINGDOM, New Japan Pro Wrestling’s incredibly talented roster takes the stage in front of the biggest audience they will face that year. Every year this prestigious event averages a crowd of anywhere from thirty to upwards of forty thousand plus fans both homegrown and foreign. Fans from all over the world make their way to the Tokyo Dome that night to watch their favorite wrestlers compete on that grand stage and take their place in wrestling history. For the wrestlers, the highest honor is the chance to compete in the coveted main event which allows them to challenge for the highly regarded IWGP Heavyweight Championship.
That opportunity can be earned at the G1 Climax tournament during the summer before. The G1 is often viewed as the beginning of the road to WRESTLE KINGDOM as the results of the tournament finals effectively sets up the main event picture heading into January 4. WRESTLE KINGDOM 13’s main event will see three time G1 Climax winner, Hiroshi Tanahashi challenge current IWGP Heavyweight Champion, Kenny Omega in a match that is sure to be a great match of the year candidate. The battle of ideologies taking place between the two has been brewing for quite a while, and the forty-two year old Ace Of The Universe looks to become IWGP Heavyweight Champion for a historic eighth time and prove that age is just a number. Meanwhile the Best Bout Machine looks to successfully defend his title and continue his mission to change the world of professional wrestling. Heading into this match, fans are waiting excitedly to find out which of these to amazing men will emerge victorious.
New Japan Pro Wrestling has been putting on an annual show at the Tokyo Dome since 1989 but has only been producing it under the WRESTLE KINGDOM banner since 2006. Over the years, the event has evolved into the ultimate showcase for the international wrestling scene’s greatest talents. Every championship within NJPW is defended that night, and some of the year’s most critically acclaimed matches take place then. Each year the best wrestlers from around the world arrive at the Tokyo Dome ready to put it all in the line for a chance at glory. The Tokyo Dome is where it all comes together for so many of them. They take great pride in earning the opportunity to showcase their talent on such a monumental stage.
Bringing their absolute best to the ring is of the utmost importance at WRESTLE KINGDOM. Talent and passion are in full display and the pressure felt is definitely real. The stakes are the highest for all of them that night. The most anticipated matches for this coming WRESTLE KINGDOM include the main event of Kenny Omega vs Hiroshi Tanahashi and Chris Jericho vs Tetsuya Naito for the IWGP Intercontinental Championship. New Japan also hopes to add to the growing prestige of the NEVER Openweight Championship that night as newly crowned champion, Kota Ibushi defends his title against the Aerial Assassin, Will Ospreay.
The entire card for WRESTLE KINGDOM 13 is sure to once again deliver in spades in terms of match quality and story telling. New Japan’s finest are ready to give it their all, and the anticipation is at fever pitch for fans and critics alike Who will make history in the Tokyo Dome this time? Will Kenny Omega successfully defend the title he worked so hard to win at DOMINION 6.9? The answers to those questions will come on January 4, 2019. One thing that can be said for sure is that WRESTLE KINGDOM 13 will no doubt continue New Japan Pro Wrestling’s tradition of January 4 being the night dreams are made of.
NEXT PAGE: Jasmine Looks Ahead To 2019
