“New Japan vs. NOAH” Set For Night 3 Of Wrestle Kingdom 16 In Yokohama, Portion Of Proceeds Going To Japanese Red Cross

New Japan Pro Wrestling & Pro Wrestling NOAH presented a joint press conference announcing a huge dual-promoted charity show on January 8th. The third night of Wrestle Kingdom 16 will be themed “New Japan vs. NOAH” and will take place in Yokohama Arena on January 8th, with a portion of the proceeds going to the Japanese Red Cross. It will also be it’s own separate PPV, presented by ABEMA.

Both NJPW President Takami Ohbari and Pro Wrestling NOAH President Sanshiro Takagi were present for the press conference. Ohbari had mentioned on Nov. 15th’s announcement of NJPW’s 50th Anniversary Year that there would be “dream events,” and confirmed on Saturday that the New Japan vs. NOAH show is the first of those shows.

After remarks from the heads of the companies, they were joined by NJPW’s Hiroshi Tanahashi and Pro Wrestling NOAH’s Kaito Kiyomiya. While Tanahashi is a regular franchise face for NJPW, the move to have Kiyomiya present, instead of current GHC Heavyweight Champion Naomichi Marufuji or Keiji Mutoh, was a big show of support for the former-GHC Heavyweight Champion.

Kiyomiya challenged Kazuchika Okada to a match over a year ago, and repeated that challenge at the press conference. “I want the Rainmaker,” he said. “A new era is coming.”

While no matches have been announced yet, President Ohbari mentioned that not only will NOAH and NJPW wrestlers face, they’ll also be able to team up. A video was shown, with wrestlers from both companies discussing the upcoming event.

The Pro Wrestling NOAH side of the conversation was a bit more aggressive than NJPW’s. Kiyomiya and GHC Heavyweight Champion Katsuhiko Nakajima both talked about bringing a “war” to New Japan, while NJPW’s Kazuchika Okada laughingly dismissed NOAH as “amateur.” IWGP World Heavyweight Champion Shingo Takagi recounted his history with wrestlers like Marufuji and Nakajima, but still spoke in a much more muted, competitive tone than the NOAH wrestlers.

This will mark the first time NOAH & NJPW have co-promoted a show since NJPW, NOAH & All Japan Pro Wrestling teamed up for ALL TOGETHER in 2011 & 2012. It will be NOAH’s first time being involved in a proper Wrestle Kingdom, with NOAH having an occasional presence at the January 4th Tokyo Dome shows before NJPW’s first Wrestle Kingdom in 2007. There was no mention of NOAH’s sibling promotions under the CyberFight banner, DDT, Ganbare Pro & Tokyo Joshi Pro Wrestling. Also NJPW’s sibling promotion STARDOM was not mentioned.

Nights 1 & 2 of Wrestle Kingdom will take place on January 4th & 5th and will be presented on NJPWWorld. Night 3 will take place on January 8th and be broadcast on PPV by ABEMA. The Jan. 8th show will be available on NJPWWorld a week after its live broadcast.