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Wrestle Kingdom 20 stands as New Japan Pro Wrestling’s premier event of the year, setting the stage for an exhilarating start to 2026 with a card that upholds its rich heritage. Fans can anticipate an evening full of top-notch wrestling performances.
Kazuchika Okada vs. Hiroshi Tanahashi
In a pivotal matchup before his retirement ceremony, Hiroshi Tanahashi will face his fiercest rival, Kazuchika Okada. While Okada dominates their overall rivalry, Tanahashi holds the advantage in their main event encounters at Tokyo Dome. This historic clash raises the stakes as Tanahashi seeks to conclude his career with a memorable victory.
Winner Takes All: IWGP World Heavyweight & IWGP Global Championship – Yota Tsuji vs. Konosuke Takeshita
The stage is set for an exciting title bout as IWGP World Champion Konosuke Takeshita challenges IWGP Global Heavyweight Champion Yota Tsuji, with both titles on the line. This highly anticipated match has the potential to become a candidate for Match of the Year, leaving fans eager to see who prevails at the Tokyo Dome.
NEVER Openweight Championship: EVIL(c) vs. Aaron Wolfe
Making his debut in professional wrestling, Olympic gold medalist Aaron Wolfe will take on EVIL in a match for the NEVER Openweight Championship. Fans are eagerly anticipating whether Wolfe can make a statement on his first night by capturing the title.
Winner Takes All: IWGP Women’s & NJPW Strong Women’s Championship – Shuri vs. Saya Kamiya
In another thrilling winner-take-all showdown, Shuri and Saya Kamiya will battle for the IWGP Women’s and NJPW Strong Women’s Championships. Given their skill sets, both competitors are capable of taking home the gold.
IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship #1 Contender Match: SHO vs. El Desperado vs. Taiji Ishimori vs. Kosei Fujita
For the first time in over a decade, the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship will not be defended at Wrestle Kingdom, marking a significant shift. This match will determine the next contender to challenge DOUKI for the title, as all four participants share rivalries with the current champion.
Additional Matches
Fans can look forward to a colossal 10-man tag team match featuring the United Empire against the War Dogs, with Andrade El Idro returning to NJPW for his first bout since 2015. Additionally, the NEVER Openweight Six-Man Tag Team Championship will be defended in a chaotic Tornado Rambo match.
On the kickoff show, El Phantasmo will defend the New Japan Pro Wrestling World Television Championship against Chris Brooks, while Shoma Kato & Tatsuya Murashima will face Katsuya Murashima & Masatora Yasuda in another tag team match.
Final Card for Wrestle Kingdom 20
- Kazuchika Okada vs Hiroshi Tanahashi
- Winner takes all IWGP World Heavyweight & IWGP Global Championship: Yota Tsuji vs. Konosuke Takeshita
- NEVER Openweight Championship: EVIL(c) vs. Aaron Wolfe
- Winner takes IWGP Women’s Championship & New Japan STRONG Women’s Championship: Shuri vs. Saya Kamiya
- IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship #1 Contender Match: SHO vs. El Desperado vs. Taiji Ishimori vs. Kosei Fujita
- Tornado Rambo NEVER Openweight 6-Man Tag Team Championship Match: Various teams battling it out
- 10-man tag match: United Empire vs. War Dogs
- New Japan Pro Wrestling World Television Championship: El Phantasmo (c) vs Chris Brooks (pre-show)
- Shoma Kato & Tatsuya Murashima vs. Katsuya Murashima & Masatora Yasuda (Preshow)
Final Thoughts on Wrestle Kingdom 20
Wrestle Kingdom 20 is shaping up to be an exciting event, especially with matchups like Kazuchika Okada vs. Hiroshi Tanahashi and Yota Tsuji vs. Konosuke Takeshita. Make sure to catch the live event and follow Ringside News for real-time updates.
Event Details for Wrestle Kingdom 20
“Wrestle Kingdom 20” will be aired live from the Tokyo Dome on January 4th, with the pre-show kicking off at 1 a.m. ET and the main event starting at 2 a.m. ET. Fans can tune in via NJPW World.
Fan Take: Wrestle Kingdom 20 is a quintessential event for wrestling enthusiasts, showcasing some of the sport’s greatest talents in historic matchups. This card not only highlights the depth of NJPW’s roster but also sets a thrilling tone for the year ahead in professional wrestling.
