Written by: Super Mastodon (@SuperMastodon)
Wrestle Kingdom 14 Night 1 is now in the history books. Once again as is tradition, NJPW is beginning this year with a strong statement as to whom is still the best promotion in the world in terms of high quality professional wrestling matches. From the undercard until the main event, each match delivered to its potential and then some, living up to the years of build up that got us all in this moment. As I am writing this article I still haven’t recovered fully from the amazement that we all have just witnessed but it is my duty to share to you all my thoughts on each match so enough with the dilly dally, without further ado let’s get straight into the action and review Night 1 in the Tokyo Dome of Wrestle Kingdom 14!
Date: January 4, 2020
Location: Tokyo, Japan (Tokyo Dome)
Attendance: 40,0008
English Commentators: Kevin Kelly, Rocky Romero, Gino Gambino, & Chris Charlton
Pre-Show:
Match #1 – Mayu Iwatani & Arisa Hoshiki def. Hana Kimura & Giulia
This was a dark match featuring members of the STARDOM roster. It was announced last year that Bushiroad, the same company that owns NJPW has bought the famous joshi promotion, which is why we had this match in the first place. I personally am not an avid follower of STARDOM but familiar enough with the joshi scene to know these wrestlers involved. Obviously this was not broadcasted and I wasn’t in the live crowd to comment on anything but it was probably a pretty good match knowing who’s involved. The first ever women’s match on Wrestle Kingdom history, hoping it won’t be the last.
Match #2 – Toa Henare, Karl Fredericks, Clark Connors, & Alex Coughlin def. Togi Makabe, Tomoaki Honma, Yota Tsuji, & Yuya Uemura
For the first match of the pre-show that was actually televised, it’s an eight man tag mainly to showcase the active batch of young lions both from the New Japan and LA Dojos mixed in with some regular members of the roster as their respective tag-team partners. It was what it was, nothing out of the ordinary. Surprisingly though Henare got the win for his team, hitting the TOA Bottom on Tsuji at the 7:36 mark. Is this a sign for better things to come for Henare this year? Hope so, he actually performed pretty good here.
Match #3 – Satoshi Kojima & Hiroyoshi Tenzan def. Yuji Nagata & Manabu Nakanishi
Last match on the pre-show, it’s the New Japan Dads taking the stage on the Tokyo Dome once again. It’s not often you see a match where all men involved are former IWGP Heavyweight Champions but here we are. Obviously this would have been way better in their primes but they still performed decent given their ages. Kojima and Nagata obviously still got it, impressive as ever. Tenzan and Nakanishi did their spots and yes they are very much slow nowadays but at the end of the day who cares? They were there to entertain the fans and that they did. If you were expecting a five star extravaganza then you’re watching the wrong match. TenCozy won with Kojima hitting Nakanishi with his signature lariat at the 5:47 mark, adding another victory to the legendary 6x IWGP Tag-Team Champions.
Main Card:
Match #1 – Naoki Sano, Shinjiro Otani, Tatsuhito Takaiwa, & Ryusuke Taguchi (w/ Kunkiaki Kobayashi) def. Jushin “Thunder” Liger, Tatsumi Fujinami, Great Sasuke, & Tiger Mask (w/ El Samurai)
To officially start things off the new decade for NJPW we ironically have a strong nostalgic flavor with this one as the first retirement match of Jushin “Thunder” Liger takes place in this stacked eight man tag match that he personally booked involving men that played a role in his three decade career. A little disappointing that most of the entrance themes for the legends were not used due to music rights issues as per usual in NJPW World. Anyway, as Liger made his way to the ring I just can’t help but to smile but at the same time, the implications were somewhat sad too as this is one of the final times I’ll get to watch him wrestle from an active standpoint. As for the match itself, it was a fun set of action considering that the youngest wrestler in the match is a 40 year old Ryusuke Taguchi. Everyone managed to get their signature stuff in, Naoki Sano in particular surprised the hell out of me with his tope suicida to the outside onto his long time rival. Seems like all of the legends put on their working boots for Liger and it was all worth it. When Fujinami got tagged in, the crowd popped massively. Sasuke nearly damn killed himself but that’s just a usual day for the madman himself. I personally picked Team Liger to win in my predictions but the man of the hour really went on to put over everybody in his farewell tour, Taguchi capturing the win, hitting a Dodan to Liger at the 8:52 mark. Afterwards, everyone showed a sign of respect to one another, the emotion is still very much that of joy as Liger gets to wave off the first night with his peers but the following days will probably be a different story as we are one step closer to the end of the career of one of the best to ever do it.
Match #2 – Suzuki-Gun def. Los Ingobernables de Japon
From one multi-man tag to another, this time the rival factions Suzuki-Gun represented by of course Minoru Suzuki himself along with El Desperado, Taichi, and Zack Sabre Jr. taking on LIJ’s SANADA, EVIL, BUSHI, and Shingo Takagi. This match serves as to hype up the eventual ZSJ vs. SANADA match the next night for the RevPro British Heavyweight Championship. Quite sad we did not get to hear Kazi ne Nare play at the Tokyo Dome, possibly for the last time in NJWP too as rumors have it Suzuki is planning to leave soon. Anyway this was just a standard eight man tag-team match, once again nothing that is supposed to be mind blowing or anything crazy. Shingo Takagi is impressive as always, SANADA and ZSJ had some fun exchange, giving a taste of what’s to come for tomorrow. In the end though, ZSJ got his payback win over BUSHI by making him submit verbally with an Armbar at the 8:39 mark. If you’ve watched the Road to Tokyo Dome shows, BUSHI got an upset win over ZSJ in their singles match, I made my predictions before that match could take place so I will have to take an L here as I chose my favorite stable to win but alas they didn’t. Could this mean that SANADA will end up winning tomorrow though? If so, here’s hoping he actually has a decent lengthy run with the belt and doesn’t just pull off a Tanahashi transitional championship reign.
Match #3 – CHAOS def. Bullet Club
The third and final of the multi-men matches is a classic faceoff between age old rival factions of CHAOS represented by Hirooki Goto, Tomohiro Ishii, YOSHI-HASHI and Toru Yano against Bullet Club’s KENTA, Bad Luck Fale, Chase Owens, and Yujiro Takahashi. Honestly out of the three multi-men tags in the main card, this was the most forgettable. There were some moments or highlights that are noteworthy such as Ishii suplexing the 344 pounder in Fale. Pieter was there but she’s always memorable as established already. YOSHI-HASHI has some new gear, still the same stale personality though so not much has changed overall. Chase and Yujiro were extra better in their performance this time around. Yano did Yano things. Overall, just a decent match to hype up KENTA vs. Goto next night for their NEVER Openweight title bout. Goto wins it for his team, hitting the Tokyo Pimp with the GTR at the 8:17 mark.
Match #4 – IWGP Tag-Team Championships: FinJuice def. Guerrillas of Destiny
First title match of the night for the heavyweight tag-team titles, the winners of the 2019 World Tag League tournament: Juice Robinson and David Finlay took on the defending 5x champions in Tama Tonga and Tanga Loa accompanied by Jado. Interesting note that three wrestlers in this match belong to dynasties with Finlay of course being a fourth gen wrestler, GoD are the sons of Haku. Speaking of, in the previous match two big fellas accompanied BC in the ring during their entrance and I thought Haku had another set of sons secretly and brought them out for the first time, turns out it’s just members of the Japanese rugby team but I digress. Juice giving off a Joey Ryan vibe with his new looks, not sure if I’m a fan of it right now but it’ll probably grow on me. Anyway, FinJuice actually waited for GoD in the ramp during their entrance and a brawl ensued before the match could even officially began. As it did though, the first half of it was just a basic tag match, until things started to pick up by the end, they really got my attention when GoD hits the Magic Killer towards Finlay, I for sure thought that was it but Juice managed to save the day. From that point on, we got some solid back-and-forth from both teams. The Acid Drop on Tama got the challengers the win at the 13:25 mark. The tag-team division as a whole is weak right now for NJPW and that’s been evident for a few years now but this match was far from being weak, sure they had slow start with Finlay playing the role of Ricky Morton and Juice being the hot tag as to Robert Gibson but it was all built up well for the end. Now that we got new champions, hopefully they have a good run with the belts and not just drop them to GoD again few months down the line.
Match #5 – IWGP US Heavyweight Championship: Jon Moxley def. Lance Archer
What an absolute war. Moxley vs. Janela or vs. Omega in AEW were brutal matches, but in terms of action, this match against Archer was better in my opinion. The two just beat the crap out of another with every weapon they could find whether it be chairs, trash can lids, kendo sticks, and even the Young Lions at ringside. Was it a clean perfectly executed match? No, they were some visible botches and screw-ups here and there but I think that even added to the story that they tried to tell which is basically two crazy bastards destroying one another. They played off the rules of the Texas Death match nicely too. I thought this was the match that really turned it up a notch in terms of the level of excitement for the rest of the show and rightfully so as it was the first singles match of the night. Things really got even crazier when Archer attempted to suffocate Moxley with a plastic bag, held him with his signature EBD Claw, later on he’d rake Mox’s face with his spikes-filled helmet that he used in his entrance. Speaking of entrances, I know I’m going a bit backwards here but seeing Jon Moxley enter the Tokyo Dome is definitely a sight to behold, what a run he is having post WWE, that entrance screamed “superstar” to me, the only thing missing was Shooter Umino by his side. Anyway the ending to this match really encapsulated the experience as a whole, Mox hits the Death Rider on Archer through two tables on the outside which the big man was not able to get up from in a 10 count, taking back his IWGP US Title at the 14:26 mark. Reading the timestamp for this match, I actually did not expect it went below 15 minutes for how action-packed it was. Sure some more blood could’ve definitely made it cooler but it was already a great hardcore match so I’m not even going to complain. I still view his match vs. Ishii in the G1 as Moxley’s best match of his New Japan run but this is definitely in the top 3 as a whole with his debut match vs. Juice coming in a second. As for Archer, arguably the best match of his NJPW run in my opinion. Even though his run as champion was short, it won’t be the last especially with how much effort he put on with this performance, proving his worth as last year’s breakout star.
Match #6 – IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Championship: Hiromu Takahashi def. Will Ospreay
I’m just speechless for this match. Like, wow. Did we just witness the greatest junior heavyweight title match in the history of the Tokyo Dome? We have ourselves an early contender for Match of the Year and boy will it take a lot to really top this one. Going in to this one I already expected Ospreay and Hiromu to give us one of the best matches of their entire careers but they just blew by all of those expectations and performed like there was no tomorrow. Tore the roof off the place from start to finish, there was not a single dull moment throughout this match. Fast paced, high energy action from both men. That sequence alone and you know what I’m talking about, gets this match a 5 star rating. They did things that were seemingly impossible and made them possible. Just a year ago we all thought Hiromu’s career was over and look at him now, stealing the show in the Dome. The false finishes, boy we have to talk about them. I have to admit I fell for each and every one of those false finishes, Hiromu kicking out of the Oz Cutter, then Ospreay kicking out of the Time Bomb and everything else in between. Just when you thought it was finally over and we’re off to the next match, no, our expectations were subverted and it was beautiful. I don’t go out of my way to get spoiled into matches anyway but as I enter to watch this match without spoilers, that definitely helped a lot in my enjoyment of it as a whole, makes the experience that much better. Will Ospreay primarily working as a heel against the fan favorite Hiromu was a nice touch too. For the most part, in his entire title run Ospreay was always the good guy but this time around, Hiromu will clearly be the one that will be cheered heavily so he played up to that and the dynamic improved too, as if the chemistry between these two wasn’t great enough already. Ospreay’s historic run as IWGP Jr. Champion comes to an end with a brand new finisher from Hiromu, getting his third run with the belt and entering tomorrow night against Liger’s retirement as the reigning champion. What else is there to say? This has been one of the greatest matches I’ve seen in my entire life of watching professional wrestling. I’m not even exaggerating, that’s how good it was. If you haven’t seen it yet, go out of your way to do so. Both wrestlers literally gave it their all for this match. Massive props.
Match #7 – IWGP Intercontinental Championship: Tetsuya Naito def. Jay White
Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes! No, I’m not celebrating because of Daniel Bryan but because Tetsuya Naito is one step closer on to becoming the Double IWGP Champion! This has been many years in the making and as a Naito fan, we’ve all endured so much since his loss at Wrestle Kingdom 12, everybody thought that was supposed to be THE night for Naito, but alas the bookers thought differently. However, I think with Naito attacking and messing with Gedo most of the match was not just funny but pretty symbolic of all the downfall and disappointment he has been booked with over the past two years. Anyway enough with the fanboy talk let’s get to the match. From a fast-paced, nonstop action in the juniors heavyweight match, we get to a slow methodical pace between Switchblade and Naito, which was to be expected but it actually worked perfectly for the story they were trying to tell. Obviously both men have that swag in their own ways, taunting and “playing mind games” with their opponent if you will, building up to that crescendo that we will get on to later. Things didn’t really start to pick up until Naito got his knees worked up, Jay started to focus on his offense there as his opponent was not able to execute his signature moves the way they usually do. To a newer fan they might see those as “botches” or “slip ups” but it really just is Naito working on that injury and I thought he really delivered it well because I was on the edge of my seat for every pain he takes on those knees while also getting a false finish in the process. The interference in the end with Red Shoes getting knocked out and Gedo getting in with the chair to help Jay actually seemed like it worked in Naito’s favor story wise as the villains started to get desperate in the end and loss focus of the ultimate goal in hand. This time around, Naito was more laser focused and despite the injury he suffered, at the 33:54 mark he hit Jay White with the Destino to grab the victory and become once again the IWGP Intercontinental Champion for the 5th time in his career.
After such an intense match up from Hiromu and Ospreay, the Naito vs. Jay match was a great breather for what was to come. It’s not a knock on them, I actually thought it was the best match out of all their previous singles bout and the difference in pace helped out in making this match better. Overall I’d say this is far from being Naito’s best matches in the Tokyo Dome but it’s definitely up there. As for my predictions, I couldn’t be more happier. The Cut Throat Era so to speak might come to an end and it’s all thanks to El Ingobernable. Let’s get it!
Match #8 – IWGP Heavyweight Championship: Kazuchika Okada def. Kota Ibushi
With three back-to-back great matches, how else can those be topped? Well don’t forget that the main event involves two of the best wrestlers in the entire world today, Kazuchika Okada and Kota Ibushi for the prestigious IWGP Heavyweight Championship. Okada’s entrances was something else man, he always goes a little extra during WK and he didn’t disappoint again with how he entered the ring with his new gear designs as well. Ibushi, had his usual simple entrance, just him and his G1 briefcase waiting for the champion. Anyway it’s crazy that this is only their third bout in singles competition together because they just glued so perfectly with one another. In the G1 Block Finals we were somewhat disappointed of their match not because it was bad, far from it, but because we know they are still leaving some off and preserving it for something bigger and well, here we are, main event of the Tokyo Dome with the top belt on the line, couldn’t get any bigger than that? The match followed the usual “ace formula” of matches that we get during main events, it starts off slow but little by little would build up to that intense climax that would just leave your jaws open with amazement and cap it off with a wonderful conclusion. This time however, that formula was strictly followed however, the back-and-forth between champion and challenger was on a whole ‘nother level. At one point it may seem like Ibushi was going to win it, then Okada was going to take the victory, the tension was through the roof especially at the point when Ibushi just loss all emotions and had this “ultra instinct” look in him (shout out to Dragon Ball Super fans) and just no-sold Okada’s offense and started to hit his opponent with closed fists that echoed through the Dome and as he was attacking a battered down Okada, he actually received boo’s from the crowd. I mean damn, if you can get the Tokyo crowd to boo you then you’re really doing something devious in their eyes and for a moment there, the Ibushi that was beloved by the fans was gone and the vicious side that Okada was looking for was unleashed. Since that point on both men exchanged signature moves and just pulled off crazy spot one after another, Ibushi even falling of his own damn head at one point attempting one of his backflip moves. Really thought that was it for him for a second but this is Ibushi for crying out loud, the man has endured neck bumps his entire career and that looked amateur in comparison to what he’s put himself through his entire career. Until we get to the final minutes. Both men are exhausted, we got the classic elbow strikes exchange with Okada and Ibushi down on their knees. Afterwards I fell for a multitude of false finishes that followed, Ibushi with the Bomaye on Okada then a flurry of Rainmakers and even a Tombstone wasn’t enough for the champion. As we get to the final moments, out of desperation, Ibushi pulled off a V-Trigger. One move yet it means so many, especially in the landscape of this match. But still that wasn’t enough and finally as Okada got his momentum back, another Rainmaker, and he has successfully defended the IWGP Heavyweight Championship at the 39:16 mark. That, was a perfect main event. Dare I say it was better than the Okada vs Naito match we got in the Dome two years earlier and I once thought that match as the greatest thing I’ve seen after viewing it back then but this was on another level of storytelling, move execution, and perfectly balancing all the elements that has got them to this moment. If there is a task to follow three great matches, then look no further than Kazuchika Okada and Kota Ibushi.
After the match, Okada gave props to his tough challenger but came along another one, a familiar foe. Tetsuya Naito, dragging down the IWGP Intercontinental Championship with him, entered the ring to hype up the Double Championship match for tomorrow night. It is their third match in the historic arena and stakes couldn’t get any higher. A full circle was drawn in their careers that led them to this very moment, the future of New Japan Pro Wrestling is now in the hands of one of those men. What a way to conclude the first night.
A great night filled with a lot of emotional and high quality matches. That is NJPW for you. If this is your first time viewing or have been a long time fan, then I’m sure we all felt the same and enjoyed the ride. But this isn’t even the end yet, Night 2 is just around the corner with an exciting card as well. New Japan really kicked off the new decade with a hot start and I hope it all follows them on the next one. Thanks for reading.
