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Road to Tokyo Dome night 1 (December 21) Full card, Preview
Road to Tokyo Dome night 1 (December 21) Full card, Preview
First of two festive nights in Korakuen
December 21 sees the first of two nights in Korakuen Hall, as we count down to both the end of the year and Wrestle Kingdom 18 starting the new one. Tonight sees two title matches, and the return of a mystery equine grappler…
Watch LIVE in English on NJPW World!
Main event: NEVER Openweight 6 Man Tag Team Championships- Kazuchika Okada, Hiroshi Tanahashi & Tomohiro Ishii vs United Empire (Great-O-Khan, Jeff Cobb & HENARE)
2023 records
Kazuchika Okada 58/35/2 (61.1%WR), 12/4 (75%WR) singles. IWGP World Heavyweight Champion (January 4- April 8), NEVER Openweight 6 Man Champion May 3-present
Hiroshi Tanahashi 62/33/1 (64.6% WR), 8/8 (50% WR) singles. NEVER Openweight 6 Man Champion May 3-present
Tomohiro Ishii 68/52/1 (56.2% WR), 4/9 (30.8% WR) singles. NEVER Openweight 6 Man Champion May 3-present
HENARE 70/39 (64.2%WR), 10/9 (52.6%WR) singles
Great-O-Khan 75/42/1 (63.6% WR), 9/9/1 (47.4% WR) singles. RevPro Undisputed British Champion (January 1- July 9 )
Jeff Cobb 51/28/2 (63% WR), 8/6/2 (50% WR) singles.
The last championship match of 2023 will see the NEVER Six Man titles at stake, Ishii, Tanahashi and Okada defending the titles for a seventh time against the United Empire side of HENARE, Jeff Cobb and Great-O-Khan. While many suspected that this trio would never last long, even after they won the titles at Dontaku in May, the team of hall of famers has racked up six defences in a seven month span, and is just shy of the record nine set by Hirooki Goto, YOSHI-HASHI and Ishii himself.
It’s Ishii that’s the focal point of this defence. The Stone Pitbull was pinned by HENARE to send he and Toru Yano crashing out of World Tag league, and in the moments after his defeat was tossed rudely from the ring by the Face of Fury. While HENARE and Great-O-Khan commented that they could target the ROH 6 Man titles held by the Mogul Embassy at any point, the Maori Warrior realised that he had pinned both Ishii and Tanahashi in the last two years. Cobb meanwhile is one of few blotches on Okada’s record in recent history, and that’s led to confident challengers heading into Korakuen. With a lot on the plate mentally for Tanahashi and Okada with big matches to come at Wrestle Kingdom, might United Empire be too much of a force even for the impressive champions to overcome?
7th Match: KOPW2023 Championship- Taichi vs Yoshinobu Kanemaru
Singles record:1-0 Kanemaru
2023 records
Taichi 37/61/1 (37.4% WR) 5/7 (41.7%) singles KOPW 2023 holder (April 29-September 24), November 17-present
Yoshinobu Kanemaru 48/47 (50.5%), 3/8 (27.3%) singles
For Taichi to be recognised officially as the KOPW winner of 2023, he must survive one more defence, and at his own request it will be against Yoshinobu Kanemaru. In September at Destruction in Kobe, Kanemaru’s betrayal of a years long friendship screwed Taichi out of the KOPW title he’d held since the spring. The Holy Emperor quickly regained his title, even despite Kanemaru’s shady officiating as guest referee, but stated he would only be satisfied if he can get closure on the Heel Master. A challenge issued by Taichi was answered December 10 at the World Tag league final, with an attack and a kick below the belt, Kanemaru declaring that their title match would be contested under ‘Low Blows Legal’ rules. Will this actually be the case December 21?
6th Match: Just Five Guys (SANADA, Yuya Uemura & DOUKI) vs Los Ingobernables De Japon (Tetsuya Naito, Yota Tsuji & BUSHI)
2023 records
SANADA 56/50/2 (51.9%), 19/2 (90.5%) singles. New Japan Cup winner, IWGP World Heavyweight Champion April 8-present
Yuya Uemura 15/12/2 (51.7%), 1/0 (100%) singles (NJPW events only),
DOUKI 43/73 (37.1%), 5/9 (35.7%) singles
Tetsuya Naito 72/39/2 (63.7%), 15/3 (83.3%) singles. G1 Climax winner
Yota Tsuji 42/24/2 (61.8%) 4/5/1 (40%) singles (NJPW events only)
BUSHI 59/70 (45.7%) 3/8 (27.3%) singles
SANADA might have the best winning record in singles matches of anybody in 2023, but the perception of him as champion needs to be improved before the year is out. After Just Five Guys were overshadowed by Los Ingobernables De Japon at World Tag League Final December 10, SANADA will be looking to make one of the last definitive statements he can ahead of January 4. Meanwhile Yuya Uemura has said he will get a win over Yota Tsuji before the year is out- can he?
5th Match: Satoshi Kojima & El Desperado vs Los Ingobernables De Japon (Shingo Takagi & Hiromu Takahashi)
2023 records
Satoshi Kojima 50/26/4 (62.5%) 20/8 (71.4%) singles. GHC Tag Team Champion (January 1-February 12)
El Desperado 63/50/2 (54.8%) 14/6 (70%) singles. NEVER Openweight 6 Man Champion (February 11- May 3)
Hiromu Takahashi 84/44/3 (64.1%), 20/5/1 (76.9%) singles. IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion January 4-present
Shingo Takagi 60/53/1 (52.6%), 16/7/1 (66.7%) singles. KOPW 2023 holder (January 5- April 29), NEVER Openweight Champion October 28-present
El Desperado returns to the ring after eye surgery to face Hiromu Takahashi in a preview of their IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship clash January 4. Meanwhile, Shingo Takagui will be looking to send a message to Tama Tonga ahead of their NEVER Openweight title meeting, as he tangles with another tough lariater who’s had a strong year in Satoshi Kojima.
4th Match: Master Wato, Tomoaki Honma & Shota Umino vs HOUSE OF TORTURE (SHO, Ren Narita & EVIL)
2023 records
Master Wato 70/47/1 (57.3%), 12/4 (75%) singles. Best of the Super Jr. 30 winner
Tomoaki Honma 35/56 (38.5%) 3/4 (42.9%) singles
Shota Umino 67/48/3 (56.8%), 7/7/2 (43.8%) singles
SHO 59/43/2 (56.7%), 6/6 (50%) singles, KOPW 2023 holder (September 24- November 17)
Ren Narita 51/51/4 (48.1%) 2/5/2 (22.2%) singles NEVER Openweight 6 Man Tag team Champion (February 11-May 3)
EVIL 56/50/2 (51.9%), 8/5 (61.5%) singles NEVER Openweight 6 Man Tag team Champion (January 1- February 11)
Shota Umino has time and again been frustrated by Ren Narita ever since his former friend stabbed him in the back to join HOUSE OF TORTURE during World Tag League. While the final night saw Umino get some measure of cathartic contact with the Betrayer, his attempt at Death Rider on Narita saw the H.O.T member escape and scurry to safety. Tonight, a chance perhaps for Umino to finally get what he wants, and what Narita deserves.
3rd Match: United Empire (Callum Newman, Francesco Akira & TJP) vs BULLET CLUB War Dogs (Gedo, Drilla Moloney & Clark Connors)
2023 records
Callum Newman 16/28 (36.3%) 1/0 (100%) (NJPW events only)
Francesco Akira 59/29 (67%) 10/17 (37%) singles. IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag team Champion (January 1- April 27, June 4-July 4) Super Junior Tag League winner
TJP 61/29 (67.8%) 9/12 (42.9%) singles. IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag team Champion (January 1- April 27, June 4-July 4) Super Junior Tag League winner
Gedo 9/55 (14.1%), 0/2 (0%) singles
Drilla Moloney 47/36 (56.6%) 24/13 (64.9%) singles. IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag team Champion July 4-present
Clark Connors 25/37 (40.3%) 9/11 (45%) singles. IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag team Champion July 4-present
Six man action sees a preview of the January 4 IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship bout between the War Dogs and Catch 2/2. TJP and Francesco Akira have been driven by a burning desire for vengeance against Drilla Moloney and Clark Connors, and finally get their chance in the Tokyo Dome, but can the United Empire set the pace, or will it be BULLET CLUB victorious despite Gedo’s near roster low winning record for the year?
2nd Match: Young Blood (Oskar Leube & Yuto Nakashima) vs TMDK (Kosei Fujita & Zack Sabre Jr.)
2023 records
Oskar Leube 14/79/3 (14.6%), 4/11/3 (22.2%) singles
Yuto Nakashima 12/70/6 (13.6%) 4/15/5 (16.7%) singles
Kosei Fujita 27/62/4 (29%) 1/6/4 (9.4%) singles
Zack Sabre Jr 54/45/1 (54%) 34/6/1 (82.9%) singles. NJPW World TV Champion January 4-present
After Kosei Fujita teamed with Robbie Eagles during Super Jr. Tag league, and then TMDK in preview tags through World Tag League, Ichiban Sweet Boy is joined by his original mentor in Zack Sabre Jr for this bout. ZSJ will be warming up in advance of Hiroshi Tanahashi January 4 and another defence of his World TV title, but will be happy to stretch his Young Blood opponents in the interim.
1st match: Masked Horse & Masked Boltin vs Tiger Mask & Toru Yano
2023 records
Tiger Mask 19/45/2 (26.8%) 1/1 (50%) singles
Toru Yano 64/43/1 (59.3%) 4/6 (40%) singles
Abandoned by his parents, raised by horses, abandoned by them as well before being taken in as a pro-wrestler, Masked Horse has been away from the ring for so long, some thought he might be destined for the glue factory. With whatever ‘neigh’-led him now in ‘stable’ condition, Masked Horse will be the ‘centaur’ of attention as this mysterious equine grappler returns to action. But just who is his partner, the hitherto unforeseen Masked Boltin? Time will tell.
December 21 sees the first of two nights in Korakuen Hall, as we count down to both the end of the year and Wrestle Kingdom 18 starting the new one. Tonight sees two title matches, and the return of a mystery equine grappler…
Watch LIVE in English on NJPW World!
Main event: NEVER Openweight 6 Man Tag Team Championships- Kazuchika Okada, Hiroshi Tanahashi & Tomohiro Ishii vs United Empire (Great-O-Khan, Jeff Cobb & HENARE)
2023 records
Kazuchika Okada 58/35/2 (61.1%WR), 12/4 (75%WR) singles. IWGP World Heavyweight Champion (January 4- April 8), NEVER Openweight 6 Man Champion May 3-present
Hiroshi Tanahashi 62/33/1 (64.6% WR), 8/8 (50% WR) singles. NEVER Openweight 6 Man Champion May 3-present
Tomohiro Ishii 68/52/1 (56.2% WR), 4/9 (30.8% WR) singles. NEVER Openweight 6 Man Champion May 3-present
HENARE 70/39 (64.2%WR), 10/9 (52.6%WR) singles
Great-O-Khan 75/42/1 (63.6% WR), 9/9/1 (47.4% WR) singles. RevPro Undisputed British Champion (January 1- July 9 )
Jeff Cobb 51/28/2 (63% WR), 8/6/2 (50% WR) singles.
The last championship match of 2023 will see the NEVER Six Man titles at stake, Ishii, Tanahashi and Okada defending the titles for a seventh time against the United Empire side of HENARE, Jeff Cobb and Great-O-Khan. While many suspected that this trio would never last long, even after they won the titles at Dontaku in May, the team of hall of famers has racked up six defences in a seven month span, and is just shy of the record nine set by Hirooki Goto, YOSHI-HASHI and Ishii himself.
It’s Ishii that’s the focal point of this defence. The Stone Pitbull was pinned by HENARE to send he and Toru Yano crashing out of World Tag league, and in the moments after his defeat was tossed rudely from the ring by the Face of Fury. While HENARE and Great-O-Khan commented that they could target the ROH 6 Man titles held by the Mogul Embassy at any point, the Maori Warrior realised that he had pinned both Ishii and Tanahashi in the last two years. Cobb meanwhile is one of few blotches on Okada’s record in recent history, and that’s led to confident challengers heading into Korakuen. With a lot on the plate mentally for Tanahashi and Okada with big matches to come at Wrestle Kingdom, might United Empire be too much of a force even for the impressive champions to overcome?
7th Match: KOPW2023 Championship- Taichi vs Yoshinobu Kanemaru
Singles record:1-0 Kanemaru
2023 records
Taichi 37/61/1 (37.4% WR) 5/7 (41.7%) singles KOPW 2023 holder (April 29-September 24), November 17-present
Yoshinobu Kanemaru 48/47 (50.5%), 3/8 (27.3%) singles
For Taichi to be recognised officially as the KOPW winner of 2023, he must survive one more defence, and at his own request it will be against Yoshinobu Kanemaru. In September at Destruction in Kobe, Kanemaru’s betrayal of a years long friendship screwed Taichi out of the KOPW title he’d held since the spring. The Holy Emperor quickly regained his title, even despite Kanemaru’s shady officiating as guest referee, but stated he would only be satisfied if he can get closure on the Heel Master. A challenge issued by Taichi was answered December 10 at the World Tag league final, with an attack and a kick below the belt, Kanemaru declaring that their title match would be contested under ‘Low Blows Legal’ rules. Will this actually be the case December 21?
6th Match: Just Five Guys (SANADA, Yuya Uemura & DOUKI) vs Los Ingobernables De Japon (Tetsuya Naito, Yota Tsuji & BUSHI)
2023 records
SANADA 56/50/2 (51.9%), 19/2 (90.5%) singles. New Japan Cup winner, IWGP World Heavyweight Champion April 8-present
Yuya Uemura 15/12/2 (51.7%), 1/0 (100%) singles (NJPW events only),
DOUKI 43/73 (37.1%), 5/9 (35.7%) singles
Tetsuya Naito 72/39/2 (63.7%), 15/3 (83.3%) singles. G1 Climax winner
Yota Tsuji 42/24/2 (61.8%) 4/5/1 (40%) singles (NJPW events only)
BUSHI 59/70 (45.7%) 3/8 (27.3%) singles
SANADA might have the best winning record in singles matches of anybody in 2023, but the perception of him as champion needs to be improved before the year is out. After Just Five Guys were overshadowed by Los Ingobernables De Japon at World Tag League Final December 10, SANADA will be looking to make one of the last definitive statements he can ahead of January 4. Meanwhile Yuya Uemura has said he will get a win over Yota Tsuji before the year is out- can he?
5th Match: Satoshi Kojima & El Desperado vs Los Ingobernables De Japon (Shingo Takagi & Hiromu Takahashi)
2023 records
Satoshi Kojima 50/26/4 (62.5%) 20/8 (71.4%) singles. GHC Tag Team Champion (January 1-February 12)
El Desperado 63/50/2 (54.8%) 14/6 (70%) singles. NEVER Openweight 6 Man Champion (February 11- May 3)
Hiromu Takahashi 84/44/3 (64.1%), 20/5/1 (76.9%) singles. IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion January 4-present
Shingo Takagi 60/53/1 (52.6%), 16/7/1 (66.7%) singles. KOPW 2023 holder (January 5- April 29), NEVER Openweight Champion October 28-present
El Desperado returns to the ring after eye surgery to face Hiromu Takahashi in a preview of their IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship clash January 4. Meanwhile, Shingo Takagui will be looking to send a message to Tama Tonga ahead of their NEVER Openweight title meeting, as he tangles with another tough lariater who’s had a strong year in Satoshi Kojima.
4th Match: Master Wato, Tomoaki Honma & Shota Umino vs HOUSE OF TORTURE (SHO, Ren Narita & EVIL)
2023 records
Master Wato 70/47/1 (57.3%), 12/4 (75%) singles. Best of the Super Jr. 30 winner
Tomoaki Honma 35/56 (38.5%) 3/4 (42.9%) singles
Shota Umino 67/48/3 (56.8%), 7/7/2 (43.8%) singles
SHO 59/43/2 (56.7%), 6/6 (50%) singles, KOPW 2023 holder (September 24- November 17)
Ren Narita 51/51/4 (48.1%) 2/5/2 (22.2%) singles NEVER Openweight 6 Man Tag team Champion (February 11-May 3)
EVIL 56/50/2 (51.9%), 8/5 (61.5%) singles NEVER Openweight 6 Man Tag team Champion (January 1- February 11)
Shota Umino has time and again been frustrated by Ren Narita ever since his former friend stabbed him in the back to join HOUSE OF TORTURE during World Tag League. While the final night saw Umino get some measure of cathartic contact with the Betrayer, his attempt at Death Rider on Narita saw the H.O.T member escape and scurry to safety. Tonight, a chance perhaps for Umino to finally get what he wants, and what Narita deserves.
3rd Match: United Empire (Callum Newman, Francesco Akira & TJP) vs BULLET CLUB War Dogs (Gedo, Drilla Moloney & Clark Connors)
2023 records
Callum Newman 16/28 (36.3%) 1/0 (100%) (NJPW events only)
Francesco Akira 59/29 (67%) 10/17 (37%) singles. IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag team Champion (January 1- April 27, June 4-July 4) Super Junior Tag League winner
TJP 61/29 (67.8%) 9/12 (42.9%) singles. IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag team Champion (January 1- April 27, June 4-July 4) Super Junior Tag League winner
Gedo 9/55 (14.1%), 0/2 (0%) singles
Drilla Moloney 47/36 (56.6%) 24/13 (64.9%) singles. IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag team Champion July 4-present
Clark Connors 25/37 (40.3%) 9/11 (45%) singles. IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag team Champion July 4-present
Six man action sees a preview of the January 4 IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship bout between the War Dogs and Catch 2/2. TJP and Francesco Akira have been driven by a burning desire for vengeance against Drilla Moloney and Clark Connors, and finally get their chance in the Tokyo Dome, but can the United Empire set the pace, or will it be BULLET CLUB victorious despite Gedo’s near roster low winning record for the year?
2nd Match: Young Blood (Oskar Leube & Yuto Nakashima) vs TMDK (Kosei Fujita & Zack Sabre Jr.)
2023 records
Oskar Leube 14/79/3 (14.6%), 4/11/3 (22.2%) singles
Yuto Nakashima 12/70/6 (13.6%) 4/15/5 (16.7%) singles
Kosei Fujita 27/62/4 (29%) 1/6/4 (9.4%) singles
Zack Sabre Jr 54/45/1 (54%) 34/6/1 (82.9%) singles. NJPW World TV Champion January 4-present
After Kosei Fujita teamed with Robbie Eagles during Super Jr. Tag league, and then TMDK in preview tags through World Tag League, Ichiban Sweet Boy is joined by his original mentor in Zack Sabre Jr for this bout. ZSJ will be warming up in advance of Hiroshi Tanahashi January 4 and another defence of his World TV title, but will be happy to stretch his Young Blood opponents in the interim.
1st match: Masked Horse & Masked Boltin vs Tiger Mask & Toru Yano
2023 records
Tiger Mask 19/45/2 (26.8%) 1/1 (50%) singles
Toru Yano 64/43/1 (59.3%) 4/6 (40%) singles
Abandoned by his parents, raised by horses, abandoned by them as well before being taken in as a pro-wrestler, Masked Horse has been away from the ring for so long, some thought he might be destined for the glue factory. With whatever ‘neigh’-led him now in ‘stable’ condition, Masked Horse will be the ‘centaur’ of attention as this mysterious equine grappler returns to action. But just who is his partner, the hitherto unforeseen Masked Boltin? Time will tell.
Road to Tokyo Dome night 2 (December 22) Full card, preview
Road to Tokyo Dome night 2 (December 22) Full card, preview
Last matches before Wrestle Kingdom
The last matches of 2023 take place on December 22 as the second night of our Road to Tokyo Dome double header puts us firmly on the closing stretch of the journey to Wrestle Kingdom 18
Watch LIVE, in English and FREE on NJPW World!
Main event: Just Five Guys (SANADA, Yuya Uemura & Taichi) vs Los Ingobernables De Japon (Tetsuya Naito Yota Tsuji & Shingo Takagi)
2023 records
SANADA 56/50/2 (51.9%), 19/2 (90.5%) singles. New Japan Cup winner, IWGP World Heavyweight Champion April 8-present
Yuya Uemura 15/12/2 (51.7%), 1/0 (100%) singles (NJPW events only)
Taichi 37/61/1 (37.4% WR) 5/7 (41.7%) singles KOPW 2023 holder (April 29-September 24), November 17-time of writing
Tetsuya Naito 72/39/2 (63.7%), 15/3 (83.3%) singles. G1 Climax winner
Yota Tsuji 42/24/2 (61.8%) 4/5/1 (40%) singles (NJPW events only)
Shingo Takagi 60/53/1 (52.6%), 16/7/1 (66.7%) singles. KOPW 2023 holder (January 5- April 29), NEVER Openweight Champion October 28-present
The last stop on the road to Wrestle Kingdom gives us our final preview of a destined encounter for the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship in our main event January 4. You only get one chance on a last impression of the year- as the snow falls inside Korakuen, who will have the upper hand heading into our main event and will Yuya Uemura and Yota Tsuji really get closure before the Tokyo Dome?
7th Match: Hiroshi Tanahashi & Kazuchika Okada vs TMDK (Kosei Fujita & Zack Sabre Jr.)
Kazuchika Okada 58/35/2 (61.1%WR), 12/4 (75%WR) singles. IWGP World Heavyweight Champion (January 4- April 8), NEVER Openweight 6 Man Champion May 3-time of writing
Hiroshi Tanahashi 62/33/1 (64.6% WR), 8/8 (50% WR) singles. NEVER Openweight 6 Man Champion May 3-time of writing
Kosei Fujita 27/62/4 (29%) 1/6/4 (9.4%) singles
Zack Sabre Jr 54/45/1 (54%) 34/6/1 (82.9%) singles. NJPW World TV Champion January 4-present
Before Hiroshi Tanahashi faces Zack SDabre Jr. for the NJPW World TV Championship January 4, a tag team meeting of ZSJ and Fujita and the Dream team sees an exciting preview. Meanwhile for Kazuchika Okada days before taking on Bryan Danielson in the Tokyo Dome, a match against a highly technical ZSJ, who has himself faced the American Dragon earlier in the year, might be the ideal way to prepare.
6th Match: TJP vs Clark Connors
Singles record: 2-2
TJP 61/29 (67.8%) 9/12 (42.9%) singles. IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag team Champion (January 1- April 27, June 4-July 4) Super Junior Tag League winner
Clark Connors 25/37 (40.3%) 9/11 (45%) singles. IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag team Champion July 4-present
Before Catch 2/2 and the BULLET CLUB War Dogs face off for the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag team Championships January 4, singles previews see TJP and Connors go head to head. 2-2 all time, the two will be meeting in singles action for the first time on Japanese soil- who will gain the upper hand?
5th Match: Francesco Akira vs Drilla Moloney
Singles record: 1-1
Francesco Akira 59/29 (67%) 10/17 (37%) singles. IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag team Champion (January 1- April 27, June 4-July 4) Super Junior Tag League winner
Drilla Moloney 47/36 (56.6%) 24/13 (64.9%) singles. IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag team Champion July 4-present
The other half of this singles preview sees Francesco Akira and Drilla Moloney head to head. Back in March of this year it was a match for Moloney and Akira that opened the door for the Drilla to come to Japan as part of the United Empire, a debt he repaid by stabbing the group in the back and joining the War Dogs. Tonight is a key step in a quest for revenge for Catch 2/2.
4th Match: El DespeWato (Master Wato & El Desperado) vs Los Ingobernables De Japon (BUSHI & Hiromu Takahashi)
Master Wato 70/47/1 (57.3%), 12/4 (75%) singles. Best of the Super Jr. 30 winner
El Desperado 63/50/2 (54.8%) 14/6 (70%) singles. NEVER Openweight 6 Man Champion (February 11- May 3)
BUSHI 59/70 (45.7%) 3/8 (27.3%) singles
Hiromu Takahashi 84/44/3 (64.1%), 20/5/1 (76.9%) singles. IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion January 4-present
One last preview meeting for El Desperado and Hiromu Takahashi sees Despe call on his frenemy (?) Wato for the first time since Super Junior Tag League. Which side will have the pre-Dome advantage?
3rd Match: Bishamon (YOSHI-HASHI & Hirooki Goto) vs Young Blood (Oskar Leube & Yuto Nakashima)
Hirooki Goto 52/44/2 (53.1%), 7/5 (58.3%) singles. NJPW STRONG Openweight Tag team Champion (June 4-July 4), IWGP Tag team Champion (January 4-April 8), June 4-present
YOSHI-HASHI 61/46/2 (56%), 2/6 (25%) singles. NJPW STRONG Openweight Tag team Champion (June 4-July 4), IWGP Tag team Champion (January 4-April 8), June 4-present
Oskar Leube 14/79/3 (14.6%), 4/11/3 (22.2%) singles
Yuto Nakashima 12/70/6 (13.6%) 4/15/5 (16.7%) singles
Having held both sets of tag belts for a brief month in the summer, Bishamon are on a quest to become dual IWGP and NJPW STRONG tag team Champions once again on January 4. Before their double title match at the Dome, a tune up against Young Blood- might they wind up surprised by Leube and Nakashima?
2nd Match: Tomohiro Ishii vs Callum Newman
Callum Newman 16/28 (36.3%) 1/0 (100%) (NJPW events only)
Tomohiro Ishii 68/52/1 (56.2% WR), 4/9 (30.8% WR) singles. NEVER Openweight 6 Man Champion May 3-time of writing
One day after Tomohiro Ishii, Kazuchika Okada and Hiroshi tanahashi defend their NEVER 6 Man titles against United Empire, Ishii faces another member in Callum Newman in singles action. The Prince of Pace will need to use every bit of his speed to avoid the snapping jaws of the Stone Pitbull in Ishii’s last singles bout of 2023.
1st Match: Masked Horse & Masked Boltin vs YOH & Toru Yano
YOH 66/46 (58.9%), 8/4 (66.7%) singles
Toru Yano 64/43/1 (59.3%) 4/6 (40%) singles
The Equine Elite of Masked Horse and Masked Boltin team together for the second night in a row against YOH and Toru Yano. Perhaps if this duo is successful, they may recruit new members to join their ranks. A real ‘stable’?
The last matches of 2023 take place on December 22 as the second night of our Road to Tokyo Dome double header puts us firmly on the closing stretch of the journey to Wrestle Kingdom 18
Watch LIVE, in English and FREE on NJPW World!
Main event: Just Five Guys (SANADA, Yuya Uemura & Taichi) vs Los Ingobernables De Japon (Tetsuya Naito Yota Tsuji & Shingo Takagi)
2023 records
SANADA 56/50/2 (51.9%), 19/2 (90.5%) singles. New Japan Cup winner, IWGP World Heavyweight Champion April 8-present
Yuya Uemura 15/12/2 (51.7%), 1/0 (100%) singles (NJPW events only)
Taichi 37/61/1 (37.4% WR) 5/7 (41.7%) singles KOPW 2023 holder (April 29-September 24), November 17-time of writing
Tetsuya Naito 72/39/2 (63.7%), 15/3 (83.3%) singles. G1 Climax winner
Yota Tsuji 42/24/2 (61.8%) 4/5/1 (40%) singles (NJPW events only)
Shingo Takagi 60/53/1 (52.6%), 16/7/1 (66.7%) singles. KOPW 2023 holder (January 5- April 29), NEVER Openweight Champion October 28-present
The last stop on the road to Wrestle Kingdom gives us our final preview of a destined encounter for the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship in our main event January 4. You only get one chance on a last impression of the year- as the snow falls inside Korakuen, who will have the upper hand heading into our main event and will Yuya Uemura and Yota Tsuji really get closure before the Tokyo Dome?
7th Match: Hiroshi Tanahashi & Kazuchika Okada vs TMDK (Kosei Fujita & Zack Sabre Jr.)
Kazuchika Okada 58/35/2 (61.1%WR), 12/4 (75%WR) singles. IWGP World Heavyweight Champion (January 4- April 8), NEVER Openweight 6 Man Champion May 3-time of writing
Hiroshi Tanahashi 62/33/1 (64.6% WR), 8/8 (50% WR) singles. NEVER Openweight 6 Man Champion May 3-time of writing
Kosei Fujita 27/62/4 (29%) 1/6/4 (9.4%) singles
Zack Sabre Jr 54/45/1 (54%) 34/6/1 (82.9%) singles. NJPW World TV Champion January 4-present
Before Hiroshi Tanahashi faces Zack SDabre Jr. for the NJPW World TV Championship January 4, a tag team meeting of ZSJ and Fujita and the Dream team sees an exciting preview. Meanwhile for Kazuchika Okada days before taking on Bryan Danielson in the Tokyo Dome, a match against a highly technical ZSJ, who has himself faced the American Dragon earlier in the year, might be the ideal way to prepare.
6th Match: TJP vs Clark Connors
Singles record: 2-2
TJP 61/29 (67.8%) 9/12 (42.9%) singles. IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag team Champion (January 1- April 27, June 4-July 4) Super Junior Tag League winner
Clark Connors 25/37 (40.3%) 9/11 (45%) singles. IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag team Champion July 4-present
Before Catch 2/2 and the BULLET CLUB War Dogs face off for the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag team Championships January 4, singles previews see TJP and Connors go head to head. 2-2 all time, the two will be meeting in singles action for the first time on Japanese soil- who will gain the upper hand?
5th Match: Francesco Akira vs Drilla Moloney
Singles record: 1-1
Francesco Akira 59/29 (67%) 10/17 (37%) singles. IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag team Champion (January 1- April 27, June 4-July 4) Super Junior Tag League winner
Drilla Moloney 47/36 (56.6%) 24/13 (64.9%) singles. IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag team Champion July 4-present
The other half of this singles preview sees Francesco Akira and Drilla Moloney head to head. Back in March of this year it was a match for Moloney and Akira that opened the door for the Drilla to come to Japan as part of the United Empire, a debt he repaid by stabbing the group in the back and joining the War Dogs. Tonight is a key step in a quest for revenge for Catch 2/2.
4th Match: El DespeWato (Master Wato & El Desperado) vs Los Ingobernables De Japon (BUSHI & Hiromu Takahashi)
Master Wato 70/47/1 (57.3%), 12/4 (75%) singles. Best of the Super Jr. 30 winner
El Desperado 63/50/2 (54.8%) 14/6 (70%) singles. NEVER Openweight 6 Man Champion (February 11- May 3)
BUSHI 59/70 (45.7%) 3/8 (27.3%) singles
Hiromu Takahashi 84/44/3 (64.1%), 20/5/1 (76.9%) singles. IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion January 4-present
One last preview meeting for El Desperado and Hiromu Takahashi sees Despe call on his frenemy (?) Wato for the first time since Super Junior Tag League. Which side will have the pre-Dome advantage?
3rd Match: Bishamon (YOSHI-HASHI & Hirooki Goto) vs Young Blood (Oskar Leube & Yuto Nakashima)
Hirooki Goto 52/44/2 (53.1%), 7/5 (58.3%) singles. NJPW STRONG Openweight Tag team Champion (June 4-July 4), IWGP Tag team Champion (January 4-April 8), June 4-present
YOSHI-HASHI 61/46/2 (56%), 2/6 (25%) singles. NJPW STRONG Openweight Tag team Champion (June 4-July 4), IWGP Tag team Champion (January 4-April 8), June 4-present
Oskar Leube 14/79/3 (14.6%), 4/11/3 (22.2%) singles
Yuto Nakashima 12/70/6 (13.6%) 4/15/5 (16.7%) singles
Having held both sets of tag belts for a brief month in the summer, Bishamon are on a quest to become dual IWGP and NJPW STRONG tag team Champions once again on January 4. Before their double title match at the Dome, a tune up against Young Blood- might they wind up surprised by Leube and Nakashima?
2nd Match: Tomohiro Ishii vs Callum Newman
Callum Newman 16/28 (36.3%) 1/0 (100%) (NJPW events only)
Tomohiro Ishii 68/52/1 (56.2% WR), 4/9 (30.8% WR) singles. NEVER Openweight 6 Man Champion May 3-time of writing
One day after Tomohiro Ishii, Kazuchika Okada and Hiroshi tanahashi defend their NEVER 6 Man titles against United Empire, Ishii faces another member in Callum Newman in singles action. The Prince of Pace will need to use every bit of his speed to avoid the snapping jaws of the Stone Pitbull in Ishii’s last singles bout of 2023.
1st Match: Masked Horse & Masked Boltin vs YOH & Toru Yano
YOH 66/46 (58.9%), 8/4 (66.7%) singles
Toru Yano 64/43/1 (59.3%) 4/6 (40%) singles
The Equine Elite of Masked Horse and Masked Boltin team together for the second night in a row against YOH and Toru Yano. Perhaps if this duo is successful, they may recruit new members to join their ranks. A real ‘stable’?
