One of pro wrestling’s first shows of the New Year will feature several big matches with stars from all over the world and multiple title fights. New Japan Pro Wrestling presents Wrestle Kingdom 18 on January 4. The event is in the Tokyo Dome and airs on NJPWWorld.com.
The IGWP World Heavyweight Title is on the line as SANADA defends the belt against Tetsuya Naito. It is a match of former teammates from the Los Ingobernables de Japon faction. To start 2023, SANADA left the stable and beat Kazuchika Okada in April for the IWGP World Heavyweight Title. Naito, a former world champion and the leader of the faction, won the G1 Climax, earning top contender status for the title at Wrestle Kingdom.
Outside the main event, a featured contest involves a member of All Elite Wrestling, Bryan Danielson, facing Okada. In June 2023, Danielson beat Okada at Forbidden Door but suffered a broken arm in their match. In October, a healed Danielson fought Okada in a tag team match and suffered a broken orbital bone. It is the first time Danielson will compete in the Tokyo Dome.
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Will Ospreay, new to AEW, faces Danielson’s Blackpool Combat Club partner Jon Moxley and Bullet Club leader David Finlay for the new IWGP Global Heavyweight Title. Ospreay has held the IWGP U.S. Heavyweight Title (he also created a U.K. belt) since June. Finlay destroyed the belts and attacked Ospreay and Moxley. Later, it was announced the winner of the three-way fight would become the IWGP Global Heavyweight Champion, replacing the U.S./U.K. title.
Also on the card will be title matches featuring Zack Sabre Jr., Hiroshi Tanahashi, Hiromu Takahashi, Hirooki Goto/Yoshi-Hashi, and Clark Connors/Drilla Moloney.
The Sporting News will provide all the information you need to know about Wrestle Kingdom 18, from time channel, odds, card, and more.
When is Wrestle Kingdom 18?
Wrestle Kingdom 18 will begin at 2:30 a.m. ET. Here's how that translates to different timezones globally:
| Region | Date | Main Card Start Time |
| USA and Canada (ET) | Thursday, January 4 | 2:30 a.m ET |
| USA and Canada (PT) | Wednesday, January 3 | 11:30 p.m. PT |
| UK and Ireland | Thursday, January 4 | 7:30 a.m. GMT |
| Australia | Thursday, January 4 | 6:30 p.m. AEDT |
| Japan | Thursday, January 4 | 4:30 p.m. JST |
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How to watch Wrestle Kingdom 18
| Country | Date | Channel + Live Stream (main card) |
| United States | Thursday, January 4 | NJPWWorld.com |
| Japan | Thursday, January 4 | NJPWWorld.com |
| United Kingdom | Thursday, January 4 | NJPWWorld.com |
| Australia | Thursday, January 4 | NJPWWorld.com |
Fans in the United States, Australia, and the U.K. looking to watch Wrestle Kingdom 18 will have to tune into NJPWWorld.com.
Wrestle Kingdom 18 price: How much does Wrestle Kingdom 18 cost?
- Wrestle Kingdom 18 will cost ¥999, which equates to $7.
- In the U.K., the event will cost about £5-£8.
- In Australia, the event will cost AUD 10.
Wrestle Kingdom 18 location
Wrestle Kingdom 18 takes place inside the Tokyo Dome in Tokyo, Japan. Home to the Yomiuri Giants, the stadium can hold up to 55,000 people. Wrestle Kingdom shows have had audiences of over 35,000+ in the past.
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Wrestle Kingdom 18 odds, favorites
Per BetOnline:
- Tetsuya Naito is the -1000 favorite to win the IWGP World Heavyweight Title against SANDA, the +500 underdog
- Kazuchika Okada is the -1250 favorite, while Bryan Danielson is the +550 underdog
- David Finlay is the -1250 favorite to win the IWGP Global Heavyweight Title against Jon Moxley (+700) and Will Ospreay (+800)
- Zack Sabre Jr. is the -140 favorite to retain the NJPW World TV Title against Hiroshi Tanahashi, the +100 underdog
Wrestle Kingdom 18 match card
- Sanada (c) vs. Tetsuya Naito for the IWGP World Heavyweight Title
- Bryan Danielson vs. Kazuchika Okada
- Will Ospreay vs. Jon Moxley vs. David Finlay for the IWGP Global Heavyweight Title
- Zack Sabre Jr. (c) vs. Hiroshi Tanahashi for the NJPW World TV Title
- Hiromu Takahashi (c) vs. El Desperado for the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Title
- Shingo Takagi (c) vs. Tama Tonga for the NEVER Openweight Title
- Bishamon (Hirooki Goto and Yoshi-Hashi) (c) vs. Guerrillas of Destiny (Hikuleo and El Phantasmo) (c) for the IWGP and Strong Openweight tag team Titles
- Bullet Club War Dogs (Clark Connors and Drilla Moloney) (c) vs. Catch 2/2 (TJP and Francesco Akira) for the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Titles
- Shota Umino and Kaito Kiyomiya vs. House of Torture (Evil and Ren Narita)
- Yota Tsuji vs. Yuya Uemura
- New Japan Ranbo to determine the contender for the Provisional KOPW 2024 Title