After three nights of Wrestle Kingdom 16 action, New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW) returns on January 20th with New Year’s Golden Series. The title itself is a throwback to the early years of the promotion, perfectly fitting for the 50th-anniversary celebration.
As a gift for the fans, the opening night of the series will be available live and free on NJPW World streaming service.
NJPW New Year’s Golden Series Night 1 Main Event: Yuji Nagata, Hiroshi Tanahashi & Kazuchika Okada vs. Los Ingobernables de Japon (Tetsuya Naito, SANADA & Shingo Takagi)
Fans gathered in Korakuen Hall and those watching on NJPW World will witness a clash between a dream team of Kazuchika Okada, Hiroshi Tanahashi and Yuji Nagata versus a trio of former IWGP World Heavyweight Champion Shingo Takagi, SANADA, and Tetsuya Naito. Both Naito and Sanada will challenge for the IWGP US Title on February 19th and 20th respectfully. This six-man tag match will be their chance to scout Tanahashi before the aforementioned title defenses. As for Takagi, this will the beginning of his road to reclaiming his title, which he lost on January 4th in the Tokyo Dome.
6th Match: CHAOS (YOH, YOSHI-HASHI, Hirooki Goto & Tomohiro Ishii) vs HOUSE OF TORTURE (SHO, EVIL, Yujiro Takahashi & Dick Togo)
In eight-man tag team action, CHAOS will square off with all the members of HOUSE OF TORTURE. This is a beginning of a new chapter in the rivalry between those two factions, as H.o.T emerged triumphant during Wrestle Kingdom 16, capturing both NEVER Openweight Single and 6 Man Championships at CHAOS members expense.
5th Match: Hiroyoshi Tenzan, Ryusuke Taguchi & Master Wato vs Suzuki-Gun (DOUKI, Yoshinobu Kanemaru & El Desperado)
Master Wato shocked the world by submitting IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion El Desperado during the second night of the Wrestle Kingdom 16 in a six-man tag team match. This win secured his title challenger spot and both of them will meet in Sendai, on February 11th. Tomorrow’s match-up will serve as a preview for that night and will answer the question of whether Wato’s surprise victory was just a fluke or whether he really has the champion’s number.
4th Match: Toru Yano, Satoshi Kojima & Tomoaki Honma vs Suzuki-Gun (Minoru Suzuki, Taichi & TAKA Michinoku)
The fearsome leader of Suzuki-Gun captured the King of Pro Wrestling 2022 trophy in the Tokyo Dome to witness only to be later humiliated by being handcuffed to the ring post by Toru Yano. Both of them are scheduled to meet in Sapporo, on February 20th. This meeting will provide both Minoru Suzuki and Toru Yano an opportunity to wear one another down before the fight for the trophy.
3rd Match: Tiger Mask & Togi Makabe vs BULLET CLUB (Taiji Ishimori & Jado)
One half of the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag-team Champions, Tiger Mask, will make his return and team up with Togi Makabe against one half of the contenders’ team, Taiji Ishimori and Jado. While waiting for El Phantasmo‘s return, Ishimori will join forces with the BULLET CLUB mastermind. This will also be BULLET CLUB’s chance to bounce back after the loss to NOAH’s STINGER faction.
2nd Match: Kosei Fujita & Ryohei Oiwa vs Los Ingobernables De Japon (Hiromu Takahashi & BUSHI)
Originally, Kosei Fujita was scheduled to team up with Ryohei Oiwa, but due to his injury, he will be out of action until the end of January. In his place comes Kosei Fujita, as he and Oiwa take on Hiromu Takahashi and masked BUSHI. Fujita and Oiwa have a history with each other as they have previously met in the ring on numerous occasions – with each bout between them ending in a time limit draw.
1st Match: Yuto Nakashima vs Great-O-Khan
The night will begin with a singles match between Yuto Nakashima and Great-O-Khan. After severe losses suffered by the United Empire during Wrestle Kingdom 16, O-Khan will try to rise the faction’s morale up by getting a much-desired win.
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