NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 19 Preview: Confirmed Matches, Start Time and How to Watch

Wrestle Kingdom 19 is NJPW’s biggest show of the year, and the company wants to ensure they kick off 2025 in the best way possible by delivering a show that is worthy of its legacy. Therefore, fans can look forward to a lot of solid in-ring action throughout the event.

Winner Takes All Title Match for AEW International Title and NEVER Openweight Title: Shingo Takagi vs. Konosuke Takeshita

Shingo Takagi puts his NEVER Openweight title on the line against Konosuke Takeshita’s AEW International Championship. The winner walks away with both belts so there is clearly a lot at stake in the match and it will be interesting to see who will come out on top.

IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship: David Finlay (c) vs. Yota Tsuji

David Finlay will be defending his IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship against Yota Tsuji, who has been on an absolute tear for the past year. The match could certainly go either way as both competitors are two of the best in the world and fans are looking forward to seeing who will win.

IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Championship: Douki (c) vs. El Desperado

Former teammates face each other in this highly anticipated match as Douki defends his IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Championship against El Desperado. Both men know each other’s tricks so it will be a long and hard battle to determine who walks out of the Tokyo Dome as the champion.

IWGP Women’s Championship: Mayu Iwatani (c) vs. AZM

Mayu Iwatani, one of the best women’s wrestlers in the world, defends her IWGP Women’s Championship against the incredibly talented AZM. Iwatani’s reign as the champion has been nothing short of incredible, so we’ll have to wait and see if she will be able to retain against AZM once and for all.

NJPW World Television Championship Four-Way Match: Ren Narita (c) vs. Jeff Cobb vs. Ryohei Oiwa vs. El Phantasmo

Ren Narita defends his NJPW World Television against Jeff Cobb, Ryohei Oiwa, and El Phantasmo in a four-way match. Narita has been showing why he’s one of the most skilled wrestlers on the NJPW roster, so fans are hoping to see him retain in this highly anticipated bout.

Tokyo Terror Ladder Match for the IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Tag Team Titles: Kevin Knight & KUSHIDA (c) vs. Ichiban Sweet Boys vs. Catch 2/2 vs. Bullet Club War Dogs

The Intergalactic Jet Setters (Kevin Knight & KUSHIDA) defend their IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Tag Team Titles in a wild ladder match against three teams: Ichiban Sweet Boys, Catch 2/2, and Bullet Club War Dogs. Fans can expect some incredible high-flying action since all of the teams are incredibly skilled and any of them could win the match.

IWGP World Heavyweight Championship: Zack Sabre Jr. (c) vs. Shota Umino

Zack Sabre Jr., the master of submissions, defends his IWGP World Heavyweight title against Shota Umino. Sabre Jr’s technical mastery definitely gives him the edge over the young Umino, but it wouldn’t be right to count out Umino as he has truly shown the world why he belongs in the main event picture. Therefore, fans can’t wait to see who will pick up the win in the bout.

Other Matches:

Hiroshi Tanahashi will face off against EVIL in a Lumberjack match. If loses, he must retire, so the odds are stacked against him. In another match, Tetsuya Naito will square off against Los Ingobernables de Japon member Hiromu Takahashi.

Finally, the annual New Japan Ranbo returns, featuring surprises and chaos as wrestlers compete for a shot at the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship in the future. It’ll be interesting to see who will come out on top this time around.

Wrestle Kingdom 19 Final Card

• IWGP World Heavyweight Championship: Zack Sabre Jr. (c) vs. Shota Umino
• Special Single Match: Tetsuya Naito vs. Hiromu Takahashi
• IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship: David Finlay (c) vs. Yota Tsuji
• IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship: DOUKI (c) vs. El Desperado
• Double Championship Match: Shingo Takagi (c) NEVER vs. KONOSUKE TAKESHITA © AEW International
• Lumberjack Death Match: Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. EVIL
• NJPW World Television Championship — Four-Way Match: Ren Narita (c) vs. Ryohei Oiwa vs. Jeff Cobb vs. El Phantasmo
• IWGP Women’s Championship: Mayu Iwatani (c) vs. AZM
• IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championships — Tokyo Terror Ladder Match: Kevin Knight & KUSHIDA (c) vs. T.M.D.K. (Robbie Eagles & Kosei Fujita) vs. Catch 2/2 (TJP & Francesco Akira) vs. BULLET CLUB War Dogs (Clark Connors & Drilla Moloney)
• NJPW Ranbo (Kickoff show): Winner receives a future shot at IWGP World Title

Final Thoughts on Wrestle Kingdom 19

Wrestle Kingdom 19 premises to be a show worth watching, especially thanks to matches such as Zack Sabre Jr. vs Shota Umino, Shingo Takagi vs. Konosuke Takeshita and many other matches. Be sure to tune in live and follow along with Ringside News for full play-by-play coverage of the event.

Where to Watch Wrestle Kingdom 19

Wrestle Kingdom 19 will air live at the Tokyo Dome in Tokyo, Japan on January 4th. The pre-show will begin at 2 AM ET, while the main show starts at 3 AM ET. Fans can watch the show on NJPW World and it will also air on PPV on Triller tv.