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It's a new decade and a new year, which means it is time for the pro wrestling world to get excited for another Wrestle Kingdom, as New Japan Pro-Wrestling once again gets set for their biggest annual show of the year.
2020 will be history in the making for NJPW as the promotion is set to host the first-ever Wrestle Kingdom event that will be contested over two different days. By the end of Night Two, NJPW will also have a Double Champion, as four men are set to battle it out over two nights in order to capture the IWGP Intercontinental and IWGP Heavyweight Championship.
This year's Wrestle Kingdom 14 has its various special attractions and fans have every right in the world to get highly excited for the show despite the absence of the likes of Kenny Omega, The Young Bucks, and Cody Rhodes as compared to previous years.
New Japan's top guns in the form of Kazuchika Okada, Hiroshi Tanahashi, Kota Ibushi, and Tetsuya Naito among other big names will compete at the show. Whereas, well-renowned Jr. Heavyweight stars and tag teams will also feature on both the nights. However, one other particular aspect that fans need to keep an eye out for is the presence of All Elite Wrestling's two top stars in the form of Jon Moxley and reigning AEW World Champion Chris Jericho.
With that stated, here are 5 reasons why you should tune in for Wrestle Kingdom 14.
#5. Jushin 'Thunder' Liger's final match
Throughout 2019, Jushin 'Thunder' Liger has competed for the one final time in countries such as Mexico, Australia, UK, and USA, as well. However, in less than 24 hours time, Liger will compete in his second to last match in the pro wrestling business, as the Jr. Heavyweight legend is set to retire from the industry once and for all.
Liger's final matches are definitely a must-watch for all die-hard New Japan fans and also for fans who have witnessed him compete during his early days in WCW. On January 5th, the Jr. Heavyweight legend will take it to the ring for one final time and wrestling fans surely won't want to miss that.
#4. It's a two-night event
For the first time in Wrestle Kingdom's long and glorious history, the event will be covered over two different nights at the iconic Tokyo Dome arena. This will certainly allow some of New Japan's top stars from their stacked roster to be featured on both nights.
The current state of New Japan Pro-Wrestling's roster is pretty solid and excluding top stars such as Okada, Ibushi, Naito, and Jay White, the undercard guys in the form of KENTA, Hirooki Goto, Zack Sabre Jr., and SANADA will all get an opportunity to showcase their abilities over the two nights.
Jr. Heavyweight stars in the form of Will Ospreay, Hiromu Takahashi, Ryu Lee, and El Phantasmo will also get an opportunity to shine. Whereas, the newly formed tag team of Dave Finlay and Juice Robinson will go up against The Guerillas of Destiny.
Regardless of the amount of hype surrounding the show, Wrestle Kingdom has always delivered and provided fans with some brilliant Match of the Year candidates and that's within the first four days of the year. This year, fans will get to witness something similar, but over two different nights.
#3. Jon Moxley in a Texas Deathmatch
Ever since his departure from WWE in early 2019, Jon Moxley has been a free bird who is enjoying life in AEW and NJPW. Moxley could currently be considered as AEW's top contender and on his first night in NJPW, he also won the IWGP US Heavyweight Championship.
Moxley has also been involved in some brutal wars in both promotions. His bouts at the G1 Climax 29 against the likes of Tomohiro Ishii, Shingo Takagi, and Tetsuya Naito are all worthy of revisiting and his brutal yet controversial Non-Sanctioned Match against Kenny Omega from Full Gear proves what Mox is capable of in No DQ circumstances.
Come January 4th, 'The Death Rider' will look to regain his IWGP US Championship from Lance Archer and he will look to do so in Texas Deathmatch surroundings. Expect violence when two of New Japan's psychos go at it at the Tokyo Dome.
#2. Chris Jericho vs Hiroshi Tanahashi - The initial stages of an AEW-NJPW relationship?
On Day 2, reigning AEW World Champion Chris Jericho will be making his in-ring return to New Japan Pro-Wrestling and upon his comeback, 'Le Champion' will finally be going toe-to-toe with New Japan's ace, Hiroshi Tanahashi.
The feud between the former WWE Superstar and Tanahashi was initially ignited last year, after Jericho failed to capture the IWGP Heavyweight Championship from Kazuchika Okada at Dominion. With Jericho tormenting 'The Ace' for months now, a highly-anticipated clash between the pair was made official for Wrestle Kingdom 14.
However, the most interesting aspect of this match has been the possibility of a potential working relationship between AEW and NJPW, after Tana recently claimed that he is hoping to get a shot at the AEW World Championship, if he beats Jericho at The Dome. With NJPW also acknowledging the possibility of Tana challenging for the AEW World Title, this match could very well prove to be the initial stage of a working relationship between the two promotions.
#1. The crowning of a Double Champion
This year's historic Wrestle Kingdom 14 event promises to end with the crowning of a double champion and rest assured the final shot of this historic event will either feature Kazuchika Okada, Tetsuya Naito, Jay White, or Kota Ibushi holding both the IWGP IC and Heavyweight Championships.
With Kota Ibushi winning the G1 Climax 29, 'The Golden Star' has now earned himself a shot at Okada's IWGP Heavyweight Title, as the two men are set for a clash of the titans in the main event of Night 1. Whereas, the co-main will feature Naito and White battle over the IC Title.
By the end of Night 2, either of the four men will hold both titles, as NJPW is set for the crowning of a Double Champion in what is certainly going to be a historic move for the promotion and will put New Japan on the right track for 2020.
