Two title bouts set.
New Japan Pro-Wrestling announced that Zack Sabre Jr. will defend his NJPW World TV Title against Hiroshi Tanahashi at NJPW Wrestling Kingdom 18 on January 4.
Plus, Shingo Takagi will put his NEVER Openweight Title on the line against Tama Tonga at NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 18.
Zack Sabre Jr. and Hiroshi Tanahashi’s storied rivalry will continue at Wrestle Kingdom, with the NJPW World TV Championship currently scheduled to be on the line. After Tanahashi caught Sabre with an inside cradle to retain the NEVER Openweight 6 Man tag Championships at Power Struggle, the Ace indicated that he wanted ZSJ one on one once more. Sabre has been determined to get to V20 with the TV title before year’s end, and may still be looking to extend that reign before January 4- but assuming he still holds the gold by Tokyo Dome, old foe Tanahashi will be a formidable test.
Shingo Takagi will defend the NEVER Openweight Championship against Tama Tonga. After Takagi defeated Tama to lift the NEVER Openweight Championship for a third time in Las Vegas at Fighting Spirit Unleashed, Tonga made it clear he wanted a rematch, and stepped up to go face to face wit the Dragon after Shingo retained against Trent Beretta at Lonestar Shootout. The main event at Fighting Spirit Unleashed certainly showed that Tama could bring the ‘BMF’ prestige to NEVER competition, but with only one defence between three prior reigns for the Guerrilla of Destiny, this might become his last chance to seize NEVER gold. Will he make it, or will Shingo rampage into 2024 still the champ?
Fans can check out the lineup for NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 18 by clicking here.
