NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 20 Results, Highlights and Key Moments for January 4, 2026

NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 20 is live from the Tokyo Dome in Tokyo, Japan, kicking off 2026 with one of the most loaded cards in company history. From Kazuchika Okada vs. Hiroshi Tanahashi in a legendary final showdown, to multiple title unifications and historic debuts, Wrestle Kingdom 20 is built to deliver from the pre-show to the final bell.

The pre-show begins at 1:15 AM ET, with the main card starting at 2:00 AM ET. Fans worldwide can watch the event live via NJPW World. Ringside News will provide live, match-by-match updates and coverage throughout the show. Stay tuned to this page, refresh frequently, and join the conversation in the comments below!

Wrestle Kingdom 20 Results (1/4/26): Live Match Updates and Highlights

Walker Stewart and Chris Charlton welcome us to the show and note that tonight’s Wrestle Kingdom 20 is sold out at the Tokyo Dome.

Preshow: Shoma Kato & Tatsuya Murashima vs. Katsuya Murashima & Masatora Yasuda

Murashima and Matsumoto locked up in a stalemate inside the Tokyo Dome, until Yasuda shifted momentum with back-to-back suplexes. Kato stormed in with a suplex to Murashima, then landed three straight bodyslams to stay on top. Murashima answered with a Back-Body Drop and followed up with the Murashima Stampede. Gritting his teeth, he locked in a Boston Crab and forced Kato to tap.

Winner: Katsuya Murashima & Masatora Yasuda

Preshow: NJPW World TV Championship: El Phantasmo (c) vs Chris Brookes

Phantasmo and Brookes wrestled to a standstill before a show of sportsmanship backfired—Phantasmo’s handshake was met with a kick to the gut. Brookes took advantage of the distraction by attacking Phantasmo’s ally, Jado, and used the DDT crew and a brightly colored rope to whip Phantasmo into disarray.

Brookes soared with a top-rope senton that rattled the champion, but Phantasmo bounced back with a slingshot Thunderkiss 86. His attempt at a UFO nearly ended the bout. Brookes countered a second Thunderkiss with raised knees, then spiked Phantasmo with a Brainbuster for a close nearfall. Phantasmo recovered, nailed a CR2, and sealed the win with a final Thunderkiss 86 to retain his title.

Winner: Phantasmo

A video package spotlighted Hiroshi Tanahashi and ran through the full Wrestle Kingdom 20 card.

Tornado Ranbo for NEVER Openweight 6-Man Tag Championship

House of Torture (SANADA, Ren Narita, & Yoshinobu Kanemaru) wasted no time going after Yuya Uemura, Shota Umino, and Kaisei Takechi. But the tide turned when the babyfaces cornered Narita—just as War Dogs (Yuto-Ice, OSKAR, & Clark Connors) made their entrance, accompanied by AEW’s Thekla. Narita tried to ambush Uemura and company but was stomped out. War Dogs charged in and wiped out the standing opponents.

Thekla distracted House of Torture long enough for Connors to batter them with a tire. TMDK (Zack Sabre Jr., Ryohei Oiwa, & Hartley Jackson) arrived next. Oiwa and Yuto-Ice traded stiff forearms until Connors speared Sabre with a Gore, giving Yuto-Ice space. Tiger Mask, Ryusuke Taguchi, and Togi Makabe joined the chaos as Oiwa eliminated OSKAR to take out War Dogs. Bishamon (Hirooki Goto & YOSHI-HASHI) and Oleg Boltin then replaced them. Taguchi used his Funky Weapon to create openings for his squad.

Team 100 (Taichi & Satoshi Kojima) and Tomohiro Ishii were next in. Boltin eliminated Tiger Mask with a pinfall before locking into a suplex war with Ishii, who eventually got the better of him. Champions Toru Yano, Master Wato, and YOH entered last, with YOH parodying Toru Yano as “Toru YOH-no.” Chaos broke loose when Taichi and Uemura spilled over the ropes, eliminating both of their teams.

YOH went on a streak, holding his own against multiple challengers. Wato and Yano made a crucial save, preventing his elimination. SANADA was yanked off the ropes by House of Torture, taking him out as well. Bishamon and Boltin teamed up to outmaneuver TMDK, but Zack Sabre Jr. countered Boltin’s Kamikaze attempt and scored a bridged pinfall.

Winners: TMDK (Zack Sabre Jr., Ryohei Oiwa, & Hartley Jackson)

Winner Takes All Match for IWGP Women’s & NJPW STRONG Women’s Championship: Syuri (IWGP) vs. Saya Kamitani (STRONG)

Despite their quickness, both champions countered each other’s offense early on, reaching a stalemate. Syuri managed to trap Kamitani’s arm, but a timely rope break spared the champion. Kamitani slowed Syuri’s rhythm by using the referee as a shield, and H.A.T.E. pulled Syuri out of the ring just in time for Kamitani to dive into her, sending both crashing into the steel blue barricade.

Kamitani pressed the advantage after a stiff forearm exchange, then executed a Bridging Northern Lights Suplex to keep momentum. Syuri roared back, dragging Kamitani over the top rope and wrenching back on her arm. Kamitani, panicking, scrambled to a rope break with both arms trapped. A confident Blue Thunderbomb and a Star Crusher nearly sealed the win for Kamitani.

Syuri turned the tide with a Fujiwara Armbar and a punishing knee to the face. Kamitani tried to mount a comeback, but Syuri cracked her with a roundhouse kick, followed by a dazing Buzzsaw Kick. Sealing the deal, Syuri hit her signature Syu-Sekai to become a double champion.

Winner: Syuri

10-Man Tag Team Match: David Finlay, Shingo Takagi, Gabe Kidd, Drilla Moloney & Hiromu Takahashi vs. United Empire (Callum Newman, Great-O-Khan, HENARE, Andrade El Idolo & X)

Charlton called attention to the reveal that Andrade was the mystery businessman behind the United Empire’s recent actions. Lee turned out to be the surprise member of the opposing team. The match erupted into chaos as both teams began fighting during the introductions.

Finlay wasted no time targeting Lee, while Kidd tried to keep up with Idolo, who overwhelmed him with his conditioning and dropped him with a Flying Crossbody. Takagi and HENARE collided like tanks, with Takagi gaining the edge after a DDT. HENARE withstood most of Takagi’s offense but couldn’t hold up against a lariat. Moloney used his speed to outmaneuver HENARE and landed a dropkick. Reuniting with Takagi, HENARE was hit with a combination elbow from both opponents.

Takagi’s lariat and Moloney’s Gore continued to wear HENARE down until he powered through with a Berserker Bomb for a much-needed turnaround. Tensions between Finlay and Newman hit a boiling point during their hot tags, with Finlay dropping him with a backbreaker. Lee jumped in and powerslammed Finlay, but Takahashi and Finlay turned the tide, using each other as weapons and hurling one another into Lee in the corner. Finlay’s Dominator helped Takahashi crash onto Lee for a two-count.

Newman nearly took out Moloney, but Moloney answered with a crushing Drilla Killa. Finlay hurled Takahashi into the sea of War Dogs and United Empire members at ringside, only for Takahashi to get the last word—flipping Finlay over the top onto everyone below. Takahashi, left alone, fell victim to Lee’s Facebreak Shot, which sealed the win.

Winners: Lee, Newman, Idolo, Takagi, & HENARE

After the match, Jakob Austin Young entered in a white-collared shirt and tie to join the group. A masked figure then revealed himself to be Francesco Akira, reuniting with United Empire during the celebration.

#1 Contender’s Match for IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship: SHO vs. El Desperado vs. Taiji Ishimori vs. Kosei Fujita

SHO quickly became the punching bag of the match, taking a barrage of kicks from everyone involved. In a desperate and comedic moment, he pointed to a random corner and scurried off. Desperado and Ishimori briefly teamed up to go after Fujita, only for SHO to re-enter and immediately eat a drop toe-hold from Fujita—with help from both of his rivals.

Ishimori stunned Desperado with a slick La Mistica, but his momentum was cut short when Yoshinobu Kanemaru and DOUKI jumped him with stomps, including a brutal lead pipe shot from DOUKI. SHO nearly clocked Ishimori with a wrench before Robbie Eagles, Robbie X, and Kuukai ran down to make the save.

Fujita nearly joined the rescue effort, but SHO ambushed him with a black sheet pan to the head, then followed it up with a Shock Arrow. His celebration was short-lived, as Desperado dropped him with a Pinche Loco to steal the moment.

Winner: El Desperado

An April 16, 2026 show in Las Vegas, Nevada was officially announced under the title “Death Vegas Invitacional.” Additional major events were also confirmed, including the New Japan Cup, Sakura Genesis, Wrestling Red Zone in Hiroshima, Wrestling Dontaku, and G1 Climax 36, which will feature select U.S. tour dates.

NEVER Openweight Championship: EVIL (c) vs. Aaron Wolf

Wolf emerged with a shaved head and black trunks, ditching his usual judogi for a more stripped-down look. A rock guitarist shredded on stage as EVIL made his entrance.

He wasted no time, kicking Wolf at the bell to jumpstart the match. Wolf retaliated, and the two traded heavy strikes in the center of the ring before the fight spilled to ringside. There, EVIL wrapped a chair around Wolf’s neck and smashed it with another chair. With Wolf down, EVIL rolled back into the ring and soaked in the crowd’s reaction.

Another whip into the corner left Wolf reeling, as EVIL followed up with multiple pin attempts, all falling short. Drawing from his judo background, Wolf fended off the invading House of Torture members with surprising ease. But EVIL blinded him with powder and locked in a deep Texas Cloverleaf. The Tokyo crowd roared as Wolf clawed his way to the bottom rope.

EVIL kept the pressure on with stiff strikes, but Wolf rallied with an Olympic Slam and a crushing Splash. Just as it looked like he had the match won, House of Torture pulled the referee out of the ring. They took out YOH, Master Wato, and Toru Yano, who had rushed to back up Wolf.

Don Fale then set up a wooden table and drove Wolf through it with a massive splash. Incredibly, Wolf kicked out of EVIL’s follow-up lariat. Wrapping his legs around EVIL’s neck, Wolf stretched his arms in a brutal submission hold until EVIL went limp.

Winner: Aaron Wolf — NEW NEVER Openweight Champion‘

Charlton announced the attendance as 46,913. A video package then rolled, setting the stage for the second double championship match of the night.

Winner Takes All Match for IWGP World Heavyweight & IWGP Global Championship: Yota Tsuji (Global) vs. Konosuke Takeshita (World)

The match began with a calm exchange of headlocks as both men felt each other out. After reaching a brief standstill, Tsuji paintbrushed Takeshita across the face and followed with a sharp hurricanrana that sent the champion stumbling. Takeshita slowed the pace, stepping outside the ring to gather himself.

Back inside, the sound of Takeshita’s brutal chops echoed through the arena, drawing grimaces from the crowd as they slammed against Tsuji’s chest. Tsuji fired back with a double-knee Gut Buster, but Takeshita responded with a vertical suplex. Moments later, he drilled Tsuji head-first onto the apron with a DDT. Back in the ring, he locked in a sleeper hold, keeping his cool even after a rope break. Takeshita then launched Tsuji to the outside with a Frankensteiner.

Tsuji turned the tide by countering a Power Drive into a backbreaker and stomp, then followed up with a stunning Fosbury Flop that brought the crowd to life. Feeding off the energy, Tsuji rallied Tokyo behind him.

Takeshita hit the Power Drive and followed with his version of the Gene Blaster. But as Tsuji dodged his forearms, Takeshita struck with a low-blow elbow. Moments later, a Canadian Destroyer left Takeshita dazed on the mat. Even after a suplex from the champion, Tsuji delivered a Gene Blaster of his own. He nearly ended the match with a Guerrero Especial after surviving Takeshita’s knee, a Blue Thunderbomb, and a Raging Fire—all broken only by a desperate rope break.

Takeshita caught a moment of hope with a Poisonrana, and Tokyo erupted after a top-rope Blue Thunder Bomb and another Power Drive still couldn’t seal the win. Tsuji answered with a brutal headbutt to cut off the next sequence. As Takeshita looked for one last Power Drive, Tsuji shut him down with a final Gene Blaster.

Locking in a deep Boston Crab, Tsuji wrenched the hold lower and lower, leaving Takeshita nowhere to go. At last, the IWGP World Heavyweight Champion tapped out.

Winner: Yota Tsuji — NEW IWGP World Heavyweight & IWGP Global Champion

After the match, Tsuji celebrated with both titles and shook hands with Takeshita in a show of respect. As he proudly addressed the crowd, Jake Lee attacked him from behind and tossed the World Heavyweight Title into his lap before leaving.

Kazuchika Okada vs. Hiroshi Tanahashi

Charlton noted that Tanahashi holds a 2-1 record over Okada at the Tokyo Dome, with Okada winning their last Dome match ten years ago. The crowd erupted with energy as the bell rang. Okada took early control, targeting Tanahashi on the floor.

Tanahashi soared off the top rope with a crossbody onto Okada at ringside, then slid back into the ring first. As Okada climbed back in, Tanahashi caught him with a dragon screw through the ropes.

Charging in, Tanahashi was caught mid-air by Okada, who dropped him face-first to the mat. Okada followed with a neckbreaker over his knee, then slammed Tanahashi and delivered a top-rope elbow drop. He teased the Rainmaker pose, only to flip off the camera instead. Tanahashi answered with three Twist and Shout neckbreakers, but as he ran the ropes, Okada scooped him up for a thunderous tombstone piledriver. He kicked Tanahashi out of the ring and followed.

On the entrance ramp, Okada hit another tombstone, leaving Tanahashi laid out. Back in the ring, Red Shoes began the count. Tanahashi barely made it in at 19. Okada hit yet another tombstone and appeared to have the match won, but pulled Tanahashi up at two with a smile. He followed with a lariat, then held onto Tanahashi’s wrist as he stood, and dropped him with another lariat.

Tanahashi ducked the next lariat and landed one of his own. Okada came back with a Rainmaker, but Tanahashi stunned the crowd by kicking out at two. Stewart said it would take more than one. Okada transitioned into a Boston Crab, targeting Tanahashi’s lower back. Tanahashi tried to power out but collapsed. Summoning a final burst of strength, he crabwalked to the ropes to force the break.

Okada whipped Tanahashi into the ropes and drilled him with a dropkick. He went for the Rainmaker, but Tanahashi ducked and finally connected with a sling blade. He followed up by locking in a sleeper hold, but Okada rose to his feet and sat down to break free. Tanahashi released the hold and blasted him with a PK, which the announcers called a throwback. He then hit a Bomaye knee strike and soared with a High Fly Flow for a close near fall.

Tanahashi kept the pressure on, locking in a Full Nelson. Okada broke out and tried for another Rainmaker, but Tanahashi countered with another sling blade. He then landed a suplex into a bridge for another strong near fall. Climbing the ropes again, Tanahashi hit a High Fly Flow onto Okada’s back. He rolled him over and went for another—but this time, Okada got his knees up.

Both men ended up on their knees, trading rolling elbow strikes. They kept swinging as they got to their feet. Okada threw a rapid series of elbows, but Tanahashi answered back. As he ran the ropes, Okada shut him down with another picture-perfect dropkick.

Okada regained control and landed a Rainmaker, covering Tanahashi for a close near fall—Tanahashi barely kicked out. As Tanahashi used Okada’s body to pull himself up, Okada bodyslammed him and followed with a top-rope elbow drop. Striking the Rainmaker pose as the hard camera pulled back, Okada delivered one final Rainmaker and secured the three count.

Winner: Kazuchika Okada

After the match, Tanahashi remained on his back but looked up at Okada, said something, and smiled. Okada grabbed the mic, and Charlton translated for the audience. “Let me just say one thing,” Okada said. “Thank you.” He bowed as Tanahashi began to get emotional. Okada exited the ring and celebrated with Gedo before leaving the Tokyo Dome with his championship. The fans roared as Tanahashi rolled onto his stomach. He was in tears as he slowly got to his feet.

ay White made his entrance in a suit. Charlton said White wouldn’t miss the chance to rub one more loss in Tanahashi’s face. Tanahashi gritted his teeth as White walked down the ramp and entered the ring. White gave Tanahashi a bouquet of flowers, bowed, then hugged him. Tanahashi cried. They posed for photos, shook hands, and White left the ring.

Will Ospreay’s music hit next. He came out smiling in a suit and gave Tanahashi flowers. They hugged, posed for photos, shook hands, and Ospreay bowed before leaving.

Kenny Omega then made his entrance, also in a suit. Kota Ibushi followed him, limping heavily. He struggled to make it to the ring, still recovering from a broken femur. Omega gave Tanahashi flowers and bowed, then Ibushi did the same. Ibushi and Tanahashi shared a long emotional hug. Omega and Ibushi posed for photos with him.

Katsuyori Shibata’s music played, and Tanahashi teared up again. Ibushi came back out wearing an Opps shirt, plugging his ears. Shibata gave Tanahashi flowers, said a few words, and removed his shirt. The two exchanged a couple of light chops before hugging. They both got emotional. Shibata raised Tanahashi’s arm and hugged him again before leaving.

Next, Keiji Muto stood up at ringside and got into the ring for a bouquet presentation. The commentary team joked about saving him the walk due to time limits. They posed for photos.

Then, Tatsumi Fujinami got up and entered the ring to present his flowers. Tanahashi shared a moment with him. Muto, Fujinami, Omega, Ibushi, White, and Ospreay all gathered for a group photo. Muto snapped selfies with Tanahashi and later with both Tanahashi and Fujinami. Everyone said their goodbyes. Ibushi needed support to exit the ring.

Tetsuya Naito’s music hit to a huge reaction. When he didn’t appear right away, Tanahashi playfully pointed at his wrist. Bushi came out holding the GHC Tag Team Titles, then Naito followed wearing a “Los Tranquilos de Japon” armband. He walked slowly and stone-faced to the ring. Bushi misted the flowers before handing them to Tanahashi. Naito entered and turned his back while raising his fist.

Naito was handed a mic. He spoke in Japanese, and Charlton translated. He thanked Tanahashi for giving him a chance. Naito raised his fist for the LFI pose. Tanahashi hesitated, then smiled and joined him. Naito finally cracked a smile. As Tanahashi prepared to bow, Naito spat into the air. Tanahashi pretended it hit his eye while Naito exited.

Tanahashi then addressed the fans, telling them he loved them. He had someone toss him his invisible guitar from under the ring. Rock music played as he performed his signature air guitar. The fans clapped along. He stopped, the crowd chanted for more, and he gave them an encore—then tossed the “guitar” into the crowd. It was thrown back, and he played one last time. As he had done throughout the final stops of his run, Tanahashi made sure to greet every fan he could possibly reach.