In the main event of New Japan Pro Wrestling’s biggest show of the year, Wrestle Kingdom 18, Tetsuya Naito defeated SANADA to win the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship.
This is Naito’s fourth time as the top champion of NJPW, although only his first under the branding of the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship lineage (rather than the IWGP Heavyweight Championship as it was prior to March 2021).
Following the match, Naito was about to speak when EVIL grabbed the microphone, stole the moment, and said that since Naito wasn’t appreciative of the title, he would take it from him. SANADA came to the rescue and teased wanting a rematch with Naito, who thanked SANADA and the fans to end the show with an indication he was already growing an attachment to the belt.
Check out some highlights below:
🔥WRESTLE KINGDOM 18 in 東京ドーム🔥
第10試合IWGP世界ヘビー級選手権試合‼️
『G1 CLIMAX 33』覇者 内藤哲也入場‼️#njpwworld で配信中📡視聴＆登録⏩https://t.co/CeQLGjTmZ5#njwk18 #NJPW pic.twitter.com/udVJUSbmlv
— NJPW WORLD (@njpwworld) January 4, 2024
.@s_d_naito "Corriendo Destino"
Sign up Now & Stay tuned to https://t.co/CeQLGjTmZ5#njwk18 #NJPW #njpwworld pic.twitter.com/PpgUkjXKny
— NJPW WORLD (@njpwworld) January 4, 2024
.@seiyasanada "Inverted Frankensteiner → Shining Wizard"
Sign up Now & Stay tuned to https://t.co/CeQLGjTmZ5#njwk18 #NJPW #njpwworld pic.twitter.com/UTivZh0v10
— NJPW WORLD (@njpwworld) January 4, 2024
🔥WRESTLE KINGDOM 18 in 東京ドーム🔥
第10試合IWGP世界ヘビー級選手権試合‼️
大合唱か、ギフトか、東京ドームのメインイベントを締めるのはどちらだ⁉️🆚 @seiyasanada × @s_d_naito#njpwworld で配信中📡
視聴＆登録⏩https://t.co/CeQLGjTmZ5#njwk18 #NJPW pic.twitter.com/VGdvVObEgs
— NJPW WORLD (@njpwworld) January 4, 2024
