Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. EVIL official for NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 19
The first match is official for NJPW’s biggest show of the year in the Tokyo Dome on January 4, 2025.
After all-time great and company president Hiroshi Tanahashi was challenged to a Wrestle Kingdom bout by EVIL earlier this week, NJPW has officially announced the bout in a website post and news release.
At King of Pro-Wrestling earlier this month, Tanahashi made the surprise announcement that he will be stepping away from the ring effective January 4, 2026 with his retirement match planned for Wrestle Kingdom 20. EVIL then stated his intention to retire “The Ace” ahead of time and threw down the gauntlet for the Tokyo Dome.
The Wrestle Kingdom 19 lineup remains in flux after the 2024 G1 Climax winner Zack Sabre Jr. cashed in his IWGP World Heavyweight title shot at KOPW instead of waiting for the Tokyo Dome and Wrestle Kingdom as has been tradition.
The Wrestle Dynasty event on January 5 also set for the Tokyo Dome further clouds the forecast for the Wrestle Kingdom card, as all of NJPW’s partner promotions being included in that event opens the possibility of a lot of interpromotional dream matches.
The card so far for NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 19 set for Saturday, January 4, 2025:
- Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. EVIL