The start of the year in professional wrestling means one thing: Wrestle Kingdom. This year, NJPW brought us Wrestle Kingdom 19 on January 4th, followed by Wrestle Dynasty on January 5th, making for an action-packed two days. After the shows, I went on a media tour throughout January to discuss these events, my interaction with Dave Meltzer regarding Chris Charlton’s unjust suspension, and the glaring lack of a NJPW press release on the matter. That situation remains unresolved, and it’s frustrating that NJPW continues to stay silent on it.
After that, I took a short break before diving back into the grind. Now, it's time for my full breakdown of both shows.
Wrestle Kingdom 19: A Mixed Bag
The biggest highlight of Wrestle Kingdom 19 was undoubtedly Tanahashi vs. Evil. The entrances were cinema only and spectacular, and the storytelling throughout the match kept me fully engaged. Unfortunately, the rest of the card was just okay. For a Wrestle Kingdom event, "decent" isn’t acceptable. The show had moments, but it lacked the magic that past iterations delivered.
Wrestle Dynasty: A Disaster with One Saving Grace
Wrestle Dynasty, on the other hand, was a mess. The booking felt rushed, a clear example of hot-shot decision-making by Tony Khan, AEW, and others who seemed more concerned with making dream matches than delivering a coherent show. The only highlight of the night was Gabe Kidd vs. Kenny Omega, which delivered despite having the worst build up. Everything else on the card? Forgettable at best, frustrating at worst.
Tony Khan’s Absence: A Sign of Disrespect
One of the biggest talking points for me coming out of these events was Tony Khan’s decision not to attend either show. AEW and NJPW are supposed to have a partnership, yet their figurehead didn’t bother to show up for NJPW’s most important weekend of the year. It was a clear sign of disrespect, and I made my feelings known during my media appearances. If Khan wants AEW and NJPW to remain on good terms, he needs to show up when it matters.
Special Tape Study Chatter: Gabe Kidd vs. Kenny Omega
I’ll be dedicating a special Tape Study Chatter episode to Gabe Kidd vs. Kenny Omega. Kenny Omega vs Gabe Kidd delivered. This match was raw intensity, brutal striking, and storytelling at its finest. We’ll break it down and discuss it.
Final Thoughts
Wrestle Kingdom 19 was decent and failed to reach the greatness it should have. Wrestle Dynasty was a disaster, with Kidd vs. Omega being the only thing worth remembering. Tony Khan’s absence left a sour taste in my mouth. Stay tuned for my Tape Study Chatter episode.
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