King of Pro Wrestling brings a new world champion and landscape changes to NJPW

Photo via NJPW Global

King of Pro Wrestling concluded today in Ryogoku for New Japan Pro Wrestling and by the time the show was over, many things had changed.

Zack Sabre Jr is the new IWGP Champion after defeating Tetsuya Naito in a very good main event. In one of those rare moments, both men were clearly emotional before the match started, but when the bell rang, we saw flashes of Naito in his prime going toe-to-toe, effortlessly at times, with the agile ZSJ. After many attempts at a Destino finish, Zack hit Naito with two Zack Drivers to win the match and Naito's title.

SANADA, Shota Umino, and Shingo Takagi all made title challenges.

Other notes from the show:

• David Finlay retained the IWGP Global Championship against Hirooki Goto in an excellent match. Goto's children who were emotional during the match may have been the MVPs. After the match, Finlay called out Yuya Uemura, but was met by a challenge from Taichi instead.
• Douki beat SHO in 18 seconds to retain the Jr Heavyweight Championship. A new facet to Douki was a Jushin Liger nightmare face under his mask when SHO removed it for a supposed advantage. It was not an advantage. SHO took mist to face and two Suplex De La Lunas.
• Hiroshi Tanahashi announced after his match that Wrestle Kingdom 2026 will be his final match in pro wrestling.

Tears in my eyes at the announcement of Hiroshi Tanahashi’s impending retirement. Heartbreaking, but a deserving rest deserved.

1/4/2026. Save the date. The Ace of the Universe. One last time. 💔 #njKOPW pic.twitter.com/Cffm9vom8x

— Walker Stewart (ウォーカー・スチュワート) (@VelvetVoiceWS) October 14, 2024

• The Young Bucks announced they will return to New Japan Pro Wrestling at Wrestle Dynasty on January 5th, 2025. The likely match is Tanahashi and Kenny Omega vs The Young Bucks.
• Ren Narita won the NJPW TV title in a three way match against Jeff Cobb and Yota Tsuji.
• New Japan will be in San Jose for another Battle in the Valley on January 11th, 2025.

We're kicking off 2025 in the US HUGE in San Jose!

Battle in the Valley 2025- JANUARY 11!

General on sale October 18!https://t.co/rsWvaNM6SW#njpw #njbitv pic.twitter.com/VFfCNv4s4K

— NJPW Global (@njpwglobal) October 14, 2024

I'll be back live on Thursday with Speaking of Strong Style to recap King of Pro Wrestling. Make sure you're subscribed to the Fight Game Media YouTube channel so you get notified when we go live. Scott E. Wrestling will join me as Steven Conway is off this week.