Wrestle Kingdom I: The New Brand Starts with a Cross-Promotional Tokyo Dome Card

Masanobu Fuchi, El Samurai & Ryusuke Taguchi defeating Kikutaro, Nobutaka Araya & Akira Raijin occupies match 1 and runs 08:20. In the main card, the bout's value comes from how clearly it performs its assigned job. The result is easy to understand, the time allotment is neither hidden nor exaggerated, and the match gives the surrounding card a distinct beat. A 6.4 score reflects the combination of stakes, placement and available time rather than reputation alone. The match is judged as one part of this specific Tokyo Dome event, so its grade rises when the result changes a title picture or advances the card and falls when the slot is mostly functional.

Match 2 has Gedo & Jado over NOSAWA Rongai & MAZADA in 13:06. That runtime is important to the verdict because Wrestle Kingdom cards can become crowded, and this bout has to justify the space it receives. Within the main card, it provides a different matchup or championship consequence without being credited merely for the names involved. The 6.7 score weighs the finish, the position on the show and whether the bout feels complete for its role. Where the match succeeds, it gives the event momentum or a tangible result; where it is limited, the grade stays closer to supporting-card territory.

At 09:36, Togi Makabe, Toru Yano & Tomohiro Ishii vs. D'Lo Brown, Buchanan & Travis Tomko is positioned as match 3. The bout is most useful when read in sequence with the matches around it: Wrestle Kingdom needs each section of the card to change pace while still preserving the strongest attractions for later. This one earns a 6.3 because its result and structure contribute something identifiable to the event without automatically becoming a must-watch attraction. Championship stakes or a distinctive stipulation add consequence, but the grade remains tied to the complete viewing experience, including runtime and card position.

TARU, Suwama, RO'Z & Giant Bernard beats Riki Choshu, Manabu Nakanishi, Takashi Iizuka & Naofumi Yamamoto in 15:38 at match 4. The placement gives the bout a clear responsibility within the main card: either establish the event's rhythm, bridge into the stronger singles programs, or deliver one of the card's major payoffs. Its 6.8 score reflects how fully it meets that responsibility. The verdict does not treat a famous participant or title belt as an automatic quality boost. Instead, the match is measured by the way the finish, time and stakes work together and by whether the next match inherits more momentum than the card had before it.

Koji Kanemoto, Tiger Mask IV, Kaz Hayashi, TAKA Michinoku & Wataru Inoue defeating Jushin Thunder Liger, Minoru, Milano Collection A.T., Shuji Kondo & brother YASSHI occupies match 5 and runs 13:01. In the main card, the bout's value comes from how clearly it performs its assigned job. The result is easy to understand, the time allotment is neither hidden nor exaggerated, and the match gives the surrounding card a distinct beat. A 7.2 score reflects the combination of stakes, placement and available time rather than reputation alone. The match is judged as one part of this specific Tokyo Dome event, so its grade rises when the result changes a title picture or advances the card and falls when the slot is mostly functional.

Match 6 has Toshiaki Kawada over Shinsuke Nakamura in 19:02. That runtime is important to the verdict because Wrestle Kingdom cards can become crowded, and this bout has to justify the space it receives. Within the main card, it provides a different matchup or championship consequence without being credited merely for the names involved. The 8.0 score weighs the finish, the position on the show and whether the bout feels complete for its role. Where the match succeeds, it gives the event momentum or a tangible result; where it is limited, the grade stays closer to supporting-card territory.

At 17:22, Minoru Suzuki (c) vs. Yuji Nagata is positioned as match 7. The AJPW Triple Crown Heavyweight Championship is at stake. The bout is most useful when read in sequence with the matches around it: Wrestle Kingdom needs each section of the card to change pace while still preserving the strongest attractions for later. This one earns a 7.8 because its result and structure contribute something identifiable to the event without automatically becoming a must-watch attraction. Championship stakes or a distinctive stipulation add consequence, but the grade remains tied to the complete viewing experience, including runtime and card position.

Hiroshi Tanahashi (c) beats Taiyo Kea in 17:09 at match 8. The IWGP Heavyweight Championship is at stake. The placement gives the bout a clear responsibility within the closing stretch: either establish the event's rhythm, bridge into the stronger singles programs, or deliver one of the card's major payoffs. Its 8.1 score reflects how fully it meets that responsibility. The verdict does not treat a famous participant or title belt as an automatic quality boost. Instead, the match is measured by the way the finish, time and stakes work together and by whether the next match inherits more momentum than the card had before it.

Keiji Mutoh & Masahiro Chono defeating Hiroyoshi Tenzan & Satoshi Kojima occupies match 9 and runs 18:43. In the closing stretch, the bout's value comes from how clearly it performs its assigned job. The result is easy to understand, the time allotment is neither hidden nor exaggerated, and the match gives the surrounding card a distinct beat. A 8.0 score reflects the combination of stakes, placement and available time rather than reputation alone. The match is judged as one part of this specific Tokyo Dome event, so its grade rises when the result changes a title picture or advances the card and falls when the slot is mostly functional.