New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW) and All Japan Pro-Wrestling (AJPW) collided in the finals of a tournament on January 4, 2001. The IWGP Heavyweight Championship, which had been defended in the main event of Tokyo Dome shows since 1995, was not up for grabs on this occasion. The tournament came about due to significant changes in AJPW, with many of its roster forming the new Pro Wrestling NOAH group. Masanobu Fuchi, representing AJPW, appeared at NJPW’s G1 Climax final to announce a closer working relationship between the two promotions.
The dream clash between Toshiaki Kawada and Kensuke Sasaki, two heavyweight stars from AJPW and NJPW respectively, was one of the most anticipated matches of the tournament. On October 9, 2000, these two legends faced off in the Tokyo Dome, showcasing All Japan’s Kings’ Road style against NJPW’s Strong Style. Although Sasaki’s IWGP Heavyweight Championship was not on the line, Kawada emerged victorious.
Disappointed that he couldn’t defend his promotion’s honor, Sasaki relinquished his IWGP title, leaving it vacant at the end of 2000. A single elimination tournament was set to determine the new champion, culminating in the Wrestling World event on January 4, 2001. Kawada received a bye in the tournament due to his victory over Sasaki, while Masahiro Chono also advanced to the second round with a bye that Sasaki rejected.
Despite valiant efforts from Yuji Nagata, Hiroyoshi Tenzan, and Satoshi Kojima, it was inevitable that Kawada and Sasaki’s determination would lead them to the final and the main event. The match between the two was a brutal encounter, filled with violent collisions. However, Sasaki ultimately emerged victorious, reclaiming the IWGP Heavyweight Championship with a Northern Lights Bomb.
Meanwhile, Shinya Hashimoto, known as the “King of Destruction,” was entering a new phase of his career in 2001. After losing a career-threatening match against Naoya Ogawa, Hashimoto distanced himself from NJPW and formed his own promotion, Pro-Wrestling Zero One. His rivalry with Riki Choshu, based on mutual respect, turned into a violent feud. Their fight for pride quickly devolved into a slugfest, leading to controversy. President Tatsumi Fujinami intervened and called off the match, leaving both Hashimoto and Choshu unsatisfied.
It was a historic night at the Tokyo Dome, filled with intense matches and unexpected outcomes. Fans witnessed the collision of two wrestling powerhouses, NJPW and AJPW, as they showcased their top stars in a tournament to determine the new IWGP Heavyweight Champion. The event left fans eagerly awaiting the future collaborations and clashes between these two promotions.
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Wrestle Kingdom 18 in Tokyo Dome Live and in English on January 4, 2024