New Japan Pro-Wrestling returns to the Ryōgoku Kokugikan in Tokyo on October 12, 2026, for the eleventh installment of King of Pro-Wrestling. The flagship autumn event features marquee championship bouts, highlighted by a freshly set main event for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship and a high-stakes grudge match for the IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship.
Ryohei Oiwa Challenges Yota Tsuji for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship
The main event picture crystallized on August 16, 2026, at the G1 Climax finals, where Ryohei Oiwa defeated Yuya Uemura to win the tournament (Pro Wrestling Dot Net). Following the victory, Oiwa declared his intention to cash in his tournament win for an IWGP Heavyweight Championship opportunity at King of Pro-Wrestling (Wrestling Observer Newsletter). That challenge became official at Destruction in Kobe, where reigning champion Yota Tsuji successfully defended his title against Hirooki Goto, solidifying the Tsuji-Oiwa championship showdown for Tokyo (Pro Wrestling Dot Net).
Shota Umino Challenges Gabe Kidd for the IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship
The card also features a bitter rivalry over the IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship between Gabe Kidd and Shota Umino. Umino originally captured the championship at Dominion 6.14 in Osaka-jo Hall by defeating previous titleholder Andrade El Idolo and Drilla Moloney in a three-way match (Pro Wrestling Dot Net). Kidd subsequently attacked and defeated Umino to take the belt (Wrestling Observer Newsletter).
During the G1 Climax tournament, Umino suffered a concussion on the opening day, forcing him to forfeit his remaining tournament matches (Fightful). Umino returned to action during the Road to Destruction tour (Monthly Puroresu). At Destruction in Kobe, after Kidd defeated Moloney to retain the Global title, Kidd announced he would not defend the championship again until Wrestle Kingdom. Umino interrupted, countered an attempted assault from the champion, and secured an official title match for Ryōgoku Kokugikan (Pro Wrestling Dot Net).
Additional Championship Bouts and Event Lineup
New Japan Pro-Wrestling expanded the event lineup further in late September by adding two additional championship matches, including a bout for the NEVER Openweight Championship (Post Wrestling). The complete card builds on storylines established through the summer tours and the conclusion of the G1 Climax schedule.