NJPW Wrestle Kingdom Title Match Abandoned Due To Injury

One Wrestle Kingdom match came to an abrupt end as a title changed hands due to a worrying injury suffered by an NJPW champion.

January 4 always sees NJPW’s biggest show of the year take place as Wrestle Kingdom emanates from the hallowed Tokyo Dome. 2025’s event is headlined by Zack Sabre Jr. defending his IWGP World Heavyweight Championship against Shota Umino with several other title matches on the bill.

However, one of those title matches came to a shocking conclusion as DOUKI put his IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship on the line against El Desperado.

NJPW Title Changes Hand After Injury

During the match, DOUKI and El Desperado brawled on the outside of the ring with DOUKI climbing to the top rope and hitting his bombs away senton on his opponent. However, he suffered a tough landing as his left arm hit the floor hard.

DOUKI immediately grabbed his arm and after a talk with the match referee, the match was called off with El Desperado being declared the new IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion. El Desperado cut a short promo noting that he won’t apologise for how he won the match and the title.

This is El Desperado’s fifth reign as IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion in NJPW which puts him level with Hiromu Takahashi and Koji Kanemoto on the list of stars with most reigns with that title.