12 Biggest Stories From NJPW's Year-End Events And How They Affect Wrestle Kingdom

In the last few weeks, fans were given a glimpse at what action they can expect come 4 January. IWGP Champion Kenny Omega and challenger Hiroshi Tanahashi briefly met on the final night of the World Tag League. V-Triggers and slingblades were landed by each competitor, but Omega's Elite squad came away with the win.

15 December, however, offered not just a preview of Wrestle Kingdom's main event but also that of the upcoming NEVER Openweight title match as the Golden Lovers faced Tanahashi and Will Ospreay. While Omega and Tanahashi again traded offense, much of the bout's focus fell on Ibushi and Ospreay. At one point, the Golden Star launched his NEVER challenger with a hurricanrana from the top rope, but Ospreay landed on his feet in the center of the ring. Eventually, Kenny and Kota managed to get the win with a Golden Trigger on Ospreay.

While Tanahashi has spent the last year reestablishing himself as New Japan’s true Ace, he will have to defeat the reigning IWGP Champion and proverbial Best Bout Machine before he can once again claim to be New Japan's top star. Meanwhile, Ibushi and Ospreay's antics on Saturday showed that not only is their Wrestle Kingdom match one to look forward to, but it just may steal the entire show.