King of Pro-Wrestling (2018) is an upcoming professional wrestling event promoted by New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW), which will take place on October 14, 2019, in Tokyo at Ryōgoku Kokugikan. It is NJPW's biggest show between August's G1 Climax and January's Wrestle Kingdom 13 in Tokyo Dome. The main event will featured Kazuchika Okada defending the IWGP Heavyweight Championship against SANADA. This was the seventh event under the King of Pro-Wrestling name.
Production
Storylines
Kazuchika Okada, who will defend the IWGP Heavyweight Championship in the main event
King of Pro-Wrestling featured professional wrestling matches that involve different wrestlers from pre-existing scripted feuds and storylines. Wrestlers portray villains, heroes, or less distinguishable characters in the scripted events that build tension and culminate in a wrestling match or series of matches.
King of Pro-Wrestling will be main evented by Kazuchika Okada defending the IWGP Heavyweight Championship against SANADA. On March 24, 2019, Okada defeated SANADA in the finals to win the 2019 New Japan Cup and earn the right to face Jay White at the main event of the G1 Supercard on April 6. After winning the tournament, Okada promised that after he won the IWGP Heavyweight Championship he would give SANADA a rematch. At the event on April 6, Okada defeated White to win the IWGP Heavyweight Championship for the fifth time. On May 4 at Wrestling Dontaku, Okada successfully defended the IWGP Heavyweight Championship against SANADA. Later that year, Okada and SANADA took part in the 2019 G1 Climax, with both wrestling in block A. Despite neither of them managed to advance into the finals, SANADA defeated Okada in their head-to-head match. On August 31 at Royal Quest, after Okada successfully defended the IWGP Heavyweight Championship against Minoru Suzuki, SANADA challenged Okada to a match for his title, which he accepted. The title match was announced on September 2.
Will Ospreay, who will defend the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship at the event
In the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship match, Will Ospreay will make his second title defense against the winner of the 2019 Super J-Cup El Phantasmo. On May 4, 2019, at Wrestling Dontaku, El Phantasmo made his debut in NJPW, teaming with his Bullet Club stablemate Taiji Ishimori in a winning effort against Dragon Lee and Will Ospreay, after Phantasmo pinned Ospreay. Later that month, Phatasmo and Ospreay took part in the 2019 Best of the Super Juniors, wrestling in block B, in which Phantasmo defeated Ospreay in their head-to-head match. In June, Phantasmo started feuding with Ospreay, after Robbie Eagles turned on Phantasmo to join CHAOS. In August, Phantasmo and Ospreay took part in the 2019 Super J-Cup, where in the semifinals of the tournament, Phantasmo defeated Ospreay, with the help of Taiji Ishimori to advanced into the finals. After Phantasmo won the Super J-Cup on August 26, Phantasmo challenged Ospreay to a match. On August 31 at Royal Quest, after Phantasmo and Ishimori lost to Ospreay and Robbie Eagles, Phatasmo challenged Ospreay again to a match for the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship. The title match was announced on September 2.
Jon Moxley, who will defend the IWGP United States Heavyweight Championship at the event
In the IWGP United States Heavyweight Championship match, Jon Moxley will make his first title defense against Juice Robinson. In April, NJPW began airing pre-taped vignettes of a mystery man targeting Juice Robinson, which was later revealed to be Jon Moxley. Moxley would make his debut in NJPW on June 5, defeating Juice Robinson to win the IWGP United States Heavyweight Championship. Afterwards, Robinson undergone a long period of self reflection. In August, Moxley and Robinson took part in the 2019 G1 Climax, with both wrestling in block B. In their head-to-head match, Robinson managed to defeat Moxley, costing him a place in the finals of the tournament. On August 12, Robinson and Toa Henare faced Moxley and Shota Umino in winning effort. After the match, Moxley attacked Robinson and put him through a table. Afterwards, in a post-match interview, Moxley offered Robinson a rematch for the IWGP United States Heavyweight Championship, if it was a no disqualification match. Robinson accepted the Moxley's challenge on August 31 at Royal Quest. The title match was announced on September 2.