Night one of Wrestle Kingdom 14 was a critical success by early returns from live viewers on social media platforms Facebook and Twitter along with a live audience that remained hot for an entire wrestling event that went on for over five hours.
Night One Of Wrestle Kingdom 14 Draws 40,008 Fans
The business aspect of the first night of Wrestle Kingdom 14 was also a smashing success for New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW). During the event, English language broadcaster Kevin Kelly announced 40,008 individuals purchased tickets to watch the wrestling spectacle. In return, NJPW was able to gross a large number at the gate.
$5,716,343.04*
— Smooth WY (@SmoothWrestling) January 4, 2020
While NJPW President Harold Meij stated the goal wasn’t to make a tradition out of a two-day Wrestle Kingdom event, the overwhelming response from fans may change the minds of those leading the business side of NJPW. Bushiroad Representative Director Takaaki Kidani, NJPW Chairman Naoki Sugabayashi, and Meij will likely be responsible for making that decision.
NJPW immediately began marketing night-two of Wrestle Kingdom 14 after the conclusion of the marquee match. Reigning IWGP Heavyweight Champion Kazuchika Okada referenced crowd members returning for the second night; NJPW social media accounts also alerted fans on ways they could purchase tickets for tomorrow’s event.
【1月5日(日)東京ドーム、前売券に関するお知らせ】
ローソンチケットのWEBサイトの販売は、予定枚数を終了いたしました。
現在、ローソン・ミニストップ店頭『Loppi』のみ、今晩23時59分まで販売中!
当日券は“朝9時”より22番ゲート前で発売します。https://t.co/pSz4F9dSWY#njwk14 #njpw pic.twitter.com/Xv2NTPVhVd
— 新日本プロレスリング株式会社 (@njpw1972) January 4, 2020
Night-two of Wrestle Kingdom 14 is expected to draw a house of over 30,000 fans.
Check Out The Inside Wrestle Kingdom 14 Series:
1. Both Nights On Better Pace Than Last Year, A Look At The Featured Matches
2. Jyushin Thunder Liger Retirement Match I
3. G.O.D. Face FinJuice For The IWGP Heayweight Tag Team Championship
4. Lance Archer and Jon Moxley IWGP US Heavyweight Texas Death Match
5. Will Ospreay Defends His IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship Against Hiromu Takahashi
6. Double Gold Dash, Jay White And Tetsuya Naito For The IWGP Intercontinental Championship
7. The Tanahashi and Jericho Match Has An Added Stipulation
8. Double Gold Dash, Kazuchika Okada And Kota Ibushi For The IWGP Heavyweight Championship
9. Jyushin Thunder Liger Retirement Match II
10. IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship Contest
11. Zack Sabre Jr And Sanada For The RevPro British Heavyweight Championship
12. KENTA And Hirooki Goto Battle Over The Never Openweight Championship