Just like NASCAR starts the season with the Daytona 500, New Japan Pro Wrestling will begin the year with its biggest event, Wrestle Kingdom 19.

This is the WrestleMania of Japan, and it always takes place at the Tokyo Dome on Jan. 4.

Zack Sabre Jr. will defend the IWGP World title in the main event against Shota Umino.

Sabre won the G-1 Climax tournament over the summer, which usually means that he would challenge for the title at Wrestle Kingdom.

However, Sabre asked for his title shot early so he could win the belt and defend it in his native England. His plan worked, as he won the title from Tetsuya Naito.

INSPIRING RETURN

Ren Narita was scheduled to defend the TV title in a three-way match against Jeff Cobb and Ryohei Oiwa. But that match changed under the best of circumstances.

El Phantasmo announced that he had beaten cancer and was ready to return to the ring. So, he will join the TV title battle in a four-way match.

OTHER MATCHES

David Finlay, son of WCW and WWE wrestler Fit Finlay, will defend the NJPW Global title against Yota Tsuji.

DOUKI will battle El Desperado for the NJPW junior heavyweight title.

Kevin Knight and KUSHIDA will defend the junior heavyweight tag team belts in a four-way against Catch-22, The War Dogs, and TMDK (The Mighty Don’t Kneel).

AEW International champion Konosuka Takeshita will face NEVER Openweight champion Shingo Takagi in a title vs. title match.

“The Ace” Hiroshi Tanahashi will kick off his John Cena-like yearlong retirement tour against EVIL.

Former champion Naito will face Hiromu Takahashi. Mayu Iwatami will defend her IWGP Women’s title against AZM.

Wrestle Kingdom will air at Jan. 4 on NJPW World starting at 3 a.m. Eastern.