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NJPW Wrestling Red Zone in Hiroshima 2025: A Night of Explosive Action – Live Preview
April 26, 2025 – New Japan Pro-Wrestling returns to Hiroshima with a vengeance as the Wrestling Red Zone tour storms into the historic city, promising an unforgettable night of hard-hitting action, shocking twists, and championship drama. With a stacked card featuring some of the biggest names in professional wrestling, this event is set to deliver the kind of intensity only NJPW can provide.
From grudge matches to potential title showdowns, the Hiroshima Red Zone stop is shaping up to be one of the most pivotal events of the spring. Will new challengers emerge? Will rivalries reach their boiling point? And who will leave Hiroshima with gold around their waist?
Let’s break down the full card, analyze the key matchups, and predict what could go down in what promises to be a must-see night of NJPW action.
Main Event: IWGP World Heavyweight Championship – Kazuchika Okada (c) vs. Shota Umino
The Rainmaker is back on top, and the weight of the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship rests once again on his shoulders. But standing in his way is the fiery Shota Umino, who has clawed his way to this title opportunity with a series of brutal victories.
Umino, once the young lion under Jon Moxley’s wing, has evolved into a legitimate main-event threat. His hard-hitting, no-nonsense style has won over fans, and his recent wins over top contenders have solidified his spot as Okada’s next challenger.
But Okada is a different beast. The Ace of New Japan has dismantled legends, outlasted wars, and proven time and again why he is the standard-bearer of this company. His fluid, dominant offense is nearly impossible to counter, and his ability to adapt mid-match makes him one of the most dangerous champions in wrestling history.
Prediction: This will be a 30+ minute classic, with Umino pushing Okada to his absolute limit. Expect near-falls that will have the Hiroshima crowd on their feet. In the end, Okada’s experience and championship instincts will prevail—but Umino’s star-making performance will leave no doubt that he is the future of NJPW.
Special Singles Match: Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Zack Sabre Jr.
Two of the most technically gifted wrestlers in the world collide in what promises to be a masterclass in grappling and storytelling. Hiroshi Tanahashi, the Ace Emeritus, may not be in the world title picture right now, but his presence alone elevates any match.
Meanwhile, Zack Sabre Jr. remains one of the most dangerous submission specialists in wrestling. His cold, calculated style has dismantled countless opponents, and his recent victories have him eyeing another run at the top.
This is a battle of artistry vs. brutality. Tanahashi’s high-flying, resilient style against ZSJ’s relentless joint manipulation and suffocating holds.
Prediction: Sabre’s technical dominance will be on full display, but Tanahashi’s fighting spirit will keep him alive. In the end, ZSJ will trap Tanahashi in a vicious submission, forcing the referee to stop the match—a rare and shocking outcome for the beloved Ace.
IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship – Hiromu Takahashi (c) vs. El Desperado
The junior heavyweight division is always a highlight of any NJPW show, and this one is no exception. Hiromu Takahashi, the Ticking Time Bomb, defends his title against the grim reaper of the juniors, El Desperado.
These two have a storied history—brutal matches, betrayals, and a mutual respect that only fuels their violence. Desperado has been on a warpath, dismantling opponents with his hard-hitting, brawler-style, while Hiromu’s unpredictable offense makes him one of the most exciting champions in NJPW.
Prediction: This will be chaos. Chairs, tables, and maybe even a ladder could come into play. Hiromu’s high-risk moves will dazzle, but Desperado’s resilience will keep him in the fight. In the end, Hiromu will retain—but not without both men leaving broken and battered.
NEVER Openweight Championship – Shingo Takagi (c) vs. Jeff Cobb
Power. Speed. Violence. That’s what you get when Shingo Takagi and Jeff Cobb step into the ring. The NEVER Openweight Championship is built on strong style warfare, and these two are the perfect warriors to carry that legacy.
Shingo’s brutal strikes and dragon suplexes against Cobb’s freakish strength and Olympic-level throws—this is a match that will shake the foundation of Hiroshima.
Prediction: A 15-minute war that will leave both men barely standing. Cobb’s Tour of the Islands is one of the most devastating finishers in wrestling, but Shingo’s ability to absorb punishment and fire back will be the difference. Takagi retains, but Cobb proves once again why he’s one of the most dangerous men in NJPW.
Tag Team Showdown: Bishamon (Hirooki Goto & YOSHI-HASHI) vs. TMDK (Mikey Nicholls & Shane Haste)
The tag team division in NJPW is heating up, and this match could determine the next challengers for the IWGP Tag Team Championships.
Bishamon, the former champs, are looking to regain their dominance, but TMDK has been on a roll, proving themselves as one of the most underrated teams in the world.
Prediction: A hard-hitting, fast-paced tag match with near-falls that will have the crowd roaring. TMDK’s teamwork will be the difference, securing the win and positioning themselves for a future title shot.
Other Key Matches:
- Bullet Club (KENTA & Taiji Ishimori) vs. CHAOS (YOH & Tomohiro Ishii) – A classic Bullet Club vs. CHAOS brawl with Ishii bringing his trademark stiffness.
- Los Ingobernables de Japon (Tetsuya Naito & BUSHI) vs. United Empire (Great-O-Khan & Callum Newman) – Naito’s mind games vs. O-Khan’s dominance.
- Young Lion Showcase: Oleg Boltin vs. Yuto Nakashima – The future of NJPW on display.
Final Thoughts: Why You Can’t Miss NJPW Red Zone in Hiroshima
April 26th in Hiroshima is more than just another NJPW event—it’s a statement. With a world title match that could redefine the main event scene, a technical masterpiece between Tanahashi and ZSJ, and a NEVER title fight that will leave fans breathless, this is must-watch wrestling.
Will Okada continue his reign? Will Umino shock the world? And what surprises await in the undercard?
One thing is certain: NJPW Red Zone in Hiroshima will deliver.
Are you ready for the chaos? Tune in live and witness history unfold.
Very good show
I think his Ic run being so long hurt him as a credible world champion. It’s like he fought all the same guys and crushed them for a mid card belt now we are supposed to believe they are an actual challenge to him as a world champion? Lol when they took the intercontinental title off of him they should have moved him to SmackDown and put a new list of challengers in front of him. And moved Cody and the WWE championship to raw
Very good episode,
imagine being deluded enough to think a multi billion dollar company with guys who literally have wrestling in their blood hot shoted a heel turn storyline because they booked themselves into a corner. are you serious dude? that is the most ridiculous thing i have read in a minute lol. good luck bro.
Great episode.
Punk/Cody was there for the taking and Cena could’ve gone up against Gunther.
They knee jerked a heel turn because they booked themselves into a nepotism corner
Very good show
honestly don’t get the hate. like sure, there’s no major story here YET. But Punk/Rollins/Reigns has a lot of potential to be a high quality match. I’m legit looking forward to it and love that these three have wound up in a match together.
Great episode.
The triple threat match between them at Wrestlemania is gonna be awesome. Super stoked for this match
Great show
Let’s mention the women’s match in every live/hate challenge. Easiest task for this group of “journalists” ever. Each one of these love/hates are more embarrassing than the last. We get it, women’s wrestling is amazing and should main event every show and if a women’s match is bad it’s because where it is on the card or the booking it’s never the talent, all the women are top tier wrestlers.
Very good show
You wanna find out who the real simps and shills are? Mark down anybody who defends that main event match! Even the diehard AEW fans are crapping on that main event. It was terrible.
This Moxley stuff is stinking out the entire show and the dude seems to think he is Brock Lesnar.
The sad part is that this wasn’t a terrible show overall and with all things taken into an account. But at the end of the day, a bad ending can ruin a whole show for a lot of people. “Game of Thrones season 8” style.
Great show
So the crux of it all is that the PLE started strong…then ended with a sour belch.
The fans most remember how you left them and the fans are going to remember this show with a resounding “bleh”!
And any casual fan who watched with their buddies who are more diehard fans, may have left the viewing saying aloud, “That guy was pretty good. He should go to WWE”.
Great show.
I’ve said before but I think one of the issues here is that Tony is a massive fan of NJPW and often looks to emulate their PPV card structure. NJPW cards typically build to a climax with the big matches back to back and tend not to feature cool down matches or spots. Problem is western audiences haven’t been conditioned for that over the last 40 years, so often results in burnout. Personally I would have laid out the card like below giving breathing spaces, opening with the Steel Cage match and building to the Hollywood Ending as the main event.
Storm vs. May
Mox vs. Cope
Hangman vs. MJF
Hurt Syndicate vs. Outrunners
Takeshita vs. Omega
Swerve vs. Ricochet
Okada vs. King
Mone vs. Watanabe
Ospreay vs. Fletcher
Great episode.
Very good show, but the ending is what people remember. WWE ended Elimination Chamber with a huge heel turn. AEW ended Revolution with that abominable ending.
it doesn’t totally undo a great show, but it might have done more harm than good.
Very good show
I can already see Trips the mark statues, Trips the mark with a 20 minutes speech, the camera focusing onTrips the mark every 30 seconds when he is on the crowd.
Great show.
I’m glad they are bringing it back to a nice venue. The idea of hosting it immediately after Smackdown is insane. Why not put a highlight show or broadcast the Hall of Fame instead of airing Smackdown that week.
best of the best
Very good show tonight
clickbait
clickbait
It’s good
Yes
Loving it
Fantastic Article
Raw vs SD
The only switches from Raw vs SD were Breakker, and Jax?
Super excited about Kiana James to Raw.
Super excited about Kiana James to Raw. She’s been great on NXT so hopefully they don’t ruin her momentum.
I dunno what the Final
I dunno what the Final Testament want, but at this point I am afraid to ask.
Save yourself time and money a
Save yourself time and money and just say everyone on smackdown will stay on smackdown, everyone on raw will stay on raw. What clown wrote this episode?!
Willow should NOT lose
Willow should NOT lose to Moñe at Double or Nothing.
I love the work Mariah’s done with Toni,
I love the work Mariah’s done with Toni, but Ngl I would also love her just gal-palling around with Mina for a spell
I’m all in on joshi invasion of AEW.
I’m all in on joshi invasion of AEW. I’m kinda down for joshi invasion of all promotions honestly
Danielson is also a 21st century
That line makes me laugh like Danielson is also a 21st century wrestler
I’ve never heard of.
Uhg, some other random wrestler from a promotion I’ve never heard of.
This is going to be a squash match right?
Wait, Anna Jay isn’t in Dark Order?
not even the security guard
not even the security guard with the hogan beard is dragging me out of daily’s rn
Kurt V Bret V Perfect
Three other Ospreay dream matches
V Kurt V Bret V Perfect
I have never seen mina before.
I have never seen mina before…. But from the entrance alone i am a fan
I’ve ever seen. Good lord
Anna Jay one of the finest women I’ve ever seen. Good lord
May gets all the ladies.
May gets all the ladies.
Daily’s Place just feels right
Anna Jay match in Daily’s Place just feels right
Is Mina’s theme
Is Mina’s theme a rip of Danza Kaduro? 🕺🏻
I enjoy Fallon’s work in ring,
I enjoy Fallon’s work in ring, and her character work. I just wish she didn’t scream so much- every single move.
Was late tuning in tonight,
Was late tuning in tonight, went and watched the women’s title match, Tatum showed up and showed tf out. Sad she didn’t win but the sky’s the limit
Jensen getting back together
first step to Briggs and Jensen getting back together
I wonder if Fallon Henley gets called up,
I wonder if Fallon Henley gets called up, she’s not really in any important angles in NXT.
John Cena style
Jasmyn has that chiseled chin. John Cena style
“Thank you, Trish Jacey”
Jacey Jayne wants Thea to say “Thank you, Trish Jacey”
What a woman
Her weave fallen off and her not skipping a beat. What a woman. I’m all in on jaida parker
Jaida to get her feet
This OTM side quest was good for Jaida to get her feet wet but her ceiling is sooo much higher than Lucien, Bronco & SCRYPTS
Really don’t like that it’s the Women’s NXT North American Championship.
Really don’t like that it’s the Women’s NXT North American Championship. Besides being an awkward mouthful, it’s too derivative of Men’s midcard title.
Gratitude is not an option
“Gratitude is not an option but a debt that you will repay to me” lmao damn Jacy sounds so badass and ominous 😭
She’s got a really bright future.
Jaida’s only been doing this for a year and a half. She’s got a really bright future.
I love the implied narrative that
I love the implied narrative that it’s Nattie who is singlehandedly selling out a WWE tour of Europe
All these talks about call-ups,
All these talks about call-ups, I feel Jacy Jayne is more overdue than most. One of the best character workers around.
I feel like Jaida has been winning every week
I feel like Jaida has been winning every week for a while now but it hasn’t really gotten her anywhere lol
Booker’s about to faint during
Booker’s about to faint during the sexiest contract signing of all time.
SOMEONE CLIP THAT LEXIS KING
SOMEONE CLIP THAT LEXIS KING PART IN THE NXT SHOP COMMERCIAL AND MAKE IT A MEME
So.. Natalya had a ton of work done
So.. Natalya had a ton of work done on her face right? She had some weird angles to it when the camera followed her walking
Any recognise the photographer
Any recognise the photographer in the Baron/Lexis segment?