Japan’s version of Wrestlemania takes place on Thursday January 4, and it all kicks off while most of the USA will still be in bed. Here’s all you need to know if you want to catch the show live.
First off, you’ll need a subscription to New Japan World. Go to their website at www.njpwworld.com to sign up. If you don’t read Japanese, click the little link up near the top right to switch to the English language website.
A subscription will cost you just under $10, depending on the daily value of the yen. NJPW charges you at the end of the month for the full next month. Be aware: If you sign up in early January, you’ll be charged full price on the day you sign up and at the end of the month. If you sign up mid-January, you’ll pay full price on that date and on the billing date at the end of the month. Don’t start an account on the 27th of the month because you will be billed a second time just a few days later. Found that one out the hard way.
Once your account is set up, you can stream live events and all archived events from their website. New Japan has an app available for the Amazon Fire and I think Google, but they do not have channels for Roku or Apple TV yet. I currently stream the site from my iPad to my Apple TV to watch it on the big screen.
The pre-show starts at 2 a.m. and the main show starts 3 a.m. Eastern Time Thursday morning. If that’s too early, you can stream it later in the day when you’re awake and off work, but stay off the wrestling news sites and social media. There are enough fans on Twitter and Facebook that it will be spoiled for you!
The match everyone’s talking about is Alpha vs. Omega: Chris Jericho vs. Kenny Omega, but the entire show is stacked, from the opening rumble through the main event between Okada and Naito. Long story short: if you enjoyed Finn Balor vs. A.J. Styles, you’re going to love what you see Thursday.
Welcome to the bandwagon, new New Japan fans. Enjoy the ride, and please, join me in begging for that Roku channel!