Overview
Global Wars 2018 was a professional wrestling supershow jointly produced by New Japan Pro‑Wrestling (NJPW) and Ring of Honor (ROH). The event continued the annual Global Wars series that began in 2014, featuring talent from both promotions competing in a series of matches in the United States.
Event Details
| Date | Venue | City | Promotion |
|---|---|---|---|
| November 6 2018 | Frontier Fieldhouse | Chicago, Illinois, USA | NJPW & ROH |
| November 7 2018 | Odeum Expo Center | Villa Park, Illinois, USA (suburb of Chicago) | NJPW & ROH |
The two‑night event showcased a mixture of singles, tag team, and championship matches. Notable participants included NJPW stars such as Kazuchika Okada, Hiroshi Tanahashi, and Tetsuya Naito, as well as ROH regulars like Jay Lethal, Matt Taven, and The Briscoe Brothers. The card featured both title defenses and cross‑promotional contests intended to highlight the partnership between the two organizations.
Historical Context
- The Global Wars series originated in 2014 as part of a growing collaboration between NJPW and ROH, aiming to introduce Japanese wrestling talent to North American audiences and vice‑versa.
- Prior editions (2014–2017) were held in various U.S. cities, expanding the reach of both promotions.
- Global Wars 2018 marked the fifth iteration of the event and the fourth consecutive year that the shows were staged in the Chicago metropolitan area.
Reception
- Critical response noted the strong in‑ring work and the novelty of inter‑promotional matchups, though attendance figures were modest compared to larger NJPW tours in Japan.
- Media outlets covering professional wrestling (e.g., Wrestling Observer Newsletter, PWInsider) reported that the event successfully reinforced the collaborative relationship between NJPW and ROH, setting the stage for subsequent joint ventures such as the G1 Special in USA later that year.
Subsequent Developments
Following Global Wars 2018, NJPW and ROH continued their partnership with additional joint events, including the G1 Special in USA (July 2018) and the G1 Supercard (April 2019) at Madison Square Garden.
References
- New Japan Pro‑Wrestling official results archive, 2018.
- Ring of Honor event history, 2018.
- Coverage by Pro Wrestling Torch and PWInsider (November 2018 event recaps).
All information provided is based on verifiable event records and reputable wrestling journalism sources.
