Wrestle Kingdom 17

Promotional poster featuring various NJPW wrestlers including NJPW founder Antonio Inoki

### Tagline(s)

"*Fighting Spirit Forever*" (Japanese: ～闘魂よ、永遠に～, Hepburn: *~Tōkon yo, Eien ni~*)
"*Antonio Inoki Memorial Event*" (Japanese: アントニオ猪木追悼大会, Hepburn: *Antonio Inoki Tsuitō Taikai*)

## Information

### Promotion

New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW)
Pro Wrestling Noah (Noah)

### Date

02022-01-04-0000January 4, 2022
02022-01-21-0000January 21, 2022

### Attendance

Night 1: 26,085
Night 2: 5,533
Average: 15,809
Combined: 31,618

### Venue

Tokyo Dome
Yokohama Arena

### City

Tokyo, Japan
Yokohama, Japan

**Wrestle Kingdom 17** is a two-day professional wrestling event promoted by New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW). The shows took place on January 4, 2023, at the Tokyo Dome in Tokyo, Japan and on January 21, 2022 at Yokohama Arena in Yokohama, Japan. This was the thirty-second January 4 Tokyo Dome Show, the second event to be held in the Yokohama Arena, and the seventeeth promoted under the Wrestle Kingdom name, which is NJPW's biggest annual event and has been called "the largest wrestling show in the world outside of the United States" and the "Japanese equivalent to the Super Bowl".

The show was headlined by Jay White defending the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship against the winner of the 2022 G1 Climax, Kazuchika Okada, in a rematch from Dominion 6.12 in Osaka-jo Hall. Another high-profile title match for the show featured Will Ospreay defending the IWGP United States Heavyweight Championship against Kenny Omega, the latter of whom would be returning to a NJPW ring after nearly four years away from the promotion. Keiji Mutoh also had his last match for the promotion at the event, teaming with Hiroshi Tanahashi and Shota Umino against *Los Ingobernables de Japón* (Tetsuya Naito, SANADA and BUSHI).

Four other title matches also announced for the show were Taiji Ishimori defending the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship in a four-way match against El Desperado, Hiromu Takahashi and Master Wato, and KAIRI defending the IWGP Women's Championship against Tam Nakano, Catch 2/2 (Francesco Akira and TJP) defending the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship against LiYoh (Lio Rush and Yoh) and FTR (Cash Wheeler and Dax Harwood) defending the IWGP Tag Team Championship against Bishamon (Hirooki Goto and Yoshi-Hashi). NJPW also crowned the inaugural NJPW World Television Champion on the show in a bout between Zack Sabre Jr. and the returning Ren Narita. As part of a partnership between NJPW and Pro Wrestling Noah (Noah) promotion, wrestlers from Noah also appeared at the event, featuring an "inter-promotional" rivalry between NJPW and Noah, which saw wrestlers from the promotions face off in a series of matches. It marked the second Wrestle Kingdom event in fourteen years since 2007's Wrestle Kingdom I to be co-produced with another wrestling promotion.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the event had some restrictions in the attendance, after the Japanese Government lifted the State of Emergency. At the end of February 2021, NJPW began canceling events, before starting to hold shows with no audience and only essential staff present in June. The following month, NJPW began holding shows with an limited audience starting with the finals of the 2020 New Japan Cup on July 11.

The event was held in memory of NJPW founder Antonio Inoki. The event was also remarkable for the surprise debut of former WWE wrestler Mercedes Moné (best known as Sasha Banks in WWE) following the IWGP Women's Championship match, officially confirming the rumors that she had signed with NJPW and its sister-promotion Stardom. Which led in turn to the event set an all-time viewership record for the company.

The events featured wrestlers from NJPW partnered promotions All Elite Wrestling (AEW), World Wonder Ring Stardom (Stardom) and Pro Wrestling Noah (Noah) and WWE.

The first night aired live on NJPW's streaming service NJPW World and on FITE TV while and the second night aired exclusively on AbemaTV online linear television service, NJPW World on demand and CyberFight's streaming service Wrestle Universe on tape delay in both English and Japanese commentaries.

## Production

### Background

Since 1992, NJPW began annually producing shows on January 4 in the Tokyo Dome, becoming NJPW's premier annual event and the biggest event in Japanese wrestling, similar to what WrestleMania is for WWE and American professional wrestling. Since 2007, when the event was renamed "Wrestle Kingdom in Tokyo Dome", the Dome shows have been broadcast on pay-per-view (PPV). Wrestle Kingdom 17 was officially announced on August 18, 2022, during the finals of the 2022 G1 Climax.

On October 1, 2022, at age 79, it was announced that NJPW's founder Antonio Inoki had passed away from systemic transthyretin amyloidosis. On October 10 at Declaration of Power, NJPW with ceremonial ten counts in tribute in Inoki's memory. Prior to the event, NJPW had planned to reveal at Declaration of Power that Inoki had accepted the ceremonial role of "Honorary Lifetime Chairman" of NJPW. He was named Honorary Lifetime Chairman on September 1. Afterwards, it was announced that Wrestle Kingdom 17 would be held in honor and memory of Antonio Inoki.

On January 13, 1972, following his departure from the Japan Pro Wrestling Alliance (JWA) promotion, Inoki founded NJPW and created the "strong style", an approach of wrestling as a combat sport, that incorporated various forms of martial arts disciplines, and a strong emphasis was placed on submission wrestling, that influenced various wrestlers such as Shinya Hashimoto, Riki Choshu, Shinsuke Nakamura and Keiji Mutoh. He parlayed his wrestling career into becoming one of Japan's most recognizable athletes, a reputation bolstered by his 1976 fight against world champion boxer Muhammad Ali – a fight that served as a predecessor to modern day mixed martial arts. In 1995, with Ric Flair, Inoki headlining two shows in North Korea that drew 165,000 and 190,000 spectators, the highest attendances in professional wrestling history. He remained the owner of NJPW until 2005, but under Inoki's administration in the 2000's, NJPW's popularity suffured a major decline, after Inoki wanted to integrate elements of shoot wrestling to make the company appear more realistic, with the goal of pushing NJPW in a more realistic direction and to make it appear more as an actual sport, which in turn damaged the promotion and strong style's credibilty. This led to Inoki departing NJPW in 2005 after selling his share of the company to Yuke's.

The event would feature a special appearance by Kenny Omega, who faced Will Ospreay. Billed as "Assassin vs. Omega", the match would mark Omega's first match in NJPW in four years. Omega previously worked for NJPW between 2014 and 2019, during which he became one of the most accomplished non-Japanese wrestlers to work for the promotion. Omega's last NJPW match before Wrestle Kingdom 17 took place on January 4, 2019, at Wrestle Kingdom 13 in Tokyo Dome, before leaving NJPW alongside The Elite to form their own promotion All Elite Wrestling (AEW). Following the improvement of relations between the two promotions, in June 2022, Rocky Romero, who played a significant role in NJPW's global expansion, began negotiating with AEW's owner Tony Khan for Omega to make a possible appearance in NJPW, with the idea being on the table for several months. Following months of negotiation, the decision to book the match was made, two weeks before Historic X-Over on November 20. Despite Omega being suspended by AEW, the punishment only slowed down the conversation processes, but it did not stall them.

On November 24, NJPW announced a second night for the event being held in the Yokohama Arena on January 21, following the sell out of the previous Wrestle Kingdom, where NJPW co-promoted the event alongside Pro Wrestling NOAH. On December 2, it was announced that LEC would be sponsoring the IWGP United States Heavyweight Championship match at Wrestle Kingdom. On January 5, 2023, NJPW announced they would promote the second night of Wrestle Kingdom alongside Pro Wrestling NOAH, following the success of the previous Wrestle Kingdom event. The following day, in a press conference, NJPW and Noah announced the full card for the event, featuring an "inter-promotional" rivalry between NJPW and Noah, which featured wrestlers from both promotions face off in a series of matches.

### Storylines

Wrestle Kingdom 17 featured professional wrestling matches that involved different wrestlers from pre-existing scripted feuds and storylines. Wrestlers portray villains, heroes, or less distinguishable characters in the scripted events that build tension and culminate in a wrestling match or series of matches.

#### Wrestle Kingdom 17 in Tokyo Dome

Wrestle Kingdom 17 in Tokyo Dome was main evented by Jay White defending the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship against Kazuchika Okada. The storyline behind the match dates back to May 1, 2022, when Jay White made his first Japanese appearance in NJPW after a year, attacking IWGP World Heavyweight Champion Kazuchika Okada after his match and laid him out with the *Blade Runner*, before challenging him to a title match at Dominion 6.12 in Osaka-jo Hall. At Dominion 6.12 in Osaka-jo Hall, on June 12, White defeated Okada to win the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship. Afterwards, White returned to All Elite Wrestling (AEW) on the June 15th special Road Rager edition of *Dynamite* along with his newly won IWGP World Heavyweight Championship, where he announced that he would not defend the World Championship against Adam Page, before refusing to defend the title against Adam Cole as well, much to the latter's dismay. White appeared on the June 22 edition of *Dynamite* interrupting Cole and Page once more. White and Cole beat down Page, only for Okada to make his AEW debut, attacking White and Cole. On June 26 at Forbidden Door, White defeating Okada, Cole, and Page in a four-way match, to sucessfully retain his title.

On August 18, Kazuchika Okada defeated Will Ospreay in the finals to win the 2022 G1 Climax, earning a shot at the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship at Wrestle Kingdom 17 in Tokyo Dome on January 4, 2023. The following day, during a press conference, instead of receiving a briefcase containing a contract for a title shot at Wrestle Kingdom, Okada proposed that the winner of the G1 Climax should be automatically inserted into the main event at the Tokyo Dome, instead of defending is title shot. On October 10 at Declaration of Power, Okada avenged his loss suffered during the 2022 G1 Climax by defeating Jonah. Later that night, Okada confronted White, after he sucessfully defended the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship against Tama Tonga, setting up the main event for Wrestle Kingdom 17. Leading to their match, White holds a record of four wins against Okada's one win.

At Wrestling Dontaku, Taiji Ishimori defeated El Desperado to win the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship and following his successfull title defenses against 2022 Best of the Super Juniors winner Hiromu Takahashi, Ishimori considered himself as the "big one" in NJPW's "big three" junior heavyweights consisting of himself, Desperado and Hiromu. Shortly after, Ishimori began refusing KUSHIDA's title shot for the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship, leading him to agree to face KUSHIDA at Declaration of Power, but with KUSHIDA being pulled out of the match due to KUSHIDA suffering a skin disease health issue, Master Wato replaced him and defeated Ishimori. Following the match, Wato went to challenged Ishimori to a title match, before Takahashi interrupted him. Takahashi himself was also interrupted by Desperado, who also came out and poke him in eyes. While the three continued arguing, Ishimori then declared that he would take on all three challengers, and challenged them to a four-way title match at Wrestle Kingdom 17. This marks the second four-way match for the title, with the first featuring Marty Scurll defending the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship against Takahashi, KUSHIDA and Will Ospreay at Wrestle Kingdom 12 in Tokyo Dome. On November 5 at Battle Autumn, Ishimori teamed with Takahashi to face Desperado and Wato. After Takahashi had attacked Ishimori during the match, Ishimori turned on him, before putting Wato on top of Takahashi to give the win for Desperado and Wato.

The event also featured the final of the NJPW World Television Championship tournament. The tournament started on October 15 and concluded on January 4, 2023, at Wrestle Kingdom 17, with the inaugural champion being crowned at the event. On October 11, NJPW announced the participants of the tournament. At Battle Autumn, Ren Narita defeated SANADA to become the tournament's first finalyst. Later that night, Zack Sabre Jr. defeated EVIL to become the second finalyst, setting up the inaugural championship match at Wrestle Kingdom.

Wrestle Kingdom 17 also featured the first title defense of the IWGP Women's Championship. On July 29, 2022, at a press conference, Bushiroad President Takaaki Kidani announced the creation of the IWGP Women's Championship, with title being contested by the wrestlers of NJPW's sister promotion World Wonder Ring Stardom and the inaugural champion being crowned on November 20, 2022 at Historic X-Over an event co-produced by NJPW and Stardom. On August 23, it was announced that the inaugural IWGP Women's Champion would defend her title at Wrestle Kingdom. At Historic X-Over, KAIRI defeated Mayu Iwatani in the finals to become the first IWGP Women's Champion. Following the match, Tam Nakano challenged KAIRI to a title match, with new champion quickly accepting the challenge.

Also at Historic X-Over, Kenny Omega made a surprise return to NJPW, appearing in a video, where he challenged Will Ospreay to a match at Wrestle Kingdom 17 in Tokyo Dome. The challenge was quickly accepted by Ospreay, who had been engaged in a "Twitter feud" with Omega. Prior to their match, Opsreay appeared for Omega's promotion All Elite Wrestling, alongside United Empire stablemates Kyle Fletcher and Mark Davis on August 31, competing in the tournament to crown the inaugural AEW World Trios Championship. During the tournament, on August 24, after Dynamite went off-air, Ospreay and Omega had a heated confrontation, where Omega provoked Ospreay regarding their careers' expectations and his career to Ospreay's, with Omega further denigrating Ospreay, leading to Ospreay be pulled apart by his stablemates Aussie Open. A week later, after losing to The Elite (Omega, Matt Jackson and Nick Jackson) in the semifinals, Ospreay and his United Empire stablemates attacked them. In December 2018, The Young Bucks, Kenny Omega and several other wrestlers left Ring of Honor (ROH) and New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW), respectively to form their own promotion All Elite Wrestling (AEW). Omega would leave a legacy in the promotion, where he became one of the most accomplished non-Japanese wrestlers to work for NJPW, being the leader of Bullet Club, a former one-time IWGP Heavyweight Champion, the inaugural IWGP United States Champion, a one-time IWGP Intercontinental Champion, became the first non-Japanese professional wrestler to win the NJPW's premier tournament, the G1 Climax, having won it in 2016, the first non-Japanese wrestler to be featured in the main event of Wrestle Kingdom, as well as having highly acclaimed matches including a seven-star rating from combat sports journalist Dave Meltzer. Meanwhile, ever since, Omega's departure, Ospreay began establishing himself as one of NJPW's top wrestlers, with his career meeting similar expectations and comparisons to Omega's career, during his time with NJPW, which Omega alluded in his challenge.

On May 1 at Wrestling Dontaku, Karl Anderson and Doc Gallows made their return to NJPW after six years, attacking Jado and Tama Tonga, before Anderson challenged Tonga to a match for the NEVER Openweight Championship. On June 12 at Dominion 6.12 in Osaka-jo Hall, Anderson defeated Tonga to win the NEVER Openweight Championship. On October 10, it was reported by *Pro Wrestling Insider*, that Anderson and Gallows were believed to be heading back to WWE, which was confirmed later that day, following their appearance on the episode of WWE's *Monday Night Raw.* On October 20, Anderson posted a video on his *Twitter* page, indicating that he would not be making his advertised commitment, with his tag team partner Doc Gallows not approving his appearance. Over the following days, NJPW attempted to negotiate with Anderson, for a title defense, leading on December 14, Anderson successfully defending the title against Tonga's brother Hikuleo. Afterwards, Tonga quickly confronted Anderson, before he could issue a challenge to a rematch, he lay out with a Gunstun before Anderson, named him as his opponent for Wrestle Kingdom.

On December 14, Yoh and Lio Rush defeated Ace Austin and Chris Bey to win the 2022 Super Jr. Tag Tournament, earning a shot at the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship at the January 4 Tokyo Dome Show. Shortly after, Rush and Yoh were confronted by the reigning champions Catch 2/2 (Francesco Akira and TJP). Similarly, on December 14, Hirooki Goto and Yoshi-Hashi defeated Aussie Open (Kyle Fletcher and Mark Davis) to win the 2022 World Tag League, making them the fifth team to win the tournment in back-to-back years in World Tag League history. Traditionally, the winners of the tournament earn a shot at the IWGP Tag Team Championship at the January 4 Tokyo Dome Show.

The event also had Keiji Mutoh's last match for NJPW, where he teamed with Hiroshi Tanahashi and Shota Umino to face *Los Ingobernables de Japón* (Tetsuya Naito, SANADA and BUSHI). On June 12 at CyberFight Festival, Mutoh announced his retirement from professional wrestling. Afterwards, it was announced that Mutoh would take part in a retirement tour. On November 20 at Historic X-Over, Mutoh under his Great Muta character made his return to NJPW teaming with Kazuchika Okada and Toru Yano to defeat Great-O-Khan and his United Empire stablemates Jeff Cobb and Aaron Henare. Both Tanahashi and Mutoh shared history, with Tanahashi's victory over Mutoh at Wrestle Kingdom III, signalling the passing over NJPW's torch to him. Meanwhile, L.I.J have all had their own connections to Muto, with Naito previosuly facing Mutoh at Wrestle Kingdom VI, while BUSHI and SANADA’s careers in professional wrestling started in All Japan Pro Wrestling (AJPW) with Muto as president. For SANADA, Mutoh had particular influence on his career, following from AJPW into Wrestle-1.

#### Wrestle Kingdom 17 in Yokohama Arena

Wrestle Kingdom 17 in Yokohama Arena was main evented by Tetsuya Naito facing Kenoh. The storyline behind the match dates back to January 8, 2022, when *Los Ingobernables de Japón* (Naito, Shingo Takagi, SANADA, Hiromu Takahashi and BUSHI) defeated KONGOH (Kenoh, Katsuhiko Nakajima, Manabu Soya, Tadasuke and Aleja). While L.I.J moved on, the result stuck with Kenoh. Determined to get revenge with the members of L.I.J. one day, on January 4, 2023 at Wrestle Kingdom 17 in Tokyo Dome, KONGOH made a surprise in NJPW, with Kenoh challenging them to a rematch. After Takagi, suggested that L.I.J. would reign over KONGOH in a ten man, a six man, and a singles match, Kenoh challenged Naito to a singles matches series to determine which unit was the strongest.

The KONGOH return angle resulted in Wrestle Kingdom 17 in Yokohama Arena also featuring other prominent matches featuring both stables. After both stables agreed to a singles matches series, Shingo Takagi challenged Katsuhiko Nakajima to a match for the first time since 2012, as he was eager to face him since the previous Wrestle Kingdom event, due to already having suffered two losses against him. Leading to the previous Wrestle Kingdom, the confrontation between NOAH and NJPW was driven by the two companies respective champions, with Takagi holding the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship, and Katsuhiko Nakajima was the GHC Heavyweight Champion at the time. Another singles match between the two stables will include SANADA facing Manabu Soya. Both Soya and SANADA were trained in the All Japan Pro Wrestling dojo and initially teamed with each other holding the All Asia Tag Team Championship, before both decided that they should part ways. While SANADA had more singles success, Soya established himself as an accomplished tag team wrestler alongside Get Wild partner Takao Omori, with the duo ending SANADA and Joe Doering's reign as World Tag Team Champions.

On July 17, it was announced the full card of the event, containing eleven matches, with most remarkably, apart from the matches involving both L.I.J and KONGOH, being a tag team match involving the current IWGP World and GHC Heavyweight Champions Kazuchika Okada and Kaito Kiyomiya, teaming with their respective partners, in a rematch from Wrestle Kingdom 16, where Okada teamed with Hiroshi Tanahashi while Kiyomiya teamed with Keiji Mutoh, where Okada got the win by pinning Kiyomiya.

## Event

### Night 1

#### Pre-show

The pre-show featured two matches match. the first saw a three-minute exibition match between Ryohei Oiwa and the debuting Boltin Oleg. After a back and forth match and an impressive exibition by Boltin, the time limit expired, thus ending the match in a draw.

The next match saw the New Japan Rambo to decide the last four competitors to compete for the provisional KOPW at New Years Dash!!. The match began with Sho and Hikuleo, with new wrestlers entering each minute. Wrestlers worked to eliminate each other, and the last remaining wrestler won. In this match, eliminations could occur via pinfall, submission, disqualification, or being thrown out of the ring over the top rope. EVIL was the first wrestler to be eliminated after Rocky Romero hit him with a *Running Clothesline* over the ropes. The second elimination occured when Great O-Khan and Aaron Henare eliminated Tomohiro Ishii. The third eliminated happened after Hikuleo eliminated both DOUKI and Yoshinobu Kanemaru around the time Jeff Cobb step foot in the ring. The fourth occured when Mikey Nicholls and Shane Haste of TMDK eliminated both Ryusuke Taguchi and Romero at the same time. As the ring began being filled even more, The United Empire's trio of Cobb, O-Khan and Henare eliminated Hikuleo the same time Yujiro Takahashi was entering. Afterwards, Nichools and Haste eliminated Cobb before being eliminated O-Khan and Henare. El Phantasmo was the next enter, raising Bullet Club's presence even further. Leading to Phantasmo eliminate Henare. Shingo Takagi was the last entrant, with the rest of the remaining Bullet Club members, Phantasmo, KENTA, Takahashi and Sho eliminating Taichi. This led to Takagi eliminate both KENTA and Takahashi, with Phantasmo and Sho being the last remaining members. The last elimination occured when Sho accidentally eliminated Phantasmo in an attempt to eliminate Takagi, thus leaving Sho, Takagi, O-Khan and Toru Yano as the sole winners of the match. After the match, an unsatisfied O-Khan left the ring and stole the KOPW Championship belt.

#### Undercard

The first match of the main show saw the Antonio Inoki Memorial Match, with Togi Makabe, Satoshi Kojima and Yuji Nagata taking on Tatsumi Fujinami, Minoru Suzuki, Tiger Mask. The end saw Makabe pinning Tiger Mask after a failed pinfall attempt. After the match all contestants adressed the crowd before leaving, with Fujinami reciting Inoki's catchphrase. As all contestans left, a vignette have been shown on the big screen with the announcement of the production of a movie based on Inoki.

The next match saw the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship match between the champions Catch 2/2's Francesco Akira and TJP taking on the winners of the Super Junior Tag League, the challengers, LiYoh's Lio Rush and Yoh. After a hard hitting battle, the saw Yoh going for the *Direct Drive* before TJP reversing it into an *Inside Cradle* for the win to retain the titles.

The third match saw the IWGP Women's Championship match between champion KAIRI taking on the challenger Tam Nakano. The match started with a back-and-forth striking exchange. As soon as the match progressed, Nakano hit KAIRI with the *Violet Screwdriver* for a big nearfall. In the end, KAIRI quickly gained control as she pounded Nakano with the *Cutlass* before hitting the *Insane Elbow* and pinning Nakano for the win to retain the title. As KAIRI was celebrating, she was interrupted by a video on the big-screen that led to the arrival of the debuting Mercedes Moné (formerly known as Sasha Banks in WWE). As soon as she hit the ring, both women stared at each other with KAIRI raising her belt, teasing a match between the two. Mercedes went for a handshake, which KAIRI accepted. However, the handshake was set to be a trap, as Mercedes pushed KAIRI and hit her with the *Statement Maker*. Mercedes then introduced herself refering herself as "The Topic", "The Standard", "The Blueprint", "The Conversation" and "The CEO of the Women's division", and recited her past regarding KAIRI and herself regarding "making history". She then announced that she had signed with NJPW and Stardom and was there to make "Moné" (money). Mercedes then challenged KAIRI for the IWGP Women's Championship at Battle In The Valley. She then insulted KAIRI before leaving the arena.

The fourth match saw the IWGP Tag Team Championship match between the champions FTR (Cash Wheeler and Dax Harwood) taking on the winners of the World Tag League, the challengers, Bishamon (Hirooki Goto and Yoshi-Hashi). The end saw Yoshi-Hashi being by consecutive piledrivers by Harwood for a big nearfall after Goto broke the count. Goto the took down Wheeler, with Harwood trying to fend both men, only to Yoshi-Hashi hit Harwood with a thrust kick followed by the *Shoto* to secure the win to become the new champions. After the match, both teams embraced as FTR left and Bishamon celebrated their win and posed with their recently won titles and trophies.

The fifth match saw the returning Ren Narita taking on Zack Sabre Jr. in a tournament final match to crown the inaugural NJPW World Television Champion. Sabre debuted a new blond look heading to the match. In the end after a back-and-forth match with multiple long-standing sequences and back-and-forth strikes, Sabre trapped Narita and lock him into the *Clarky Cat* to force him to submit to become the inaugural champion. After the match, Mikey Nicholls and Shane Haste offered Sabre a spot to join TMDK in which Sabre accepted. At first, Sabre teased throwing the t-shirt to the crowd before leaving alongside Nicholls and Haste.

The sixth match saw the NEVER Openweight Championship match between the champion Karl Anderson taking on the challenger Tama Tonga. The end of the match saw Tonga hitting two-consecutive *Spreme Flow*s on Anderson for a nearfall. Afterwards, both men began attempting to hit each other first with the *Gun Stun*, eventually, Tonga hit Anderson first after hitting one from the middle rope. Tonga then hit Anderson with another *Gun Stun* to pin Anderson to win the NEVER Openweight Championship for the second time. After the match, in the backstage area, Anderson apologized for his actions, with Tonga forgiving and both men embracing and reonciling with each other before Anderson and Tonga toasted and Anderson leaving and praising Tonga in the meantime.

The next match saw Keiji Mutoh's last match in NJPW with Mutoh teaming with Hiroshi Tanahashi and Shota Umino against Los Ingobernables de Japón's Tetsuya Naito, SANADA and BUSHI. The end saw, Mutoh, Tanahashi and Umino taking out everyone, with Mutoh hitting the *Shining Wizard* on BUSHI before Umino hit BUSHI with the *Death Rider* to score the win to mark Mutoh's last match. As L.I.J were in the backstage area, Pro Wrestling NOAH's KONGOH led by Kenoh, made a surprise appearance, with Kenoh challenging them to a rematch., with L.I.J accepting.

The next match saw the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship match, with the champion Taiji Ishimori taking on the challengers, El Desperado, Hiromu Takahashi and Master Wato. The end saw, Desperado hitting Hiromu with the Pinche Loco before going to a second attempt, only to Hiromu reverse it into the *Time Bomb* for a nearfall. Wato then hit Ishimori with the *Recientemente* for another nearfall. With Hiromu and Wato standing in the ring, both men went for a couple of nearfalls, with most remarkably Wato hitting Hiromu with a German Suplex for a big nearfall. Hiromu then catched Wato and hit him with the *Time Bomb II* for the win to become the new champion.

The next match saw the IWGP United States Championship on the line with Will Ospreay defending the title against the challenger, the returning Kenny Omega. Before the match started, Omega, made his tryumphant return along with Don Callis on the commentary. On the other hand, Ospreay accompained by his United Empire stablemates, Jeff Cobb, Great O-Khan, Aaron Henare, Francesco Akira and TJP, made his entrance and returned with his previous "The Assassin" gimmick, with Ospreay using his Elevated entrance song. During the match, the match had mutiple back-and-forth and impressive sequences, and mulitple brutal striking combinations. In the closing moments, Ospreay reverting the *V-Trigger*, and hitting two consecutive *Hidden Blade*s before hitting the *Super OsCutter* for a very big nearfall. Omega went for the One-Winged Angel before Ospreay counter into a *Styles Clash* and a another *Hidden Blade* for a nearfall. Omega then went for the *Storm Breaker*, before Omega escaping and hitting another *V-Trigger*. An already beat and bloddied Ospreay spit into Omega's face, leading to Omega hit another *V-Trigger* followed by the *Kamigoye*. And in the end, Omega hit Ospreay with the *One-Winged Angel* to score the win and win the championship in his first match in four years.

#### Main Event

The main event featured Jay White defending the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship against the winner of the 2022 G1 Climax, Kazuchika Okada. In the end, after a long back-and-forth sequence, White hit Okada with a *Sleeper Suplex*. White went for the *Blade Runner* before Okada countered into a *German Suplex*. Okada hit a short-arm lariat before hitting a *Dropkick* followed by the *Landslide* for nearfall. Okada went for the *Rainmaker* before White reversed it into a Blade Runner for another big nearfall. White then hit three-consecutive short-arm lariats and went for another *Blade Runner* before Okada countered it into the *Rainmaker*. Okada then hit White with his own finishing move before hitting an *Emerald Flowsion* followed by the *Rainmaker* for the victory and become the new champion. After the match, Shingo Takagi, who quailified himself for the KOPW Championship match, approached Okada highlighted his accomplishments since last year's Wrestle Kingdom before challenging Okada and promising to take back his title in February. Okada ended the show with by thanking the audience and promising that Antonio Inoki's fighting spirit would continue living before ending with Inoki's and his own catchphrases. As Okada was posing, a beaten White held on Okada and embraced Okada before leaving.

### Night 2

#### Pre-show

The pre-show featured two matches match. the first saw a tag team match between Ryohei Oiwa and Kosei Fujita against Yasutaka Yano and Taishi Ozawa. After a back and forth match and an impressive exibition, Fujita trapped Ozawa in the *Boston Crab*, forcing him to submit for the win. After the match, both Fujita and Yano got in a brawl with both exchanging slaps towards one another.

The next match featured a tag team match between Tomohiro Ishii and Oskar Leube taking on Masa Kitamiya and Daiki Inaba. In the end, Leube tried to fend off Kitamiya, with Kitamiya locking Leube in the *Prision Lock* for the submission for the win. After the match, both Ishii and Kitamiya brawled, leading them to be separated by their respective partners.

#### Undercard

The main show opened with a vingette tribute to Jay Briscoe, who had both history with both NJPW and NOAH. The rosters of both NOAH and NJPW rosters made their way to the ring, with Hiroshi Tanahashi and Naomichi Marufuji holding portraits of Jay. Afterwards, a ten-bell salute was played in the memory of the former, with their popular entrance song "Reach for The Sky" played until the start of the show.

The first match saw an eight-man tag team match with Bullet Club's, KENTA, El Phantasmo and Gedo, and Naomichi Marufuji taking on Hiroshi Tanahashi, Toru Yano, Satoshi Kojima and Takashi Sugiura. Before the match, KENTA, Phantasmo and Gedo went to offer Marufuji to greet them with the *Too Sweet*, with Marufuji being relunctant. The end saw, as Marufuji was looking with KENTA and Gedo regarding the *Too Sweet*, Yano hit a low blow followed by a *Schoolboy* for the win. After the match, both KENTA and Marufuji argued with each other regading the *Too Sweet* offer.

The next match saw, El Desperado taking on YO-HEY. The end saw, YO-HEY hitting a superkick, with Desperado hitting a forearm strike. Desperado went for the *Pinche Loco*, only to YO-HEY reverse it into a pin for a big near-fall. Desperado then trapped YO-HEY in the *Numero Dos* to force him to submit for the win. The third match saw Master Wato, Ryusuke Taguchi and Tiger Mask taking on AMAKUSA, Junta Miyawaki and Alejandro. The end saw, AMAKUSA hitting a suplex followed by the *Firebird Splash* on Tiger Mask for the win.

The following match saw IWGP World Heavyweight Champion Kazuchika Okada and Togi Makabe taking on GHC Heavyweight Champion Kaito Kiyomiya and Yoshiki Inamura. The end saw, as Okada was trapping Inamura in a grounded headlock, Kiyomiya began stomping Okada before hitting him with a kick directly on his face. An enfuriated Okada began brawling with Kiyomiya leading the referee to call for the bell and declare the match a no-contest, as Okada and Kiyomiya were brawling, both men had to seperated by their respective partners. Kiyomiya then teased Okada and challenged him to a match, with Okada rushing towards Kiyomiya and both men beginning to brawl before being seperated by their respective promotions' officials.

The next match saw the singles match series between Los Ingobernables de Japón taking on KONGOH. The first match in the series saw L.I.J's BUSHI taking on KONGOH's Tadasuke. The end saw, Tadasuke distracting the referee before BUSHI spit mist on Tadasuke's face, as rolled Tadasuke for the pin, Tadasuke reversed into a crucifix pin for the upset win.

The next match saw L.I.J's Hiromu Takahashi taking on KONGOH's Hajime Ohara. The end saw Ohara trapping Hiromu in the *Muy Bien*, Hiromu eventually reached the ropes as he was on the verge to submit. Hiromu then hit the *Hiromu Bomber* followed by the *Victory Royal*e for a nearfall. Hiromu then hit Ohara with the *Time Bomb II* for the win. After the match in the backstage area, GHC Junior Heavyweight Champion AMAKUSA challenged Hiromu to a champion vs. champion match, which Hiromu accepted.

The next match saw former tag team partners, L.I.J's SANADA taking on KONGOH's Manabu Soya. The end saw, SANADA hitting a *Rounding Body Press* to the back of Soya followed by a another attempt with Soya countering it. Soya then hit a *Death Valley Driver* followed by the *Wild Bomber* for a big nearfall. Soya then hit a a vertical suplex followed by an elevated DDT before both men trading lariats, with Soya then hitting the *Wild Bomber* on his third attempt for the big win.

In the semi-final saw the penultimate match in the series with L.I.J's Shingo Takagi taking on KONGOH's Katsuhiko Nakajima. After a back-and-forth battle, the end saw Nakajima hitting Takagi with a big open palm strike followed by the Vertical Spike for a very big nearfall. As Nakajima went for a kick, Takagi hit Nakajima with the Made in Japan for a nearfall. A fired up Takagi then hit the Pumping Bomber for a big nearfall. Takagi then hit a half-and-half suplex and followed by a basement forearm, with Takagi then hitting the *Last Of The Dragon* for the win to even the score.

#### Main Event

In the main event, in the last match of the series saw the leaders of both factions with L.I.J's Tetsuya Naito taking on KONGOH's Kenoh. The ending moments saw, Kenoh hitting Naito with the Professional Foot Stomp for a nearfall. Both men exausted, Naito hit a Pop-up Spinebuster to get both men a rest at the last five minutes mark. Both men then traded strikes and kicks, with Kenoh attempting a suplex before Naito hit the *Destino* for a two-count. An energetic Naito then hit Kenoh with the *Valentia* followed by the *Destino* for the win. With the win, L.I.J scored three wins over two from KONGOH, thus winning the series. After the match, Naito addressed the crowd, as he was leaving, Keiji Mutoh, who was on the commentary table, made his way to the ring and challenged him to wrestle his last match at the Tokyo Dome with Naito accepting.

## Reception

The first night drew 26,085 fans to the Tokyo Dome, while in average was bigger from the average of last previous year's two-night event announced attendance in average. This was possible after the Japanese Government mitigated most of the restrctions caused by the COVID-19 Pandemic. The second night drew 5,533 fans to the Yokohama Arena, down from the previous year's announced attendance of 7,077 fans.

Following the event, NJPW announced that Wrestle Kingdom 17 pulled in record numbers for NJPW World streaming service, with 92,409 worldwide users watching the event live with 30% of the viewership (nearly 28,000) coming from outside Japan and watching the English version, with the overall number being a record for the service.

## References

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## External links

* The official New Japan Pro Wrestling website