New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW) is hours away from Wrestle Kingdom 17, an event widely regarded as NJPW’s biggest show of the year. In 2023, it will be different as it will be held on one night from the Tokyo Dome instead of over the course of three nights. There will be a second night of the event at a smaller venue on January 21.
The main event will see Jay White defend the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship defend the title against Kazuchika Okada.
Sasha Banks is expected to make her NJPW debut at this show with the belief that she will confront KAIRI. The former WWE star became a free agent on Sunday.
WWE’s Karl Anderson is working the show, while AEW’s FTR and Kenny Omega will be in action.
Will Ospreay vs. Kenny Omega happens tonight. Can’t wait! pic.twitter.com/Vwi6AYdwHG
— Wrestling News (@WrestlingNewsCo) January 3, 2023
The event will stream on NJPW World at 3 am ET / 12 am PT for the main card. Here is the lineup for the show:
IWGP World Heavyweight Title Match
Kazuchika Okada vs. Jay White (c)
IWGP Women’s Title Match
Tam Nakano vs. Kairi (c)
IWGP United States Heavyweight Title Match
Kenny Omega vs. Will Ospreay (c)
IWGP Junior Heavyweight Title Fatal 4 Way
El Desperado vs. Master Wato vs. Hiromu Takahashi vs. Taiji Ishimori (c)
Tournament Finals for the Inaugural NJPW World Television Title
Ren Narita vs. Zack Sabre Jr.
NEVER Openweight Title Match
Tama Tonga vs. Karl Anderson (c)
IWGP Tag Team Titles Match
Hirooki Goto and YOSHI-HASHI vs. FTR (c)
IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Titles Match
Lio Rush and YOH vs. TJP and Francesco Akira (c)
Antonio Inoki Memorial Six-Man Tag Team Match
Minoru Suzuki, Tiger Mask, and Tatsumi Fujinami vs. Togi Makabe, Yuji Nagata, and Satoshi Kojima
Six-Man Tag Team Match
Keiji Mutoh, Hiroshi Tanahashi, and Shota Umino vs. Tetsuya Naito, SANADA, and BUSHI
Opening Match: NJPW Young Lions Exhibition
Ryohei Oiwa vs. Boltin Oleg
Opening Match: New Japan Ranbo – Final four will challenge for the Provisional KOPW 2023 Trophy at New Year Dash on January 5.
Participants TBA
