Those who have followed this page will know that I am a sucker for New Japan Pro Wrestling. I first fell into the promotion at some point during the trilogy that Kenny Omega and Kazuchika Okada played out in the late 2010s. There was something about the style of the New Japan shows that got my wrestling juices flowing again. Everything from Kevin Kelly and Don Callis on the call, through to the level of the main event and upper mid-card talent was the definition of Macho Man’s “Cream will rise”.
Ironically, it was the success of NJPW that led to a slight downturn in popularity for the company. The Bullet Club was close to ending its streak as the hottest thing in wrestling, while the departures of Omega, Hangman Page, and the Young Bucks, were huge losses. That they then started a ‘rival’ company was both brilliant for pro wrestling in America and frustrating for American fans of Japanese wrestling.
Even with all that said, Wrestle Kingdome at the Tokyo Dome is still a bucket list trip. The Pandemic – something that also ate into the popularity of new Japan as they either couldn’t pull in foreign talent or couldn’t put on shows at all – only heightened the concept that getting to a Wrestle Kingdom sooner rather than later is something every wrestling fan should aim for.
Wrestle Kingdom 17
Based on recent reports, Wrestle Kindom 17 on January 4 at the Tokyo Dome could rekindle much of what made those 2010s Wrestle Kingdoms great.
Forbidden Door was an absolutely outstanding show. It was everything a super card should be – namely a card with matches that you never thought you were going to see – and the vast majority of those matches met (or even exceeded) expectations. The biggest problem with Forbidden Door, however, was the sheer amount of top talent (especially on the AEW side) that missed the show through injury.
Wrestle Kingdom 17 is going to change all that.
We have already had hints on AEW TV that Kenny Omega is set to return soon (maybe even as soon as tonight) after being out since November. CM Punk is also back from his injury, as is Bryan Danielson. If any two of those three were to be involved in Tokyo, the normally endlessly polite Japanese audience might blow the roof off of the building.
While some interaction between Omega and Kota Ibushi feels like a must, it is Will Ospreay that Omega has been tolling on social media. This would be every bit a dream match, with Ospreayu having been working the junior heavyweight division the last time that Kenny was with the promotion.
It just feels like the powers that be at both AEW and NJPW know that they can do better than Forbidden Door. That was their preview, their dress rehearsal. Now they get to work together in some fashion to put on an even better show.
We don’t really know exactly what Wrestle Kingdom 17 will look like. WK 16 was a three-night event with traditional NJPW matches on nights one and two before a super show with Pro Wrestling Noah on night three. Maybe we get big matches with AEW crossovers the first two nights and then the third night with lower-tier wrestlers competing?
Whatever it is, it will be fun to find out.
Always remember folks. Pro Wrestling is Real.
