NJPW Update: Wrestle Kingdom Main Event Set; Power Struggle Matches
The headliner for Wrestle Kingdom, the biggest event every year for New Japan Pro Wrestling, is now set in stone.
Kazuchika Okada will defend the IWGP Heavyweight Title against Kenny Omega in NJPW's annual showcase event from the Tokyo Dome on January 4. Both Okada and Omega clinched their spots in that match with victories at King of Pro Wrestling, held Monday at Sumo Hall in Tokyo.
This is the first shot Omega has had at the IWGP title and the biggest match yet for Omega, who made history this summer by becoming the first foreign-born wrestler to win the G1 Climax. Meanwhile, this will mark the fifth straight year that Okada has been in the IWGP title match at Wrestle Kingdom, either as champion or challenger. Okada is a four-time IWGP champion, beginning his current reign in July when he defeated Tetsuya Naito.
Okada and Omega had a confrontation at King Of Pro Wrestling, after Okada successfully defended his title against Naomichi Marufuji.
Omega joined IWGP's heavyweight division back in January and became the de facto leader of the Bullet Club after AJ Styles, Karl Anderson and Luke Gallows signed with WWE. He had a reign earlier this year as IWGP Intercontinental Champion, a title vacated after Shinsuke Nakamura left for WWE, after beating longtime NJPW "ace" Hiroshi Tanahashi to become champion.
Many of the other top matches at Wrestle Kingdom should take shape following the upcoming New Japan tour, which begins later this month and culminates November 5 with Power Struggle in Osaka. The announced card for Power Struggle is listed below.
–Tetsuya Naito defends the IWGP Intercontinental Title vs. Michael Elgin
–Guerrillas of Destiny defend the IWGP Tag Titles vs. CHAOS (Tomohiro Ishii & Yoshi-Hashi)
–BUSHI defends the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Title vs. KUSHIDA
–Katsuyori Shibata defends the NEVER Openweight Title vs. EVIL
–Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Sanada
The finals of the 2016 Super Junior Tag Tournament also will take place.
