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It was a massive day for New Japan Pro Wrestling in Osaka, as a new champion was crowned, the finals of the Super Junior Tag Tournament were decided, and the top half of an incredible Wrestle Kingdom 12 match card was officially confirmed. In addition to the main event between Kazuchika Okada vs. Tetsuya Naito for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship, the following bouts have been announced:
Kenny Omega vs. Chris Jericho
As we already reported, Kenny Omega will indeed face off against Chris Jericho in a blockbuster semi-main event bout that is setting the entire pro wrestling world on fire. The WWE legend appeared in a pre-recorded video at Sunday’s Power Struggle event and challenged the Bullet Club leader to a match at the Tokyo Dome, claiming himself to be the true “best in the world”.
Scurll vs. Ospreay vs. Kushida vs. Hiromu
“The Villain” Marty Scurll also defeated Will Ospreay to capture the IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Championship in an excellent, hard-hitting match. The new champion was then challenged by both Hiromu Takahashi and juniors ace KUSHIDA, opting to take on all three challengers at once. It will be a huge four-way match for the title at Wrestle Kingdom!
The Young Bucks vs. Roppongi 3K
After IWGP Jr. Tag Team Champions Sho and Yho of Roppongi 3K defeated a worn down team of Ryusuke Taguchi and ACH, winning the 2017 Super Junior Tag Tournament, the returning stars were greeted with a challenge from six-time champions Matt and Nick Jackson (aka the Young Bucks). After a verbal back and forth that saw the Bullet Club members outright mocking the champs, the match was made official: for the fifth consecutive year, the Young Bucks will fight for the tag titles at the Tokyo Dome.
Switchblade vs. Hiroshi Tanahashi
Tanahashi had a rough, yet successful night at Power Struggle, defending the IWGP Intercontinental Championship against a game Kota Ibushi. In what may end up being yet another Match of the Year candidate, the NJPW ace managed to defeat Ibushi to retain the gold by the skin of his teeth. After the match, a newly branding Jay White made his highly anticipated return from American excursion, revealing himself as the man behind the mysterious “Switchblade” character. White then laid waste to Tanahashi and left him lying in the ring, but not before officially issuing a challenge for the title at Wrestle Kingdom.