Kazuchika Okada Slated For NJPW Wrestle Kingdom Main Event
Wrestle Kingdom is by far NJPW's biggest show of the year. It attracts tens of thousands of fans and has put on some of the best matches professional wrestling has ever seen. The Rainmaker Kazuchika Okada has been involved in several of these matches against rivals like Hiroshi Tanahashi and Kenny Omega.
RELATED: New Japan's Will Ospreay 'Nearly Died' Earlier This YearAfter winning this year's G1 Climax Tournament (along with some backstage negotiations), Kazuchika Okada has secured himself a spot in 2023's Wrestle Kingdom main event. In the finals of the tournament, he defeated former teammate and current rival Will Ospreay of the United Empire. Now, Okada has his sights set on the Tokyo Dome.
Okada's Request
Typically, the winner of the G1 is given a briefcase with the contract for their Wrestle Kingdom match inside. They then must defend this briefcase like a title against any potential challengers, meaning that their spot at Wrestle Kingdom isn't completely secured until they've defeated every challenger. This year, however, will be an exception.
NJPW posted a press release today announcing Okada's main event spot and explaining its circumstances. They reported:
After winning his fourth G1 Climax tournament on August 18, Kazuchika Okada stated that he wanted to elevate the status of the G1 Climax, and the right to challenge for the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship that comes with it. Suggesting that the G1 winner be guaranteed the January 4 main event, Okada wanted to forego contract defences, instead vowing to beat all comers in special single matches and other bouts heading into the Tokyo Dome.
The current IWGP World Heavyweight Champion is Jay White, the same man who defeated Okada for the title earlier this year. If Jay White is able to hold onto the championship, he's in for a rematch against his longtime rival this January.
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