Report: NJPW Happy With Wrestle Kingdom 17

We are not even a full week into 2023 and we have already had a major wrestling show and a potential match of the year candidate, with NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 17 having taken place on January 4 at the Tokyo Dome.

Featuring the debut of Mercedes Moné and a critically acclaimed singles bout between Kenny Omega and Will Ospreay, Wrestle Kingdom 17 has earned plaudits from fans and industry insiders alike, and Fightful Select have reported that NJPW were happy with how Wrestle Kingdom 17 played out.

As well as the appearances of Moné and AEW’s Kenny Omega, Wrestle Kingdom 17 featured contracted WWE talent Karl Anderson, whilst Kazuchika Okada regained the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship from Jay White in the main event - the first January 4 show since the passing of legendary NJPW founder Antonio Inoki in 2022.

Wrestle Kingdom 17 served as both a celebration of Inoki and of New Japan Pro-Wrestling, with 2022 having served as the 50th anniversary of the storied promotion. WK 17 also saw restrictions lifted pertaining to crowd cheering, although the Tokyo Dome was still operating at under 50% capacity, such are the lingering restrictions in Japan due to the COVID-19 pandemic.