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NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 17 Review – 1.4.23

1 year ago
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NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 17 Review – 1.4.23

By: Sonal Lad

On January 4th, New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW) had its annual Wrestle Kingdom event, which signaled the start of 2023 and was truly worthy of the biggest show of the year. Like every year, the card was full of some of the biggest wrestlers fighting for all the company’s titles and special matches to suit every wrestling fan. In particular, there were some MOTY candidates that took the internet by storm.

Here’s a full review of all the matches at New Japan Pro Wrestling’s Wrestle Kingdom 17.

Pre-Show

Exhibition Match – Ryohei Oiwa v Boltin Oleg

Opening the pre-show was the biggest opportunity for Boltin Oleg and Ryohei Oiwa. Yet, despite Oleg having the initial advantage and dominating Oiwa with his size advantage, the young lion never failed to show heart and continued to fight and show passion. Through this, he used his knowledge from the dojo to counter his size. Unsurprisingly, it went to a time-limit draw and was the perfect way to start the show.

Credit: NJPW1972

KOPW 2023 Right To Challenge Rambo

From the minute that SHO entered as the first entrant, the NJPW annual rambo for the KOPW title was genuinely chaotic. Every minute, wrestlers from every faction and division appeared and had some exciting interactions. From back scratching, lariats, and teamwork, it was a match with a little bit of everything. In the end, Shingo, Great O-Khan, EL Phantasmo, and Toru Yano made it to the final. Yano didn’t even get involved in the match, showcasing the nature of these matches.

Antonio Inoki Memorial Match

With the average age of the wrestlers into the late 40s or even 50s, the Antonio Inoki memorial match had some of the most legendary wrestlers. Yuji Nagata, Satoshi Kojima, and Togi Makabe showcased true power and, despite their usual rivalry, Tiger Mask and Minoru Suzuki worked perfectly with Tatsumi Fujinami.

The match was a true strong style exhibition, with each wrestler showcasing their wrestling skills that Inoki would be proud of. Unsurprisingly, it was Tiger Mask who lost after being pinned by Makabe. Despite the rocky ending, the veterans of wrestling proved they could still go.

Main Show

1st Match: Catch 2/2 (c) v YOH & Lio Rush – IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championships

Two seemingly new teams were fighting for the IWGP Jr Heavyweight tag titles, with The Empire’s TJP and Francesco Akira facing CHAOS’s YOH and Lio Rush. The match unsurprisingly started quickly and dangerously as the wrestlers headed out of the ring. Blood was even shed after The Empire hit Rush on the hard ramp.

Yet, the match quickly came back into the ring and became dynamic. Despite both teams being less than a year old, the tag team offense was second to none, with each wrestler anticipating their partner’s behavior. It was a mix of speed, strength, and dynamic offense. Although many thought it was CHAOS’s time, Catch 2/2 has constantly proved their dominance and showcased their tag team skills.

2nd Match: KAIRI (c) v Tam Nakano – IWGP’s Women’s Championships

Going into the match, KAIRI and Tam Nakano had fans excited with the story and motivation behind the match. As expected, it was the perfect mix of speed, strength, and athleticism. Despite KAIRI’s experience advantage, Nakano proved she belonged in the title picture. The match was phenomenal, but sadly only short as KAIRI won with her patented Insane Elbow.

Although dynamic, it was cut short with a KAIRI win through her Insane Elbow. Unsurprisingly, it was all the build-up for what happened next, with the lights going off and former WWE wrestler Sasha Banks, now known as Mercedes Mone, making her debut and challenging KAIRI for the title. With the stage set for Battle of the Valley in February, the title scene for the IWGP Women’s title is heating up.

3rd Match: FTR (c) v Bishamon – IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championships

Compared to the previous bouts, FTR facing Bishimon started as a much slower and strength-based affair. It started in the center of the ring with traditional wrestling. Yet, it quickly became fast pace and dynamic, with all four wrestlers showcasing their talent. Whether it was Cash flying to the outside or the dangerous moment with YOSHI HASHI, the crowds were unsurprisingly getting into the match.

With two teams that are so experienced, the match was seemingly based on tag team offense, with each man ensuring to protect their partners. There was tag team offense but also high-risk moves that had the crowds vocalizing their support for the wrestlers. Every finisher was ruined after being broken up, showing the importance of partners. In the end, it was this tandem offense that allowed YOSHI HASHI to get the win for Bishimon.

4th Match: Ren Narita v Zack Sabre Jr – NJPW World TV Championship

Going into the match for the new NJPWWORLD title, it was a bout between two very similar wrestlers in Zack Sabre Jr and Ren Narita. As expected, it was a technical masterpiece, with both men showcasing their skills and heart. At one point, the two were trading kicks and almost replicating each other’s offense. While Narita was trying to use his bridge to his advantage, Zack focused on damaging Narita’s left arm. It was fast, dynamic, and precise.

Ultimately, all that work on Narita’s left arm paid off as Zack capitalized to win by submission. It was a match that lasted just over 10 minutes and had everything but the kitchen sink in it, showcasing the best technical wrestling. After the match, TMDK came out, and although it seemed like they were challenging, they invited Zack to join them. After accepting the T-shirt, Zack joined the team again, returning to the NOAH days.

5th Match: Karl Anderson (c) v Tama Tonga – NEVER Openweight Championship

The match between Karl Anderson and Tama Tonga for the NEVER Openweight title was more than a fight for the belt. It was a story of the past and the betrayal of Bullet Club. As expected, Karl tried to win early and by any means after throwing the belt at Tama and hitting him on the hard ramp.

Tama’s passion was enough to allow fans to see Karl properly wrestling without the shenanigans for which Bullet club is known. He even went to the top rope for a gun stun at one point. Yet, each time Karl had something for his opponent, Tama kept getting back up and fighting! The trading of attempted guns stings shows the history of the two men. In the end, Karl’s confidence and cockiness were his downfalls as Tama used the gun stun to win.

6th Match: Keiji Mutoh Last NJPW Match: Keiji Mutoh, Hiroshi Tanahashi & Shota Umino v Tetsuya Naito, SANADA, BUSHI

To break up the title matches, there was a special multi-man match to celebrate the final match in NJPW for Keiji Mutoh. Along with the veteran himself, the match saw Hiroshi Tanahashi and Shota Umino facing Los Ingobernables De Japon’s Naito, SANADA, and BUSHI.

There were some funny moments along with some phenomenal wrestling, like when Tanahashi urged Mutoh not to do a moonsault. Each wrestler got their chance to shine, showcasing their talent to the cheering crowds. With a beautiful shining wizard from Mutoh, Shota got his first Wrestle Kingdom win. It was the perfect way to end Mutoh’s NJPW career, showcasing the company’s past, present, and future.

7th Match: Taiji Ishimori (c) v Hiromu Takahashi v El Desperado v Master Wato – IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship

New Japan isn’t known for multi-man title matches or doing them very well. However, the exception has always been the junior division, and this year’s match for the IWGP Jr Heavyweight title was no different. Champion Ishimori had to face three tough opponents in Master Wato, El Desperado me Hiromu Takahashi. The competition has been heating up for months.

As expected, it was chaotic from the very beginning and showcased the best of the junior division. Each wrestler has a unique personality and offense, which created so many layers in the dynamic match. From hard-hitting strikes, high-flying moves, and high-risk offense, the match had it all.

At one point, each wrestler was so close to winning. With Desperado and Hiromu trying to beat each other, Master Wato tried to capitalize. It got so close that Ishimori had to pull out the referee to stop Wato from beating El Desperado. Despite this, the match continued to be chaos, with all the participants coming close to winning. Yet, with Wato’s new momentum, it worked against him as Hiromu hit the Time Bomb II for the win.

Double Main Event: Will Ospreay (c) v Kenny Omega – IWGP United States Championship

The lead-up to the IWGP United States title match between champion Will Ospreay and Kenny Omega was the talk of the internet. It particularly heated up during the press conference as both men showcased their passion and determination. From the minute the match started, everyone knew it was going to be special, with Kenny using Sephiroth’s iconic “One-Winged Angel” boss music from the Final Fantasy games and the return of the Aerial Assassin Will Ospreay and his theme “Elevated.”

With the crowds hot, the match started equally as hot with a fast pace and both men putting their bodies on the line. Compared to his previous matches, Ospreay brought back a lot more of his aerial offense, and Kenny also didn’t seem to miss a step as he returned to New Japan for the first time in four years. Each man had a response to their opponent’s moves, and time seemed to move quickly.

The danger also heightened as the match went to the outside of the ring. Whether it was Kenny bringing a table into the mix or Ospreay flying from the top turnbuckle, nothing was too extreme, and as Ospreay started bleeding, it showed how important the match was to both men. With each V Trigger, Ospreay continued to fight.

In the closing moments, both Ospreay and Kenny found renewed energy. Yet, despite Will’s efforts and a large number of hidden blades, Kenny Omega hit his One-Winged Angel finisher for the win. The crowd’s response showcased the caliber of the match.

Double Main Event: Jay White (c) v Kazuchika Okada – IWGP World Heavyweight Championship

The rivalry between IWGP World Heavyweight Champion Jay White and Kazuchika Okada is a tale as old as time. From CHAOS teammates to White betraying Okada and becoming the leader of the Bullet Club, their match in the main event of Wrestle Kingdom 17 was another chapter to their story.

Even their opposing ring gear colors set a precedent for the match. It started slowly, with both wrestlers finding their feet and feeling each other out again. Unsurprisingly, Jay quickly started making use of his mind games.

The decision to go to the ramp and hurt both Jay and Gedo was vital for Okada, even if it was momentarily. When they got back into the ring, it seemed like Jay’s jeering finally got to Okada, who flipped a switch and found a new source of energy. The match got more intense, and Gedo was worried as Okada wore down Jay with his Money Clip. At one point, as Okada was getting ready for the Rainmaker, Jay had to collapse to stop himself from taking the finisher and starting his own mind games.

In the closing moments, it was extremely tense. After an attempted Rainmaker, Jay countered into a Blade Runner that Okada kicked out of. At one point, after attempting each other’s finishers, Okada hit his own version of the Blade Runner to get the win with the Rainmaker. Following the match, Shingo Takagi came out to challenge Okada for the title!

Date:

January 4, 2023

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