KAIRI announced for NJPW IWGP Women’s Championship tournament

KAIRI has been announced for NJPW’s IWGP Women’s Championship tournament. 

STARDOM revealed on Thursday that KAIRI, formerly Kairi Hojo in Japan and Kairi Sane in WWE, will be a semifinals participant in the tournament’s international bracket, and has received a first round bye. 

KAIRI will face the winner of Alpha Female vs. Ava White on October 23 on a STARDOM Tag League event, with the winner advancing to the finals at NJPW X STARDOM Historic X-Over on November 20. The winner of the tournament will be crowned the first IWGP Women’s Champion.

In all, seven participants will take part in the tournament. Gabbert will face White at NJPW Royal Quest in London on Sunday October 2 in a first round match in the international bracket. In the tournament’s STARDOM bracket, the first round participants will be determined by the standings of STARDOM’s 5 Star Grand Prix, and will square off on October 22 on a STARDOM show.

The creation of the IWGP Women’s title was announced on July 29 at an NJPW press conference. The company later revealed that after the first champion is crowned on November 20, the first title defense will take place at Wrestle Kingdom 17 on January 4, 2023. 

While primarily an NJPW title, the IWGP Women’s title is also expected to be defended on big STARDOM shows.