New champions crowned at NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 17

The IWGP World Heavyweight title, along with the first-ever NJPW World Television champion and other title changes took place at Wrestle Kingdom 17 on Wednesday morning.

Okada defeated White in the main event of the show to win the IWGP World Heavyweight title for a second time. Meanwhile, Hirooki Goto and YOSHI-HASHI defeated FTR to capture the IWGP Tag Team titles, Zack Sabre Jr. became the first-ever New Japan World Television Champion, and Hiromu Takahashi became IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion once again.

The finish of main event had Okada give White a bladerunner of his own, followed by an emerald flowsion, then the rainmaker for the pinfall victory.

After the match, Shingo Takagi came out and said that one year ago today he lost the title to Okada, and since then has had an impressive resume in 2022, winning the KOPW trophy. He issued a challenge to Okada, saying that he would take his title back in February.

Okada ended the show saying Antonio Inoki’s fighting spirit would continue to live on, ending the show with his catchphrase and music.

Hirooki Goto and YOSHI-HASHI defeated FTR to win the IWGP Tag Team titles for the second time. FTR lost the titles after Harwood was pinned with Goto and YOSHI-HASHI’s GTR/spinebuster finish. With the loss, FTR’s reign ended after 192 days, originally winning the titles at Forbidden Door back on June 26 of last year.

Takahashi won the Junior title for the fifth time, pinning Master Wato with the time bomb after frequent near fall teases by Wato. It was a four way match that also included champion Taiji Ishimori and El Desperado. Ishimori had held the title for 248 days, defeating Desperado back at Wrestling Dontaku on May 1.

Sabre became the first NJPW World Television Champion after submitting Ren Narita with an armbar as Narita was going for Sabre’s leg. After the match, Sabre was confronted by Shane Haste and Mikey Nicholls of TMDK. They held up a TDMK shirt. Sabre teased he was going to throw the shirt into the crowd, but instead put it on, joining the group.

The co-main event of Wrestle Kingdom 17 also saw a title change, with Kenny Omega defeating Will Ospreay to capture the IWGP United States title. Tama Tonga also defeated Karl Anderson to recapture the NEVER Openweight title.