NJPW dedicating Wrestle Kingdom 17 to Antonio Inoki, main event set

NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 17 will be dedicated to the company’s late founder.

During NJPW’s Declaration of Power event on Monday, it was announced that Wrestle Kingdom 17 will be held in honor of Antonio Inoki. Inoki passed away at 79 years old on October 1.

“Wrestle Kingdom 17 will be held in honour and memory of Antonio Inoki,” NJPW wrote. “More details to follow.”

A ceremony honoring the life of Inoki took place at the start of Declaration of Power.

NJPW was founded by Inoki in January 1972. In celebration of the company’s 50th anniversary, NJPW planned to reveal at Declaration of Power that Inoki had accepted the ceremonial role of “Honorary Lifetime Chairman” of NJPW. He was named Honorary Lifetime Chairman on September 1.

Wrestle Kingdom 17 is being held at the Tokyo Dome on Wednesday, January 4, 2023. It will be the first time Wrestle Kingdom has been a one-night event since 2019.

The main event for Wrestle Kingdom 17 is set coming out of Declaration of Power. Jay White will defend his IWGP World Heavyweight Championship against Kazuchika Okada.

White retained his title against Tama Tonga in Declaration of Power’s main event. Okada was the winner of this year’s G1 Climax tournament.