NJPW planning ‘around 10 matches’ each night of Wrestle Kingdom 16

In an interview with Tokyo Sports, company president and CEO Takami Obari said that to kick off NJPW’s 50th anniversary year, he would like big cards. 

“I want to make the content and amount suitable for the beginning of the 50th anniversary. I want to build it,” Obari said (translation via Google Translate). Wrestle Kingdom 16 takes place on January 4, 5 and 8, 2022. Night three will feature NJPW vs. Pro Wrestling NOAH matches.

In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2021 Wrestle Kingdom cards were limited to six matches on the main card. A single pre-show match took place on night one of the event, while a pair of Stardom pre-show matches were held on night two. Stardom will again be included on on night two this year, as a Mayu Iwatani & Starlight Kid vs. Tam Nakano & Saya Kamitani match was made official today.

After a year of limited capacity, socially-distanced shows with fewer matches, NJPW returned to its standard seven to nine matches beginning with Power Struggle in November. They will begin easing capacity limits at their Korakuen Hall home base venue beginning with the New Year’s Golden Series tour in January.

Last month, NJPW announced a 50th anniversary tour for February and March 2022, a line of 50th anniversary merchandise, plus an NJPW museum exhibit.