Two title matches announced for NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 17
A four-way for the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship, as well as the finals for the NJPW World Television title has been added to Wrestle Kingdom 17 on January 4.
NJPW confirmed during a press conference Tuesday morning that Taiji Ishimori will defend the IWGP Junior Heavyweight title at the Tokyo Dome against El Desperado, Master Wato, and Hiromu Takahashi in a four-way match. This follows events that took place at Declaration of Power on Monday morning. The finals of a sixteen-man tournament to crown the first NJPW World Television Champion will also take place on January 4.
At Declaration of Power, Wato defeated Ishimori in a singles match. Following the match, Wato was about to cut a promo when both Takahashi and Desperado came out and wanted the next shot at the IWGP Junior Heavyweight title. It was eventually decided that a four-way would take place.
KUSHIDA was originally set to return to action at Declaration of Power, facing Ishimori in a singles match. However, NJPW took KUSHIDA off the show due to still being ill with hand, foot, and mouth disease and instead announced that Wato would be taking his place.
The introduction of the NJPW World Television title took place at Declaration of Power. The tournament will begin this Friday at Korakuen Hall and will continue through the rest of the year.
Here is the current card for Wrestle Kingdom 17:
- IWGP World Heavyweight title: Jay White defends against Kazuchika Okada
- IWGP Junior Heavyweight title: Taiji Ishimori defends against Master Wato, Hiromu Takahashi, and El Desperado in a four-way match.
- NJPW World Television title finals