Wrestle Kingdom is the highlight of New Japan Pro Wrestling’s year, taking place annually on January 4th. The company pulls out all the stops for the event and has created some iconic moments throughout the years.
However, when the COVID-19 pandemic took hold of the world, drastic changes were made to the world of professional wrestling. When crowds were finally allowed to gather again for New Japan Pro Wrestling events, they were mandated to follow a clap-only restriction, meaning they were not allowed to vocally cheer or boo in an attempt to curb the spread of the pandemic.
That restriction was lifted somewhat in September of 2022, when NJPW announced that fans would be allowed to cheer and boo at shows with a restricted capacity.
Now, however, NJPW President Takami Ohbari announced in a press conference on December 15th that the company was finally able to allow cheering at Wrestle Kingdom, albeit with some restrictions still in place. Ohbari expressed that wrestling is at its best when fans are allowed to express themselves with boos and cheers, and he said the past two and have half years have had that energy “limited.”
Ohbari thanked the Japan Sports Agency for their support before explaining the new guidelines, pointing out that the guidelines still do not allow “loud voice” cheering.
“Before I introduce these key points, I’d like to express my gratitude to the JSA today as well as the government council for their support and advice.
Until now, with the exception of specified events, we have instituted a policy of no cheering. This policy in principal has not changed. However, after careful consultation, we are able to redefine what does or does not constitute cheering. On November 25, the infectious disease council issued memos to venues and municipalities that helped define ‘loud voice’ cheering.
Singing of songs of support, as well as lengthy or loud conversation within audiences were given as examples, but brief vocalisation at certain points such as in the event of a goal or such were allowed under the guidelines.
With that in mind, what I presented to the panel at the JSA and infectious disease counsel were the following examples of cases that occur events but that do not constitute ‘loud voice’ cheering.
-Repeated or continuous conversation with audiences members in the vicinity with a normal voice.
– Brief chants, repetition of a catchphrase, or booing with a louder than normal voice.
Both of these do not fall foul of current rulings.Therefore ‘1,2,3 daa!’, ‘De! Ja! Pon!’ ‘Okada, Okada!’ or counting along with the referee. Calls and responses between wrestlers and fans. All these do not constitute ‘loud voice’ cheering, and are allowed in our new guidelines.”
Continuing, Ohbari said that the new guidelines effectively represent a return to cheering at Wrestle Kingdom, something fans are sure to appreciate as they watch the company’s biggest show of the year. More information about the new guidelines can be found here.
Wrestle Kingdom 17 will see Kenny Omega and Will Ospreay go head to head in the main event for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship. Sasha Banks is also set to make an appearance at Wrestle Kingdom 17, though the nature of her appearance is unknown at this time.
The Full Wrestle Kingdom 17 Card Includes Both AEW And WWE Stars
The full card for Wrestle Kingdom 17 on January 4th, 2023 is as follows:
- Will Ospreay (c) vs. Kenny Omega for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship
- Taiji Ishimori (c) vs. Hiromu Takahashi vs. El Desperado vs. Master Wato for the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship
- Keiji Muto, Hiroshi Tanahashi & Shota Umino vs. Los Ingobernables De Japon (Tetsuya Naito, SANADA & BUSHI)
- Karl Anderson (c) vs. Tama Tonga for the NEVER Openweight Championship
- Ren Narita vs. Zack Sabre, Jr. for the new NJPW World TV Championship
- FTR (Dax Harwood & Cash Wheeler) (c) vs. Bishamon (Hirooki Goto & YOSHI-HASHI) for the IWGP Tag Team Championships
- KAIRI (c) vs. Tam Nakano for the IWGP Women’s Championship
- Catch 2/2 (Francesco Akira & TJP) (c) vs. CHAOS (Lio Rush & YOH) for the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championships
- Yuji Nagata, Satoshi Kojima & Togi Makabe vs. Tatsumi Fujinami, Tiger Mask & Minoru Suzuki in an Antonio Inoki Memorial Match
- KOPW 2023 Qualifier New Japan Ranbo
- Ryohei Oiwa vs. Boltin Oleg in a three minute exhibition
Night Two of Wrestle Kingdom 17 will take place on January 21st. Its card has yet to be announced.