FINALLY, The NJPW News You Have All Been Waiting For...

NJPW is finally on the verge of coming in from the cold after close to three years in a noiseless abyss.

Crowd noise is back, finally, at Wrestle Kingdom 17.

Speaking at today's WK17 press conference, NJPW President Takami Ohbari confirmed that cheering will be allowed at the promotion's annual 4 January supershow. What he described as "long singing" isn't yet permitted, even under new guidelines, but "vocal support" will be permitted for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic took hold.

Said Ohbari (via NJPW Global):-

“An important distinction is that rules concerning 'no 'loud voice' cheering' have not changed at events. However, the definition of cheering has been allowed to change after our consultations to allow an in principle, and effective return to cheering. Current government rulings state that long singing, rally songs etc are not allowed. However, counting with a referee, cheering with a catchphrase like 1,2,3 daa, or chanting for wrestlers is allowed under our guidelines.”

Note that this does not necessarily mean fans will be allowed to cheer at every NJPW show going forward, as some venues may not agree to the promotion's new guidelines. Nonetheless, Ohbari said he had prioritised bringing the news back to Japan since travelling to the United States in April, having prepared the new regulations after consultation with the Japan Sports Authority and the country's infectious disease panel.

Government restrictions have prevented Japanese event attendees from vocalising their support since 2020, when the pandemic initially forced wrestling (and other shows) into empty-arena settings. Things have eased off since then, albeit at a slower pace than elsewhere in the world, though cheering had been allowed at select Korakuen Hall events in recent months.

The term "clap crowds" had been coined early in the pandemic, when these hollow atmospheres took hold. It appears Japanese wrestling is now one step closer to putting them in the rearview.