Major Update On NJPW's Wrestle Kingdom 16 Plans

The latest on NJPW's three-day Wrestle Kingdom 16 event.

NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 16
NJPW

NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 16 is shaping up to be a bumper event in more ways than one.

Not only will 2022 be the first time New Japan has held its signature pay-per-view across three nights, but the company is also looking to hold approximately 10 matches on each of the first two shows, as confirmed by Tokyo Sports.

Company president Takami Obari said the following with regards to the two Tokyo Dome shows on 4 and 5 January:-

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"I want to make the content and amount suitable for the beginning of the 50th anniversary. I want to build it."

Last year's Wrestle Kingdom 15 show hosted six main card matches on each of the show's two nights. Night one was preceded by a single pre-show bout, while night two featured double that.

As well as the traditional Tokyo Dome shows, Wrestle Kingdom 16 will include a third night in Yokohama on 8 January, featuring Pro Wrestling NOAH wrestlers competing against top NJPW names.

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Stardom will also have representation at WK 16. Though the bout itself had already been confirmed, the promotion held a draw at yesterday's Year End Fan Meeting show confirming Mayu Iwatani, Starlight Kid, Tam Nakano, and Saya Kamitani as the participants.

This will be the third consecutive year that Stardom wrestlers have featured at Wrestle Kingdom. Though nothing has been confirmed yet, it is expected that this match, like the previous two, will air on the pre-show.

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Andy has been with WhatCulture for six years and is currently WhatCulture's Senior Wrestling Reporter. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.