Kazuchika Okada Already Added To NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 17 Main Event

While it has become customary for the G1 Climax winner to defend their right to challenge for New Japan Pro-Wrestling's top championship at Wrestle Kingdom, that won't be the case in 2022.

NJPW noted that G1 Climax 32 Winner Kazuchika Okada wanted to elevate the tournament and he suggested that he be guaranteed the Wrestle Kingdom 17 main event. New Japan ultimately agreed and the promotion have made it official that Okada will challenge the IWGP World Heavyweight Champion for the gold on January 4 inside the Tokyo Dome.

Jay White is the reigning IWGP World Heavyweight Champion but if he will make it to Wrestle Kingdom with the title remains to be seen. Switchblade will next put the gold on the line on October 10 against former Bullet Club faction-mate Tama Tonga, who defeated him during the G1.

Okada will have special singles matches ahead of Wrestle Kingdom, with his next major match also scheduled for October 10 when he will go one-on-one with JONAH. The former NXT North American Champion picked up a shock win over Okada during the G1.

While there is nothing officially at stake in their October 10 clash, NJPW hinted JONAH could move "into a challenging role" should he defeat Okada again.