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'{{Infobox Wrestling event |name=Wrestle Kingdom 12 |image=Wrestle Kingdom 12.jpg |caption=Promotional poster for the event, featuring various [[List of New Japan Pro-Wrestling personnel|NJPW wrestlers]] |tagline=Minnade Puroresu! Ittenyon!!<ref name=Matsui/> ("Pro Wrestling Together! 1.4!!") |theme= |promotion=[[New Japan Pro-Wrestling]] |sponsor= |date={{dts|2018|01|04}} |venue=[[Tokyo Dome]] |city=[[Tokyo]], [[Japan]] |attendance= |liveevent=y |lastevent=[[Lion's Gate Project 10]] |nextevent=New Year Dash!! |event=[[Wrestle Kingdom]] |lastevent2=[[Wrestle Kingdom 11]] |nextevent2= |future=y }} '''Wrestle Kingdom 12 in Tokyo Dome''' is an upcoming [[professional wrestling]] event promoted by [[New Japan Pro-Wrestling]] (NJPW). The event is scheduled to take place on January 4, 2018, at the [[Tokyo Dome]] in [[Tokyo]], Japan. It will be the 27th [[January 4 Tokyo Dome Show]], which is NJPW's biggest annual event and has been called "the largest wrestling show in the world outside of the United States" and the "Japanese equivalent to the [[Super Bowl]]".<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.prowrestling.net/article.php?40241 | title = GFW News: New Japan Pro Wrestling "Wrestle Kingdom 9" press conference details | date=December 23, 2014 | accessdate=October 9, 2017 | work=Pro Wrestling Dot Net}}</ref><ref name=WK11AXSPWT>{{cite web | url = http://www.pwtorch.com/site/2016/12/13/new-japans-wrestlekingdom-11-air-axs-tv-starting-jan-13-four-weekly-special-episodes-ross-barnett-commentary/ | title = New Japan's WrestleKingdom 11 to air on AXS TV starting Jan. 13 in four weekly special episodes with Ross & Barnett on commentary | last=Keller | first=Wade | authorlink=Wade Keller | date=December 13, 2016 | accessdate=October 9, 2017 | work=Pro Wrestling Torch}}</ref> The show will be main evented by [[Kazuchika Okada]] defending the [[IWGP Heavyweight Championship]] against the winner of the [[2017 G1 Climax]], [[Tetsuya Naito]], in a rematch from [[Wrestle Kingdom 8]] in 2014. ==Production== ===Background=== Wrestle Kingdom 12 was officially announced on August 13, 2017, during the finals of the [[2017 G1 Climax]].<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.f4wonline.com/japan/njpw-g1-climax-27-finals-live-results-tetsuya-naito-vs-kenny-omega-240871 | title = NJPW G1 Climax 27 finals live results: Tetsuya Naito vs. Kenny Omega | last=Rose | first=Bryan | date=August 12, 2017 | accessdate=October 9, 2017 | work=[[Wrestling Observer Newsletter]]}}</ref> [[Jurina Matsui]] of [[SKE48]] was appointed the special ambassador of the event.<ref name=Matsui>{{cite web | url = http://www.hmv.co.jp/newsdetail/article/1710131021/ | script-title=ja:SKE48松井珠理奈がアンバサダーに 新日本プロレス「Wrestle Kingdom 12 in 東京ドーム」来春開催 | date=October 13, 2017 | accessdate=October 25, 2017 | work=HMV | language=Japanese}}</ref> ===Storylines=== {{See also|Professional wrestling}} Wrestle Kingdom 12 will feature [[Professional wrestling match types|professional wrestling matches]] that involve different wrestlers from pre-existing scripted feuds and [[Narrative thread|storylines]]. Wrestlers portray [[Heel (professional wrestling)|villains]], [[Face (professional wrestling)|heroes]], or [[Glossary of professional wrestling terms#tweener|less distinguishable characters]] in the scripted events that build tension and culminate in a wrestling match or series of matches.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://entertainment.howstuffworks.com/pro-wrestling.htm | title = How Pro Wrestling Works | last=Grabianowski | first=Ed | accessdate=October 9, 2017 | work=HowStuffWorks, Inc. | publisher=[[Discovery Communications]]}}</ref> [[File:Tetsuya Naitō 2016.JPG|thumb|left|upright|[[Tetsuya Naito]], the winner of the [[2017 G1 Climax]] and the number one contender to the [[IWGP Heavyweight Championship]]]] Wrestle Kingdom 12 will be main evented by [[Kazuchika Okada]] defending the [[IWGP Heavyweight Championship]] against [[Tetsuya Naito]]. The storyline behind the match dates back to 2013, when Naito won the [[G1 Climax#2013|G1 Climax]] tournament to earn a shot at Okada and the IWGP Heavyweight Championship at [[Wrestle Kingdom 8]] on January 4, 2014. However, at that time, Naito, despite being a clean cut [[Face (professional wrestling)|babyface]], was disliked by NJPW fans, which led to the company changing their course of action, announcing a fan vote to determine whether the match between Okada and Naito or an [[IWGP Intercontinental Championship]] match between [[Shinsuke Nakamura]] and [[Hiroshi Tanahashi]] would main event Wrestle Kingdom 8. Nakamura and Tanahashi won the vote, resulting in Okada and Naito losing their main event spot. Okada went on to defeat Naito in the match to retain the title.<ref name=IngobernableRise>{{cite web | url = http://pwinsider.com/article/101347/ingobernable-tetsuya-naitos-rise-to-the-top-of-new-japan.html?p=1 | title = Ingobernable: Tetsuya Naito's rise to the top of New Japan | last=Macklin | first=Matthew | date=April 15, 2016 | accessdate=October 9, 2017 | work=Pro Wrestling Insider}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.tokyo-sports.co.jp/prores/mens_prores/710281/ | script-title=ja:【新日Ｇ１】内藤　黒歴史を塗り替え光りの王者へ | date=July 19, 2017 | accessdate=October 9, 2017 | work=[[Tokyo Sports]] | language=Japanese}}</ref> In the summer of 2015, Naito traveled to Mexico to work for the [[Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre]] (CMLL) promotion, where he joined the villainous ''[[Los Ingobernables]]'' [[Glossary of professional wrestling terms#Stable|stable]].<ref name=IngobernableRise/> Upon his return to NJPW, Naito, using the NJPW fans' rejection of him as a catalyst, completely reinvented his character, eventually leading to him forming the ''[[Los Ingobernables de Japon]]'' stable.<ref name=IngobernableRise/> Despite now being a villain, fans eventually started getting behind Naito with ''Los Ingobernables de Japon'' merchandise becoming NJPW's top seller.<ref name=IngobernableRise/> When Naito defeated Okada at [[Invasion Attack 2016]] on April 10 to win the IWGP Heavyweight Championship for the first time, he had the crowd solidly behind him.<ref name=IngobernableRise/> Naito eventually went on to lose the title back to Okada on June 19, 2016, at [[Dominion 6.19 in Osaka-jo Hall]].<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.f4wonline.com/japan/njpw-dominion-live-results-tetsuya-naito-vs-kazuchika-okada-iwgp-hw-championship-214876 | title = NJPW Dominion live results: Tetsuya Naito vs Kazuchika Okada for the IWGP HW Championship | last=Meltzer | first=Dave | authorlink=Dave Meltzer | date=June 18, 2016 | accessdate=October 9, 2017 | work=[[Wrestling Observer Newsletter]]}}</ref> [[File:Kazuchika Okada 2016.JPG|thumb|upright|[[Kazuchika Okada]], the defending and longest-reigning [[IWGP Heavyweight Champion]]]] On August 13, 2017, Naito defeated [[Kenny Omega]] in the finals to win the 2017 G1 Climax. With Naito now being fully embraced by NJPW fans, this was seen as the conclusion of a four-year arch that started at the 2013 G1 Climax, where he was rejected by the same fans.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.tokyo-sports.co.jp/prores/mens_prores/731859/ | script-title=ja:【新日Ｇ１】内藤が３４分３５秒大激闘の末にケニー撃破　４年ぶり２度目Ｖ | date=August 14, 2017 | accessdate=October 9, 2017 | work=[[Tokyo Sports]] | language=Japanese}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.nikkansports.com/battle/news/1871871.html | script-title=ja:内藤Ｇ１史上最長制覇、死闘34分35秒の「運命」 | date=August 14, 2017 | accessdate=October 9, 2017 | work=[[Nikkan Sports]] | language=Japanese}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.daily.co.jp/ring/2017/08/14/0010460678.shtml | script-title=ja:内藤Ｖ「主役はオレ」　Ｇ１史上最長試合でオメガ粉砕…４年前の“リベンジ” | date=August 14, 2017 | accessdate=October 9, 2017 | work=Daily Sports Online | publisher=[[Kobe Shimbun]] | language=Japanese}}</ref> Following the win, Naito gained possession of the [[Tokyo Dome IWGP Heavyweight Championship challenge rights certificate]], which granted him a shot at the IWGP Heavyweight Championship at Wrestle Kingdom 12.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.tokyo-sports.co.jp/prores/mens_prores/732540/ | script-title=ja:【新日】Ｇ１覇者・内藤が「ＩＷＧＰ挑戦権利証」獲得　防衛戦に石井を指名 | date=August 14, 2017 | accessdate=October 9, 2017 | work=[[Tokyo Sports]] | language=Japanese}}</ref> On October 9 at [[King of Pro-Wrestling (2017)|King of Pro-Wrestling]], Naito successfully defended the certificate against [[Tomohiro Ishii]], while Kazuchika Okada successfully defended the IWGP Heavyweight Championship against Naito's ''Los Ingobernables de Japon'' stablemate [[Evil (wrestler)|Evil]], setting up the main event of Wrestle Kingdom 12 between champion Okada and challenger Naito.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.f4wonline.com/japan/njpw-king-pro-wrestling-live-results-kazuchika-okada-vs-evil-244191 | title = NJPW King of Pro Wrestling live results: Kazuchika Okada vs. Evil | last=Rose | first=Bryan | date=October 8, 2017 | accessdate=October 9, 2017 | work=[[Wrestling Observer Newsletter]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.pwinsider.com/article/112802/the-official-main-event-for-njpw-wrestlekingdom-is.html?p=1 | title = The official main event for NJPW WrestleKingdom is.... | last=Johnson | first=Mike | date=October 9, 2017 | accessdate=October 9, 2017 | work=Pro Wrestling Insider}}</ref> The match was officially announced in a press conference the following day.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.tokyo-sports.co.jp/prores/mens_prores/791776/ | script-title=ja:【新日】内藤哲也　１・４東京ドームのオカダ戦正式決定「まさにデスティーノ」 | date=October 10, 2017 | accessdate=October 10, 2017 | work=[[Tokyo Sports]] | language=Japanese}}</ref><ref name=PCDS>{{cite web | url = https://www.daily.co.jp/ring/2017/10/10/0010630135.shtml | script-title=ja:新日本１・４ＩＷＧＰ戦決定　オカダ「世界を考えたら内藤さんは物足りない」 | date=October 10, 2017 | accessdate=October 10, 2017 | work=Daily Sports Online | publisher=[[Kobe Shimbun]] | language=Japanese}}</ref> Okada has held the IWGP Heavyweight Championship ever since defeating Naito at Dominion 6.19 in Osaka-jo Hall and enters the match as the longest-reigning champion in the title's history.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.tokyo-sports.co.jp/prores/744789/ | script-title=ja:【新日本】オカダ　IWGP最長政権樹立見えた | date=August 25, 2017 | accessdate=October 9, 2017 | work=[[Tokyo Sports]] | language=Japanese}}</ref> This match marks Okada's fourth consecutive and overall fifth Wrestle Kingdom main event, while Naito has never main evented the show before.<ref name=PCDS/><ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.tokyo-sports.co.jp/prores/mens_prores/791104/ | script-title=ja:【新日】オカダがＩＷＧＰ王座Ｖ８　１・４東京ドームで内藤と激突へ | date=October 10, 2017 | accessdate=October 10, 2017 | work=[[Tokyo Sports]] | language=Japanese}}</ref> On November 5, 2017, at [[Power Struggle (2017)|Power Struggle]], [[Chris Jericho]] made a surprise return to NJPW, appearing in a video, where he challenged Kenny Omega to a match at Wrestle Kingdom 12 in Tokyo Dome. The challenge was quickly accepted by Omega, who had been engaged in a "[[Twitter]] feud" with his fellow Winnipegger over the past weeks.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.f4wonline.com/wwe-news/chris-jericho-face-kenny-omega-njpw-wrestle-kingdom-12-245751 | title = Chris Jericho to face Kenny Omega at NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 12 | last=Currier | first=Joseph | date=November 5, 2017 | accessdate=November 5, 2017 | work=[[Wrestling Observer Newsletter]]}}</ref> The match, billed as "Alpha vs. Omega", would mark Jericho's first match outside of [[WWE]] since 1999. Jericho previously worked for NJPW in 1997, originally as the masked Super Liger, who was intended as the nemesis of [[Jushin Thunder Liger]]. The character was so poorly received that it was quickly dropped with its performer returning to the Chris Jericho name.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.pwinsider.com/article/113357/chris-jericho-vs-kenny-omega-set-for-new-japan-tokyo-dome.html?p=1 | title = Chris Jericho vs. Kenny Omega set for New Japan Tokyo Dome | last1=Johnson | first1=Mike | last2=Crockett | first2=Paul | date=November 5, 2017 | accessdate=November 5, 2017 | work=Pro Wrestling Insider}}</ref> ==Matches== {{Pro Wrestling results table |results=<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.njpw.co.jp/tornament/113188?showCards=1 | script-title=ja:Wrestle Kingdom 12 in 東京ドーム | accessdate=November 5, 2017 | work=[[New Japan Pro-Wrestling]] | language=Japanese}}</ref> |times= |future=yes |match1=[[Kazuchika Okada]] (c) vs. [[Tetsuya Naito]] |stip1=[[Professional wrestling match types#Variations of singles matches|Singles match]] for the [[IWGP Heavyweight Championship]] |match2=[[Kenny Omega]] (c) vs. [[Chris Jericho]] |stip2=[[Professional wrestling match types#Variations of singles matches|Singles match]] for the [[IWGP United States Heavyweight Championship]] |match3=[[Hiroshi Tanahashi]] (c) vs. [[Jay White (wrestler)|Jay White]] |stip3=[[Professional wrestling match types#Variations of singles match |Singles match]] for the [[IWGP Intercontinental Championship]] |match4=[[Marty Scurll]] (c) vs. [[Will Ospreay]] vs. [[Yujiro Kushida|Kushida]] vs. [[Hiromu Takahashi]] |stip4=[[Professional wrestling match types#Variations of multi-competitor match variations|Fatal 4-Way match]] for the [[IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship]] |time1=<!-- DO NOT ADD ANY MATCHES UNTIL THEY ARE OFFICIALLY LISTED HERE http://www.njpw.co.jp/tornament/113188?showCards=1 --> }} ==See also== {{Portal|Professional wrestling}} *[[January 4 Tokyo Dome Show]] {{clear}} ==References== {{reflist|30em}} ==External links== *[http://www.wrestlekingdom.jp/ The official Wrestle Kingdom 12 website] {{New Japan Pro Wrestling events|January 4 Tokyo Dome Show}} [[Category:2018 in professional wrestling]] [[Category:January 4 Tokyo Dome Show]] [[Category:Sport in Tokyo]] [[Category:January 2018 sports events in Asia|Wrestle Kingdom 12]]'