NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 12: The 3 Biggest Storylines for the Event

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Hiroshi Tanahashi (C) vs. Jay White

Hiroshi Tanahashi has been the foundation of New Japan Pro Wrestling for years.  No matter his spot on the card it always feels like Tanahashi is important.  In recent years we have seen him step out of the IWGP Heavyweight Title picture and really take the Intercontinental Title to new heights.

There was a period where Tanahashi and Naito were elevating the IC Title scene to levels equal to the IWGP Title.  Tanahashi has been working for the better part of 2017 with a serious biceps injury.  But never once has he wained from his position in the company.

Tanahashi’s opponent for Wrestle Kingdom is not a new face to the scene but to the title picture.  Jay White has been in NJPW for just a hair under three years now.  He got the call to become a Young Lion early in his career.

White would join forces with fellow newcomers Juice Robinson and David Finlay Jr.  After some time, White went on an “excursion.”

White would spend 2017 in the United States working for Ring of Honor and other promotions gaining experience.

In the fall of 2017 vignettes would begin to air promoting the arrival of “Switchblade.”

At Power Struggle, White would make his return with a new look and attitude.  Carrying the moniker “Switchblade,” he would soon find himself targeting the IC Title.  The reason this is one of the biggest storylines coming into Wrestle Kingdom is that White is still very young in his career.

Getting the opportunity to face Tanahashi in the promotions biggest event for one of their prestigious titles is huge.  It shows a great faith from New Japan in White to have this slot on the Wrestle Kingdom card.