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

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Kazuchika Okada (C) vs. Tetsuya Naito

Okada and Naito have been on a crash course for Wrestle Kingdom since 2014.  It was at Wrestle Kingdom 8 where Okada defeated Naito in the co-main event to retain his IWGP Heavyweight Title.  Since then both men have taken different routes to this final destination.

Naito has seen himself time and time again come close and also dominate the Intercontinental Title scene.  Then at this past Summer’s G1 Climax, he would walk away with the trophy and a shot at Okada.

Okada has been the heir apparent to NJPW and his 2017 campaign only added fuel to the fire.  He has defeated every challenger to his crown and done so in devastating fashion.  His trilogy with Kenny Omega set the wrestling world on fire.

Naito gained a strong following while carrying the IC Title.  Not so much for his defenses of the title but his treatment of it.  By the time Naito was done with the belt it looked as if it had been run over by a garbage truck.

The battle between Okada and Naito wouldn’t just be for the IWGP Title, it’d be for NJPW.  A Naito victory would cement him as a top tier guy for New Japan and would be a passing of the torch for Okada.  The best part is Okada is still incredibly young.

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But this would allow Naito to become a made man and place both at the top of the mountain along with Kenny Omega.  The three will be pivotal in the development and progress of New Japan into the future.  So a Naito victory would be monumental not just for his career, but the promotion as a whole.