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What's the story?
Los Ingobernables de Japon leader Tetsuya Naito recently spoke with Yahoo Sports and responded to his fellow NJPW colleague Kenny Omega, who a while ago stated that next year's Wrestle Kingdom event will be "double main-event" show.
In case you didn't know...
NJPW is all set to host their annual Wrestle Kingdom event in a few weeks time at the Tokyo Dome. The Japanese promotion has already lined up one of the most exciting match cards of all time, which will feature many title matches including an IWGP US Title match between the returning Chris Jericho and "The Cleaner" Kenny Omega. Jericho and Omega will be the co-main event of the Tokyo Dome show in January.
The main event, however, will pitch two of the top wrestlers in Japan right now, that is, Tetsuya Naito going head-to-head against IWGP Heavyweight Champion Kazuchika Okada. Naito, who won the 2017 G1 Climax tournament, will look to end Okada's title reign of 400+ days as the top champion of New Japan Pro Wrestling.
The heart of the matter
During his interview with Yahoo Sports, Naito revealed his thoughts towards the "double main-event" claims made by current Bullet Club leader Kenny Omega.
Tetsuya Naito stated that he has already been through this situation once before and believes that the "double main-event" claims don't necessarily mean anything. The former Intercontinental Champion then said that he has been previously labelled by fans as "double main-event one" [referring to his Wrestle Kingdom 8 match against Kazuchika Okada] but, believes it is nothing to be taken into serious consideration.
The Los Ingobernables leader claimed that the US Title is nothing but, the semi-main event of the evening. The 35-year-old also added, saying that a person should not keep his belief in the "double main-event" stuff and should not be pulling situations like these.
"You’re saying the US belt is now number two, not the IC belt. So you and Jericho and Jay White and Tanahashi should be the ‘double semi-main event’ then, surely? Maybe the US title match is getting more focus abroad. But who will eyes be on at the Tokyo Dome?- Naito stated, by directing his quote towards his close rival Kenny Omega.
What's next?
Tetsuya Naito's main focus will now be towards the biggest and toughest challenge of his wrestling career so far, as he gets all set to main-event in the Tokyo Dome for the very first time in his career.
Naito, will be looking forward to leading LIJ by example and prove his value to his faction by winning the IWGP Heavyweight Title come January 4th, 2018.
Author's take
Personally, I think, there is only one true main-event which is the match between Okada and Naito. Jericho and Omega definitely remain a special attraction but, on the other hand, Naito vs Okada is the one true main-event of the Wrestle Kingdom 12 event.
