Neil Gray
COVID can’t stop Wrestle Kingdom 16, at least according to NJPW President Takami. There had been a justifiable worry from wrestling fans across the globe that the new COVID-19 variant, Omnicron – and who doesn’t think of Lrrr when they hear that – would stop NJPW foreign talent from being to enter Japan in time for Wrestle Kingdom 16, but that doesn’t appear to be the case.
Taking to Tokyo Sports, Takami said;
Under the current rules… I’ve heard that (regular foreign wrestlers) have visas to work in Japan, so they will be treated as re-entry. This has been confirmed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.”
This is brilliant news as Wrestle Kingdom is the biggest show on the NJPW calendar and all storylines through the past 12 months always build towards the event. This means that we will still be getting the huge title match between champion Shingo Takagi and challenger Kazuchika Okada at Wrestle Kingdom 16 on Jan. 5th, 2022.
But that’s not all as the winner of that bout will be defending the belt the very next day, against the one and only Will Ospreay. These two separate clashes alone already have Match of The Year written all over them, and the thought of Ospreay missing out on his chance to grab the belt was – for me at least – one not worth thinking about.
Will Ospreay himself tweeted out that we’d see him at Wrestle Kingdom 16, saying;
Shingo can’t stop me. Okada can’t stop me. Covid can’t stop me. January 5th 2022, I’ll be there.”
This means that 2022 is going to start with a bang as Wrestle Kingdom 16 is set to be held over three days – the 4th, 5th, and the 8th – and any self-respecting wrestling fan will be doing everything they can to make sure they’re front row, center for each show.
Even if they *cough* have to *cough* start a long story arc themselves *cough* to show how ill they’re going to *cough* be on those days.
Er, boss *cough* I think I might be coming down with something *splutter*…
Shingo can’t stop me.
Okada can’t stop me.
Covid can’t stop me.January 5th 2022, I’ll be there.
— ᵂⁱˡˡ ᴼˢᵖʳᵉᵃʸ • ウィル・オスプレイ (@WillOspreay) November 30, 2021
