Switchblade Jay White will take on Kazuchika Okada at Wrestle Kingdom 17 on January 4, 2023. White is the reigning IWGP World Heavyweight Champion, having defeated Okada for the title at Dominion back in June.
In a recent sit-down with Fightful, White spoke about the range of emotions he expected at the show following the passing of Antonio Inoki. Inoki founded New Japan Pro Wrestling in 1972 and passed away earlier this year at the age of 79.
You can check out some highlights from the interview below:
Emotions surrounding Wrestle Kingdom 17: “This will be an emotionally charged event, let alone match, not for myself, but for Okada. You’ve got to think, he’s the one that’s channeling that legacy of Inoki. This is a big match, I see that objectively. But for me, emotionally, it’s just another match. It’s just another step in what I do, it’s just another box to tick, especially with Okada.”
How he’ll capitalize on those emotions to win: “We’re going to see Switchblade having fun whilst everybody else is emotional. I’m going to dedicate my victory in my way. Not in New Japan’s way, not in Okada’s way. I’m going to do things my way, and I’m going to dedicate that to Antonio Inoki.”
