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AEW Star Lays Down Post-Wrestle Kingdom IWGP World Championship Challenge

By Alex Podgorski • Published 22nd December 2022
AEW logo over Andrade

Someone in AEW wants to take on the winner of the Wrestle Kingdom 17 main event.

On January 4th, 2023, New Japan Pro-Wrestling will host its biggest show of the year in the Tokyo Dome. The main-event will see Jay White defend his IWGP World Heavyweight Championship against Kazuchika Okada.

No one knows who will win, but one man has already challenged whosoever does: Lance Archer.

Archer has been back and forth between AEW and NJPW of late but his most recent work has been in New Japan. He has been part of a sort of Suzuki-gun farewell tour as the stable he has been part of for years will be officially disbanding at the end of the year.

After one of his last matches as part of Suzuki-gun, Archer tweeted a promo explaining his plans for 2023:

“The one thing I haven’t done in Japan, the one thing I have never captured is the IWGP Heavyweight Title. At the Tokyo Dome, Wrestle Kingdom, Okada, Jay White, they’re fighting for the IWGP Heavyweight title.

Okada has been champion many times. Jay White has been champion many times. The Murderhawk’s never been champion. I think it’s time I become champion of New Japan Pro-Wrestling.”