WWE star Karl Anderson is reportedly set to compete at NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 17.
Anderson win the NEVER Openweight Championship at NJPW Dominion on June 12. At the time, he had been working for IMPACT Wrestling, but he and Luke Gallows left the company in September. The duo subsequently returned to WWE on the October 10 episode of WWE RAW. At the time, Anderson was scheduled to defend his title at NJPW Battle Autumn on November 5, but he was pulled from the show after WWE booked him for the Crown Jewel event on the same date. NJPW later confirmed that Anderson will defend his championship at the Tag League Finals event on December 14.
Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful Select previously reported that, as early as August, NJPW was aware of Anderson and Gallows’ plan to return to WWE. With this in mind, the company made a plan to have Anderson work dates around his WWE schedule. Sapp cited sources who indicated that Anderson working the Tokyo Dome show had always been the plan.
In an update, Mike Johnson of PWInsider reports that WWE and NJPW have reached an agreement for Anderson to compete at the Wrestle Kingdom event at the Tokyo Dome on January 4. In doing so, Anderson will make history as the first contracted WWE talent to work the show. Johnson noted that Anderson has been part of NJPW’s plans, dating back to the Good Brothers’ WWE return, and the two sides have come to terms. Anderson is expected to have a “strong role” in a singles bout at Wrestle Kingdom.
With Anderson’s presence, Wrestle Kingdom 17 is set to feature competitors from NJPW, WWE, AEW, Stardom, and other promotions.
