June 12 sees Okada vs jay White, more

On June 12, NJPW officially kicks off the summer with Dominion in Osaka Jo Hall. After Dontaku in the Fukuoka PayPay Dome saw the wrestling landscape shift dramatically, four championship matches have already been signed for this epic event, with more news to come as the card approaches. 

Watch Dominion on June 12 LIVE in English on NJPW World!

Kazuchika Okada will defend the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship against Switchblade Jay White. Mere moments after recording his fourth successful defence of the world title, Okada was interrupted by White, the ‘catalyst of professional wrestling’ making his first Japanese appearance in one year. Striking Okada with a Bladerunner, White made it clear that he was calling time on Okada and the IWGP World title, and will now be making his first challenge since the inception of the current championship in spring of 2021.

The NEVER Openweight Championship will be on the line when Tama Tonga defends against the Machine Gun, Karl Anderson. Tonga earned his first NJPW singles championship in Fukuoka, and gained some measure of revenge on HOUSE OF TORTURE and EVIL May 1. Yet his celebration would be short lived, as Anderson and partner Doc Gallows made their own first Japanese NJPW appearances in over six years, and immediately attacked the Guerrillas of Destiny. A Gunstun onto the NEVER Championship sealed this challenge for Dominion; what will happen when a former mentor and protege meet one on one?

Bad Luck Fale and Chase Owens will defend freshly won IWGP Tag Team Championship gold against the United Empire’s Jeff Cobb and Great-O-Khan. Taking advantage of a chaotic Tongan Tornado three way match, Fale and Owens emerged with a hard fought victory, and their first tag gold. Yet Cob and O-Khan were incensed at their own first tag reign being cut off at the knees, and not having been directly beaten in the three way environment, had a fair claim to the gold. Now a straight tag team match will settle the score. 

Shingo Takagi will put the KOPW 2022 trophy on the line against Taichi. After an epic encounter in Hiroshima, Takagi won their first ever 30 count falls match 30-29. But at Dontaku, it would be Taichi with a pinfall win, trapping Shingo with a Taichi style Gedo Clutch for an incredible six count. Now a rematch is on the cards, but what rules will these men bring to the table? 

With so much more action besides set for Osaka, do not miss Dominion on June 12! Stay tuned for all the news as it becomes available!