New Japan Pro Wrestling have announced that the NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 17 event on January 4th, 2023 will be held in honor of the late Antonio Inoki.

Inoki, a three-time IWGP Heavyweight Champion who the company had planned to publicly announce as an Honorary Lifetime Chairman, passed away on October 1st.

Inoki founded New Japan Pro Wrestling in 1972, and remained the owner of the promotion until 2005.