(AJPW News) The wrestlers for this years “ 2017 Champion Carnival” were announced.

This year marks the 45th anniversary for All Japan Pro-Wrestling and it looks like they are offering a potential solid tournament to make the occasion. The A BLOCK will feature last years winner Daisuke Sekimoto, who is also the current BJW World Strong and BJW Tag Champion, along with the Triple Crown Champion Kento Miyahara, Zeus, Joe Doering, KAI, Ryoji Sai, and Jake Lee. Then the B BLOCK will feature Suwama, Takao Omori, Shuji Ishikawa, The Bodyguard, Kengo Mashimo, Daichi Hashimoto, and Naoya Nomura.

This will mark Doering’s return to the Carnival after suffering from a malignant brain tumor just this time last year. Doering has overcome the illness and looks to return to his previous rampaging form. KAI made his return to All Japan today as he looks to start competing in All Japan for a chance at the Triple Crown belt. Originally growing into a potential strong position among the heavyweights back in 2012-2013 he looks take his career into his own hands to achieve the title that has alluded him after the misstep of leaving the promotion years ago.

Among those who will be competing for the first time ever in the Carnival are Shuji Ishikawa and Daichi Hashimoto. Ishikawa, in particular, has shown himself to be a strong competitor in the promotion and being in the same block as Suwama will surely be one of the early must see matches.

Among those not competing is Jun Akiyama, who instead has been placed himself in challenging for the GAORA TV belt against the returning KENSO. That match is set to take place on March 12. (KENSO being the one who sent the letter demanding that the vacant belt be put back on his waist. Akiyama more or less was having non of KENSO’s demands as the match has been set.)

“2017 Champion Carnival - 45th Anniversary Commemorative Series”

A BLOCK

・Kento Miyahara ~ Reining Triple Crown Champion
・Daisuke Sekimoto (BJW) [2016 Winner] ~ Reining BJW World Strong & BJW Tag Champion
・Zeus ~ Current World Tag Champion
・Joe Doering
・Jake Lee
・Ryoji Sai (LAND’S END)
・KAI (FREE)

B BLOCK

・Suwama [2008 Winner]
・Takao Omori [2014 Winner]
・Naoya Nomura
・Shuji Ishikawa (FREE) ~ First appearance
・Kengo Mashimo (K-DOJO) ~ Current CHAMPION OF STRONGEST-K
・The Bodyguard (FREE) ~ Current World Tag Champion
・ Daichi Hashimoto (BJW) ~ First appearance