Sakura Genesis 2017

Sakura Genesis 2017 is an upcoming professional wrestling event promoted by New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW), scheduled to take place on April 9, 2017, in Tokyo at Ryōgoku Kokugikan. The event will be main evented by 2017 New Japan Cup winner Katsuyori Shibata challenging Kazuchika Okada for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship. Previously held under the Invasion Attack name, this marks the first show under the Sakura Genesis name.

Background
Sakura Genesis 2017 was officially announced on January 4, 2017, during Wrestle Kingdom 11 in Tokyo Dome. This marks NJPW's first April Ryōgoku Kokugikan show under its new name. The previous events had been held under the name Invasion Attack. The event will air worldwide through New Japan Pro Wrestling World with English commentary provided by Kevin Kelly and Don Callis.

Storylines
Sakura Genesis 2017 will feature professional wrestling matches that involve different wrestlers from pre-existing scripted feuds and storylines. Wrestlers portray villains, heroes, or less distinguishable characters in the scripted events that build tension and culminate in a wrestling match or series of matches.

Sakura Genesis 2017 is the first major NJPW show following the 2017 New Japan Cup. The New Japan Cup is an annual single-elimination tournament, where the winner gets to choose whether to challenge for the IWGP Heavyweight, IWGP Intercontinental or the NEVER Openweight Championship. Traditionally, the title match has taken place at the April Ryōgoku Kokugikan show, previously known as Invasion Attack and now as Sakura Genesis. On March 20, Katsuyori Shibata defeated Bad Luck Fale in the finals to win the 2017 New Japan Cup and afterwards announced he was challenging Kazuchika Okada for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship.