Shingo Takagi is the new KOPW 2022 holder after defeating Taichi in a ’30-Count Pinfall Match’ in Hiroshima.
In front of 1,118 fans, Takagi won the unique stipulation match where the first one to accumulate thirty ‘counts’ on their opponent would be declared the winner.
Taichi was leading 29-24 after the twenty-six-minute mark and the match ended with Takagi hitting Last of the Dragon as the referee registered a six-count and gave Takagi the victory, 30-29.
It is the first time Takagi has held the KOPW trophy, which is defended in stipulation matches voted by fans after concepts are presented by each participant in the match.
Monday’s show at Hiroshima Sun Plaza also featured a NEVER Openweight Six-Man Championship match where EVIL, Yujiro & SHO retained the titles beating Hiroshi Tanahashi & Guerrillas of Destiny with Yujiro pinning Tanga Loa.
New Japan has shows in Hiroshima this Wednesday and Yamaguchi on Friday before Wrestling Dontaku Sunday at the Fukuoka Pay Pay Dome where Kazuchika Okada defends the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship against Tetsuya Naito.
Below are the results from Monday’s event: (Courtesy Purolove.com):
*KOPW 2022, 30-Count Pinfall Match: Shingo Takagi over Taichi in 26:20 – 30-24
*NEVER Openweight Six-Man Tag Championship: EVIL, SHO & Yujiro (champions) over Hiroshi Tanahashi & Guerrillas of Destiny in 17:06
*Tetsuya Naito, Hiromu Takahashi & BUSHI over Kazuchika Okada, Toru Yano & YOH in 11:27
*Bad Luck Fale & Chase Owens over Hirooki Goto & YOSHI-HASHI in 11:09
*Taiji Ishimori & Gedo over El Desperado & Taka Michinoku in 8:41
*Zack Sabre Jr., Yoshinobu Kanemaru & DOUKI over Ryusuke Taguchi, Master Wato & Ryohei Oiwa in 10:27
*Togi Makabe & Tomoaki Honma over Tiger Mask & Yuto Nakashima in 8:21
