Taichi Wins 2023 KOPW Provisional Title At NJPW Satsuma no Kuni
Taichi gains gold.
In the main event of NJPW Satsuma no Kuni, Taichi captured the 2023 NJPW King of Pro Wrestling Provisional Championship by defeating Shingo Takagi. The bout was contested under Takagi Style Triad rules, which meant a winner would be crowned after claiming any three of pinfall, submission, countout, KO or stoppage victories.
Both men scored pinfall victories to make the match 1-1. Taichi went up 2-1, winning a fall with a KO via Black Mephisto. Shingo evened things with Last of the Dragon for a KO victory.
Taichi won after forcing a referee stoppage as he locked in Seitei.
レスリング薩摩の国(4/29)を公開
『KOPW 2023』争奪戦 鷹木式トライアドマッチ
凄まじい死闘に場内大熱狂–果たして勝つのは— @Takagi__Shingo × @taichi0319
— #njpwworld で配信中––視聴&登録https://t.co/Tj7UBINMhP#njsatsuma #njpw pic.twitter.com/cyTenmHb5L
— njpwworld (@njpwworld) April 29, 2023
This marks the first reign in 2023 as KOPW Provisional Champion for Taichi. Whoever holds the belt at the end of the year is recognized as the NJPW King of Pro Wrestling Champion. The title is vacated at the end of the year. Shingo is the reigning champion. He made two successful title defenses of the provisional championship before losing it to Taichi.
Fans can find results from NJPW Satsuma no Kuni at Fightful’s results section.