Higher stakes for the ranbo.
NJPW Wrestle Kingdom
New Japan Pro Wrestling’s Wrestle Kingdom now has higher stakes for their Ranbo match. The Battle Royal style kickoff for Wrestle Kingdom has been a staple for the past few years with the winner getting a KOPW Championship match. Now, the King Of Pro Wrestling title has been retired. Great-O-Khan was the final champion of 2024 and announced on December 22nd that he wanted the title retired.
NJPW has now revealed that the annual NJPW Ranbo at NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 19 will now crown a #1 contender to the IWGP World Heavyweight Title.
A controversial end to December 22’s main event saw the KOPW 2024 Championship surrounded by controversy. A draw was the result of the main event, after Taichi and Great-O-Khan went down to a double KO. O-Khan was decalred the KOPW Champion with the title retained on a draw, but took to the microphone with an important declaration.
O-Khan said that he was retiring the KOPW title, and had one last act as the champion. The Dominator stated that in place of the KOPW Ranbo that has started recent Wrestle Kingdom events, this year the Ranbo should grant the winner a match for the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship. Now, an impending challenger after Wrestle Kingdom and Wrestle Dynasty will be determined in the first bout of the new year!
Who will be next for the IWGP gold?!
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