Kojima seeks historic feat June 12

Satoshi Kojima will be challenging GHC Heavyweight Champion Go Shiozaki in Saitama Super Arena at Cyber Fight Festival 2022. Kojima made a surprise appearance at NOAH’s April 30 Ryogoku event teaming with Naomichi Marufuji, before issuing a challenge to Shiozaki after he had claimed the vacant GHC title against Kaito Kiyomiya in the main event. 

A special press conference on May 10 saw the contract signed for the bout before both champion and challenger issued comments. ‘It seems all the twists and turns of fate has led me to challenge for the GHC Championship,’ Kojima stated before declaring that winning the title was ‘inevitable’; in response Shiozaki responded that ‘all I’m thinking about is beating Kojima and retaining the GHC belt’. 

Having already won NJPW’s IWGP Heavyweight and AJPW’s Triple Crown Championships, Kojima could be in position to win a Grand Slam should he relieve Shiozaki of the GHC title. ‘Of course, I have a lot of feelings connected to that (GHC) title,’ Kojima stated, ‘I’ve challenged for it twice before as well, and didn’t manage to take it. This time I want to make sure I leave as champion.’ 

With both men skilled in the art of the lariat, Saitama Super Arena is sure to be in for a hard fought clash of two of wrestling’s strongest arms on June 12.