NEW JAPAN PRO-WRESTLING

NEWS

JUN.12.2022

#TOPICS

Shingo Takagi Scrambles to KOPW Retention

Takagi to bring KOPW gold to G1 Climax

Watch the Dominion replay now!

A unique ten minute scramble match at Dominion saw Shingo Takagi and Taichi win test the KOPW 2022 trophy in a match that was wild, high paced and unpredictable to the end.
 
 
Both combatants went for high impact strikes from the opening bell, and were so intent on a potential early knockout that the first pin attempt didn’t occur until two minutes in. Then it was a series of pins in quick succession that got Takagi up 3-2, and after a suplex he would move to a count of five. Landing a snap DDT and a sliding lariat, Shingo would get to 7-2, a five count lead for the KOPW trophy holder with half of the ten minute time limit to go.
 
Taichi was able to respond with a gamengiri in the corner, before starting to close the gap with a roundhouse kick, bringing the score to 7-4. A Dangerous Backdrop got Taichi to within one but the removal of Taichi’s pantaloons was a red rag to Takagi who charged his challenger in the corner. As the match closed in on two minutes left, Shingo got a three count from a Ground Cobra that saw him to an insurmountable four count lead, compounded by one more from a Pumping Bomber; Taichi closed the gap in the dying moments but it wasn’t enough.
Takagi will now bring the KOPW trophy into the G1 Climax where he promised backstage to create ‘the best of memories for the last summer of my 30s’.

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