O-Khan vows to rehab KOPW title and his own image post KOPW win.
The KOPW 2024 provisional title was on the line at new Beginning in Nagoya on January 20 in one of the most bizarre stipulations yet seen in the KOPW oeuvre, an Ishimori Ring Fit Match where ten minutes of action was punctuated at three minute intervals by circuit training sessions, title holder Taiji Ishimori defending against Great-O-Khan, where additionally, whoever was the last in possession of the title at the time limit would be recognised as winner..
The first phase of the match saw Ishimori try to play the same game that won him KOPW honours back at New Year Dash. As the three minute limit ran out, Ishimori started running into the crowd to try and play keep away from his challenger. As the buzzer announced the first workout period, O-Khan was reluctant, and slow in his reps, while Ishimori blitzed through the set in order to get more time to rest.
The second phase put O-Khan in stronger control, and a head and arm choke was pressuring Ishimori who was saved by the second workout buzzer. As he regained his faculties though, the title holder again got through his reps quick while O-Khan faded, and Ishimori took advantage as he sent a spaghetti legged opponent into the corner post and then found a Bone Lock.
Again Ishimori got through his third and final exercises easily while O-Khan now struggled badly. He didn’t finish the set in the allotted 30 seconds and Ishimori ordered him to finish up during the last minute of regulation time. Now reeling, O-Khan managed to land a desperation Eliminator before collapsing onto the title belt; the interpretation of ‘last title holder’ was a literal one as time expired and O-Khan was deemed victor in what was certainly a unique KOPW defence.
Post match O-Khan declared intentions to restore honour to himself and KOPW, pledging to fight with the title on every tour and even every night if needed, and allowing fans in attendance as well as on social media to have a say in KOPW rules.
