The King of Pro Wrestling Championship is officially retired.
New Japan Pro-Wrestling announced that the King of Pro Wrestling Title has been retired. Great-O-Khan, the final champion of 2024, stated on December 22nd that he wanted the title retired.
The annual NJPW Ranbo at NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 19 will now determine the next 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!
Fans can check out the current lineup for NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 19 by clicking here.
