Minoru Suzuki is the provisional 2022 King of Pro Wrestling.
Suzuki captured the trophy at NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 16 night two when he pinned Toru Yano with the Gotch-style piledriver in a four-way bout that also featured Chase Owens and CIMA.
After the match, Yano handcuffed Suzuki to the ropes before Suzuki could lift the trophy. Suzuki still managed to attack Yano, locking him in a sleeper, before the reigning KOPW could escape.
The four-way bout was set up during night one of Wrestle Kingdom 16 as Yano, Suzuki, Owens, and CIMA were the final four men in the New Japan Range, which took place on the pre-show.
矢野さん、なんかやろうとしてるねー#njwk16 #njwk16Day2 pic.twitter.com/9n9h1LREy2
— たえ (@tae_lancelot) January 5, 2022
Yano is the reigning two-time King of Pro Wrestling, having held the provisional trophy at the end of 2020 and 2021. The KOPW provisional trophy is defended throughout the year in a match where the competitors pick the stipulation and fans vote on which match they would like to see. The person who holds the trophy at the end of the year is the official NJPW King of Pro Wrestling.
You can find Fightful's coverage of NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 16 night two by clicking here. Plus, check out the watch along for the event on Fightful's Twitch.
