Toru Yano is the King of Pro Wrestling in 2020.
As a result of his victory over Bad Luck Fale in a Bodyslam or Last Corner Pad match, Yano is the last man to hold the NJPW KOPW title, meaning he is the first-ever KOPW Champion.
The title will now be vacated. A new champion will be crowned on night two of Wrestle Kingdom 15. The winner will then defend the trophy throughout the year in gimmick matches voted on by the fans.
Yano won the trophy at NJPW Summer Struggle in Jingu when he defeated El Desperado, Kazuchika Okada and SANADA in a four-way bout. He defended it against Zack Sabre Jr at NJPW Power Struggle in a No Corner Pads bout.
From NJPW:
December 23 saw the last KOPW 2020 match, with the title being replaced by KOPW 2021 at Wrestle Kingdom 15.
Heading into a Bodyslam or Last Cornerpad match for his last KOPW defence weighed down with a heavy backpack, preventing Fale from getting a quick bodyslam win after the Rogue General destroyed Yano’s trophy. Having been literally sandbagged by the Master Thief, Fale did not take kindly to Yano’s attempt to outpace the BULLET CLUB member, but as he went to beat Yano with a cornerpad, the referee intervened, allowing Yano to remove cornerpads two and three.
With Fale lacking Yano’s speed in taking the fourth corner off, Yano was able to direct his opponent into the exposed steel and had a clear path to victory, but Chase Owens at ringside cut the CHAOS member off, double tying the last pad and making work doubly tough for him.
Caught in the melee, referee Marty Asami missed a visual slam by Fale, sending the General and Owens into a rage. Showing phenomenal wrestling (or sandbag swinging) acumen however, Yano was able to send Owens packing, and after a somewhat low blow, incredibly slammed Fale to become the official King of Pro-Wrestling for 2020. What will 2021 hold?
If you missed anything from the December 23 NJPW Road to Tokyo Dome event, check out full results and highlights by clicking here.
