Four-way match for KOPW 2023 title set for NJPW New Year Dash

Four men have qualified for Thursday morning’s four-way match for the provisional KOPW 2023 trophy.

Shingo Takagi, Great-O-Khan, SHO, and Toru Yano were the final four in the annual Ranbo battle royal prior to the start of Wednesday’s Wrestle Kingdom 17 event. El Phantasmo was the last participant eliminated, with SHO accidently eliminating him as Phantasmo and Takagi were brawling on the apron.

After the match, Great-O-Khan grabbed the KOPW 2023 belt and walked way.

As a result, the four will meet tomorrow to determine the first 2023 KOPW trophy provisional champion. Unlike the last two years, this year’s trophy has been replaced with a physical championship belt. Shingo Takagi won last year’s KOPW trophy, defeating Taichi in a last man standing lumberjack match on December 19.

New Year’s Dash on Thursday morning will be held under a mystery format. Instead of announcing the card at the start of the show, matches will not be announced at all.