KOPW 2020, easily the most divisive tournament in recent memory, began on Wednesday, as NJPW is on the last stretch of the road to Jingu Stadium. El Desperado, SANADA, Satoshi Kojima, and KOPW 2020 mastermind Kazuchika Okada advanced to the four-way match in Jingu that will crown the initial holder of the unique trophy.
The winner will not officially be crowned KOPW 2020 on August 29th. The winner will have to defend the trophy through December 31st, at which point they will officially be awarded the trophy, and the records reset for next year’s (assumed) KOPW 2021.
KOPW 2020 wasn’t the only highlight of the show. Kota Ibushi & Hiroshi Tanahashi continued to gain a psychological edge over the IWGP Tag Team Champions, ahead of their title match in Jingu. Plus YOSHI-HASHI, Master Wato, and more in undercard tag team action!
8/26
NJPW Road To Summer Struggle
Available on NJPWWorld.com.
- CHAOS (YOSHI-HASHI, Tomohiro Ishii & Hirooki Goto) def. Yuji Nagata, Yota Tsuji & Yuya Uemura by submission. (10:39)
YOSHI-HASHI submitted Yuya Uemura via Butterfly Lock. - Hiroshi Tanahashi, Kota Ibushi, Hiroyoshi Tenzan & Master Wato def. Suzuki-gun (Zack Sabre Jr., Taichi, Yoshinobu Kanemaru & DOUKI) by pinfall. (10:08)
Hiroshi Tanahashi pinned DOUKI via High Fly Flow. - KOPW 2020 First Round No Western Lariat/No Pinche Loco Match: El Desperado def. Satoshi Kojima by disqualification. (14:14)
Kojima used the Western Lariat. - KOPW 2020 First Round No Disqualification Two Count Fall Match: Toru Yano def. BUSHI by pinfall via Cradle Pin. (4:46)
- KOPW 2020 First Round Submission Match: SANADA def. SHO by submission via Figure Four Leglock. (19:38)
- KOPW 2020 First Round 3-on-1 Handicap Match: Kazuchika Okada def. Bullet Club (Yujiro Takahashi, Gedo & Jado) by submission. (15:26)
Kazuchika Okada submitted Gedo via Money Clip.
KOPW 2020 1st Round 1 vs 3 Handicap Match@rainmakerXokada 'Tope Con Giro'
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— NJPW WORLD (@njpwworld) August 26, 2020
