NJPW Reveals Stipulations for Final KOPW Match of 2024 on December 22

NJPW has revealed the stipulations for the final KOPW Title match of 2024, set to take place on December 22. The bout will feature The Great O-Khan facing Taichi in a unique best two-out-of-three falls format, with distinct stipulations for each fall.

The first fall will be contested under no rope sumo rules, bringing a traditional and physical twist to the encounter. The second fall will see Yoshinobu Kanemaru stepping in as the special guest referee, adding an unpredictable dynamic to the match. If the contest goes to a deciding third fall, it will conclude with a last man standing match.

These stipulations were proposed by Taichi and garnered overwhelming support, winning 72% of the fan vote.

The votes are in after fans made a decision on the last KOPW 2024 rules for the year. Great-O-Khan has held the KOPW belt for the lion’s share of the year, but will face last year’s official winner in Taichi, a man who has said that win, lose or draw, this will be the last time he competes in a KOPW match.

That spurred his choice of stipulations, with the votes of 18,372 fans coming as follows

Taichi: Best of Taichi KOPW Two out of Three Falls: 13,246 votes (72.1%)

Great-O-Khan: Falls Count Anywhere Korakuen Revitialization: 5,126 votes (27.9%)

The match will now be a Best of Taichi KOPW Two out of Three Falls Match, with each stipulation being matches that Taichi has wrestled over the KOPW title for in the past. The first fall will be no rope sumo rules, the second will have Yoshinobu Kanemaru as special guest referee, and the third will be Last man Standing. Who will be left standing as KOPW Champion for 2024?