NJPW previously announced that current IWGP World Heavyweight Champion Jay White will defend his IWGP World Heavyweight Championship against Tama Tonga, the only person to defeat The Bullet Club's leader in the G1 Climax 32 Tournament, at their upcoming Declaration Of Power PPV Event. NJPW also announced that Kazuchika Okada, who won the G1 Climax 32 Tournament, will face JONAH, who defeated Okada in the tournament, in Singles action.
NJPW recently announced three more matchups for their upcoming Declaration Of Power PPV Event. It was announced that IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Champion Taiji Ishimori will battle KUSHIDA in a Non-Title Match, Shingo Takagi will battle El Phantasmo in a “Who’s Your Daddy” match for the KOPW 2022 trophy and Ren Narita will compete in his Homecoming Match against an opponent that has yet to be revealed.
The promotion's Declaration of Power Event is set to take place on Monday, October 10 from inside the Ryogoku Sumo Hall in Tokyo, Japan.
You can check out the full press release below:
Extra Matches Set for Declaration of Power!
KOPW 2022, Ishimori and KUSHIDA, and a big homecoming set for Ryogoku October 10
More matches have been added to an increasingly loaded card in Ryogoku Sumo Hall on October 10 for Declaration of Power.
EL PHANTASMO vs. SHINGO TAKAGI
Added after the events of Burning Spirit in Kobe, the KOPW 2022 trophy will be on the line when El Phantasmo challenges Shingo Takagi. While KOPW matches usually involve a fan vote for the stipulation, here both participants have agreed to a unique ‘Who’s Your Daddy Match’.
Ever since Phantasmo pinned Shingo in the G1 Climax, ELP has been declaring loud and long that he is Takagi’s daddy. Shingo took distinct umbrage all the way through the Burning Spirit tour, but that tour ended in Kobe with a Ground Cobra pinfall for Shingo over his tormentor. As the two confronted one another backstage, the Who’s Your Daddy Match was hatched.
The Who’s Your Daddy Match will be contested under regular rules, but the stipulation concerns what happens after the result. The loser must take the microphone and concede to the viewing public and the winner ‘you are my daddy’. With not just the KOPW trophy, but immense personal pride on the line, who will be victorious in Ryogoku?
KUSHIDA vs. TAIJI ISHIMORI
Taiji Ishimori has been maintaining the BULLET CLUB tradition of humiliating his opposition when it comes to his attitude with KUSHIDA. When the Time-splitter returned to New Japan Pro-Wrestling and requested a title opportunity, Ishimori flatly declined, saying instead that KUSHIDA had to prove himself worthy of a shot at the gold. Ever since, and despite impressive performances in the US and Japan, including a direct pinfall over the Bone Soldier in the Nippon Budokan back at the G1 finals, Ishimori has still denied KUSHIDA his title shot, and the would-be-challenger’s bout with hand, foot and mouth disease prevented KUSHIDA from making a key statement at the end of the previous tour.
Now Ishimori has granted KUSHIDA one final test, in the form of a non-title singles match. Should KUSHIDA win, there is no doubt that he will deserve a chance at Ishimori again for the gold, but if it’s the champion that’s victorious, what will be next for both KUSHIDA and the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship itself?
REN NARITA HOMECOMING MATCH
Also official for Declaration of Power is Ren Narita’s Homecoming Match! Three years ago, Narita went on excursion to the LA Dojo, and since became a staple on NJPW STRONG. After a 2022 that started with an exhibition against Katsuyori Shibata in the Tokyo Dome, and continued in spectacular form against high profile opponents on NJPW STRONG, Narita is now set to make his official return to Japanese rings full time. Just who will be his first opponent back in Japan? Stay tuned for more information!
