Following Great-O-Khan announcing he was “retiring” the KOPW (King Of Pro Wrestling) championship at the end of 2024, meaning it wouldn’t be contested for at New Japan’s year-opening events (Tokyo Dome and NEW YEAR DASH!!), the IWGP Executive Committee-the sanctioning body that oversees New Japan’s championships-has made it official: The “title” is retired and dead. The title was created in mid-2020 at the suggestion of Kazuchika Okada and saw over 50 title matches in its existence, each with unique rules proposed by the participants and voted on by fans. It was never considered or treated as an “official” championship though.
