Konosuke Takeshita has claimed the crown in the 15th edition of the King of DDT tournament.
Takeshita bested Damnation member Yuji Hino in the final to complete his run through the competition, pinning him with a cross arm German suplex. This marks Takeshita’s second King of DDT tournament win; previously taking the honour in 2019. He joins an exclusive club of two-time winners, alongside Kudo, HARASHIMA, & Tetsuya Endo.
Earlier in the evening, Takeshita submitted Hino’s stablemate Daisuke Sasaki despite Damnation interference to stake his spot in the finals. Hino earned his place in the finals by running through Eruption member Kazusada Higuchi.
After winning the final, Takeshita said:
Take:
NEPPOWER!
Thanks to Neppower I was able to win the match.
Not only the finals, but all 4 matches were very satisfying for me.I have nothing to be afraid of anymore; I will stand in front of Jun Akiyama with 100% confidence#ddtpro#KINGofDDT#wrestleUNIVERSE
— DDT/TJPW English Update (D/TEU) (@ddtpro_eng) July 4, 2021
The win netted Takeshita a cheque for one million Yen and puts him on a collision course with KO-D Openweight Champion Jun Akiyama. Akiyama has held the title since 14/02/21 when he defeated Tetsuya Endo, and has already beaten Takeshita in two singles matches in DDT to date. It appears post excursion to AEW and being buoyed by the King of DDT win that Konosuke Takeshita has a newly found confidence to take on the former GHC Heavyweight and current KO-D Openweight champion; Jun Akiyama.
Full Results:
KO-D Eight Man Tag Team Title Match
Akito, Hiroshi Yamato, Keigo Nakamura & Yoshiaki Yatsu defeat Chikara, Sanshiro Takagi, Yakan Nabe & Yukio Naya (c) (12:06) – New Champions
King Of DDT 2021 Semi Final Match
Konosuke Takeshita defeats Daisuke Sasaki
King Of DDT 2021 Semi Final Match
Yuji Hino defeats Kazusada Higuchi
Eruption (Saki Akai & Yukio Sakaguchi) defeat Antonio Honda & Chris Brookes and Danshoku Dino & Yuki Ino and Yusuke Okada & Yuya Koroku
DISASTER BOX (HARASHIMA, Kazuki Hirata, Naomi Yoshimura & Toru Owashi) defeat DAMNATION (Mad Paulie, Nobuhiro Shimatani, Soma Takao & Tetsuya Endo)
The 37KAMIINA (MAO, Shunma Katsumata & Yuki Ueno) defeat Junretsu (Hideki Okatani, Jun Akiyama & Makoto Oishi)
King Of DDT 2021 Final Match
Konosuke Takeshita defeats Yuji Hino
Announced during the course of the show was the first match for Wrestle Peter Pan, taking place on 21/8/21.
First match announcement for 8.21 #WrestlePeterPan
Special Hardcore Match
Shunma/MAO vs Jun Kasai/Chris Brookes#ddtpro#KINGofDDT#wrestleUNIVERSEpic.twitter.com/2JvibY6MMl— DDT/TJPW English Update (D/TEU) (@ddtpro_eng) July 4, 2021
It was also announced that K-OH Grand Prix would return for the second time in 2021, with K-OH Grand Prix 2021 II. The first night of the tournament is due to take place 3/11/21.
This differs from the King of DDT in that it is a round-robin tournament rather than a single elimination.