MAO Retains KO-D Openweight Title at DDT Dramatic Infinity, Requests Chris Brookes as Next Challenger

By: Noah Leatherland

DDT were back in Korakuen Hall for DDT Dramatic Infinity with some big title matches on the card. After managing to make two defences of the KO-D Openweight Championship, MAO was given the chance to select his next challenger, and decided that he wants to test himself against Chris Brookes.

In the scheduled main event of DDT Dramatic Infinity, MAO put his hardware on the line against Fuminori Abe. Abe was a tough test for the champion, but MAO managed to emerge as the victor. The Gedo Clutch was the deciding hold that let MAO to a successful third defence in his reign. Then, Sanshiro Takagi emerged, possessing the right to challenge at anywhere, anytime. But, before Takagi could cash-in that right, he was interrupted by Ilusion, a man who had won the right to challenge anywhere, anytime earlier on.

In a strange twist, Ilusion challenged Takagi for his own contendership. In just over a minute, Ilusion defeated Takagi. Then, he in turn used that new right to challenge straight away on MAO and the KO-D Openweight Championship. Both DAMNATION T.A and Strange Love Connection got involved, sending the title match into chaos. Through it all, MAO managed to hit Ilusion with the Cannonball 450 and retain.

Finally, MAO had a moment of peace and was given the opportunity to select his next challenger for the upcoming event at the Ryogoku Kokugikan. MAO had one name on his mind – Chris Brookes. With Brookes making his way to the ring, the two exchanged words as the match was made official.

MAO:

If I’m going to defend the belt at Ryogoku, it had to be you. Your friends went to NJPW, AEW, etc. You had so many chances but you stayed in DDT in Japan. There’s no other baka in the world like you! We surpass the tough times thanks to Ueno, myself and you! Let’s have a baka main event!

Brookes:

Congrats on your double defense. I didn’t think you were the sentimental type. When I first came to DDT you were my friend, speaking English and all when I could barely speak Japanese. I’m thankful for many good, bad, baka and f**ked up things with you. So at November 3rd at Ryogoku Sumo Hall, let’s have a baka, f***ked up match only we can have.

MAO:

We do the Baka Gaijin shows togethers, things have fired up, a fire actually happened even once too. At Ryogoku, let’s have a match that could burn Ryogoku up!

(Quotes translated via ddtproENG on X)

The KO-D Openweight Championship wasn’t the only prize on the line at DDT Dramatic Infinity. The KO-D Six Man Tag Team Titles changed hands as the DAMNATION T.A trio of Daisuke Sasaki, Hideki Okatani and Ilusion defeated Strange Love Connection’s KANON, Yukio Naya and Viento Lavante. In the aftermath, NωA Jr. made their claim as the next challengers on October 18th.

Ryusuke Taguchi defended the DDT Universal Championship against Antonio Honda in the scheduled semi-main event. The match was as bizarre as the billing suggested, with Honda even trying to use Taguchi’s own son against him. However, luckily for the champion, the boy refused to lay a hand on his own father. Taguchi managed to withstand Honda’s tactics and retained the title. Akito made his way into the ring to put himself forward as the next challenger, but Taguchi interrupted him. Taguchi has another man he wants to defend against first – Dick Togo. Taguchi will face Togo on October 17th in New Japan Pro Wrestling, with the winner then facing Akito in DDT the next day.

Another title ended up in New Japan hands at DDT Dramatic Infinity. Teaming with Jun Akiyama in his anniversary match, Yuji Nagata left Korakuen Hall as the DDT Ironman Heavy Metalweight Champion. Akiyama pinned Danshoku Dieno in the tag bout, winning the belt at the same time. Then, Nagata couldn’t resist rolling up Akiyama and taking the belt for himself.

Here are the full results for DDT Dramatic Infinity, courtesy of purolove.com:

• Naomi Yoshimura & Kazuma Sumi def. Tomimitsu Matsunaga & Yuni (9:25)
• Daichi Satoh Debut 5th Anniversary Match: Takeshi Masada, Yuya Koroku & Daichi Satoh def. Yuki Ueno, Shunma Katsumata & To-y (10:30)
• Soma Takao def. Kazuki Hirata (8:27)
• Shinya Aoki & Junta Miyawaki def. Yuki Ishida & Masami Inahata and Chris Brookes & Hinata Kasai (7:28)
• Jun Akiyama Debut 34th Anniversary Match: Jun Akiyama & Yuji Nagata def. HARASHIMA & Danshoku Dieno (9:59)
• KO-D Six Man Tag Team Title: Daisuke Sasaki, Hideki Okatani & Ilusion def. KANON, Yukio Naya & Viento Levante (c) (12:40)
• DDT Universal Title: Ryusuke Taguchi (c) def. Antonio Honda (12:49)
• KO-D Openweight Title: MAO (c) def. Fuminori Abe (19:14)
• Anytime, Anywhere Challenge Right Battle: Ilusion def. Sanshiro Takagi (1:12)
• KO-D Openweight Title: MAO (c) def. Ilusion (4:35)