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| (Image Source: Major League Wrestling) |
Major League Wrestling (MLW), in association with New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW), announced the highly-anticipated return of former MLW World Heavyweight Champion Satoshi Kojima at MLW: ONE-SHOT on December 7, 2023 at the Melrose Ballroom in New York City which will be aired worldwide exclusively on FITE+, the premium subscription service of global combat sports and entertainment streaming platform FITE by Triller.
Satoshi Kojima, a living legend in the world of professional wrestling, carved his indelible mark on Major League Wrestling during a pivotal period where his prowess, charisma, and connection with the fans converged to create an unforgettable chapter in the promotion’s history. In the annals of MLW, Satoshi Kojima is immortalized as the first-ever World Heavyweight Champion. His arrival signaled a new era and his victories in the early years played a pivotal role in establishing MLW as a force to be reckoned with in the wrestling world. Kojima’s title fights became the stuff of legend with each match cementing MLW’s reputation as a breeding ground and world showcase for top-tier fighters. Fans were swept up in “Kojimania", a fervent following that transcended borders, testifying to the global appeal of this Japanese wrestling icon.
A true international defender as the World Heavyweight Champion, Kojima’s commitment to MLW extended beyond American soil. He defended the World Heavyweight title with pride in Japan, facing formidable opponents such as Johnny Smith, Ohtani, and John Tenta. Defending the title in All Japan Pro Wrestling, WMF and Zero-One solidified Kojima’s status as a true global wrestling ambassador and forever cemented the title’s status as a legitimate professional wrestling world title. In February 2005, Kojima held both the Triple Crown Heavyweight and the IWGP Heavyweight titles, a first in pro wrestling. In 2022, Kojima journeyed to Pro Wrestling NOAH where he captured the GHC Heavyweight Championship to complete a rare championship grand slam. Now, 20 years after his meteoric rise in MLW, Satoshi Kojima makes a triumphant return to the league. The stage is set for him to once again etch his name in the history books as he pursues a historic feat – becoming the first-ever two-time MLW World Heavyweight Champion. The anticipation is palpable as Kojima, the Bread Club Warrior, steps back into the spotlight to ignite a new era in MLW. The legend continues, and the legacy of Kojimania is poised for a glorious resurgence.
In his return to MLW, Kojima is set to face one of the most dangerous entertainers in the sport in recent memory, World Titan Federation's "Filthy" Tom Lawlor accompanied by Saint Laurent. Like Kojima, the former MMA star made his own mark in MLW throughout its road to resurgence and return to prominence since its relaunch in 2018. In February 2019, Lawlor defeated former champion Low Ki to become the MLW World Heavyweight Champion and started a 154-day reign that would coincide with the league's return to prominence. The leader of "Team Filthy" went on to win the 2020 Opera Cup on the league's restart due to the global effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and eventually became the first and longest-reigning NJPW Strong Openweight Champion. Now, two of MLW's greatest world champions are set to collide with each other in the city where they both enjoyed their great triumphs in MLW.
