Masato Tanaka wished to call himself the best of DDT. And now after beating HARASHIMA he now can do so. Having captured the KO-D Openweight Championship in the main event of Sweet Dreams 2020. And settling the draw that the two had during their D-Ou Grand Prix which Tanaka would eventually win to claim this title opportunity.
Masato Tanaka on this current run with DDT has been unbeaten. With no losses in the D-Ou Grand Prix. Beating out two former KO-D champions to earn the win. And the only blemish on that record being the aforementioned draw. Whoever his challengers will be, have a tall task ahead of them. As he sits on top of the mountain with the top prize in the company.
This is not Masato Tanaka’s first time in the company. He had wrestled with DDT and their affiliated promotions off and on since 2017. But this marks his longest continuous run in the company.
HARASHIMA in the meantime took the loss in stride. He said he would rebuild, and challenge when the time is right. But acknowledges that someone like Tanaka can increase the status of the belt. The two always had mutual respect for each other leading into this match. And the draw along with title implications would only stoke fuel onto the flames of who would be the best in the company.
Something else to keep an eye on is the three gauntlet holders named at the Right to Challenge battle royal. Daisuke Sasaki and Shinya Aoki all earned the right to challenge the current champion. Yasu Urano instead got a right to challenge at the Saitama Super Arena contract. Sasaki used his contract to challenge Urano to a match and won the SSA contract. Both contracts are contested under the same rules where it must be defended.
