Satoshi Kojima Burned In The Face By Pyro At MLW Kings Of Colosseum 2025
NJPW's Satoshi Kojima burned by pyro after Matt Riddle's MLW title win.
NJPW star Satoshi Kojima was reported burned by pyro after facing ex-WWE wrestler Matt Riddle at MLW's Kings of Colosseum 2025 show on Saturday, 11 January.
This is per Dave Meltzer, who wrote in the Wrestling Observer's 12 January 'Daily Update':
Satoshi Kojima was burned in the face by the pyro after his match with Matt Riddle on last night’s MLW show in North Richland Hills, TX. The pyro was for the celebration of Riddle winning the MLW title. Pyro shot right into his face. He was in a lot of pain and everyone freaked out, but he was okay.
Kojima has tweeted thrice since Kings of Colosseum, not mentioning the incident, instead focusing on putting Riddle and MLW over.
The fight in MLW is over, Riddle was very strong.
I'm disappointed that I lost, but I'm happy that I met someone I can respect.
— 小島 聡【SATOSHI KOJIMA】 (@cozy_lariat) January 13, 2025
I am also grateful to MLW for giving me this stage. thank you. pic.twitter.com/gGzTRbZVz8
Riddle defeated Kojima to become MLW World Heavyweight Champion at Kings of Colosseum. The New Japan star had reigned for 343 days since dethroning Alex Kane in February 2024.
The post-match celebration angle saw Riddle post with Tom Lawlor and the MLW World Championship as two pyrotechnic shooters ignited either side of him. Although Kojima's alleged burning wasn't caught on camera, Riddle clearly reacts to something by the pyro at 2:12:40 on the video below. Lawlor ushers him away from the pyro before seeming tending to Kojima, who'd been lying on the mat.
Once the pyro stopped shooting, Kojima rose to his feet, allowing Riddle to raise his arm.