New Japan Pro-Wrestling has confirmed when fans will finally see the new-look IWGP World Heavyweight Championship.
According to a new announcement from NJPW, the new IWGP World Heavyweight Championship will be unveiled on March 30 during their Road to Sakura Genesis event at Korakuen Hall. Current IWGP Heavyweight Champion and IWGP Intercontinental Champion Kota Ibushi will receive the title ahead of his title defense on March 4.
At Sakura Genesis on April 4, IWGP World Heavyweight Champion Kota Ibushi will defend his brand new title for the very first time against Will Ospreay in our main event.
Days before this huge kard in Ryogoku, fans can witness the future of NJPW competition in Korakuen Hall. On March 30’s Road to Sakura Genesis event, the brand new championship belt will see its first public reveal!
Watch this historic occasion LIVE on NJPW World!
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“This IWGP Intercontinental title is the greatest belt there is,” said Ibushi. “This IWGP Heavyweight title is the strongest belt there is. I want to unify these titles. I want it to be both the greatest and the strongest. Nobody has challenged for just one of these titles. Then, what does a double championship mean? I want to unify them. Then I will make my ultimate dreams come true. Pro-wrestling is only going up from here. In order to do more, I want to unify them. The longest defense record is 13, right? 12? Then I’ll have to reach 13. But that’s not the end.”
New Japan later confirmed plans to unify the two titles under the new World Heavyweight Championship name; effectively retiring the Intercontinental title that was created in 2011 as a secondary heavyweight title.
