NJPW will soon unify the IWGP Heavyweight Championship and IWGP Intercontinental Championship into a single new title, according to a report by Tokyo Sports.
NJPW Chairman Naoki Sugabayashi confirmed to Tokyo Sports that the new unified title will be called the “IWGP World Heavyweight Championship” and that current double champion Kota Ibushi “will be recognized as the first champion.”
The official announcement is expected to be made at a press conference on March 1, and the first defense will be against the winner of the New Japan Cup, which starts on March 5.
Current IWGP Heavyweight and Intercontinental Champion Kota Ibushi has been pushing for the titles to be unified since shortly after winning them from Tetsuya Naito at Wrestle Kingdom 15 on January 4.
The IWGP Heavyweight Championship was established in 1987 (first champion was Antonio Inoki), while the Intercontinental Championship was established in 2011 (first champion was MVP). Tetsuya Naito became a double champion at Wrestle Kingdom 14 in January 2020 and the titles have changed hands together since.
AEW: Gallus Reportedly Was Backstage at 1/21 AEW Dynamite Show, Bishop Dyer on His AEW Debut Appearance & Tony Khan’s Reaction To His Dark Match at 1/21 AEW Tapings, Kenny Omega Did Motion Capture Work for Street Fighter 6
WWE 2K26 Attitude Era Edition Announced
WWE: Triple H Says “A Lot Of Surprises In Store” for Royal Rumble 2026, Talent Spotted on Flight to Saudi Arabia for Royal Rumble, The Undertaker on “WWE Has Gotten ‘Too Comfortable’ Pulling Back The Curtain”
