Originally published at NJPW unifying IWGP Heavyweight & Intercontinental Titles
Day two of New Japan Pro-Wrestling’s Castle Attack took place today and headlining the show was Kota Ibushi defeating Tetsuya Naito to retain the IWGP Intercontinental Championship. The Heavyweight Title was not on the line for the bout.
Following Ibushi’s defense, NJPW Chairman Naoki Sugabayashi told Tokyo Sports that he will be unifying the IWGP Heavyweight and Intercontinental Championships. Ibushi will now be known as the IWGP World Heavyweight Champion.
As a result of discussions on the company side, we decided to respect the will of the current champion and unify the two thrones. IWGP Heavyweight and IC history inherited. IWGP World Heavyweight Championship will be newly established and the belt will be renewed.
Tokyo Sports noted that the unification is expected to be announced during the Castle Attack press conference on March 1st. Sugabayashi added that the winner of the New Japan Cup will challenge Ibushi for the IWGP World Heavyweight Title.
The newly crowned IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion El Desperado confronted Kota Ibushi at the Castle Attack show on 2/28. NJPW’s next event is their Anniversary show where the world champion and Junior Heavyweight Champion normally go one-on-one.