According to a report by PWInsider.com, NJPW has officially unified the IWGP Heavyweight and the IWGP Intercontinental Championships to create the brand-new IWGP World Heavyweight Championship. This huge news was confirmed by NJPW Chairman Naoki Sugabayashi to Tokyo Sports.
The report also indicated that Kota Ibushi’s first defense of the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship will be against the winner of the New Japan Cup, which starts on Friday, March 5th. It was previously reported that the new IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Champion El Desperado made his way down to the ring at the Castle Attack Event and it was made official that he will take on IWGP Intercontinental Champion Kota Ibushi at the company's 49th Anniversary Show this coming Thursday for both the titles hanging in the balance, but a new report states that the match will now be a non-title encounter.
NJPW will reportedly be holding a press conference later on today at 3PM JST (1AM ET).
You can check out the announcement below:
New Japan Pro-Wrestling will be hosting a press conference today at 3PM JST.
Fans and members of the media are invited to watch live for free on @njpwworld
Live English updates will be provided here, with a full report and English video to follow. #njcattack #njpw pic.twitter.com/DRtGh1gcCs— NJPW Global (@njpwglobal) March 1, 2021
