New Japan Pro Wrestling has experienced significant changes in recent weeks, all of which were set in motion well in advance. The company has now officially introduced the Global Heavyweight Title and Junior Tag Team Titles ahead of Wrestle Kingdom 18.
NJPW’s New Leadership
The recent shift in leadership was a big one, with Hiroshi Tanahashi appointed as the new President of NJPW. This decision was made during a meeting of NJPW’s board of directors and shareholders on December 23rd, 2023.
Tanahashi’s presidency implies even more changes. They are getting started with some revamped title belt designs.
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— NJPW WORLD (@njpwworld) January 3, 2024
New IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship Design
Jon Moxley, Will Ospreay, and David Finlay are set to compete against each other to determine the first IWGP Global Heavyweight Champion at the Tokyo Dome on January 4, 2024, replacing the now-defunct IWGP United States/United Kingdom Heavyweight Championship.
At the official Wrestle Kingdom 18 press conference, the company unveiled the Global Heavyweight Championship, set to be defended soon.
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— ?????????????? (@njpw1972) January 3, 2024
New IWGP Junior Tag Team Championships Design
Then, later on, The Bullet Club War Dogs, Drilla Moloney, and Clark Connors secured the IWGP Junior Tag Team Titles on July 4th at Independence Day against Catch 2/2. Since then, Connors and Moloney have been focused on making a big name for themselves in NJPW, one that they intend on amplifying.
The team introduced new versions of the IWGP Junior Tag Team Titles at a press conference before Wrestle Kingdom. They also took some time to cut a heel promo on the entire Junior Tag Team Division, including anyone who held those old titles.
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