January 07, 2021 / By mobanmarket
Image: NJPW
NJPW may be unifying the IWGP Heavyweight and IWGP Intercontinental titles.
After retaining both titles against Jay White in the main event of Wrestle Kingdom 15 night two, double champion Kota Ibushi announced during his post-match press conference that he wants to unify the IWGP Heavyweight Championship and IWGP Intercontinental Championship. Ibushi called the Heavyweight Championship the strongest belt there is and the Intercontinental Championship the greatest belt there is. Ibushi said he wants the unified title to be both the strongest and the greatest.
Ibushi said he’ll make his ultimate dreams come true by unifying the titles.
When asked about his next title defense, Ibushi said he’d be willing to defend the unified title, both titles together if they aren’t unified by then, or just one of them if that’s what he’s asked to do.
NJPW’s Japanese and English-language Twitter accounts both posted tweets about Ibushi’s request.
Ibushi defeated Tetsuya Naito at Wrestle Kingdom 15 night one to win both titles. This is the first time that Ibushi has held the IWGP Heavyweight Championship in his career.
Last year, the two nights of Wrestle Kingdom 14 were built around determining a double champion. Kazuchika Okada retained the IWGP Heavyweight Championship against Ibushi and Naito won the IWGP Intercontinental Championship from White at night one. Naito then defeated Okada in a double title match at night two.
Naito, EVIL, and Ibushi have since been double champions, including Naito holding the titles twice. No one has challenged for just the IWGP Heavyweight Championship or IWGP Intercontinental Championship since Wrestle Kingdom 14.
NJPW will follow up on Wrestle Kingdom 15 with New Year Dash beginning at 4:30 a.m. Eastern time on Wednesday (January 6).
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