Kota Ibushi To Unify IWGP Heavyweight And Intercontinental Titles, Final Defense Of Double Titles Set
For the last year, there has been one person holding the top two titles of New Japan Pro Wrestling. At last year’s Wrestle Kingdom event, Tetsuya Naito became a double champion and both belts have since been defended together.
Since Kota Ibushi won the two title at this year’s Wrestle Kingdom event, Ibushi has expressed an interest in unifying the title, with Naito wanting to prevent him from unification. After failing to win the IWGP Intercontinental Title at NJPW Castle Attack, Naito has failed in preventing this from happening. New Japan Pro Wrestling Chairman Naoki Sugabayashi and Tokyo Sports have announced the two titles will be unified to become the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship.
While at the initial press conference, Chairman Sugabayashi announced Kota Ibushi as the first ever IWGP World Heavyweight Champion and announced his first defense would take place at Sakura Genesis against the winner of this year’s New Japan Cup, Ibushi requested one last defense of the double titles and it was granted.
This Thursday at the NJPW Anniversary Show, Ibushi will defend both titles against IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Champion El Desperado where the winner will be crowned the initial IWGP World Heavyweight Champion.
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