Every NJPW Title Change Of 2024

2. Hiroshi Tanahashi - NJPW World Television Championship - NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 18

Only days after he was appointed the new President of NJPW, Hiroshi Tanahashi captured another championship in New Japan Pro-Wrestling, defeating Zack Sabre Jr. to become the new NJPW World Television Champion. 

The two wrestlers faced off in the second contest at Wrestle Kingdom 18 on January 4 and Tanahashi ended up picking up the surprise win following a pin exchange after eight minutes and 53 seconds. ZSJ bowed and handed the belt to Tanahashi following the match before The Ace celebrated as the new champion. 

Zack Sabre Jr. was the inaugural NJPW World Television Champion, having won the title at Wrestle Kingdom 17 one year earlier. He successfully defended the title on 16 occasions during his one-year reign, beating the likes of Tomohiro Ishii, Jeff Cobb, "Speedball" Mike Bailey, Satoshi Kojima, Christopher Daniels, and Action Andretti across New Japan, Ring of Honor, and All Elite Wrestling.