How The Pro Wrestling Industry Reacted To Zack Sabre Jr. Defeating Hirooki Goto For The IWGP World Heavyweight Title

Zack Sabre Jr. is now a two-time IWGP World Heavyweight Champion after defeating Hirooki Goto for the title at NJPW Tanahashi Jam on June 29.

ZSJ got the win via submission/referee stoppage in the night’s main event, but the title switch was peculiar for the fact that Tanahashi Jam was not a major show and as such did not air on NJPW World and was not available outside of Japan. Per a report from Fightful Select, reaction to the title switch from within the pro-wrestling industry is one of shock.

No information has been given as to why New Japan did the title switch on such a relatively low-key show, with the even broadcast on CS Asahi in Japan. With NJPW set to partner with All Elite Wrestling once again for Forbidden Door London in August, then it makes sense to have Sabre Jr. walk into the event as World Champion on home soil.

No matches have been formally announced for Forbidden Door as of writing, although Hiroshi Tanahashi is slated to perform on the card in what is being billed as ‘The Ace’s final ever match on UK soil as part of his retirement year.

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