New IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion Crowned At NJPW Wrestle Grand Slam In Tokyo Dome
El Desperado's reign comes to an end
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Jul 25, 2021
A new IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion was crowned at today's Wrestle Grand Slam in Tokyo Dome show.
El Desperado defended the gold against the recently returned Robbie Eagles at today's event and the challenger picked up the win.
Both men repeatedly targeted the other's knees throughout the contest and Despe's downfall came after Eagles locked in the Ron Miller Special. The Australian had the move locked in for a long time and he dragged the champion back to the centre of the ring and reapplied the submission just before El Desperado could make it to the ropes. Despe tried to find a way to escape but he was left with no choice but to submit.
Today's victory kicks off Robbie Eagles' first reign with the gold. He has competed in New Japan since 2018 and unsuccessfully challenged then-champion Will Ospreay for the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Title in June 2019.
The title change came as a surprise to many, particularly with the return of former IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion Hiromu Takahashi. The Time Bomb was recently cleared to return to the ring following his torn pectoral injury and he announced at today's show that he wanted to face the winner of El Desperado vs. Robbie Eagles for the title. A rematch between Hiromu and Despe for the title The Time Bomb never lost appeared to be the money match, but NJPW has opted to go with Robbie Eagles as the man Takahashi must overcome instead.
