NJPW Announce Tetsuya Naito Will Defend Both Titles Against KENTA At The New Beginning In Osaka

At Wrestle Kingdom 14, Tetsuya Naito emerged victorious from the Double Gold Dash becoming the first-ever Double IWGP Intercontinental and Heavyweight champion. While he celebrated with his new titles, Naito was attacked by KENTA. The Bullet Club member then proceeded to beat down the new Double champion, with Wrestle Kingdom ending with the image of KENTA sat on Naito as he held both titles aloft.

The former WWE Superstar then attacked the Leader of Los Ingobernables De Japon again at New Year Dash!!, as he declared he was going to take both titles from him.

New Japan announced Naito would put both titles on the line against KENTA at The New Beginning In Osaka on February 9th at Osaka Jo Hall in Osaka, Japan.

Naito seemed bemused about the match being for the titles, however, particularly as KENTA lost his NEVER Openweight Championship to Hirooki Goto at Wrestle Kingdom.

"As far as this becoming a double title match is concerned, these are NJPW’s titles. It isn’t for me to say in the end, and if the company says that this is a title match, then it’s a title match. But is it really OK? I can understand if KENTA beat Goto in the Dome on Sunday, but he lost, and yet his challenge is accepted. That’s a slippery slope to anyone challenging and it could be a black mark on the company. Or this is all part of the plan and even though I’m Double champion now, the office is still going to try and tick me off.

"It’s decided, so we’ll do it. Both belts on the line, me and KENTA. But Jay White, Kota Ibushi and Kazuchika Okada, you all fought to be a part of this weekend but now you’ve fallen to second, third and fourth in line. Is that really alright? Whatever. I’ll fight him. He’s hungry, come to the ring, I have something great cooked up for you."