NJPW Confirm New Title Will Replace IWGP US Championship

A brand new champion will be crowned at Wrestle Kingdom 18, and it looks to mark the end of the IWGP US/UK Championship in New Japan Pro Wrestling.

At the recent NJPW Power Struggle event, IWGP UK Champion Will Ospreay was confronted by Jon Moxley following his hard-fought defense against Shota Umino, with the pair set to face off at Wrestle Kingdom next year. The two were ambushed by David Finlay, who proceeded to destroy both UK and US belts. Finlay made it clear that he was tired of the whole US/UK schtick, but did set his intentions on becoming champion regardless, and was ultimately added into the Wrestle Kingdom bout.

The status of the title has been clarified by NJPW Chairman Naoki Sugabayashi at the WK18 press conference, revealing that with the destruction of the two current belts, a new one will be established.

"Regarding the IWGP US belt, we will establish a new title. It is true that fans were confused whether it is a US belt or a UK belt, so we created a new one. We will announce the details soon.”

A new name, design, and concept has not yet been revealed for this new belt.

H/T Fightful