Yota Tsuji Announces Official Reinstatement of IWGP Heavyweight Championship, Restores Title Lineage

Newly crowned champion Yota Tsuji held a press conference in Japan earlier today, confirming the reinstatement of the IWGP Heavyweight Champion and the restoration of its title lineage. At this week’s New Year Dash, Tsuji was announced as the IWGP Heavyweight Champion, rather than the World Heavyweight Champion.

Tsuji entered the press conference not only with the V4 version of the IWGP Heavyweight Champion, but also the IWGP Intercontinental Title belt, and he clarified confusion regarding his plans for the championship. Tsuji explained, “As I said before, the Tokyo Dome, when I won the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship, I had always planned to split the title back into its constituent parts; the IWGP Heavyweight and Intercontinental Championships.”

Tsuji reinforced his immense respect for the World Heavyweight Title holders and noted that, despite his re-splitting of the titles, he wanted to connect the lineages of the World Heavyweight Title and the Heavyweight Title. He won the belt from Konosuke Takeshita last Sunday at NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 20 on January 4 at the Tokyo Dome.

Tsuji also noted that the IWGP Global Title and the Intercontinental Title “have similar roles, but they aren’t the same title.” With that, Tsuji announced that he will retain the IWGP Global Title, but also officially retire the Intercontinental Title, despite the split.

During the press conference, the now-retired NJPW President, Hiroshi Tanahashi, gave his blessing to Tsuji on the decision, and he announced Yota Tsuji as the official 87th IWGP Heavyweight Champion. To clear up any confusion, the IWGP Heavyweight Champion is counting the previous IWGP World Heavyweight Title holders as part of its lineage now, even though the World Heavyweight Title has essentially been deactivated.

During the press conference, Tanahashi said to the new champion, “Now that the (world and heavyweight) lineages are connected, I expect you to lead NJPW into a new world with the title,” also asking Tsuji, “Are you ready?” The champion gave his confirmation.

The IWGP Heavyweight and Intercontinental Titles were previously unified into the IWGP World Heavyweight Title in February 2021, after Kota Ibushi won both titles at Wrestle Kingdom 15.

Yota Tsuji Intends To Defend IWGP Heavyweight and Global Titles Separately

With regards to the IWGP Global Heavyweight Title, Tsuji announced that he plans to defend the Heavyweight and Global Titles separately moving forward. He wants the IWGP Heavyweight Title to be contested “in Japan by the best of New Japan,” and the Global belt will be defended “on international events, or against invaders from other companies.”

Also, Tsuji stated he would boycott any event that has an IWGP Heavyweight Title bout not in the main event moving forward. Last Sunday’s Wrestle Kingdom 20 featured Tanahashi vs. Kazuchika Okada in the main event, as it was the Legendary Ace’s final bout of his career.

During the press conference, Tsuji also announced the formation of a new stable called Unbound Co. More information on the faction will be revealed later on. The group will be in action as an official faction at Blue Justice XVII on January 18.