The New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW) landscape has shifted once again with the crowning of a new IWGP World Champion at Sakura Genesis. The annual event saw some of the best wrestlers in the world step into the ring for high-stakes matches, but the big highlight of the night was the historic title match that saw a new name etched in the record books. The raucous Tokyo crowd witnessed a memorable night of pro wrestling, and we have all the details on this epic title change. Join us as we take a closer look at the new IWGP World Champion crowned at NJPW Sakura Genesis.
New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW) is one of the most popular professional wrestling promotions in Japan. It was founded in 1972 and has since then gained popularity not only in Japan but also around the world. NJPW has produced some of the biggest stars in the wrestling industry, including current WWE wrestler AJ Styles and former WWE wrestler Shinsuke Nakamura.
On April 4, 2021, NJPW held its annual Sakura Genesis event at the Ryogoku Kokugikan arena in Tokyo, Japan. The event featured some of the biggest names in NJPW, including Kazuchika Okada and SANADA.
The main event of the show was the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship match between the champion Kazuchika Okada and challenger SANADA. The IWGP World Heavyweight Championship is the top championship in NJPW and is often considered one of the most prestigious championships in professional wrestling.
Kazuchika Okada is a veteran in NJPW and has held the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship on multiple occasions. He won the title for the second time at NJPW’s New Beginning in Nagoya event on February 11, 2021, by defeating former champion Kota Ibushi.
SANADA, on the other hand, is a relatively new face in NJPW. He made his debut in 2016 and has since then become one of the most popular wrestlers in the promotion. SANADA is known for his unique wrestling style and his finishing move, the Deadfall.
The match between Okada and SANADA was highly anticipated by NJPW fans, and it did not disappoint. The two wrestlers put on a fantastic performance, which culminated in SANADA defeating Okada to become the new IWGP World Heavyweight Champion.
The finish of the match saw SANADA hit Okada with his Deadfall finisher, which is a spinning moonsault slam. The move was enough to secure the victory for SANADA and mark his first reign as the IWGP World Heavyweight Champion.
The title change was a significant moment for SANADA, who has been working hard to establish himself as a top wrestler in NJPW. It was also a historic moment for NJPW, as SANADA became the first wrestler to win the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship without having won any other championship in the promotion.
The victory over Okada also ended his second reign with the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship. Okada had held the title for 95 days, which was a relatively short reign compared to his previous reigns with the championship.
The result of the match has left many NJPW fans speculating about what the future holds for both Okada and SANADA. Okada is one of the most popular and successful wrestlers in NJPW history, and it will be interesting to see where he goes from here. SANADA, on the other hand, has a bright future ahead of him and is expected to be a top player in NJPW for years to come.
Overall, the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship match between Kazuchika Okada and SANADA was a thrilling and historic moment in NJPW history. It showcased the talent and skill of two of the best wrestlers in the promotion and provided fans with an unforgettable experience. NJPW continues to be one of the most popular and exciting promotions in professional wrestling, and with moments like this, it is easy to see why.
In conclusion, New Japan Pro Wrestling has once again delivered an electrifying show with the crowning of a new IWGP World Champion at Sakura Genesis. Fans were on the edge of their seats as Will Ospreay and Kota Ibushi gave it their all in the ring. The night may have ended with Ospreay victorious, but the memorable performances from all the wrestlers on the card left an indelible impression on everyone who watched. With the NJPW roster continuing to impress, the future of the company looks bright, and fans can’t wait to see what’s next.
