New Japan unveils their newest title, which looks a lot like an old one

When New Japan Pro-Wrestling set-up the angle between Jon Moxley, Will Ospreay & David Finlay that will pay off in the Tokyo Dome tomorrow (Jan. 4) at Wrestle Kingdom 18, some thought it was a way to bring back the IWGP Intercontinental championship the promotion retired in 2021.

Finlay smashing the United States and United Kingdom belts Ospreay was carrying around at the time was clearly paving the way for a replacement title. Why not the one people thought never should have been merged with the Heavyweight championship (to form the promotion’s current top prize, the IWGP World Heavyweight title) in the first place?

Instead, NJPW announced that the Bullet Club leader and the two AEW stars will be wrestling for a new belt — the IWGP Global championship. And at the pre-Wrestle Kingdom press conference today, they unveiled that title…

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It’s a good looking belt. It also looks a lot like the company’s old Intercontinental strap…

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It’s not identical, but it’s certainly “inspired by” that classic look. And it’s not a style New Japan will keep exclusively for the Global belt. Reigning IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag champs Clark Connors & Drilla Moloney showed off new versions of their belts ahead of their Wrestling Kingdom defense against TJP & Francesco Akira, also on white leather…

Let us know what you think. And check out the full card for Wrestle Kingdom 18 here, and stay tuned to Cageside Seats for coverage of New Japan’s WrestleMania over the rest of this week.