NJPW unveiled the new  IWGP World Heavyweight Championship belt in a ceremony at the start of today’s Road to Sakura Genesis event in Korakuen Hall. 

Kota Ibushi came to the ring to begin the ceremony with the IWGP Heavyweight and IWGP Intercontinental titles. He relinquished the belts to NJPW officials, officially ending their lineage. A roll call video played for both the Heavyweight and Intercontinental titles, then the new World Championship belt was unveiled. 

The new IWGP World Heavyweight Championship belt incorporates all four previous IWGP Heavyweight belt designs into the main plate, while the side plates are modeled after the Intercontinental title’s. 

Ibushi was presented with the new belt and officially recognized as the first IWGP World Heavyweight Champion. 

Ibushi will make his first defense of the title on Sunday, April 4 at Sakura Genesis, facing 2021 New Japan Cup winner Will Ospreay in the main event. The show will air live on NJPW World at 4 a.m. Eastern time.