Following part-one of Minoru Suzuki’s eye-catching interview on New Japan Pro Wrestling’s (NJPW) website, NJPW published the second part on February 14. While without the same headline catching quotes, Suzuki did provide some interesting commentary on the number of titles within NJPW.
..I know, I know, I know. It’s because there’s a pecking order, that New Japan has decided. Number one is the IWGP heavy belt, then the Intercontinental, then down here is the US, the NEVER. That’s what you’ve decided. So if you hold this championship, even as a champion you won’t be in the main event. You won’t be the center of attention. Look, unified, separate, it’s none of my business. Whatever. The only question I have is why wasn’t I among those four in the Tokyo Dome? Why take me out and let them decide who the champion is?
Suzuki would later continue on the topic of championships.
So what should we do with these titles? Why is the US title called that? Why Intercontinental? They’re distinctions, right? So distinguish. Let’s all understand where we’re at. The IWGP Heavyweight Championship is the number one belt for everyone. Intercontinental, that should only be between wrestlers from different continents. Japanese guy versus a European guy. America vs Australia. Whatever. US, only defend it in America. NEVER, just heavyweights versus juniors. That gives us some clear distinctions.
Suzuki brings up several interesting points on distinguishing between championship belts, rather than placing a ‘card slot’ value on the meaning of certain titles. For example, the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship doesn’t have to have a ‘lesser’ value due to its weight restrictions — in fact, the weight restriction gives it a unique appeal.
Having the IWGP United States Heavyweight Championship be exclusively defended in the United States would allow it to become the face New Japan Pro Wrestling of America (NJoA), yet would bring limitations when NJPW finally decides to run events in Canada and Mexico.
The Intercontinental Championship having a national v national defense restriction wouldn’t be a new concept; Word Wonder Ring Stardom’s (Stardom) Stardom World Association World Championship maintains a similar set of rules. It would add a different dynamic to the championship, which hasn’t come anywhere close to having such distinction since the title was established in 2011.
The NEVER Openweight Championship being strictly Heavyweight vs Junior Heavyweight would take away some appeal and potential interesting matchups — however, including more juniors participate in the division would keep it fresh.
If versions of these concepts were introduced, it would create a scenario where titles could become greater draws for both the live and digital audiences.
