During the 2023 New Japan Cup, longtime Los Ingobernables de Japon member SANADA would bet on himself. After defeating Tetsuta Naito to advance in the tournament, he would leave the faction to join the Just 4 Guys faction, which was quickly renamed to Just 5 Guys.
SANADA would proceed to win the New Japan Cup, defeating David Finlay in the finals of the tournament – and setting up a match against Kazuchika Okada for Sakura Genesis.
SANADA Dethrones Kazuchika Okada To Win IWGP World Heavyweight Championship
Coming into the match with a 1-7 record against Okada, SANADA had very few believing he would finally win the big one. However, with a new look, a new faction that viewed him as their top guy, and a new finisher in Deadfall – SANADA had all the tools he needed.
It was a big match in a sold out Ryogoku Sumo Hall – and a moment of shock came 26 minutes later.
SANADA had designed Deadfall as a natural counter to Okada’s finisher The Rainmaker – and it was able to shock Okada, leading to the three count.
This marks the first World Championship victory in the career of SANADA, and finally proves NJPW is willing to invest into him as a main event talent.
Aussie Open Take Place As Top Tag Team In NJPW
Another title change would take place during this event, as Aussie Open would defeat Bishamon to claim the IWGP Tag Team Championships.
Being favorites to win the 2022 World Tag League, Aussie Open have become incredibly popular with the fans of Japan – and after one of the best matches of the show, Bishamon would be forced to hand over the belts they won at Wrestle Kingdom 17.
This is a great move for the often dwindling tag team division in NJPW, as Aussie Open are a fresh team on top – and a great candidate to rebuild the prestige of the once great championships with a standout reign.
United Empire now controls both sets of tag team championships in NJPW, with TJP & Francesco Akira holding the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championships for the past 292 days.
Which new champion will have the longer reign in NJPW, SANADA or Aussie Open? Let us know what you think in the comment section down below.
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