Kazuchika Okada Brings Back Old IWGP Heavyweight Championship

Kazuchika Okada recently appeared at NJPW Road To Power Struggle and brought with him the old IWGP Heavyweight Championship, which had previously been retired.

Okada defeated Kota Ibushi in the G1 Climax 31 finals and, in the post-G1 press conference, had said hat he wanted to bring the title with him instead of the briefcase that most G1 winners carry until Wrestle Kingdom.

“The IWGP Heavyweight Championship that Ibushi retired though — I’m not saying that people should call me the ‘X-ieth Heavyweight Champion’ or anything, but I want to hold that belt, until Ibushi gets back. Usually [the G1 winner] gets a contract and defends that. But maybe I can — in fact, since the chairman is here today, I’m asking to have the fourth IWGP Heavyweight belt in place of a contract. Is that OK, chairman? There’s usually a briefcase with a contract inside. But after the way things ended yesterday, I want to face Ibushi again. And since Ibushi retired that title, I want it as proof of my promise to him. To have a title belt instead of a contract.”