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New Japan Pro Wrestling recently confirmed that the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship was vacated by Will Ospreay. The second holder of the newly inaugurated title, Ospreay was forced to vacate the title due to a neck injury that is set to keep him out of action for a while.
At this year's NJPW Sakura Genesis show, Ospreay won the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship from Kota Ibushi. In doing so, The Commonwealth Kingpin made history by becoming the first British Superstar to hold NJPW's primary championship.
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Having left CHAOS after betraying Kazuchika Okada last year, Ospreay took NJPW by storm and formed his own faction, The United Empire. Over the course of the past few months, Ospreay has added The Great-O-Khan, Jeff Cobb, and Aaron Henare to his faction.
At the recent NJPW Wrestling Dontaku show, Ospreay successfully defended the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship. In his first title defense, The Commonwealth Kingpin got the better of his arch-rival, Shingo Takagi, in another classic between the pair.
Will Ospreay's reign as world champion got off to a great start and it seemed he was destined for a memorable run with the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship. Unfortunately, an untimely injury put a stop to Ospreay's momentum and will prevent the now-former IWGP World Heavyweight Champion from competing for a few months.
With that being said, NJPW is now expected to crown a brand new IWGP World Heavyweight Champion. Here are 5 Superstars who could become the next IWGP World Heavyweight Champion.
#5. Kota Ibushi regains the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship
At Wrestle Kingdom 15, Kota Ibushi made history by winning his first IWGP Heavyweight Championship when he defeated Tetsuya Naito on Night 1 of the show. The following night, Ibushi successfully defended both the IWGP Heavyweight and Intercontinental Titles by beating Jay White.
After a few successful title defenses, The Golden Star merged both belts and created the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship. Ibushi was regarded as the first-ever IWGP World Heavyweight Champion but couldn't do justice to his title reign, as he almost immediately lost the title to Will Ospreay at Sakura Genesis.
Ibushi will definitely be aiming to win back the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship sooner rather than later.
#4. Hiroshi Tanahashi could be a top candidate to win the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship
Hiroshi Tanahashi is a multi-time IWGP Heavyweight Champion. Hence, there is absolutely no reason not to include The Ace in the conversation about winning the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship.
While Tanahashi doesn't seem like the biggest admirer of the idea of merging the two titles, he definitely should be included in the world title picture. A few weeks ago, Tanahashi's feud against Jay White came to a conclusion with him losing the NEVER Openweight Championship to Switchblade.
Tanahashi's first reign as the NEVER Champion came to a dramatic end but if needed, NJPW could have The Ace re-enter the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship picture. While there is no proper direction or feud for The Ace, NJPW could start rebuilding Tana's momentum by having him compete in the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship picture.
An eight-time IWGP Heavyweight Champion, Tanahashi knows everything about competing at the top. Having already saved New Japan multiple times in the past, the promotion could turn to The Ace once again and have him win the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship.
#3. KENTA has indicated that he wants a shot at the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship
KENTA is yet to get his hands on the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship. However, ever since arriving in New Japan Pro Wrestling, the former WWE Superstar has been on a hot streak.
The Bullet Club star is already a former NEVER Openweight Champion and has established his place as one of the most over wrestlers in NJPW. Not only that, but KENTA is also a primary member of the Bullet Club, which is quite an exciting position to be in while working with NJPW.
In recent months, KENTA has even appeared in All Elite Wrestling and unsuccessfully challenged Jon Moxley for the IWGP United States Heavyweight Championship. After his recent feud against YOSHI-HASHI in NJPW, KENTA tweeted out claiming that it is time for him to get the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship around his waist.
KENTA's popularity was certainly boosted when he made his return to the US and showed up on AEW. That in itself should definitely be a huge factor in him possibly challenging for the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship.
Currently, in his early 40s, KENTA remains one of the strongest in-ring performers and New Japan could consider having the former WWE Superstar win the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship at some point down the road before it's too late.
#2. Kazuchika Okada finally gets his hands on the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship
Kazuchika Okada is arguably one of the favorites to win the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship after Will Ospreay's injury. Okada was scheduled to challenge his arch-rival in the main event of Wrestle Grand Slam at the Tokyo Dome for the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship.
But the untimely injury to Ospreay, unfortunately, canceled Okada's match against the former and the highly anticipated rematch between the two from Wrestle Kingdom 15 was called off.
Despite Ospreay's injury, Okada should be in contention to become the next IWGP World Heavyweight Champion. The Rainmaker is regarded as one of the greatest IWGP Heavyweight Champions in NJPW history but has kept himself out of world title contention for months.
However, after being called out by Ospreay for an IWGP World Heavyweight Championship match, this could be the former champion's opportunity to regain the world title. The leader of CHAOS could enter the history books as the third-ever IWGP World Heavyweight Champion.
#1. Shingo Takagi is the clear favorite to compete for the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship
Another Superstar who is currently a favorite to win the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship is Shingo Takagi. The Dragon recently competed for the world title when he squared off against Will Ospreay at Wrestling Dontaku.
Despite losing to Ospreay once again, it is safe to say that Takagi competed in one of the most brutal matches of his career. It was a match that took a few months off Ospreay's career, resulting in a brutal neck injury suffered by the now-former IWGP World Heavyweight Champion.
With Ospreay now healing from his injury and with the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship being vacant, NJPW has been presented with an opportunity of putting the belt of Takagi.
Already a fan-favorite in NJPW, The Dragon has won over the hearts of fans with his iconic matches. Takagi is an absolute machine inside the ring and never tends to slow down. Therefore putting the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship around his waist could lead to some of the best world title matches in NJPW history.
