Zack Sabre Jr. has retained the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship. [Images via njpw1972's IG & NJPW Global's X]
Zack Sabre Jr. retained the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship in the main event of NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 19 on Saturday, January 4. He defeated 27-year-old Shota Umino to retain the title.
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Zack Sabre Jr. won the 2024 G1 Climax. He defeated Yota Tsuji in the final to become only the second Gaijin wrestler after Kenny Omega to win the G1 Climax. The Frontman challenged Tetsuya Naito for the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship, defeating the latter at King of Pro-Wrestling on October 14, 2024.
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At, Wrestle Kingdom 19, The Submission Master retained his title after a match that went over 40 minutes. During the match's closing moments, the reigning champion hit Umino with the Gotch-style piledriver and followed it up with the Sabre Driver for the win.
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Zack Sabre Jr. is in his first reign as a world champion in NJPW. He previously defended the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship against SANADA at NJPW Royal Quest IV.
The 37-year-old debuted in NJPW in March 2017, defeating Katsuyori Shibata in his first match. He won the RPW British Heavyweight Championship with an assist from Minoru Suzuki and Davey Boy Smith Jr. Zack is also a two-time NJPW World Television Champion. He has also held the IWGP Tag Team Title thrice with Taichi.
The IWGP World Heavyweight Champion will defend his title tomorrow at Wrestle Dynasty against Ricochet.
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About the author
Soumik Datta
Soumik Datta is a professional wrestling journalist who has been following the business for more than a decade.
In 2017, Soumik joined the Sportskeeda Wrestling team and is best known for his work with the WWE team. He has previously contributed to the Sportskeeda AEW, MMA, and the football team where he specifically covered the Major League Soccer.
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