Zack Sabre Jr. retains the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship in the main event of Wrestle Kingdom 19; defeats 27-year-old star

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.

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.

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.

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.