We have a new IWGP Heavyweight Champion, and he's not a very nice man.
"Switchblade" Jay White prevailed over Hiroshi Tanahashi at Monday’s NJPW New Beginning finale in Osaka, hitting his signature Blade Runner finisher to pin "The Ace" for the the title. At 26, the Kiwi wrestler is now the 4th youngest IWGP Champion in the company's history.
White has been pushed hard for a while now, and all signs pointed to him holding the title... eventually. But it's safe to say that very few believed it'd happen quite so soon - especially since Tanahashi only just beat Kenny Omega for the championship at Wrestle Kingdom 13 last month.
Unless we see another shocking title change between now and then, White will be the one to defend the IWGP Heavyweight Championship at the upcoming G1 Supercard event at Madison Square Garden.