Inaugural IWGP United States Champion Crowned

NJPW officially crowned their first ever IWGP United States Champion during the second night of the G1 Specials.

Kenny Omega and Tomohiro Ishii had both advanced to the finals of the US Title Tournament and Kenny eventually won the belt using his patented ‘One Winged Angel’ finishing move.

This move by NJPW puts the entire G1 tournament into question. Omega had been the favorite for a second straight G1 tournament win and a third match against IWGP World Heavyweight Champion Kazuchika Okada at next year’s Wrestle Kingdom show. It looks as though those plans will now be changed, likely with Tetsuya Naito getting the coveted briefcase at this summer’s G1 tournament.

Incredible visual. Incredible match. Incredible wrestler.

Congratulations @KennyOmegamanX! #NJUSA #G1USA pic.twitter.com/aYml7HRWBA

— TDE Wrestling (@totaldivaseps) July 3, 2017

Heads up In-N-Out… @KennyOmegamanX is coming and he's bringing the Bullet Club and the U.S. title. pic.twitter.com/LS3ATbEtXh

— TDE Wrestling (@totaldivaseps) July 3, 2017