In a historic moment for New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW), Zack Sabre Jr. has finally achieved his long-time goal by winning the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship. The English wrestler captured the title at NJPW's King of Pro-Wrestling event on October 14, 2024, by defeating Tetsuya Naito.
Sabre Jr., known for his technical prowess and dedication to the craft, earned the title shot by winning the prestigious G1 Climax tournament earlier this year. His victory in the tournament made him the first Briton to win the G1 Climax and the first non-Japanese wrestler to do so since Kenny Omega in 2016.
#andNEW
— NJPW Global (@njpwglobal) October 14, 2024
Zack Sabre Jr is IWGP World Heavyweight Champion!https://t.co/2SNlwKPnip
ZSJ vs SANADA for the title SUNDAY in London!https://t.co/jXjFeoheXu#RoyalQuest #njkopw pic.twitter.com/GiRz2vaNyn
The match at King of Pro-Wrestling was a hard-fought battle, with Sabre Jr. hitting three of his signature Zack Drivers on Naito to secure the win. This victory not only marks a significant milestone in Sabre Jr.'s career but also ends Naito's reign at 106 days.
Following his win, Sabre Jr. was confronted by SANADA, who will be his first challenger at Royal Quest in London on October 20, 2024. This sets the stage for an exciting title defense and further cements Sabre Jr.'s place in NJPW history.
Zack Sabre Jr.'s journey to the top has been filled with challenges, including previous unsuccessful attempts at the title against top wrestlers like Kazuchika Okada and Shingo Takagi. However, his persistence and skill have finally paid off, making him the new IWGP World Heavyweight Champion.
The wrestling world is abuzz with excitement as fans eagerly await Sabre Jr.'s future matches and title defenses. His technical style and dedication to the sport have earned him a well-deserved place among the elite of NJPW.
