The IWGP Global Championship is a new singles title in New Japan Pro Wrestling. It replaced the IWGP US Heavyweight Championship, which also became an unofficial UK Championship during Will Ospreay’s reign as final champion, and is meant to reduce confusion and recognize New Japan’s global partnerships and be contested for worldwide. After David Finlay destroyed the US Championship belt in November 2023, plans for a new title as a replacement were announced. It was first awarded in January 2024 when David Finlay won a 3-way match to determine the inaugural champion.
As of 5/4/2024 there have been 3 IWGP Global Champions.
1-David Finlay. 1st reign. Length: 1/4/2024-2/23/2024. Successful defenses: None. Won title in 3-way match.
2-Nic Nemeth. 1st reign. Length: 2/23/2024-5/4/2024. Successful defenses: 1.
3-David Finlay. 2nd reign. Length: 5/4/2024-Present (Current Champion). Successful defenses; 4. Next defense: 1/4/2025 vs. Yota Tsuji. (Note: The winner will next/first defend on 1/5/2025. If Finlay retains, next defense will be vs. Brody King. If Tsuji wins the title, next defense will be vs. Jack Perry)
