Zack Sabre Jr has finally brought it home!
The English wrestler achieved a career-long goal at NJPW’s King of Pro-Wrestling event. Zack Sabre Jr pinned Tetsuya Naito to win the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship for the first time in his career.
The 37-year-old earned the title shot by winning the G1 Climax tournament earlier this year. He became the first Briton to win the tournament, and the first gaijin victor since Kenny Omega in 2016.
Instead of the usual match at the Tokyo Dome on January 4th, Zack Sabre Jr opted for something different with his title match. Wanting to walk into Royal Quest in London as champion, he challenged Tetsuya Naito to a title match at King of Pro-Wrestling on October 14th, 2024.
After hitting three Zack Driver’s on Naito, the British star pinned him to win the match. This marked his first world championship victory in New Japan, ascending to the top of the company for the first time.
NJPW announced Zack Sabre Jr’s victory on Twitter, while announcing the match for Royal Quest next week will see him defend it against SANADA.
“Zack Sabre Jr is IWGP World Heavyweight Champion! ZSJ vs SANADA for the title SUNDAY in London!”
Zack Sabre Jr has had numerous attempts to win the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship. He is a two-time New Japan Cup winner, and failed to take the belt off Kazuchika Okada and Shingo Tagaki in the past.
With his victory, he becomes the second British wrestler to win the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship. He follows Will Ospreay, who won the title in 2021.
