NJPW announces new IWGP United States Championship (Photo)

Prior to War of the Worlds, New Japan announced the new IWGP United States Championship that will be awarded at the NJPW American G1 special shows

On Friday night at the Hammerstein Ballroom in New York City, NY, the stars of New Japan Pro Wrestling joined the stars of Ring of Honor for War of the Worlds 2017. As one of the marquee shows of the year, all the stops were set to be pulled out. However, NJPW had a bit of a surprise for everyone prior to the show ever getting on the air.

As many wrestling fans know, NJPW will head stateside in early July for two G1 special shows. Though they’ve performed in the United States with ROH, New Japan themselves running shows in the states is near unprecedented. Thus, it’s understandable that the tickets for these events sold out in mere seconds. Now NJPW has a surprise for fans that will be watching.

Prior to the start of War of the Worlds, Kevin Kelly came out with New Japan’s US Ambassador George Carroll and announced the new IWGP United States Championship. And yes, the title will be awarded in the US at the two G1 special shows (h/t PW Insider).

And in attendance was the belt itself — and it’s absolutely gorgeous:

New Japan really knows how to go out of their way to make an impression on the United States. Not only are they branching out with shows, but with this title as well. What’s more, they went all out in designing one of the best belts currently in pro wrestling. (Okay, that might be a gut reaction, but it’s amazing nonetheless.)

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As if there already wasn’t enough buzz about the NJPW shows on United States soil, the new title adds even more. Now the question is who will be the first IWGP United States Champion.