When Kota Ibushi unified the IWGP Heavyweight and IWGP Intercontinental Championships on March 4 this year, most expected to see a beautiful new belt unveiled.
Unfortunately, the belt was not most fans’ idea of beautiful, and the new IWGP World Heavyweight title design has been widely condemned on social media.
Kota had said previously that 99% of people didn’t want to see the belts unified, and now it feels like 99% of people simply don’t want to see the belt at all.
Despite his previous comments, it seems that Kota is feeling a bit more positive, which could of course be down to the fact that he doesn’t have to carry it anymore after losing it to Will Ospreay.
Speaking to NJPW, Ibushi said he thinks the new belt design will win people over…eventually.
“You know, I think I’ve always had this image in mind that a championship belt is always round. So when I first saw this title, I did think ‘woah, this is really different!’. I think though that the design is something that will win everyone over in time. I’m delighted to be able to say I was the first. A lot has changed, even since I was a junior heavyweight.”
Well he was hardly going to say it was ugly in an interview with the promotion itself. But as Tempest said when I showed him this piece, “Sure, Kota.”
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