I.W.G.P. 4th Belt
Created by Rico Mann, Reggie Parks & Dave Millican.
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President Sugabayashi showed off the fourth generation IWGP Heavyweight Title belt today at New Japan offices. As you can see, the belt is gold, not silver, and merges aspects of the previous title belts into it. It will be publically displayed for the first time on the 3/9 Aichi tour opener, then will take its place around Nakamura's waist.



New Japan today held a press conference to unveil the design for the fourth generation IWGP Heavyweight Title belt. After Nakamura defeated Angle to both defend his second generation title and win Angle's third generation title, New Japan was left with the problem of what to use. Well, the answer is none: they will introduce a new design as pictured above. Production began on February 19th and it will be presented to Nakamura at the March 9th tour opener in Aichi. Nakamura can then showoff the new belt throughout the tour, leading into his next defense against the New Japan Cup winner at the end of March. Nakamura believes aspects of all three previous designs have been put into the new belt, creating a sort of hybrid. He said it is a pleasure to see history so respected in the new design. President Sugabayashi explained simply that the reason for a new belt is to start a new time. "Hashimoto's title", the second generation, was sealed after his death, and the third generation title was marred by the Brock Lesnar problem, though it has been recaptured from the man who defeated Lesnar.

-puroresufan.com

We would like to thank the fine people over at puroresufan.com for the above pictures and stories.