NJPW News: Historic title change takes place at New Beginning in Osaka

What's the story?

At tonight's NJPW: New Beginning in Osaka, Hiroshi Tanahashi's reign as IWGP Heavyweight Champion came to a shocking end, as 'Switchblade' Jay White pulled off one of the biggest surprises' in New Japan history by winning NJPW's biggest prize.

In case you didn't know...

Having won the G1 Climax 28, Hiroshi Tanahashi earned his way to another Wrestle Kingdom main event earlier this year, as 'The Ace' defeated now-former champion Kenny Omega in order to win his 8th IWGP Heavyweight Championship in the main event of Wrestle Kingdom 13.

Following his win over Omega and after the departure of the former leader of the Bullet Club, Jay White was quickly declared as the new frontrunner of The BC and set his sights of Tanahashi's IWGP Heavyweight Championship.

The heart of the matter

Ever since making his return to NJPW in 2017 after an excursion in Ring of Honor, Jay White's rise back in the Land of The Rising Sun has been quick. Not only did White officially become a member of CHAOS but also won the IWGP US Championship after his return from the US.

Heading into 2019, Jay White officially betrayed CHAOS and joined forces with The Bullet Club and at today's NJPW: New Beginning in Osaka, 'Switchblade' officially cemented his legacy in New Japan soil by winning the IWGP Heavyweight Title.

With White winning his very first IWGP Heavyweight Championship, it is now very likely that the leader of The Bullet Club will be defending his title at the upcoming NJPW/ROH show at the Madison Square Garden.

Jay White is the new IWGP Heavyweight Champion. He won tickets to #WrestleMania 27, which got him back into wrestling. Fast forward 8 years, and he’s #NJPW’s 4th youngest champion to hold the title. #njnbgpic.twitter.com/dk1Nrkr6fs

— Justin Bailey (@justinbaileyfaa) February 11, 2019

What's next?

Jay White winning the IWGP Heavyweight Championship and bringing it back to the Bullet Club truly feels like a great moment in NJPW history. With White winning the title, he has now joined both AJ Styles and Kenny Omega in the list of Bullet Club stars who won NJPW's biggest prize.

By the looks of it, we are now truly into the Cutthroat Era and it is time to actually Breathe With The Switchblade!