On the second night of New Japan Pro Wrestling’s Royal Quest II, the main event would see Tetsuya Naito and Zack Sabre Jr. face off for the right to take on Will Ospreay for his IWGP United States Heavyweight Championship.
For Naito, he’s held every belt that exists in NJPW, with the exception of the IWGP U.S. Title, with ZSJ also looking for his first reign as the IWGP United States Champion. When the dust settled from the match, it was Naito with the win, having the opportunity to now wrestle Ospreay for the strap.
The match between Ospreay and Naito will be just the second time that the two have fought, with the first time being earlier this year at the G1 Climax. Ospreay would get the W, advancing to the tournament finals to match up against Kazuchika Okada. Now in the second bout between the two, the stakes ratchet up. The first match was for future championship glory, where this will be an actual championship title match.
With Ospreay, he’s the first wrestler to have a successful title defense of the IGWP United States Heavyweight Championship since Hiroshi Tanahashi did over a year ago – September 2021 – at Wrestle Grand Slam against Kota Ibushi.
Back in June of this year at Dominion, Ospreay would claim the-then vacant title back, defeating Sanada. In his current reign, he’s had winning defenses at Forbidden Door against Orange Cassidy, as well as at Burning Spirit taking on David Finlay. Next up is Tetsuya Naito.