By: James Carlin
On January 5th 2020, Tetsuya Naito defeated Kazuchika Okada in the main event of Wrestle Kingdom 15 to hold both the IWGP Heavyweight Championship and the IWGP Intercontinental Championship in a Double Gold Dash match.
One year later in March 2021, Kota Ibushi defeated El Desperado to unify both championships and retire them in the process. In the place of the two championships was the new IWGP World Heavyweight Championship, which has been used ever since and is currently held by SANADA.
Kota Ibushi with both titles, shortly before their retirement. c/o @taigaPhoto_PW
Two years later on August 29th 2023 Lord Gideon Grey, the Orchestrator of the United Empire, made a seemingly random reply to his post congratulating NJPW referee Yuya Sakamoto on reaching 10,000 followers.
As a side note Mr Sakamoto, if you happen to see an old white championship belt hidden in the NJPW offices, let me know – I've got something in mind. 🤫
— Gideon Grey ギデオン・グレイ (@LordGideonGrey) August 29, 2023
This came only a few days after AEWs All In at Wembley Stadium show, where United Empire’s Will Ospreay entered to his match against Chris Jericho with his newly rebranded “IWGP United Kingdom Championship”, that he’d changed from the IWGP United States Championship on August 12th, 2023.
Will Ospreay replaces the IWGP US Championship with the IWGP UK Championship. c/o New Japan Pro-Wrestling
Two hours after his post reply, Grey announced that he had no choice but to start an investigation into the “White Belt” and its mysterious disappearance in 2021, starting at the top with NJPW President Takami Ohbari.
Hmm 🤔
The more I look into it, the stranger it seems that a certain white belt just completely disappeared in 2021.
I'm left with no choice but to perform a full investigation – starting tomorrow, at the top, with @TAKAMIOHBARI
I won't rest until I have answers!
— Gideon Grey ギデオン・グレイ (@LordGideonGrey) August 29, 2023
Minutes later, Grey quoted a post from the same day that showed Tetsuya Naito and EVIL with the “missing White Belt”, proving its existence.
It existed! https://t.co/kcxNKT6MF7
— Gideon Grey ギデオン・グレイ (@LordGideonGrey) August 29, 2023
After a good night’s sleep, Grey woke up to start Day One of his investigation, and promptly asked President Ohbari if he had seen a “White Belt” that existed prior to his assumption of the role as President.
I've had a good night's sleep, so it's investigation day one!
Hey President @TAKAMIOHBARI !
Before you took your current position, there used to be a white belt – Do you know where it is currently?!?!
— Gideon Grey ギデオン・グレイ (@LordGideonGrey) August 30, 2023
Shockingly, President Ohbari responded a little over forty minutes later, saying:
I'll let you know in person🇬🇧 https://t.co/dRLlUgrADe
— 大張高己/Takami Ohbari (@TAKAMIOHBARI) August 30, 2023
Lord Gideon Grey currently resides in the United Kingdom after his time in New Japan Pro-Wrestling came to an end in-ring at Historic X-Over in November, but he would remain as a manager until the end of the World Tag League Tour in December 2022. Royal Quest III, which takes place in the capital of England once again this October, looks to be the site of something interesting to come regarding the “lost White Belt”.
Could the IWGP Intercontinental Championship be making its return? The future remains to be seen.
Date:
August 30, 2023
Category:
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