Summary

The IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship changed hands in the main event of night one of NJPW Wrestling Dontaku 2026, as Andrade El Idolo defeated Yota Tsuji to close the show.

The match came together after Gabe Kidd was removed from the bout because of a shoulder injury suffered at AEW Dynasty. That change reopened Andrade's path to the title just a few months after the comments Tsuji made before Dontaku and their previous championship meeting in February.

Winner

Andrade El Idolo won the IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship by defeating Yota Tsuji.

The finish came after Andrade DDT'd Tsuji head-first onto the ring post from the ropes. Andrade was also sent crashing to the floor by the momentum, but he made it back into the ring and followed with his finisher to secure the title change.

What Andrade's Win Means For The IWGP Global Title

Andrade now gives NJPW's Global title picture an immediate cross-promotional wrinkle, especially after saying AEW and NJPW are both in his blood in the post-match scene. The challenge did not stop there, either, as Drilla Moloney came out and was soon joined by Shota Umino.

With Moloney and Umino both positioned around the new champion at ringside, NJPW already has its next direction in view. Andrade even floated the idea of a Triple Threat, which gives the promotion a clear follow-up option coming out of Wrestling Dontaku.

Sources

As reported by Fightful.