NJPW & STARDOM creating IWGP Women’s Championship
A Women’s Championship is coming to NJPW.
STARDOM and NJPW have announced the creation of the IWGP Women’s Championship, with the first-ever title holder to be decided at NJPW x STARDOM on November 20.
Just announced in today's Stardom 2022 Strategy Meeting:
✪ The IWGP Women's Championship!
★ NJPW and Stardom are creating this title for defenses not only in Japan but also in the US on New Japan Pro Wrestling events, appealing to the world with the rich IWGP history!— We Are Stardom (@we_are_stardom) July 29, 2022
STARDOM’s English language Twitter account announced the creation of the title, though clarified that the belt will primarily be defended on NJPW events, but could also be defended on big STARDOM shows.
The IWGP Women's championship is for NJPW events. It's possible that it could be defended on big Stardom events though.
Stardom's main title remains the World of Stardom title (the Red Belt) along with the Wonder of Stardom title (the White Belt).
— We Are Stardom (@we_are_stardom) July 29, 2022
The account noted that the IWGP title will not replace STARDOM’s World of STARDOM and Wonder of STARDOM (Red and White belts) as that promotion’s top titles.
✪The inaugural IWGP Women's Champion will be crowned at the NJPW x Stardom joint show on November 20th at the Ariake Arena.
Please note, this belt does not usurp the Red and White Belts in any way. They are the main titles for Stardom events.
— We Are Stardom (@we_are_stardom) July 29, 2022
The creation of the IWGP Women’s title comes on the heels of NJPW’s announcement earlier this month that the company will begin to feature women’s matches on NJPW shows in the United States, with an eye on a “gender-less and more integrated” scene in Japan.
The company also announced earlier this month that the joint NJPW x STARDOM show in November will feature “around two” mixed tag team matches.