Four-Way Set For 6/23 NJPW Road To G1 Climax Show, Winner Gets IWGP Junior Heavyweight Title Shot

The next challenger to the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Title.

At the 2026 New Japan Pro-Wrestling Dominion event, YOH dethroned DOUKI to become IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion.

The first challenger to YOH’s title will be determined via a four-way match at the June 23rd Road to G1 Climax show. It’ll be Kosei Fujita versus Master Wato versus SHO versus Francesco Akira. NJPW published the following about the bout:

“Immediately after YOH defeated DOUKI to finally win the IWGP Junior Heavyweight title, SHO hit the ring in protest, but YOH had more interest in the man he had defeated to earn his title shot. Kosei Fujita, YOH’s Best of the Super Jr. finals opponent was calling the match on Japanese commentary, and YOH indicated that he wanted to give Fujita the first shot and settle a 1-1 record with the Japanese Young Punk. Taking offense, SHO went to attack YOH, but Master Wato hit the ring to stop the assault on the new champ. That enraged Fujita, but before things got physical with Wato, Francesco Akira hit the ring to boot. YOH suggested a four-way number one contender’s match and that will happen on June 23 in Korakuen!”

The winner of the four-way will challenge YOH for his title at the July 6th Road to G1 Climax show, which will also feature two G1 Climax play-in matches.