Will Ospreay changes his IWGP US Title to ‘United Kingdom Heavyweight Championship’

Photo Courtesy: NJPW

Will Ospreay revealed on Saturday he has redesigned his IWGP United States Heavyweight Championship to represent his home country instead.

After competing in his G1 Climax 33 semifinal, Ospreay unveiled the “IWGP United Kingdom Heavyweight Championship.”

It has the same overall design as the US Title but sports the UK flag and replaces “United States” with “United Kingdom.”

The move comes just two weeks before AEW’s All In event at Wembley Stadium in London.

Speaking backstage at Sumo Hall, Tokyo, earlier on Saturday, as he swapped the US Title for his customized one, Ospreay said: 

The belt doesn’t make the man, the man makes the belt, and I am sick to death of carrying something I have no attachment to. I don’t want to carry this [United States] flag. I’ve been to America and been the best in the world. Canada, Europe, Australia and Japan — I am the best in the world. The best in the world is from the United Kingdom. So to the IWGP committee, have this [The US Title belt], I don’t want it. I want a championship that suits my needs.

I was going to reveal this when I beat Naito, but shit happens. I am the best in the world, and I want this championship.

This is my championship. This means I am the best in the world. I have beaten Kenny Omega, beaten Okada, I have beaten them all. So if anyone in the world thinks they are better than me, championship on the line, you beat Will Ospreay and you take this from me, you’re the best in the world.

About Neal Flanagan 989 Articles
Based in Northern Ireland, Neal Flanagan is a former newspaper journalist and copy editor. In addition to reporting for POST Wrestling, he co-hosts The Wellness Policy podcast with Wai Ting and Jordan Goodman.