Jay White made history on Monday when he defeated Hiroshi Tanahashi to win the IWGP Heavyweight Championship.
White used his signature Blade Runner to beat Tanahashi in the main event of The New Beginning in Osaka, which aired live on NJPW World from Edion Arena.
White’s win makes him the fourth-youngest IWGP Heavyweight Champion in history, and the first New Zealander to hold a world title since Pat O’Connor’s NWA World Heavyweight Championship win in 1959.
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First Kiwi World Champion in an age.
Congrats @JayWhiteNZ #njnbg
— Strong Style ヘナーレ (Henare) (@HenareNZ) February 11, 2019
Congrats .@JayWhiteNZ #BulletClub got your back!
— Rogue General (@TOKSFALE) February 11, 2019
Kiwi. Pride. Congrats @JayWhiteNZ #njnbg 🇳🇿
— captain kota (@DakotaKai_WWE) February 11, 2019
I told you. #BreathewiththeSwitchblade
— Switchblade (@JayWhiteNZ) February 11, 2019
@JayWhiteNZ Congratulation on winning the NJPW Championship man, Aotearoa Strong bro. Kia Kaha, Kia Mana !!
— Nick Mana (@ManaPW) February 11, 2019
Jay White
— Finn Bálor forEVERYone (@FinnBalor) February 11, 2019
Congratulation to @JayWhiteNZ who is the FIRST #NewZealand born IWGP Heavyweight Champion! He’s also the 4th youngest! 🇳🇿
Let’s hope there is some National news coverage of this! Kiwis are taking over! 👊 pic.twitter.com/IQJs0wnNvG
— SPWNZ (@SPWrestlingNZ) February 11, 2019
Congrats @JayWhiteNZ 🇳🇿🇳🇿🇳🇿 https://t.co/tlaWKU2rHJ
— Taylor Adams (@tayloradamspw) February 11, 2019
First World Champion from NZ since Pat O'Connor!
Good shit, @JayWhiteNZ! https://t.co/p4tONjeYRb
— Michel Mulipola (@bloodysamoan) February 11, 2019
