Add as a preferred source on Google Andrade El Idolo scored one of the biggest wins of his career this weekend in Japan. On night one of NJPW Wrestling Dontaku 2026 in Fukuoka, the AEW star defeated Yota Tsuji in the main event to capture the IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship.
It was a direct rematch. Tsuji had beaten Andrade at The New Beginning USA in February to retain the same title.
Andrade shut down the Gene Blaster late and took control. He hit his DDT, then planted Tsuji with another in the middle of the ring for the win.
He celebrated afterward and acknowledged the reaction his win could spark as an AEW talent holding NJPW gold. Drilla Moloney and Shota Umino confronted him moments later, and the new champion pitched a Triple Threat Match for the belt.
Andrade was not originally booked for the match. He stepped in as a replacement for Gabe Kidd.
The victory makes Andrade the fifth wrestler to hold the IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship. NJPW introduced the title in 2024 after retiring the IWGP United States/United Kingdom Championship. It was also just his fifth NJPW match since returning to the company in January.