Following the announcement that IWGP Intercontinental Champion Shinsuke Nakamura was departing NJPW for WWE, it was announced that Nakamura would be vacating the title. The announcement wasn't without some controversy, as most expected Nakamura to drop the belt to Kenny Omega, the obvious IC champion in waiting. As far as New Japan was concerned, though, they didn't want a Nakamura vs. Omega match to happen where the outcome was a foregone conclusion. Instead, they made the decision to strip Nakamura of the belt and decide the champion at a later date. The match to determine the new champion occurred Sunday at New Japan's The New Beginning In Niigata event. Former IWGP Heavyweight Champion Hiroshi Tanahashi, who headlined WrestleKingdom 10 just over a month ago, took on the new leader of the Bullet Club, Kenny Omega, for the vacant IWGP Intercontinental Championship. In what was the main event of the evening, Tanahashi and Omega had a fantastic match that will most likely find it's way into some Match Of The Year discussions come December. The last 10 minutes were particularly hot, with Bullet Club's Young Bucks getting involved, only for Michael Elgin to come out and haul them to the back. Finally, Omega hit his One Winged Angel to win the championship. Following being presented with the belt, Omega took it upon himself to run down the Japanese crowd and even sing them some Katy Perry. Yes, really. And it was hilarious. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Efz-yg3S30s
