Since 2020, NJPW has unable to run events with a full arena capacity due to COVID-19 restrictions.[2] On January 22, NJPW announced Sakura Genesis for April 4, 2021, making it the first time the event will held since 2018 due to the G1 Supercard taking place instead in 2019 and the 2020 event being cancelled due the COVID-19 pandemic.[3]
On March 1, NJPW announced that the IWGP Heavyweight and IWGP Intercontinental Championships would be unified to create the new IWGP World Heavyweight Championship with the inaugural champion being decided at 49th Anniversary Show, following the IWGP Heavyweight and IWGP Intercontinental Champion Kota Ibushi defending the titles for the final time against El Desperado in the main event.[5][6] At the anniversary event Ibushi defeated El Desperado to become the inaugural champion.[7] Ibushi will make his first title defense of the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship at Sakura Genesis against the New Japan Cup winner.[8] On March 21, Will Ospreay defeated Shingo Takagi in the New Japan Cup final to face Ibushi at Sakura Genesis.[9]
^ a b"2021.04.04 SAKURA GENESIS 2021". NJPW. April 4, 2021. Retrieved April 4, 2021.
^Satin, Ryan (June 8, 2020). "NJPW To Resume Operations This Month, First Show With Fans Again Announced". Pro Wrestling Sheet. Retrieved January 31, 2021.
^Rose, Bryan (January 22, 2020). "NJPW Announces Sakura Genesis For April 4". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Retrieved March 4, 2021.
^Grabianowski, Ed (13 January 2006). "How Pro Wrestling Works". HowStuffWorks, Inc. Discovery Communications. Retrieved September 13, 2014.
^Renner, Ethan (February 28, 2020). "NJPW To Unify IWGP Heavyweight & Intercontinental Titles". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Retrieved March 4, 2021.
^NJPW (March 1, 2021). "Final double IWGP defence to take place Thursday in Budokan Hall". NJPW. Retrieved March 4, 2021.
^"411Mania".
^Rose, Bryan (February 28, 2021). "New Japan Cup Participates, First Round Matchups Revealed". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Retrieved March 4, 2021.
^Renner, Ethan (March 21, 2021). "New Japan Cup Finals Live Results: Will Ospreay vs. Shingo Takagi". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Retrieved March 21, 2021.