Background Since 2020, NJPW was unable to run events with a full arena capacity due to
COVID-19 restrictions. 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.
Storylines Sakura Genesis will feature
professional wrestling matches that involve different wrestlers from pre-existing scripted feuds and
storylines. Wrestlers portray
villains,
heroes, or
less distinguishable characters in the scripted events that build tension and culminate in a wrestling match or series of matches. 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. At the anniversary event Ibushi defeated El Desperado to become the inaugural champion. Ibushi will make his first title defense of the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship at Sakura Genesis against the
New Japan Cup winner. On March 21,
Will Ospreay defeated
Shingo Takagi in the New Japan Cup final to face Ibushi at Sakura Genesis. == Results ==