The end of AJ Styles' reign in New Japan Pro Wrestling took place on Jan. 5 after he was involved in a tag team match with Kenny Omega against Shinsuke Nakamura and Yoshi-Hashi. Omega pinned Nakamura to win the match.
After the match, the Bullet Club attacked Styles, with Omega becoming the new leader of the group.
On Feb. 14, Omega pinned Hiroshi Tanahashi to become the IWGP Intercontinental Champion.
Then, Omega took part in the G1 Climax from July 22 to August 13. After winning his block with a record of 6-3, Omega advanced to the finals. He beat Hirooki Goto in the finals to win the G1 Climax to become the first foreigner to win the tournament. With the win, Omega earned a shot at the IWGP Heavyweight Championship at Wrestle Kingdom 11 at the Tokyo Dome on Jan. 4, 2017.
Since Styles returned to WWE, he was in a WWE championship with Roman Reigns and just finished a program against John Cena. Styles pinned Cena at Money in the Bank, then Cena pinned Styles in a six-man tag team match at Battleground and Styles pinned Cena at Summerslam. Styles will challenge Dean Ambrose for the WWE championship at Backlash on Sept. 11.
In a recent interview with Sports Illustrated, Styles admitted he was a little envious of Omega's G1 victory.
"I’m a little jealous of his G1 win," Styles said to SI. "He earned the right to do that. He was the first ever gaijin [foreigner] to win the G1, and he’s worked really hard and he deserves it. The man speaks fluent Japanese. I barely speak English."
Styles will challenge Dean Ambrose for the WWE championship at Backlash on Sept. 11 while Omega has challenged Hashi to defend his right to challenge for the IWGP World Title at the Tokyo Dome on Jan. 4.
