IWGP World Heavyweight Championship

Men's professional wrestling world championship

This article is about NJPW's current top heavyweight title. For NJPW's former top heavyweight title, see IWGP Heavyweight Championship. For the championship previously referred to by TNA as the "IWGP World Heavyweight Championship", see IWGP Heavyweight Championship (IGF). For the inactive DDT parody championship, see IMGP World Heavyweight Championship. For other uses, see IWGP Heavyweight Championship (disambiguation).

IWGP World Heavyweight Championship

The IWGP World Heavyweight Championship belt

Details
Promotion| New Japan Pro-Wrestling
Date established| March 1, 2021
Current champion(s)| Tetsuya Naito
Date won| June 30, 2024
Other name(s)

* IWGP World Heavyweight Championship
(2021-present)

| Statistics

First champion(s)| Kota Ibushi
Most reigns| Kazuchika Okada and Tetsuya Naito
(2 reigns)
Longest reign| Sanada
(271 days)
Shortest reign| Kota Ibushi
(31 days)
Oldest champion| Tetsuya Naito
(42 years and 8 days)
Youngest champion| Will Ospreay
(27 years, 10 months and 28 days)
Heaviest champion| Kazuchika Okada
(236 lb (107 kg))
Lightest champion| Kota Ibushi
(205 lb (93 kg))

The IWGP World Heavyweight Championship (IWGP世界ヘビー級王座, IWGP Sekai hebī-kyū ōza) is a professional wrestling world heavyweight championship owned by the New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW) promotion. "IWGP" is the acronym of NJPW's governing body, the International Wrestling Grand Prix (インターナショナル・レスリング・グラン・プリ, intānashonaru resuringu guran puri).[1] The championship was created on March 1, 2021, by the unification of the IWGP Heavyweight Championship and the IWGP Intercontinental Championship. The current champion is Tetsuya Naito, who is in his record-tying second reign.

## History

[edit]

The inaugural champion was Kota Ibushi.

In 2019, when he was IWGP Intercontinental Champion, Tetsuya Naito declared his intention of making history by becoming the first to hold the IWGP Heavyweight Championship and the Intercontinental Championship at the same time.[2] By the end of the year, Jay White, who had won the Intercontinental Championship from Naito, and Kota Ibushi, who was the next challenger for the Heavyweight Championship, also expressed the same desire. After a fan vote, it was decided that Naito, White, Ibushi, and Heavyweight Champion Kazuchika Okada would compete at Wrestle Kingdom 14 on January 4–5, 2020, where one would end up with both titles.[3] Naito achieved the feat to become the first "Double Champion" and the two titles were defended together since (apart from one time). During 2020, Naito said his original intention was for the titles to be defended separately. He requested for this, or otherwise for the titles to be unified, but no change happened.[4]

After Ibushi won the titles from Naito at Wrestle Kingdom 15 on January 4, 2021, he expressed his desire for the titles to be unified.[5] On March 1, 2021, with Ibushi still champion, the unification of the titles to create the new IWGP World Heavyweight Championship was officially announced, with Ibushi as the inaugural World Heavyweight Champion. After the announcement, Ibushi, who was scheduled to face El Desperado at the NJPW 49th Anniversary Show on March 4, 2021 in a non-title match, requested for the match to be for the Double Championship.[6] His request was granted with the title unification delayed until after the match, of which the winner would be final Double Champion and, therefore, the inaugural World Heavyweight Champion.[7] Ibushi won the match.[8]

With the announcement of the new championship was the announcement of a new championship belt.[5] Until the new belt was ready, Ibushi continued to hold the old IWGP Heavyweight and IWGP Intercontinental Championship belts. The new belt was eventually revealed and presented to the champion Ibushi in a presentation ceremony on March 30, 2021.[9] Its design incorporated the past belt designs of the two old titles.[10]

## Reigns

[edit]

Record-tying two-time and current champion Tetsuya Naito

As of September 20, 2024, there have been ten reigns shared among eight wrestlers with one vacancy. Kota Ibushi was the inaugural champion. Sanada's singular reign is the longest at 271 days, while Ibushi's reign is the shortest at 31 days. Tetsuya Naito is the oldest champion when he won it at 41 years old, while Will Ospreay is the youngest, winning it at 27 years old. Naito and Kazuchika Okada are tied with the most reigns at two.

Tetsuya Naito is the current champion in his second reign. He defeated previous champion Jon Moxley for the title at Forbidden Door in Elmont, New York on June 30, 2024.

Key  No.  | Overall reign number

|

Reign  | Reign number for the specific champion
Days  | Number of days held
Defenses  | Number of successful defenses
\+  | Current reign is changing daily
No. | Champion  | Championship change  | Reign statistics  | Notes  | Ref.

|
|
|
|
|

Date  | Event  | Location  | Reign  | Days | Defenses
1  | Kota Ibushi | March 4, 2021 | 49th Anniversary Show | Tokyo, Japan | 1  | 31 | 1  | After Ibushi, who was the reigning IWGP Heavyweight and IWGP Intercontinental Champion, successfully defended both titles against El Desperado at the event, they were unified into the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship, with Ibushi as the inaugural champion.  | [8]
2  | Will Ospreay | April 4, 2021 | Sakura Genesis | Tokyo, Japan | 1  | 46 | 2  |  | [11]
—  | Vacated | May 20, 2021 | —  | —  | —  | — | —  | The championship was vacated due to Will Ospreay sustaining a neck injury.  | [12]
3  | Shingo Takagi | June 7, 2021 | Dominion 6.6 in Osaka-jo Hall | Osaka, Japan | 1  | 211 | 4  | Defeated Kazuchika Okada to win the vacant championship.  | [13]
4  | Kazuchika Okada | January 4, 2022 | Wrestle Kingdom 16
Night 1 | Tokyo, Japan | 1  | 159 | 5  |  | [14]
5  | Jay White | June 12, 2022 | Dominion 6.12 in Osaka-jo Hall | Osaka, Japan | 1  | 206 | 3  |  | [15]
6  | Kazuchika Okada | January 4, 2023 | Wrestle Kingdom 17 | Tokyo, Japan | 2  | 94 | 3  |  | [16]
7  | Sanada | April 8, 2023 | Sakura Genesis | Tokyo, Japan | 1  | 271 | 4  |  | [17]
8  | Tetsuya Naito | January 4, 2024 | Wrestle Kingdom 18 | Tokyo, Japan | 1  | 99 | 3  |  | [18]
9  | Jon Moxley | April 12, 2024 | Windy City Riot | Chicago, Illinois, U.S. | 1  | 79 | 5  |  | [19]
10  | Tetsuya Naito | June 30, 2024 | AEW x NJPW: Forbidden Door | Elmont, New York, U.S. | 2  | 82+ | 0  |  | [20]

## Combined reigns

[edit]

Record-setting two-time champion Kazuchika Okada Longest-reigning champion Sanada

As of September 20, 2024.

†  | Indicates the current champion

|

Rank  | Wrestler  | No. of
reigns  | Combined
defenses  | Combined
days

|
|
|
|

1  |  Sanada | 1 | 4 | 271
2  | Kazuchika Okada | 2 | 6 | 253
3  | Shingo Takagi | 1 | 3 | 211
4  | Jay White | 1 | 2 | 206
5  | Tetsuya Naito † | 2 | 2 | 181+
6  | Jon Moxley | 1 | 4 | 79
7  | Will Ospreay | 1 | 1 | 46
8  | Kota Ibushi | 1 | 0 | 31

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "WK9 101: The Intro". Global Force Wrestling. Archived from the original on July 11, 2017. Retrieved February 1, 2016.
2. ^ なんと挑戦者が握手を要求!? 内藤vsタイチのインターコンチネンタル王座調印式は、不気味な静けさの“挑発”合戦！【公開調印式】 (in Japanese). New Japan Pro-Wrestling. February 1, 2019. Retrieved March 31, 2021.
3. ^ 【WK14】“ダブル選手権”が正式決定！「史上初の男になってみせますよ」内藤が“二冠”獲得に自信！「おまえのアイディアは俺が成し遂げる」王者・ジェイは不敵に挑発三昧！【東京ドーム会見（1）】 (in Japanese). New Japan Pro-Wrestling. November 5, 2019. Retrieved March 31, 2021.
4. ^ 「タイトルマッチは別々に行った方がいい」内藤が今後の“二冠問題”に言及！ 真夏の野外ビッグマッチ恒例化も熱望！SHOがジュニアタッグ王座返上に関してコメント！【8.31二夜明け会見】 (in Japanese). New Japan Pro-Wrestling. August 31, 2020. Retrieved March 31, 2021.
5. ^ a b 「この二つのベルトを一つにしたら、もっと凄いことが生まれるんじゃないかなと。絶対おもしろいことになる」“二冠王者”飯伏幸太がベルト統一を再提案！【1.12会見】 (in Japanese). New Japan Pro-Wrestling. January 12, 2021. Retrieved March 31, 2021.
6. ^ 菅林会長が、IWGPヘビー＆IWGPインターコンチネンタル王座を統一した、“IWGP世界ヘビー級王座”の新設を発表！ 王者・飯伏はデスペラードとの“二冠王座戦”を要求！【3.1一夜明け会見】 (in Japanese). New Japan Pro-Wrestling. March 1, 2021. Retrieved March 31, 2021.
7. ^ 【3月4日（木）日本武道館、メインはタイトル戦に変更！】飯伏とデスペラードが二冠王座戦で激突！ 『NJC』1回戦で内藤とオーカーンが注目の初対決！ 因縁勃発の小島とコブが激突！ (in Japanese). New Japan Pro-Wrestling. March 1, 2021. Retrieved March 31, 2021.
8. ^ a b Elizabeth, Claire (March 4, 2021). "NJPW 49th Anniversary Show results for Thursday, March 4: Desperado vs. Ibushi, Naito vs. O-Khan, and more". cagesideseats.com. Retrieved March 4, 2021.
9. ^ "【注目！】"IWGP世界ヘビー級ベルト"がついにお披露目！ 3月30日（火）後楽園ホール大会の試合前、飯伏幸太選手への"贈呈式"を実施！" (in Japanese). New Japan Pro-Wrestling. March 26, 2021. Retrieved March 28, 2021.
10. ^ "IWGP World Heavyweight Championship revealed in Korakuen Hall". New Japan Pro-Wrestling. March 30, 2021. Archived from the original on January 5, 2022. Retrieved March 31, 2021.
11. ^ Lambert, Jeremy (April 4, 2021). "NJPW Sakura Genesis Results (4/4): Will Ospreay Battles Kota Ibushi". Fightful. Retrieved April 4, 2021.
12. ^ "Will Ospreay injured; vacates world title". njpw1972.com. May 20, 2021. Archived from the original on January 12, 2023. Retrieved May 20, 2021.
13. ^ "2021.06.07 Dominion 6.6 in Osaka-jo Hall". New Japan Pro-Wrestling. Archived from the original on October 1, 2023. Retrieved June 2, 2021.
14. ^ Fritts, Chick (January 4, 2022). "NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 16 Night One Live Results: Shingo Vs. Okada". Wrestling Observer Figure Four Online. Retrieved January 4, 2022.
15. ^ Fritts, Chick (June 12, 2022). "NJPW Dominion live results: Six title matches, AEW interim World title eliminator Kazuchika Okada defends the IWGP title against Jay White in the main event, plus the AEW interim World title eliminator continues". Wrestling Observer Figure Four Online. Retrieved June 12, 2022.
16. ^ Powell, Jason (January 4, 2023). "NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 17 results: Powell's live report on Jay White vs. Kazuchika Okada for the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship, Will Ospreay vs. Kenny Omega for the IWGP U.S. Championship, Kairi vs. Tam Nakano for the IWGP Women's Title, Taiji Ishimori vs. Hiromu Takahashi vs. El Desperado vs. Master Wato for the IWGP Jr. Hvt. Title". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved January 4, 2023.
17. ^ "2023.04.08 SAKURA GENESIS 2023". NJPW. Archived from the original on April 8, 2023. Retrieved April 8, 2023.
18. ^ Powell, Jason (January 4, 2024). "NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 18 results: Powell's live review of Sanada vs. Tetsuya Naito for the IWGP World Hvt. Championship, Kazuchika Okada vs. Bryan Danielson, Will Ospreay vs. Jon Moxley vs. David Finlay for the IWGP Global Title". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved January 4, 2024.
19. ^ Defelice, Robert (April 12, 2024). "Jon Moxley Wins IWGP World Title At NJPW Windy City Riot, Gets Attacked And Challenged By Ren Narita". Fightful. Retrieved April 13, 2024.
20. ^ Powell, Jason (June 30, 2024). "AEW Forbidden Door results: Powell's live review of Swerve Strickland vs. Will Ospreay for the AEW World Championship, Jon Moxley vs. Tetsuya Naito for the IWGP World Heavyweight Title". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved June 30, 2024.

## External links

[edit]

* Championship history on official website (in Japanese)
* Championship history on official website Archived 2024-02-27 at the Wayback Machine (in English)

Sporting positions

Preceded by

IWGP Heavyweight Championship

|  New Japan Pro-Wrestling's top heavyweight championship
2021–present  | Succeeded by

Current

* v
* t
* e

New Japan Pro-Wrestling

Championships|

| Active|

| Heavyweight|

* IWGP World Heavyweight (reigns)
* IWGP Global Heavyweight (reigns)
* IWGP Tag Team (reigns)

|

Junior Heavyweight|

* IWGP Junior Heavyweight (reigns)
* IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team (reigns)

Openweight|

* NEVER Openweight (reigns)
* NJPW World Television (reigns)
* Strong Openweight (reigns)
* KOPW (reigns)
* Strong Openweight Tag Team (reigns)
* NEVER Openweight 6-Man Tag Team (reigns)

Women's|

* IWGP Women's Championship (reigns)
* Strong Women's Championship (reigns)

Former|

* Asia Heavyweight (reigns)
* Asia Tag Team (reigns)
* Greatest 18 Club (reigns)
* IWGP Heavyweight (reigns)
* IWGP Heavyweight (original version) (reigns)
* IWGP Intercontinental (reigns)
* IWGP Third Belt (reigns)
* IWGP U-30 Openweight (reigns)
* IWGP United States (reigns)
* J-Crown (reigns)
* British Commonwealth Junior Heavyweight
* NWA World Junior Heavyweight
* NWA World Welterweight
* UWA World Junior Light Heavyweight
* WAR International Junior Heavyweight
* WWA World Junior Light Heavyweight
* WWF Light Heavyweight
* NWA International Junior Heavyweight (reigns)
* NWA North American Tag Team (Los Angeles/Japan version) (reigns)
* NWA World Heavyweight (reigns)
* NWA World Tag Team (reigns)
* NWF Heavyweight (reigns)
* NWF North American (reigns)
* Real World (reigns)
* WCW International World Heavyweight (reigns)
* WWF International Heavyweight (reigns)
* WWF International Tag Team (reigns)
* WWF Junior Heavyweight (reigns)
* WWF North American Heavyweight (reigns)
* WWF World Heavyweight (reigns)
* WWF World Martial Arts (reigns)

Tournaments|

| Active|

* G1 Climax (winners)
* New Japan Cup (winners)
* Best of the Super Juniors (winners)
* World Tag League (winners)
* Super Junior Tag League (winners)
* Super J-Cup (winners)
* Young Lion Cup (winners)

|

Video games|

* Wrestle Kingdom
* Wrestle Kingdom 2
* Fire Pro Wrestling World

Partnerships|

| Current|

* All Elite Wrestling
* All Japan Pro Wrestling
* Big Japan Pro Wrestling
* Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre
* DDT Pro-Wrestling
* Dragongate
* Ganbare☆Pro-Wrestling
* Kyushu Pro-Wrestling
* Major League Wrestling
* Pro Wrestling Noah
* Revolution Pro Wrestling
* Ring of Honor
* Total Nonstop Action Wrestling
* Tokyo Joshi Pro-Wrestling
* World Woman Pro-Wrestling Diana

|

Former|

* American Wrestling Association
* Border City Wrestling
* Catch Wrestling Association
* Full Impact Pro
* Game Changer Wrestling
* Global Force Wrestling
* International Wrestling Enterprise
* Jersey All Pro Wrestling
* K-1
* National Wrestling Alliance
* National Wrestling Federation
* Pride Fighting Championships
* Pro Wrestling Zero1
* Toryumon Mexico
* The Crash Lucha Libre
* UWF International
* Universal Wrestling Association
* United Wrestling Network
* Championship Wrestling from Hollywood
* WAR
* Westside Xtreme Wrestling
* World Championship Wrestling
* World Class Championship Wrestling
* World Wrestling Association
* WWE

Related companies|

| Owners|

* Amuse Inc. (5%)
* Bushiroad (85%)
* TV Asahi (10%)

|

Subsidiaries|

* World Wonder Ring Stardom

Personnel|

| Current|

* List of New Japan Pro-Wrestling personnel

|

Former|

* List of former New Japan Pro-Wrestling personnel

Miscellaneous|

* All In
* Lion's Gate Project
* New Japan Pro-Wrestling World
* Major events
* NJPW Strong
* List of episodes
* Special episodes
* List of NJoA events
* Tiger Mask W
* NJPW Tamashii
* Asia-Pacific Federation of Wrestling
* United Japan Pro-Wrestling

Category

* v
* t
* e

IWGP World Heavyweight Champions

* Kota Ibushi
* Will Ospreay
* Shingo Takagi
* Kazuchika Okada
* Jay White
* Sanada
* Tetsuya Naito (current)
* Jon Moxley

*[No.]: Number
*[Ref.]: Reference(s)
*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template