THE IWGP HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP:
FOR THE BEST OF THE BEST
By Jasmine Olan
It is viewed by many as the highest honor in all of a professional wrestling. Since it’s creation, the IWGP Heavyweight Championship has become the ultimate symbol of excellence in the industry. The level of prestige associated with it is unmatched, and many of the international wrestling scene’s biggest names have held this title during their time in New Japan Pro Wrestling. From inaugural champion and NJPW’s original founder, Antonio Inoki to all the way through to current champion, Kenny Omega, the list of of those who’ve won the IWGP Heavyweight Championship reads like a who’s who of the industry’s greatest wrestlers. In New Japan Pro Wrestling, winning this prestigious title is a crowning moment where a wrestler takes their place as the “Ace” or top star and must take on the responsibility of carrying the banner for the promotion. Given the history and honor associated with it, that responsibility is never an easy to bear.
The IWGP Heavyweight Championship was first established in June of 1987 and named for NJPW’s governing body, the International Wrestling Grand Prix. The company’s founder, Antonio Inoki became the first man to win the title after defeating Masa Saito in the finals of an IWGP tournament. The IWGP tournament would help lay the groundwork for what is now known as the G1 Climax. Many spend much of their careers and put in so much into proving themselves ready for and worthy of an IWGP Heavyweight Championship run. For many wrestlers that process begins as early as their time as young lions. Throughout the title’s thirty-one year history there have been 66 reigns among 28 wrestlers.
One of the greatest championship runs NJPW has ever seen has been that of the Rainmaker, Kazuchika Okada who during his fourth reign broke the record originally set by Shinya Hashimoto for longest reigning IWGP Heavyweight Champion at 720 days. Okada also broke Hiroshi Tanahashi’s record for most successful title defenses with a grand total of twelve. Other former champions have made history as well. In 2003, the King Of Strong Style, Shinsuke Nakamura became youngest IWGP Heavyweight Champion ever at just 23 years old. The Ace Of The Universe, Hiroshi Tanahashi still holds the record for most title reigns with seven. The summer of 2018 saw the crowning of the first ever Canadian born IWGP Heavyweight Champion when Kenny Omega defeated Kazuchika Okada in a grueling hour plus long battle at DOMINION 6.9 in Osaka-jo Hall. The title also plays a major role in the story telling within New Japan.
At WRESTLING DONTAKU 2018, the IWGP Heavyweight Championship was an integral part of NJPW revisiting the historic feud between Hiroshi Tanahashi and Kazuchika Okada. That night, the Ace was ready to go to war to maintain his record for most successful title defenses. During his seven reigns as champion, Tanahashi had the unenviable task of carrying the banner for NJPW during its most difficult times, and earned not only earned the respect of his peers in the locker room but the love and respect of wrestling fans the world over. In the end the Rainmaker would be the one to emerge victorious. Kenny Omega’s journey to becoming champion has been touted as one of the best told storylines of professional wrestling’s modern era. It has been a compelling human story that entailed his feud with Okada and his reunion with his partner, Kota Ibushi.
Over the past several years, New Japan Pro Wrestling has been experiencing a huge renaissance. Along the the way, the IWGP Heavyweight Championship has remained one of the most respected titles in professional wrestling, and the challenge for a wrestler to prove himself worthy of a title shot is still very real as it doesn’t change hands often. They can only make it to that point if the fans and New Japan itself truly believe in you. Challenger after challenger will step up, ready to fight for the chance to take their place among legends and make history. Individual paths to glory may be different but that’s just part of the fun for the countless fans who watch each NJPW event.
The IWGP Heavyweight Champion is often viewed as a standard bearer within the promotion and the industry as a whole. Talent and fighting spirit are a must for anyone looking to challenge for that iconic black and gold belt. The competition is hotter than ever at the moment with no sign of slowing down. To make it top of the mountain one must be ready because the IWGP Heavyweight Championship is strictly for the best of the best.
