On this page, you find the full Title History for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship (original version), with all Championship Info, Statistics, the Belt Design changes through the years, and the full list of Title Reigns, along with dates, events, and reign durations.
The IWGP Heavyweight Championship (original version) was a World Title contested in New Japan Pro Wrestling on the Heavyweight brand, by men wrestlers.
The championship was first established on June 2, 1983, and the inaugural champion was Hulk Hogan.
This is a newer version of the Asia Heavyweight Championship, with its own distinct lineage.
The IWGP Heavyweight Championship (original version) was retired on May 11, 1987, with the final champion being Antonio Inoki.
A similar championship, the IWGP Heavyweight Championship, has been later introduced, which does not share the lineage with this title.
IWGP Heavyweight Championship (original version): Title History
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Promotions History
Promotion from to Promotion NJPWBrand Heavyweight June 2, 1983 Present
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Championship Names & Belt Designs
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- IWGP Heavyweight Championship June 2, 1983 May 11, 1987
For the Title History of the newer version of this championship, see the page for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship.
IWGP Heavyweight Championship (original version): Title Reigns
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N. Image Champion Reign Deactivated
- May 11, 1987
- 13696+ days
The title was deactivated and replaced by the IWGP Heavyweight Championship, that was awarded to the winner of the IWGP League 1987.3 Antonio Inoki 2
- June 19, 1986
- Tokyo, Japan
- | NJPW IWGP Champion Series: IWGP League '86 Finals
- 326 days
Defeated Dick Murdoch in the IWGP League 1986 final to win the vacant title.326- days
Vacant
- May 16, 1986
- 34 days
Inoki gives up the title, because he wanted to compete in the IWGP League again.34- days
2 Antonio Inoki 1
- June 14, 1984
- Tokyo, Japan
- | NJPW IWGP League '84 Finals
- 701 days
701- days
1 Hulk Hogan 1
- June 2, 1983
- Tokyo, Japan
- | NJPW The 1st IWGP Championship League Finals
- 378 days
Defeated Antonio Inoki in the IWGP League 1983 final to become the first champion.378- days
For the Title History of the previous version of this championship, see the page for the Asia Heavyweight Championship.
IWGP Heavyweight Championship (original version): Statistics
- Promotion New Japan Pro Wrestling
- Gender Male
- Title Type Primary Title
- Date Established June 2, 1983
- Preceded By Asia Heavyweight Championship
- Date Retired May 11, 1987
- Followed By IWGP Heavyweight Championship
- First ChampionHulk Hogan
- Final ChampionAntonio Inoki