IWGP Heavyweight Championship (original version)

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This is a newer version of the Asia Heavyweight Championship, with its own distinct lineage.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

Promotions / Brands

Promotion from to
Promotion NJPWBrand Heavyweight June 2, 1983 Present

Promotion	from	to
Promotion NJPWBrand Heavyweight	June 2, 1983	Present

Championship Names & Belt Designs
- 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

N.	Image	Champion	Reign
	Deactivated May 11, 1987 13591+ 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 \| IWGP League 1986 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 \| IWGP League 1984 701 days	701 days
1		Hulk Hogan 1 June 2, 1983 Tokyo, Japan \| IWGP League 1983 378 days Defeated Antonio Inoki in the IWGP League 1983 final to become the first champion.	378 days