Title History
- Key
| Reign | The reign number for the specific set of wrestlers listed. |
| Event | The event promoted by the respective promotion in which the titles were won |
| Successful defenses | The number of successful defenses the champion had during his reign |
| N/A | The specific information is not known |
| — | Used for vacated reigns in order to not count it as an official reign |
Statistics correct as of December 8, 2012
| # | Wrestler | Reign | Date | Days held |
Location | Event | Successful defenses | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 !1 | Inoki, AntonioAntonio Inoki | 01 !1 | 01987-06-12June 12, 1987 | 325 | Tokyo !Tokyo, Japan | Live event !Live event | 04 !4 | Defeated Masa Saito in a tournament final. |
| 01.5 !— | — !Vacated | 01 !1 | 01988-05-02May 2, 1988 | zz !N/A | zz !N/A | zz !N/A | zz !N/A | Vacated due to Inoki fracturing his left foot. |
| 02 !2 | Fujinami, TatsumiTatsumi Fujinami | 01 !1 | 01988-05-08May 8, 1988 | 19 | Tokyo !Tokyo, Japan | Live event !Live event | 01 !1 | Defeated Big Van Vader. |
| 02.5 !— | — !Vacated | 01 !1 | 01988-05-27May 27, 1988 | zz !N/A | Sendai !Sendai, Japan | zz !N/A | zz !N/A | Held up after a title defense against Riki Chōshū ended in a no contest. |
| 03 !3 | Fujinami, TatsumiTatsumi Fujinami | 02 !2 | 01988-06-24June 24, 1988 | 285 | Osaka !Osaka, Japan | Live event !Live event | 07 !7 | Defeated Riki Chōshū in a rematch. |
| 03.5 !— | — !Vacated | 01 !1 | 01989-04-05April 5, 1989 | zz !N/A | zz !N/A | zz !N/A | zz !N/A | Vacated so the title could be decided in a tournament. |
| 04 !4 | Vader, Big Van !Big Van Vader | 01 !1 | 01989-04-24April 24, 1989 | 31 | Tokyo !Tokyo, Japan | Live event !Live event | 00 !0 | Defeated Shinya Hashimoto in a tournament final with Lou Thesz as the special referee. |
| 05 !5 | Hashimikov, SalmanSalman Hashimikov | 01 !1 | 01989-05-25May 25, 1989 | 48 | Osaka !Osaka, Japan | Live event !Live event | 00 !0 | |
| 06 !6 | Chōshū, RikiRiki Chōshū | 01 !1 | 01989-07-12July 12, 1989 | 29 | Osaka !Osaka, Japan | Live event !Live event | 00 !0 | |
| 07 !7 | Vader, Big Van !Big Van Vader | 02 !2 | 01989-08-10August 10, 1989 | 374 | Tokyo !Tokyo, Japan | Live event !Live event | 04 !4 | |
| 08 !8 | Chōshū, RikiRiki Chōshū | 02 !2 | 01990-08-19August 19, 1990 | 129 | Tokyo !Tokyo, Japan | Live event !Live event | 01 !1 | |
| 09 !9 | Fujinami, TatsumiTatsumi Fujinami | 03 !3 | 01990-12-26December 26, 1990 | 22 | Hamamatsu !Hamamatsu, Japan | Live event !Live event | 00 !0 | |
| 10 !10 | Vader, Big Van !Big Van Vader | 03 !3 | 01991-01-17January 17, 1991 | 46 | Yokohama !Yokohama, Japan | Live event !Live event | 00 !0 | |
| 11 !11 | Fujinami, TatsumiTatsumi Fujinami | 04 !4 | 01991-03-04March 4, 1991 | 306 | Hiroshima !Hiroshima, Japan | Live event !Live event | 03 !3 | |
| 12 !12 | Chōshū, RikiRiki Chōshū | 03 !3 | 01992-01-04January 4, 1992 | 225 | Tokyo !Tokyo, Japan | Starrcade 1992 in Tokyo Dome !Starrcade 1992 in Tokyo Dome | 04 !4 | This match was also for Chōshū's Greatest 18 Championship. |
| 13 !13 | Great Muta, The !The Great Muta | 01 !1 | 01992-08-16August 16, 1992 | 400 | Fukuoka !Fukuoka, Japan | Live event !Live event | 05 !5 | This was also for Chōshū's Greatest 18 Championship. |
| 14 !14 | Hashimoto, ShinyaShinya Hashimoto | 01 !1 | 01993-09-20September 20, 1993 | 196 | Nagoya !Nagoya, Japan | Live event !Live event | 04 !4 | |
| 15 !15 | Fujinami, TatsumiTatsumi Fujinami | 05 !5 | 01994-04-04April 4, 1994 | 27 | Hiroshima !Hiroshima, Japan | Battle Line Kyushu tour !Battle Line Kyushu tour | 00 !0 | |
| 16 !16 | Hashimoto, ShinyaShinya Hashimoto | 02 !2 | 01994-05-01May 1, 1994 | 367 | Fukuoka !Fukuoka, Japan | Wrestling Dontaku 1994 !Wrestling Dontaku | 09 !9 | |
| 17 !17 | Mutoh, KeijiKeiji Mutoh (formerly The Great Muta) |
02 !2 | 01995-05-03May 3, 1995 | 246 | Fukuoka !Fukuoka, Japan | Wrestling Dontaku 1995 !Wrestling Dontaku | 05 !5 | |
| 18 !18 | Takada, NobuhikoNobuhiko Takada | 01 !1 | 01996-01-04January 4, 1996 | 116 | Tokyo !Tokyo, Japan | Wrestling World 1996 !Wrestling World | 01 !1 | |
| 19 !19 | Hashimoto, ShinyaShinya Hashimoto | 03 !3 | 01996-04-29April 29, 1996 | 489 | Tokyo !Tokyo, Japan | Battle Formation !Battle Formation | 07 !7 | |
| 20 !20 | Sasaki, KensukeKensuke Sasaki | 01 !1 | 01997-08-31August 31, 1997 | 216 | Yokohama !Yokohama, Japan | Final Power Hall in Yokohama !Final Power Hall in Yokohama | 03 !3 | |
| 21 !21 | Fujinami, TatsumiTatsumi Fujinami | 06 !6 | 01998-04-04April 4, 1998 | 126 | Tokyo !Tokyo, Japan | Antonio Inoki Retirement Show !Antonio Inoki Retirement Show | 02 !2 | |
| 22 !22 | Chono, MasahiroMasahiro Chono | 01 !1 | 01998-08-08August 8, 1998 | 44 | Osaka !Osaka, Japan | Rising the Next Generation in Osaka Dome !Rising the Next Generation in Osaka Dome | 00 !0 | |
| 22.5 !— | — !Vacated | 01 !1 | 01998-09-21September 21, 1998 | zz !N/A | zz !N/A | zz !N/A | zz !N/A | Vacated due to Chono's neck injury. |
| 23 !23 | Norton, ScottScott Norton | 01 !1 | 01998-09-23September 23, 1998 | 103 | Yokohama !Yokohama, Japan | Big Wednesday !Big Wednesday | 04 !4 | Defeated Yuji Nagata to win the vacant title. |
| 24 !24 | Mutoh, KeijiKeiji Mutoh | 03 !3 | 01999-01-04January 4, 1999 | 340 | Tokyo !Tokyo, Japan | Wrestling World 1999 !Wrestling World | 05 !5 | |
| 25 !25 | Tenryu, GenichiroGenichiro Tenryu | 01 !1 | 01999-12-10December 10, 1999 | 25 | Osaka !Osaka, Japan | Battle Final tour 1999 !Battle Final tour | 00 !0 | |
| 26 !26 | Sasaki, KensukeKensuke Sasaki | 02 !2 | 02000-01-04January 4, 2000 | 279 | Tokyo !Tokyo, Japan | Wrestling World 2000 !Wrestling World | 05 !5 | |
| 26.5 !— | — !Vacated | 01 !1 | 02000-10-09October 9, 2000 | zz !N/A | Tokyo !Tokyo, Japan | zz !N/A | zz !N/A | Vacated after Sasaki lost a non-title match to Toshiaki Kawada at Do Judge!!. |
| 27 !27 | Sasaki, KensukeKensuke Sasaki | 03 !3 | 02001-01-04January 4, 2001 | 72 | Tokyo !Tokyo, Japan | Wrestling World 2001 !Wrestling World | 01 !1 | Defeated Toshiaki Kawada in a tournament final. |
| 28 !28 | Norton, ScottScott Norton | 02 !2 | 02001-03-17March 17, 2001 | 23 | Nagoya !Nagoya, Japan | Hyper Battle tour 2001 !Hyper Battle tour | 00 !0 | |
| 29 !29 | Fujita, KazuyukiKazuyuki Fujita | 01 !1 | 02001-04-09April 9, 2001 | 270 | Osaka !Osaka, Japan | Strong Style !Strong Style | 02 !2 | |
| 29.5 !— | — !Vacated | 01 !1 | 02002-01-04January 4, 2002 | zz !N/A | zz !N/A | zz !N/A | zz !N/A | Vacated due to an injured achilles tendon. |
| 30 !30 | Yasuda, TadaoTadao Yasuda | 01 !1 | 02002-02-16February 16, 2002 | 48 | Tokyo !Tokyo, Japan | Fighting Spirit tour !Fighting Spirit tour | 01 !1 | Defeated Yuji Nagata in a tournament final. |
| 31 !31 | Nagata, YujiYuji Nagata | 01 !1 | 02002-04-05April 5, 2002 | 392 | Tokyo !Tokyo, Japan | Toukon Special !Toukon Special | 10 !10 | |
| 32 !32 | Takayama, YoshihiroYoshihiro Takayama | 01 !1 | 02003-05-02May 2, 2003 | 185 | Tokyo !Tokyo, Japan | Ultimate Crush !Ultimate Crush | 03 !3 | Was also for Takayama's NWF Heavyweight Championship. |
| 33 !33 | Tenzan, HiroyoshiHiroyoshi Tenzan | 01 !1 | 02003-11-03November 3, 2003 | 36 | Yokohama !Yokohama, Japan | Yokohama Dead Out !Yokohama Dead Out | 00 !0 | |
| 34 !34 | Nakamura, ShinsukeShinsuke Nakamura | 01 !1 | 02003-12-09December 9, 2003 | 58 | Osaka !Osaka, Japan | Battle Final tour 2003 !Battle Final tour | 01 !1 | Defeated Yoshihiro Takayama to unify the IWGP Heavyweight Championship with the NWF Heavyweight Championship on January 4, 2004, at Wrestling World 2004. |
| 34.5 !— | — !Vacated | 01 !1 | 02004-02-05February 5, 2004 | zz !N/A | zz !N/A | zz !N/A | zz !N/A | Vacated due to various injuries. |
| 35 !35 | Tenzan, HiroyoshiHiroyoshi Tenzan | 02 !2 | 02004-02-15February 15, 2004 | 26 | Tokyo !Tokyo, Japan | Fighting Spirit tour !Fighting Spirit tour | 01 !1 | Defeated Genichiro Tenryu in a tournament final |
| 36 !36 | Sasaki, KensukeKensuke Sasaki | 04 !4 | 02004-03-12March 12, 2004 | 16 | Tokyo !Tokyo, Japan | Hyper Battle tour 2004 !Hyper Battle tour | 00 !0 | |
| 37 !37 | Sapp, BobBob Sapp | 01 !1 | 02004-03-28March 28, 2004 | 66 | Tokyo !Tokyo, Japan | King of Sports !King of Sports | 01 !1 | |
| 37.5 !— | — !Vacated | 01 !1 | 02004-06-02June 2, 2004 | zz !N/A | zz !N/A | zz !N/A | zz !N/A | Vacated after Sapp lost a K-1 fight to Kazuyuki Fujita. |
| 38 !38 | Fujita, KazuyukiKazuyuki Fujita | 02 !2 | 02004-06-05June 5, 2004 | 126 | Osaka !Osaka, Japan | Crush 2 !The Crush II | 01 !1 | Defeated Hiroshi Tanahashi to win the vacant title. |
| 39 !39 | Sasaki, KensukeKensuke Sasaki | 05 !5 | 02004-10-09October 9, 2004 | 64 | Tokyo !Tokyo, Japan | Pro-Wrestlers Be Strongest !Pro-Wrestlers Be Strongest | 02 !2 | |
| 40 !40 | Tenzan, HiroyoshiHiroyoshi Tenzan | 03 !3 | 02004-12-12December 12, 2004 | 70 | Nagoya !Nagoya, Japan | Battle Final tour 2004 !Battle Final tour | 00 !0 | |
| 41 !41 | Kojima, SatoshiSatoshi Kojima | 01 !1 | 02005-02-20February 20, 2005 | 83 | Tokyo !Tokyo, Japan | New Year Gold Series !New Year Gold Series | 01 !1 | This match was also for Kojima's AJPW Triple Crown Heavyweight Championship. |
| 42 !42 | Tenzan, HiroyoshiHiroyoshi Tenzan | 04 !4 | 02005-05-14May 14, 2005 | 65 | Tokyo !Tokyo, Japan | Nexess 6 !Nexess VI | 01 !1 | |
| 43 !43 | Fujita, KazuyukiKazuyuki Fujita | 03 !3 | 02005-07-18July 18, 2005 | 82 | Sapporo !Sapporo, Japan | Summer Fight Series tour !Summer Fight Series tour | 00 !0 | |
| 44 !44 | Lesnar, BrockBrock Lesnar | 01 !1 | 02005-10-08October 8, 2005 | 280 | Tokyo !Tokyo, Japan | Toukon Souzou New Chapter !Toukon Souzou New Chapter | 03 !3 | This was a three–way match that also included Masahiro Chono. |
| 44.5 !— | — !Vacated | 01 !1 | 02006-07-15July 15, 2006 | zz !N/A | zz !N/A | zz !N/A | zz !N/A | Vacated due to Lesnar being unable to defend the title because of "problems with a working visa". Lesnar refuses to turn over the championship belt, and later is recognized by the Inoki Genome Federation as their first champion, using the same belt. |
| 45 !45 | Tanahashi, HiroshiHiroshi Tanahashi | 01 !1 | 02006-07-17July 17, 2006 | 270 | Sapporo !Sapporo, Japan | Circuit 2006 Turbulance !Circuit 2006 Turbulance | 04 !4 | Defeated Giant Bernard in a tournament final. |
| 46 !46 | Nagata, YujiYuji Nagata | 02 !2 | 02007-04-13April 13, 2007 | 178 | Osaka !Osaka, Japan | Circuit 2007 New Japan Brave tour !Circuit 2007 New Japan Brave tour | 02 !2 | |
| 47 !47 | Tanahashi, HiroshiHiroshi Tanahashi | 02 !2 | 02007-10-08October 8, 2007 | 88 | Tokyo !Tokyo, Japan | Explosion '07 !Explosion '07 | 01 !1 | |
| 48 !48 | Nakamura, ShinsukeShinsuke Nakamura | 02 !2 | 02008-01-04January 4, 2008 | 114 | Tokyo !Tokyo, Japan | Wrestle Kingdom 2 !Wrestle Kingdom II in Tokyo Dome | 02 !2 | Defeated Kurt Angle on February 17, 2008 on the Circuit 2008 New Japan ISM tour to unify the NJPW and IGF versions of the IWGP Heavyweight Championship. |
| 49 !49 | Mutoh, KeijiKeiji Mutoh | 04 !4 | 02008-04-27April 27, 2008 | 252 | Osaka !Osaka, Japan | Circuit 2008 New Japan Brave tour !Circuit 2008 New Japan Brave tour | 04 !4 | |
| 50 !50 | Tanahashi, HiroshiHiroshi Tanahashi | 03 !3 | 02009-01-04January 4, 2009 | 122 | Tokyo !Tokyo, Japan | Wrestle Kingdom 3 !Wrestle Kingdom III in Tokyo Dome | 03 !3 | |
| 51 !51 | Nakanishi, ManabuManabu Nakanishi | 01 !1 | 02009-05-06May 6, 2009 | 45 | Tokyo !Tokyo, Japan | Dissidence !Dissidence | 00 !0 | |
| 52 !52 | Tanahashi, HiroshiHiroshi Tanahashi | 04 !4 | 02009-06-20June 20, 2009 | 58 | Osaka !Osaka, Japan | Dominion 6.20 !Dominion 6.20 | 01 !1 | |
| 52.5 !— | — !Vacated | 01 !1 | 02009-08-17August 17, 2009 | zz !N/A | zz !N/A | zz !N/A | zz !N/A | Vacated due to Tanahashi fracturing his eye socket. |
| 53 !53 | Nakamura, ShinsukeShinsuke Nakamura | 03 !3 | 02009-09-27September 27, 2009 | 218 | Kobe !Kobe, Japan | Circuit 2009 New Japan Generation tour !Circuit 2009 New Japan Generation tour | 06 !6 | Defeated Togi Makabe to win the vacant title. |
| 54 !54 | Makabe, TogiTogi Makabe | 01 !1 | 02010-05-03May 3, 2010 | 161 | Fukuoka !Fukuoka, Japan | Wrestling Dontaku 2010 !Wrestling Dontaku 2010 | 03 !3 | |
| 55 !55 | Kojima, SatoshiSatoshi Kojima | 02 !2 | 02010-10-11October 11, 2010 | 85 | Tokyo !Tokyo, Japan | Destruction '10 !Destruction '10 | 01 !1 | |
| 56 !56 | Tanahashi, HiroshiHiroshi Tanahashi | 05 !5 | 02011-01-04January 4, 2011 | 404 | Tokyo !Tokyo, Japan | Wrestle Kingdom 5 !Wrestle Kingdom V in Tokyo Dome | 11 !11 | |
| 57 !57 | Okada, KazuchikaKazuchika Okada | 01 !1 | 02012-02-12February 12, 2012 | 125 | Osaka !Osaka, Japan | New Beginning !The New Beginning | 02 !2 | |
| 58 !58 | Tanahashi, HiroshiHiroshi Tanahashi | 06 !6 | 02012-06-16June 16, 2012 | 175+ | Osaka !Osaka, Japan | Dominion 6.16 !Dominion 6.16 | 05 !5 |
Read more about this topic: IWGP Heavyweight Championship
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