9 WWE & WCW Championships You Never Knew Existed

By Douglas Scarpa /

2. WWF Junior Heavyweight Championship

A precursor to the Federation€™s Light Heavyweight Championship and WCW€™s Cruiserweight title, the Junior Heavyweight belt was primarily defended in Japan. Originally created in 1967, the title would stick around until 1985. After New Japan Pro Wrestling€™s creation in 1972, the Junior Heavyweight title was used as the Japanese promotions main lightweight belt. After the €˜85 split between the two promotions, New Japan introduced their IWGP version of the belt. During its run, however, the Junior Heavyweight strap was a highly sought after title amongst smaller competitors. Most famously, the championship was traded between the Dynamite Kid and Tiger Mask over the course of a number of years. There bouts together have since stood the test of time as some of the most exciting contests in wrestling€™s history. The belt itself would see a brief resurgence in 1994. On April 16th of that year, New Japan hosted their now famous Super J Cup one-night tournament. Featuring wrestlers from various international promotions, the finals saw the Great Sasuke go up against the Wild Pegasus. Ultimately, Pegasus -- a young Chris Benoit -- won the tournament, becoming the first-ever Super J Cup winner. His prize was a couple of trophies and a championship belt, and wouldn€™t you guess it, the strap was the former WWF Junior Heavyweight title.