10 Instant Wrestling Title Devaluations
4. From Kensuke Sasaki...To Bob Sapp (IWGP Heavyweight Title)
At the turn of the century, Antonio Inoki, inspired by the success of MMA promotion Pride, decided to infuse his product with more shoot leanings.
He would experience considerable success at first. The Shinya Hashimoto Vs. Naoya Ogawa feud set the box office alight. From there, however, his flirtation with MMA became a misadventure. In 2001, he booked IWGP Heavyweight champion Yuji Nagata to oppose a still white-hot Mirko Cro Cop in a legitimate fight, in which Nagata was comprehensively destroyed in just 21 seconds. He lasted longer than Daniel Bryan, at least.
Undeterred, Inoki would crown MMA sensation Bob Sapp, who would continue his parallel shoot fight gig, as his IWGP Heavyweight champion in 2004.
The decision was not without some logic - Sapp was a major public figure in Japan at the time - but it devalued what was and thankfully is again one of wrestling's most prominent prizes. There is a reason why the flirtation between MMA and pro wrestling should be treated carefully - the former can very easily undermine the latter.
The move would also embarrass New Japan after the fact - it was vacated following an injury sustained by Sapp in a real fight, which meant he was unable to defend it.