1. The IWGP Heavyweight Championship (NJPW)
Date established: 12 June, 1987
# Of Reigns: 62
Wrestler with Most Reigns: Hiroshi Tanahashi (7)
Longest Reign: Shinya Hashimoto (489 Days)
Shortest Reign: Kensuke Sasaki (16 Days) Except there is one that doesonly one. In terms of quality of title holders, number of title defenses, and classic matches, there isnt any belt more valuable than the International Wrestling Grand Prix Heavyweight Championship, the top belt of New Japan Pro Wrestling. New Japan doesnt make the mistake of presenting the belt as a prop; it treats wrestling as a legitimate sport and thus its title indicates that its holder is the best wrestler in the world. Many of the titles previous holders, including Keiji Mutoh/The Great Muta, Shinya Hashimoto, Big Van Vader, Tatsumi Fujinami, and others, had some of the greatest reigns in the belts history, capped off by fantastic title matches. In recent years, the belt has reached even further prestige thanks to some of the best matches of the 21st century. In particular, Hiroshi Tanahashis fifth reign featured a record 11 successful title defenses, which really made the belt feel that much more important and valuable. One of the biggest reasons NJPW has been the best wrestling promotion in terms of big matches in recent years has been the presentation of the IWGP Heavyweight Championship as the legitimate top prize for any wrestler. Some of the highest-rated matches and best rivalries in recent memory have been centered on this belt. Just watching some of the matches for this belt will show you just how much the wrestlers involved want the belt, and how far theyre willing to go acquire it or defend it. Furthermore, this is a belt that gets its own entrance music before the wrestlers even enter the ring. If that doesnt present the belt as important and prestigious, not much else can. It is for these reasons that the IWGP Heavyweight Championship is the most prestigious championship in professional wrestling.