10 Most Prestigious Wrestling Titles Of All Time

5. G1 Climax Tournament Winner

WWE title
NJPW.co.jp

In recent years, this already-huge honour has become a title in its own right; its winner must defend the Wrestle Kingdom IWGP Heavyweight Title shot it promises throughout the rest of the year.

This trend has divided the New Japan fandom. It compromises what is a monumental achievement. Regardless, the reputation of the tournament itself has, especially since the turn of the decade, cemented its status as the most vaunted in wrestling history - and its victor as a potential company Ace in waiting.

The tournament is a bonafide critical darling; in 2014 and 2016 especially, the in-ring standard has been consistently jaw-dropping, treating us to a procession of classics in the Wrestling Observer ****1/2 + range. This year brought with it an unprecedented pair of ***** classics - Kazuchika Okada Vs. Tomohiri Ishii and Tetsuya Naito Vs. Kenny Omega. The storyline achievement of a G1 Climax win has been augmented by the best-in-the-world in-ring quality - it is a feat of both perseverance and unrivalled acclaim.

Omega as current G1 holder is the perfect example of a title-holder who has warranted the achievement - and thus reinforced the power of the prize itself.

 
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Contributor
Contributor

Michael Sidgwick is an editor, writer and podcaster for WhatCulture Wrestling. With over seven years of experience in wrestling analysis, Michael was published in the influential institution that was Power Slam magazine, and specialises in providing insights into All Elite Wrestling - so much so that he wrote a book about the subject. You can order Becoming All Elite: The Rise Of AEW on Amazon. Possessing a deep knowledge also of WWE, WCW, ECW and New Japan Pro Wrestling, Michael’s work has been publicly praised by former AEW World Champions Kenny Omega and MJF, and current Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes. When he isn’t putting your finger on why things are the way they are in the endlessly fascinating world of professional wrestling, Michael wraps his own around a hand grinder to explore the world of specialty coffee. Follow Michael on X (formerly known as Twitter) @MSidgwick for more!