Japanese Strong Style Championship Belts: The Ultimate Symbols of Fighting Spirit

Japanese wrestling, known as puroresu, is famous for its "Strong Style"—a hard-hitting, realistic approach that blends professional wrestling with martial arts. Championship belts in New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW), All Japan Pro Wrestling (AJPW), and Pro Wrestling NOAH hold immense prestige and represent the highest level of toughness, discipline, and fighting spirit in wrestling. In this article, we’ll explore the most prestigious Japanese Strong Style championship belts, their significance, and the legendary wrestlers who have held them.

What is Strong Style?

Strong Style, pioneered by Antonio Inoki, focuses on: ✅ Hard-hitting strikes (chops, forearms, and kicks) ✅ Submission wrestling (influenced by judo and catch wrestling) ✅ Legitimate fighting spirit (never backing down, even in defeat) ✅ High-stakes, dramatic storytelling in the ring

Top Japanese Strong Style Championship Belts

1. IWGP World Heavyweight Championship

• Promotion: New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW) - Prestige Level: Most prestigious championship in Japanese wrestling - Famous Champions: Antonio Inoki, Kazuchika Okada, Shinya Hashimoto, Hiroshi Tanahashi, Kenny Omega

Why It’s Prestigious

The IWGP World Heavyweight Championship (formerly IWGP Heavyweight Championship) is the top title in NJPW, often considered the most prestigious championship in Japan. Holding this belt means you are the best Strong Style wrestler in the world.

2. Triple Crown Heavyweight Championship

• Promotion: All Japan Pro Wrestling (AJPW) - Prestige Level: A legendary title from the King’s Road era - Famous Champions: Giant Baba, Mitsuharu Misawa, Kenta Kobashi, Toshiaki Kawada, Jun Akiyama

Why It’s Prestigious

The Triple Crown Championship combines three legendary belts: 1. NWA United National Championship 2. PWF Heavyweight Championship 3. NWA International Heavyweight Championship AJPW’s King’s Road style (similar to Strong Style but with more dramatic storytelling) made this belt a symbol of endurance, toughness, and legacy.

3. GHC Heavyweight Championship

• Promotion: Pro Wrestling NOAH - Prestige Level: The heart of NOAH’s Strong Style legacy - Famous Champions: Kenta Kobashi, Mitsuharu Misawa, KENTA, Go Shiozaki, Katsuhiko Nakajima

Why It’s Prestigious

The Global Honored Crown (GHC) Heavyweight Championship is the top title in Pro Wrestling NOAH, a promotion founded by Mitsuharu Misawa after leaving AJPW. This belt represents brutal strikes, technical mastery, and legendary title defenses.

4. NEVER Openweight Championship

• Promotion: New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW) - Prestige Level: The hardest-hitting championship in Japan - Famous Champions: Tomohiro Ishii, Katsuyori Shibata, Minoru Suzuki, Togi Makabe

Why It’s Prestigious

The NEVER Openweight Championship is known for brutal, no-nonsense fights. Wrestlers like Ishii, Shibata, and Suzuki made this title a symbol of pure Strong Style combat.

5. IWGP Intercontinental Championship (Retired)

• Promotion: New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW) - Prestige Level: A modern classic championship - Famous Champions: Shinsuke Nakamura, Tetsuya Naito, Kota Ibushi

Why It’s Prestigious

Though retired, the IWGP Intercontinental Championship was a main-event-level belt that elevated stars like Nakamura and showcased Strong Style with a blend of high-flying and striking.

6. AJPW World Tag Team Championship

• Promotion: All Japan Pro Wrestling (AJPW) - Prestige Level: Most prestigious tag team titles in Japanese wrestling - Famous Champions: The Holy Demon Army (Kawada & Taue), The Road Warriors, Stan Hansen & Bruiser Brody

Why It’s Prestigious

This tag team championship has a history of legendary, hard-hitting matches in AJPW’s King’s Road era, making it a must-win title for the best tag teams.

7. IWGP United States Heavyweight Championship

• Promotion: New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW) - Prestige Level: A modern Strong Style championship with international appeal - Famous Champions: Kenny Omega, Jon Moxley, Will Ospreay

Why It’s Prestigious

This belt represents NJPW’s expansion into the U.S., but it still upholds Japanese Strong Style values with legendary matches featuring Moxley, Ospreay, and Omega.

Why Strong Style Belts Matter

✅ They represent the best of Japanese wrestling ✅ Winning them means proving your toughness, skill, and heart ✅ They have created some of the greatest matches in wrestling history

Conclusion

Japanese Strong Style championship belts are more than just titles—they are symbols of fighting spirit, discipline, and legacy. Whether it’s the legendary IWGP World Heavyweight Championship, the historic Triple Crown Heavyweight Championship, or the brutal NEVER Openweight Championship, these belts define what it means to be a true warrior in the world of puroresu.