What is IWGP?

[Das]

I am new to Puroresu. I have heard of AJPW and NJPW before from a couple of tapes I've seen,as well as from what I read here, but every once in a while I run across wrestlers that I know are in either AJPW or NJPW but they were wrestling in IWGP. What is IWGP? Is it a defunct organization or something? Any info would be a great help. Thanks!

[Stormtrooper]

All i know for sure is that New Japan's titles are called iwgp titles...ex:iwgp junior heavyweight

[Das]

So IWGP is New Japan? Things are a little clearer. Thanks.

[LizardKing]

IWGP stands for International Wrestling Grand Prix and forms the basis of New Japan's four titles. The IWGP Heavyweight title (currently held by Yasuda, ), IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team titles (currently vacant after Tenzan & Kojima split), IWGP Junior heavyweight title (now held by the fantastic Minoru Tanaka) and the IWGP Jr heavyweight tag titles (held by Gedo & Jado).

Hisa will be able to fill you in on the history of the titles.

[Das]

OK. Things are much clearer. Thanks

[Hisaharu Tanabe]

Since it's "Grand Prix", it's not a name of organization or group. Just a name of the championships.

[BadNews]

i was wondering if the IWGP heavyweight championship was already really a title (belt, regular defenses etc) in its tournament phase because there are usually two kinds of lists before 1987: a list of tournament winners and a list of champions (saying things like "defeated 1983 tournament winner Andre the Giant by countout").

Also, why are Japanese organizations not refering to their titles as world titles (IWGP, Triple Crown, Global Honoured Crown etc)?

[BurningSpirit]

Hey, LizardKing got enough posts for a Liger avatar :P well done

[Ganso]

I believe the IWGP's before 1987 were just tournaments like the annual August G1 Climax.

[Hisaharu Tanabe]

Originally posted by roaddogg
Also, why are Japanese organizations not refering to their titles as world titles (IWGP, Triple Crown, Global Honoured Crown etc)?

Simple. That's because they are only defended in Japan.

As for All Japan's World Tag Team title, PWF World tag title, which is one of the two unified titles, was created "under the authorization of both NWA and AWA".

Some indie groups refer their titles as world titles, but I guess it's only to get a little more attention.

[BadNews]

Sounds reasonable, but then why not just call it Japanese titles? I don't really see the difference between a World title and an International title. Also, that NWA approval don't work with the All-Japan World Junior Heavyweight Title.

[Peru-Yakuza]

The old Kokusai had its titles billed as IWA World titles, not simply IWA titles. And it was the third most important promotion in Japan until 1981.

[Hisaharu Tanabe]

Sure, it was the third most important organization in 81!

There were only 3 male promotions and 1 female promotion back in 81.