The NJPW King of Pro-Wrestling Championship is a professional wrestling championship created and promoted by Japanese professional wrestling promotion New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW). Only one wrestler each year is recognized as an official champion, while a provisional champion is decided during the year, with the provisional champion at the end of the year becoming that year's King of Pro-Wrestling. Match stipulations are proposed by the wrestlers, followed by fans voting on the choice of stipulations.
History[]
On July 28, 2020, NJPW chairman Naoki Sugabayashi announced the creation of a new championship, followed by Kazuchika Okada, who had developed the championship idea, explaining the concept. After four qualifying singles matches, Kazuchika Okada, El Desperado, SANADA and Toru Yano faced off in a four-way match at Summer Struggle 2020 In Jingu, with Yano coming out on top to become the inaugural provisional champion. In December at Road To Tokyo Dome 2021 - Night 7, Yano defeated Bad Luck Fale in a Bodyslam or Last Cornerpad Match to become the inaugural official champion.
Reigns[]
The inaugural champion was Toru Yano who won the championship in a four-way match on August 29, 2020. Yano also holds the record for the most reigns with four. Shingo Takagi holds the record for the longest reign, having held the title for 238 days. Taichi's 16 day reign is the shortest. The oldest champion was Minoru Suzuki, who won the championship at 53 years and 202 days old, while Chase Owens is the youngest champion, winning the championship at 31 years and 140 days old.