NWA International Tag Team Championship
The legendary tag team belt that defined a generation of Japanese professional wrestling excellence.
The NWA International Tag Team Championship is one of the most storied and prestigious tag team titles in professional wrestling history, serving as the cornerstone of New Japan Pro Wrestling's (NJPW) early identity. For decades, it represented the highest standard of teamwork in the region, featuring legendary duos from across Asia and North America.
- First Champions
- Antonio Inoki & Hiro Matsuda (1971)
Lore & Background
The history of the title is inextricably linked to the evolution of NJPW itself. It was often used as a stepping stone for young talents like Riki Choshu before they ascended to singles glory, while also serving as the final frontier for veterans like Stan Hansen. The championship's journey reflects the shifting tides of Japanese wrestling, from the American-dominated early years to the rise of indigenous stars who would eventually dominate the world stage.
In Their Own Story
The Tokyo Dome lights hummed with a low electricity as the referee raised two hands high above the ring. Dust motes danced in the spotlight, illuminating the gold and black leather of the NWA International Tag Team Championship resting on the second rope. It was not just a belt; it was a relic of an era where every match felt like a war for survival. The crowd roared, a sea of faces united by the memory of legends who had once worn this same strap, their names etched into the history books alongside the very fabric of the canvas below.
Reader's Guide
It served as NJPW's top tag belt for nearly four decades, featuring a rotating roster of champions from Japan and abroad. The design has seen minor variations over the years but is instantly recognizable by its large central plate depicting two wrestlers grappling, flanked by smaller side plates. The gold plating often became worn from the intense physicality of the matches fought to win it. Record-breaking reigns include teams like The Great Muta and Jushin Liger, who held it multiple times in the late 80s. Other notable champions include the iconic duo of Riki Choshu and Tatsumi Fujinami, as well as American legends like Stan Hansen. In 2013, NJPW retired the title to focus on their own IWGP Tag Team Championships, transferring the lineage back to AJPW where it continues today. The belt remains a symbol of the golden age of Japanese tag team wrestling.
Did You Know?
- The championship was originally co-sanctioned by NWA and NJPW, and later by NWA and AJPW—never all three simultaneously.
- Kengo Kimura holds the record for most individual reigns with this championship, with 6 title wins.
- Tiger Mask I was 23 years old when he won the title in 1981, not a teenager.
- NJPW stopped using the title in 1985, but it was transferred to AJPW in 1986 and used there until 2013.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the NWA International Tag Team Championship?
It was a prestigious tag team title originally sanctioned by the National Wrestling Alliance but primarily defended within New Japan Pro Wrestling. For decades, it represented the highest standard of teamwork in the region and helped shape the promotion's foundational style.
Who were the first champions?
The inaugural holders of this historic title were the American team known as The Destroyers, consisting of Stan Hansen and Terry Gordy. They established a legacy that would influence tag wrestling in Japan for many years to come.
Why is this championship considered so important?
Fans revere this championship because it attracted top-tier talent from both Japan and abroad to compete for the ultimate prize in tag team division. It stood as a symbol of prestige that elevated the status of any wrestler who successfully captured the gold.
What happened to the title in New Japan Pro Wrestling?
New Japan Pro Wrestling officially retired the championship within their promotion in 2013, ending its long run as a central NJPW asset. Although inactive there, the lineage continues under different management elsewhere.
Who holds the title currently?
Although it is no longer active within NJPW, the lineage remains alive under the jurisdiction of All Japan Pro Wrestling. This arrangement allows the title to continue its history outside of its original home promotion.