Hulk Hogan Talks IWGP Heavyweight Title Run

WWE legend and Hall of Famer Hulk Hogan is often referred to as a 12 time World Champion. Hogan won 6 World Titles during his run in the WWF/WWE and 6 Titles during his time in World Championship Wrestling/WCW.

Hogan took to Twitter today to mention that he is in fact a 13 time World Champion. The Hulkster wrote that “people always say I was 12 times champion but why does everyone forget that I was the first IWGP Heavyweight Champ, brother?! Make it 13 times Champ brother HH.”

For fans of modern day New Japan Pro Wrestling this may come as a surprise. However unlike some of Hogan’s ‘facts’ this is, in fact, true. However the original IWGP Heavyweight Championship was very different to the title held today by Kazuchika Okada. Hogan won the IWGP League back in 1983 defeating Antonio Inoki in the final and becoming the first Champion. The belt was however only defended once a year, as Hulk lost to Inoki at the next year’s tournament. When the tournament was changed in 1987 the original title was retired and the modern IWGP belt was created.

The reigning IWGP Heavyweight Champion Kazuchika Okada will be defending his Championship against Chris Jericho on June 9th at Dominion in Osaka, Japan