Kazuchika Okada Ties the Great Muta, Moves Closer to Tanahashi’s Record

NJPW held their second biggest show of the year Sunday from Osaka. 7 title matches took place at the event, including a 60-minute time limit draw between Kenny Omega and IWGP heavyweight champion, Kazuchika Okada.

I'm tired. #njdominion

— Kenny Omega (@KennyOmegamanX) June 11, 2017

While he only retained his title on a time limit draw, Okada has now tied the Great Muta’s tally of total IWGP heavyweight title defenses, and is moving closer to the all-time record.

IWGP Heavyweight Champion: Kazuchika Okada

Title Defenses (current reign): 6
Title Defenses (all-time): 19
Title Reigns: 4
Total Days as Champion: 1,154

Only 5 other wrestlers have ever had title reigns of equal or greater length in terms of title defenses: Hiroshi Tanahashi, Shinsuke Nakamura, Yuji Nagata, Shinya Hashimoto, and Tatsumi Fujinami.

Tanahashi holds the record for most title defenses in a single reign, when he had 11 from 2012 to 2013.

The title defense Sunday moved Okada into a tie with the Great Muta for 3rd most title defenses all-time with 19. Should Okada defeat Cody on July 1st in L.A, he would tie Shinya Hashimoto for 2nd with 20 title defenses. Tanahashi is again the leader in this category with 28.

Greatest IWGP Heavyweight Champions of All-Time:

1. Hiroshi Tanahashi – 7 Title Reigns – 28 Title Defenses
2. Shinya Hashimoto – 3 Title Reigns – 20 Title Defenses
3. the Great Muta – 4 Title Reigns – 19 Title Defenses
4. Kazuchika Okada – 4 Title Reigns – 19 Title Defenses
5. Tatsumi Fujinami – 6 Title Reigns – 13 Title Defenses
6. Yuji Nagata – 2 Title Reigns – 12 Title Defenses
7. Kensuke Sasaki – 5 Title Reigns – 9 Title Defenses
8. Shinsuke Nakamura – 3 Title Reigns – 9 Title Defenses
9. Riki Choshu – 3 Reigns – 5 Title Defenses
10. Big Van Vader – 3 Reigns – 4 Title Defenses

Antonio Inoki, the company’s 1st champion, held the title just the once, and defended it 4x.