From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Listing of professional wrestling champions for the NEVER Openweight Championship
Four-time and current champion
Shingo Takagi
The
NEVER Openweight Championship is a
professional wrestling
championship owned by the
New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW)
promotion . NEVER is an acronym of the terms "New Blood", "Evolution", "Valiantly", "Eternal", and "Radical" and was a
NJPW-promoted series of events , which featured younger up-and-coming talent and outside wrestlers not signed to the promotion.
[1]
[2] The project was officially announced on July 12, 2010,
[2] and held its first event on August 24, 2010.
[3]
There have been 43 reigns shared among 22 wrestlers with one
vacancy .
Masato Tanaka was the first champion in the title's history. He also holds the record for the longest reign in the title's history at 314 days during his only reign.
Tomohiro Ishii has the most reigns, with six.
Michael Elgin 's only reign of 8 days is the shortest in the title's history.
Minoru Suzuki is the oldest champion when he won it at 52 years old while
Will Ospreay is the youngest champion at 25 years old.
Shingo Takagi is the current champion in his fourth reign. He defeated
Evil at
Sakura Genesis in
Tokyo, Japan on April 6, 2024.
Title history
Key
No.
Overall reign number
Reign
Reign number for the specific champion
Days
Number of days held
Defenses
Number of successful defenses
+
Current reign is changing daily
No.
Champion
Championship change
Reign statistics
Notes
Ref.
Date
Event
Location
Reign
Days
Defenses
1
Masato Tanaka
November 19, 2012
Shodai NEVER Musabetsu Kyu Oza Kettei Tournament Final
Tokyo, Japan
1
314
4
Tanaka defeated
Karl Anderson in the finals of a sixteen-man tournament to become the inaugural champion.
[4]
2
Tetsuya Naito
September 29, 2013
Destruction
Kobe, Japan
1
135
2
Naito's
Tokyo Dome IWGP Heavyweight Championship challenge rights certificate was also on the line.
[5]
3
Tomohiro Ishii
February 11, 2014
The New Beginning in Osaka
Osaka, Japan
1
138
4
[6]
4
Yujiro Takahashi
June 29, 2014
Kizuna Road 2014
Tokyo, Japan
1
106
1
[7]
5
Tomohiro Ishii
October 13, 2014
King of Pro-Wrestling
Tokyo, Japan
2
83
1
[8]
6
Togi Makabe
January 4, 2015
Wrestle Kingdom 9 in Tokyo Dome
Tokyo, Japan
1
41
0
[9]
—
Vacated
February 14, 2015
—
—
—
—
—
The title was vacated due to Makabe being sidelined with influenza.
[10]
7
Tomohiro Ishii
February 14, 2015
The New Beginning in Sendai
Sendai, Japan
3
74
0
Ishii defeated
Tomoaki Honma to win the vacant title.
[11]
8
Togi Makabe
April 29, 2015
Wrestling Hinokuni
Mashiki, Japan
2
166
2
[12]
9
Tomohiro Ishii
October 12, 2015
King of Pro-Wrestling
Tokyo, Japan
4
84
1
[13]
10
Katsuyori Shibata
January 4, 2016
Wrestle Kingdom 10 in Tokyo Dome
Tokyo, Japan
1
120
3
[14]
11
Yuji Nagata
May 3, 2016
Wrestling Dontaku
Fukuoka, Japan
1
47
0
[15]
12
Katsuyori Shibata
June 19, 2016
Dominion 6.19 in Osaka-jo Hall
Osaka, Japan
2
139
3
[16]
13
Evil
November 5, 2016
Power Struggle
Osaka, Japan
1
10
0
[17]
14
Katsuyori Shibata
November 15, 2016
Wrestling World 2016 in Singapore
Singapore
3
50
0
[18]
15
Hirooki Goto
January 4, 2017
Wrestle Kingdom 11 in Tokyo Dome
Tokyo, Japan
1
113
3
[19]
16
Minoru Suzuki
April 27, 2017
Road to Wrestling Dontaku 2017: Aki no Kuni Sengoku Emaki
Hiroshima, Japan
1
252
4
[20]
17
Hirooki Goto
January 4, 2018
Wrestle Kingdom 12 in Tokyo Dome
Tokyo, Japan
2
156
3
This was a
hair vs. hair match .
[21]
18
Michael Elgin
June 9, 2018
Dominion 6.9 in Osaka-jo Hall
Osaka, Japan
1
8
0
This was a
three-way match also including
Taichi .
[22]
19
Hirooki Goto
June 17, 2018
Kizuna Road 2018
Tokyo, Japan
3
92
1
[23]
20
Taichi
September 17, 2018
Destruction in Beppu
Beppu, Japan
1
47
0
[24]
21
Hirooki Goto
November 3, 2018
Power Struggle
Osaka, Japan
4
36
0
[25]
22
Kota Ibushi
December 9, 2018
World Tag League
Iwate, Japan
1
26
0
[26]
23
Will Ospreay
January 4, 2019
Wrestle Kingdom 13 in Tokyo Dome
Tokyo, Japan
1
92
1
Ospreay is the only
junior heavyweight to win the title.
[27]
24
Jeff Cobb
April 6, 2019
G1 Supercard
New York City, U.S.
1
27
0
Cobb's
ROH World Television Championship was also on the line.
[28]
25
Taichi
May 3, 2019
Wrestling Dontaku
Fukuoka, Japan
2
37
0
[29]
26
Tomohiro Ishii
June 9, 2019
Dominion 6.9 in Osaka-jo Hall
Osaka, Japan
5
83
0
[30]
27
Kenta
August 31, 2019
Royal Quest
London, England
1
127
2
[31]
28
Hirooki Goto
January 5, 2020
Wrestle Kingdom 14 in Tokyo Dome Night 2
Tokyo, Japan
5
27
0
[32]
29
Shingo Takagi
February 1, 2020
The New Beginning in Sapporo
Sapporo, Japan
1
210
3
[33]
30
Minoru Suzuki
August 29, 2020
Summer Struggle in Jingu
Tokyo, Japan
2
70
0
[34]
[35]
31
Shingo Takagi
November 7, 2020
Power Struggle
Osaka, Japan
2
84
1
[36]
[37]
32
Hiroshi Tanahashi
January 30, 2021
The New Beginning in Nagoya
Nagoya, Japan
1
93
1
[38]
[39]
33
Jay White
May 3, 2021
Wrestling Dontaku
Fukuoka, Japan
1
194
1
[40]
34
Tomohiro Ishii
November 13, 2021
Battle in the Valley
San Jose, California, U.S.
6
52
0
Had Ishii lost, he could
never challenge for the NEVER Openweight Championship again.
[41]
35
Evil
January 4, 2022
Wrestle Kingdom 16 Night 1
Tokyo, Japan
2
117
2
[42]
36
Tama Tonga
May 1, 2022
Wrestling Dontaku
Fukuoka, Japan
1
42
0
[43]
37
Karl Anderson
June 12, 2022
Dominion 6.12 in Osaka-jo Hall
Osaka, Japan
1
206
2
[44]
38
Tama Tonga
January 4, 2023
Wrestle Kingdom 17
Tokyo, Japan
2
119
1
[45]
39
David Finlay
May 3, 2023
Wrestling Dontaku
Fukuoka, Japan
1
159
1
[46]
40
Tama Tonga
October 9, 2023
Destruction in Ryōgoku
Tokyo, Japan
3
19
0
[47]
41
Shingo Takagi
October 28, 2023
Fighting Spirit Unleashed
Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.
3
68
1
[48]
42
Tama Tonga
January 4, 2024
Wrestle Kingdom 18
Tokyo, Japan
4
16
0
[49]
43
Evil
January 20, 2024
The New Beginning In Nagoya
Nagoya, Aichi ,
Japan
3
77
1
This was a
Lumberjack match .
[50]
44
Shingo Takagi
April 6, 2024
Sakura Genesis
Tokyo, Japan
4
24+
0
[51]
Combined reigns
As of April 30, 2024.
Inaugural champion
Masato Tanaka holds the record for longest reign at 314 days
Record six-time champion and longest combined reigning title holder at 514 days,
Tomohiro Ishii .
†
Indicates the current champion
See also
References
^ Caldwell, James (October 5, 2012).
"News items: Velvet Sky launches clothing line, Details on Nash's next int'l tour, NJPW introducing new title" . Pro Wrestling Torch . Retrieved October 27, 2012 .
^
a
b
Nextジェネレーション育成 新プロジェクト「NEVER」シリーズがスタート!! .
New Japan Pro-Wrestling (in Japanese). July 12, 2010. Archived from
the original on December 28, 2010. Retrieved October 27, 2012 .
^
"NEVER.1" .
New Japan Pro-Wrestling (in Japanese). Archived from
the original on December 28, 2010. Retrieved October 27, 2012 .
^
東京・Shibuya-AX ~初代NEVER無差別級王座決定トーナメント Final~ .
New Japan Pro-Wrestling (in Japanese). Archived from
the original on November 22, 2012. Retrieved November 19, 2012 .
^
"Destruction" .
New Japan Pro-Wrestling (in Japanese). Archived from
the original on October 2, 2013. Retrieved September 29, 2013 .
^
"The New Beginning in Osaka" .
New Japan Pro-Wrestling (in Japanese). Archived from
the original on February 22, 2014. Retrieved February 11, 2014 .
^
"Kizuna Road 2014" .
New Japan Pro-Wrestling (in Japanese). Archived from
the original on June 29, 2014. Retrieved June 29, 2014 .
^
"King of Pro-Wrestling" .
New Japan Pro-Wrestling (in Japanese). Archived from
the original on October 17, 2014. Retrieved October 13, 2014 .
^
Wrestle Kingdom 9 in 東京ドーム .
New Japan Pro-Wrestling (in Japanese). Archived from
the original on January 4, 2015. Retrieved January 4, 2015 .
^
【お詫びとお知らせ】真壁刀義選手がインフルエンザのため、2月14日仙台大会欠場。“NEVER王座決定戦”本間vs石井が緊急決定 .
New Japan Pro-Wrestling (in Japanese). February 14, 2015. Archived from
the original on February 14, 2015. Retrieved February 14, 2015 .
^
"The New Beginning in Sendai" .
New Japan Pro-Wrestling (in Japanese). Archived from
the original on February 14, 2015. Retrieved February 14, 2015 .
^
レスリング火の国 .
New Japan Pro-Wrestling (in Japanese). Archived from
the original on May 1, 2015. Retrieved April 29, 2015 .
^
"King of Pro-Wrestling" .
New Japan Pro-Wrestling (in Japanese). Archived from
the original on October 14, 2015. Retrieved October 12, 2015 .
^
Wrestle Kingdom 10 in 東京ドーム .
New Japan Pro-Wrestling (in Japanese). Archived from
the original on January 7, 2016. Retrieved January 4, 2016 .
^
レスリングどんたく 2016 .
New Japan Pro-Wrestling (in Japanese). Archived from
the original on May 5, 2016. Retrieved May 3, 2016 .
^
"Dominion 6.19 in Osaka-jo Hall" .
New Japan Pro-Wrestling (in Japanese). Archived from
the original on August 8, 2016. Retrieved June 19, 2016 .
^
戦国炎舞 -Kizna- Presents Power Struggle .
New Japan Pro-Wrestling (in Japanese). Archived from
the original on November 5, 2016. Retrieved November 5, 2016 .
^
"Wrestling World 2016 in Singapore" .
New Japan Pro-Wrestling (in Japanese). Retrieved November 15, 2016 .
^
戦国炎舞 -Kizna- Presents Wrestle Kingdom 11 in 東京ドーム .
New Japan Pro-Wrestling (in Japanese). Retrieved January 4, 2017 .
^
Road to レスリングどんたく 2017 ~安芸の国 戦国絵巻~ .
New Japan Pro-Wrestling (in Japanese). Retrieved April 27, 2017 .
^
ブシモ 5th Anniversary Wrestle Kingdom 12 in 東京ドーム .
New Japan Pro-Wrestling (in Japanese). Retrieved January 4, 2018 .
^ Kreikenbohm, Philip (June 9, 2018).
"NJPW Dominion 6.9 In Osaka-Jo Hall" . Cagematch - The Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved December 20, 2020 .
^
"30分越えの大激戦! 後藤がエルガンに逆転勝利で、Never無差別級王座を奪還!!【6.17後楽園結果】" .
^ Kreikenbohm, Philip (September 17, 2018).
"NJPW Destruction In Beppu 2018" . Cagematch - The Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved December 20, 2020 .
^ Kreikenbohm, Philip (November 3, 2018).
"NJPW Power Struggle 2018 ~ Super Junior Tag League 2018" . Cagematch - The Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved December 20, 2020 .
^
"2018.12.09 WORLD TAG LEAGUE 2018 Night17 | NEW JAPAN PRO-WRESTLING" .
^ Kreikenbohm, Philip (January 4, 2019).
"NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 13 In Tokyo Dome" . Cagematch - The Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved December 20, 2020 .
^ Kreikenbohm, Philip (April 6, 2019).
"ROH/NJPW G1 Supercard" . Cagematch - The Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved December 20, 2020 .
^ Kreikenbohm, Philip (May 3, 2019).
"NJPW Wrestling Dontaku 2019 - Tag 1" . Cagematch - The Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved December 20, 2020 .
^ Kreikenbohm, Philip (June 9, 2019).
"NJPW Dominion 6.9 In Osaka-Jo Hall" . Cagematch - The Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved December 20, 2020 .
^ Kreikenbohm, Philip (August 31, 2019).
"NJPW Royal Quest" . Cagematch - The Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved December 20, 2020 .
^ Kreikenbohm, Philip (January 5, 2020).
"NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 14 In Tokyo Dome - Tag 2" . Cagematch - The Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved December 20, 2020 .
^ Kreikenbohm, Philip (February 1, 2020).
"NJPW The New Beginning In Sapporo 2020 - Tag 1" . Cagematch - The Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved December 20, 2020 .
^ Kreikenbohm, Philip (August 29, 2020).
"NJPW Summer Struggle in Jingu" . Cagematch - The Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved December 20, 2020 .
^ NJPW.
"2020.08.29 D4DJ Groovy Mix Presents SUMMER STRUGGLE in JINGU | NEW JAPAN PRO-WRESTLING" . NJPW . Retrieved 2020-08-23 .
^ Kreikenbohm, Philip (November 7, 2020).
"NJPW Power Struggle 2020" . Cagematch - The Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved December 20, 2020 .
^
"2020.11.07 POWER STRUGGLE | NEW JAPAN PRO-WRESTLING" .
New Japan Pro-Wrestling . Retrieved November 7, 2020 .
^ NJPW.
"2021.01.30 THE NEW BEGINNING in NAGOYA | NEW JAPAN PRO-WRESTLING" . NJPW . Retrieved 2021-01-30 .
^ Kreikenbohm, Philip (January 30, 2021).
"NJPW The New Beginning In Nagoya - TV-Show @ Aichi Prefectural Gymnasium in Nagoya, Aichi, Japan" . Cagematch - The Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved January 31, 2021 .
^ Kreikenbohm, Philip (May 3, 2021).
"NJPW Wrestling Dontaku 2021 - Night 1 - TV-Show @ Fukuoka Convention Center in Fukuoka, Japan" . Cagematch - The Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved May 6, 2021 .
^ Klyn, Parker (November 13, 2021).
"NJPW Battle In The Valley Live Results: NEVER Title Match" . Wrestling Observer Figure Four Online . Retrieved November 14, 2021 .
^ Fritts, Chick (January 4, 2022).
"NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 16 Night One Live Results: Shingo Vs. Okada" . Wrestling Observer Figure Four Online . Retrieved January 4, 2022 .
^ Kreikenbohm, Philip (May 1, 2022).
"NJPW Wrestling Dontaku 2022 - TV-Show @ Fukuoka Dome in Fukuoka, Japan" . Cagematch - The Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved May 1, 2022 .
^ Fritts, Chick (June 12, 2022).
"NJPW Dominion live results: Six title matches, AEW interim World title eliminator Kazuchika Okada defends the IWGP title against Jay White in the main event, plus the AEW interim World title eliminator continues" . Wrestling Observer Figure Four Online . Retrieved June 12, 2022 .
^ Powell, Jason (January 4, 2023).
"NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 17 results: Powell's live report on Jay White vs. Kazuchika Okada for the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship, Will Ospreay vs. Kenny Omega for the IWGP U.S. Championship, Kairi vs. Tam Nakano for the IWGP Women's Title, Taiji Ishimori vs. Hiromu Takahashi vs. El Desperado vs. Master Wato for the IWGP Jr. Hvt. Title" . Pro Wrestling Dot Net . Retrieved January 4, 2023 .
^ Vetter, Chris (May 3, 2023).
"5/3 NJPW "Wrestling Dontaku 2023" results: Vetter's review of Sanada vs. Hiromu Takahashi for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship, Tama Tonga vs. David Finlay for the Never Openweight Title Minoru Suzuki, El Desperado, and Ren Narita vs. Kazuchika Okada, Tomohiro Ishii, and Hiroshi Tanahashi for the Never Openweight Six-Man Titles, Zack Sabre Jr. vs. Jeff Cobb for the NJPW TV Title" . Pro Wrestling Dot Net . Retrieved May 4, 2023 .
^
"DESTRUCTION in RYOGOKU MON. OCTOBER. 9. 2023" . njpw1972.com .
NJPW . Retrieved September 23, 2023 .
^ Rose, Bryan (October 29, 2023).
"Shingo Takagi wins NEVER Openweight title at NJPW Fighting Spirit Unleashed Notes from Saturday's NJPW event in Las Vegas" . f4wonline.com . Retrieved October 29, 2023 .
^ Powell, Jason (January 4, 2024).
"NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 18 results: Powell's live review of Sanada vs. Tetsuya Naito for the IWGP World Hvt. Championship, Kazuchika Okada vs. Bryan Danielson, Will Ospreay vs. Jon Moxley vs. David Finlay for the IWGP Global Title" . Pro Wrestling Dot Net . Retrieved January 4, 2024 .
^ Renner, Ethan (January 20, 2024).
"New champions crowned at NJPW The New Beginning in Nagoya Titles changed hands on Saturday's tour opener" . Wrestling Observer Figure Four Online . Retrieved January 20, 2024 .
^ Fritts, Chick (April 6, 2024).
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External links