IWGP U-30 Openweight Championship

Created in 2003, the U-30 Openweight Title is what New Japan's under-30 (U-30) wrestlers battle over. Hiroshi Tanahashi proposed a tournament entitled the G2 U-30 Climax to determine New Japan's strongest U-30 wrestler, and won it himself. He was later awarded a title belt, which became recognized and was defended. In November, 2004, it became an officially recognized IWGP title. Click each wrestler's name to get a list of title defenses during his reign (if there is no link for a wrestler, it means that he had no successful title defenses). 1. (4/23/03 @ Hiroshima Sun Plaza) Hiroshi Tanahashi beat Shinya Makabe (12:44) with a Dragon suplex hold (tournament final). 2. (1/4/05 @ Tokyo Dome) Shinsuke Nakamura beat Hiroshi Tanahashi (24:45) with a cross armbreaker. -- Nakamura vacates on 5/1/04 by company request. 3. (6/18/05 @ Kyoto City Gymnasium) Hiroshi Tanahashi (2) beat Toru Yano (9:15) with the Sling Blade (tournament final).