Ranking all 7 gaijin IWGP Heavyweight Champions from worst to best

The IWGP Heavyweight Title is the single most prestigious World Championship in Pro Wrestling
The IWGP Heavyweight Title is the single most prestigious World Championship in Pro Wrestling

#6. Bob Sapp

Bob Sapp as the IWGP Heavyweight Champion
Bob Sapp as the IWGP Heavyweight Champion

To some fans, Bob Sapp is best known for his career as a Kickboxer and Mixed Martial Artist, however, his tenure as a Professional Wrestler was also very successful, after Sapp won the WWA World Heavyweight Championship and the prestigious IWGP Heavyweight Championship, as well.

Sapp's Pro Wrestling career initially started at NWA Wildside in 2001, before jumping ship to WCW as a developmental talent. However, in 2004 Sapp made his New Japan Pro Wrestling debut, with a win over Manabu Nakanishi and eventually captured the IWGP Heavyweight Title after defeating Kensuke Sasaki. Sapp's IWGP Heavyweight Title win made him the first and only till-date African-American to hold the title.

During his reign as IWGP Heavyweight Champion, Sapp successfully defended his title belt against Shinsuke Nakamura, before eventually forfeiting the title after suffering a loss to Kazuyuki Fujita in an MMA fight.

Quick Links