IWGP Intercontinental vs. WWE Intercontinental

Attribute	IWGP Intercontinental	WWE Intercontinental
Current Champion	Shingo Takagi	King Nakamura
Established	2011	1979
Number of Title Reigns	Varies	Varies
Design of Championship Belt	Black with red and gold accents	White with black and gold accents
Number of Title Defenses	Varies	Varies

History

The IWGP Intercontinental Championship was established by New Japan Pro-Wrestling in 2011, with MVP becoming the inaugural champion. The title was created to be a secondary championship in NJPW, bridging the gap between the IWGP Heavyweight Championship and the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship. On the other hand, the WWE Intercontinental Championship has a longer history, dating back to 1979 when Pat Patterson became the first champion. The title has been held by legendary wrestlers such as Randy Savage, Shawn Michaels, and Chris Jericho.

Design

The IWGP Intercontinental Championship features a sleek design with a silver and white color scheme. The center plate of the title belt showcases the NJPW logo surrounded by intricate detailing. In contrast, the WWE Intercontinental Championship has a more traditional design with a large center plate featuring the WWE logo. The side plates of the belt can be customized with the champion's name or logo, adding a personal touch to the title.

Prestige

Both the IWGP Intercontinental and WWE Intercontinental Championships are considered prestigious titles within their respective promotions. Holding either championship signifies that a wrestler is a top contender in the company and has proven themselves in the ring. Wrestlers who have held these titles have gone on to main event shows and compete for the top championships in their promotions.

Competition

The competition for the IWGP Intercontinental Championship is primarily within the NJPW roster, which boasts some of the best wrestlers in the world. Wrestlers like Tetsuya Naito, Hiroshi Tanahashi, and Kota Ibushi have all held the title and put on memorable matches. On the other hand, the WWE Intercontinental Championship is defended against wrestlers from the Raw and SmackDown brands, leading to a diverse range of challengers and matchups.

Match Quality

Matches for the IWGP Intercontinental Championship are known for their hard-hitting action and technical prowess. NJPW is renowned for its strong style of wrestling, which often results in intense and physical contests for the title. Conversely, WWE Intercontinental Championship matches tend to focus more on storytelling and entertainment, with a mix of high-flying moves and dramatic moments that engage the audience.

Legacy

Over the years, both the IWGP Intercontinental and WWE Intercontinental Championships have built a rich legacy of memorable moments and iconic champions. Wrestlers who have held these titles have left a lasting impact on the industry and have solidified their place in wrestling history. The legacy of these championships continues to grow as new stars rise to the occasion and compete for the prestigious titles.