Wrestle-1 Cruiser Division Championship#Championship tournament

When Wrestle-1 was founded in 2013, one of its main focuses was to build an openweight division, where its wrestlers would not be typecast as heavyweights or junior heavyweights, like in most Japanese promotions, but would be able to interact with each other across weight limits.{{cite web | url = http://www.w-1.co.jp/news/detail.php?id=2211 | script-title=ja:10/6（日）初の後楽園に向け、カズ選手、近藤選手、田中選手がコメントを発表 | date=October 4, 2013 | accessdate=February 25, 2015 | work=Wrestle-1 | language=Japanese}}{{cite web | url = http://www.tokyo-sports.co.jp/prores/mens_prores/191355/ | script-title=ja:Ｗ－１初後楽園でジュニア戦士決起 | date=October 5, 2013 | accessdate=February 25, 2015 | work=Tokyo Sports | language=Japanese}} However, on February 13, 2015, after Kaz Hayashi and Shuji Kondo had successfully defended the Wrestle-1 Tag Team Championship against Minoru Tanaka and Seiki Yoshioka, Hayashi announced he was interested in building a division for Wrestle-1's lighter wrestlers,{{cite web | url = http://sportsnavi.yahoo.co.jp/sports/fight/all/2015/columndtl/201502130005-spnavi | title = タッグV5カズがクルーザー級創設を提言 田中を撃破したKaiが武藤に挑戦表明 | date=February 13, 2015 | accessdate=February 25, 2015 | work=Sports Navi | publisher=Yahoo! | language=Japanese}}{{cite web | url = http://www.w-1.co.jp/news/detail.php?id=3356 | title = クルーザー級創設への序章！？カズ・ハヤシvs田中稔、大阪で一騎打ち決定！ | date=February 14, 2015 | accessdate=February 25, 2015 | work=Wrestle-1 | language=Japanese}}{{cite web | url = http://www.tokyo-sports.co.jp/prores/mens_prores/367278/ | script-title=ja:Ｗ―１タッグ王座 カズ＆近藤がＶ５ | date=February 14, 2015 | accessdate=February 25, 2015 | work=Tokyo Sports | language=Japanese}} electing to call the proposed division a "cruiserweight" division instead of the "junior heavyweight" division, which is more common in Japanese puroresu, and reminiscing of Mutoh and Hayashi's stints in WCW in the 1990s.{{cite web | url = http://www.w-1.co.jp/news/detail.php?id=3370 | title = 2月22日（日）大阪大会に向けて。カズ・ハヤシ選手が提唱する"クルーザーの世界"に対して。6選手がコメント。～2月20日（金）愛知・名古屋国際会議場大会 試合後コメント～vol.2 | date=February 20, 2015 | accessdate=February 25, 2015 | work=Wrestle-1 | language=Japanese}} This led to a match on February 22, billed as an "assessment match" to a possible cruiserweight division,{{cite web | url = http://www.tokyo-sports.co.jp/prores/mens_prores/368121/ | script-title=ja:Ｗ－１タッグ王者 近藤＆カズそれぞれの野望 | date=February 17, 2015 | accessdate=February 25, 2015 | work=Tokyo Sports | language=Japanese}} where Tanaka defeated Hayashi.{{cite web | url = http://www.w-1.co.jp/schedule/tour.php?id=1536 | title = Wrestle-1 Tour 2015 West Side Story | date=February 22, 2015 | accessdate=February 25, 2015 | work=Wrestle-1 | language=Japanese}} Following the match, Tanaka, Andy Wu, El Hijo del Pantera, Hiroshi Yamato, Rionne Fujiwara, Seiki Yoshioka and Yusuke Kodama voiced their support for a cruiserweight division in Wrestle-1.{{cite web | url = http://www.w-1.co.jp/news/detail.php?id=3378 | script-title=ja:カズに血判状届く！動き出す“クルーザーの世界”！～カズ・ハヤシ選手、会見 | date=February 24, 2015 | accessdate=February 25, 2015 | work=Wrestle-1 | language=Japanese}}{{cite web | url = http://www.tokyo-sports.co.jp/prores/mens_prores/370953/ | script-title=ja:カズ「血判状」公開 Ｗ－１クルーザー級王座新設主張 | date=February 25, 2015 | accessdate=February 25, 2015 | work=Tokyo Sports | language=Japanese}} On February 25, Wrestle-1 officially announced the creation of a cruiserweight division and the promotion's third title, a cruiserweight championship.{{cite web | url = http://www.w-1.co.jp/news/detail.php?id=3381 | script-title=ja:クルーザー級王座新設決定のお知らせ | date=February 25, 2015 | accessdate=February 25, 2015 | work=Wrestle-1 | language=Japanese}}{{cite web | url = http://battle-news.com/?p=6121 | title = W-1がクルーザー級王座を新設することを正式に決定！3.8後楽園でW-1王座戦を行う武藤とKaiが心境を語る | date=February 25, 2015 | accessdate=February 25, 2015 | work=Battle News | language=Japanese}}{{cite web | url = http://www.tokyo-sports.co.jp/prores/mens_prores/371418/ | script-title=ja:Ｗ－１クルーザー級王座新設決定 | date=February 26, 2015 | accessdate=February 26, 2015 | work=Tokyo Sports | language=Japanese}}

In May 2016, Kotaro Suzuki made the title's first international defenses by defeating Mark Haskins and Ultimo Tiger in England at events held by 4 Front Wrestling and Pro Wrestling Pride.{{cite web | url=https://www.cagematch.net/?id=5&nr=2509&page=4&year=2016 | title=Matches By Year « Wrestle-1 Cruiserweight Championship | accessdate=October 23, 2017 | work=Cagematch}}

On March 9, 2015, Wrestle-1 officially presented the new title, naming it the "Wrestle-1 Cruiser Division Championship". It was announced that the title holds a weight limit of {{convert|200|lb|kg|abbr=on}} that wrestlers need to make the day before a title match. Also announced was an eight-man single-elimination tournament that would culminate on May 5 with the crowning of the first champion.{{cite web | url = http://www.w-1.co.jp/news/detail.php?id=3417 | script-title=ja:「Wrestle-1クルーザーディビジョン初代王者決定トーナメント」開催決定のお知らせ | date=March 9, 2015 | accessdate=March 9, 2015 | work=Wrestle-1 | language=Japanese}}{{cite web | url = http://battle-news.com/?p=6560 | script-title=ja:W-1クルーザーディビジョン初代王者決定トーナメントの開催＆4.1後楽園でKaivs.鈴木秀樹のW-1王座戦などが決定 | date=March 9, 2015 | accessdate=March 9, 2015 | work=Battle News | language=Japanese}}{{cite web | url = http://cf-origin-bitisle-www.nikkansports.com/battle/news/1444469.html | script-title=ja:クルーザー級出場者＆１回戦組み合わせ発表　Ｗ－１ | date=March 9, 2015 | accessdate=March 9, 2015 | work=Nikkan Sports | language=Japanese}} The championship belt was officially unveiled on March 31 at a press conference, where all participants in the tournament underwent and passed a weigh-in.{{cite web | url = http://www.w-1.co.jp/news/detail.php?id=3478 | script-title=ja:Wrestle-1クルーザーディビジョンベルト公開会見&公開計量 | date=March 31, 2015 | accessdate=March 31, 2015 | work=Wrestle-1 | language=Japanese}}{{cite web | url = http://www.tokyo-sports.co.jp/prores/mens_prores/384057/ | script-title=ja:新設のＷ―１クルーザーディビジョン王座へカズ・ハヤシＶ宣言 | date=April 1, 2015 | accessdate=April 1, 2015 | work=Tokyo Sports | language=Japanese}} On May 5, Minoru Tanaka defeated Kaz Hayashi in the finals of the tournament to become the inaugural Wrestle-1 Cruiser Division Champion.{{cite web | url = http://battle-news.com/?p=8665 | script-title=ja:W-1 5.5後楽園大会　鈴木秀樹vs.浜のW-1チャンピオンシップ、クルーザーディビジョン初代王者決定トーナメント準決勝〜決勝 | date=May 5, 2015 | accessdate=May 5, 2015 | work=Battle News | language=Japanese}}

{{8TeamBracket-NoSeeds

| RD1=First round
(April 1, 19)

| RD2=Semifinals
(May 5)

| RD3=Finals
(May 5)

| RD1-team1=Minoru Tanaka

| RD1-team2=Seiki Yoshioka

| RD1-score1=Pin

| RD1-score2={{nowrap|17:26{{cite web | url = http://www.w-1.co.jp/schedule/tour.php?id=1541 | title = Wrestle-1 Tour 2015 Cherry blossom | date=April 1, 2015 | accessdate=April 1, 2015 | work=Wrestle-1 | language=Japanese}}}}

| RD1-team3=Andy Wu

| RD1-team4=El Hijo del Pantera

| RD1-score3=Pin

| RD1-score4={{nowrap|08:08}}

| RD1-team5=Kaz Hayashi

| RD1-team6=Yusuke Kodama

| RD1-score5=Pin

| RD1-score6={{nowrap|17:52{{cite web | url = http://www.w-1.co.jp/schedule/tour.php?id=1542 | title = Wrestle-1 Tour 2015 Cherry blossom | date=April 19, 2015 | accessdate=April 19, 2015 | work=Wrestle-1 | language=Japanese}}}}

| RD1-team7=Hiroshi Yamato

| RD1-team8=Rionne Fujiwara

| RD1-score7=Pin

| RD1-score8={{nowrap|09:31}}

| RD2-team1=Minoru Tanaka

| RD2-team2=El Hijo del Pantera

| RD2-score1=Sub

| RD2-score2={{nowrap|07:43}}

| RD2-team3=Kaz Hayashi

| RD2-team4=Hiroshi Yamato

| RD2-score3=Pin

| RD2-score4={{nowrap|14:38}}

| RD3-team1=Minoru Tanaka

| RD3-team2=Kaz Hayashi

| RD3-score1=Pin

| RD3-score2={{nowrap|23:53}}

}}

{{Professional wrestling title history top|active=yes|defenses=yes}}

{{PWtitlereign

|number = 1

|champion = Minoru Tanaka

|reign = 1

|date = {{dts|2015|05|05}}

|days = {{age in days nts|month1=05|day1=05|year1=2015|month2=09|day2=23|year2=2015}}

|location = Tokyo

|event = Triumph

|defenses = 5

|notes = Tanaka defeated Kaz Hayashi in the finals of an eight-man tournament to become the inaugural champion.

|ref = {{cite web | url = http://www.w-1.co.jp/schedule/tour.php?id=1543 | title = Wrestle-1 Tour 2015 Triumph | date=May 5, 2015 | accessdate=May 5, 2015 | work=Wrestle-1 | language=Japanese}}

}}{{PWtitlereign

|number = 2

|champion = Andy Wu

|reign = 1

|date = {{dts|2015|09|23}}

|days = {{age in days nts|month1=09|day1=23|year1=2015|month2=01|day2=10|year2=2016}}

|location = Osaka

|event = 2nd Anniversary

|defenses = 3

|notes =

|ref = {{cite web | url = http://www.w-1.co.jp/schedule/tour.php?id=1564 | title = 「Wrestle-1 Tour 2015 2nd Anniversary」 | date=September 23, 2015 | accessdate=September 23, 2015 | work=Wrestle-1 | language=Japanese}}

}}{{PWtitlereign

|number = 3

|champion = Hiroshi Yamato

|reign = 1

|date = {{dts|2016|01|10}}

|days = {{age in days nts|month1=01|day1=10|year1=2016|month2=03|day2=08|year2=2016}}

|location = Tokyo

|event = Sunrise

|defenses = 1{{cite web | url = http://www.w-1.co.jp/schedule/tour.php?id=1589 | title = 「Wrestle-1 Tour 2016 W-Impact」 | date=February 10, 2016 | accessdate=February 10, 2016 | work=Wrestle-1 | language=Japanese}}

|notes =

|ref = {{cite web | url = http://www.w-1.co.jp/schedule/tour.php?id=1584 | title = 「Wrestle-1 Tour 2016 Sunrise」 | date=January 10, 2016 | accessdate=January 10, 2016 | work=Wrestle-1 | language=Japanese}}{{cite web | url = http://www.tokyo-sports.co.jp/prores/mens_prores/493596/ | script-title=ja:鼓太郎　Ｗ―１参戦を表明「時を動かしにきた」 | date=January 11, 2016 | accessdate=January 11, 2016 | work=Tokyo Sports | language=Japanese}}

}}{{PWtitlereign

|sort number = 3.5

|type = vacated

|date = {{dts|2016|03|08}}

|defenses = yes

|notes = Yamato was stripped of the title after suffering a neck injury.

|ref = {{cite web | url = http://www.w-1.co.jp/news/detail.php?id=4224 | script-title=ja:大和ヒロシ選手のクルーザー王座返上及び第4代王者決定トーナメント開催のお知らせ | date=March 8, 2016 | accessdate=March 8, 2016 | work=Wrestle-1 | language=Japanese}}

}}{{PWtitlereign

|number = 4

|champion = Kotaro Suzuki

|reign = 1

|date = {{dts|2016|03|13}}

|days = {{age in days nts|month1=03|day1=13|year1=2016|month2=08|day2=11|year2=2016}}

|location = Tokyo

|event = Trans Magic

|defenses = 5

|notes = Suzuki defeated Minoru Tanaka in the finals of a four-man tournament to win the vacant title.

|ref = {{cite web | url = http://www.w-1.co.jp/schedule/tour.php?id=1597 | title = 「Wrestle-1 Tour 2016 Trans Magic」 | date=March 13, 2016 | accessdate=March 13, 2016 | work=Wrestle-1 | language=Japanese}}{{cite web | url = http://www.tokyo-sports.co.jp/prores/mens_prores/517615/ | script-title=ja:【Ｗ‐１】鈴木鼓太郎がクルーザー級新王者に | date=March 13, 2016 | accessdate=March 13, 2016 | work=Tokyo Sports | language=Japanese}}

}}{{PWtitlereign

|number = 5

|champion = Yusuke Kodama

|reign = 1

|date = {{dts|2016|08|11}}

|days = {{age in days nts|month1=08|day1=11|year1=2016|month2=12|day2=09|year2=2016}}

|location = Yokohama

|event = Puroresu Love in Yokohama

|defenses = 3

|notes =

|ref = {{cite web | url = http://www.w-1.co.jp/schedule/tour.php?id=1601 | script-title=ja:「プロレスLove in Yokohama」 | date=August 11, 2016 | accessdate=August 11, 2016 | work=Wrestle-1 | language=Japanese}}

}}{{PWtitlereign

|number = 6

|champion = Mazada

|reign = 1

|date = {{dts|2016|12|09}}

|days = {{age in days nts|month1=12|day1=09|year1=2016|month2=03|day2=20|year2=2017}}

|location = Tokyo

|event = Shining Winter

|defenses = 1

|notes =

|ref = {{cite web | url = http://www.w-1.co.jp/schedule/tour.php?id=1650 | title = 「Wrestle-1 Tour 2016 Shining Winter」 | date=December 9, 2016 | accessdate=December 9, 2016 | work=Wrestle-1 | language=Japanese}}

}}{{PWtitlereign

|number = 7

|champion = Seiki Yoshioka

|reign = 1

|date = {{dts|2017|03|20}}

|days = {{age in days nts|month1=03|day1=20|year1=2017|month2=04|day2=19|year2=2017}}

|location = Tokyo

|event = Trans Magic

|defenses = 0

|notes =

|ref = {{cite web | url = http://w-1.co.jp/schedule/tour.php?id=1663 | title = 「Wrestle-1 Tour 2017 Trans Magic」 | date=March 20, 2017 | accessdate=March 20, 2017 | work=Wrestle-1 | language=Japanese}}

}}{{PWtitlereign

|number = 8

|champion = Andy Wu

|reign = 2

|date = {{dts|2017|04|19}}

|days = {{age in days nts|month1=04|day1=19|year1=2017|month2=05|day2=04|year2=2017}}

|location = Tokyo

|event = Cherry Blossom

|defenses = 0

|notes =

|ref = {{cite web | url = http://w-1.co.jp/schedule/tour.php?id=1669 | title = 「Wrestle-1 Tour 2017 Cherry Blossom」 | date=April 19, 2017 | accessdate=April 19, 2017 | work=Wrestle-1 | language=Japanese}}{{cite web | url = http://battle-news.com/?p=29141 | script-title=ja:【試合結果】4･19　Wrestle-1後楽園ホール大会　【W-1王座】芦野祥太郎vs近藤修司　【W-1タッグ王座】土肥孝司＆熊ゴローvs稲葉大樹＆児玉裕輔　【クルーザーディビジョン】吉岡世起vsアンディ・ウー | date=April 20, 2017 | accessdate=May 4, 2017 | work=Battle News | language=Japanese}}

}}{{PWtitlereign

|number = 9

|champion = Mazada

|reign = 2

|date = {{dts|2017|05|04}}

|days = {{age in days nts|month1=05|day1=04|year1=2017|month2=07|day2=16|year2=2017}}

|location = Tokyo

|event = Triumph

|defenses = 1

|notes =

|ref = {{cite web | url = http://w-1.co.jp/schedule/tour.php?id=1672 | title = 「Wrestle-1 Tour 2017 Triumph」 | date=May 4, 2017 | accessdate=May 4, 2017 | work=Wrestle-1 | language=Japanese}}{{cite web | url = http://battle-news.com/?p=29617 | script-title=ja:【試合結果】5･4　Wrestle-1後楽園ホール大会　【W-1王座】芦野祥太郎vs征矢学　【W-1タッグ王座】土肥孝司＆熊ゴロ―vs河野真幸＆伊藤貴則　【クルーザー王座】アンディ・ウーvsMazada | date=May 4, 2017 | accessdate=May 4, 2017 | work=Battle News | language=Japanese}}

}}{{PWtitlereign

|number = 10

|champion = Andy Wu

|reign = 3

|date = {{dts|2017|07|16}}

|days = {{age in days nts|month1=07|day1=16|year1=2017|month2=09|day2=02|year2=2017}}

|location = Osaka

|event = Symbol

|defenses = 0

|notes =

|ref = {{cite web | url = http://w-1.co.jp/schedule/tour2.php?id=1684 | title = 「Wrestle-1 Tour 2017 Symbol」 | date=July 16, 2017 | accessdate=July 16, 2017 | work=Wrestle-1 | language=Japanese}}

}}{{PWtitlereign

|number = 11

|champion = Seiki Yoshioka

|reign = 2

|date = {{dts|2017|09|02}}

|days = {{age in days nts|month1=09|day1=02|year1=2017 |month2=6|day2=13|year2=2018}}

|location = Yokohama

|event = 2017 Puroresu Love in Yokohama

|defenses = 4{{cite web | url = http://www.w-1.co.jp/Result/detail?id=1708 | title = 「Wrestle-1 Tour 2017 Shining Winter」 | date=December 10, 2017 | accessdate=December 10, 2017 | work=Wrestle-1 | language=Japanese}}

|notes =

|ref = {{cite web | url = http://w-1.co.jp/schedule/tour2.php?id=1677 | script-title=ja:「2017 プロレスLove in Yokohama」9.2神奈川・横浜文化体育館大会 | date=September 2, 2017 | accessdate=September 2, 2017 | work=Wrestle-1 | language=Japanese}}

}}{{PWtitlereign

|number = 12

|champion = Yusuke Kodama

|reign = 2

|date = {{dts|2018|06|13}}

|days = {{age in days nts|month1=06|day1=13|year1=2018|month2=04|day2=20|year2=2019}}

|location = Tokyo

|event = 2018 Outbreak

|defenses = 4

|notes =

|ref = {{cite web | url = http://www.w-1.co.jp/Result/detail?id=1740 | title = 「Wrestle-1 Tour 2018 Outbreak」 | date=2018-06-13 | access-date=2018-06-13 | work=Wrestle-1 | language=ja}}

}}{{PWtitlereign

|number = 13

|champion = Andy Wu

|reign = 4

|date = {{dts|2019|04|20}}

|days = {{age in days nts|month1=04|day1=20|year1=2019|month2=09|day2=01|year2=2019}}

|location = Aga

|event = Tour 2019 Cherry Blossom

|defenses = 1

|notes =

|ref = {{cite web | url = http://www.w-1.co.jp/Result/detail?id=1792 | title = 「Wrestle-1 Tour 2019 Cherry Blossom」 | date=2019-04-22 | access-date=2019-04-22 | work=Wrestle-1 | language=ja}}

}}

{{PWtitlereign

|number = 14

|champion = El Hijo del Pantera

|reign = 1

|date = {{dts|2019|09|01}}

|days = {{age in days nts|month1=09|day1=01|year1=2019|month2=12|day2=26|year2=2019}}

|location = Yokohama

|event = Puroresu Love in Yokohama 2019

|defenses = 2

|notes =

|ref = {{cite web|title=「2019 プロレスLOVE in YOKOHAMA」9.1神奈川・横浜文化体育館大会|url=http://www.w-1.co.jp/Result/detail?id=1776|access-date=January 28, 2021|work=Wrestle-1|language=Japanese}}

}}

{{PWtitlereign

|number = 15

|champion = Seiki Yoshioka

|reign = 3

|date = {{dts|2019|12|26}}

|days = {{age in days nts|month1=12|day1=26|year1=2019|month2=4|day2=1|year2=2020}}

|location = Tokyo

|event = W-1 WRESTLE-1 Tour 2019 Shining Winter

|defenses = 1

|notes =

|ref = {{cite web|title=「WRESTLE-1 TOUR 2019 SHINING WINTER」12.26東京・後楽園ホール大会

|url=http://www.w-1.co.jp/Result/detail?id=1834|access-date=January 28, 2021|work=Wrestle-1|language=Japanese}}

}}{{PWtitlereign

|number = 15.5

|type = deactivated

|date = {{dts|2020|04|1}}

|defenses = yes

|notes = Deactivated when Wrestle-1 closed.

|ref =

}}

{{BundleEnd}}

• World Junior Heavyweight Championship (AJPW)
• IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship
• GHC Junior Heavyweight Championship
• International Junior Heavyweight Championship (Zero1)
• WCW World Cruiserweight Championship

• {{Cite web|last=|first=|date=|title=Wrestle-1 Cruiser Division Championship history|url=http://www.w-1.co.jp/Champion/detail?id=3|access-date=January 28, 2021|work=Wrestle-1|publisher=w-1.co.jp|language=ja}}

{{Reflist|30em}}

• [http://www.w-1.co.jp/history/champ.php?champ=3 Official title history at W-1.co.jp] {{in lang|ja}}
• [http://www.wrestling-titles.com/japan/w1/w1-c.html Title history at Wrestling-Titles.com]

{{Wrestle-1}}

Category:Wrestle-1 championships

Category:Cruiserweight wrestling championships