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How Many Championship Belts Does WWE Have? (2026-2027 List)
October 22, 2026
9:20 am
USE CODE: SPINNERBELT
The History of the NJPW Strong Women’s Championship Belt tells the story of one of professional wrestling’s most exciting modern titles. Since its creation in 2023, this championship has been contested by some of the finest women’s wrestlers from around the world, representing New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW), All Elite Wrestling (AEW), Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre (CMLL), and World Wonder Ring Stardom. This comprehensive guide explores the belt’s origins, design, championship lineage, and legacy.
The Creation of the NJPW Strong Women's Championship
In 2022, New Japan Pro-Wrestling established its first-ever women’s division, creating the IWGP Women’s Championship on July 29 of that year. This was a significant step for a promotion historically known for its male-heavy roster. However, NJPW wanted to expand further, particularly for its American subsidiary, NJPW Strong.
On April 27, 2023, NJPW officially announced the creation of the Strong Women’s Championship, designed as the top women’s title for the NJPW Strong brand. This new championship would be exclusively featured on NJPW’s American shows, giving the Strong brand its own prestigious women’s title.The promotion also announced a four-woman single-elimination tournament to determine the inaugural champion, to be held at Resurgence on May 21, 2023, in Long Beach, California. The tournament featured representatives from NJPW’s partner promotions: All Elite Wrestling (AEW), Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre (CMLL), and Stardom.
Design of the NJPW Strong Women's Championship Belt
The design of the Strong Women’s Championship belt was unveiled at the Resurgence press conference on May 20, 2023. The belt features a distinctive violet leather strap, a deliberate choice that differentiated it from the men’s version of the championship.
The Center Plate
The front plate is a golden circular octagon, surrounded by two golden ovals. At the center is the logo of NJPW Strong in violet and gold, with NJPW’s logo overlaid on top. Below the NJPW Strong logo is a banner that reads “WOMEN’S CHAMPION” in a violet rectangle with gold lettering.
The plate is adorned with forty-nine white rhinestones, with a purple ruby stone in the middle of the top banner. Forty-five silver rays emanate from the front logo, creating a striking visual effect.
The Side Plates
The side plates feature the NJPW promotion logo in violet and gold, surrounded by thirty-seven white rhinestones. Two additional white rhinestones flank the logo, with forty-two silver rays radiating outward.
Comparison to the Men's Championship
The Strong Women’s Championship belt is essentially the same design as the men’s Strong Openweight Championship, with two key differences: the center plate is more golden in tone, and the strap is a distinctive pinky-purple color. This design choice gave the women’s title its own identity while maintaining visual consistency with the Strong brand’s aesthetic.
The Inaugural Championship Tournament
The tournament to crown the first NJPW Strong Women’s Champion featured four competitors, each representing a different promotion: Mercedes Moné (NJPW), Willow Nightingale (AEW), Stephanie Vaquer (CMLL), and Momo Kohgo (Stardom).
In the semi-finals, Mercedes Moné defeated Stephanie Vaquer, while Willow Nightingale defeated Momo Kohgo. This set up a finals match between Moné and Nightingale.At Resurgence on May 21, 2023, Willow Nightingale defeated Mercedes Moné in the tournament finals to become the inaugural NJPW Strong Women’s Champion. The match ended in 13 minutes and 34 seconds. Unfortunately, Moné suffered a significant leg injury during the match and had to be helped to the back.After the match, Nightingale cut an emotional promo thanking fans for their support throughout her professional wrestling journey.
Complete Championship History: Every NJPW Strong Women's Champion
As of 2026, there have been eight reigns between eight different champions. Here is the complete championship history in table format:Notable Champions and Their Impact
Champion | Days Held | How |
Willow Nightingale | 45 | Defeated Mercedes Moné in tournament finals |
Giulia | 249 | Defeated Willow Nightingale |
Stephanie Vaquer | 112 | Defeated Giulia |
Mercedes Moné | 313 | Defeated Stephanie Vaquer in Title for Title match |
AZM | 141 | Defeated Mercedes Moné & Mina Shirakawa in three-way match |
Saya Kamitani | 99 | Defeated AZM in Title vs Title match |
Syuri | 63 | Defeated Saya Kamitani in Winner Takes All match |
Alex Windsor | 50+ | Defeated Syuri |
Willow Nightingale made history as the first-ever champion, proving that AEW talent could compete at the highest level in NJPW. Giulia’s 249-day reign with nine defenses established the championship’s prestige. Mercedes Moné’s 313-day reign became the benchmark for championship excellence. AZM became the youngest champion at just 22 years old. Syuri made history as the first wrestler to hold both the IWGP Women’s and Strong Women’s Championships simultaneously. Alex Windsor became the first British champion, further expanding the title’s international reach.
The Replica: Bringing the Championship Home
For collectors and fans who want to own a piece of NJPW history, replica versions of the NJPW Strong Women’s Championship Belt are available. These replicas capture the distinctive design elements that make this championship unique.
A high-quality replica of the NJPW Strong Women’s Championship Belt delivers the authentic feel and visual impact of the original. The zinc alloy plates are durable and designed to capture the intricate details of the championship design.
For collectors who own pieces like the Brock Lesnar Legacy Belt or classic WWE Spinner Belt, adding this NJPW collectible diversifies a collection while keeping it rooted in championship prestige.
Why the NJPW Strong Women's Championship Matters
Elevating Women's Wrestling Globally
The creation of the Strong Women’s Championship represented a significant investment by NJPW in women’s professional wrestling. By featuring talent from AEW, CMLL, and Stardom, the championship became a true international title, showcasing the best female wrestlers from multiple promotions.
A Championship of Firsts
The title’s history is filled with historic moments. Willow Nightingale became the inaugural champion. Mercedes Moné’s 313-day reign set a benchmark. Syuri became the first to hold both IWGP and Strong Women’s titles simultaneously. Alex Windsor became the first British champion. Each reign has added to the championship’s growing legacy.
A Cross-Promotional Success
The Strong Women’s Championship has successfully bridged promotions, allowing wrestlers from AEW, CMLL, and Stardom to compete for the title. This cross-promotional cooperation has created fresh matchups and elevated the championship’s prestige beyond a single promotion.
FAQs
When was the NJPW Strong Women's Championship created?
The championship was announced on April 27, 2023, with the inaugural champion crowned on May 21, 2023, at NJPW Resurgence.
Who was the first NJPW Strong Women's Champion?
Willow Nightingale became the inaugural champion by defeating Mercedes Moné in the tournament finals at Resurgence.
What does the NJPW Strong Women's Championship belt look like?
The belt features a violet leather strap, a golden circular octagon center plate with the NJPW Strong logo, “WOMEN’S CHAMPION” banner, forty-nine white rhinestones, and a purple ruby stone.
Who has held the NJPW Strong Women's Championship?
Eight wrestlers have held the title: Willow Nightingale, Giulia, Stephanie Vaquer, Mercedes Moné, AZM, Saya Kamitani, Syuri, and current champion Alex Windsor.
Who is the current NJPW Strong Women's Champion?
Alex Windsor is the current champion, having defeated Syuri on March 8, 2026, in London, England.
Conclusion
The History of the NJPW Strong Women’s Championship Belt reflects the evolution of women’s professional wrestling on a global scale. From its creation in 2023 to its current status as a cross-promotional championship contested by the world’s best female wrestlers, this title has quickly established itself as one of the most prestigious in the sport. Whether you’re a collector seeking a replica of this unique championship or a fan wanting to understand its storied lineage, the NJPW Strong Women’s Championship Belt represents the pinnacle of achievement in modern women’s wrestling. For collectors who value authenticity and championship prestige, adding this piece to your championship belts collection connects you to one of wrestling’s most exciting modern titles
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