The NWA International Heavyweight Title is a very old title belt, spanning back to the 1950's when the great Lou Thesz was presented with it. After Rikidozan dethroned Thesz, the belt was largely based in Japan, but was often defended in America and even South Korea during Kintaro Oki's reign. After many years of defenses, this title would become even more prestigious, when it became part of the Triple Crown. 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. (6/53) Lou Thesz is awarded the title for his distinguished services to the NWA.
2. (8/27/58 @ Los Angeles Olympic Auditorium, USA / 2/3 Falls) Rikidozan beat Lou Thesz. Thesz pinned Rikidozan. Thesz was DQ'd. Rikidozan used a karate chop on Thesz.
-- Vacated on 12/15/63 after Rikidozan is murdered on 12/8/63.
3. (11/24/65 @ Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium / 2/3 Falls) Giant Baba beat Dick The Bruiser (23:30). Bruiser was DQ'd (17:59). Bruiser was DQ'd (5:31) (tournament final).
4. (6/25/68 @ Aichi Prefectural Gymnasium / 2/3 Falls) Bobo Brazil beat Giant Baba (17:07). Both men were counted out (14:39). Brazil used a Coco-Butt on Baba (2:28).
5. (6/27/68 @ Tokyo Kokugikan Warehouse Outdoor Ring / 2/3 Falls) Giant Baba (2) beat Bobo Brazil (19:19). Brazil used a Coco-Butt on Baba (10:32). Baba used a size 32 dropkick on Brazil (4:44). Brazil was counted out (4:03).
6. (12/3/70 @ Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium / 2/3 Falls) Gene Kiniski beat Giant Baba (41:13). Baba used a size 32 dropkick on Kiniski (29:55). Kiniski used a Schmidt backbreaker on Baba (6:08). Kiniski used a backdrop suplex on Baba (5:10).
7. (12/19/70 @ Los Angeles Olympic Auditorium, USA / 2/3 Falls) Giant Baba (3) beat Gene Kiniski (41:50). Baba pinned Kiniski (26:42). Kiniski pinned Baba (8:03). Baba used a crab hold on Kiniski (7:05).
--- Baba vacates the title on 9/2/72 when he leaves the company to form All Japan Pro-Wrestling.
8. (12/1/72 @ Yokohama Bunka Gymnasium / 2/3 Falls) Bobo Brazil (2) beat Kintaro Oki (13:27). Oki pinned Brazil (11:50). Brazil pinned Oki (1:11). Oki was counted out (0:26) (decision match).
9. (12/4/72 @ Hiroshima Prefectural Gymnasium / 2/3 Falls) Kintaro Oki beat Bobo Brazil (20:51). Brazil pinned Oki (12:29). Oki used a crab hold on Brazil (5:57). Oki pinned Brazil (2:25).
--- Oki vacates on 4/13/81 under the NWA's orders.
10. (4/30/81 @ Matsudo Movement Park Gymnasium) Dory Funk Jr. beat Bruiser Brody by forfeit (tournament final).
11. (10/9/81 @ Tokyo Kokugikan Warehouse Outdoor Ring) Bruiser Brody beat Dory Funk. Jr (9:36) by DQ.
12. (11/1/81 @ Tokyo Korakuen Hall) Dory Funk Jr. (2) beat Bruiser Brody (13:52) by DQ.
13. (4/21/82 @ Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium) Bruiser Brody (2) beat Dory Funk Jr. (15:10) by pinfall.
14. (8/31/83 @ Tokyo Kokugikan Warehouse Outdoor Ring) Jumbo Tsuruta beat Bruiser Brody (21:33) by DQ.
15. (7/31/86 @ Tokyo Ryogoku Kokugikan) Stan Hansen beat Jumbo Tsuruta (16:27) with a cradle.
16. (10/21/86 @ Tokyo Ryogoku Kokugikan) Jumbo Tsuruta (2) beat Stan Hansen (19:37) with an inside cradle.
17. (3/27/88 @ Tokyo Nippon Budokan) Bruiser Brody (3) beat Jumbo Tsuruta (17:07) with a jumping kneedrop.
18. (4/19/88 @ Miyagi Sports Center) Jumbo Tsuruta (3) beat Bruiser Brody (20:34) with a backdrop suplex.
--- Tsuruta defeated Stan Hansen on 4/18/89 to defend the NWA International Heavyweight Title and win both the PWF Heavyweight and NWA United National Heavyweight titles. The three belts were unified as a result, creating the Triple Crown.