WWF International Heavyweight Championship
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The WWF International Heavyweight Championship was a professional wrestling title which was officially recognized by WWF and controlled by New Japan Pro-Wrestling between 1982 and 1986.
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Origin of the Championship
Antonino Rocca was said to be billed as "International Champion" in the 1950s and early 1960s after defeating Dick Shikat in a tournament final, which took place in 1948 in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
New Japan Pro-Wrestling
Several decades after, the title was "revived" through the working agreement between WWF and New Japan. Fujinami Tatsumi, who had recently moved up from junior heavyweight to the heavyweight division, defeated the champion Gino Brito on 1982/8/30 at Madison Square Garden in New York City.
The championship was also featured during the famous feud between Fujinami and Chōshū Riki.
Fujinami vacated the title on 1985/7/19. The title was officially retired when the contract between New Japan and WWF was terminated on 1985/10/31.
Controversy
While Fujinami was still recognized as the champion by New Japan, Maeda Akira defeated Pierre Lefebvre on 1984/3/25 at Madison Square Garden to be awarded the title by WWF president Shinma Hisashi upon starting the UWF. The title was later renamed "UWF Heavyweight Championship". It was vacated/retired on 1984/7/23 when Shima left the UWF. Maeda never defended the title.
