NJPW Roster in 1983: Full List of Wrestlers, Teams, Champions

The title was vacated because Tiger Mask retired.

Defeated Fishman in decision match for the vacant title.

The title was vacated because Tiger Mask was injured by Dynamite Kid. On the same day, Dynamite Kid and Kuniaki Kobayashi fought for the vacant title but no winner was declared.

The WWWF World Martial Arts Heavyweight Championship was created for a partnership between WWWF and NJPW, and was awarded by Vincent J. McMahon to Inoki for his achievements in matches against fighters from other combat sports. During this reigns the title changes name to WWF World Martial Arts Heavyweight Championship.

Defeated Davey Boy Smith to win the vacant title. During this reign, Les Thornton was recognized by some promoters in the USA as champion due to The Cobra working for WWF. On 1943-11-14, GCW announced that Les Thornton won a fictitious tournament to become champion (unofficial). Then, on 1984-06-02, American promoters vacated their version of the title after Les Thornton joined WWF; Thornton continued to bill himself as champion, defending the title on WWF events as the "WWF Lt. Hvywt Championship". Then, on 1984-07-13, JCP announced that Hector Guerrero won a fictitious tournament to become champion (unofficial). Then, on 1984-10-02, Mike Davis defeated Guerrero to win this unofficial version of the title; then, on 1984-11-22, Denny Brown defeated Davis to win this unofficial version of the title.

The title was vacated after Tiger Mask retired.

Defeated Kuniaki Kobayashi to win the vacant title.

The title was vacated after Tiger Mask suffered an injury.

In 1983, some North American promoters declared the title vacant due to Tiger Mask wrestling for WWF, which was not a member of NWA; however, during the annual NWA convention, the NWA announced that Tiger Mask was still recognized as the official champion and ordered its territories to recognize him as champion.