The Ironman Heavymetalweight Championship is a professional wrestling championship created and promoted by the Japanese promotion CyberFight in its DDT Pro-Wrestling (DDT) brand. Open to anyone, regardless of gender or DDT employment status, the championship is defended "24/7", as in any time, anywhere, as long as a referee is there to confirm the win. It was created as a parody of the now-defunct WWE Hardcore Championship, which also had a "24/7 rule".
This championship stands out for its unique and often absurd nature, making it a memorable part of DDT Pro-Wrestling.
Origins and Inspiration
On November 2, 1998, Mr. McMahon awarded Mankind the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) Hardcore Championship. As Mankind and hardcore wrestling became more popular with audiences, the Hardcore Championship became a more serious title. Its popularity led competitor World Championship Wrestling (WCW) to create its own Hardcore Championship, a move followed by numerous independent promotions.
On June 29, 2000, Poison Julie Sawada introduced the Ironman Heavymetalweight Championship in DDT as a parody of the WWF Hardcore title and recognized himself as the first champion. Minutes after the unveiling, Mitsunobu Kikuzawa demanded he had a look at the title belt.
The 24/7 Rule
The championship was introduced on the June 29, 2000 TV taping, during which Poison Sawada Black created the title and awarded it to himself. The title is often defended during a 10-minute battle royal, with the current holder not being allowed to leave the match until the end of the time limit; as per 24/7 rules, the championship can change hands during, and not only as the result, of the match.
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The essence of the Ironman Heavymetalweight Championship lies in its "24/7" rule, meaning the title can be defended anytime, anywhere, as long as a referee is present to confirm the win.
Championship Belt Designs
The original championship belt design featured three glittery silver plates on a black leather strap which had a snake skin pattern on the back. The central plate featured brass knuckles surrounded by chains in the center. The word "IRONMAN" was written along the edge of the top half and the word "CHAMPION", though partially erased by years of wear and tear, was written along the bottom edge.
The new design, which was introduced for the title's 25th anniversary, features five gray plates. The center plate has golden brass knuckles in the middle. "DDT IRONMAN" is written along the top edge, and "HEAVYMETALWEIGHT CHAMPION" is written along the bottom edge. The inner side plates feature "365" in black on top of a globe on one side, and "24/7" surrounded by a sun and a moon on the other.
Notable Champions and Reigns
As of December 28, 2025, there have been 1,766 officially recognized reigns between 431 different human individuals, 8 teams and 57 inanimate objects and animals.
- Most Reigns: Shinobu holds the record for most reigns with 216.
- Longest Combined Reign: Danshoku Dino holds the record for longest combined reign with at least 534 days.
- Longest Singular Reign: Masa Takanashi's sixth reign is the longest singular reign at 333 days.
Here are a few examples of the title's unique champions:
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- Mr. Kasai - stuffed Jun Kasai doll.
- Mr. Arnold Skeskejanaker - "invisible wrestler" i.e. non-existent.
- Ladder was a three-time champion and the first inanimate object to win the title.
- Yoshihiko was an inflatable love doll.
The Ironman Heavymetalweight Championship is defended by a wide array of "wrestlers," including inanimate objects and even an invisible wrestler.
On May 31, 2025, Poison Sawada Julie won the title back for a tenth time.
Ladder successfully defended the title by not being pinned during the time limit battle royal matches.
Here's a brief overview of some notable champions:
| Champion | Notes |
|---|---|
| Shinobu | Holds the record for most reigns with 216. |
| Danshoku Dino | Holds the record for longest combined reign with at least 534 days. |
| Masa Takanashi | His sixth reign is the longest singular reign at 333 days. |
| Ladder | First inanimate object to win the title. |
| Yoshihiko | Inflatable love doll. |
| Mr. Arnold Skeskejanaker | "Invisible wrestler". |
Champion Yukio Sakaguchi drank from the can and fell backwards with the can on top of him. The referee counted the pin.
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