7 WWE Champions you didn't know wrestled for New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW)

#3 Jeff Hardy

Jeff Hardy defended the TNA World Heavyweight Championship in New Japan at Wrestle Kingdom 5 in 2011.

Following his 2009 release by WWE, it was only a matter of time until Jeff Hardy joined TNA Wrestling.

There, Hardy would become one of the company's biggest stars, capturing the company's World Championship relatively quickly.

As Champion, Hardy would be prominently featured, and showcased the company at Wrestle Kingdom 5 in 2011, when he took on Tetsuya Naito.

Much like with American audiences, Hardy's charisma and in-ring ability was a huge hit with the Japanese crowd, and though Naito put up a valiant effort in their eleven-minute bout, Hardy would retain the gold.

A huge win for the Charismatic Enigma, Hardy wouldn't be the only WWE-alum on the card, as the show featured former Superstars like RVD, as well as future WWE talent including Bobby Roode and Shinsuke Nakamura.