Ranking all 7 gaijin IWGP Heavyweight Champions from worst to best

#2. AJ Styles

AJ Styles as the IWGP Heavyweight Champion

In 2014, AJ Styles made his return to New Japan Pro Wrestling for the first time since 2002 and on this occasion, 'The Phenomenal One' came back as the new member and leader of the legendary Bullet Club faction, taking over reigns from former leader Prince Devitt (Finn Balor).

Upon his return to NJPW, Styles immediately laid out then-IWGP Heavyweight Champion Kazuchika Okada with the Styles Clash and eventually challenged 'The Rainmaker' to a one-on-one title match. Much like Brock Lesnar, AJ Styles also captured the IWGP Heavyweight Championship in his first match in New Japan Pro Wrestling at the company's Wrestling Dontaku pay-per-view.

Styles made his first successful title defence against Michael Elgin and Okada at NJPW/ROH: War of the Worlds, which was then followed up by another successful defence against Okada, as well. However, 'The Phenomenal One' eventually dropped the IWGP Heavyweight Title to Hiroshi Tanahashi at King of the Pro Wrestling, after the returning Yoshi Tatsu put an end to the Bullet Club shenanigans.

Styles' second title win came in 2015 after the former Impact World Champion dethroned Tanahashi to win the strap and then followed it up by a successful first defence against Kota Ibushi.

However, Styles second reign as IWGP Heavyweight Champion eventually came to an end in his second defense against Okada, who won back the title belt from AJ at NJPW: King of Pro Wrestling.