Kazuchika Okada from AEW has become the longest-reigning champion in AEW history, surpassing WWE star Jade Cargill’s record as AEW TBS Champion. Okada currently holds the AEW Unified Championship, which combines the Continental and International Championships. He recently exceeded Cargill’s 508-day reign as TBS Champion, a title he has held since December 2023; Cargill was the inaugural TBS Champion from January to May 2022.
Okada also claimed the national championship at a pay-per-view event in July 2025, where he unified the international and continental titles by defeating longtime rival Kenny Omega in Texas. Despite the unified championship status, AEW CEO Tony Khan announced that the Continental Championship will still be defended in the Continental Classic tournament later this year. Okada is the second wrestler to hold the Continental Championship since its creation, initially won by Eddie Kingston. This title was Okada’s first championship since joining AEW in 2024.
Although the titles are unified, Okada has not consistently defended the Continental Championship, having only defended it four times in 2025. He is set to face Swerve Strickland at the upcoming Forbidden Door pay-per-view.
Fan Take: This milestone solidifies Okada’s dominance in AEW and adds significant prestige to the Unified Championship, which fans eagerly anticipate seeing defended more frequently. Okada’s reign signals a compelling era of excellence and intense competition that could elevate AEW’s standing in the pro wrestling world.
