The inaugural champion was The Machine, who defeated Jon E. King in Māngere, Auckland on 9 April 2002 to become the first MPW Heavyweight Champion; King had won a Royal Rumble-type match, eliminating "Superstar" Troy Daniels to earn a place in the championship decider.

Charlie Roberts' sole reign lasted only two minutes and thirty-eight seconds, the shortest in the history of the title.

In May 2005, TVNZ's Hadyn Jones conducted an interview with The Machine and then IPW Champion The Economist at their Auckland gym.

[3] On 2 February 2006, Jon E. King was a guest on Ngati Hine FM where he was interviewed by disc jockey Darcy Edwards[4] and with fellow IPW wrestler Alfred Valentine on the TV One's morning talk show Breakfast by Kay Gregory that summer.

[8] Knox was also profiled by 20/20 in a special report on professional wrestling in New Zealand,[9] as well as on the Māori Television sports show Hyundai Code.