At the event, WWWF promoter Vincent J. McMahon awarded the championship to New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW) promoter Antonio Inoki for Inoki's achievements against fighters from other combat sports, including his fight against Dutch judoka Willem Ruska and his 1976 fight against world champion boxer Muhammad Ali.

Inoki made his first defense of the Martial Arts Championship on the December 18 house show, defeating Texas Red.

[2] Inoki would continue to defend the championship against both professional wrestlers, like Larry Sharpe during Showdown at Shea, and martial artists like karateka Willie Williams.

The championship was retired on December 31, 1989 during NJPW's inaugural event in the Soviet Union.

During the thirtieth anniversary of Inoki's career, NJPW created the "Greatest 18 Club", a hall of fame.