Wrestler: |
Times: |
Date: |
Location: |
Notes: |
Harley Race |
1 |
January 1, 1975 |
Tallahassee, FL |
Race was awarded the title with the explanation that he defeated Johnny Weaver in a tournament final.[3][1] |
Johnny Valentine |
1 |
July 3, 1975 |
Greensboro, NC |
[3] |
Vacated |
October 4, 1975 |
|
Vacated when Valentine suffers a career-ending injury in a plane crash.[1] |
Terry Funk |
1 |
November 9, 1975 |
Greensboro, NC |
Defeated Paul Jones in a tournament final.[1] |
Paul Jones |
1 |
November 27, 1975 |
Greensboro, NC |
[3] |
Blackjack Mulligan |
1 |
March 13, 1976 |
Greensboro, NC |
[3] |
Paul Jones |
2 |
October 16, 1976 |
Greensboro, NC |
[3] |
Blackjack Mulligan |
1(2)† |
November 28, 1976 |
Greensboro, NC |
[1] |
Paul Jones |
2(3)† |
December 9, 1976 |
Winston-Salem, NC |
[1] |
Blackjack Mulligan |
2(3)† |
December 15, 1976 |
Greensboro, NC |
WWE does not recognize the November 28 and December 9 title changes, and considers this Mulligan's second title reign.[3] |
Bobo Brazil |
1 |
July 7, 1977 |
Norfolk, VA |
[3] |
Ric Flair |
1 |
July 29, 1977 |
Norfolk, VA |
[3] |
Ricky Steamboat |
1 |
October 23, 1977 |
Greensboro, NC |
[3] |
Blackjack Mulligan |
3(4)† |
January 1, 1978 |
Greensboro, NC |
[3][1] |
Mr. Wrestling |
1 |
March 19, 1978 |
Greensboro, NC |
[3] |
Ric Flair |
2 |
April 9, 1978 |
Greensboro, NC |
[3] |
Ricky Steamboat |
2 |
December 18, 1978 |
Toronto, ON |
[3] |
Ric Flair |
3 |
April 1, 1979 |
Greensboro, NC |
[3] |
Vacated |
August 12, 1979 |
|
Vacated when Flair wins the NWA World Tag Team Championship four days prior.[1] |
Jimmy Snuka |
1 |
September 1, 1979 |
Charlotte, NC |
Defeated Ricky Steamboat in a tournament final.[1] |
Ric Flair |
4 |
April 19, 1980 |
Greensboro, NC |
[3] |
Greg Valentine |
1† |
July 26, 1980 |
Charlotte, NC |
[1] |
Ric Flair |
4(5)† |
November 24, 1980 |
Greenville, SC |
WWE does not recognize this or the previous title change, and considers Flair to have held the title uninterrupted from April 19, 1980 to January 27, 1981.[3] |
Roddy Piper |
1 |
January 27, 1981 |
Raleigh, NC |
The title becomes the undisputed NWA US Championship in January 1981 after the NWA San Francisco office, the last other promotion to recognize its own US Champion, closes.[3] |
Wahoo McDaniel |
1 |
August 8, 1981 |
Greensboro, NC |
[3] |
Vacated |
September 1981 |
|
Vacated when McDaniel is injured by Abdullah the Butcher.[4] |
Sgt. Slaughter |
1 |
October 4, 1981 |
Charlotte, NC |
Defeated Ricky Steamboat in a tournament final.[4] |
Wahoo McDaniel |
2 |
May 21, 1982 |
Richmond, VA |
[3] |
Sgt. Slaughter |
2 |
June 7, 1982 |
Greenville, SC |
Slaughter was awarded the title due to McDaniel being injured by Don Muraco and Roddy Piper.[5] |
Wahoo McDaniel |
3 |
August 22, 1982 |
Charlotte, NC |
[3] |
Greg Valentine |
1(2)† |
November 4, 1982 |
Norfolk, VA |
[3] |
Roddy Piper |
2 |
April 16, 1983 |
Greensboro, NC |
[3] |
Greg Valentine |
2(3)† |
April 30, 1983 |
Greensboro, NC |
Valentine won via referee stoppage when Piper suffered a large cut over his left ear.[6] |
Dick Slater |
1 |
December 14, 1983 |
Shelby, NC |
[3] |
Ricky Steamboat |
3 |
April 21, 1984 |
Greensboro, NC |
[3] |
Wahoo McDaniel |
4 |
June 24, 1984 |
Greensboro, NC |
[3] |
Vacated |
July 1984 |
|
Vacated due to Tully Blanchard interfering in McDaniel's title win.[1] |
Wahoo McDaniel |
5 |
October 7, 1984 |
Charlotte, NC |
Defeated Manny Fernandez in a tournament final.[1] |
Magnum T.A. |
1 |
March 23, 1985 |
Charlotte, NC |
[7] |
Tully Blanchard |
1 |
July 21, 1985 |
Charlotte, NC |
[8] |
Magnum T.A. |
2 |
November 28, 1985 |
Greensboro, NC |
This was an "I Quit" steel cage match at Starrcade.[9][10] |
Vacated |
May 29, 1986 |
|
Vacated when Magnum attacked NWA president Bob Geigel.[9] |
Nikita Koloff |
1 |
August 17, 1986 |
Charlotte, NC |
Defeated Magnum T.A. in a best of seven series,[1][11] though WWE officially says it was a tournament final.[12] Koloff defeats Wahoo McDaniel on September 28, 1986 to unify the NWA National Heavyweight Championship into the US title.[13] |
Lex Luger |
1 |
July 11, 1987 |
Greensboro, NC |
[14] |
Dusty Rhodes |
1 |
November 26, 1987 |
Chicago, IL |
This was a steel cage match at Starrcade.[15][16] |
Vacated |
April 15, 1988 |
|
Vacated when Rhodes attacked promoter Jim Crockett.[1] |
Barry Windham |
1 |
May 13, 1988 |
Houston, TX |
Defeated Nikita Koloff in a tournament final.[17] |
Lex Luger |
2 |
February 20, 1989 |
Chicago, IL |
Won the title at Chi-Town Rumble.[18] |
Michael Hayes |
1 |
May 7, 1989 |
Nashville, TN |
Won the title at Wrestle War.[19] |
Lex Luger |
3 |
May 22, 1989 |
Bluefield, WV |
Luger becomes the longest-reigning champion in the title's history, holding it for over 17 months.[20] |
Stan Hansen |
1 |
October 27, 1990 |
Chicago, IL |
Won the title at Halloween Havoc.[21] |
Lex Luger |
4 |
December 16, 1990 |
St. Louis, MO |
This was a Texas Bullrope match at Starrcade.[22] |
Vacated |
July 14, 1991 |
|
Vacated when Luger wins the WCW World Heavyweight Championship.[22] |
Sting |
1 |
August 25, 1991 |
Atlanta, GA |
Defeated Steve Austin in a tournament final.[23] |
Rick Rude |
1 |
November 19, 1991 |
Savannah, GA |
Won the title at Clash of the Champions XVII.[24][25] |
Vacated |
December 1992 |
|
Vacated due to injury.[24] |
Dustin Rhodes |
1 |
January 11, 1993 |
Atlanta, GA |
Defeated Ricky Steamboat in a match that was originally made to determine the #1 contender, but upon Rude's vacation of the title, was made to decide the new champion. This match was aired January 16 on Saturday Night.[26][27] |
Vacated |
May 1993 |
|
Vacated when a title defense against Rick Rude ended in a double pinfall.[26] |
Dustin Rhodes |
2 |
August 30, 1993 |
Atlanta, GA |
Defeated Rick Rude in a rematch.[28] WCW withdraws from the NWA in September 1993; the NWA begins to recognize its own US champion, but Rhodes remains the recognized champion in WCW.[2] |
Steve Austin |
1 |
December 27, 1993 |
Charlotte, NC |
This was a two out of three falls match at Starrcade, which Austin won 2-0.[29][30] |
Ricky Steamboat |
4 |
August 24, 1994 |
Cedar Rapids, IA |
Won the title at Clash of the Champions XXVIII.[31][32] |
Steve Austin |
2 |
September 18, 1994 |
Roanoke, VA |
Austin was awarded the title at Fall Brawl due to Steamboat being injured.[33] |
Jim Duggan |
1 |
September 18, 1994 |
Roanoke, VA |
Duggan beat Austin in 27 seconds at Fall Brawl.[34] |
Vader |
1 |
December 27, 1994 |
Nashville, TN |
Won the title at Starrcade.[35] |
Vacated |
April 23, 1995 |
|
Stripped by WCW commissioner Nick Bockwinkel.[1] |
Sting |
2 |
June 18, 1995 |
Dayton, OH |
Defeated Meng in a tournament final at The Great American Bash.[36] |
Kensuke Sasaki |
1 |
November 13, 1995 |
Tokyo, Japan |
Won the title at a New Japan Pro Wrestling event, marking the title's first change outside of the United States.[37] |
One Man Gang |
1 |
December 27, 1995 |
Nashville, TN |
Won the title at Starrcade.[38] |
Konnan |
1 |
January 29, 1996 |
Canton, OH |
[39] |
Ric Flair |
5(6)† |
July 7, 1996 |
Daytona Beach, FL |
Won the title at Bash at the Beach.[40] |
Vacated |
September 1996 |
|
Vacated due to a shoulder injury.[40] |
Eddy Guerrero |
1 |
December 29, 1996 |
Nashville, TN |
Defeated Diamond Dallas Page in a tournament final at Starrcade.[41] |
Dean Malenko |
1 |
March 16, 1997 |
Charleston, SC |
Won the title at Uncensored.[42] |
Jeff Jarrett |
1 |
June 9, 1997 |
Boston, MA |
Won the title on Monday Nitro.[42] |
Steve McMichael |
1 |
August 21, 1997 |
Nashville, TN |
Won the title at Clash of the Champions XXXV.[43][44] |
Curt Hennig |
1 |
September 15, 1997 |
Charlotte, NC |
Won the title on Monday Nitro.[45] |
Diamond Dallas Page |
1 |
December 28, 1997 |
Washington, D.C. |
Won the title at Starrcade.[46] |
Raven |
1 |
April 19, 1998 |
Denver, CO |
Won the title at Spring Stampede.[47][48] |
Goldberg |
1 |
April 20, 1998 |
Colorado Springs, CO |
Won the title on Monday Nitro.[49] |
Vacated |
July 6, 1998 |
|
Vacated when Goldberg wins the WCW World Heavyweight Championship.[1] |
Bret Hart |
1 |
July 20, 1998 |
Salt Lake City, UT |
Defeated Diamond Dallas Page on Monday Nitro.[50] |
Lex Luger |
5 |
August 10, 1998 |
Rapid City, SD |
Won the title on Monday Nitro.[51] |
Bret Hart |
2 |
August 11, 1998 |
Fargo, ND |
Aired August 13 on Thunder.[52] |
Diamond Dallas Page |
2 |
October 26, 1998 |
Phoenix, AZ |
Won the title on Monday Nitro.[53] |
Bret Hart |
3 |
November 30, 1998 |
Chattanooga, TN |
Won the title on Monday Nitro.[54] |
Roddy Piper |
3 |
February 8, 1999 |
Buffalo, NY |
Won the title on Monday Nitro.[54][55] |
Scott Hall |
1 |
February 21, 1999 |
Oakland, CA |
Won the title at SuperBrawl IX.[56][57] |
Vacated |
March 16, 1999 |
|
Vacated due to injury. This aired March 18 on Thunder.[56] |
Scott Steiner |
1 |
April 11, 1999 |
Tacoma, WA |
Defeated Booker T in a tournament final at Spring Stampede.[58] |
Vacated |
July 5, 1999 |
|
Stripped by WCW President Ric Flair.[58] |
David Flair |
1 |
July 5, 1999 |
Atlanta, GA |
Flair was awarded the title by his father Ric on Monday Nitro.[59] |
Chris Benoit |
1 |
August 9, 1999 |
Boise, ID |
Won the title on Monday Nitro.[59] |
Sid Vicious |
1 |
September 12, 1999 |
Winston-Salem, NC |
Won the title at Fall Brawl.[60] |
Goldberg |
2 |
October 24, 1999 |
Las Vegas, NV |
Won the title at Halloween Havoc by referee stoppage when Vicious suffered excessive bleeding.[61][60] |
Bret Hart |
4 |
October 25, 1999 |
Phoenix, AZ |
Won the title on Monday Nitro.[62] |
Scott Hall |
2 |
November 8, 1999 |
Indianapolis, IN |
This was a four-way ladder match on Monday Nitro, also involving Sid Vicious and Goldberg.[63] |
Chris Benoit |
2 |
December 19, 1999 |
Washington, D.C. |
Benoit was awarded the title at Starrcade when Hall suffered a knee injury.[63] |
Jeff Jarrett |
2 |
December 20, 1999 |
Baltimore, MD |
This was a ladder match on Monday Nitro.[64] |
Vacated |
January 16, 2000 |
|
Vacated due to injury.[64] |
Jeff Jarrett |
3 |
January 17, 2000 |
Columbus, OH |
Awarded by WCW Commissioner Kevin Nash on Monday Nitro.[65] |
Vacated |
April 10, 2000 |
|
Vacated by Eric Bischoff and Vince Russo along with all other WCW titles.[66] |
Scott Steiner |
2 |
April 16, 2000 |
Chicago, IL |
Defeated Sting in a tournament final at Spring Stampede.[66][67] |
Vacated |
July 9, 2000 |
|
Stripped at Bash at the Beach when Steiner used the banned Steiner Recliner on Mike Awesome.[66][68] |
Lance Storm |
1 |
July 18, 2000 |
Auburn Hills, MI |
Defeated Mike Awesome in a tournament final on Nitro. Storm unofficially renames the title the WCW Canadian Heavyweight Championship.[69] |
Terry Funk |
2 |
September 22, 2000 |
Amarillo, TX |
Won the title at a house show.[70] |
Lance Storm |
2 |
September 23, 2000 |
Lubbock, TX |
Won the title at a house show.[71] |
Gen. Rection |
1 |
October 29, 2000 |
Las Vegas, NV |
Defeated Storm and Jim Duggan in a handicap match.[72] |
Lance Storm |
3 |
November 13, 2000 |
London, England |
Won the title on Monday Nitro.[73] |
Gen. Rection |
2 |
November 26, 2000 |
Milwaukee, WI |
Won the title at Mayhem.[74] |
Shane Douglas |
1 |
January 14, 2001 |
Indianapolis, IN |
This was a first blood chain match at Sin.[75] |
Rick Steiner |
1 |
February 5, 2001 |
Tupelo, MS |
Won the title on Monday Nitro.[76] |
Booker T |
1 |
March 18, 2001 |
Jacksonville, FL |
Won the title at Greed. Also wins WCW World Heavyweight Championship on March 26. WCW is purchased by the World Wrestling Federation at this time.[77] |
Chris Kanyon |
1 |
July 24, 2001 |
Pittsburgh, PA |
Awarded by WCW Champion Booker T and ECW owner Stephanie McMahon on the July 26 SmackDown!.[78] |
Tajiri |
1 |
September 10, 2001 |
San Antonio, TX |
Won the title on RAW is WAR.[79] |
Rhyno |
1 |
September 23, 2001 |
Pittsburgh, PA |
Won the title at Unforgiven.[80] |
Kurt Angle |
1 |
October 22, 2001 |
Kansas City, MO |
Won the title on RAW.[81] |
Edge |
1 |
November 12, 2001 |
Boston, MA |
Won the title on RAW. Edge defeats WWF Intercontinental Champion Test on November 18 at Survivor Series to unify the two titles.[82] |
Unified |
November 18, 2001 |
Greensboro, NC |
Unified with Edge's WWF Intercontinental Championship. |
Eddie Guerrero |
2 |
July 27, 2003 |
Denver, CO |
Defeated Chris Benoit in a tournament final at Vengeance to revive the title.[83] |
The Big Show |
1 |
October 19, 2003 |
Baltimore, MD |
Won the title at No Mercy.[84] |
John Cena |
1 |
March 14, 2004 |
New York, NY |
Won the title at WrestleMania XX.[85] |
Vacated |
July 6, 2004 |
Winnipeg, MB |
Cena was stripped of the title after attacking SmackDown! general manager Kurt Angle, aired July 8 on SmackDown!.[2][86] |
Booker T |
2 |
July 27, 2004 |
Cincinnati, OH |
This was an 8-way elimination match, also involving John Cena, René Duprée, Kenzo Suzuki, Rob Van Dam, Billy Gunn, Charlie Haas and Luther Reigns, aired July 29 on SmackDown!.[86] |
John Cena |
2 |
October 3, 2004 |
East Rutherford, NJ |
Defeated Booker T in the fifth match of a Best of Five series at No Mercy.[87] |
Carlito Caribbean Cool |
1 |
October 5, 2004 |
Boston, MA |
Aired October 7 on SmackDown!.[88] |
John Cena |
3 |
November 16, 2004 |
Dayton, OH |
Aired November 18 on SmackDown!.[89] |
Orlando Jordan |
1 |
March 1, 2005 |
Albany, NY |
Aired March 3 on SmackDown!.[90] |
Chris Benoit |
3 |
August 21, 2005 |
Washington, D.C. |
Won the title at SummerSlam.[91] |
Booker T |
3 |
October 18, 2005 |
Reno, NV |
Aired October 21 on SmackDown!.[92] |
Vacated |
November 22, 2005 |
Sheffield, England |
Vacated on the November 25 SmackDown! when a title defense against Chris Benoit ended in a double pinfall.[92][2] |
Booker T |
4 |
January 10, 2006 |
Philadelphia, PA |
Booker faced Benoit in a Best of Seven series, winning the first three matches; Randy Orton substituted for Booker after that due to injury, losing the next three matches but winning the final on the January 13 SmackDown!.[93] |
Chris Benoit |
4 |
February 19, 2006 |
Baltimore, MD |
Won the title at No Way Out.[94] |
John "Bradshaw" Layfield |
1 |
April 2, 2006 |
Chicago, IL |
Won the title at WrestleMania 22.[95] |
Bobby Lashley |
1 |
May 23, 2006 |
Bakersfield, CA |
Aired May 26 on SmackDown!.[96] |
Finlay |
1 |
July 11, 2006 |
Minneapolis, MN |
Aired July 14 on SmackDown!.[97] |
Mr. Kennedy |
1 |
August 29, 2006 |
Reading, PA |
This was a triple threat match also involving Bobby Lashley, which aired September 1 on SmackDown!.[98] |
Chris Benoit |
5 |
October 10, 2006 |
Jacksonville, FL |
Aired October 13 on SmackDown!.[99] |
Montel Vontavious Porter |
1 |
May 20, 2007 |
St. Louis, MO |
This was a two out of three falls match at Judgment Day, which MVP won 2-0.[100] |
Matt Hardy |
1 |
April 27, 2008 |
Baltimore, MD |
Won the title at Backlash.[101] |