USWA Unified World Heavyweight Championship

USWA Unified World Heavyweight Championship
Details
Promotion United States Wrestling Association
Date established December 13, 1988
Date retired November 1997

The USWA Unified World Heavyweight Championship was a professional wrestling world heavyweight championship formed in 1988, which consisted of the WCWA World Heavyweight Championship from World Class Championship Wrestling and the AWA World Heavyweight Championship from the American Wrestling Association. The title was unified on December 13, 1988, when AWA World Champion Jerry Lawler defeated WCWA World Champion Kerry Von Erich in a unification match.

The title was primarily recognized by and defended in the United States Wrestling Association until 1997, when the company ceased operations. However, the AWA withdrew its recognition of the championship shortly after the unification match when Lawler was stripped of the AWA world title. The title was also contested in a non-televised match prior to the World Wrestling Federation's King of the Ring event in 1993.[1]

Title history

Key
No. The overall championship reign
Reign The reign number for the specific wrestler listed.
Event The event promoted by the respective promotion in which the title changed hands
N/A The specific information is not known
— Used for vacated reigns in order to not count it as an official reign
  Indicates that there was a period where the lineage is undocumented due to the lack of written documentation in that time period.
No. Champions Reign Date Days held Location Event Notes Ref(s)
1 Lawler, JerryJerry Lawler 1 December 13, 1988 109 Chicago, Illinois SuperClash III Lawler was the reigning AWA World Heavyweight Champion. He defeats Kerry Von Erich to win the WCWA World Heavyweight Championship. This results in the USWA Unified World Heavyweight Championship being formed. In January 1989, he was stripped of the AWA title by the AWA, ending the AWA title's connection with the USWA Unified World Heavyweight title. Lawler continues to be recognized as the USWA Unified World Heavyweight Champion by the USWA. On January 16, 1989, Dutch Mantell apparently defeated Lawler to win the title after guest referee Ricky Morton (who had been paid off by Mantell) helped Mantell win by knocking Lawler's feet off the ropes in Mantell's pinfall attempt. The CWA Championship Committee reversed the decision the following week, returning the title to Lawler. [2][3]
2 Master of Pain 1 April 1, 1989 24 Memphis, Tennessee House show   [2][3]
3 Lawler, JerryJerry Lawler 2 April 25, 1989 181 Memphis, Tennessee House show The WCWA World Heavyweight Championship was held up in April 1989. Regardless, the USWA continues to recognize the USWA Unified World Heavyweight Championship. On April 14 Lawler defeats Kerry Von Erich to win the WCWA World Heavyweight Championship again. Lawler claims to still be champion in AWA and wins the USWA Unified World Heavyweight title on April 25. [2][3]
4 The Soultaker 1 October 23, 1989 14 Memphis, Tennessee House show This title change was not recognised in the Texas/World Class branch of the USWA. [2][3]
5 Lawler, JerryJerry Lawler 3 November 6, 1989 54 Memphis, Tennessee House show [2][3]
6 King Cobra 1 December 30, 1989 9 Memphis, Tennessee House show This title change was not recognised in the Texas/World Class branch of the USWA. [2][3]
7 Lawler, JerryJerry Lawler 4 January 8, 1990 49 Memphis, Tennessee House show   [2][3]
8 Valiant, JimmyJimmy Valiant 1 February 26, 1990 14 Memphis, Tennessee House show This title change was not recognised in the Texas/World Class branch of the USWA.}} [2][3][4]
9 Lawler, JerryJerry Lawler 5 March 12, 1990 47 Memphis, Tennessee House show [2][3]
10 Valiant, JimmyJimmy Valiant 2 April 28, 1990 7 Memphis, Tennessee House show This title change was not recognised in the Texas/World Class branch of the USWA. [2][3]
11 Lawler, JerryJerry Lawler 6 May 5, 1990 44 Memphis, Tennessee House show   [2][3][5]
12 Snowman 1 June 18, 1990 70 Memphis, Tennessee House show   [2][3]
— Vacated — August 27, 1990 — N/A N/A Snowman no-shows title defense. (World Class Championship Wrestling ends business relationship with USWA in September 1990, ending the WCWA title's connection with the USWA Unified World Heavyweight title. Regardless, the USWA continues to recognize the USWA Unified World Heavyweight Championship.) [2][3]
13 Lawler, JerryJerry Lawler 7 October 8, 1990 28 Memphis, Tennessee House show Defeated Austin Idol in tournament final. [2][3]
14 Funk, TerryTerry Funk 1 November 5, 1990 126 Memphis, Tennessee House show   [2][3]
15 Lawler, JerryJerry Lawler 8 March 11, 1991 140 Memphis, Tennessee House show   [2][3]
16 Awesome Kong 1 July 29, 1991 14 Memphis, Tennessee House show   [2][3][6]
17 Lawler, JerryJerry Lawler 9 August 12, 1991 14 Memphis, Tennessee House show   [2][3]
18 The Dragon Master 1 August 26, 1991 7 Memphis, Tennessee House show   [2][3]
19 Lawler, JerryJerry Lawler 10 September 2, 1991 84 Memphis, Tennessee House show   [2][3]
20 Kamala 1 November 25, 1991 7 Memphis, Tennessee House show   [2][3]
21 Lawler, JerryJerry Lawler 11 December 2, 1991 5 Memphis, Tennessee House show   [2][3]
— Vacated 1 December 7, 1991 — N/A N/A Championship vacated after a match against Kamala. [2][3]
22 Kamala 2 December 9, 1991 55 Memphis, Tennessee House show Won rematch. [2][3]
— Vacated 1 February 2, 1992 — N/A N/A Championship vacated after match against Koko B Ware. [2][3]
23 Kamala 3 February 10, 1992 14 Memphis, Tennessee House show Won rematch. [2][3][7]
24 Ware, Koko B.Koko B. Ware 1 February 24, 1992 21 Memphis, Tennessee House show   [2][3][8]
25 Kamala 4 March 16, 1992 49 Memphis, Tennessee House show   [2][3]
26 Lawler, JerryJerry Lawler 12 May 4, 1992 42 Memphis, Tennessee House show Defeated Eddie Gilbert on June 8, 1992 to win the GWF World Heavyweight Championship, supposedly unifying the two championships although Gilbert had been stripped of the championship previously. [2][3]
27 Gilbert, EddieEddie Gilbert 1 June 15, 1992 28 Memphis, Tennessee House show   [2][3]
28 Morton, RickyRicky Morton 1 July 13, 1992 7 Memphis, Tennessee House show   [2][3]
29 Gilbert, EddieEddie Gilbert 2 July 20, 1992 63 House show Memphis, Tennessee   [2][3][9]
30 Junkyard Dog 1 September 21, 1992 21 Memphis, Tennessee House show   [2][3]
31 Reed, ButchButch Reed 1 October 12, 1992 5 House show Memphis, Tennessee   [2][3]
32 Champion, Todd Todd Champion 1 October 17, 1992 16 House show Cleveland, Ohio Announced as having won a match, storyline to cover for Butch Reed leaving USWA. [2][3]
33 Lawler, JerryJerry Lawler 13 November 2, 1992 35 Memphis, Tennessee House show   [2][3]
34 Ware, Koko B.Koko B. Ware 2 December 7, 1992 7 House show Memphis, Tennessee   [2][3]
35 Lawler, JerryJerry Lawler 14 December 14, 1992 140 House show Memphis, Tennessee   [2][3]
36 Papa Shango 2 May 3, 1993 49 House show Memphis, Tennessee Previously held the championship under the ring name "The Soultaker" [2][3][10]
37 Hart, OwenOwen Hart 1 June 21, 1993 14 Memphis, Tennessee House show   [2][3]
38 Lawler, JerryJerry Lawler 15 July 5, 1993 70 Memphis, Tennessee House show   [2][3]
39 Tatanka 1 September 13, 1993 7 Memphis, Tennessee House show   [2][3]
40 Lawler, JerryJerry Lawler 16 September 20, 1993 21 Memphis, Tennessee House show   [2][3]
41 Savage, RandyRandy Savage 1 October 11, 1993 40 Memphis, Tennessee House show   [2][3]
— Vacated — November 20, 1993 — N/A N/A United States Wrestling Association (USWA) and the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) temporarily end co-promotion. [2][3]
42 Jarrett, JeffJeff Jarrett 1 November 22, 1993 28 Memphis, Tennessee House show Won Battle Royal. [2][3]
43 Lawler, JerryJerry Lawler 17 December 20, 1993 42 Memphis, Tennessee House show   [2][3]
44 Gilbert, EddieEddie Gilbert 3 January 31, 1994 7 Memphis, Tennessee House show   [2][3]
45 Lawler, JerryJerry Lawler 18 February 7, 1994 7 Memphis, Tennessee House show   [2][3][11]
46 Gilbert, EddieEddie Gilbert 4 February 14, 1994 39 Memphis, Tennessee House show   [2][3][12]
47 Lawler, JerryJerry Lawler 19 March 25, 1994 113 Senatobia, Mississippi House show   [2][3]
48 Vicious, SidSid Vicious 1 July 16, 1994 205 Memphis, Tennessee House show Won by forfeit. [2][3][13]
49 Lawler, JerryJerry Lawler 20 February 6, 1995 19 Memphis, Tennessee House show   [2][3]
50 Dundee, BillBill Dundee 1 February 25, 1995 37 Memphis, Tennessee House show   [2][3]
51 Razor Ramon 1 April 3, 1995 28 Memphis, Tennessee House show   [2][3][14]
52 Lawler, JerryJerry Lawler 21 May 1, 1995 189 Memphis, Tennessee House show   [2][3]
53 Johnson, AhmedAhmed Johnson 1 November 6, 1995 44 Memphis, Tennessee House show   [2][3]
54 Jarrett, JeffJeff Jarrett 2 December 20, 1995 73 Tunica, Mississippi House show   [2][3]
— Vacated — March 2, 1996 — N/A N/A Jarrett suffered a back injury and could not defend the championship [2][3]
55 Lawler, JerryJerry Lawler 22 March 4, 1996 4 Memphis, Tennessee House show Defeated Mabel in tournament final. [2][3][15]
— Vacated — March 8, 1996 — N/A N/A Championship vacated after a match against Bill Dundee [2][3]
56 Lawler, JerryJerry Lawler 23 April 5, 1996 15 Memphis, Tennessee House show Lawler won rematch [2][3]
57 Jarrett, JeffJeff Jarrett 3 April 20, 1996 95 Memphis, Tennessee House show Jarret won with the help of referee Frank Morrell. [2][3]
58 Lawler, JerryJerry Lawler 24 July 24, 1996 37 West Helena, Arkansas House show   [2][3]
59 Vicious, SidSid Vicious 2 August 30, 1996 3 Memphis, Tennessee House show   [2][3]
60 Lawler, JerryJerry Lawler 25 September 2, 1996 32 Memphis, Tennessee House show   [2][3]
61 The Colorado Kid 1 October 4, 1996 43 Memphis, Tennessee House show   [2][3]
62 Lawler, JerryJerry Lawler 26 November 16, 1996 119 Memphis, Tennessee House show   [2][3]
63 Tank 1 March 15, 1997 7 Memphis, Tennessee House show   [2][3]
64 Lawler, JerryJerry Lawler 27 March 22, 1997 21 Memphis, Tennessee House show   [2][3]
65 King Reginald 1 April 12, 1997 15 Memphis, Tennessee House show   [2][3]
66 Lawler, JerryJerry Lawler 28 April 27, 1997 103 House show Memphis, Tennessee   [2][3]
67 Mantel, DutchDutch Mantel 1 August 8, 1997 [2][3][Note 1] House show Memphis, Tennessee   [2][3]
— Vacated — November 1997 — N/A N/A USWA closed. [2][3]

Combined reigns

Rank Wrestler No. of reigns Combined days
1 Jerry Lawler 28 1764
2 Sid Vicious 2 208
3 Jeff Jarrett 3 196
4 Eddie Gilbert 4 137
5 Terry Funk 1 126
6 Kamala 4 125
7 Dutch Mantel 1 85-114
8 Snowman 1 70
9 The Soultaker/Papa Shango 2 63
10 Ahmed Johnson 1 44
11 The Colorado Kid 1 43
12 Randy Savage 1 40
13 Bill Dundee 1 37
14 Koko B. Ware 2 28
Razor Ramon 1 28
16 Master of Pain 1 24
17 Jimmy Valiant 2 21
Junkyard Dog 1 21
19 Todd Champion 1 16
20 King Reginald 1 15
21 Awesome Kong 1 14
Owen Hart 1 14
23 King Cobra 1 9
24 Ricky Morton 1 7
Tank 1 7
Tatanka 1 7
The Dragon Master 1 7
28 Butch Reed 1 5

Footnotes

  1. ↑ The exact date the USWA closed is not known, which means that the championship reign lasted between 85 and 114 days.

References

  1. ↑ "Charles Wright profile". Online World of Wrestling. Retrieved November 21, 2010. June 13, 1993 - WWF King of the Ring
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 Will, Gary; Duncan, Royal (2000). "Tennessee: USWA Unified World Heavyweight Title [Lawler]". Wrestling Title Histories: professional wrestling champions around the world from the 19th century to the present. Pennsylvania: Archeus Communications. p. 198. ISBN 0-9698161-5-4.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 "Unified World Heavyweight Title [United States Wrestling Association]". Wrestling-Titles. Retrieved March 28, 2017.
  4. ↑ Hoops, Brian (February 26, 2017). "Daily pro wrestling history (02/26): Verne Gagne wins AWA title on his birthday". Wrestling Observer Figure Four Online. Retrieved February 27, 2017.
  5. ↑ F4W Staff (May 5, 2015). "On this day in pro wrestling history (May 5): Bruno Vs. Gorilla in Puerto Rico, 2nd annual Von Erich Memorial Parade of Champions". Wrestling Observer Figure Four Online. Retrieved February 10, 2017.
  6. ↑ Hoops, Brian (July 29, 2015). "On this day in pro wrestling history (July 29): Ric Flair vs. Bobo Brazil, Nick Bockwinkel vs. Mil Mascaras". Wrestling Observer Figure Four Online. Retrieved February 18, 2017.
  7. ↑ Hoops, Brian (February 10, 2017). "Daily pro wrestling history (02/10): Masa Saito wins AWA gold at the Tokyo Dome". Wrestling Observer Figure Four Online. Retrieved February 10, 2017.
  8. ↑ Hoops, Brian (February 24, 2017). "Daily pro wrestling history (02/24): War Games at WCW WrestleWar 1991". Wrestling Observer Figure Four Online. Retrieved February 27, 2017.
  9. ↑ Hoops, Brian (July 20, 2015). "On this day in pro wrestling history: Brisco beats Race for NWA title, Gagne beats Crusher for AWA title, Robinson vs. Gagen". Wrestling Observer Figure Four Online. Retrieved February 11, 2017.
  10. ↑ F4W Staff (May 3, 2015). "On this day in pro wrestling history: Low Ki Vs. Dewitt, Punk wins OVW title, Mutoh wins IWGP belt, Bret wins NA title, Dibiase & Dr. Death, Sheik, Watts, Fargos". Wrestling Observer Figure Four Online. Retrieved February 11, 2017.
  11. ↑ Hoops, Brian (February 7, 2017). "On this day in pro wrestling history (Feb 7): Bobby Roode & Austin Aries wins tag gold". Wrestling Observer Figure Four Online. Retrieved February 15, 2017.
  12. ↑ Hoops, Brian (February 14, 2017). "On this day in pro wrestling history (Feb 14): Austin vs. McMahon at St. Valentine's Day Massacre". Wrestling Observer Figure Four Online. Retrieved February 15, 2017.
  13. ↑ Hoops, Brian (July 16, 2015). "On this day in pro wrestling history (July 16): Dusty Rhodes Vs. Ernie Ladd, Reed Vs. JYD, Bash in Huntington Beach". Wrestling Observer Figure Four Online. Retrieved February 11, 2017.
  14. ↑ F4W Staff (April 3, 2015). "On this day in pro wrestling title change history: Gotch VS. Hackeschmidt, Inoki Vs. Hansen, Guerrero Vs. Jericho". Wrestling Observer Figure Four Online. Retrieved February 10, 2017.
  15. ↑ Hoops, Brian (March 4, 2017). "Daily Pro Wrestling History (03/04): ROH 10th Anniversary Show". Wrestling Observer Figure Four Online. Retrieved March 5, 2017.
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