| AWA World Heavyweight Championship | |||||||||||
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| Details | |||||||||||
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| Promotion | American Wrestling Association | ||||||||||
| Date established | 1960 | ||||||||||
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The American Wrestling Association (AWA) World Heavyweight Championship was a professional wrestling world championship and the highest ranked championship in the now defunct American Wrestling Association. It is regarded as one of the most prestigious championships in professional wrestling history.
Contents |
History
The AWA World Heavyweight Championship was established in May 1960, after the AWA became a separate promotion from the National Wrestling Alliance, which had previously been a part of the NWA's Minneapolis, Minnesota-area presence. The first champion was Pat O'Connor, who was recognized as the first champion upon the AWA's secession from the NWA as O'Connor held the NWA World Heavyweight Championship as well, which he won on January 9, 1959. The creation of this world title along with the NWA world title would pave the way for the creation of many other world championships in other wrestling promotions.
The title was supposedly revived in 1996 in Dale Gagner's independent promotion AWA Superstars of Wrestling, who relicensed the AWA name. However, World Wrestling Entertainment has sued Gagner for the use of the AWA name, citing trademark infringement, as the WWE owns the AWA tape library, trademarks, and logos. AWA Superstars of Wrestling has claimed lineage for their world title to the classic AWA title and control over the title history, but because there is no connection to the original organizations or individuals involved therein, no continuity in title reigns or even physical belts, and questionable legal use of the AWA name, the claims made by AWA Superstars of Wrestling are in historical dispute and in legal jeopardy.
Dale Gagner's claim that his AWA Superstars of Wrestling resumed the operations of the original AWA was more than tenuous, and the quality of champions it produced seemed to pale in comparison to the original AWA. In 2005, in what some might call a publicity stunt, the AWA Superstars recognized Hulk Hogan as a two-time AWA champion based upon two pinfalls he scored over AWA world champion Nick Bockwinkel way back in 1982, and 1983. Both decisions by the referee were quickly reversed by the AWA president based upon dubious technicalities, and these title changes were never officially recognized.
AWA Superstars took it upon itself to revise the original AWA title history, and correct the alleged wrongs against Hulk Hogan, but the decision was not widely welcomed, or accepted, in pro-wrestling circles. However, the announcement was not altogether rejected, as some felt Hulk Hogan was deserving of the correction all along. Regardless of one's opinion, these once largely forgotten and unofficial AWA title transfers are now often mentioned as a footnote in world-title history discussions. In fact, some non-wrestling media sources now commonly note or report Hulk Hogan as an official two-time AWA champion when covering his career, all based upon Dale Gagner's 2005 announcement - perhaps unaware of the weak historical and legal standing which the AWA Superstars held, or in deference to the fame and likability of Hulk Hogan.
Title history
†Title changes not officially recognized by the American Wrestling Association.
| # | Wrestler | Reigns | Date | Days held: | Location | Event | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1
|
Pat O'Connor |
1
|
May 18, 1959 | 90 | St. Louis, MO | Live event | Held NWA World Heavyweight Championship, won on January 9, 1959 in St. Louis, Missouri; recognized as the first AWA World Champion in May 1960, but was given 90 days to defend the title against Verne Gagne or be stripped of the title.[1] |
|
2
|
Verne Gagne |
1
|
August 16, 1960 | 329 | N/A | N/A | Awarded after O'Connor failed to defend the title.[1] |
|
3
|
Gene Kiniski |
1
|
July 11, 1961 | 28 | Minneapolis, MN | Live event | [1] |
|
4
|
Verne Gagne |
2
|
August 8, 1961 | 154 | Minneapolis, MN | Live event | [1] |
|
5
|
Mr. M |
1
|
January 9, 1962 | 224 | Minneapolis, MN | Live event | [1] |
|
6
|
Verne Gagne |
3
|
August 21, 1962 | 322 | Minneapolis, MN | Live event | [1] |
|
7
|
The Crusher |
1
|
July 9, 1963 | 11 | Minneapolis, MN | Live event | Also won Omaha version of World Heavyweight Championship from Verne Gagne on February 15, 1963 in Omaha, Nebraska.[1] |
|
8
|
Verne Gagne |
4
|
July 20, 1963 | 7 | Minneapolis, MN | Live event | Wins both the AWA title and the Omaha title.[1] |
|
9
|
Fritz Von Erich |
1
|
July 27, 1963 | 12 | Omaha, NE | Live event | Wins both the AWA title and the Omaha title.[1] |
|
10
|
Verne Gagne |
5
|
August 8, 1963 | 100 | Amarillo, TX | Live event | Wins AWA title only; also wins Omaha title from Fritz Von Erich on September 7, 1963 in Omaha, NE to unify the titles.[1] |
|
11
|
The Crusher |
2
|
November 16, 1963 | 28 | St. Paul, MN | Live event | [1] |
|
12
|
Verne Gagne |
6
|
December 14, 1963 | 140 | Minneapolis, MN | Live event | [1] |
|
13
|
Mad Dog Vachon |
1
|
May 2, 1964 | 14 | Omaha, NE | Live event | [1] |
|
14
|
Verne Gagne |
7
|
May 16, 1964 | 157 | Omaha, NE | Live event | [1] |
|
15
|
Mad Dog Vachon |
2
|
October 20, 1964 | 207 | Minneapolis, MN | Live event | [1] |
|
16
|
Mighty Igor Vodic |
1
|
May 15, 1965 | 7 | Omaha, NE | Live event | [1] |
|
17
|
Mad Dog Vachon |
3
|
May 22, 1965 | 91 | Omaha, NE | Live event | [1] |
|
18
|
The Crusher |
3
|
August 21, 1965 | 83 | St. Paul, MN | Live event | [1] |
|
19
|
Mad Dog Vachon |
4
|
November 12, 1965 | 365 | Denver, CO | Live event | [1] |
|
-
|
Tim Woods |
1†
|
January 8, 1966 | 6 | Omaha, NE | Live event | AWA president Stanley Blackburn reviews the match from January 8, 1966 and declares it "no contenst" on January 14, 1966 since Woods' legs are on the rope while pinning Vachon during the final fall.[1] |
|
-
|
Mad Dog Vachon |
5†
|
January 14, 1966 | 302 | Omaha, NE | Live event | Vachon defeats Woods in a rematch on January 14, 1966.[1] |
|
20
|
Dick The Bruiser |
1
|
November 12, 1966 | 7 | Omaha, NE | Live event | [1] |
|
21
|
Mad Dog Vachon |
5(6)
|
November 19, 1966 | 99 | Omaha, NE | Live event | [1] |
|
22
|
Verne Gagne |
8
|
February 26, 1967 | 538 | St. Paul, MN | Live event | [1] |
|
23
|
Dr. X |
1
|
August 17, 1968 | 14 | Bloomington, MN | Live event | [1] |
|
24
|
Verne Gagne |
9
|
August 31, 1968 | 2625 | Minneapolis, MN | Live event | [1] |
|
25
|
Nick Bockwinkel |
1
|
November 8, 1975 | 1714 | St. Paul, MN | Live event | Wrestled WWF Heavyweight Champion Bob Backlund to a double count-out on March 25, 1979 in Toronto, ON.[1] |
|
26
|
Verne Gagne |
10
|
July 18, 1980 | 305 | Chicago, IL | Live event | Gagne retired from active wrestling while still the champion.[1] |
|
27
|
Nick Bockwinkel |
2
|
May 19, 1981 | 467 | N/A | N/A | Awarded the title when Gagne retired.[1] |
|
-
|
Hulk Hogan |
1†
|
April 18, 1982 | 6 | St. Paul, MN | Live event | Hogan's victory was overturned by AWA President Stanley Blackburn on April 24, 1982 as a result of the use of a foreign object by Hogan on Bockwinkel in the course of the bout, with Hogan's reign being unrecognized.[1] |
|
-
|
Nick Bockwinkel |
3†
|
April 24, 1982 | 127 | N/A | N/A | Returned to Bockwinkel by AWA president Stanley Blackburn due to the involvement of a foreign object in the match. Since Hogan was never recognized as a champion, Bockwinkel was only recognized as a two-time champion.[1] |
|
28
|
Otto Wanz |
1
|
August 29, 1982 | 41 | St. Paul, MN | Live event | [1] |
|
29
|
Nick Bockwinkel |
3(4)
|
October 9, 1982 | 501 | Chicago, IL | Live event | [1] |
|
-
|
Jerry Lawler |
1†
|
December 27, 1982 | 14 | Memphis, TN | Live event | Title held up after the match.[1] |
|
-
|
Nick Bockwinkel |
5†
|
January 10, 1983 | 408 | Memphis, TN | Live event | Defeats Lawler in a rematch..[1] |
|
-
|
Hulk Hogan |
2†
|
April 24, 1983 | 0 | Minneapolis, MN | Live event | Hogan's victory was overturned by Stanley Blackburn immediately following the bout, with Hogan's reign unrecognised.[1] |
|
-
|
Nick Bockwinkel |
6†
|
April 24, 1983 | 304 | Minneapolis, MN | Live event | After the match Blackburn came down to the ring and tried to have Hogan disqualified for having thrown Bockwinkel over the top rope, but since this was a no disqualification match, Blackburn simply stripped Hogan of the belt and again returned it to Bockwinkel. Understandably upset at the way he had been treated, Hogan left the AWA shortly thereafter. Neither of the Hogan's wins were officially recognized by the AWA.[1] |
|
30
|
Jumbo Tsuruta |
1
|
February 22, 1984 | 81 | Tokyo, Japan | Live event | [1] |
|
31
|
Rick Martel |
1
|
May 13, 1984 | 595 | St. Paul, MN | Live event | Wrestled NWA World Heavyweight Champion Ric Flair to a double count-out on October 2, 1985 in Tokyo, Japan.[1] |
|
32
|
Stan Hansen |
1
|
December 29, 1985 | 181 | East Rutherford, NJ | Live event | [1] |
|
33
|
Nick Bockwinkel |
4(7)
|
June 28, 1986 | 308 | Denver, CO | Live event | Awarded when Hansen left the AWA.[1] |
|
34
|
Curt Hennig |
1
|
May 2, 1987 | 373 | San Francisco, CA | SuperClash 2 | Title held up immediately after the match due to controversy over interference by Larry Zbyszko on Hennig's behalf, but the title is returned to Hennig days later after the AWA Championship Committee (perhaps learning from their mistakes with Hogan) rules that there was no evidence of interference.[1] |
|
35
|
Jerry Lawler |
1(2)
|
May 9, 1988 | 256 | Memphis, TN | Live event | Lawler defeated Kerry Von Erich on December 13, 1988 in Chicago to win the WCWA World Heavyweight Championship, and become the first USWA Unified World Heavyweight Championship.[1] |
|
-
|
Vacated |
-
|
January 20, 1989 | 0 | N/A | N/A | Lawler was stripped of the title after the Continental Wrestling Association split with the AWA.[1] |
|
36
|
Larry Zbyszko |
1
|
February 7, 1989 | 368 | St. Paul, MN | Live event | Zbyszko won a battle royal, last eliminating Tom Zenk.[1] |
|
37
|
Mr. Saito |
1
|
February 10, 1990 | 57 | Tokyo, Japan | Live event | [1] |
|
38
|
Larry Zbyszko |
2
|
April 8, 1990 | 248 | St. Paul, MN | SuperClash 4 | [1] |
|
-
|
Title retired |
-
|
December 12, 1990 | 0 | N/A | N/A | Title stripped when Zbyszko left the inactive AWA for WCW. The AWA closed in 1991.[1] |
List of top combined reigns
| Rank | Wrestler | # Of Reigns | Combined Days |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Verne Gagne | 10 | 4,677 |
| 2. | Nick Bockwinkel | 4 | 2,990 |
| 3. | Mad Dog Vachon | 5 | 776 |
| 4. | Larry Zbyszko | 2 | 616 |
| 5. | Rick Martel | 1 | 595 |
| 6. | Curt Hennig | 1 | 373 |
| 7. | Jerry Lawler | 1 | 256 |
| 8. | Mr. M | 1 | 224 |
| 9. | Stan Hansen | 1 | 181 |
| 10. | The Crusher | 3 | 122 |
| 11. | Pat O'Connor | 1 | 90 |
| 12. | Jumbo Tsuruta | 1 | 81 |
| 13. | Mr. Saito | 1 | 57 |
| 14. | Otto Wanz | 1 | 41 |
| 15. | Gene Kiniski | 1 | 28 |
| 16. | Dr. X | 1 | 14 |
| 17. | Fritz Von Erich | 1 | 12 |
| 18. | Mighty Igor Vodic | 1 | 7 |
| 19. | Dick The Bruiser | 1 | 7 |
References
External links
This entry is from Wikipedia, the leading user-contributed encyclopedia. It may not have been reviewed by professional editors (see full disclaimer)
