World Class Heavyweight Championship

The WCWA World Heavyweight Championship was a professional wrestling

Professional wrestling

Professional wrestling is a mode of spectacle, combining athletics and theatrical performance.Roland Barthes, "The World of Wrestling", Mythologies, 1957 It takes the form of events, held by touring companies, which mimic a title match combat sport...

world heavyweight championship

Championship (professional wrestling)

A Championship or "title" in professional wrestling is a recognition promoted by professional wrestling organizations.Championship reigns are determined by professional wrestling matches, in which competitors are involved in scripted rivalries...

in World Class Championship Wrestling

World Class Championship Wrestling

World Class Championship Wrestling ' was a regional professional wrestling promotion headquartered in Dallas and Fort Worth, Texas. Originally owned by promoter Ed McLemore, by 1966 it was run by Southwest Sports, Inc., whose president, Jack Adkisson, was better known as wrestler Fritz Von Erich...

. The title was originally created in June 1966 as the Texas version of the NWA United States Heavyweight Championship before being renamed the NWA American Heavyweight Championship in May 1968. When WCCW pulled out of the NWA in 1986, the championship was renamed the World Class Wrestling Association World Heavyweight Championship. The title was unified by Jerry Lawler

Jerry Lawler

Jerry O'Neil Lawler is an American professional wrestler, wrestling commentator, musician, businessman, commercial artist and film actor, known throughout the wrestling world as Jerry "The King" Lawler. He is currently signed to WWE, working on its Raw brand as the color commentator and occasional...

with the AWA World Heavyweight Championship

AWA World Heavyweight Championship

The American Wrestling Association World Heavyweight Championship was a professional wrestling world heavyweight championship and the highest ranked championship in the defunct American Wrestling Association. All AWA trademarks, including the AWA World Heavyweight Championship, are now owned by WWE...

in 1989 and continued as the USWA Unified World Heavyweight Championship

USWA Unified World Heavyweight Championship

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...

. World Class returned in September 1990 when the organization withdrew from the United States Wrestling Association

United States Wrestling Association

The United States Wrestling Association or USWA was a professional wrestling promotion based in Memphis, Tennessee. It was founded by former CWA owner Jerry Jarrett.-Foundation:...

(USWA), but the promotion ceased operations three months later.

Title history

Wrestler:	Reigns:	Date:	Place:	Notes:
NWA United States Heavyweight Championship (Texas version)
Fritz Von Erich Fritz Von Erich Jack Barton Adkisson was an American professional wrestler under the ring name Fritz Von Erich, better known today as a wrestling promoter and the patriarch of the Von Erich family...	1	June 6, 1966	Texas	Defeated Brute Bernard.
Johnny Valentine Johnny Valentine Johnny Valentine was a professional wrestler with a career spanning almost three decades. He has been inducted into four halls of fame for his achievements in wrestling...	1	June 9, 1966	Texas
Fritz Von Erich	2	August 4, 1966	Texas
Brute Bernard Brute Bernard Jim Bernard was a Canadian professional wrestler. He is best known by his ring name, Brute Bernard, and spent much of his career wrestling as part of a tag team with Skull Murphy. He competed for several wrestling promotions associated with the National Wrestling Alliance...	1	1966 or 1967	Texas
Fritz Von Erich	3	March 27, 1967	Ft. Worth, TX
The Spoiler Don Jardine Don Jardine was a Canadian professional wrestler best known for his masked gimmick as "The Spoiler".-Career:Jardine began wrestling in the mid-1950s,making his wrestling debut in 1955 at the age of 15...	1	April 1968	Houston, TX
Held Up		April 1968		Title held up due to interference by manager Gary Hart Gary Hart (wrestler) Gary Richard Williams, was a former professional wrestling manager, as well as a professional wrestler in his early career, best known by his ring name Gary Hart... .
Renamed NWA American Heavyweight Championship in May 1968
Fritz Von Erich	4	June 3, 1968	Ft. Worth, TX	Won rematch.
Kenji Shibuya	1	1968	Texas
Fritz Von Erich	5	1968	Texas
Johnny Valentine	2	May 2, 1969	Texas
Fritz Von Erich	6	August 4, 1969	Ft. Worth, TX
Held Up		August 5, 1969		Title held up after match against Johnny Valentine.
Fritz Von Erich	7	October 21, 1969	Dallas, TX (Won rematch)
Vacated		1970		Title vacant.
Boris Malenko Boris Malenko Lawrence J. Simon better known by his ring name Boris Malenko, was an American professional wrestler who wrestled for the American Wrestling Association and National Wrestling Alliance in the 1960s and 1970s...	1	May 18, 1970	Texas	Defeated Mil Máscaras Mil Máscaras Aaron Rodríguez , best known as Mil Máscaras , is a semi-retired Mexican professional wrestler and actor, who has starred in several films with fellow luchadores... in tournament final.
Fritz Von Erich	8	June 14, 1970	Texas
Baron Von Raschke James Raschke James Donald Raschke is a retired professional wrestler best known as Baron von Raschke.-Career:...	1	1970	Texas
Fritz Von Erich	9	1970	Texas
Toru Tanaka Charles Kalani, Jr. Charles "Charlie" J. Kalani, Jr. was an American professional wrestler, professional boxer, college football player, soldier, actor, and Martial Artist who, in fighting rings, was also known as Professor Toru Tanaka, or simply, Professor Tanaka.-Early life:He was born in Honolulu, Hawaii, the son...	1	December 18, 1970	Houston, TX
Fritz Von Erich	10	February 22, 1971	Ft. Worth, TX
Toru Tanaka	2	February 23, 1971	Dallas, TX
Wahoo McDaniel Wahoo McDaniel Edward "Wahoo" McDaniel was a Choctaw-Chickasaw Native American who achieved fame as a professional American football player and later as a professional wrestler.-Early life:...	1	March 5, 1971	Houston, TX
The Spoiler	2	December 11, 1971	San Antonio, TX
Billy Red Lyons Billy Red Lyons William Snip was a Canadian professional wrestler, who used the stage name Billy Red Lyons. He was an active wrestler between 1956 and 1984, and won numerous championship throughout his career. He worked for promotions in both Canada and the United States, particularly in Ontario, California,...	1	June 24, 1972	Irving, TX
Johnny Valentine	3	August 7, 1972	Texas
Missouri Mauler Larry Hamilton Larry "Rocky" Hamilton , known by his ringname The Missouri Mauler, was an American professional wrestler who competed in the National Wrestling Alliance as well as Florida Championship Wrestling and Jim Crockett Promotions, becoming a mainstay of the latter promotion throughout the 1960s.One of...	1	March 2, 1973	Chicago, IL
Fritz Von Erich	11	August 7, 1973	Dallas, TX
The Texan Blackjack Mulligan Robert Jack Windham , better known by his ring name Blackjack Mulligan is a former professional wrestler and a former American football player...	1	March 19, 1974	Texas
Fritz Von Erich	12	April 18, 1974	Texas
Blackjack Lanza Jack Lanza John "Jack" Lanza is a retired professional wrestler. He was one half of The Blackjacks with Blackjack Mulligan in the American Wrestling Association and World Wide Wrestling Federation . He is currently a producer in WWE. He was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2006.-Career:Lanza started...	1	December 2, 1974	Texas
Fritz Von Erich	13	December 29, 1974	Texas
Bruiser Brody Frank Goodish Frank Donald Goodish was an American professional wrestler who earned his greatest fame under the name Bruiser Brody. Goodish was an All-State football and basketball player at Warren High School, Michigan, and played football at West Texas A&M University...	1	January 3, 1977	Texas
Fritz Von Erich	14	April 12, 1977	Texas
Bruiser Brody	2	April 13, 1977	Texas
Captain USA Big John Studd John William Minton was an American professional wrestler and actor who was born and raised in Butler, Pennsylvania, better known by his ring name, Big John Studd.-Career:...	1	July 25, 1977	Texas
Ox Baker Ox Baker Douglas A. Baker better known professionally as Ox Baker, is an American former professional wrestler and actor, and was feared for his dreaded finishing move, the Heart Punch, sometimes called the "Hurt Punch", after Baker's famous catchphrase "I love to hurt people!" He has appeared in several...	1	September 30, 1977	Texas
Fritz Von Erich	15	December 12, 1977	Texas
Bruiser Brody	3	September 11, 1978	Ft. Worth, TX
Kevin Von Erich Kevin Von Erich Kevin Ross Adkisson is a retired professional wrestler under the ring name Kevin Von Erich of the Von Erich Family. He is the last surviving son of wrestler Fritz Von Erich and had four brothers that wrestled, David, Kerry, Mike and Chris, as well as an older brother, Jack, Jr., who died in...	1	December 25, 1978	Ft. Worth, TX
The Spoiler	3	April 1, 1979	Puerto Rico
Wahoo McDaniel	2	May 13, 1979	Houston, TX
The Spoiler	4	June 2, 1979	Houston, TX	Awarded due to injury to Wahoo.
El Halcon	1	August 5, 1979	Dallas, TX
The Spoiler	5	October 7, 1979	Dallas, TX
Bruiser Brody	4	November 30, 1979	Houston, TX
Ox Baker	2	January 2, 1980	San Francisco, CA
Kevin Von Erich	2	January 12, 1980	Dallas, TX
Toru Tanaka	3	April 20, 1980	Dallas, TX
Kevin Von Erich	3	April 28, 1980	Ft. Worth, TX
Gino Hernandez Gino Hernandez Charles Eugene Wolfe, Jr. was a professional wrestler better known by his ring name Gino Hernandez. His in-ring nickname was "The Handsome Half-Breed" -Career:...	1	May 25, 1980	Ft. Worth, TX
Held Up		December 20, 1980		Title held up after match against Kevin Von Erich.
Kerry Von Erich Kerry Von Erich Kerry Gene Adkisson was an American professional wrestler under the ring names Kerry Von Erich, The Modern Day Warrior, and The Texas Tornado and was part of the Von Erich family of professional wrestlers...	1	December 28, 1980	Dallas, TX	Subbed for injured Kevin and won rematch against Hernandez.
Ken Patera Ken Patera Ken Patera is a former professional wrestler, Olympic weightlifter, and Strongman competitor.-Weightlifting/Strongman career:Patera is a former Olympic weightlifter and American powerlifter...	1	1981	Texas
Masked Superstar Bill Eadie Bill Eadie is a professional wrestler who has competed under the names of Ax as part of Demolition and The Masked Superstar...	1	1981	Texas
Kerry Von Erich	2	1981	Texas
Ernie Ladd Ernie Ladd Ernest "Ernie" Ladd , nicknamed "The Big Cat" was an American collegiate and professional football player and a professional wrestler.-Pro Football career:...	1	May 11, 1981	Ft. Worth, TX
Kerry Von Erich	3	June 4, 1981	New Orleans, LA
Great Kabuki Akihisa Mera Akihisa Yone Yoshi Mera , better known as The Great Kabuki, is a Japanese professional wrestler. He was famous for being the first to blow "Asian mist" in his opponents' faces.-Professional wrestling career:...	1	September 25, 1981	Lawton, OK
Bugsy McGraw Bugsy McGraw Bugsy McGraw is the ring name of former professional wrestler Michael Davis. He also wrestled under the name "The Skull." He is not to be confused with the other wrestler named Mike Davis.-Total Nonstop Action Wrestling :...	1	December 26, 1981	Columbus, OH
Kerry Von Erich	4	March 8, 1982	Ft. Worth, TX
King Kong Bundy King Kong Bundy Christopher Alan "Chris" Pallies is an American professional wrestler, stand-up comedian and actor, better known by his ring name, King Kong Bundy.-Personal:...	1	May 5, 1982	Lawton, OK
Fritz Von Erich	16	June 14, 1982	Irving, TX
Vacated		June 14, 1982		Fritz won the title in his retirement match and vacated it immediately.
King Kong Bundy	2	June 15, 1982		Awarded when Fritz retired.
Kevin Von Erich	4	September 5, 1982	Ft. Worth, TX
Terry Gordy Terry Gordy Terry Ray 'Bam Bam' Gordy, Sr. was a professional wrestler who was best known in North America for being a member of the Fabulous Freebirds.-Career:...	1	January 21, 1983	Dallas, TX
Kevin Von Erich	5	March 4, 1983	Dallas, TX
Held Up		July 11, 1983		Title held up after match against Jimmy Garvin.
Jimmy Garvin Jimmy Garvin James Williams is a retired American professional wrestler. He is best known by his ring name "Gorgeous" Jimmy "Jam" Garvin and as a member of the legendary Fabulous Freebirds....	1	July 25, 1983	Ft. Worth, TX (Won rematch)
Chris Adams	1	November 24, 1983	Dallas, TX
Jimmy Garvin	2	December 25, 1983	Dallas, TX
Chris Adams	2	January 30, 1984	Texas
Jimmy Garvin	3	April 2, 1984	Ft. Worth, TX
Chris Adams	3	April 4, 1984	Texas
Jimmy Garvin	4	April 1984	Texas
Gino Hernandez	2	May 18, 1984	San Juan, PR
Mike Von Erich Mike Von Erich Michael Brett Adkisson was an American professional wrestler under the ring name Mike Von Erich. His four brothers, David, Kerry, Kevin and Chris, also wrestled...	1	August 4, 1984	Dallas, TX
Gino Hernandez	3	September 3, 1984	Ft. Worth, TX
Kerry Von Erich	5	October 29, 1984	Ft. Worth, TX
Chris Adams	4	February 8, 1985	Dallas, TX
Iceman King Parsons	1	July 5, 1985	Dallas, TX
Rick Rude Richard Rood Richard Erwin Rood , better known by his ring name "Ravishing" Rick Rude, was an American professional wrestler who performed for many promotions, including World Championship Wrestling and the World Wrestling Federation , in the 1980s and 1990s.Among other accolades, Rude was a four-time world...	1	November 4, 1985	Ft. Worth, TX
Renamed WCWA World Heavyweight Championship February 20, 1986
Chris Adams	5	July 4, 1986	Dallas, TX
Black Bart Rick Harris Rick Harris is a former professional wrestler better known by his ring name , Black Bart. He is the son of the late George "Two Ton" Harris.-Career:Rick Harris started wrestling in 1975...	1	September 15, 1986	Dallas, TX	Was billed as taken place in Los Angeles; title awarded when Chris Adams left WCCW.
Kevin Von Erich	6	October 12, 1986	Dallas, TX
Al Perez Al Perez Al Perez is a retired American professional wrestler.-Professional wrestling career:Perez began wrestling as an amateur in high school and was one of the top athletes in his home state of Florida. He started professional wrestling in 1982.He formed a team in ICW with Joe Savoldi known as the "New...	1	August 21, 1987	Dallas, TX	Won by forfeit.
Kerry Von Erich	6	March 6, 1988	Dallas, TX
Iceman King Parsons	2	March 25, 1988	Dallas, TX
Kerry Von Erich	7	May 9, 1988	Irving, TX
Jerry Lawler Jerry Lawler Jerry O'Neil Lawler is an American professional wrestler, wrestling commentator, musician, businessman, commercial artist and film actor, known throughout the wrestling world as Jerry "The King" Lawler. He is currently signed to WWE, working on its Raw brand as the color commentator and occasional...	1	October 23, 1988	Memphis, TN
Kerry Von Erich	8	November 4, 1988	Dallas, TX
Tatsumi Fujinami Tatsumi Fujinami is a Japanese professional wrestler who is famous for his gimmick as "The Dragon." He is the one who is credited for inventing the Dragon Sleeper and the Dragon Suplex...	1	December 9, 1988	Tokyo, Japan	Von Erich was bleeding too heavily to continue.
Kerry Von Erich	9	December 10, 1988		Title returned when Fujinami refuses it because of ending.
Jerry Lawler	2	December 13, 1988	Chicago, IL	Lawler was the reigning AWA World Heavyweight Champion AWA World Heavyweight Championship The American Wrestling Association World Heavyweight Championship was a professional wrestling world heavyweight championship and the highest ranked championship in the defunct American Wrestling Association. All AWA trademarks, including the AWA World Heavyweight Championship, are now owned by WWE... . He defeats Kerry Von Erich to win the WCWA World Heavyweight Championship. This results in the USWA Unified World Heavyweight Championship USWA Unified World Heavyweight Championship 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... 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 continued to be recognized as the USWA Unified World Heavyweight Champion by the USWA.
Held Up		April 5, 1989		The WCWA World Heavyweight Championship is held up after the match against Kerry Von Erich. Regardless, the USWA continued to recognize the USWA Unified World Heavyweight Championship.
Jerry Lawler	3	April 14, 1989		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.
Title retired		1990		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. World Class Championship Wrestling later closes down. Regardless, the USWA continued to recognize the USWA Unified World Heavyweight Championship.

Title history

See also