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 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.

USWA Unified World Heavyweight Championship
Details
PromotionUnited States Wrestling Association
Date establishedDecember 13, 1988
Date retiredNovember 1997

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. Overall reign number
Reign Reign number for the specific champion
Days Number of days held
No. Champion Championship change Reign statistics Notes Ref.
Date Event Location Reign Days
1 Jerry Lawler December 13, 1988 SuperClash III Chicago, Illinois 1 109 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 10, 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 April 1, 1989 USWA show Memphis, Tennessee 1 24 The WCWA World Heavyweight Championship was held up in April 1989. Regardless, the USWA continues to recognize the USWA Unified World Heavyweight Championship. At this point, the USWA Unified World Heavyweight Championship was not unified with either the AWA or World Class World Heavyweight Championships; consequently, the influential Pro Wrestling Illustrated outright refused to recognise the Unified championship as a separate title in its own right.[4] [2][3]
3 Jerry Lawler April 25, 1989 USWA show Memphis, Tennessee 2 181 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 October 23, 1989 USWA show Memphis, Tennessee 1 14 This title change was not recognised in the Texas/World Class branch of the USWA [2][3]
5 Jerry Lawler November 6, 1989 USWA show Memphis, Tennessee 3 54 [2][3]
6 King Cobra December 30, 1989 USWA show Memphis, Tennessee 1 9 This title change was not recognised in the Texas/World Class branch of the USWA [2][3]
7 Jerry Lawler January 8, 1990 USWA show Memphis, Tennessee 4 49 [2][3]
8 Jimmy Valiant February 26, 1990 USWA show Memphis, Tennessee 1 14 This title change was not recognised in the Texas/World Class branch of the USWA [2][3][5]
9 Jerry Lawler March 12, 1990 USWA show Memphis, Tennessee 5 47 [2][3]
10 Jimmy Valiant April 28, 1990 USWA show Memphis, Tennessee 2 7 This title change was not recognised in the Texas/World Class branch of the USWA [2][3]
11 Jerry Lawler May 5, 1990 USWA show Memphis, Tennessee 6 44 [2][3][6]
12 Snowman June 18, 1990 USWA show Memphis, Tennessee 1 70 [2][3]
— Vacated August 27, 1990 — — — — 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 Jerry Lawler October 8, 1990 USWA show Memphis, Tennessee 7 28 Defeated Austin Idol in tournament final [2][3]
14 Terry Funk November 5, 1990 USWA show Memphis, Tennessee 1 126 [2][3]
15 Jerry Lawler March 11, 1991 USWA show Memphis, Tennessee 8 140 [2][3]
16 Awesome Kong July 29, 1991 USWA show Memphis, Tennessee 1 14 [2][3][7]
17 Jerry Lawler August 12, 1991 USWA show Memphis, Tennessee 9 14 [2][3]
18 The Dragon Master August 26, 1991 USWA show Memphis, Tennessee 1 7 [2][3]
19 Jerry Lawler September 2, 1991 USWA show Memphis, Tennessee 10 84 [2][3]
20 Kamala November 25, 1991 USWA show Memphis, Tennessee 1 7 [2][3]
21 Jerry Lawler December 2, 1991 USWA show Memphis, Tennessee 11 5 [2][3]
— Vacated December 7, 1991 — — — — Championship vacated after a match against Kamala [2][3]
22 Kamala December 9, 1991 USWA show Memphis, Tennessee 2 55 Won rematch [2][3]
— Vacated February 2, 1992 — — — — Championship vacated after match against Koko B Ware [2][3]
23 Kamala February 10, 1992 USWA show Memphis, Tennessee 3 14 Won rematch [2][3][8]
24 Koko B. Ware February 24, 1992 USWA show Memphis, Tennessee 1 21 [2][3][9]
25 Kamala March 16, 1992 USWA show Memphis, Tennessee 4 49 [2][3]
26 Jerry Lawler May 4, 1992 USWA show Memphis, Tennessee 12 42 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 Eddie Gilbert June 15, 1992 USWA show Memphis, Tennessee 1 28 [2][3]
28 Ricky Morton July 13, 1992 USWA show Memphis, Tennessee 1 7 [2][3]
29 Eddie Gilbert July 20, 1992 USWA show Memphis, Tennessee 2 63 [2][3][10]
30 Junkyard Dog September 21, 1992 USWA show Memphis, Tennessee 1 21 [2][3]
31 Butch Reed October 12, 1992 USWA show Memphis, Tennessee 1 5 [2][3]
32 Todd Champion October 17, 1992 "USWA show" Cleveland, Ohio 1 16 Announced as having won a match, storyline to cover for Butch Reed leaving USWA [2][3]
33 Jerry Lawler November 2, 1992 USWA show Memphis, Tennessee 13 35 [2][3]
34 Koko B. Ware December 7, 1992 USWA show Memphis, Tennessee 2 7 [2][3]
35 Jerry Lawler December 14, 1992 USWA show Memphis, Tennessee 14 140 [2][3]
36 Papa Shango May 3, 1993 USWA show Memphis, Tennessee 2 49 Previously held the championship under the ring name "The Soultaker" [2][3][11]
37 Owen Hart June 21, 1993 USWA show Memphis, Tennessee 1 14 [2][3]
38 Jerry Lawler July 5, 1993 USWA show Memphis, Tennessee 15 70 [2][3]
39 Tatanka September 13, 1993 USWA show Memphis, Tennessee 1 7 [2][3]
40 Jerry Lawler September 20, 1993 USWA show Memphis, Tennessee 16 21 Lawler pinned Tatanka in a six-man tag team elimination match and the title changed hands due to a pre-match stipulation. [2][3]
41 Randy Savage October 11, 1993 USWA show Memphis, Tennessee 1 40 [2][3]
— Vacated November 20, 1993 — — — — The USWA and the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) temporarily end co-promotion [2][3]
42 Jeff Jarrett November 22, 1993 USWA show Memphis, Tennessee 1 28 Won a battle royal [2][3]
43 Jerry Lawler December 20, 1993 USWA show Memphis, Tennessee 17 42 [2][3]
44 Eddie Gilbert January 31, 1994 USWA show Memphis, Tennessee 3 7 [2][3]
45 Jerry Lawler February 7, 1994 USWA show Memphis, Tennessee 18 7 [2][3][12]
46 Eddie Gilbert February 14, 1994 USWA show Memphis, Tennessee 4 39 [2][3][13]
47 Jerry Lawler March 25, 1994 USWA show Senatobia, Mississippi 19 113 [2][3]
48 Sid Vicious July 16, 1994 USWA show Memphis, Tennessee 1 205 Won by forfeit [2][3][14]
49 Jerry Lawler February 6, 1995 USWA show Memphis, Tennessee 20 19 [2][3]
50 Bill Dundee February 25, 1995 USWA show Memphis, Tennessee 1 37 [2][3]
51 Razor Ramon April 3, 1995 USWA show Memphis, Tennessee 1 28 [2][3][15]
52 Jerry Lawler May 1, 1995 USWA show Memphis, Tennessee 21 189 [2][3]
53 Ahmed Johnson November 6, 1995 USWA show Memphis, Tennessee 1 44 [2][3]
54 Jeff Jarrett December 20, 1995 USWA show Tunica, Mississippi 2 73 [2][3]
— Vacated March 2, 1996 — — — — Jarrett suffered a back injury and could not defend the championship [2][3]
55 Jerry Lawler March 4, 1996 USWA show Memphis, Tennessee 22 4 Defeated Mabel in tournament final [2][3][16]
— Vacated March 8, 1996 — — — — Championship vacated after a match against Bill Dundee [2][3]
56 Jerry Lawler April 5, 1996 USWA show Memphis, Tennessee 23 15 Lawler won rematch [2][3]
57 Jeff Jarrett April 20, 1996 USWA show Memphis, Tennessee 3 95 Jarret won with the help of referee Frank Morrell [2][3]
58 Jerry Lawler July 24, 1996 USWA show West Helena, Arkansas 24 37 [2][3]
59 Sid Vicious August 30, 1996 USWA show Memphis, Tennessee 2 3 [2][3]
60 Jerry Lawler September 2, 1996 USWA show Memphis, Tennessee 25 32 [2][3]
61 The Colorado Kid October 4, 1996 USWA show Memphis, Tennessee 1 43 [2][3]
62 Jerry Lawler November 16, 1996 USWA show Memphis, Tennessee 26 119 [2][3]
63 Tank March 15, 1997 USWA show Memphis, Tennessee 1 7 [2][3]
64 Jerry Lawler March 22, 1997 USWA show Memphis, Tennessee 27 21 [2][3][17]
65 King Reginald April 12, 1997 USWA show Memphis, Tennessee 1 15 [2][3]
66 Jerry Lawler April 27, 1997 USWA show Memphis, Tennessee 28 103 [2][3]
67 Dutch Mantel August 8, 1997 USWA show Memphis, Tennessee 1 [2][3][Note 1] [2][3]
— Deactivated November 1997 — — — — USWA closed [2][3]

Combined reigns
Inaugural and 28-time champion Jerry Lawler


Rank Wrestler No. of reigns Combined days
1Jerry Lawler281764
2Sid Vicious2208
3Jeff Jarrett3196
4Eddie Gilbert4137
5Terry Funk1126
6Kamala4125
7Dutch Mantel185-114
8Snowman170
9The Soultaker/Papa Shango263
10Ahmed Johnson144
11The Colorado Kid143
12Randy Savage140
13Bill Dundee137
14Koko B. Ware228
Razor Ramon128
16Master of Pain124
17Jimmy Valiant221
Junkyard Dog121
19Todd Champion116
20King Reginald115
21Awesome Kong114
Owen Hart114
23King Cobra19
24Ricky Morton17
Tank17
Tatanka17
The Dragon Master17
28Butch Reed15

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. 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. "Unified World Heavyweight Title [United States Wrestling Association]". Wrestling-Titles. Retrieved March 28, 2017.
  4. "Master of Pain is currently defending the 'unified' title, a title not recognised by PWI or its sister publications." Ratings Analysis, Pro Wrestling Illustrated June 1989
  5. 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.
  6. 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.
  7. 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.
  8. 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.
  9. 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.
  10. 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.
  11. 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.
  12. 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.
  13. 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.
  14. 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.
  15. 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.
  16. Hoops, Brian (March 4, 2017). "Daily Pro Wrestling History (03/04): ROH 10th Anniversary Show". Wrestling Observer Figure Four Online. Retrieved March 5, 2017.
  17. Hoops, Brian (March 22, 2020). "Daily pro wrestling history (03/22): Dutch Mantel wins Southern title from Jerry Lawler". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Retrieved March 22, 2020.
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