NWA Mid-America Heavyweight Championship

The NWA Mid-America Heavyweight Championship is a professional wrestling title defended in the US states of Tennessee and Alabama. The title began in 1957 and lasted first until 1980 when it was first abandoned when Jerry Jarrett took over the Mid-American titles from Nick Gulas. Jarrett revived it in 1981, making it a part of the Memphis-based Continental Wrestling Association, and it then lasted until 1987 when it was unified with the newly created CWA (now renamed Championship Wrestling Association) Heavyweight Championship.[1][2]

NWA Mid-America Heavyweight Championship
The original championship belt
Details
PromotionNWA Mid-America (1957–1981)
Continental Wrestling Association (1982–1987)
Date establishedMay 1957

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  Buddy Rogers  May 1957 (NLT)   [Note 1]  1  [Note 2] House show [1][2]
Championship history is unrecorded from May 1957 to April 1958.
 2  Mighty Atlas  April 1958 (NLT)  House show [Note 1]  1  [Note 3] [1][2]
 3  Tor Yamata  April 24, 1958  House show Chattanooga, Tennessee  1  [Note 2] [1][2]
Championship history is unrecorded from April 24, 1958 to July 1971.
 4  Len Rossi  July 1971 (NLT)  House show [Note 1]  1  [Note 2] [1][2]
Championship history is unrecorded from July 1971 to June 1972.
 5  Tony Charles  June 1972 (NLT)  House show [Note 1]  1  [Note 2] [1][2]
Championship history is unrecorded from June 1972 to October 1974.
 6  Don Kent  October 1974 (NLT)  House show [Note 1]  1  [Note 4] [1][2]
 7  Jackie Fargo  January 4, 1975  House show Chattanooga, Tennessee  1  [Note 5] [1][2]
 8  Don Kent  January 1975  House show [Note 1]  2  [Note 6] [1][2]
 9  Luke Graham  February 5, 1975  House show Nashville, Tennessee  1  [Note 7] [1][2]
 10  Don Kent  April 1975  House show Louisville, Kentucky  3  [Note 8] [1][2]
 11  Luke Graham  May 7, 1975  House show Nashville, Tennessee  2  [Note 9] [1][2][3]
Championship history is unrecorded from May 7, 1975 to 1975.
 12  Harley Race  1975  House show [Note 1]  1  [Note 10] [1][2]
 13  Magnificent Zulu  September 1975 (NLT)  House show [Note 1]  1  [Note 11] [1][2]
 14  Harley Race  September 9, 1975  House show Memphis, Tennessee  2  [Note 12] [1][2]
Championship history is unrecorded from September 9, 1975 to December 1975.
 15  Jackie Fargo  December 1975 (NLT)  House show [Note 1]  2  [Note 13] [1][2]
Championship history is unrecorded from December 1975 to March 1976.
 16  Dick Steinborn  March 1976 (NLT)  House show [Note 1]  1  [Note 14] [1][2]
Championship history is unrecorded from March 1976 to June 1976.
 17  Bill Dundee  June 1976 (NLT)  House show Seymour, Indiana  1  [Note 15] [1][2]
 18  Bob Armstrong  August 14, 1976  House show Chattanooga, Tennessee  1  [Note 16] [1][2]
 19  Big Bad John  September 1976  House show [Note 1]  1  [Note 17] [1][2]
 20  Bob Armstrong  September 25, 1976  House show Chattanooga, Tennessee  2  [Note 18] [1][2]
 21  Bill Dundee  October 1976  House show [Note 1]  2  [Note 19] [1][2]
 22  Tommy Rich  November 1976 (NLT)  House show [Note 1]  1  [Note 20] [1][2]
 23  Russian Stomper  January 1977  House show Madison, Indiana  1  [Note 21] [1][2]
 24  Ken Lucas  February 13, 1977  House show Chattanooga, Tennessee  1  61 [1][2]
 25  The Executioner  April 15, 1977  House show Huntsville, Alabama  1  43 [1][2]
 26  Jackie Fargo  May 28, 1977  House show Chattanooga, Tennessee  3  [Note 22] [1][2][4]
— Vacated  1977 — — — — Jackie Fargo was injured [1][2]
 27  Lanny Poffo  October 9, 1977  House show Chattanooga, Tennessee  1  62 Defeated Dennis Hall in a tournament final to win the vacant title. [1][2]
 28  Don Kent  December 10, 1977  House show Chattanooga, Tennessee  4  24 [1][2]
 29   Randy Savage  January 3, 1978  House show Birmingham, Alabama  1  82 [1][2]
 30  Dutch Mantel  March 26, 1978  House show Chattanooga, Tennessee  1  56 [1][2]
 31  Don Garfield  May 21, 1978  House show Chattanooga, Tennessee  1  7 Vacated after a match against Dutch Mantel [1][2]
 32  Dutch Mantel  May 28, 1978  House show Chattanooga, Tennessee  2  45 [1][2][4]
 33  Whipper Watson Jr.  July 12, 1978  House show Nashville, Tennessee  1  10 [1][2][5]
 34  Dutch Mantel  July 22, 1978  House show Chattanooga, Tennessee  3  21 [1][2]
 35  Blue Yankee  August 12, 1978  House show Chattanooga, Tennessee  1  [Note 23] [1][2]
— Vacated  September 1978 — — — — Vacated after a match against Dutch Mantel [1][2]
 36  Mexican Angel  September 20, 1978  House show Nashville, Tennessee  1  52 Won a 13-man tournament to win the vacant title. [1][2]
 37  Dutch Mantel  November 11, 1978  House show Nashville, Tennessee  4  0 [1][2]
 38  Randy Savage  November 11, 1978  House show Nashville, Tennessee  2  [Note 24] [1][2]
 39  Bobby Eaton  February 1979 (NLT)  House show [Note 1]  1  [Note 25] [1][2]
 40  Chris Colt  April 29, 1979  House show Nashville, Tennessee  1  24 [1][2]
 41  Ron Garfield  May 23, 1979  House show Nashville, Tennessee  1  10 [1][2]
 42  Dennis Condrey  June 2, 1979  House show Chattanooga, Tennessee  1  140 Defeated Gorgeous George Jr. [1][2][6]
 43  Dutch Mantel  October 20, 1979  House show Chattanooga, Tennessee  5  4 [1][2]
 44  Bobby Eaton  October 24, 1979  House show Nashville, Tennessee  2  32 [1][2]
 45  Chris Colt  November 25, 1979  House show Nashville, Tennessee  2  [Note 26] [1][2]
 46  Bobby Eaton  December 1979  House show Miami, Florida  3  [Note 27] [1][2]
 47  Gorgeous George Jr.  February 17, 1980  House show Chattanooga, Tennessee  1  [Note 28] [1][2]
 48  Bobby Eaton  February 1980  House show Madison, Indiana  4  [Note 29] [1][2]
 49  Tojo Yamamoto  February 1980  House show Versailles, Indiana  1  [Note 30] [1][2]
 50  Steve Travis  April 1980 (NLT)  House show Lexington, Kentucky  1  [Note 31] [1][2]
 51  Roger Mason  April 5, 1980  House show Chattanooga, Tennessee  1  35 [1][2]
 52  Rocky Johnson  May 10, 1980  House show Chattanooga, Tennessee  1  [Note 32] [1][2]
 53  The Great Togo  May 1980  House show Louisville, Kentucky  1  [Note 33] [1][2]
 54  Robert Gibson  June 25, 1980  House show Nashville, Tennessee  1  28 [1][2]
 55  Bobby Eaton  July 23, 1980  House show Nashville, Tennessee  5  [Note 34] [1][2]
— Vacated  October 1980 — — — — NWA Mid-America ceases to operate, Jerry Jarrett gains control of the championship [1][2]
Revived the title in Continental Wrestling Association
 56  Ron Bass  July 1981  House show Seymour, Indiana  1  [Note 35] Awarded the championship. [1][2]
 57  Steve Keirn  July 6, 1981  House show Memphis, Tennessee  1  49 [1][2]
 58  Bugsy McGraw  August 24, 1981  House show Memphis, Tennessee  1  14 [1][2]
 59  Steve Keirn  September 7, 1981  House show Memphis, Tennessee  2  14 [1][2]
 60  Dutch Mantel  September 21, 1981  House show Memphis, Tennessee  6  35 [1][2]
— Vacated  October 26, 1981 — — — — Vacated and inactive after Mantel won the AWA Southern Heavyweight Championship [1][2]
 61  The Dream Machine  April 19, 1982  House show Memphis, Tennessee  1  28 [1][2]
 62  Dutch Mantel  May 17, 1982  House show Memphis, Tennessee  7  7 [1][2]
 63  Bobby Eaton  May 24, 1982  House show Memphis, Tennessee  6  7 [1][2]
 64  King Cobra  May 31, 1982  House show Memphis, Tennessee  1  35 [1][2]
 65  Dutch Mantel  July 5, 1982  House show Memphis, Tennessee  8  7 [1][2]
 66  Bobby Eaton  July 12, 1982  House show Memphis, Tennessee  7  [Note 36] [1][2][5]
 67  Bill Dundee  July 1982  House show Indianapolis, Indiana  3  [Note 37] [1][2]
 68  Dutch Mantel  September 6, 1982  House show Memphis, Tennessee  9  70 [1][2]
 69  Jesse Barr  November 15, 1982  House show Memphis, Tennessee  1  7 [1][2]
 70  Dutch Mantel  November 22, 1982  House show Memphis, Tennessee  10  7 [1][2]
 71  Apocalypse  November 29, 1982  House show Memphis, Tennessee  1  6 [1][2]
 72  Jacques Rougeau  December 5, 1982  House show Memphis, Tennessee  1  22 [1][2]
 73  Sabu the Wildman  December 27, 1982  House show Memphis, Tennessee  1  6 [1][2]
 74  Jacques Rougeau  January 2, 1983  House show Memphis, Tennessee  2  8 [1][2]
 75  Bobby Eaton  January 10, 1983  House show Memphis, Tennessee  8  [Note 38] [1][2]
— Vacated  January 1983 — — — — Vacated for undocumented reasons [1][2]
 76  Bobby Eaton  February 14, 1983  House show Memphis, Tennessee  9  7 Defeated Sweet Brown Sugar in a tournament final to win the vacant title. [1][2][7]
 77  Sweet Brown Sugar  February 21, 1983  House show Tupelo, Mississippi  1  7 [1][2][8]
 78  Bobby Eaton  February 28, 1983  House show Memphis, Tennessee  10  7 This was a loser leaves town match. Sweet Brown Sugar would reappear as the masked Stagger Lee. [1][2][9]
 79  Stagger Lee  March 7, 1983  House show Memphis, Tennessee  2  119 [1][2][10]
 80  Frankie Laine  July 4, 1983  House show Memphis, Tennessee  1  14 [1][2]
 81  Dutch Mantel  July 18, 1983  House show Memphis, Tennessee  11  28 [1][2]
 82  Buddy Landel  August 15, 1983  House show Memphis, Tennessee  1  7 [1][2]
 83  Stagger Lee / Koko Ware  August 22, 1983  House show Memphis, Tennessee  3  19 Ware removed his mask before the match with Landel. [1][2]
 84  Buddy Landel  September 10, 1983  House show Memphis, Tennessee  2  82 [1][2]
 85  Terry Taylor  December 1, 1983  House show Lexington, Kentucky  1  25 [1][2]
 86  Randy Savage  December 26, 1983  House show Memphis, Tennessee  3  105 [1][2]
 87  Jerry Lawler  April 9, 1984  House show Lexington, Kentucky  1  224 The title may have been vacated since Lawler also held the AWA Southern Heavyweight Championship when he won the Mid-America title. [1][2]
 88  Korstia Korchenko  November 19, 1984  House show Memphis, Tennessee  1  [Note 39] Defeated Jacques Rougeau to win the championship [1][2]
 89  Mike Sharpe  December 17, 1984 (NLT)  House show [Note 1]  1  [Note 40] [1][2]
 90  Jimmy Valiant  February 11, 1985  House show Memphis, Tennessee  1  [Note 41] [1][2]
 91  Man Mountain Link  July 1985  House show [Note 1]  1  [Note 42] Awarded the championship. [1][2]
 92  Jerry Lawler  July 15, 1985  House show Memphis, Tennessee  2  14 [1][2]
— Vacated  July 29, 1985 — — — — Vacated when Lawler won the AWA Southern Heavyweight Championship [1][2]
 93  Koko Ware  August 12, 1985  House show Memphis, Tennessee  4  [Note 43] Defeated Bota the Witch Doctor in a tournament final to win the vacant title. [1][2]
 94  Bota the Witch Doctor  August 1985  House show Richmond, Indiana  1  [Note 44] [1][2]
 95  Koko Ware  September 1985  House show North Vernon, Indiana  5  [Note 45] [1][2]
 96  Harley Race  October 7, 1985  House show Memphis, Tennessee  3  [Note 46] [1][2]
 97  Tom Branch  November 1985  House show Kansas City, Missouri  1  [Note 47] [1][2]
 98  Koko Ware  November 16, 1985  House show Memphis, Tennessee  6  66 [1][2]
 99  Buddy Landel  January 21, 1986  House show Louisville, Kentucky  3  12 [1][2]
 100  Dirty Rhodes (Roger Smith)  February 2, 1986  House show Memphis, Tennessee  2  16 [1][2]
 101  Buddy Landel  February 18, 1986  House show Memphis, Tennessee  4  48 [1][2]
 102  Dutch Mantel  April 7, 1986  House show Memphis, Tennessee  12  42 [1][2]
 103  Rip Rogers  May 19, 1986  House show Memphis, Tennessee  1  28 [1][2]
 104  Dutch Mantel  June 16, 1986  House show Memphis, Tennessee  13  [Note 48] [1][2]
— Vacated  July 1986 — — — — Mantel left the CWA [1][2]
 105  Tracy Smothers  August 11, 1986  House show Memphis, Tennessee  1  57 [1][2]
 106  Boy Tony (Tony Falk)  October 7, 1986  House show Memphis, Tennessee  1  13 [1][2]
 107  Tracy Smothers  October 20, 1986  House show Memphis, Tennessee  2  7 [1][2]
 108  Big Bubba  October 27, 1986  House show Memphis, Tennessee  1  [Note 49] Also held CWA/AWA International Heavyweight Championship. [1][2]
— Vacated  November 1988 — — — — Championship vacated for undocumented reasons [1][2]
 109  The Great Kabuki  November 1986  House show Jackson, Tennessee  1  [Note 50] Defeated Paul Diamond in a tournament final. [1][2]
— Vacated  1986 — — — — The Great Kabuki left the CWA [1][2]
 110  Moondog Spot  May 1987   [Note 1]  1  [Note 51] Billed as champion on arrival. [1][2]
 111  Jeff Jarrett  May 11, 1987  House show Memphis, Tennessee  1  14 [1][2][11]
 112  Moondog Spot  May 25, 1987  House show Memphis, Tennessee  2  7 Won the title by disqualification. [1][2]
 113  Jeff Jarrett  June 1, 1987  House show Memphis, Tennessee  2  7 [1][2][12]
 114  Moondog Spot  June 8, 1987  House show Memphis, Tennessee  3  14 [1][2]
 115  Jeff Jarrett  June 22, 1987  House show Memphis, Tennessee  3  77 [1][2]
 116  Carl Fergie  September 7, 1987  House show Memphis, Tennessee  1  7 [1][2]
 117  Jeff Jarrett  September 14, 1987  House show Memphis, Tennessee  4  49 [1][2]
 118  Jimmy Jack Funk  November 2, 1987  House show Memphis, Tennessee  2  7 Previous held the championship under the name Jesse Barr [1][2]
 119  Jeff Jarrett  November 9, 1987  House show Memphis, Tennessee  5  28 [1][2]
 120  Jerry Lawler  December 7, 1987  House show Memphis, Tennessee  3  343 [1][2]
— Deactivated  November 14, 1988 — — — — Championship merged with the AWA International Heavyweight Championship and the AWA Southern Heavyweight Championship to form the CWA Heavyweight Championship. [1][2]

Footnotes
  1. The location of the match was not found documented.
  2. The length of this championship reign is too uncertain to calculate.
  3. The date for the start or the end of the reign is uncertain, which means that this championship reign lasted between 1 and 357 days.
  4. The date for the start or the end of the reign is uncertain, which means that this championship reign lasted at least 65 days.
  5. The date for the start or the end of the reign is uncertain, which means that this championship reign lasted between 1 and 26 days.
  6. The date for the start or the end of the reign is uncertain, which means that this championship reign lasted between 1 and 26 days.
  7. The date for the start or the end of the reign is uncertain, which means that this championship reign lasted between and 84 days.
  8. The date for the start or the end of the reign is uncertain, which means that this championship reign lasted between 7 and 36 days.
  9. The date for the start or the end of the reign is uncertain, which means that this championship reign lasted between 1 and 146 days.
  10. The date for the start or the end of the reign is uncertain, which means that this championship reign lasted between 1 and 145 days.
  11. The date for the start or the end of the reign is uncertain, which means that this championship reign lasted between 1 and 124 days.
  12. The date for the start or the end of the reign is uncertain, which means that this championship reign lasted between 1 and 113 days.
  13. The date for the start or the end of the reign is uncertain, which means that this championship reign lasted between 61 and 202 days.
  14. The date for the start or the end of the reign is uncertain, which means that this championship reign lasted between 62 and 212 days.
  15. The date for the start or the end of the reign is uncertain, which means that this championship reign lasted between 45 and 165 days.
  16. The date for the start or the end of the reign is uncertain, which means that this championship reign lasted between 18 and 41 days.
  17. The date for the start or the end of the reign is uncertain, which means that this championship reign lasted between 1 and 25 days.
  18. The date for the start or the end of the reign is uncertain, which means that this championship reign lasted between 6 and 36 days.
  19. The date for the start or the end of the reign is uncertain, which means that this championship reign lasted between 1 and 31 days.
  20. The date for the start or the end of the reign is uncertain, which means that this championship reign lasted between 32 and 122 days.
  21. The date for the start or the end of the reign is uncertain, which means that this championship reign lasted between 13 and 43 days.
  22. The date for the start or the end of the reign is uncertain, which means that this championship reign lasted between 1 and 196 days.
  23. The date for the start or the end of the reign is uncertain, which means that this championship reign lasted between 20 and 38 days.
  24. The date for the start or the end of the reign is uncertain, which means that this championship reign lasted between 1 and 109 days.
  25. The date for the start or the end of the reign is uncertain, which means that this championship reign lasted between 60 and 87 days.
  26. The date for the start or the end of the reign is uncertain, which means that this championship reign lasted between 6 and 36 days.
  27. The date for the start or the end of the reign is uncertain, which means that this championship reign lasted between 48 and 78 days.
  28. The date for the start or the end of the reign is uncertain, which means that this championship reign lasted between 1 and 16 days.
  29. The date for the start or the end of the reign is uncertain, which means that this championship reign lasted between 1 and 11 days.
  30. The date for the start or the end of the reign is uncertain, which means that this championship reign lasted between 33 and 46 days.
  31. The date for the start or the end of the reign is uncertain, which means that this championship reign lasted between 1 and 46 days.
  32. The date for the start or the end of the reign is uncertain, which means that this championship reign lasted between 1 and 21 days.
  33. The date for the start or the end of the reign is uncertain, which means that this championship reign lasted between 25 and 45 days.
  34. The date for the start or the end of the reign is uncertain, which means that this championship reign lasted between 70 and 100 days.
  35. The date for the start or the end of the reign is uncertain, which means that this championship reign lasted between 1 and 6 days.
  36. The date for the start or the end of the reign is uncertain, which means that this championship reign lasted between 1 and 18 days.
  37. The date for the start or the end of the reign is uncertain, which means that this championship reign lasted between 37 and 55 days.
  38. The date for the start or the end of the reign is uncertain, which means that this championship reign lasted between 1 and 21 days.
  39. The date for the start or the end of the reign is uncertain, which means that this championship reign lasted between 1 and 28 days.
  40. The date for the start or the end of the reign is uncertain, which means that this championship reign lasted between 56 and 83 days.
  41. The date for the start or the end of the reign is uncertain, which means that this championship reign lasted between 140 and 154 days.
  42. The date for the start or the end of the reign is uncertain, which means that this championship reign lasted between 1 and 15 days.
  43. The date for the start or the end of the reign is uncertain, which means that this championship reign lasted between 1 and 18 days.
  44. The date for the start or the end of the reign is uncertain, which means that this championship reign lasted between 1 and 49 days.
  45. The date for the start or the end of the reign is uncertain, which means that this championship reign lasted between 7 and 36 days.
  46. The date for the start or the end of the reign is uncertain, which means that this championship reign lasted between 25 and 54 days.
  47. The date for the start or the end of the reign is uncertain, which means that this championship reign lasted between 1 and 16 days.
  48. The date for the start or the end of the reign is uncertain, which means that this championship reign lasted between 15 and 45 days.
  49. The date for the start or the end of the reign is uncertain, which means that this championship reign lasted between 5 and 34 days.
  50. The date for the start or the end of the reign is uncertain, which means that this championship reign lasted between 1 and 60 days.
  51. The date for the start or the end of the reign is uncertain, which means that this championship reign lasted between 1 and 11 days.

See also

References
  1. Will, Gary; Duncan, Royal (2000). "Tennessee: NWA Mid-American Heavyweight Title [Gulas & Lawler]". Wrestling Title Histories: professional wrestling champions around the world from the 19th century to the present. Pennsylvania: Archeus Communications. p. 194. ISBN 0-9698161-5-4.
  2. "NWA Mid-America Heavyweight Title". Wrestling-Titles. Retrieved March 30, 2017.
  3. F4W Staff (May 7, 2015). "On this day in pro wrestling history (May 7): Jeff Jarrett ends David Arquette's WCW title reign, Nick Bockwinkel Vs. Ray Stevens". Wrestling Observer Figure Four Online. Retrieved February 10, 2017.
  4. F4W Staff (May 28, 2015). "On this day in pro wrestling history (May 28): Hulk Hogan Vs. Nick Bockwinkel, Bruno Vs. Superstar Graham double DQ DQ". Wrestling Observer Figure Four Online. Retrieved February 10, 2017.
  5. Hoops, Brian (July 12, 2015). "On this day in pro wrestling history (July 12): Gagne, Bruiser and Crusher, Ladd wins Americas title, 1992 Bash with Sting vs. Vader". Wrestling Observer Figure Four Online. Retrieved February 11, 2017.
  6. Hoops, Brian (June 2, 2015). "On this day in pro wrestling history (June 2): Hogan beats Inoki to win 1st IWGP tourney, HTM's Intercontinental title reign begins". Wrestling Observer Figure Four Online. Retrieved February 11, 2017.
  7. 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.
  8. Hoops, Brian (February 21, 2017). "Daily pro wrestling history (02/21): WCW SuperBrawl 1993". Wrestling Observer Figure Four Online. Retrieved February 27, 2017.
  9. Hoops, Brian (February 28, 2017). "Daily pro wrestling history (02/28): Andersen and Hansen win NWA Tag Titles". Wrestling Observer Figure Four Online. Retrieved February 28, 2017.
  10. Hoops, Brian (March 7, 2020). "Daily Pro Wrestling history (03/07): Bruno Sammartino vs. Giant Baba". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Retrieved March 8, 2020.
  11. Hoops, Brian (May 11, 2015). "On this day in pro wrestling history (May 11): Von Erichs vs. Verne & Don Leo Jonathan, Shane Douglas vs 2 Cold Scorpio". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Retrieved March 21, 2020.
  12. Hoops, Brian (June 1, 2015). "On this day in pro wrestling history (June 1): Rogers beats Gomez, Gordman and Goliath, Baba loses PWF Title, Flair Vs. KVE, Lawler Vs. Son, Undertaker Vs. Edge". Wrestling Observer Figure Four Online. Retrieved February 11, 2017.
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