AWA Southern Heavyweight Championship

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The AWA Southern Heavyweight Championship was a major pro wrestling title in the Tennessee area during the 1970's and 1980's. It was originally named the NWA Southern Heavyweight Championship (Memphis version) from 1974 until 1978, when it was renamed the AWA Southern Heavyweight Championship due to a partnership with the American Wrestling Association. It was also called the Mid-Southern Heavyweight Title in Pro Wrestling Illustrated and its sister publications, in order for this title to not be confused with NWA Southern Heavyweight Championship (Florida version). The title was revived in the United States Wrestling Association from 1989 until 1997 when the USWA closed. It was known as the USWA Southern Heavyweight Championship and later simply the USWA Heavyweight Championship during that time. It was revived in Memphis Championship Wrestling as the MCW Southern Heavyweight Championship in 2000-01. It was later revived in 2004 in Memphis Wrestling.

Contents

Silver areas in the history indicate periods of unknown lineage.

Wrestler: Times: Date: Location: Notes:
NWA Southern Heavyweight Championship (Memphis version) / Mid-Southern Heavyweight Championship
Jerry Lawler 1 July 27, 1974 Chattanooga, Tennessee Defeated Tommy Gilbert for the NWA Southern Junior Heavyweight Championship. The title was renamed the NWA Southern Heavyweight Championship (Memphis version) soon after.
Robert Fuller 1 October 23, 1974 Nashville, Tennessee
Jerry Lawler 2 October 30, 1974 Nashville, Tennessee
Ron Fuller 1 January 1975
Mongolian Stomper 1 June 1975
Title vacated August 1975 Title held up after a match against Bob Armstrong.
Bob Armstrong 1 October 7, 1975 Louisville, Kentucky Defeated Mongolian Stomper in a rematch to win the held up title.
Jerry Lawler 3 October 1975 Huntsville, Alabama
Bob Armstrong 2 November 1975
Title vacated November 1975
Jerry Lawler 4 December 15, 1975 Memphis, Tennessee Defeated Ron Fuller in a tournament final to win the vacant title.
Jerry Lawler 5 1975
Tommy Rich 1 February 22, 1976 Memphis, Tennessee
Gorgeous George, Jr. 1 July 1976
Jerry Lawler 6 July 1976
Jack Brisco 1 August 10, 1976 Memphis, Tennessee
Jerry Lawler 7 1976
Tommy Rich 2 1976
Gorgeous George, Jr. 2 1976
Rocky Johnson 1 December 1976
Jerry Lawler 8 April 1977
Bob Armstrong 3 April 28, 1977 Knoxville, Tennessee
Jerry Lawler 9 1977
Paul Orndorff 1 June 7, 1977
Jerry Lawler 10 1977
Bill Dundee 1 1977
Title vacated 1977
Jimmy Valiant 1 September 25, 1977 Louisville, Kentucky Won a tournament to win the vacant title. Lou Thesz is recognized as NWA Southern Heavyweight Champion in Nashville, but when Thesz competes for Jerry Jarrett's Memphis promotion, the title is abandoned.
Jerry Lawler 11 October 1977
Mr. Wrestling 1 November 1977
Jerry Lawler 12 November 21, 1977 Memphis, Tennessee
Jimmy Valiant 2 November 28, 1977 Memphis, Tennessee
Jerry Lawler 13 December 5, 1977 Memphis, Tennessee Title renamed AWA Southern Heavyweight Championship upon partnership with the American Wrestling Association.
AWA Southern Heavyweight Championship
Jos LeDuc 1 August 7, 1978 Memphis, Tennessee
Don Fargo 1 November 1978
Tommy Gilbert 1 November 20, 1978 Memphis, Tennessee
Don Fargo 2 December 1978
Jerry Lawler 14 December 4, 1978 Memphis, Tennessee
Austin Idol 1 December 25, 1978 Memphis, Tennessee
Ron Fuller 2 January 15, 1979 Memphis, Tennessee
Toru Tanaka 1 February 12, 1979 Memphis, Tennessee
Robert Fuller 2 March 19, 1979 Memphis, Tennessee
Toru Tanaka 2 March 1979 The title was returned to Tanaka.
Mongolian Stomper 2 April 23, 1979 Memphis, Tennessee
Robert Fuller 3 June 4, 1979 Memphis, Tennessee
Ron Bass 1 June 1979 Bluefield, West Virginia
Randy Taylor 1 June 1979
Ron Bass 2 July 2, 1979 Memphis, Tennessee
Bill Dundee 2 August 27, 1979 Memphis, Tennessee
Title vacated 1979 Title held up after a match against Ron Bass.
Bill Dundee 3 September 17, 1979 Memphis, Tennessee Defeated Bass in a rematch to win the held up title.
Jerry Lawler 15 October 15, 1979 Memphis, Tennessee
Jimmy Valiant 3 January 3, 1980 Jackson, Tennessee
Paul Ellering 1 April 7, 1980 Memphis, Tennessee
Bill Dundee 4 July 29, 1980 Louisville, Kentucky
Title vacated August 4, 1980 Memphis, Tennessee Title vacated when Dundee won the Continental Wrestling Association World Heavyweight Championship.
Bill Irwin 1 August 11, 1980 Memphis, Tennessee
Title vacated August 18, 1980 Memphis, Tennessee Title held up after a match against Jimmy Valiant.
Jimmy Valiant 4 August 25, 1980 Memphis, Tennessee Defeated Irwin in a rematch to win the held up title.
Tommy Rich 3 September 1, 1980 Memphis, Tennessee
Title vacated January 1981
Jimmy Valiant 5 January 17, 1981 Memphis, Tennessee Defeated Hector Guerrero in a tourmament final to win the vacant title.
Jerry Lawler 16 February 15, 1981 Memphis, Tennessee
Jimmy Hart 1 June 22, 1981 Memphis, Tennessee
Chick Donovan 1 1981 Hart lay down and let Donovan win the title.
Title vacated 1981
Jerry Lawler 17 1981 Records unclear as to who Lawler defeated to win the vacant title.
Sabu the Wildman (Coco Samoa) 1 1981
Terry Taylor 1 1981
Title vacated 1981
Steve Keirn 1 July 20, 1981 Memphis, Tennessee Defeated Bugsy McGraw in a tournament final to win the vacant title.
The Dream Machine 1 August 16, 1981 Jackson, Tennessee
Jerry Lawler 18 August 24, 1981 Memphis, Tennessee
The Dream Machine 2 September 7, 1981 Memphis, Tennessee
Jimmy Valiant 6 September 14, 1981 Memphis, Tennessee
The Dream Machine 3 October 1981
Dutch Mantel 1 October 26, 1981 Memphis, Tennessee
Jerry Lawler 19 January 18, 1982 Memphis, Tennessee
Dutch Mantel 2 February 14, 1982 Memphis, Tennessee
Jerry Lawler 20 March 1, 1982 Memphis, Tennessee
Dutch Mantel 3 March 22, 1982 Memphis, Tennessee
Jerry Lawler 21 April 1, 1982 Lexington, Kentucky
Kendo Nagasaki 1 1982
Jerry Lawler 22 1982
Kamala 1 June 7, 1982 Memphis, Tennessee
Jerry Lawler 23 August 9, 1982 Memphis, Tennessee
Nick Bockwinkel 1 October 11, 1982 Memphis, Tennessee
Jerry Lawler 24 November 8, 1982 Memphis, Tennessee
Jerry Roberts (Jacques Rougeau) 1 November 1982
Terry Taylor 2 November 29, 1982 Memphis, Tennessee
Jerry Roberts 2 January 20, 1983 Memphis, Tennessee
Terry Taylor 3 February 14, 1983 Memphis, Tennessee
Bill Dundee 5 March 21, 1983 Memphis, Tennessee
Dutch Mantel 4 April 1983
Bill Dundee 6 April 1983
Dutch Mantel 5 May 30, 1983 Memphis, Tennessee
Bill Dundee 7 May 30, 1983 Memphis, Tennessee
Jerry Lawler 25 June 6, 1983 Memphis, Tennessee
Man Mountain Link 1 June 20, 1983 Memphis, Tennessee
Jerry Lawler 26 July 4, 1983 Memphis, Tennessee
Title vacated September 1983 Lawler was stripped of the title for failing to defend within 30 days.
Jerry Lawler 27 September 10, 1983 Memphis, Tennessee Defeated Bill Dundee in a tournament final to win the vacant title.
Jesse Ventura 1 September 1983
Jerry Lawler 28 October 3, 1983 Memphis, Tennessee
Jesse Ventura 2 October 17, 1983 Memphis, Tennessee
Jerry Lawler 29 November 1983 Chicago, Illinois
Humongous 1 April 30, 1984 Memphis, Tennessee
Jerry Lawler 30 May 21, 1984 Memphis, Tennessee
Rick Rude 1 June 11, 1984 Memphis, Tennessee
Tommy Rich 4 July 16, 1984 Louisville, Kentucky
King Kong Bundy 1 July 30, 1984 Memphis, Tennessee Eddie Gilbert was the special referee.
Jerry Lawler 31 November 12, 1984 Memphis, Tennessee
Eddie Gilbert 1 January 27, 1985 Memphis, Tennessee
Jerry Lawler 32 February 12, 1985 Memphis, Tennessee
Randy Savage 1 March 17, 1985 Memphis, Tennessee
Jerry Oske 1 May 7, 1985 Louisville, Kentucky
Randy Savage 2 May 13, 1985 Memphis, Tennessee
Jerry Lawler 33 June 3, 1985 Memphis, Tennessee
Bota the Witch Doctor 1 June 24, 1985 Memphis, Tennessee
Jerry Lawler 34 July 29, 1985 Memphis, Tennessee
Tarras Bulba 1 July 29, 1985 Selmer, Tennessee
Jerry Lawler 35 September 6, 1985 Martin, Tennessee
Bill Dundee 8 October 19, 1985 Memphis, Tennessee
Jerry Lawler 36 December 21, 1985 Memphis, Tennessee
Bill Dundee 9 December 30, 1985 Memphis, Tennessee
Jerry Lawler 37 April 8, 1986 Memphis, Tennessee
Bill Dundee 10 May 2, 1986 Memphis, Tennessee
Buddy Landel 1 June 2, 1986 Memphis, Tennessee
Title vacated June 1986
Buddy Landell 2 June 16, 1986 Memphis, Tennessee Defeated The Flame in a tournament final to win the vacant title.
Title vacated June 1986 Title vacated when Landel left the area.
Bam Bam Bigelow 1 July 28, 1986 Memphis, Tennessee Won a battle royal to win the vacant title.
Jerry Lawler 38 September 8, 1986 Memphis, Tennessee
Title vacated January 11, 1987 Title vacated when Lawler is injured.
Austin Idol 2 February 3, 1987 Memphis, Tennessee Defeated S.T. Jones in a tournament final to win the vacant title.
Jerry Lawler 39 April 20, 1987 Memphis, Tennessee
Austin Idol 3 April 27, 1987 Memphis, Tennessee
Jerry Lawler 40 June 8, 1987 Memphis, Tennessee
Brickhouse Brown 1 July 6, 1987 Memphis, Tennessee
Jerry Lawler 41 July 13, 1987 Memphis, Tennessee
Title vacated August 3, 1987 Memphis, Tennessee Title held up after a match against Don Bass.
Don Bass 1 August 3, 1987 Memphis, Tennessee Pinned Lawler in a tag team match where the title was on the line.
Jerry Lawler 42 August 31, 1987 Memphis, Tennessee
Title vacated October 1987 Lawler vacated the title to concentrate on the AWA World Tag Team Championship.
Bobby Jaggers 1 October 19, 1987 Memphis, Tennessee Defeated Billy Travis in a tournament final to win the vacant title.
Jerry Lawler 43 November 21, 1987 Memphis, Tennessee
Title retired December 7, 1987 Memphis, Tennessee Title unified with CWA Heavyweight Championship.

Wrestler: Times: Date: Location: Notes:
USWA Southern Heavyweight Championship
Dick Slater 1 September 1, 1990 Slater was awarded the title.
Jeff Jarrett 1 October 6, 1990 Nashville, Tennessee
Eddie Gilbert 1 October 29, 1990 Memphis, Tennessee
Title vacated December 1990 Title vacated when Gilbert left the area.
Jeff Jarrett 2 January 14, 1991 Memphis, Tennessee Defeated Brian Lee in a tournament final to win the vacant title.
Title vacated February 25, 1991 Title held up after a match against Steve Austin.
Jeff Jarrett 3 March 1991 Defeated Austin in a rematch to win the held up title.
Tom Prichard 1 March 15, 1991 Dallas, Texas
Title vacated March 29, 1991 Title held up after a match against Jeff Jarrett.
Jeff Jarrett 4 April 5, 1991 Dallas, Texas Defeated Prichard in a rematch to win the held up title.
Title vacated April 8, 1991 Dallas, Texas Title held up due to finish of rematch.
Jeff Jarrett 5 April 12, 1991 Dallas, Texas Defeated Prichard in a second rematch to win the held up title.
Eric Embry 1 May 3, 1991 Dallas, Texas
Bill Dundee 4 May 13, 1991 Memphis, Tennessee
Eric Embry 2 May 20, 1991 Memphis, Tennessee
Tom Prichard 2 November 4, 1991 Memphis, Tennessee
Eric Embry 3 November 9, 1991 Memphis, Tennessee
Tom Prichard 3 December 2, 1991 Memphis, Tennessee
Eric Embry 4 December 9, 1991 Memphis, Tennessee
Tom Prichard 4 February 8, 1992 Memphis, Tennessee
Steve Williams 1 March 10, 1992 Louisville, Kentucky
Jimmy Valiant 1 March 16, 1992 Memphis, Tennessee
Brian Christopher 1 March 23, 1992 Memphis, Tennessee
Title vacated April 20, 1992 Title held up after a match against Tom Prichard.
Brian Christopher 2 April 27, 1992 Memphis, Tennessee Defeated Prichard in a rematch to win the held up title.
Title vacated April 27, 1992 Title held up due to finish of rematch.
Brian Christopher 3 May 4, 1992 Memphis, Tennessee Defeated Prichard in a second rematch to win the held up title.
Title vacated June 22, 1992 Title held up after a match against Tom Prichard.
Tom Prichard 5 June 29, 1992 Memphis, Tennessee Defeated Christopher in a rematch to win the held up title.
Brian Christopher 4 July 20, 1992 Memphis, Tennessee
Tom Prichard 6 July 27, 1992 Memphis, Tennessee
Brian Christopher 5 August 3, 1992 Memphis, Tennessee
Reno Riggins 1 August 10, 1992 Memphis, Tennessee
Title vacated September 14, 1992 Memphis, Tennessee Title held up after a match against Brian Christopher.
Brian Christopher 6 September 21, 1992 Memphis, Tennessee Defeated Riggins in a rematch to win the held up title.
Jeff Jarrett 6 December 21, 1992 Memphis, Tennessee
Brian Christopher 7 January 11, 1993 Memphis, Tennessee
Jeff Jarrett 7 March 1, 1993 Memphis, Tennessee
Brian Christopher 8 May 1, 1993 Memphis, Tennessee
Jeff Jarrett 8 June 28, 1993 Memphis, Tennessee
Vampire Warrior 1 July 18, 1993 Memphis, Tennessee
Jeff Jarrett 9 August 23, 1993 Memphis, Tennessee Title renamed USWA Heavyweight Championship in September 1993.
USWA Heavyweight Championship
Tommy Rich 1 September 13, 1993 Memphis, Tennessee
Title vacated September 25, 1993 Memphis, Tennessee Title held up after a match against Jeff Jarrett in which the referee raised Rich's hand in victory when Jarrett had actually won.
Jeff Jarrett 10 October 4, 1993 Memphis, Tennessee Defeated Rich in a rematch to win the held up title.
Buddy Landel 1 November 22, 1993 Memphis, Tennessee
Brian Christopher 9 December 5, 1993 Memphis, Tennessee
Doug Gilbert 1 February 7, 1994 Memphis, Tennessee
Brian Christopher 10 February 14, 1994 Memphis, Tennessee
Doug Gilbert 2 February 21, 1994 Memphis, Tennessee
Brian Christopher 11 February 28, 1994 Memphis, Tennessee
Eddie Gilbert 2 March 14, 1994 Memphis, Tennessee
Brian Christopher 12 March 19, 1994 Memphis, Tennessee Won the title by countout.
Doug Gilbert 3 May 2, 1994 Memphis, Tennessee
Brian Christopher 13 May 9, 1994 Memphis, Tennessee
The Dream Machine 1 June 6, 1994 Memphis, Tennessee
Brian Christopher 14 July 11, 1994 Memphis, Tennessee
Doug Gilbert 4 August 1, 1994 Memphis, Tennessee
Title vacated September 24, 1994 Gilbert was stripped of the title for not defending in 45 days.
Tommy Rich 2 October 3, 1994 Memphis, Tennessee Defeated Buddy Landel in a tournament final to win the vacant title.
Brian Christopher 15 December 5, 1994 Memphis, Tennessee
Tommy Rich 3 December 19, 1994 Memphis, Tennessee
Brian Christopher 16 December 31, 1994 Memphis, Tennessee
Brian Lee 1 April 3, 1995 Memphis, Tennessee
Title vacated April 10, 1995 Memphis, Tennessee Title held up after match against Brian Christopher
Brian Lee 2 April 17, 1995 Memphis, Tennessee Defeated Lee in a rematch to win the held up title.
Doug Gilbert 5 May 13, 1995 Memphis, Tennessee
Brian Christopher 17 May 29, 1995 Memphis, Tennessee
Billy Jack Haynes 1 June 26, 1995 Memphis, Tennessee
Brad Armstrong 1 August 4, 1995 Knoxville, Tennessee
Billy Jack Haynes 2 August 7, 1995 Memphis, Tennessee
Brian Christopher 18 September 11, 1995 Memphis, Tennessee
Jesse James Armstrong 1 October 7, 1995 Memphis, Tennessee
Brian Christopher 19 October 23, 1995 Memphis, Tennessee
Title vacated November 13, 1995 Memphis, Tennessee Title held up after a match against Tex Slazenger.
Tex Slazenger 1 November 22, 1995 Memphis, Tennessee Defeated Christopher in a rematch to win the held up title.
Brian Christopher 20 November 27, 1995 Memphis, Tennessee
Tex Slazenger 2 December 2, 1995 Memphis, Tennessee The title was returned to Slazenger by acting USWA Commissioner Bob Armstrong due to controversial finish in the November 27 match.
Jerry Lawler 1 January 10, 1996 Memphis, Tennessee
Tommy Rich 4 January 13, 1996 Memphis, Tennessee
Brian Christopher 21 February 14, 1996 Memphis, Tennessee
Mabel 1 March 16, 1996 Memphis, Tennessee
Jerry Lawler 2 May 20, 1996 Memphis, Tennessee
Brian Christopher 22 June 1, 1996 Memphis, Tennessee
Ric Hogan 1 October 28, 1996 Memphis, Tennessee
Brian Christopher 23 November 18, 1996 Memphis, Tennessee
Wolfie D 1 December 14, 1996 Memphis, Tennessee
Brian Christopher 24 January 2, 1997 Memphis, Tennessee
Elijah 1 February 9, 1997 Memphis, Tennessee
Brian Christopher 25 March 29, 1997 Memphis, Tennessee
Billy Travis 1 June 14, 1997 Memphis, Tennessee
Spellbinder 2 July 12, 1997 Memphis, Tennessee
Doomsday 1 July 13, 1997 Memphis, Tennessee
Steven Dunn 1 September 6, 1997 Memphis, Tennessee
Title retired November 1997 Title is retired when the USWA closed.

Wrestler: Times: Date: Location: Notes:
MCW Southern Heavyweight Championship
Jerry Lawler 1 March 25, 2000 Tunica, Mississippi Defeated Bull Pain in a tournament final to win the title, revived by Memphis Championship Wrestling.
Title vacated 2000
K-Krush 1 April 12, 2000 Robinsonville, Mississippi
Masked Man #1 (Jerry Lawler) 2 May 24, 2000 Tunica, Mississippi
Lord Steven Regal 1 June 21, 2000 Memphis, Tennessee
Joey Abs 1 August 19, 2000 Memphis, Tennessee
K-Krush 2 August 19, 2000 Memphis, Tennessee
Steve Bradley 1 November 3, 2000 Manila, Arkansas
Joey Abs 2 June 16, 2001 Jackson, Tennessee
Steve Bradley 2 July 7, 2001 Manila, Arkansas
Seven 1 July 7, 2001 Manila, Arkansas
Kryptonite 1 November 17, 2001 Dyersburg, Tennessee
Title retired December 2001 Title retired when MCW closed.

Wrestler: Times: Date: Location: Notes:
Memphis Wrestling Southern Heavyweight Championship
Mabel 1 March 6, 2004 Memphis, Tennessee Defeated Bill Dundee in a tournament final to win the title, revived by Memphis Wrestling.
Mordecai 1 March 2005 Memphis, Tennessee

Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org../../../a/w/a/AWA_Southern_Heavyweight_Championship_ce4d.html"
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