European and American Heavyweight Titles leading up to Unification
Champion Won From Title Date
William Muldoon Thiebaud Bauer AGRH January 19, 1880
Joe Acton Tom Cannon CCCH December 9, 1881
Evan “Strangler” Lewis Joe Acton CCCH March 14, 1887
Earnest Roeber1 Apollo AGRH January 1892
Evan “Strangler” Lewis Earnest Roeber unite CCCHAGRH March 2, 1893
Tom Cannon Tom McInerney EGRH August 22, 1894
Carl Abs Tom Cannon EGRH September 5, 1894
Earnest Roeber2 Awarded EGRH September 26,1894
Martin Burns Evan Lewis UAH(CCCHAGRH) April 20, 1895
Dan McLeod Martin Burns UAH October 26, 1897
Beck Olsen Earnest Roeber EGRH March 28, 1900
Earnest Roeber Beck Olsen EGRH September 12,1900
Tom Cannon Antonio Pierre EGRH May 3, 1901
Tom Jenkins Dan McLeod UAH January 11, 1902
George Hackenschmidt Tom Cannon EGRH September 4, 1902
Dan McLeod Tom Jenkins UAH December 25, 1902
Tom Jenkins Dan McLeod UAH April 3, 1903
World Champion Won From Title Date
George Hackenschmidt Tom Jenkins World May 5, 1904
Frank Gotch George Hackenschmidt World April 3, 1908
Charlie Cutler3 Awarded World February 1915
Joe Stecher Charlie Cutler World July 4, 1915
Earl Caddock Joe Stecher World April 9, 1917
Joe Stecher Earl Caddock World January 30, 1920
Ed “Strangler” Lewis Joe Stecher World December 13, 1920
Stanislaus Zbyszko Ed “Strangler” Lewis World May 6, 1921
Ed “Strangler” Lewis Stanislaus Zbyszko World March 3, 1922
Wayne Munn Ed “Strangler” Lewis World January 8, 1925
Stanislaus Zbyszko Wayne Munn World April 15, 1925
Joe Stecher Stanislaus Zbyszko World May 30, 1925
Hans Steinke4 Awarded NYSAC February 1928
Ed “Strangler” Lewis Joe Stecher World/AWA February 20, 1928
Gus Sonnenberg Ed Lewis World/AWA January 4,1929
Dick Shikat5 Jim Londos NYSAC/NWA August 23, 1929
Jim Londos Dick Shikat NYSAC/NWA(splits) June 6, 1930
Ed Don George Gus Sonnenberg World/AWA December 10, 1930
Ed “Strangler” Lewis Ed Don George World/AWA April 13, 1931
Henry DeGlane Ed “Stranger” Lewis AWA May 4, 1931
Ed “Strangler” Lewis6 Dick Shikat NYSAC June 9, 1932
Ed “Strangler” Lewis Awarded NWA October 10, 1932
Ed Don George Henry DeGlane AWA February 9, 1933
Jim Browning Ed Lewis NWA/NYSAC merger February 20, 1933
Jim Londos Jim Browning NWA June 25, 1934
Danno O’Mahony Jim Londos NWA June 27, 1935
Danno O’Mahony Ed Don George AWA(merges) June 30, 1935
Danno O’Mahony Ed Lewis World(merges) July 30, 1935
Dick Shikat Danno O’Mahony NWA/World March 2, 1936
Ali Baba Dick Shikat NWA April 24, 1936
Dave Levin Ali Baba World June 12, 1936
Everett Marshall Ali Baba NWA June 26, 1936
Yvon Robert Danno O’Mahony AWA July 13, 1936
Dean Detton Dave Levin World September 28,1936
Bronko Nagurski Dean Detton World June 16, 1937
Lou Thesz Everett Marshall NWA/AWA December 29, 1937
Steve Crusher Casey Lou Thesz NWA/AWA February 11, 1938
Everett Marshall7 Awarded NWA September 1938
Jim Londos Bronko Nagurski World November 13, 1938
Lou Thesz Everett Marshal NWA February 23, 1939
Marv Westenberg Steve Casey AWA March 2, 1939
Gus Sonnenberg Marv Westenberg AWA March 16, 1939
Steve Casey Gus Sonnenberg AWA March 29, 1939
Ed Don George Steve Casey AWA April 18, 1939
Bronko Nagurski Lou Thesz NWA June 23, 1939
Steve Casey Ed Don George AWA November 3, 1939
Bobby Bruns Orville Brown MWA January 19, 1940
Ray Steele Bronko Nagurski NWA March 7, 1940
French Angel Steve Casey AWA May 13, 1940
Orville Brown Bobby Bruns MWA June 13, 1940
Bronko Nagurski Ray Steele NWA March 11, 1941
Lee Wyckoff Orville Brown MWA April 17, 1941
Sandor Szabo Bronko Nagurski NWA June 5, 1941
Orville Brown Lee Wyckoff MWA October 16, 1941
Bill Longson Sandor Szabo NWA February 19, 1942
Tom Zaharias Orville Brown MWA March 5, 1942
Steve Casey French Angel AWA May 14, 1942
Orville Brown Tom Zaharias MWA June 25, 1942
French Angel Steve Casey AWA August 1, 1942
Steve Casey French Angel AWA August 15, 1942
Sandor Szabo8 Awarded AWA October, 1942
Yvon Robert Bill Longson NWA October 7, 1942
Ed “Strangler” Lewis Orville Brown MWA November 26, 1942
Bobby Mannagoff Yvon Robert NWA November 27, 1942
Lee Wyckoff Ed Lewis MWA January 14, 1943
Orville Brown Lee Wyckoff MWA February 18, 1943
Bill Longson Bobby Mannagoff NWA February 19, 1943
Lee Wyckoff Orville Brown MWA May 1943
Orville Brown Lee Wyckoff MWA June 17, 1943
Swedish Angel Orville Brown MWA December 3, 1943
Orville Brown Swedish Angel MWA December 9, 1943
Dave Levin Orville Brown MWA May 4, 1944
Lee Wyckoff Dave Levin MWA June29, 1944
Orville Brown Lee Wyckoff MWA October 16, 1944
Steve Casey Sandor Szabo AWA April 4, 1945
Sandor Szabo Steve Casey AWA April 25, 1945
Frank Sexton Sandor Szabo AWA May 2, 1945
Steve Casey Frank Sexton AWA June 6, 1945
Frank Sexton Steve Casey AWA June 27, 1945
Bobby Bruns Orville Brown MWA June 20, 1946
Orville Brown Bobby Bruns MWA August 8, 1946
Whipper Billy Watson Billy Longson NWA February 21, 1947
Lou Thesz Whipper Billy Watson NWA February 25, 1947
Vic Christy Orville Brown MWA March 14, 1947
Roy Graham Vic Christy MWA March 30, 1947
Orville Brown Roy Graham MWA April 10, 1947
Bill Longson Lou Thesz NWA November 21, 1947
Tug Carlson Orville Brown MWA December 19, 1947
Orville Brown Tug Carlson MWA December 26, 1947
Bobby Bruns Orville Brown MWA April 29, 1948
Orville Brown Bobby Bruns MWA May 4, 1948
Lou Thesz Billy Watson NWA July 20, 1948
Orville Brown9 Awarded new NWA(merges MWA) July 1948
Lou Thesz10 Awarded NWA(merges/old NWA) November 11, 1949
Don Eagle Frank Sexton AWA May 23, 1950
Gorgeous George Don Eagle AWA May 26, 1950
Don Eagle Gorgeous George AWA August 31, 1950
Lou Thesz11 Awarded AWA November, 1952
Billy Watson Lou Thesz NWA/AWA March 15, 1956
Lou Thesz Billy Watson NWA/AWA November 9, 1956
Edouard Carpentier12 Lou Thesz Omaha/NAWA/AAC(AWA) June 14, 1957
Dick Hutton Lou Thesz NWA November 14, 1957
Killer Kowalski Edouard Carpentier AAC May 24, 1958
Verne Gagne Edouard Carpentier Omaha August 9, 1958
Wilbur Snyder Verne Gagne Omaha November 15,1958
Pat O'Connor Dick Hutton NWA January 9, 1959
Dr. X Wilbur Snyder Omaha October 10, 1959
Verne Gagne13 Awarded AWA(new) August 16, 1960
Don Leo Jonathan Dr. X Omaha January 7, 1961
Dr. X Don Leo Jonathan Omaha February 4, 1961
Bearcat Wright Killer Kowalski AAC April 4, 1961
Don Leo Jonathan Dr. X Omaha April 7, 1961
Jackie Fargo Bearcat Wright AAC May 30, 1961
Freddy Blassie Edouard Carpentier NAWA June 12, 1961
Buddy Rogers Pat O'Connor NWA June 30, 1961
Gene Kiniski Verne Gagne AWA July 11, 1961
Verne Gagne Gene Kiniski AWA August 08, 1961
Verne Gagne Don Leo Jonathan Omaha September 16,1961
Bill Miller Verne Gagne AWA January 09, 1962
Rikidozan Freddy Blassie NAWA March 28, 1962
Freddy Blassie Rikidozan WWA(NAWA) July 25, 1962
Destroyer Freddy Blassie WWA July 27, 1962
Fritz Von Erich Verne Gagne Omaha July 31, 1962
Verne Gagne Bill Miller AWA August 21, 1962
Verne Gagne Fritz Von Erich Omaha August 25, 1962
Lou Thesz Buddy Rogers NWA January 24, 1963
Buddy Rogers14 Antonio Rocca WWWF April 1963
Bruno Sammartino Buddy Rogers WWWF May 5, 1963
Freddy Blassie Destroyer WWA May 10, 1963
Crusher Lisowski Verne Gagne Omaha merges w/AWA July 09, 1963
Verne Gagne Crusher Lisowski AWA July 20, 1963
Fritz Von Erich Verne Gagne AWA July 27, 1963
Verne Gagne Fritz Von Erich AWA August 08, 1963
Bearcat Wright Freddy Blassie WWA August 23, 1963
Crusher Lisowski Verne Gagne AWA November 28, 1963
Verne Gagne Crusher Lisowski AWA December 14, 1963
Edouard Carpentier Bearcat Wright WWA December 16, 1963
Freddy Blassie Edouard Carpentier WWA January 30, 1964
Dick the Bruiser Freddy Blassie WWA April 22, 1964
Maurice Vachon Verne Gagne AWA May 02, 1964
Verne Gagne Maurice Vachon AWA May 16, 1964
Destroyer Dick the Bruiser WWA July 22, 1964
Bob Ellis Destroyer WWA September 10,1964
Maurice Vachon Verne Gagne AWA October 20, 1964
Destroyer Bob Ellis WWA November 13, 1964
Toyonobori15 Destroyer WWA 2 (split) December 4, 1964
Pedro Morales Destroyer WWA 1 March 12, 1965
Igor Vodic Maurice Vachon AWA May 15, 1965
Maurice Vachon Igor Vodic AWA May 22, 1965
Luke Graham Pedro Morales WWA 1 July 23, 1965
Crusher Lisowski Maurice Vachon AWA August 21, 1965
Luke Graham Toyonobori merges WWA September 20,1965
Pedro Morales Luke Graham WWA October 17, 1965
Maurice Vachon Crusher Lisowski AWA November 12, 1965
Gene Kiniski Lou Thesz NWA January 7, 1966
Buddy Austin Pedro Morales WWA August 5, 1966
Bobo Brazil Buddy Austin WWA September 2,1966
Buddy Austin Bobo Brazil WWA September 16,1966
Lou Thesz Buddy Austin WWA October 14, 1966
Mark Lewin Lou Thesz WWA October 28, 1966
Dick The Bruiser Maurice Vachon AWA November 12, 1966
Maurice Vachon Dick The Bruiser AWA November 19, 1966
Verne Gagne Maurice Vachon AWA February 26, 1967
Frank Scarpa16 Awarded BTW(AAC) April 27, 1967
Kintaro Ohki Mark Lewin WWA June 9, 1967
Mike DiBiase Kintaro Ohki WWA July 28, 1967
Buddy Austin Mike DiBiase WWA August 25, 1967
Bobo Brazil Buddy Austin WWA January 12, 1968
Dr. X Verne Gagne AWA August 17, 1968
Verne Gagne Dr. X AWA August 31, 1968
Gene Kiniski17 Awarded WWA merges w/NWA October 1, 1968
Dory Funk, Jr. Gene Kiniski NWA February 11, 1969
Gypsy Joe18 Awarded BTW January 1, 1971
Ivan Koloff Bruno Sammartino WWWF January 18, 1971
Pedro Morales Ivan Koloff WWWF February 8, 1971
Harley Race Dory Funk, Jr. NWA March 24, 1973
Jack Brisco Harley Race NWA July 20, 1973
Stan Stasiak Pedro Morales WWWF December 1, 1973
Bruno Sammartino Stan Stasiak WWWF December 10, 1973
Giant Baba Jack Brisco NWA December 2, 1974
Jack Brisco Giant Baba NWA(merges BTW) December 9, 1974
Nick Bockwinkel Verne Gagne AWA November 08, 1975
Terry Funk Jack Brisco NWA December 10, 1975
Harley Race Terry Funk NWA February 6, 1977
Billy Graham Bruno Sammartino WWWF April 30, 1977
Bob Backlund Billy Graham WWWF February 20, 1978
Dusty Rhodes Harley Race NWA August 21, 1979
Harley Race Dusty Rhodes NWA August 26, 1979
Giant Baba Harley Race NWA October 31, 1979
Harley Race Giant Baba NWA November 7, 1979
Antonio Inoki Bob Backlund (WWF)WWWF November 30, 1979
Bob Backlund Antonio Inoki WWF December 6, 1979
Verne Gagne Nick Bockwinkel AWA July 18, 1980
Giant Baba Harley Race NWA September 4, 1980
Harley Race Giant Baba NWA September 9, 1980
Tommy Rich Harley Race NWA April 27, 1981
Harley Race Tommy Rich NWA May 1, 1981
Nick Bockwinkel19 Awarded AWA May 19, 1981
Dusty Rhodes Harley Race NWA June 21, 1981
Ric Flair Dusty Rhodes NWA September 17,1981
Otto Wanz Nick Bockwinkel AWA August 29, 1982
Nick Bockwinkel Otto Wanz AWA November 09, 1982
Harley Race Ric Flair NWA June 10, 1983
Ric Flair Harley Race NWA November 24, 1983
The Iron Sheik Bob Backlund WWF December 26, 1983
Hulk Hogan The Iron Sheik WWF January 23, 1984
Jumbo Tsuruta Nick Bockwinkel AWA February 22, 1984
Harley Race Ric Flair NWA March 21, 1984
Ric Flair Harley Race NWA March 23, 1984
Kerry Von Erich Ric Flair NWA May 6, 1984
Rick Martel Jumbo Tsuruta AWA May13, 1984
Ric Flair Kerry Von Erich NWA May 24, 1984
Stan Hansen Rick Martel AWA December 29, 1985
Nick Bockwinkel20 Awarded AWA June 28, 1986
Dusty Rhodes Ric Flair NWA July 25, 1986
Ric Flair Dusty Rhodes NWA August 7, 1986
Curt Henning Nick Bockwinkel AWA May 02, 1987
Ronnie Garvin Ric Flair NWA September 25,1987
Ric Flair Ronnie Garvin NWA November 26, 1987
Andre The Giant Hulk Hogan WWF February 5, 1988
Randy Savage21 Ted DiBiase WWF March 27, 1988
Jerry Lawler Curt Henning AWA May 09, 1988
Larry Zbyszko22 Battle Royal AWA February 07, 1989
Ricky Steamboat Ric Flair NWA February 20, 1989
Hulk Hogan Randy Savage WWF April 2, 1989
Ric Flair Ricky Steamboat NWA May 7, 1989
Masa Saito Larry Zbyszko AWA February 10, 1990
The Ultimate Warrior Hulk Hogan WWF April 1, 1990
Larry Zbyszko23 Masa Saito AWA April 09, 1990
Sting Ric Flair NWA July 7, 1990
Ric Flair24 Sting NWA/WCW January 11, 1991
Sgt. Slaughter The Ultimate Warrior WWF January 19, 1991
Tatsumi Fujinami Ric Flair NWA March 21, 1991
Hulk Hogan Sgt. Slaughter WWF March 24, 1991
Ric Flair Tatsumi Fujinami NWA May 19, 1991
Lex Luger25 Barry Windham WCW July 14, 1991
The Undertaker Hulk Hogan WWF November 27, 1991
Hulk Hogan The Undertaker WWF December 3, 1991
Ric Flair26 Royal Rumble WWF January 19, 1992
Sting Lex Luger WCW February 29, 1992
Randy Savage Ric Flair WWF April 5, 1992
Jimmy Snuka Wildman Bellomo ECW April 25, 1992
Johnny Hot Body Jimmy Snuka ECW April 26, 1992
Jimmy Snuka Johnny Hot Body ECW July 12, 1992
Vader Sting WCW July 12, 1992
Ron Simmons Vader WCW August 2, 1992
Masahiro Chono27 Rick Rude NWA August 12, 1992
Ric Flair Randy Savage WWF September 1, 1992
Bret Hart Ric Flair WWF October 12, 1992
Don Muraco Jimmy Snuka ECW October 24, 1992
Sandman Don Muraco ECW November 16, 1992
Vader Ron Simmons WCW December 30, 1992
Great Muta Masahiro Chono NWA January 4, 1993
Barry Windham Great Muta NWA February 21, 1993
Sting Vader WCW March 11, 1993
Vader Sting WCW March 17, 1993
Don Muraco Sandman ECW April 03, 1993
Yokozuna Bret Hart WWF April 4, 1993
Hulk Hogan Yokozuna WWF April 4, 1993
Yokozuna Hulk Hogan WWF June 13, 1993
Ric Flair Barry Windham NWA July 18, 1993
Tito Santana Don Muraco ECW August 08, 1993
Shane Douglas Tito Santana ECW September 09,1993
Rick Rude28 Ric Flair (old NWA) WCW International September 19,1993
Sabu Shane Douglas ECW October 02, 1993
Terry Funk Sabu ECW December 26, 1993
Ric Flair Vader WCW December 27, 1993
Hiroshi Hase Rick Rude WCW International March 16, 1994
Bret Hart Yokozuna WWF March 20, 1994
Rick Rude Hiroshi Hase WCW International March 24,1994
Shane Douglas29 Terry Funk ECW March 26, 1994
Sting Rick Rude WCW International April 17, 1994
Sting30 Vader(tournament) WCW International May 22, 1994
Ric Flair Sting(merge w/WCW) WCW International June 23, 1994
Hulk Hogan Ric Flair WCW July 17, 1994
Chris Candido31 Tracey Smothers NWA November 19, 1994
Bob Backlund Bret Hart WWF November 23, 1994
Diesel Bob Backlund WWF November 26, 1994
Dan Severn Chris Candido NWA February 24, 1995
Sandman Shane Douglas ECW March 15, 1995
Mikey Whipwreck Sandman ECW October 28, 1995
Sandman Mikey Whipwreck ECW December 09, 1995
Bret Hart Diesel WWF November 19, 1995
Randy Savage32 World War 3 WCW November 26, 1995
Ric Flair Randy Savage WCW December 27, 1995
Randy Savage Ric Flair WCW January 22, 1996
Raven Sandman ECW January 27, 1996
Ric Flair Randy Savage WCW February 11, 1996
Shawn Michaels Bret Hart WWF March 31, 1996
The Giant Ric Flair WCW April 22, 1996
Hulk Hogan The Giant WCW August 10, 1996
Sandman Raven ECW October-05, 1996
Sid Vicious Shawn Michaels WWF November 17, 1996
Raven Sandman ECW December 07, 1996
Shawn Michaels Sid Vicious WWF January 19, 1997
Bret Hart33 Final Four WWF February 16, 1997
Sid Vicious Bret Hart WWF February 17, 1997
The Undertaker Sid Vicious WWF March 23, 1997
Terry Funk Raven ECW April 13, 1997
Bret Hart The Undertaker WWF August 3, 1997
Lex Luger Hulk Hogan WCW August 4, 1997
Hulk Hogan Lex Luger WCW August 9, 1997
Sabu Terry Funk ECW August 09, 1997
Shane Douglas Sabu ECW August 17, 1997
Bam Bam Bigelow Shane Douglas ECW October 16, 1997
Shawn Michaels Bret Hart WWF November 9, 1997
Shane Douglas Bam Bam Bigelow ECW November 11, 1997
Sting Hulk Hogan WCW December 28, 1997
Sting34 Hulk Hogan WCW February 22, 1998
Steve Austin Shawn Michaels WWF March 29, 1998
Randy Savage Sting WCW April 19, 1998
Hulk Hogan Randy Savage WCW April 20, 1998
Kane Steve Austin WWF June 28, 1998
Steve Austin Kane WWF June 29, 1998
Bill Goldberg Hulk Hogan WCW July 6, 1998
The Rock35 Mankind WWF November 15, 1998
Kevin Nash Bill Goldberg WCW December 27, 1998
Mankind The Rock WWF December 29, 1998
Hulk Hogan Kevin Nash WCW January 4, 1999
Taz Shane Douglas ECW January 10, 1999
The Rock Mankind WWF January 24, 1999
Mankind The Rock WWF January 26, 1999
The Rock Mankind WWF February 15, 1999
Ric Flair Hulk Hogan WCW March 14, 1999
Naoya Ogawa Dan Severn NWA March 14, 1999
Steve Austin The Rock WWF March 28, 1999
Dallas Page Ric Flair WCW April 11, 1999
Sting Dallas Page WCW April 26, 1999
Dallas Page Sting WCW April 26, 1999
Kevin Nash Dallas Page WCW May 9, 1999
The Undertaker Steve Austin WWF May 23, 1999
Randy Savage Kevin Nash WCW July 11, 1999
Hulk Hogan Randy Savage WCW July 12, 1999
Steve Austin The Undertaker WWF June 28, 1999
Mankind Steve Austin WWF August 22, 1999
Triple H Mankind WWF August 23, 1999
Sting Hulk Hogan WCW September 12,1999
Vince McMahon Triple H WWF September 16,1999
Mike Awesome Taz ECW September 19,1999
Gary Steele Naoya Ogawa NWA September 25,1999
Triple H36 Six Pack Challenge WWF September 26,1999
Naoya Ogawa Gary Steele NWA October 2, 1999
The Big Show Triple H WWF November 14, 1999
Bret Hart37 Chris Benoit WCW November 21, 1999
Masato Tanaka Mike Awesome ECW December 18, 1999
Bret Hart38 Bill Goldberg WCW December 20, 1999
Mike Awesome Masato Tanaka ECW December 21, 1999
Triple H The Big Show WWF January 3, 2000
Chris Benoit39 Sid Vicious WCW January 16, 2000
Sid Vicious40 Kevin Nash WCW January 24, 2000
Sid Vicious41 Kevin Nash WCW January 26, 2000
Taz Mike Awesome ECW April 13, 2000
Jeff Jarrett42 Dallas Page WCW April 16, 2000
Tommy Dreamer Taz ECW April 22, 2000
Justin Credible Tommy Dreamer ECW April 22, 2000
Dallas Page Jeff Jarrett WCW April 24, 2000
David Arquette Dallas Page WCW April 26, 2000
The Rock Triple H WWF April 30, 2000
Jeff Jarrett David Arquette WCW May 7, 2000
Ric Flair Jeff Jarrett WCW May 15, 2000
Triple H The Rock WWF May 23, 2000
Kevin Nash Jeff Jarrett WCW May 23, 2000
Ric Flair Kevin Nash WCW May 29, 2000
Jeff Jarrett Ric Flair WCW May 29, 2000
The Rock Triple H WWF June 25, 2000
Hulk Hogan Jeff Jarrett WCW July 9, 2000
Jeff Jarrett43 Awarded WCW July 9, 2000
Booker T Jeff Jarrett WCW July 9, 2000
Kevin Nash Booker T WCW August 28, 2000
Booker T Kevin Nash WCW September 17,2000
Mike Rapada44 Jerry Flynn NWA September 19,2000
Vince Russo Booker T WCW September 25,2000
Jerry Lynn Justin Credible ECW October 1, 2000
Booker T45 Jeff Jarrett WCW October 2, 2000
Kurt Angle The Rock WWF October 22, 2000
Sabu Mike Rapada NWA November 14, 2000
Scott Steiner Booker T WCW November 26, 2000
Steve Corino Jerry Lynn ECW December 02, 2000
Mike Rapada Sabu NWA December 22, 2000
Sandman Steve Corino ECW January 7, 2001
Rhino Sandman ECW(folds) January 7, 2001
The Rock Kurt Angle WWF February 25, 2001
Booker T Scott Steiner WCW March 26, 2001
Steve Austin The Rock WWF April 1, 2001
Steve Corino Mike Rapada NWA April 24, 2001
Kurt Angle Booker T WCW July 24, 2001
Booker T Kurt Angle WCW July 30, 2001
The Rock Booker T WCW August 19, 2001
Kurt Angle Steve Austin WWF September 23,2001
Steve Austin Kurt Angle WWF October 21, 2001
Chris Jericho The Rock WCW October 21, 2001
The Rock Chris Jericho WCW November 5, 2001
Chris Jericho The Rock WCW (Unified) December 9, 2001
Chris Jericho Steve Austin WWF (Unified) December 9, 2001
Shinya Hashimoto Steve Corino NWA December 15, 2001
Dan Severn Shinya Hashimoto NWA March 9, 2002
Triple H Chris Jericho WWF March 17, 2002
Hulk Hogan Triple H WWF April 21, 2002
The Undertaker Hulk Hogan WWF May 19, 2002
Ken Shamrock46 Malice NWA June 19, 2002
The Rock The Undertaker WWF July 21, 2002
Ron Killings Ken Shamrock NWA August 7, 2002
Brock Lesnar The Rock WWE (WWF) August 25, 2002
Triple H47 Awarded(Ex-WCW) World September 2, 2002
Shawn Michaels Triple H World November 17, 2002
The Big Show Brock Lesnar WWE November 17, 2002
Jeff Jarrett Ron Killings NWA November 20, 2002
Triple H Shawn Michaels World December 15, 2002
Kurt Angle The Big Show WWE December 15, 2002
Brock Lesnar Kurt Angle WWE March 30, 2003
A.J. Styles Jeff Jarrett NWA June 11, 2003
Kurt Angle Brock Lesnar WWE July 27, 2003
Brock Lesnar Kurt Angle WWE September 18,2003
Goldberg Triple H World September 21,2003
Jeff Jarrett A.J. Styles NWA October 22, 2003
Triple H Goldberg World December 14, 2003
Eddie Guerrero Brock Lesnar WWE February 15, 2004
Chris Benoit Triple H World March 14, 2004
AJ Styles Jeff Jarrett NWA April 21, 2004
Ron Killings AJ Styles NWA May 19,2004
Jeff Jarrett Ron Killings NWA June 2, 2004
John Bradshaw Layfield Eddie Guerrero WWE June 27, 2004
Randy Orton Chris Benoit World August 15, 2004
Triple H Randy Orton World September 12, 2004
Triple H48 Vacant World January 9, 2005
John Cena JBL WWE April 3, 2005
Batista Triple H World April 3, 2005
AJ Styles Jeff Jarrett NWA May 15, 2005
Raven AJ Styles NWA June 19, 2005
1. Muldoon retires, and the Roeber vs. Apollo match determined the new champion.
2. Abs stripped and Roeber was awarded the title.
3. Frank Gotch Retired and the World Title was laid claim by Cutler.
4. Steinke had the best record around and the NYSAC awarded him their title.
5. National Wrestling Association was formed and awarded Shikat when he won the NYSAC Title.
6. Londos was stripped the title and Lewis was awarded the title when he won the NYSAC Title.
7. Casey was stripped of his NWA title status and it was given to Marshall.
8. Casey went to the Army and Szabo won a tournament for the AWA Title.
9. Orville Brown was the MWA World Champion when the newly formed National Wrestling
Alliance absorbed the MWA crowing Brown to the first Champion.
10. The National Wrestling Alliance absorbed the National Wrestling Association and was to
have a unification match between Brown and Thesz; however, Brown was an auto accident and
the NWA awarded the title to Thesz.
11. Eagle was stripped due to injury and NWA Champion Lou Thesz was awarded the title.
12. Thesz became injured in the match and unable to continue, the NWA kept him as their
World Champion; however, the LA, Omaha, and NAWA territories awarded the World Title to
Carpentier.
12. Gagne was viewed as the uncrowned Champion in wrestling and the newly formed AWA awarded
him the AWA World Title.
14. The WWWF held a tournament in which Buddy Rogers won the WWWF World Title.
15. Toyonobori defeats Destroyer in Japan, but Destroyer returns to American still
recognized the World Champion, causing a split.
16. Fargo stripped and Scarpa awarded the title.
17. The WWA was absorbed by the NWA recognizing Kiniski as Champion.
18. Scarpa died and this filled the vacancy, Gypsy Joe held the title till BTW was absorbed
by the NWA.
19. Gagne retires as AWA Champion; Bockwinkel is awarded because he is a former AWA Champion
and Number 1 contender.
20. Hansen forfeits the match and title to Bockwinkel by not showing to wrestle.
21. Andre surrender the title to DiBiase but WWF rule does not allow surrendering and this
was the tournament final.
22. Lawler was stripped of the title and winner of the battle royal was awarded the AWA title.
23. Zbyszko left AWA for WCW taking the recognition with him but is stripped of the belt AWA
closes shortly after.
24. Flair was acknowledged the first WCW champion the night he defeated Sting for the NWA
Title.
25. Flair was stripped of the WCW title; this was the bout between the top 2 contenders.
26. Hogan was stripped shortly after a controversial win over the Undertaker, and the winner
of the Royal Rumble was the awarded the belt.
27. Flair was stripped of the NWA Title in September of 1991 and this was the tournament
final.
28. WCW split from the NWA while Flair was NWA World Champion, WCW renamed Flair’s title NWA
as the WCW International World Champion.
29. NWA went to award Shane Douglas the NWA Championship when he won the ECW Title, he
refused to be their champion but claimed World Title recognition for ECW because of the
actions taken place by the NWA. All ECW Champions before Douglas were awarded being the ECW
World Champion.
30. Sting won the title after being stripped due to a controversial finish.
31. This was the NWA tournament final.
32. The title was declared vacant after a controversial finish between Hogan and the Giant
and winner of World War 3 was declared the Champion.
33. Shawn Michaels forfeited the Title and Bret Hart won a four-way match.
34. Sting was stripped of the title after a controversial finish and the last two champions
were Hogan and Sting as they wrestled for the title.
35. Austin lost a match to Undertaker and Kane with no clear-cut winner, the title was
declared vacant and this is the tournament final.
36. McMahon forfeited the title and Triple H won a 6 Man Match.
37. Title declared vacant after a controversial match, this was the tournament final.
38. Hart gave up the title and re won it by beating Goldberg.
39. Title declared Vacant when Hart was injured this was the final.
40. Benoit was stripped the title and Sid and Nash were the top two contenders.
41. Title was declared Vacant after controversial finish between Sid and Nash, and this was
the rematch.
42. Sid was stripped of the title, and this was the match between the top 2 contenders.
43. Hogan was stripped immediately after his title win and Jarrett the champion before was
awarded the title.
44. Ogawa forfeited the title and this was the tournament final.
45. Russo forfeited the title, this was a match between the top two contenders.
46. Severn was stripped of the title, these were the top 2 contenders.
47. Lesnar stayed with Smackdown, and Triple H was the number 1 contender was awarded the
Raw title.
48. The World title was declared vacant on November 29, 2004 after a controversial finish between Chris Beniot and Triple H.
NWA-National Wrestling Alliance (Established in 1948, could trace
lineages clear back to World Title in 1904. Bought by WCW in 1991, WCW
pulls away from NWA in 1993, renaming the NWA Champion the WCW
International Champion. NWA therefore crowns ECW Champion Shane
Douglas their champion on August 27, 1994 giving ECW World Title
Recognition. Douglas however refused ever having the title but accepts
World Title Recognition for ECW. NWA eventually crowns Dan Severn
Champion, continuing with that lineage.)
WWE-World Wrestling Entertainment (Established in 2002, Undisputed WWE
Champion Brock Lesnar signs solely with Smackdown; therefore, Raw
Awarded the old WCW World Championship belt to Triple H to represent
the RAW Champion)
WWF-World Wrestling Federation (Established in 1971, eventually
absorbs the WCW World Title in 2001, becomes the WWE in 2002)
WWWF-World Wide Wrestling Federation (Established in 1963 when Lou
Thesz was awarded the NWA World title in a one-fall match instead of
three over NWA Champion Buddy Rogers becomes WWF in 1971
WCW-World Championship Wrestling (Established in 1991 and recognizes
NWA World Champion Ric Flair Champion, in 1993 WCW pulls away, with two
champions, renaming the NWA title the WCW International Champion, in
1994, the titles were merged. By 2001, WCW was bought out by WWF, which
unified the two titles)
ECW-Extreme Championship Wrestling (Established in 1992 and gains
World title recognition when Shane Douglas was awarded NWA World Title.
Douglas refused ever being NWA World Champion but accepts World Title
recognition for ECW, by doing so ECW Champions since 1992 where
recognized as former World Champions, eventually in 2001, ECW was
absorbed by the WWF)
World-Recognized World Title established in 1904 but is absorbed by
NWA when Jim Londos retires)
NWA-National Wrestling Association (Established in 1929, Absorbs World
in 1946 when Jim Londos retires, absorbed by the National Wrestling
Alliance in 1949)
MWA-Midwest Wrestling Association (Established in 1940 and eventually
is absorbed by the Nation Wrestling Alliance in 1948)
NYSAC-New York State Athletic Commission (Established in 1928 and
absorbed by the AWA Boston league)
AWA-American Wrestling Association (Boston league, established in 1928
and later becomes the AAC in 1957)
AAC-Atlantic Athletic Commission (Former AWA established in 1957)
BTW-Big Time Wrestling (Former AAC established in 1967 that is finally
merged in 1974 with the NWA)
NAWA-North American Wrestling Alliance (Established in 1957 when
Edouard Carpentier defeats Lou Thesz but NWA would not recognize him,
later becomes the WWA in 1962)
WWA-World Wrestling Association (Established in 1962, formerly the
NAWA, and is eventually absorbed by the NWA in 1968)
Omaha-Established in 1957 and is absorbed by a new AWA in 1963)
AWA-American Wrestling Association (Established 1960 through 1990,
absorbs Omaha World Title, eventually league folds after stripping
champion Larry Zbyszko when leaves for WCW taking the recognition with
him)
AGRH-American Greco-Roman Heavyweight Title (Established 1880 which
unified with the CCCH title to become the UAH Title)
CCCH-Catch as Catch Can Heavyweight Title (Established 1881 which
unified with the AGRH title to become the UAH Title)
UAH-Unified American Heavyweight Title (Established 1893 which with
the EGRH Title unified to become the World Title)
EGRH-European Greco-Roman Heavyweight Title (Established 1894 which
with the UAH Title unified to become the World Title)