The WCWA World Heavyweight Championship was a professional wrestlingworld heavyweight championship promoted by the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex area–based World Class Wrestling Association (WCWA). The championship was originally created in June 1966 but WCWA's predecessor NWA Big Time Wrestling (BTW), billed as the local version of the NWA United States Heavyweight Championship before being renamed the NWA American Heavyweight Championship in May 1968.[1] In 1982 Big Time Wrestling rebranded themselves as "World Class Championship Wrestling" (WCCW) and the championship was renamed the WCCW American Heavyweight Championship.[2] In 1986 WCCW withdrew from the National Wrestling Alliance, creating the World Class Wrestling Association, replacing the WCCW American Heavyweight Championship with the WCWA Heavyweight Championship, replacing the NWA Worlds Heavyweight Championship as the top title recognized by the promotion.[2] In 1989, the WCWA championship was unified with the AWA World Heavyweight Championship to become the USWA Unified World Heavyweight Championship as WCWA merged with the Continental Wrestling Association (CWA) to become the United States Wrestling Association.[3] In 1990 WCWA split from the USWA, but the promotion folded without determining a WCWA World Heavyweight Champion. As it is a professional wrestling championship, the WCWA World Heavyweight Championship was not won not by actual competition, but by a scripted ending to a match.[a]
The first recognized Texas based NWA United States Champion was Fritz Von Erich, introducing the championship to his Southwest Sports promotion as the top championship in his territory.[1][b] Fritz Von Erich would go on to win the championship a record setting 20 times. At the time it was not unusual for the promoter, if he was also an active wrestler to hold the championship multiple times, being that he always be available to work shows and face off against various "outsiders". Fritz' last reign was on June 4, 1982 – 16 years after his first title victory.[1]Rick Rude was the last WCCW American Heavyweight Champion and announced as the first WCWA World Heavyweight Champion on February 21, 1986.[1][2]Jerry Lawler was the final champion, winning it on April 14, 1989, followed by the announcement that the championship had been unified with the AWA World Heavyweight Champion in September 1990.[3] The longest confirmed reign, Fritz Von Erich's fifth reign over all, lasted from March 27, 1967 to April 5, 1968 for a total of 375 days.[1][2] Von Erich's final reign was also the shortest in history, as he vacated moments after winning it in the main event of the Fritz Von Erich Retirement Show.[5][6] With his last title victory Fritz became the oldest champion, at 52 years of age. Fritz's second youngest son, Mike Von Erich, was the youngest champion at just (20 years, 5 months, 2 days).[1][2] At 200 lb (91 kg), Mike was the lightest champion, while King Kong Bundy, tipping the scale at 450 lb (200 kg) was the heaviest.
Rude is announced as the "new WCWA World Champion" before his match at the February 21, 1986 TV taping in Dallas. On the 3/1/86 episode of WCCW (Episode #218), a press conference airs with WCWA representative Ken Mantell declaring Rude as WCWA World Champion and stating the title would change hands via disqualification or referee's decision after a time limit draw
Adams leaves the company and Bart is introduced as the new champion at this WCCW TV taping during a ringside interview with Bill Mercer, who states Bart "won the title out on the West Coast" (Los Angeles). Aired on WCCW Episode #248
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 continued to be recognized as the USWA Unified World Heavyweight Champion by the USWA
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
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
World Class Championship Wrestling ends business relationship with USWA, 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
^Hornbaker (2016) p. 550: "Professional wrestling is a sport in which match finishes are predetermined. Thus, win/loss records are not indicative of a wrestler's genuine success based on their legitimate abilities – but on now much, or how little they were pushed by promoters"[4]
^The NWA Worlds Heavyweight Championship was recognized by all NWA territories as the champion would travel the US to visit the promotions.
^One of the dates for this championship is uncertain, which means that the reign lasted between 1 and 52 days.
^One of the dates for this championship is uncertain, which means that the reign lasted between 30 and 37 days.
^One of the dates for this championship is uncertain, which means that the reign lasted between 4 and 131 days.
^One of the dates for this championship is uncertain, which means that the reign lasted between 505 and 534 days.
References[]
General references[]
Hornbaker, Tim (2016). "Statistical notes". Legends of Pro Wrestling: 150 years of headlocks, body slams, and piledrivers (Revised ed.). New York: Sports Publishing. ISBN978-1-61321-808-2.
^ abc"Historical Cards: Fritz Von Erich Retirement Show (June 4, 1982. Irving, Texas)". PWI Presents: 2007 Wrestling Almanak and book of facts. Kappa Publications. p. 172. 2007 Edition.
^"Historical Cards: Parade of Champions 5 (May 8, 1988. Irving, Texas)". PWI Presents: 2007 Wrestling Almanak and book of facts. Kappa Publications. p. 173. 2007 Edition.