AWA Southern Heavyweight Championship

On this page, you find the full Title History for the AWA Southern Heavyweight Championship, with all Championship Info, Statistics, the Belt Design changes through the years, and the full list of Title Reigns, along with dates, events, and reign durations.

The AWA Southern Heavyweight Championship was contested in Memphis Wrestling, Memphis Championship Wrestling, United States Wrestling Association, American Wrestling Association, Continental Wrestling Association and NWA Mid-America, by men wrestlers.

The championship was first established on July 27, 1974, and the inaugural champion was Jerry "The King" Lawler.

The AWA Southern Heavyweight Championship was retired on December 12, 2010, with the final champion being Brian Christopher.

AWA Southern Heavyweight Championship: Title History

AWA Southern Heavyweight Championship: Title Reigns

N.	Image	Champion	Reign
Memphis Wrestling
	Deactivated December 12, 2010 5480+ days No known championship defenses after Christopher becomes champion.
242		Brian Christopher 26 November 4, 2010 Memphis, Tennessee \| Live show 38 days Defeated Derrick King in a tournament final to win the vacant title.	38 days
		Vacant December 31, 2008 673 days Championship vacated for undocumented reasons	673 days
241		Jerry "The King" Lawler 58 April 1, 2008 Memphis, Tennessee \| MW Show 274 days Defeated Shock in a tournament final to unify the Memphis Wrestling Southern Television Championship.	274 days
240		Shock March 1, 2007 Memphis, Tennessee \| MW Show 397 days	397 days
239		Jerry "The King" Lawler 57 July 1, 2005 Memphis, Tennessee \| MW Show 608 days	608 days
238		Mordecai 2 March 1, 2005 Memphis, Tennessee \| MW Show 122 days	122 days
237		Viscera 2 March 6, 2004 Memphis, Tennessee \| MW Show 360 days Defeated Bill Dundee in a tournament final to win the title	360 days
	Deactivated December 1, 2001 826 days MCW Closed
Memphis Championship Wrestling
236		Kryptonite November 17, 2001 Dyersburg, Tennessee \| MCW Show 14 days	14 days
235		7even 1 July 7, 2001 Manila, Arkansas \| MCW Show 133 days	133 days
234		Steve Bradley July 7, 2001 Manila, Arkansas \| MCW Show 0 days	0 days
233		Joey Abs 2 June 16, 2001 Jackson, Tennessee \| MCW Show 21 days	21 days
232		Steve Bradley November 3, 2000 Manila, Arkansas \| MCW Show 225 days	225 days
231		K-Kwik 2 August 19, 2000 Memphis, Tennessee \| MCW Show 76 days	76 days
230		Joey Abs 1 August 19, 2000 Memphis, Tennessee \| MCW Show 0 days	0 days
229		Steven Regal 1 June 21, 2000 Memphis, Tennessee \| MCW Show 59 days	59 days
228		Jerry "The King" Lawler 56 May 24, 2000 Tunica, Mississippi \| MCW Show 28 days	28 days
227		K-Kwik 1 April 12, 2000 Robinsonville, Mississippi \| MCW Show 42 days Won a battle royal, last eliminating Jerry Lawler.	42 days
		Vacant April 1, 2000 11 days Championship vacated for undocumented reasons	11 days
226		Jerry "The King" Lawler 55 March 25, 2000 Tunica, Mississippi \| MCW Show 7 days Defeated Bull Pain in a tournament final.	7 days
	Deactivated November 1, 1997 875 days The USWA closed
United States Wrestling Association
225		Steven Dunn September 6, 1997 Memphis, Tennessee \| USWA Show 56 days	56 days
224		Fake Diesel 1 July 13, 1997 Memphis, Tennessee \| USWA Show 55 days	55 days
223		Spellbinder July 12, 1997 Memphis, Tennessee \| USWA Show 1 day	1 day
222		Billy Travis June 14, 1997 Memphis, Tennessee \| USWA Show 28 days	28 days
221		Brian Christopher 25 March 29, 1997 Memphis, Tennessee \| USWA Show 77 days	77 days
220		Elijah February 9, 1997 Memphis, Tennessee \| USWA Show 48 days	48 days
219		Brian Christopher 24 January 2, 1997 Memphis, Tennessee \| USWA Show 38 days	38 days
218		Wolfie D December 14, 1996 Memphis, Tennessee \| USWA Show 19 days	19 days
217		Brian Christopher 23 November 18, 1996 Memphis, Tennessee \| USWA Show 26 days	26 days
216		Ric Hogan October 28, 1996 Memphis, Tennessee \| USWA Show 21 days	21 days
215		Brian Christopher 22 June 1, 1996 Memphis, Tennessee \| USWA Show 149 days	149 days
214		Jerry "The King" Lawler 54 May 20, 1996 Memphis, Tennessee \| USWA Show 12 days	12 days
213		Mabel 1 March 16, 1996 Memphis, Tennessee \| USWA Show 65 days	65 days
212		Brian Christopher 21 February 14, 1996 Memphis, Tennessee \| USWA Show 31 days	31 days
211		Tommy Rich 9 January 13, 1996 Memphis, Tennessee \| USWA Show 32 days	32 days
210		Jerry "The King" Lawler 53 January 10, 1996 Memphis, Tennessee \| USWA Show 3 days	3 days
209		Tex Slazenger December 2, 1995 Memphis, Tennessee \| USWA Show 39 days The title was returned to Slazenger by acting USWA Commissioner Bob Armstrong due to a controversial finish in the November 27 match.	39 days
208		Brian Christopher 20 November 27, 1995 Memphis, Tennessee \| USWA Show 5 days	5 days
207		Tex Slazenger November 22, 1995 Memphis, Tennessee \| USWA Show 5 days Defeated Brian Christopher in a rematch.	5 days
		Vacant November 13, 1995 Memphis, Tennessee \| USWA Show 9 days Championship vacated after a match against Tex Slazenger	9 days
206		Brian Christopher 19 October 23, 1995 Memphis, Tennessee \| USWA Show 21 days	21 days
205		Jesse James Armstrong 1 October 7, 1995 Memphis, Tennessee \| USWA Show 16 days	16 days
204		Brian Christopher 18 September 11, 1995 Memphis, Tennessee \| USWA Show 26 days	26 days
203		Billy Jack Haynes August 7, 1995 Memphis, Tennessee \| USWA Show 35 days	35 days
202		Brad Armstrong 1 August 4, 1995 Knoxville, Tennessee \| USWA Show 3 days	3 days
201		Billy Jack Haynes June 26, 1995 Memphis, Tennessee \| USWA Show 39 days	39 days
200		Brian Christopher 17 May 29, 1995 Memphis, Tennessee \| USWA Show 28 days	28 days
199		Doug Gilbert May 13, 1995 Memphis, Tennessee \| USWA Show 16 days	16 days
198		Brian Lee 2 April 17, 1995 Memphis, Tennessee \| USWA Show 26 days Defeated Brian Lee in a rematch.	26 days
		Vacant April 10, 1995 Memphis, Tennessee \| USWA Show 7 days Vacated after a match against Brian Christopher	7 days
197		Brian Lee 1 April 3, 1995 Memphis, Tennessee \| USWA Show 7 days	7 days
196		Brian Christopher 16 December 31, 1994 Memphis, Tennessee \| USWA Show 93 days	93 days
195		Tommy Rich 8 December 19, 1994 Memphis, Tennessee \| USWA Show 12 days	12 days
194		Brian Christopher 15 December 5, 1994 Memphis, Tennessee \| USWA Show 14 days	14 days
193		Tommy Rich 7 October 3, 1994 Memphis, Tennessee \| USWA Show 63 days Defeated Buddy Landel in a tournament final.	63 days
		Vacant September 24, 1994 9 days Gilbert was stripped of the title for not defending within 45 days	9 days
192		Doug Gilbert August 1, 1994 Memphis, Tennessee \| USWA Show 54 days	54 days
191		Brian Christopher 14 July 11, 1994 Memphis, Tennessee \| USWA Show 21 days	21 days
190		The Dream Machine June 6, 1994 Memphis, Tennessee \| USWA Show 35 days	35 days
189		Brian Christopher 13 May 9, 1994 Memphis, Tennessee \| USWA Show 28 days	28 days
188		Doug Gilbert May 2, 1994 Memphis, Tennessee \| USWA Show 7 days	7 days
187		Brian Christopher 12 March 19, 1994 Memphis, Tennessee \| USWA Show 44 days Won the title by countout.	44 days
186		Eddie Gilbert 3 March 14, 1994 Memphis, Tennessee \| USWA Show 5 days	5 days
185		Brian Christopher 11 February 28, 1994 Memphis, Tennessee \| USWA Show 14 days	14 days
184		Doug Gilbert February 21, 1994 Memphis, Tennessee \| USWA Show 7 days	7 days
183		Brian Christopher 10 February 14, 1994 Memphis, Tennessee \| USWA Show 7 days	7 days
182		Doug Gilbert February 7, 1994 Memphis, Tennessee \| USWA Show 7 days	7 days
181		Brian Christopher 9 December 5, 1993 Memphis, Tennessee \| USWA Show 64 days	64 days
180		Buddy Landel 3 November 22, 1993 Memphis, Tennessee \| USWA Show 13 days	13 days
179		Jeff Jarrett 10 October 4, 1993 Memphis, Tennessee \| USWA Show 49 days Defeated Tommy Rich in a rematch.	49 days
		Vacant September 25, 1993 Memphis, Tennessee \| USWA Show 9 days The referee raised Rich's hand in victory after the match when Jeff Jarrett had actually won	9 days
178		Tommy Rich 6 September 13, 1993 Memphis, Tennessee \| USWA Show 12 days	12 days
177		Jeff Jarrett 9 August 23, 1993 Memphis, Tennessee \| USWA Show 21 days Renamed the USWA Heavyweight Championship in September 1993	21 days
176		Vampire Warrior 1 July 18, 1993 Memphis, Tennessee \| USWA Show 36 days	36 days
175		Jeff Jarrett 8 June 28, 1993 Memphis, Tennessee \| USWA Show 20 days	20 days
174		Brian Christopher 8 May 1, 1993 Memphis, Tennessee \| USWA Show 58 days	58 days
173		Jeff Jarrett 7 March 1, 1993 Memphis, Tennessee \| USWA Show 61 days	61 days
172		Brian Christopher 7 January 11, 1993 Memphis, Tennessee \| USWA Show 49 days	49 days
171		Jeff Jarrett 6 December 21, 1992 Memphis, Tennessee \| USWA Show 21 days	21 days
170		Brian Christopher 6 September 21, 1992 Memphis, Tennessee \| USWA Show 91 days Defeated Reno Riggins in a rematch.	91 days
		Vacant September 14, 1992 Memphis, Tennessee \| USWA Show 7 days Championship vacated after a match against Brian Christopher	7 days
169		Reno Riggins August 10, 1992 Memphis, Tennessee \| USWA Show 35 days	35 days
168		Brian Christopher 5 August 3, 1992 Memphis, Tennessee \| USWA Show 7 days	7 days
167		Tom Prichard 6 July 27, 1992 Memphis, Tennessee \| USWA Show 7 days	7 days
166		Brian Christopher 4 July 20, 1992 Memphis, Tennessee \| USWA Show 7 days	7 days
165		Tom Prichard 5 June 29, 1992 Memphis, Tennessee \| USWA Show 21 days Defeated Brian Christopher in a rematch.	21 days
		Vacant June 22, 1992 7 days Championship vacated after a match against Tom Pritchard	7 days
164		Brian Christopher 3 May 4, 1992 Memphis, Tennessee \| USWA Show 49 days Defeated Tom Prichard in a second rematch.	49 days
		Vacant May 4, 1992 0 days The championship remained vacant up due to the finish of the rematch	0 days
163		Brian Christopher 2 April 27, 1992 Memphis, Tennessee \| USWA Show 7 days Defeated Tom Prichard in a rematch.	7 days
		Vacant April 20, 1992 7 days Championship vacated after a match against Tom Pritchard	7 days
162		Brian Christopher 1 March 23, 1992 Memphis, Tennessee \| USWA Show 28 days	28 days
161		Jimmy Valiant 8 March 16, 1992 Memphis, Tennessee \| USWA Show 7 days	7 days
160		Dr. Death March 10, 1992 Louisville, Kentucky \| USWA Show 6 days Not Dr. Death Steve Williams but a masked Kenny Kendall.	6 days
159		Tom Prichard 4 February 8, 1992 Memphis, Tennessee \| USWA Show 31 days	31 days
158		Eric Embry December 9, 1991 Memphis, Tennessee \| USWA Show 61 days	61 days
157		Tom Prichard 3 December 2, 1991 Memphis, Tennessee \| USWA Show 7 days	7 days
156		Eric Embry November 9, 1991 Memphis, Tennessee \| USWA Show 23 days	23 days
155		Tom Prichard 2 November 4, 1991 Memphis, Tennessee \| USWA Show 5 days	5 days
154		Eric Embry May 20, 1991 Memphis, Tennessee \| USWA Show 168 days	168 days
153		Bill Dundee May 13, 1991 Memphis, Tennessee \| USWA Show 7 days	7 days
152		Eric Embry May 3, 1991 Dallas, Texas \| USWA Show 10 days	10 days
151		Jeff Jarrett 5 April 12, 1991 Dallas, Texas \| USWA Show 21 days Defeated Tom Prichard in a second rematch.	21 days
		Vacant April 8, 1991 4 days The title was vacated due to finish of the Jarrett-Prichard rematch	4 days
150		Jeff Jarrett 4 April 5, 1991 Dallas, Texas \| USWA Show 3 days Defeated Tom Prichard in a rematch.	3 days
		Vacant March 29, 1991 Dallas, Texas \| USWA Show 7 days Championship vacated after a match against Jeff Jarrett	7 days
149		Tom Prichard 1 March 15, 1991 Dallas, Texas \| USWA Show 14 days	14 days
148		Jeff Jarrett 3 March 1, 1991 Memphis, Tennessee \| USWA Show 14 days Defeated Steve Austin in a rematch.	14 days
		Vacant February 25, 1991 Memphis, Tennessee \| USWA Show 4 days Championship was vacated after a match against Steve Austin	4 days
147		Jeff Jarrett 2 January 14, 1991 Memphis, Tennessee \| USWA Show 42 days Defeated Brian Lee in a tournament final.	42 days
		Vacant December 1, 1990 44 days Vacated when Eddie Gilbert left the USWA	44 days
146		Eddie Gilbert 2 October 29, 1990 Memphis, Tennessee \| USWA Show 33 days	33 days
145		Jeff Jarrett 1 October 6, 1990 Nashville, Tennessee \| USWA Show 23 days	23 days
144		Dick Slater September 1, 1990 Memphis, Tennessee \| CWA Show 35 days Slater won the title in a tournament.	35 days
	Unified December 7, 1987 Memphis, Tennessee \| CWA Show 999 days The title was unified with the AWA International Heavyweight Championship and the NWA Mid-America Heavyweight Championship to create the CWA Heavyweight Championship
American Wrestling Association & Continental Wrestling Association
143		Jerry "The King" Lawler 52 November 21, 1987 Memphis, Tennessee \| CWA Show 16 days	16 days
142		Bobby Jaggers October 19, 1987 Memphis, Tennessee \| CWA Show 33 days Defeated Billy Travis in a tournament final.	33 days
		Vacant September 1, 1987 48 days Lawler vacated the championship to concentrate on the AWA World Tag Team Championship.	48 days
141		Jerry "The King" Lawler 51 August 31, 1987 Memphis, Tennessee \| CWA Show 1 day	1 day
140		Don Bass August 24, 1987 Memphis, Tennessee \| CWA Show 7 days	7 days
139		Jerry "The King" Lawler 50 August 15, 1987 Memphis, Tennessee \| CWA Show 9 days	9 days
138		Don Bass August 3, 1987 Memphis, Tennessee \| CWA Show 12 days Partnered with Brickhouse Brown, Bass pinned Lawler, who was partnered with Rocky Johnson, in a tag team match where the title was on the line.	12 days
		Vacant August 3, 1987 Memphis, Tennessee \| CWA Show 0 days Vacated after a match against Don Bass	0 days
137		Jerry "The King" Lawler 49 July 13, 1987 Memphis, Tennessee \| CWA Show 21 days	21 days
136		Brickhouse Brown 1 July 6, 1987 Memphis, Tennessee \| CWA Show 7 days	7 days
135		Jerry "The King" Lawler 48 June 8, 1987 Memphis, Tennessee \| CWA Show 28 days	28 days
134		Austin Idol 3 April 27, 1987 Memphis, Tennessee \| CWA Show 42 days	42 days
133		Jerry "The King" Lawler 47 April 20, 1987 Memphis, Tennessee \| CWA Show 7 days	7 days
132		Austin Idol 2 February 2, 1987 Memphis, Tennessee \| CWA Show 77 days Defeated Soul Train Jones in a tournament final.	77 days
		Vacant January 11, 1987 22 days Vacated when Lawler suffered an injury	22 days
131		Jerry "The King" Lawler 46 September 8, 1986 Memphis, Tennessee \| CWA Show 125 days	125 days
130		Bam Bam Bigelow 1 July 28, 1986 Memphis, Tennessee \| CWA Show 42 days Won a battle royal.	42 days
		Vacant June 30, 1986 28 days Vacated when Buddy Landel left the CWA	28 days
129		Buddy Landel 2 June 16, 1986 Memphis, Tennessee \| CWA Show 14 days Defeated The Flame in a tournament final.	14 days
		Vacant June 2, 1986 Memphis, Tennessee \| CWA Show 14 days Championship vacated immediately after the match	14 days
128		Buddy Landel 1 June 2, 1986 Memphis, Tennessee \| CWA Show 0 days	0 days
127		Bill Dundee May 2, 1986 Memphis, Tennessee \| CWA Show 31 days	31 days
126		Jerry "The King" Lawler 45 April 8, 1986 Memphis, Tennessee \| CWA Show 24 days	24 days
125		Bill Dundee December 30, 1985 Memphis, Tennessee \| CWA Show 99 days	99 days
124		Jerry "The King" Lawler 44 December 21, 1985 Memphis, Tennessee \| CWA Show 9 days	9 days
123		Bill Dundee October 19, 1985 Memphis, Tennessee \| CWA Show 63 days	63 days
122		Jerry "The King" Lawler 43 September 6, 1985 Martin, Tennessee \| CWA Show 43 days	43 days
121		Taras Bulba August 16, 1985 Selmer, Tennessee \| CWA Show 21 days	21 days
120		Jerry "The King" Lawler 42 July 29, 1985 Memphis, Tennessee \| CWA Show 18 days	18 days
119		Bota the Witch Doctor June 24, 1985 Memphis, Tennessee \| CWA Show 35 days	35 days
118		Jerry "The King" Lawler 41 June 3, 1985 Memphis, Tennessee \| CWA Show 21 days	21 days
117		Randy Savage 2 May 13, 1985 Memphis, Tennessee \| CWA Show 21 days	21 days
116		Jerry Oske May 7, 1985 Louisville, Kentucky \| CWA Show 6 days	6 days
115		Randy Savage 1 March 17, 1985 Memphis, Tennessee \| CWA Show 51 days	51 days
114		Jerry "The King" Lawler 40 February 12, 1985 Memphis, Tennessee \| CWA Show 33 days	33 days
113		Eddie Gilbert 1 February 1, 1985 Memphis, Tennessee \| CWA Show 11 days Defeated Jerry Lawler in a rematch.	11 days
		Vacant January 28, 1985 Memphis, Tennessee \| CWA Show 4 days Championship vacated after a match against Eddie Gilbert	4 days
112		Jerry "The King" Lawler 39 November 12, 1984 Memphis, Tennessee \| CWA Show 77 days	77 days
111		King Kong Bundy 1 July 30, 1984 Memphis, Tennessee \| CWA Show 105 days Special guest referee Eddie Gilbert	105 days
110		Tommy Rich 5 July 16, 1984 Memphis, Tennessee \| CWA Show 14 days	14 days
109		"Ravishing" Rick Rude 1 June 11, 1984 Memphis, Tennessee \| CWA Show 35 days	35 days
108		Jerry "The King" Lawler 38 May 21, 1984 Memphis, Tennessee \| CWA Show 21 days	21 days
107		Lord Humongous April 30, 1984 Memphis, Tennessee \| CWA Show 21 days Mike Stark was portraying Lord Humongous at this point in time	21 days
106		Jerry "The King" Lawler 37 November 1, 1983 Chicago, Illinois \| CWA Show 181 days	181 days
105		Jesse "The Body" Ventura 2 October 10, 1983 Memphis, Tennessee \| CWA Show 22 days	22 days
104		Jerry "The King" Lawler 36 October 3, 1983 Memphis, Tennessee \| CWA Show 7 days	7 days
103		Jesse "The Body" Ventura 1 September 30, 1983 Memphis, Tennessee \| CWA Show 3 days	3 days
102		Jerry "The King" Lawler 35 September 10, 1983 Memphis, Tennessee \| CWA Show 20 days Defeated Bill Dundee in a tournament final.	20 days
		Vacant September 1, 1983 9 days Lawler was stripped of the championship for failing to defend within 30 days.	9 days
101		Jerry "The King" Lawler 34 July 4, 1983 Memphis, Tennessee \| CWA Show 59 days	59 days
100		Man Mountain Link July 1, 1983 Memphis, Tennessee \| CWA Show 3 days	3 days
99		Jerry "The King" Lawler 33 June 20, 1983 Memphis, Tennessee \| CWA Show 11 days	11 days
98		Man Mountain Link June 20, 1983 Memphis, Tennessee \| CWA Show 0 days	0 days
97		Jerry "The King" Lawler 32 June 6, 1983 Memphis, Tennessee \| CWA Show 14 days	14 days
96		Bill Dundee May 30, 1983 Memphis, Tennessee \| CWA Show 7 days	7 days
95		Jerry "The King" Lawler 31 May 30, 1983 Memphis, Tennessee \| CWA Show 0 days	0 days
94		Dutch Mantel 5 May 30, 1983 Memphis, Tennessee \| CWA Show 0 days	0 days
93		Bill Dundee May 16, 1983 Memphis, Tennessee \| CWA Show 14 days	14 days
92		Dutch Mantel 4 May 9, 1983 Memphis, Tennessee \| CWA Show 7 days	7 days
91		Bill Dundee March 21, 1983 Memphis, Tennessee \| CWA Show 49 days	49 days
90		Terry Taylor 2 February 14, 1983 Memphis, Tennessee \| CWA Show 35 days	35 days
89		Jacques Rougeau 1 January 30, 1983 Memphis, Tennessee \| CWA Show 15 days	15 days
88		Terry Taylor 1 November 29, 1982 Memphis, Tennessee \| CWA Show 62 days	62 days
87		Sabu the Wildman November 15, 1982 Memphis, Tennessee \| CWA Show 14 days Partnered with Jimmy Hart to defeat Jerry Lawler in a handicap match. Hart got the pin, but Sabu the Wildman was recognized as champion.	14 days
86		Jerry "The King" Lawler 30 November 8, 1982 Memphis, Tennessee \| CWA Show 7 days	7 days
85		Nick Bockwinkel 1 October 11, 1982 Memphis, Tennessee \| CWA Show 28 days	28 days
84		Jerry "The King" Lawler 29 August 9, 1982 Memphis, Tennessee \| CWA Show 63 days	63 days
83		Jim Harris 1 June 7, 1982 Memphis, Tennessee \| CWA Show 63 days	63 days
82		Jerry "The King" Lawler 28 May 24, 1982 Memphis, Tennessee \| CWA Show 14 days	14 days
81		Kendo Nagasaki 1 May 1, 1982 Memphis, Tennessee \| CWA Show 23 days	23 days
80		Jerry "The King" Lawler 27 March 29, 1982 Memphis, Tennessee \| CWA Show 33 days	33 days
79		Dutch Mantel 3 March 22, 1982 Memphis, Tennessee \| CWA Show 7 days	7 days
78		Jerry "The King" Lawler 26 March 1, 1982 Memphis, Tennessee \| CWA Show 21 days	21 days
77		Dutch Mantel 2 February 14, 1982 Memphis, Tennessee \| CWA Show 15 days	15 days
76		Jerry "The King" Lawler 25 January 18, 1982 Memphis, Tennessee \| CWA Show 27 days	27 days
75		Dutch Mantel 1 October 26, 1981 Memphis, Tennessee \| CWA Show 84 days	84 days
74		The Dream Machine October 1, 1981 Lexington, Kentucky \| CWA Show 25 days	25 days
73		Jimmy Valiant 7 September 14, 1981 Memphis, Tennessee \| CWA Show 17 days	17 days
72		The Dream Machine September 7, 1981 Memphis, Tennessee \| CWA Show 7 days	7 days
71		Jerry "The King" Lawler 24 August 24, 1981 Memphis, Tennessee \| CWA Show 14 days	14 days
70		The Dream Machine August 16, 1981 Jackson, Tennessee \| CWA Show 8 days	8 days
69		Steve Keirn 1 July 20, 1981 Memphis, Tennessee \| CWA Show 27 days Defeated Bugsy McGraw in a tournament final.	27 days
		Vacant July 1, 1981 19 days Donovan was stripped of the championship because of the way in which he won it.	19 days
68		Chick Donovan June 27, 1981 Memphis, Tennessee \| CWA Show 4 days Hart laid down and let Donovan win the title.	4 days
67		Jimmy Hart 1 June 22, 1981 Memphis, Tennessee \| CWA Show 5 days	5 days
66		Jerry "The King" Lawler 23 February 15, 1981 Memphis, Tennessee \| CWA Show 127 days	127 days
65		Jimmy Valiant 6 January 17, 1981 Memphis, Tennessee \| CWA Show 29 days Defeated Hector Guerrero in a tournament final.	29 days
		Vacant November 1, 1980 77 days Championship vacated for undocumented reasons	77 days
64		Tommy Rich 4 October 6, 1980 Memphis, Tennessee \| CWA Show 26 days	26 days
63		Jimmy Valiant 5 September 9, 1980 Memphis, Tennessee \| CWA Show 27 days	27 days
62		Tommy Rich 3 September 1, 1980 Memphis, Tennessee \| CWA Show 8 days	8 days
61		Jimmy Valiant 4 August 25, 1980 Memphis, Tennessee \| CWA Show 7 days Defeated Bill Irwin in a rematch.	7 days
		Vacant August 18, 1980 Memphis, Tennessee \| CWA Show 7 days Championship vacated after a match against Jimmy Valliant	7 days
60		Bill Irwin 1 August 11, 1980 Memphis, Tennessee \| CWA Show 7 days Defeated Jimmy Valiant the finals of an eight-man one-night tournament.	7 days
		Vacant August 4, 1980 7 days Title was vacated when Dundee won the CWA World Heavyweight Championship	7 days
59		Bill Dundee July 7, 1980 Memphis, Tennessee \| CWA Show 28 days	28 days
58		Paul Ellering 1 April 7, 1980 Memphis, Tennessee \| CWA Show 91 days	91 days
57		Jimmy Valiant 3 January 3, 1980 Jackson, Tennessee \| CWA Show 95 days	95 days
56		Jerry "The King" Lawler 22 October 15, 1979 Memphis, Tennessee \| CWA Show 80 days	80 days
55		Bill Dundee October 1, 1979 Memphis, Tennessee \| CWA Show 14 days	14 days
54		Jerry "The King" Lawler 21 September 24, 1979 Memphis, Tennessee \| CWA Show 7 days	7 days
53		Bill Dundee September 17, 1979 Memphis, Tennessee \| CWA Show 7 days Defeated Bass in a rematch.	7 days
		Vacant September 11, 1979 Memphis, Tennessee \| CWA Show 6 days Championship vacated after a match against Ron Bass.	6 days
52		Bill Dundee August 27, 1979 Memphis, Tennessee \| CWA Show 15 days	15 days
51		Ron Bass July 2, 1979 Memphis, Tennessee \| CWA Show 56 days	56 days
50		Randy Taylor June 30, 1979 Memphis, Tennessee \| CWA Show 2 days	2 days
49		Ron Bass June 15, 1979 Bluefield, West Virginia \| CWA Show 15 days	15 days
48		Robert Fuller June 4, 1979 Memphis, Tennessee \| CWA Show 11 days	11 days
47		The Mongolian Stomper April 23, 1979 Memphis, Tennessee \| CWA Show 42 days Defeated Buzz Sawyer in a rematch.	42 days
		Vacant April 2, 1979 21 days Championship vacated after a match against the Mongolian Stomper	21 days
46		Buzz Sawyer 1 March 31, 1979 Memphis, Tennessee \| CWA Show 2 days	2 days
45		Professor Toru Tanaka 1 February 12, 1979 Memphis, Tennessee \| CWA Show 47 days Won the title by forfeit. Robert Fuller won the title on March 19, 1979, but the title was returned to Tanaka.	47 days
44		Ron Fuller January 15, 1979 Memphis, Tennessee \| CWA Show 28 days	28 days
43		Austin Idol 1 December 25, 1978 Memphis, Tennessee \| CWA Show 21 days	21 days
42		Jerry "The King" Lawler 20 December 4, 1978 Memphis, Tennessee \| CWA Show 21 days	21 days
41		Don Fargo November 27, 1978 Memphis, Tennessee \| CWA Show 7 days	7 days
40		Tommy Gilbert November 20, 1978 Memphis, Tennessee \| CWA Show 7 days	7 days
39		Don Fargo November 6, 1978 Memphis, Tennessee \| CWA Show 14 days	14 days
38		Jerry "The King" Lawler 19 September 4, 1978 Memphis, Tennessee \| CWA Show 63 days	63 days
37		Jos LeDuc August 28, 1978 Memphis, Tennessee \| CWA Show 7 days	7 days
36		Jerry "The King" Lawler 18 August 14, 1978 Memphis, Tennessee \| CWA Show 14 days	14 days
35		Jos LeDuc August 7, 1978 Memphis, Tennessee \| CWA Show 7 days	7 days
34		Jerry "The King" Lawler 17 December 5, 1977 CWA Show \| Memphis, Tennessee 245 days Championship became an AWA championship in July 1978 when the CWA began working with the American Wrestling Association.	245 days
Continental Wrestling Association
33		Jimmy Valiant 2 November 28, 1977 Memphis, Tennessee \| CWA Show 7 days	7 days
32		Jerry "The King" Lawler 16 October 10, 1977 Memphis, Tennessee \| CWA Show 49 days	49 days
31		Jimmy Valiant 1 September 25, 1977 Louisville, Kentucky \| CWA Show 15 days Defeated Mr. Wrestling in the finals of a six-man one-night tournament.	15 days
		Vacant September 13, 1977 12 days Lawler retired after a match against Bill Dundee, but later returned to the ring	12 days
30		Jerry "The King" Lawler 15 August 29, 1977 Memphis, Tennessee \| CWA Show 15 days	15 days
29		Bill Dundee August 22, 1977 Memphis, Tennessee \| CWA Show 7 days	7 days
28		Jerry "The King" Lawler 14 August 1, 1977 Memphis, Tennessee \| CWA Show 21 days	21 days
27		Bill Dundee July 25, 1977 Memphis, Tennessee \| CWA Show 7 days	7 days
26		Jerry "The King" Lawler 13 July 18, 1977 Memphis, Tennessee \| CWA Show 7 days	7 days
25		Paul Orndorff 1 May 29, 1977 Memphis, Tennessee \| CWA Show 50 days	50 days
24		Jerry "The King" Lawler 12 May 1, 1977 Memphis, Tennessee \| CWA Show 28 days	28 days
23		Bob Armstrong 3 April 28, 1977 Knoxville, Tennessee \| CWA Show 3 days	3 days
22		Jerry "The King" Lawler 11 April 11, 1977 Memphis, Tennessee \| CWA Show 17 days	17 days
21		Rocky Johnson 1 November 1, 1976 Memphis, Tennessee \| Mid-Am Show 161 days The championship moved from NWA Mid-America to the Continental Wrestling Association on March 20, 1977	161 days
NWA Mid-America
20		Jerry "The King" Lawler 10 October 15, 1976 Memphis, Tennessee \| Mid-Am Show 17 days	17 days
19		Jackie Fargo 1 October 4, 1976 Memphis, Tennessee \| Mid-Am Show 11 days	11 days
18		Jerry "The King" Lawler 9 October 4, 1976 Memphis, Tennessee \| Mid-Am Show 0 days	0 days
17		Tommy Rich 2 September 14, 1976 Memphis, Tennessee \| Mid-Am Show 20 days	20 days
16		Jerry "The King" Lawler 8 August 19, 1976 Memphis, Tennessee \| Mid-Am Show 26 days	26 days
15		Jack Brisco 1 August 9, 1976 Memphis, Tennessee \| Mid-Am Show 10 days	10 days
14		Jerry "The King" Lawler 7 April 5, 1976 Memphis, Tennessee \| Mid-Am Show 126 days	126 days
13		Tommy Rich 1 February 22, 1976 Memphis, Tennessee \| Mid-Am Show 43 days	43 days
12		Jerry "The King" Lawler 6 January 19, 1976 Memphis, Tennessee \| Mid-Am Show 34 days Defeated Ricky Gibson in a rematch.	34 days
		Vacant January 1, 1976 18 days Championship vacated after a match against Ricky Gibson	18 days
11		Jerry "The King" Lawler 5 December 15, 1975 Memphis, Tennessee \| Mid-Am Show 17 days Defeated Ron Fuller in a tournament final.	17 days
		Vacant November 30, 1975 15 days Championship vacated for undocumented reasons	15 days
10		Bob Armstrong 2 November 24, 1975 Memphis, Tennessee \| Mid-Am Show 6 days	6 days
9		Jerry "The King" Lawler 4 October 20, 1975 Huntsville, Alabama \| Mid-Am Show 35 days	35 days
8		Bob Armstrong 1 September 29, 1975 Memphis, Tennessee \| Mid-Am Show 21 days Defeated The Mongolian Stomper in a rematch. The title change may have been repeated on October 7, 1975 in Louisville, Kentucky.	21 days
		Vacant August 9, 1975 Memphis, Tennessee \| Mid-Am Show 51 days Championship vacated after a match against Bob Armstrong.	51 days
7		The Mongolian Stomper July 28, 1975 Memphis, Tennessee \| Mid-Am Show 12 days	12 days
6		Jerry "The King" Lawler 3 July 14, 1975 Memphis, Tennessee \| Mid-Am Show 14 days	14 days
5		The Mongolian Stomper June 9, 1975 Memphis, Tennessee \| Mid-Am Show 35 days	35 days
4		Ron Fuller December 29, 1974 Memphis, Tennessee \| Mid-Am Show 162 days Won an eight-man tournament.	162 days
		Vacant December 1, 1974 28 days Championship vacated for undocumented reasons	28 days
3		Jerry "The King" Lawler 2 October 30, 1974 Nashville, Tennessee \| Mid-Am Show 32 days	32 days
2		Robert Fuller October 23, 1974 Nashville, Tennessee \| Mid-Am Show 7 days	7 days
1		Jerry "The King" Lawler 1 July 27, 1974 Chattanooga, Tennessee \| Mid-Am Show 88 days Defeated Jackie Fargo for the NWA Southern Junior Heavyweight Championship. The title was then renamed the NWA Southern Heavyweight Championship (Mid-America version) in August 1974.	88 days

AWA Southern Heavyweight Championship: Names & Belt Designs

- MW Southern Heavyweight ChampionshipMarch 6, 2004December 12, 2010
- MCW Southern Heavyweight ChampionshipMarch 25, 2000December 1, 2001
- USWA Heavyweight ChampionshipJanuary 10, 1996November 1, 1997
- USWA Heavyweight ChampionshipSeptember 13, 1993January 10, 1996
- USWA Southern Heavyweight ChampionshipSeptember 1, 1990September 13, 1993
- AWA Southern Heavyweight ChampionshipJanuary 17, 1981December 7, 1987
- AWA Southern Heavyweight ChampionshipJanuary 15, 1979January 17, 1981
- AWA Southern Heavyweight ChampionshipJuly 1, 1978January 15, 1979
- CWA Southern Heavyweight ChampionshipMarch 20, 1977July 1, 1978
- NWA Mid-Southern Heavyweight ChampionshipJuly 27, 1974March 20, 1977

AWA Southern Heavyweight Championship: Statistics

Promotions History

Promotion	from	to
PromotionMW	March 6, 2004	December 12, 2010
PromotionMCW	March 25, 2000	December 1, 2001
PromotionUSWA	September 1, 1990	November 1, 1997
PromotionAWA, CWA	July 1, 1978	December 7, 1987
PromotionCWA	March 20, 1977	July 1, 1978
PromotionMID AMERICA	July 27, 1974	March 20, 1977

Promotion American Wrestling Association Continental Wrestling Association United States Wrestling Association Memphis Wrestling Memphis Championship Wrestling NWA Mid-America
GenderMale
Title TypeTertiary Title
Date EstablishedJuly 27, 1974
Date RetiredDecember 12, 2010

First ChampionJerry "The King" Lawler
Final ChampionBrian Christopher

Most Number of Reigns

Rank	Wrestler	Reigns
	Jerry "The King" Lawler	58
	Brian Christopher	26
	Bill Dundee	13
	Jeff Jarrett	10
	Tommy Rich	9

Most Combined Days

Rank	Wrestler	Days
	Jerry "The King" Lawler	2939
	Brian Christopher	1020
	Viscera	425
	Shock	397
	Bill Dundee	348

Longest Reigns

Wrestler	Reign	Days
Jerry "The King" Lawler	July 1, 2005 - March 1, 2007	608
Shock	March 1, 2007 - April 1, 2008	397
Viscera	March 6, 2004 - March 1, 2005	360
Jerry "The King" Lawler	April 1, 2008 - December 31, 2008	274
Jerry "The King" Lawler	December 5, 1977 - August 7, 1978	245

AWA Southern Heavyweight Championship: Title History

AWA Southern Heavyweight Championship: Title Reigns

Deactivated

Brian Christopher 26

Vacant

Jerry "The King" Lawler 58

Shock

Jerry "The King" Lawler 57

Mordecai 2

Viscera 2

Deactivated

Kryptonite

7even 1

Steve Bradley

Joey Abs 2

Steve Bradley

K-Kwik 2

Joey Abs 1

Steven Regal 1

Jerry "The King" Lawler 56

K-Kwik 1

Vacant

Jerry "The King" Lawler 55

Deactivated

Steven Dunn

Fake Diesel 1

Spellbinder

Billy Travis

Brian Christopher 25

Elijah

Brian Christopher 24

Wolfie D

Brian Christopher 23

Ric Hogan

Brian Christopher 22

Jerry "The King" Lawler 54

Mabel 1

Brian Christopher 21

Tommy Rich 9

Jerry "The King" Lawler 53

Tex Slazenger

Brian Christopher 20

Tex Slazenger

Vacant

Brian Christopher 19

Jesse James Armstrong 1

Brian Christopher 18

Billy Jack Haynes

Brad Armstrong 1

Billy Jack Haynes

Brian Christopher 17

Doug Gilbert

Brian Lee 2

Vacant

Brian Lee 1

Brian Christopher 16

Tommy Rich 8

Brian Christopher 15

Tommy Rich 7

Vacant

Doug Gilbert

Brian Christopher 14

The Dream Machine

Brian Christopher 13

Doug Gilbert

Brian Christopher 12

Eddie Gilbert 3

Brian Christopher 11

Doug Gilbert

Brian Christopher 10

Doug Gilbert

Brian Christopher 9

Buddy Landel 3

Jeff Jarrett 10

Vacant

Tommy Rich 6

Jeff Jarrett 9

Vampire Warrior 1

Jeff Jarrett 8