On this page, you find the full Title History for the AWA United States 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 United States Heavyweight Championship was a secondary title contested in American Wrestling Association and National Wrestling Alliance, by men wrestlers.
The championship was first established on September 3, 1953, and the inaugural champion was Verne Gagne.
The AWA United States Heavyweight Championship was retired on July 5, 1962, with the final champion being Pat O'Connor.
A similar championship, the AWA America's Heavyweight Championship, has been later introduced, which does not share the lineage with this title.
AWA United States Heavyweight Championship: Title History
For the Title History of the newer version of this championship, see the page for the AWA America's Heavyweight Championship.
AWA United States Heavyweight Championship: Title Reigns
N. Image Champion Reign American Wrestling Association Deactivated
- July 5, 1962
- 23172+ days
O'Connor spent the rest of his AWA stint challenging Mr. M unsuccessfully for the AWA World championship, while defending his title in other NWA territories until he lost it to Hans Schmidt on July 5, 1962, in Greensboro, North Carolina in a Jim Crockett Promotions card; AWA abandons recognition.16 
Pat O'Connor 1
- February 17, 1962
- St. Paul, Minnesota | House show
- 138 days
Was awarded the NWA (Central States) version of the US Championship on August 24, 1961; defends title against Bob Geigel.138- days
Vacant
- January 9, 1962
- 39 days
Vacated when Mr. M won the AWA World Heavyweight Championship.39- days
15 Mr. M
- October 17, 1961
- Minneapolis, Minnesota | House show
- 84 days
84- days
14 Hard Boiled Haggerty
- September 1, 1961
- Minnesota | House show
- 46 days
Sometime after September 5, 1961.46- days
13 Gene Kiniski
- April 1, 1961
- Saint Paul, Minnesota | House show
- 153 days
153- days
12 Wilbur Snyder
- March 1, 1961
- Duluth, Minnesota | House show
- 31 days
31- days
11 Gene Kiniski
- February 1, 1961
- Duluth, Minnesota | House show
- 28 days
28- days
10 Wilbur Snyder
- February 15, 1961
- Duluth, Minnesota | House show
- N/A days
N/A- days
9 Gene Kiniski
- December 13, 1960
- Minneapolis, Minnesota | House show
- 64 days
64- days
8 Wilbur Snyder
- December 6, 1960
- Minnesota | House show
- 7 days
7- days
7 Gene Kiniski
- November 19, 1960
- Minneapolis, Minnesota | House show
- 17 days
Defeated Nick Roberts in a house show in St. Paul, Minnesota; match was not billed for the title.17- days
Vacant
- August 16, 1960
- 95 days
Vacated when Gagne won AWA World Heavyweight Championship.95- days
6 
Verne Gagne 2
- April 12, 1958
- Chicago, Illinois | House show
- 857 days
The title was split from the original championship, which retained the same joint lineage in the Chicago territory. Minneapolis version renamed "AWA United States Championship" in 1960.857- days
National Wrestling Alliance & American Wrestling Association 5 
Dick The Bruiser 1
- December 14, 1957
- Chicago, Illinois | House show
- 119 days
119- days
4 Wilbur Snyder
- February 19, 1957
- Chicago, Illinois | House show
- 298 days
298- days
3 Hans Schmidt
- October 19, 1956
- Chicago, Illinois | House show
- 123 days
123- days
2 Wilbur Snyder
- April 7, 1956
- Chicago, Illinois | House show
- 195 days
195- days
1 Verne Gagne 1
- September 3, 1953
- Chicago, Illinois | House show
- 947 days
Gagne was awarded the championship947- days
AWA United States Heavyweight Championship: Names & Belt Designs
-
- AWA United States Heavyweight ChampionshipAugust 16, 1960July 5, 1962
- NWA United States Heavyweight Championship (Chicago version)September 3, 1953August 16, 1960
AWA United States Heavyweight Championship: Statistics
NWA
MBWC- Promotion
American Wrestling Association - GenderMale
- Title TypeMidcard / Secondary
- Date EstablishedSeptember 3, 1953
- Date RetiredJuly 5, 1962
- Followed By
AWA America's Heavyweight Championship
- First ChampionVerne Gagne
- Final ChampionPat O'Connor
Most Number of Reigns
| Rank | Wrestler | Reigns |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wilbur Snyder | 5 |
| 2 | Gene Kiniski | 4 |
| 3 | Verne Gagne | 2 |
| 4 | Pat O'Connor | 1 |
| 5 | Hans Schmidt | 1 |
Most Combined Days
| Rank | Wrestler | Days |
|---|---|---|
| Verne Gagne | 1804 | |
| Wilbur Snyder | 531 | |
| Gene Kiniski | 262 | |
| Pat O'Connor | 138 | |
| Hans Schmidt | 123 |
Longest Reigns
| Rank | Wrestler | Reign | Days |
|---|---|---|---|
| Verne Gagne | September 3, 1953 - April 7, 1956 | 947 | |
| Verne Gagne | April 12, 1958 - August 16, 1960 | 857 | |
| Wilbur Snyder | February 19, 1957 - December 14, 1957 | 298 | |
| Wilbur Snyder | April 7, 1956 - October 19, 1956 | 195 | |
| Gene Kiniski | April 1, 1961 - September 1, 1961 | 153 |