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, 1962O'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 showWas awarded the NWA (Central States) version of the US Championship on August 24, 1961; defends title against Bob Geigel.138days
Vacant
January 9, 1962Vacated when Mr. M won the AWA World Heavyweight Championship.39days15 Mr. M
October 17, 1961 Minneapolis, Minnesota | House show84days14 Hard Boiled Haggerty
September 1, 1961 Minnesota | House showSometime after September 5, 1961.46days13 Gene Kiniski
April 1, 1961 Saint Paul, Minnesota | House show153days12 Wilbur Snyder
March 1, 1961 Duluth, Minnesota | House show31days11 Gene Kiniski
February 1, 1961 Duluth, Minnesota | House show28days10 Wilbur Snyder
February 15, 1961 Duluth, Minnesota | House showN/Adays9 Gene Kiniski
December 13, 1960 Minneapolis, Minnesota | House show64days8 Wilbur Snyder
December 6, 1960 Minnesota | House show7days7 Gene Kiniski
November 19, 1960 Minneapolis, Minnesota | House showDefeated Nick Roberts in a house show in St. Paul, Minnesota; match was not billed for the title.17daysVacant
August 16, 1960Vacated when Gagne won AWA World Heavyweight Championship.95days6 
Verne Gagne 2
April 12, 1958 Chicago, Illinois | House showThe 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 1960.857daysNational Wrestling Alliance & American Wrestling Association 5 
Dick The Bruiser 1
December 14, 1957 Chicago, Illinois | House show119days4 Wilbur Snyder
February 19, 1957 Chicago, Illinois | House show298days3 Hans Schmidt
October 19, 1956 Chicago, Illinois | House show123days2 Wilbur Snyder
April 7, 1956 Chicago, Illinois | House show195days1 Verne Gagne 1
September 3, 1953 Chicago, Illinois | House showGagne was awarded the championship947days
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 - TerritoryRegional
- DivisionSecondary
- GenderMale
- 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 |
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