On this page, you find the full Title History for the MLW World 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 MLW World Heavyweight Championship is a World Title contested in Major League Wrestling, by men wrestlers.
The championship was first established on June 15, 2002, and the inaugural champion was Shane Douglas.
The current champion is Matt Riddle, who won the title on January 11, 2025, and has been reigning for 179 days.
MLW World Heavyweight Championship: Title History
MLW-
Championship Names & Belt Designs
-
- MLW World Heavyweight Championship January 25, 2025
- MLW World Heavyweight Championship June 1, 2024 January 24, 2025
- MLW World Heavyweight Championship April 12, 2018 May 31, 2024
- MLW World Heavyweight Championship June 15, 2002 February 10, 2004
MLW World Heavyweight Championship: Title Reigns
-
N. Image Champion Reign 12 
Matt Riddle 1
- January 11, 2025
- Philadelphia, PA | MLW Kings of Colosseum
- 179+ days
179+- days
11 
Satoshi Kojima 2
- February 3, 2024
- Philadelphia, PA | MLW SuperFight
- 343 days
343- days
10 Alex Kane
- July 8, 2023
- Philadelphia, PA | MLW Never Say Never
- 210 days
210- days
9 
Alex Hammerstone 1
- October 2, 2021
- Cicero, IL | MLW Fightland
- 644 days
This was a Winner takes all match where Hammerstone's MLW National Openweight Championship was also on the line.644- days
8 
Jacob Fatu 1
- July 6, 2019
- Philadelphia, PA | MLW Kings of Colosseum
- 819 days
819- days
7 
Tom Lawlor 1
- February 2, 2019
- Orlando, FL | MLW SuperFight
- 154 days
154- days
6 
Low Ki 1
- July 20, 2018
- Orlando, FL | MLW Fusion
- 197 days
197- days
5 
Killshot 1
- April 12, 2018
- MLW The World Championship Finals
- 99 days
Defeated Matt Riddle in the tournament finals to win the revived title.99- days
Deactivated
- February 10, 2004
- Fort Lauderdale, FL
- 0 days
Steve Corino was no longer listed as the MLW World Heavyweight Champion after the company stopped hosting events.4 
Steve Corino 1
- June 20, 2003
- Fort Lauderdale, FL | MLW Hybrid Hell
- 235 days
Corino challenged Mike Awesome to a match following Awesome's victory over Satoshi Kojima.235- days
3 
The Gladiator 1
- June 20, 2003
- New York City, NY | MLW Hybrid Hell
- 0 days
0- days
2 
Satoshi Kojima 1
- September 26, 2002
- New York City, NY | MLW Reload
- 267 days
Defeated Jerry Lynn to win the vacant title.267- days
Vacant
- September 13, 2002
- Philadelphia, PA
- 13 days
Shane Douglas was stripped of the championship due to his controversial actions at Genesis.13- days
1 
Shane Douglas 1
- June 15, 2002
- Philadelphia, PA | MLW Genesis
- 90 days
Defeated Taiyō Kea and Vampiro in a three way dance to become inaugural champion. Douglas immediately threw down the championship after the match. This reign has only received occasional recognition from MLW.90- days
MLW World Heavyweight Championship: Statistics
- Promotion
Major League Wrestling - Gender Male
- Title Type Primary Title
- Date Established June 15, 2002
- First ChampionShane Douglas
- Current ChampionMatt Riddle
Most Number of Reigns
| Rank | Wrestler | Reigns |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Satoshi Kojima | 2 |
| 2 | Jacob Fatu | 1 |
| 3 | Alex Hammerstone | 1 |
| 4 | Steve Corino | 1 |
| 5 | Alex Kane | 1 |
Most Combined Days
| Rank | Wrestler | Days |
|---|---|---|
| Jacob Fatu | 819 | |
| Alex Hammerstone | 644 | |
| Satoshi Kojima | 610 | |
| Steve Corino | 235 | |
| Alex Kane | 210 |
Longest Reigns
| Rank | Wrestler | Reign | Days |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jacob Fatu | July 6, 2019 - October 2, 2021 | 819 | |
| Alex Hammerstone | October 2, 2021 - July 8, 2023 | 644 | |
| Satoshi Kojima | February 3, 2024 - January 11, 2025 | 343 | |
| Satoshi Kojima | September 26, 2002 - June 20, 2003 | 267 | |
| Steve Corino | June 20, 2003 - February 10, 2004 | 235 |