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The AWA Southern Heavyweight Championship was a major pro wrestling title in the Tennessee area during the 1970's and 1980's. It was originally named the NWA Southern Heavyweight Championship (Memphis version) from 1974 until 1978, when it was renamed the AWA Southern Heavyweight Championship due to a partnership with the American Wrestling Association. The title interchangibly used its AWA and NWA affiliation until 1986 when the Memphis promotion left the National Wrestling Alliance. It was also called the Mid-Southern Heavyweight Title in Pro Wrestling Illustrated and its sister publications, in order for this title to not be confused with NWA Southern Heavyweight Championship (Florida Version). The title was revived in the United States Wrestling Association from 1989 until 1997 when the USWA closed. It was known as the USWA Southern Heavyweight Championship during that time. It was revived in Memphis Championship Wrestling as the MCW Southern Heavyweight Championship in 2000-01. It was later revived in 2004 in Memphis Wrestling.
[edit] Title history
| Wrestlers:
| Reigns:
| Date:
| Place:
|
| NWA Southern/Mid-Southern Heavyweight Title
|
| Jerry Lawler
| 1
| 1974
| ? (Was the reigning NWA Southern Junior Heavyweight Champion when the title was renamed)
|
| Jackie Fargo
| 1
| 1975
| ?
|
| Jerry Lawler
| 2
| 1975
| ?
|
| Mongolian Stomper
| 1
| October 1975
| ?
|
| Bob Armstrong
| 1
| October 1975
| ?
|
| Jerry Lawler
| 3
| October 1975
| ?
|
| Bob Armstrong
| 2
| November 1975
| ?
|
| Jerry Lawler
| 4
| November 1975
| ?
|
| Jerry Lawler
| 5
| 1975
| records unclear who held the title in between these two title reigns for Lawler
|
| Jack Brisco
| 1
| August 10 1976
| Memphis, TN
|
| Jerry Lawler
| 6
| 1976
| ?
|
| Tommy Rich
| 1
| 1976
| ?
|
| Gorgeous George Jr.
| 1
| 1976
| ?
|
| Rocky Johnson
| 1
| 1976
| ?
|
| Jerry Lawler
| 7
| 1976
| ?
|
| Bob Armstrong
| 3
| June 1977
| ?
|
| Jerry Lawler
| 8
| 1977
| ?
|
| Paul Orndorff
| 1
| June 7 1977
| ?
|
| Vacated
|
| 1977
| Title vacant
|
| Jimmy Valiant
| 1
| 1977
| Won Tournament; Lou Thesz is recognized as NWA Southern Heavyweight Champion by Nick Gulas in Nashville, but the title is abandoned in 78/07 when Thesz wrestles for Jerry Jarrett's Memphis promotion.
|
| Mr. Wrestling
| 1
| 1977
| ?
|
| Jerry Lawler
| 9
| November 21 1977
| Memphis, TN
|
| Jimmy Valiant
| 2
| November 28 1977
| Memphis, TN
|
| Jerry Lawler
| 10
| December 5 1977
| Memphis, TN
|
| Renamed AWA Southern Heavyweight Title
|
| Jos LeDuc
| 1
| August 7 1978
| Memphis, TN
|
| Don Fargo
| 1
| November 1978
| ?
|
| Tommy Gilbert
| 3
| November 20 1978
| Memphis, TN
|
| Don Fargo
| 2
| December 1978
| ?
|
| Jerry Lawler
| 11
| December 4 1978
| Memphis, TN
|
| Austin Idol
| 1
| December 25 1978
| Memphis, TN
|
| Ron Fuller
| 1
| January 15 1979
| Memphis, TN
|
| Toru Tanaka
| 1
| February 12 1979
| Memphis, TN
|
| Robert Fuller
| 1
| March 19 1979
| Memphis, TN
|
| Toru Tanaka
| 2
| March 1979
| Title returned to Tanaka
|
| Mongolian Stomper
| 2
| April 23 1979
| Memphis, TN
|
| Robert Fuller
| 2
| June 4 1979
| Memphis, TN
|
| Randy Taylor
| 1
| June 1979
| ?
|
| Ron Bass
| 1
| July 2 1979
| Memphis, TN
|
| Bill Dundee
| 1
| August 27 1979
| Memphis, TN
|
| Jerry Lawler
| 12
| October 15 1979
| Memphis, TN
|
| Jimmy Valiant
| 3
| January 3 1980
| Jackson, TN
|
| Paul Ellering
| 1
| April 1980
| ?
|
| Bill Dundee
| 2
| July 1980
| ?
|
| Vacated
|
| August 4 1980
| Dundee won CWA Title
|
| Bill Irwin
| 1
| August 11 1980
| ?
|
| Jimmy Valiant
| 4
| August 1980
| ?
|
| Tommy Rich
| 2
| 1980
| ?
|
| Jimmy Valiant
| 5
| September 9 1980
| Memphis, TN
|
| Tommy Rich
| 3
| October 1980
| ?
|
| Jimmy Valiant
| 6
| 1981
| ?
|
| Jerry Lawler
| 13
| March 10 1981
| Memphis, TN
|
| Jimmy Hart
| 1
| 1981
| ?
|
| Chick Donovan
| 1
| 1981
| Given the title by Hart
|
| Vacated
|
| 1981
| Title Vacant
|
| Jerry Lawler
| 14
| 1981
| records unclear as to whom he defeated
|
| Sabu the Wildman (AKA Cocoa Samoa)
| 1
| 1981
| ?
|
| Jerry Lawler
| 15
| 1981
| ?
|
| The Dream Machine
| 1
| 1981
| ?
|
| Jimmy Valiant
| 7
| 1981
| ?
|
| Vacated
|
| 1981
| Title vacant
|
| The Dream Machine
| 2
| July 20 1981
| Jackson, TN (Defeated Steve Keirn in tournament final)
|
| Dutch Mantel
| 1
| February 14 1982
| ?
|
| Jerry Lawler
| 16
| 1981
| ?
|
| Dutch Mantel
| 2
| February 14 1982
| ?
|
| Jerry Lawler
| 17
| March 1 1982
| ?
|
| Dutch Mantel
| 3
| March 22 1982
| ?
|
| Jerry Lawler
| 18
| 1982
| ?
|
| Kendo Nagasaki
| 1
| 1982
| ?
|
| Jerry Lawler
| 19
| 1982
| ?
|
| Kamala
| 1
| June 7 1982
| Memphis, TN
|
| Jerry Lawler
| 20
| August 9 1982
| Memphis, TN
|
| Nick Bockwinkel
| 1
| October 11 1982
| Memphis, TN
|
| Jerry Lawler
| 21
| November 8 1982
| Memphis, TN
|
| Jerry Roberts (Jacques Rougeau, Jr.)
| 1
| November 1982
| ?
|
| Terry Taylor
| 1
| November 29 1982
| Memphis, TN
|
| Jerry Roberts
| 2
| January 20 1983
| Memphis, TN
|
| Terry Taylor
| 2
| February 14 1983
| Memphis, TN
|
| Bill Dundee
| 3
| March 21 1983
| Memphis, TN
|
| Dutch Mantel
| 4
| April 1983
| ?
|
| Bill Dundee
| 4
| April 1983
| ?
|
| Dutch Mantel
| 5
| May 1983
| ?
|
| Bill Dundee
| 5
| May 1983
| ?
|
| Jerry Lawler
| 22
| June 6 1983
| Memphis, TN
|
| Man Mountain Link
| 1
| June 20 1983
| Memphis, TN
|
| Jerry Lawler
| 23
| July 4 1983
| Memphis, TN
|
| Vacated
|
| September 1983
| Lawler failed to defend his title within 30 days
|
| Jerry Lawler
| 24
| September 10 1983
| Memphis, TN (Defeated Bill Dundee in tournament final)
|
| Jesse Ventura
| 1
| September 1983
| ?
|
| Jerry Lawler
| 25
| October 3 1983
| Memphis, TN
|
| Jesse Ventura
| 2
| October 10 1983
| Memphis, TN
|
| Jerry Lawler
| 26
| November 1983
| Chicago, IL
|
| Humongous
| 1
| April 30 1984
| Memphis, TN
|
| Jerry Lawler
| 27
| May 2 1984
| Memphis, TN
|
| Rick Rude
| 1
| June 11 1984
| Memphis, TN
|
| Tommy Rich
| 4
| July 22 1984
| Louisville, KY
|
| King Kong Bundy
| 1
| July 30 1984
| Memphis, TN
|
| Jerry Lawler
| 28
| November 12 1984
| Memphis, TN
|
| Eddie Gilbert
| 1
| January 27 1985
| Memphis, TN
|
| Jerry Lawler
| 29
| February 12 1985
| Memphis, TN
|
| Randy Savage
| 1
| March 17 1985
| Memphis, TN
|
| Jerry Oske
| 1
| May 7 1985
| Louisville, KY
|
| Randy Savage
| 2
| May 13 1985
| Memphis, TN
|
| Jerry Lawler
| 30
| June 3 1985
| Memphis, TN
|
| Bota the Witch Doctor
| 1
| June 24 1985
| Memphis, TN
|
| Jerry Lawler
| 31
| July 29 1985
| Memphis, TN
|
| Tarras Bulba
| 1
| July 29 1985
| Selmer, TN
|
| Jerry Lawler
| 32
| September 6 1985
| Martin, TN
|
| Bill Dundee
| 6
| October 19 1985
| Memphis, TN
|
| Jerry Lawler
| 33
| December 21 1985
| Memphis, TN
|
| Bill Dundee
| 7
| December 30 1985
| Memphis, TN
|
| Jerry Lawler
| 34
| April 8 1986
| Memphis, TN
|
| Bill Dundee
| 8
| May 2 1986
| Memphis, TN
|
| Buddy Landell
| 1
| June 2 1986
| Memphis, TN
|
| Vacated
|
| June 1986
| Title vacant
|
| Buddy Landell
| 2
| June 16 1986
| Memphis, TN (Defeated The Flame in tournament final)
|
| Vacated
|
| June 1986
| Landell left area
|
| Bam Bam Bigelow
| 1
| July 28 1986
| Memphis, TN (Won battle royal)
|
| Jerry Lawler
| 35
| September 8 1986
| Memphis, TN
|
| Vacated
|
| January 11 1987
| Lawler injured
|
| Austin Idol
| 2
| February 3 1987
| Memphis, TN (Defeated S.T. Jones in tournament final)
|
| Jerry Lawler
| 36
| April 20 1987
| Memphis, TN
|
| Austin Idol
| 3
| April 27 1987
| Memphis, TN
|
| Jerry Lawler
| 37
| July 13 1987
| Memphis, TN
|
| Brickhouse Brown
| 1
| July 7 1987
| Memphis, TN
|
| Jerry Lawler
| 38
| July 13 1987
| Memphis, TN
|
| Don Bass
| 1
| August 3 1987
| Memphis, TN (Pinned Lawler in a tag team match where the title was on the line)
|
| Jerry Lawler
| 39
| August 31 1987
| Memphis, TN
|
| Vacated
|
| October 1987
| Vacated to concentrate on AWA World Tag Team Titles
|
| Bobby Jaggers
| 1
| October 19 1987
| Memphis, TN (records unclear as to whom he defeated)
|
| Jerry Lawler
| 40
| November 21 1987
| Memphis, TN
|
| Title Retired
|
| December 7 1987
| Title unified with CWA Title
|
[edit] USWA Southern Heavyweight Title History
| Wrestlers:
| Reigns:
| Date:
| Place:
|
| revived as USWA Southern Heavyweight Title
|
| Tony Anthony
| 1
| October 2 1989
| Memphis, TN
|
| Bill Dundee
| 1
| November 19 1989
| Memphis, TN
|
| John Tatum
| 1
| May 3 1990
| Dallas, TX
|
| Bill Dundee
| 2
| May 18 1990
| Dallas, TX
|
| John Tatum
| 2
| June 15 1990
| Dallas, TX
|
| Bill Dundee
| 3
| June 22 1990
| Dallas, TX
|
| John Tatum
| 3
| July 4 1990
| Dallas, TX
|
| Vacated
|
| 1990
| Title vacant when USWA and WCCW split
|
| Dick Slater
| 1
| September 1 1990
| Awarded
|
| Jeff Jarrett
| 1
| October 6 1990
| Nashville, TN
|
| Eddie Gilbert
| 1
| October 29 1990
| Memphis, TN
|
| Vacated
|
| December 1990
| Gilbert left area
|
| Jeff Jarrett
| 2
| January 14 1991
| Memphis, TN (Defeated Brian Lee in tournament final)
|
| Held Up
|
| February 25 1991
| Title held up after match against Steve Austin
|
| Jeff Jarrett
| 3
| March 1991
| Won rematch over Austin
|
| Tom Prichard
| 1
| March 15 1991
| Dallas, TX
|
| Held Up
|
| March 29 1991
| Title Held Up after match against Jeff Jarrett
|
| Jeff Jarrett
| 4
| April 5 1991
| Dallas, TX (Won rematch)
|
| Held Up
|
| April 5 1991
| Title held up due to finish of rematch
|
| Jeff Jarrett
| 5
| April 12 1991
| Dallas, TX (Won rematch)
|
| Eric Embry
| 1
| May 3 1991
| Dallas, TX
|
| Bill Dundee
| 4
| May 13 1991
| Memphis, TN
|
| Eric Embry
| 2
| May 20 1991
| Memphis, TN
|
| Tom Prichard
| 2
| November 4 1991
| Memphis, TN
|
| Eric Embry
| 3
| November 9 1991
| Memphis, TN
|
| Tom Prichard
| 3
| December 2 1991
| Memphis, TN
|
| Eric Embry
| 4
| December 9 1991
| Memphis, TN
|
| Tom Prichard
| 4
| February 8 1992
| Memphis, TN
|
| "Dr. Death" Steve Williams
| 1
| March 10 1992
| Louisville, KY
|
| Jimmy Valiant
| 1
| March 16 1992
| Memphis, TN
|
| Brian Christopher
| 1
| March 23 1992
| Memphis, TN
|
| Held Up
|
| April 20 1992
| Title held up after match against Tom Prichard
|
| Brian Christopher
| 2
| April 27 1992
| Memphis, TN
|
| Held Up
|
| April 27 1992
| Title held up due to finish at rematch
|
| Brian Christopher
| 3
| May 4 1992
| Memphis, TN (Defeated Prichard in another rematch)
|
| Held Up
|
| June 22 1992
| Title held up after match against Tom Prichard
|
| Tom Prichard
| 5
| June 29 1992
| Memphis, TN (Won rematch)
|
| Brian Christopher
| 4
| July 20 1992
| Memphis, TN
|
| Tom Prichard
| 6
| July 27 1992
| Memphis, TN
|
| Brian Christopher
| 5
| August 3 1992
| Memphis, TN
|
| Reno Riggins
| 1
| August 10 1992
| Memphis, TN
|
| Held Up
|
| September 14 1992
| Title held up after match against Brian Christopher
|
| Brian Christopher
| 6
| September 21 1992
| Memphis, TN (Won rematch)
|
| Jeff Jarrett
| 6
| December 21 1992
| Memphis, TN
|
| Brian Christopher
| 7
| January 11 1993
| Memphis, TN
|
| Jeff Jarrett
| 7
| March 1 1993
| Memphis, TN
|
| Brian Christopher
| 8
| May 1 1993
| Memphis, TN
|
| Jeff Jarrett
| 8
| June 28 1993
| Memphis, TN
|
| Vampire Warrior (AKA Gangrel)
| 1
| July 18 1993
| Memphis, TN
|
| Jeff Jarrett
| 9
| August 23 1993
| Memphis, TN
|
| Tommy Rich
| 1
| September 13 1993
| Memphis, TN
|
| Held Up
|
| September 25 1993
| Title held up after match against Jeff Jarrett
|
| Jeff Jarrett
| 10
| October 4 1993
| Memphis, TN (Won rematch)
|
| Buddy Landell
| 1
| November 22 1993
| Memphis, TN
|
| Brian Christopher
| 9
| December 5 1993
| Memphis, TN
|
| Doug Gilbert
| 1
| February 7 1994
| Memphis, TN
|
| Brian Christopher
| 10
| February 14 1994
| Memphis, TN
|
| Doug Gilbert
| 2
| February 21 1994
| Memphis, TN
|
| Brian Christopher
| 11
| February 28 1994
| Memphis, TN
|
| Eddie Gilbert
| 2
| February 21 1994
| Memphis, TN
|
| Brian Christopher
| 12
| February 28 1994
| Memphis, TN (Won by countout)
|
| Doug Gilbert
| 3
| May 2 1994
| Memphis, TN
|
| Brian Christopher
| 13
| May 9 1994
| Memphis, TN
|
| The Dream Machine
| 1
| June 6 1994
| Memphis, TN
|
| Brian Christopher
| 14
| July 11 1994
| Memphis, TN
|
| Doug Gilbert
| 4
| August 1 1994
| Memphis, TN
|
| Stripped
|
| September 24 1994
| Title stripped for no defenses in 45 days
|
| Tommy Rich
| 2
| October 3 1994
| Memphis, TN (Defeated Buddy Landell in tournament final)
|
| Brian Christopher
| 15
| December 5 1994
| Memphis, TN
|
| Tommy Rich
| 3
| December 19 1994
| Memphis, TN
|
| Brian Christopher
| 16
| December 31 1994
| Memphis, TN
|
| Brian Lee
| 1
| April 3 1995
| Memphis, TN
|
| Held Up
|
| April 10 1995
| Title held up after match against Brian Christopher
|
| Brian Lee
| 2
| April 17 1995
| Memphis, TN (Won rematch)
|
| Doug Gilbert
| 5
| May 13 1995
| Memphis, TN
|
| Brian Christopher
| 17
| May 29 1995
| Memphis, TN
|
| Billy Jack Haynes
| 1
| June 26 1995
| Memphis, TN
|
| Brad Armstrong
| 1
| August 4 1995
| Knoxville, TN
|
| Billy Jack Haynes
| 2
| August 7 1995
| Memphis, TN
|
| Brian Christopher
| 18
| September 11 1995
| Memphis, TN
|
| Jesse James Armstrong
| 1
| October 7 1995
| Memphis, TN
|
| Brian Christopher
| 19
| October 23 1995
| Memphis, TN
|
| Held Up
|
| November 13 1995
| Title held up after match against Tex Slazenger
|
| Tex Slazenger
| 1
| November 22 1995
| Memphis, TN (Won rematch)
|
| Brian Christopher
| 20
| November 27 1995
| Memphis, TN
|
| Tex Slazenger
| 2
| December 2 1995
| Memphis, TN (Title returned by Commissioner Bob Armstrong due to controversial finish in 27 November match)
|
| Jerry Lawler
| 1
| January 10 1996
| Memphis, TN
|
| Tommy Rich
| 4
| January 13 1996
| Memphis, TN
|
| Brian Christopher
| 21
| February 14 1996
| Memphis, TN
|
| Mabel (AKA Viscera)
| 1
| March 16 1996
| Memphis, TN
|
| Jerry Lawler
| 2
| May 20 1996
| Memphis, TN
|
| Brian Christopher
| 22
| June 1 1996
| Memphis, TN
|
| "Macho Warrior" Ric Hogan
| 1
| October 28 1996
| Memphis, TN
|
| Brian Christopher
| 23
| November 18 1996
| Memphis, TN
|
| Wolfie D
| 1
| December 14 1996
| Memphis, TN
|
| Brian Christopher
| 24
| January 2 1997
| Memphis, TN
|
| Elijah (AKA Spellbinder)
| 1
| February 9 1997
| Memphis, TN
|
| Brian Christopher
| 25
| March 29 1997
| Memphis, TN
|
| Billy Travis
| 1
| June 14 1997
| Memphis, TN
|
| Spellbinder
| 2
| July 12 1997
| Memphis, TN
|
| Doomsday {AKA Kane)
| 1
| July 13 1997
| Memphis, TN
|
| Steven Dunn
| 1
| September 6 1997
| Memphis, TN
|
| Title Retired
|
| November 1997
| USWA closed
|
[edit] MCW Southern Heavyweight Title History
| Wrestlers:
| Reigns:
| Date:
| Place:
|
| revived as MCW Southern Heavyweight Title
|
| Jerry Lawler
| 1
| March 25 2000
| Tunica, MS (Defeated Bull Pain)
|
| Vacated
|
| 2000
| Title vacant
|
| K. Krush
| 1
| April 12 2000
| Robinsonville, MS
|
| Jerry Lawler (AKA Masked Man #1)
| 1
| May 24 2000
| Tunica, MS
|
| Lord Steven Regal
| 1
| June 21 2000
| Memphis, TN
|
| Joey Abs
| 1
| August 19 2000
| Memphis, TN
|
| K. Krush
| 2
| August 19 2000
| Memphis, TN
|
| Steve Bradley
| 1
| November 3 2000
| Manila, AR
|
| Joey Abs
| 2
| June 16 2001
| Jackson, TN
|
| Steve Bradley
| 2
| July 7 2001
| Manila, AR
|
| Seven
| 1
| July 7 2001
| Manila, AR
|
| Kryptonite
| 1
| November 17 2001
| Dyersburg, TN
|
| Vacated
|
| December 2001
| MCW closed
|
[edit] Memphis Wrestling Southern Title History
[edit] See also
[edit] External link
