On this page, you find the full Title History for the NWA Worlds 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 NWA Worlds Heavyweight Championship is a World Title contested in National Wrestling Alliance, by men wrestlers.
The championship was first established on July 14, 1948.
This is a newer version of the World Heavyweight Wrestling Championship (Original), with its own distinct lineage.
Air dates are used as the dates for title changes.
The NWAA World Heavyweight Championship and World Heavyweight Championship (Los Angeles) were previously unified into this championship.
The current champion is "Thrillbilly" Silas Mason, who won the title on the episode of NWA 77th Anniversary Show on November 18, 2025, and has been reigning for 177 days.
NWA Worlds Heavyweight Championship: Title History
For the Title History of the newer version of this championship, see the page for the TNA World Championship.
NWA Worlds Heavyweight Championship: Title Reigns
N. Image Champion Reign National Wrestling Alliance 103 
"Thrillbilly" Silas Mason 1
177+days102 
Thom Latimer 1
Latimer uses the "Lucky Seven Rule".413days101 
EC3 1
401days100 
Tyrus 1
288days99 
Trevor Murdoch 2
Defeated Nick Aldis, Thom Latimer and Sam Shaw in a fatal 4-way match for the vacant title.154days
Vacant
Matt Cardona vacated the title due to an injury.0days98 
Matt Cardona 1
95days97 Trevor Murdoch 1
191days96 
Nick Aldis 2
1043days95 
Cody 1
50days94 
Nick Aldis 1
December 9, 2017 Sewell, NJ | Cage of Death 19266days93 
Tim Storm 1
October 21, 2016 Sherman, TX | House showOn October 1, 2017, Billy Corgan's company Lightning One, Inc. purchased NWA, including the NWA World Heavyweight Championship. During this reign, the NWA's licensing model was abolished and title matches were limited primarily to performers under contract with Lightning One, Inc.414days92 
Jax Dane 1
August 29, 2015 San Antonio, TX | World War Gold419days91 
Hiroyoshi Tenzan 1
196days90 
Rob Conway 2
June 2, 2014 Las Vegas, NV | Cauliflower Alley Club Reunion Show257days89 
Satoshi Kojima 1
149days88 
Rob Conway 1
March 16, 2013 San Antonio, TX | A Monster's Ball294days87 Kahagas 1
November 2, 2012 Clayton, NJ | Wrath of ChampionsWon an elimination match for the vacant title by last eliminating Damien Wayne.134daysVacant
October 27, 2012 Berwick, Victoria, Australia | NWA Warzone Wrestling 14Adam Pearce left NWA and resigned as champion after the organization refused to allow him to defend the title in the concluding match of his seven-match series against Colt Cabana. The match did take place with Cabana winning, but both wrestlers refused the title in the aftermath.6days86 
Adam Pearce 5
July 21, 2012 Kansas City, KS | Metro Pro WrestlingThe match was aired on an unknown date via tape delay. During this reign, ownership of the NWA World Championship and the NWA itself was transferred from Pro Wrestling Organization LLC to the International Wrestling Corp.98days85 
Colt Cabana 2
April 29, 2012 Glendale, CA | NWA Championship Wrestling from Hollywood83days84 Adam Pearce 4
July 31, 2011 Columbus, OH | NWA at the Ohio State FairDefeated Chance Prophet, Jimmy Rave and Shaun Tempers in a 4-way match to win the vacant title.273daysVacant
July 11, 2011The Sheik was stripped of the title for refusing to defend against Adam Pearce on July 31, 2011.20days83 The Sheik 1
April 23, 2011 Jacksonville, FL | Subtle Hustle79days82 
Colt Cabana 1
April 2, 2011 West Hollywood, CA | NWA Championship Wrestling from Hollywood21days81 Adam Pearce 3
March 14, 2010 Charlotte, NC | House show384days80 
Blue Demon Jr. 1
October 25, 2008 Mexico City, Mexico | House show505days79 Adam Pearce 2
35days78 Brent Albright 1
49days77 
Adam Pearce 1
September 1, 2007 Bayamón, Puerto Rico | House showDefeated Brent Albright in the finals of the Reclaiming the Glory tournament to win the vacant title. Pearce competed as a substitute for Bryan Danielson, who defeated Pearce in the semifinals but withdrew from the tournament due to a detached retina.336daysVacant
May 13, 2007Christian Cage was stripped of the title when NWA ended its business agreement with TNA.111days76 
Christian Cage 2
119daysTotal Nonstop Action Wrestling 75 
Abyss 1
56days74 
Sting 2
28days73 
Jeff Jarrett 7
126days72 Christian Cage 1
126days71 Jeff Jarrett 6
101days70 
Rhino 1
11days69 
Jeff Jarrett 5
September 15, 2005 Windsor, Ontario, Canada | NWA International Incident38days68 
Raven 1
88days67 
AJ Styles 3
35days66 Jeff Jarrett 4
April 3, 2005 San Juan, Puerto Rico | CMLL Juicio FinalThe title was returned to Jarrett due to the controversial ending of the title match.42days65 Ray González 1
April 3, 2005 San Juan, Puerto Rico | CMLL Juicio FinalGonzález pinned Jarrett in San Juan, but the decision was reversed after the match due to an unauthorized referee counting the pinfall while the originally sanctioned referee was knocked out. The title change was initially ignored by TNA, but was retroactively recognized by NWA in 2015.0days64 Jeff Jarrett 3
Ron Killings defeated Jarrett on the June 23 NWA-TNA Weekly pay-per-view event for the title, but due to issues surrounding the title change, the title was held up, before Vince Russo gave Jarrett the title back (and the title change was not recognized).305days63 
Ron Killings 2
14days62 AJ Styles 2
28days61 Jeff Jarrett 2
182days60 AJ Styles 1
133days59 
Jeff Jarrett 1
During this reign Jarrett unified the title with the WWA World Heavyweight Championship.203days58 Ron Killings 1
105days57 
Ken Shamrock 1
In June 2002, Jeff and Jerry Jarrett formed NWA: Total Nonstop Action (NWA-TNA) and worked out a licensing deal with NWA to control and feature the NWA World Heavyweight Championship and the NWA World Tag Team Championship as their title. Shamrock defeated Malice to win the vacant title.49daysVacant
May 28, 2002Dan Severn was stripped of the title after "refusing to make a defense" of the title on the inaugural NWA-TNA weekly pay-per-view.22daysNational Wrestling Alliance 56 
Dan Severn 2
March 9, 2002 Tokyo, Japan | ZERO-ONE Vast Energy80days55 
Shinya Hashimoto 1
December 15, 2001 McKeesport, PA | Clash of the ChampionsWon a 3 round robin style (which also involved Gary Steele and Steve Corino) to win the vacant title.84daysVacant
October 13, 2001 St. Petersburg, FL | NWA 53rd Anniversary ShowThe title was held up after a Corino vs. Shinya Hashimoto title match ended in a no contest due to Corino being unable to compete after sustaining a head injury.63days54 
Steve Corino 1
April 24, 2001 Tampa, FL | House show172days53 Mike Rapada 2
December 22, 2000 Nashville, TN | Christmas Chaos123days52 
Sabu 1
November 14, 2000 Tampa, FL | Night of Decisions38days51 Mike Rapada 1
September 19, 2000 Tampa, FL | Tango in TampaDefeated Jerry Flynn in tournament final to win the vacant title.56daysVacant
July 2, 2000Ogawa vacated the title to focus on training for his scheduled (but later cancelled) MMA fight against Rickson Gracie.79days50 
Naoya Ogawa 2
October 2, 1999 Thomaston, CT | House show274days49 Gary Steele 1
September 25, 1999 Charlotte, NC | NWA 51st Anniversary Show7days48 Naoya Ogawa 1
March 14, 1999 Yokohama, Japan | UFO Battle in the Hama Ring195days47 
Dan Severn 1
February 24, 1995 Erlanger, KY | House show1479days46 
Chris Candido 1
November 19, 1994 Cherry Hill, NJ | NWA World Heavyweight Title TournamentDefeated Tracy Smothers in tournament final to win the vacant title.97daysVacant
August 27, 1994Shane Douglas threw the NWA World Heavyweight Championship belt down immediately after winning it and declared that he did not want to be the organization's champion; Douglas then declared the NWA-ECW Heavyweight Championship, of which he was already in possession, to be a world championship. Eastern Championship Wrestling then withdraws from the NWA and becomes Extreme Championship Wrestling.84days45 
Shane Douglas 1
Defeated 2 Cold Scorpio in tournament final to win the vacant title.0daysVacant
September 15, 1993WCW withdrew from NWA on September 1, 1993 but NWA continued to recognize Flair as NWA Champion and tried to reach a deal with WCW for the title to be dropped to a wrestler of NWA's choosing before the end of the year. By September 15, communications broke down and NWA attempted to obtain a temporary restraining order against WCW to stop them from advertising the scheduled Rick Rude vs. Ric Flair match at Fall Brawl as a world title match and have the belt returned to them. Though WCW managed to keep the belt, they dropped any mentions of NWA name from that point forward and the title was vacated by NWA while WCW continued to recognize Flair as their WCW International World Heavyweight Champion.346daysWorld Championship Wrestling & National Wrestling Alliance 44 
Ric Flair 9
59days43 
Barry Windham 1
147days42 
The Great Muta 1
48days41 
Masahiro Chono 1
Defeated Rick Rude in the final of the G1 Climax to win the vacant title.145daysVacant
September 8, 1991Ric Flair was stripped of the title upon signing with WWF.339days40 
Ric Flair 8
This title change was ignored from WCW in the United States, presenting Flair's reign as one continuous reign. However, this reign is recognized by NWA.112days39 
Tatsumi Fujinami 1
This title change was ignored from WCW in the United States, presenting Flair's reign as one continuous reign. However, this reign is recognized by NWA.59days38 Ric Flair 7
January 11, 1991 East Rutherford, NJ | House showAfter this title win, Flair was also recognized as the first WCW World Heavyweight Champion.69days37 
Sting 1
188days36 Ric Flair 6
426days35 
Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat 1
76days34 
Ric Flair 5
On November 21, 1988 NWA's flagship promotion JCP was purchased by Ted Turner and renamed World Championship Wrestling (WCW).452daysNational Wrestling Alliance & Jim Crockett Promotions 33 
Ronnie Garvin 1
September 26, 1987 Detroit, MI | WorldWide61days32 Ric Flair 4
August 9, 1986 St. Louis, MO | House show413days31 
Dusty Rhodes 3
14days30 Ric Flair 3
May 24, 1984 Yokosuka, Japan | House showBy early 1985, JCP controlled many NWA territories and attempted going national, thus limiting title matches primarily to performers under contract with JCP.793daysNational Wrestling Alliance 29 
Kerry von Erich 1
May 6, 1984 Irving, TX | 1st Von Erich Memorial Parade of Champions18days28 Ric Flair 2
During this reign, Harley Race defeated Ric Flair on March 20, 1984, for his 8th title win. However, this title change was not authorized by NWA, which voided his victory. Despite this, Harley Race is recognized as an 8-time NWA champion.164days27 
Harley Race 7
June 10, 1983 St. Louis, MO | House show167days26 Ric Flair 1
September 17, 1981 Kansas City, KS | House showDuring this reign, The Midnight Rider (Dusty Rhodes under a mask due to being under suspension in Florida) defeated Ric Flair for the title, but he returned it when then-NWA President Bob Geigel asked Rider to unmask or return the title, so the title was returned to Flair. Then Jack Veneno defeated Flair in Santo Domingo but he refused to defend the title outside his native country, so the title was returned to Flair on the same day and the title change was not recognized. Then Carlos Colón won it but the title change was not recognized, so the title was returned to Flair after a "fictional match".631days25 
Dusty Rhodes 2
June 21, 1981 Atlanta, GA | House show88days24 Harley Race 6
May 1, 1981 Gainesville, GA | House show51days23 
Tommy Rich 1
April 27, 1981 Augusta, GA | House show4days22 
Harley Race 5
September 9, 1980 Ōtsu, Japan | House show230days21 
Giant Baba 3
September 4, 1980 Saga, Japan | House show5days20 Harley Race 4
November 7, 1979 Amagasaki, Japan | House show302days19 Giant Baba 2
October 31, 1979 Nagoya, Japan | House show7days18 Harley Race 3
August 26, 1979 Orlando, FL | House show66days17 
Dusty Rhodes 1
August 21, 1979 Tampa, FL | House show5days16 Harley Race 2
February 6, 1977 Toronto, ON | House show926days15 
Terry Funk 1
December 10, 1975 Miami Beach, FL | House show424days14 
Jack Brisco 2
December 9, 1974 Toyohashi, Japan | House show366days13 Giant Baba 1
December 2, 1974 Kagoshima, Japan | House show7days12 Jack Brisco 1
July 20, 1973 Houston, TX | House show500days11 Harley Race 1
May 24, 1973 Kansas City, KS | House show57days10 
Dory Funk Jr. 1
February 11, 1969 Tampa, FL | House show1563days9 Gene Kiniski 1
January 7, 1966 St. Louis, MO | House show1131days8 
Lou Thesz 3
January 24, 1963 Toronto, Ontario, Canada | House showDuring this reign, Buddy Rogers won the title but promoters in the Northeastern United States refused to recognize it.1079days7 
"Nature Boy" Buddy Rogers 1
June 30, 1961 Chicago, IL | House showDuring this reign, Bruno Sammartino defeated Rogers but refused to accept the title because Rogers had wrestled with an injury, so the title was returned to Rogers. Also Bobo Brazil refused the title because of a groin injury that Rogers had claimed to have; however Brazil was then declared champion because a doctor had determined that Rogers had not suffered an injury, but this title change is not recognized by NWA (and neither Rogers' rematch win). Also Killer Kowalski defeated Rogers after Rogers broke his ankle; NWA does not recognize any of Rogers' losses.573days6 
Pat O'Connor 1
January 9, 1959 St. Louis, MO | House showDuring this reign, Gene LeBell defeated O'Connor, but then he struck a Texas wrestling commissioner with the title belt and the decision was reversed. The title was returned to O'Connor and these two title changes were not recognized.903days5 Dick Hutton 1
November 14, 1957 Toronto, Ontario, Canada | House show421days4 
Lou Thesz 2
November 9, 1956 St. Louis, MO | House showDuring this reign, Édouard Carpentier was awarded the title when Lou Thesz could not continue the match due to a back injury, but in some territories Thesz continued to be recognized as NWA World Heavyweight Champion, while in others Carpentier was billed as the champion. Thesz then won a rematch against Carpentier. After some controversies, these two title changes were not recognized.370days3 Whipper Billy Watson 1
March 15, 1956 Toronto, Ontario, Canada | House show239days2 Lou Thesz 1
November 27, 1949Awarded of the title when Orville Brown suffered career-ending injuries in an automobile accident on November 1, 1949. During this reign, Leo Nomellini defeated Lou Thesz and both wrestlers continued to claim the title, then Thesz defeated Nomellini in a rematch. These two title changes were not officially recognized.2300days1 Orville Brown 1
January 5, 1948 Waterloo, IAOn July 14, 1948, NWA was founded in Waterloo, Iowa and Brown was recognized as the first official NWA World Heavyweight Champion. At the time of the founding of the NWA, Brown already held MWA World Heavyweight Championship and Iowa version of NWA World Heavyweight Championship; during the reign, the two titles were unified into the NWA World Heavyweight Championship.692days
For the Title History of the previous version of this championship, see the page for the World Heavyweight Wrestling Championship (Original).
NWA Worlds Heavyweight Championship: Names & Belt Designs
- NWA Worlds Heavyweight Championship ("Ten Pounds of Gold")August 29, 2021
- NWA Worlds Heavyweight Championship ("Ten Pounds of Gold")November 14, 2012August 29, 2021
- NWA Triple Crown Heavyweight ChampionshipNovember 2, 2012November 14, 2012
- NWA Worlds Heavyweight Championship ("Ten Pounds of Gold")July 31, 2011November 2, 2012
- NWA Worlds Heavyweight Championship ("Ten Pounds of Gold")March 14, 2010July 31, 2011
- NWA World Heavyweight Championship (Red Belt)August 2, 2008March 14, 2010
- NWA World Heavyweight Championship ("Ten Pounds of Gold")June 19, 2002August 2, 2008
- NWA World Heavyweight Championship (Dan Severn)March 9, 2002June 18, 2002
- NWA World Heavyweight Championship ("Ten Pounds of Gold")September 16, 1993March 8, 2002
- NWA World Heavyweight Championship ("Big Gold")August 9, 1986September 15, 1993
- NWA World Heavyweight Championship ("Ten Pounds of Gold")December 10, 1975August 8, 1986
- NWA World Heavyweight Championship (Jack Brisco Belt)December 9, 1974December 10, 1975
- NWA World Heavyweight Championship ("Ten Pounds of Gold")May 23, 1973December 9, 1974
- NWA World Heavyweight Championship ("Crown belt")January 9, 1959May 23, 1973
- NWA World Heavyweight Championship ("Lou Thesz belt")November 27, 1949January 8, 1959
- NWA World Heavyweight ChampionshipJuly 14, 1948November 26, 1949
NWA Worlds Heavyweight Championship: Statistics
NWA
TNA
NWA
WCW
NWA
JCP- Promotion
National Wrestling Alliance - TerritoryWorld Tier 1
- DivisionPrimary
- GenderMale
- Date EstablishedJuly 14, 1948
- Preceded By
World Heavyweight Wrestling Championship (Original) - Unified With
NWAA World Heavyweight Championship
World Heavyweight Championship - Followed By
TNA World Championship
- Current Champion"Thrillbilly" Silas Mason
Most Number of Reigns
| Rank | Wrestler | Reigns |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ric Flair | 9 |
| 2 | Harley Race | 7 |
| 3 | Jeff Jarrett | 7 |
| 4 | Adam Pearce | 5 |
| 5 | Lou Thesz | 3 |
| 6 | AJ Styles | 3 |
| 7 | Dusty Rhodes | 3 |
| 8 | Giant Baba | 3 |
Most Combined Days
| Rank | Wrestler | Days |
|---|---|---|
| Lou Thesz | 3749 | |
| Ric Flair | 3119 | |
| Harley Race | 1799 | |
| Dory Funk Jr. | 1563 | |
| Dan Severn | 1559 |
Longest Reigns
| Rank | Wrestler | Reign | Days |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lou Thesz | November 27, 1949 - March 15, 1956 | 2300 | |
| Dory Funk Jr. | February 11, 1969 - May 24, 1973 | 1563 | |
| Dan Severn | February 24, 1995 - March 14, 1999 | 1479 | |
| Gene Kiniski | January 7, 1966 - February 11, 1969 | 1131 | |
| Lou Thesz | January 24, 1963 - January 7, 1966 | 1079 |