Memphis Wrestling Southern Heavyweight Championship

Details

Promotion

Memphis Wrestling
NWA Mid-America (1974–1977)

Date established

July 27, 1974

Current champion(s)

Brian Christopher^[1]

Date won

November 4, 2010^[1]

Other name(s)

NWA Southern Heavyweight Championship (Mid-America)
NWA Southern Heavyweight Championship (Memphis)
Mid-Southern Heavyweight Championship
AWA Southern Heavyweight Championship
USWA Southern Heavyweight Championship
USWA Heavyweight Championship
MCW Southern Heavyweight Championship

Statistics
First champion(s)	Jerry Lawler
Most reigns	Jerry Lawler (52)
Longest reign	Brian Christopher (2,071+ days)
Shortest reign	Jerry Lawler (1 hour)

The Memphis Wrestling Southern Heavyweight Championship is a major professional wrestling title in the Memphis Wrestling promotion. The title is part of a long lineage that is best known while the title was named the AWA Southern Heavyweight Championship for Continental Wrestling Association during the 1970s and 1980s.

It was made when the NWA Southern Junior Heavyweight Championship, in use since 1939, was renamed the NWA Southern Heavyweight Championship (Memphis version) in 1974. The title's name changed again in 1978, when it was renamed the AWA Southern Heavyweight Championship due to a partnership with the American Wrestling Association. It was also called the Mid-Southern Heavyweight Championship in Pro Wrestling Illustrated and its sister publications, in order for this title to not be confused with Championship Wrestling from Florida's version of the title.

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 and later simply the USWA Heavyweight Championship during that time; however, unlike the previous Southern title in Memphis, this one played a secondary role to the USWA Unified World Heavyweight Championship. It was revived in Memphis Championship Wrestling as the MCW Southern Heavyweight Championship in 2000 and 2001. It was later revived and renamed in 2004 for use in Memphis Wrestling, where it is still defended today.

Title history

Silver areas in the history indicate periods of unknown lineage. An (n) beside a date indicates that a title change occurred no later than the date shown.

NWA Mid-America / Continental Wrestling Association

(NWA Mid-America 1974–1977, Continental Wrestling Association 1977–1987; AWA from 1978)

Wrestler	Reign	Date	Location	Notes
NWA Southern Heavyweight Championship (Mid-America version)
Jerry Lawler	1	July 27, 1974	Chattanooga, Tennessee	Defeated Jackie Fargo for the NWA Southern Junior Heavyweight Championship. The title was then renamed the NWA Southern Heavyweight Championship (Mid-America version) in August 1974.
Robert Fuller	1	October 23, 1974	Nashville, Tennessee
Jerry Lawler	2	October 30, 1974	Nashville, Tennessee
The title was vacated in December 1974.
Ron Fuller	1	December 29, 1974	Memphis, Tennessee	Won an eight-man tournament.
The Mongolian Stomper	1	June 9, 1975	Memphis, Tennessee
Jerry Lawler	3	July 14, 1975	Memphis, Tennessee
The Mongolian Stomper	2	July 28, 1975 (n)
The title was held up after a match against Bob Armstrong in Memphis, Tennessee on August 9, 1975.
Bob Armstrong	1	September 29, 1975 (n)		Defeated The Mongolian Stomper in a rematch. The title change may have been repeated on October 7, 1975 in Louisville, Kentucky. Armstrong also won the NWA Mid-America Heavyweight Championship from Harley Race on October 13, 1975.
Jerry Lawler	4	October 20, 1975 (n)	Huntsville, Alabama
Bob Armstrong	2	November 24, 1975 (n)
The title was held up in November 1975.
Jerry Lawler	5	December 15, 1975	Memphis, Tennessee	Defeated Ron Fuller in a tournament final.
The title was held up after a match against Ricky Gibson in January 1976.
Jerry Lawler	6	January 19, 1976	Memphis, Tennessee	Defeated Ricky Gibson in a rematch.
Tommy Rich	1	February 22, 1976	Memphis, Tennessee
Jerry Lawler	7	April 5, 1976 (n)
Jack Brisco	1	August 9, 1976	Memphis, Tennessee
Jerry Lawler	8	August 19, 1976	Memphis, Tennessee
Tommy Rich	2	September 14, 1976	Memphis, Tennessee
Jerry Lawler	9	October 4, 1976 (n)
Jackie Fargo	1	October 4, 1976	Memphis, Tennessee
Jerry Lawler	10	October 1976
Rocky Johnson	1	November 1, 1976	Memphis, Tennessee
The title moved from NWA Mid-America to the Continental Wrestling Association on March 20, 1977.
*NWA Southern Heavyweight Championship (Memphis version)* / Mid-Southern Heavyweight Championship**
Jerry Lawler	11	April 11, 1977	Memphis, Tennessee
Bob Armstrong	3	April 28, 1977	Knoxville, Tennessee
Jerry Lawler	12	May 1, 1977	Memphis, Tennessee
Paul Orndorff	1	May 29, 1977	Memphis, Tennessee
Jerry Lawler	13	July 18, 1977	Memphis, Tennessee
Bill Dundee	1	July 25, 1977	Memphis, Tennessee
Jerry Lawler	14	August 1, 1977	Memphis, Tennessee
Bill Dundee	2	August 22, 1977	Memphis, Tennessee
Jerry Lawler	15	August 29, 1977	Memphis, Tennessee
Lawler retired temporarily and vacated the title after a match against Bill Dundee on September 13, 1977.
Jimmy Valiant	1	September 25, 1977	Louisville, Kentucky	Defeated Mr. Wrestling in the finals of a six-man one-night tournament.
Jerry Lawler	16	October 10, 1977	Memphis, Tennessee
Jimmy Valiant	2	November 28, 1977	Memphis, Tennessee
Jerry Lawler	17	December 5, 1977	Memphis, Tennessee
Title renamed the AWA Southern Heavyweight Championship in July 1978, when the CWA established a working relationship with the American Wrestling Association.
AWA Southern Heavyweight Championship
Jos LeDuc	1	August 7, 1978	Memphis, Tennessee
Jerry Lawler	18	August 14, 1978	Memphis, Tennessee
Jos LeDuc	2	August 28, 1978	Memphis, Tennessee
Jerry Lawler	19	September 4, 1978	Memphis, Tennessee
Don Fargo	1	November 6, 1978 (n)
Tommy Gilbert	1	November 20, 1978	Memphis, Tennessee
Don Fargo	2	November 27, 1978	Memphis, Tennessee
Jerry Lawler	20	December 4, 1978	Memphis, Tennessee
Austin Idol	1	December 25, 1978	Memphis, Tennessee
Ron Fuller	1	January 15, 1979	Memphis, Tennessee
Toru Tanaka	1	February 12, 1979	Memphis, Tennessee	Won the title by forfeit. Robert Fuller won the title on March 19, 1979, but the title was returned to Tanaka.
Buzz Sawyer	1	March 31, 1979	Memphis, Tennessee
The title was held up after a match against The Mongolian Stomper on April 2, 1979.
The Mongolian Stomper	3	April 23, 1979	Memphis, Tennessee	Defeated Buzz Sawyer in a rematch.
Robert Fuller	1	June 4, 1979	Memphis, Tennessee
Ron Bass	1	June 1979	Bluefield, West Virginia
Randy Taylor	1	June 1979
Ron Bass	2	July 2, 1979	Memphis, Tennessee
Bill Dundee	3	August 27, 1979	Memphis, Tennessee
The title was held up in after a match against Ron Bass on September 11, 1979 in Memphis, Tennessee.
Bill Dundee	4	September 17, 1979	Memphis, Tennessee	Defeated Bass in a rematch.
Jerry Lawler	21	September 24, 1979	Memphis, Tennessee
Bill Dundee	5	October 1, 1979	Memphis, Tennessee
Jerry Lawler	22	October 15, 1979	Memphis, Tennessee
Jimmy Valiant	3	January 3, 1980	Jackson, Tennessee
Paul Ellering	1	April 7, 1980	Memphis, Tennessee
Bill Dundee	6	July 7, 1980	Memphis, Tennessee
The title was vacated when Dundee won the CWA World Heavyweight title from Billy Robinson on August 4, 1980 in Memphis, Tennessee.
Bill Irwin	1	August 11, 1980	Memphis, Tennessee	Defeated Jimmy Valiant the finals of an eight-man one-night tournament.
The title was held up after a match against Jimmy Valiant on August 18, 1980 in Memphis, Tennessee.
Jimmy Valiant	4	August 25, 1980	Memphis, Tennessee	Defeated Bill Irwin in a rematch.
Tommy Rich	3	September 1, 1980	Memphis, Tennessee
Jimmy Valiant	5	September 9, 1980	Memphis, Tennessee
Tommy Rich	4	October 6, 1980 (n)
The title was vacated in November 1980.
Jimmy Valiant	6	January 17, 1981	Memphis, Tennessee	Defeated Hector Guerrero in a tournament final.
Jerry Lawler	23	February 15, 1981	Memphis, Tennessee
Jimmy Hart	1	June 22, 1981	Memphis, Tennessee
Chick Donovan	1	June 27, 1981	Memphis, Tennessee	Hart laid down and let Donovan win the title.
Donovan was stripped of the title in July 1981 because of the way in which he won it.
Steve Keirn	1	July 20, 1981	Memphis, Tennessee	Defeated Bugsy McGraw in a tournament final.
The Dream Machine	1	August 16, 1981	Jackson, Tennessee
Jerry Lawler	24	August 24, 1981	Memphis, Tennessee
The Dream Machine	2	September 7, 1981	Memphis, Tennessee
Jimmy Valiant	7	September 14, 1981	Memphis, Tennessee
The Dream Machine	3	October 1981
Dutch Mantel	1	October 26, 1981	Memphis, Tennessee
Jerry Lawler	25	January 18, 1982	Memphis, Tennessee
Dutch Mantel	2	February 14, 1982	Memphis, Tennessee
Jerry Lawler	26	March 1, 1982	Memphis, Tennessee
Dutch Mantel	3	March 22, 1982	Memphis, Tennessee
Jerry Lawler	27	March 29, 1982	Memphis, Tennessee
Kendo Nagasaki	1	May 1982
Jerry Lawler	28	May 24, 1982	Memphis, Tennessee
Kamala	1	June 7, 1982	Memphis, Tennessee
Jerry Lawler	29	August 9, 1982	Memphis, Tennessee
Nick Bockwinkel	1	October 11, 1982	Memphis, Tennessee
Jerry Lawler	30	November 8, 1982	Memphis, Tennessee
Sabu the Wildman (Coco Samoa)	1	November 15, 1982	Memphis, Tennessee	Partnered with Jimmy Hart to defeat Jerry Lawler in a handicap match. Hart got the pin, but Sabu the Wildman was recognized as champion.
Terry Taylor	1	November 29, 1982	Memphis, Tennessee
Jacques Rougeau	1	January 30, 1983	Memphis, Tennessee
Terry Taylor	2	February 14, 1983	Memphis, Tennessee
Bill Dundee	7	March 21, 1983	Memphis, Tennessee
Dutch Mantel	4	May 9, 1983	Memphis, Tennessee
Bill Dundee	8	May 16, 1983	Memphis, Tennessee
Dutch Mantel	5	May 30, 1983	Memphis, Tennessee
Jerry Lawler	31	May 30, 1983	Memphis, Tennessee
Bill Dundee	9	May 30, 1983	Memphis, Tennessee
Jerry Lawler	32	June 6, 1983	Memphis, Tennessee
Man Mountain Link	1	June 20, 1983	Memphis, Tennessee
Jerry Lawler	33	June 20, 1983	Memphis, Tennessee
Man Mountain Link	2	July 1983
Jerry Lawler	34	July 4, 1983	Memphis, Tennessee
Lawler was stripped of the title in September 1983, for failing to defend within 30 days.
Jerry Lawler	35	September 10, 1983	Memphis, Tennessee	Defeated Bill Dundee in a tournament final.
Jesse Ventura	1	September 1983
Jerry Lawler	36	October 3, 1983	Memphis, Tennessee
Jesse Ventura	2	October 10, 1983	Memphis, Tennessee
Jerry Lawler	37	November 1983	Chicago, Illinois
Lord Humongous ((Mike Stark))	1	April 30, 1984	Memphis, Tennessee
Jerry Lawler	38	May 21, 1984	Memphis, Tennessee
Rick Rude	1	June 11, 1984	Memphis, Tennessee
Tommy Rich	5	July 16, 1984	Memphis, Tennessee
King Kong Bundy	1	July 30, 1984	Memphis, Tennessee	Eddie Gilbert was the special referee.
Jerry Lawler	39	November 12, 1984	Memphis, Tennessee
The title was held up after a match against Eddie Gilbert on January 28, 1985 in Memphis, Tennessee.
Eddie Gilbert	1	February 1985	Memphis, Tennessee	Defeated Jerry Lawler in a rematch.
Jerry Lawler	40	February 12, 1985	Memphis, Tennessee
Randy Savage	1	March 17, 1985	Memphis, Tennessee
Jerry Oske	1	May 7, 1985	Louisville, Kentucky
Randy Savage	2	May 13, 1985	Memphis, Tennessee
Jerry Lawler	41	June 3, 1985	Memphis, Tennessee
Bota the Witch Doctor	1	June 24, 1985	Memphis, Tennessee
Jerry Lawler	42	July 29, 1985	Memphis, Tennessee
Tarras Bulba	1	August 16, 1985	Selmer, Tennessee
Jerry Lawler	43	September 6, 1985	Martin, Tennessee
Bill Dundee	10	October 19, 1985	Memphis, Tennessee
Jerry Lawler	44	December 21, 1985	Memphis, Tennessee
Bill Dundee	11	December 30, 1985	Memphis, Tennessee
Jerry Lawler	45	April 8, 1986	Memphis, Tennessee
Bill Dundee	12	May 2, 1986	Memphis, Tennessee
Buddy Landel	1	June 2, 1986	Memphis, Tennessee
The title was immediately vacated.
Buddy Landel	2	June 16, 1986	Memphis, Tennessee	Defeated The Flame in a tournament final.
Title vacated in June 1986 when Landel left the promotion.
Bam Bam Bigelow	1	July 28, 1986	Memphis, Tennessee	Won a battle royal.
Jerry Lawler	46	September 8, 1986	Memphis, Tennessee
Title vacated on January 11, 1987 when Lawler was injured.
Austin Idol	2	February 2, 1987	Memphis, Tennessee	Defeated Soul Train Jones in a tournament final.
Jerry Lawler	47	April 20, 1987	Memphis, Tennessee
Austin Idol	3	April 27, 1987	Memphis, Tennessee
Jerry Lawler	48	June 8, 1987	Memphis, Tennessee
Brickhouse Brown	1	July 6, 1987	Memphis, Tennessee
Jerry Lawler	49	July 13, 1987	Memphis, Tennessee
Title held up after a match against Don Bass on August 3, 1987 in Memphis, Tennessee.
Don Bass	1	August 3, 1987	Memphis, Tennessee	Partnered with Brickhouse Brown, Bass pinned Lawler, who was partnered with Rocky Johnson, in a tag team match where the title was on the line.
Jerry Lawler	50	August 1987
Don Bass	2	August 24, 1987	Memphis, Tennessee
Jerry Lawler	51	August 31, 1987	Memphis, Tennessee
Lawler vacated the title in October 1987 to concentrate on the AWA World Tag Team Championship.
Bobby Jaggers	1	October 19, 1987	Memphis, Tennessee	Defeated Billy Travis in a tournament final.
Jerry Lawler	52	November 21, 1987	Memphis, Tennessee
The title was unified with the AWA International Heavyweight Championship and the NWA Mid-America Heavyweight Championship to create the CWA Heavyweight Championship on December 7, 1987 in Memphis, Tennessee.

United States Wrestling Association

(1990–1997)

Wrestler	Reign	Date	Location	Notes
USWA Southern Heavyweight Championship
Dick Slater	1	September 1, 1990		Slater won the title in tournament.
Jeff Jarrett	1	October 6, 1990	Nashville, Tennessee
Eddie Gilbert	1	October 29, 1990	Memphis, Tennessee
The title was vacated in December 1990 when Gilbert left the promotion.
Jeff Jarrett	2	January 14, 1991	Memphis, Tennessee	Defeated Brian Lee in a tournament final.
The title was vacated after a match against Steve Austin on February 25, 1991 in Memphis, Tennessee.
Jeff Jarrett	3	March 1991		Defeated Steve Austin in a rematch.
Tom Prichard	1	March 15, 1991	Dallas, Texas
The title was vacated on March 29, 1991 after a match against Jeff Jarrett in Dallas, Texas.
Jeff Jarrett	4	April 5, 1991	Dallas, Texas	Defeated Tom Prichard in a rematch.
The title was vacated on April 8, 1991 due to finish of the Jarrett-Prichard rematch.
Jeff Jarrett	5	April 12, 1991	Dallas, Texas	Defeated Tom Prichard in a second rematch.
Eric Embry	1	May 3, 1991	Dallas, Texas
Bill Dundee	1	May 13, 1991	Memphis, Tennessee
Eric Embry	2	May 20, 1991	Memphis, Tennessee
Tom Prichard	2	November 4, 1991	Memphis, Tennessee
Eric Embry	3	November 9, 1991	Memphis, Tennessee
Tom Prichard	3	December 2, 1991	Memphis, Tennessee
Eric Embry	4	December 9, 1991	Memphis, Tennessee
Tom Prichard	4	February 8, 1992	Memphis, Tennessee
Dr. Death (Kenny Kendall)	1	March 10, 1992	Louisville, Kentucky
Jimmy Valiant	1	March 16, 1992	Memphis, Tennessee
Brian Christopher	1	March 23, 1992	Memphis, Tennessee
The title was held up on April 20, 1992 after a match against Tom Prichard.
Brian Christopher	2	April 27, 1992	Memphis, Tennessee	Defeated Tom Prichard in a rematch.
The title remained held up due to the finish of the rematch on May 4, 1992.
Brian Christopher	3	May 4, 1992	Memphis, Tennessee	Defeated Tom Prichard in a second rematch.
The title was vacated on June 22, 1992 after a match against Tom Prichard.
Tom Prichard	5	June 29, 1992	Memphis, Tennessee	Defeated Brian Christopher in a rematch.
Brian Christopher	4	July 20, 1992	Memphis, Tennessee
Tom Prichard	6	July 27, 1992	Memphis, Tennessee
Brian Christopher	5	August 3, 1992	Memphis, Tennessee
Reno Riggins	1	August 10, 1992	Memphis, Tennessee
The title was held up on September 14, 1992 after a match against Brian Christopher in Memphis, Tennessee.
Brian Christopher	6	September 21, 1992	Memphis, Tennessee	Defeated Reno Riggins in a rematch.
Jeff Jarrett	6	December 21, 1992	Memphis, Tennessee
Brian Christopher	7	January 11, 1993	Memphis, Tennessee
Jeff Jarrett	7	March 1, 1993	Memphis, Tennessee
Brian Christopher	8	May 1, 1993	Memphis, Tennessee
Jeff Jarrett	8	June 28, 1993	Memphis, Tennessee
Vampire Warrior	1	July 18, 1993	Memphis, Tennessee
Jeff Jarrett	9	August 23, 1993	Memphis, Tennessee
The title was renamed the USWA Heavyweight Championship* in September 1993.*
USWA Heavyweight Championship
Tommy Rich	1	September 13, 1993	Memphis, Tennessee
The title was held up on September 25, 1993 in Memphis, Tennessee after a match against Jeff Jarrett, in which the referee raised Rich's hand in victory when Jarrett had actually won.
Jeff Jarrett	10	October 4, 1993	Memphis, Tennessee	Defeated Tommy Rich in a rematch.
Buddy Landel	1	November 22, 1993	Memphis, Tennessee
Brian Christopher	9	December 5, 1993	Memphis, Tennessee
Doug Gilbert	1	February 7, 1994	Memphis, Tennessee
Brian Christopher	10	February 14, 1994	Memphis, Tennessee
Doug Gilbert	2	February 21, 1994	Memphis, Tennessee
Brian Christopher	11	February 28, 1994	Memphis, Tennessee
Eddie Gilbert	2	March 14, 1994	Memphis, Tennessee
Brian Christopher	12	March 19, 1994	Memphis, Tennessee	Won the title by countout.
Doug Gilbert	3	May 2, 1994	Memphis, Tennessee
Brian Christopher	13	May 9, 1994	Memphis, Tennessee
The Dream Machine	1	June 6, 1994	Memphis, Tennessee
Brian Christopher	14	July 11, 1994	Memphis, Tennessee
Doug Gilbert	4	August 1, 1994	Memphis, Tennessee
Gilbert was stripped of the title on September 24, 1994 for not defending within 45 days.
Tommy Rich	2	October 3, 1994	Memphis, Tennessee	Defeated Buddy Landel in a tournament final.
Brian Christopher	15	December 5, 1994	Memphis, Tennessee
Tommy Rich	3	December 19, 1994	Memphis, Tennessee
Brian Christopher	16	December 31, 1994	Memphis, Tennessee
Brian Lee	1	April 3, 1995	Memphis, Tennessee
The title was held up after a match against Brian Christopher on April 10, 1995 in Memphis, Tennessee.
Brian Lee	2	April 17, 1995	Memphis, Tennessee	Defeated Brian Lee in a rematch.
Doug Gilbert	5	May 13, 1995	Memphis, Tennessee
Brian Christopher	17	May 29, 1995	Memphis, Tennessee
Billy Jack Haynes	1	June 26, 1995	Memphis, Tennessee
Brad Armstrong	1	August 4, 1995	Knoxville, Tennessee
Billy Jack Haynes	2	August 7, 1995	Memphis, Tennessee
Brian Christopher	18	September 11, 1995	Memphis, Tennessee
Jesse James Armstrong	1	October 7, 1995	Memphis, Tennessee
Brian Christopher	19	October 23, 1995	Memphis, Tennessee
The title was held up after a match against Tex Slazenger on November 13, 1995 in Memphis, Tennessee.
Tex Slazenger	1	November 22, 1995	Memphis, Tennessee	Defeated Brian Christopher in a rematch.
Brian Christopher	20	November 27, 1995	Memphis, Tennessee
Tex Slazenger	2	December 2, 1995	Memphis, Tennessee	The title was returned to Slazenger by acting USWA Commissioner Bob Armstrong due to a controversial finish in the November 27 match.
Jerry Lawler	1	January 10, 1996	Memphis, Tennessee
Tommy Rich	4	January 13, 1996	Memphis, Tennessee
Brian Christopher	21	February 14, 1996	Memphis, Tennessee
Mabel	1	March 16, 1996	Memphis, Tennessee
Jerry Lawler	2	May 20, 1996	Memphis, Tennessee
Brian Christopher	22	June 1, 1996	Memphis, Tennessee
Ric Hogan	1	October 28, 1996	Memphis, Tennessee
Brian Christopher	23	November 18, 1996	Memphis, Tennessee
Wolfie D	1	December 14, 1996	Memphis, Tennessee
Brian Christopher	24	January 2, 1997	Memphis, Tennessee
Elijah	1	February 9, 1997	Memphis, Tennessee
Brian Christopher	25	March 29, 1997	Memphis, Tennessee
Billy Travis	1	June 14, 1997	Memphis, Tennessee
Spellbinder	2	July 12, 1997	Memphis, Tennessee
Doomsday	1	July 13, 1997	Memphis, Tennessee
Steven Dunn	1	September 6, 1997	Memphis, Tennessee
The title was retired in November 1997 when the USWA closed.

Memphis Championship Wrestling

(2000–2001)

Wrestler	Reign	Date	Location	Notes
MCW Southern Heavyweight Championship
Jerry Lawler	1	March 25, 2000	Tunica, Mississippi	Defeated Bull Pain in a tournament final.
The title was vacated in 2000.
K-Krush	1	April 12, 2000	Robinsonville, Mississippi	Won a battle royal, last eliminating Jerry Lawler.
Masked Man #1 (Jerry Lawler)	2	May 24, 2000	Tunica, Mississippi
Lord Steven Regal	1	June 21, 2000	Memphis, Tennessee
Joey Abs	1	August 19, 2000	Memphis, Tennessee
K-Krush	2	August 19, 2000	Memphis, Tennessee
Steve Bradley	1	November 3, 2000	Manila, Arkansas
Joey Abs	2	June 16, 2001	Jackson, Tennessee
Steve Bradley	2	July 7, 2001	Manila, Arkansas
Seven	1	July 7, 2001	Manila, Arkansas
Kryptonite (Simon Reed)	1	November 17, 2001	Dyersburg, Tennessee
Title retired in December 2001 when MCW closed.