NWL Heavyweight Championship

Last updated
NWL Heavyweight Championship
Details
PromotionNational Wrestling League
Date established1989
Current champion(s)Antony Atom
Date wonJuly 28, 2018
Statistics
First champion(s)John Rambo
Most reignsJohn Rambo (8)
Longest reign Neil Superior (5 years)
Shortest reign Samu (<1 day)

The NWL Heavyweight Championship is the top professional wrestling title in the National Wrestling League promotion. It was created on March 3, 1989, when John Rambo defeated "Russian" Ivan Koloff in Elk Garden, West Virginia. The title is defended primarily in the Mid-Atlantic and East Coast, most often in Hagerstown, Maryland, but also as far west as Ohio. In October 1991, the title changed twice during a tour of Guam when Cactus Jack defeated John Rambo to win the first singles title of his career. [1] On October 23, 1991, John Rambo regained the title from Cactus Jack in front of 15,000 fans at the University of Guam Athletic Complex. [2]

Many former champions include ex-World Wrestling Federation veterans such as The Iron Sheik, The Patriot, Jimmy "Superfly" Snuka, Headshrinker Samu [1] and Gangrel. Independent wrestlers Corporal Punishment and Morgus the Maniac have also held the title. There are 21 recognized known champions with a total of 38 title reigns. [2] [3]

Title history

Wrestler:Times:Date:Location:Notes:
John Rambo1March 3, 1989 Elk Garden, West Virginia Defeated "Russian Bear" Ivan Koloff to become first champion. [1] [2] [3]
The Iron Sheik 11990Virginia [2]
John Rambo21990Virginia [2]
Cactus Jack 1October 22, 1991 Guam [1] [2] [3]
The title is vacated by NWL President Dick Caricofe due to a match technicality. A rematch is sanctioned for the following day between Cactus Jack and John Rambo at the University of Guam Athletic Complex.
John Rambo3October 23, 1991Guam [1] [3]
The title is vacated by John Rambo. [1] [2] [3]
Neil Superior 1November 1991GuamDefeated Helmut Hesler to win vacant title. [1] [2] [3]
Superior briefly lost the title in a November 1995 match against Shane Shadows in Clear Spring, Maryland, however the referee's decision was reversed when it was discovered that Shadows' had used his feet on the ropes to pin Superior. The title is eventually vacated following Superior's death on August 23, 1996. [1] [2] [3]
John Rambo41997 Hagerstown, Maryland Defeated Bob Starr for vacant title. [1] [2] [3]
Gutterboy1April 22, 1999 Waynesboro, Pennsylvania [1] [2] [3]
John Rambo5May 13, 1999Hagerstown, Maryland [1] [2] [3]
The title is vacated on December 13, 2000, when John Rambo surrendered the championship so it could be awarded to the NWL Wrestler of the Year at the end of the month. [1] [2] [3]
Spazman Anthony1December 29, 2000Hagerstown, MarylandAwarded vacant title after being named NWL Wrestler of the Year. [1] [2] [3]
Jimmy "Superfly" Snuka 1February 1, 2001 Frederick, Maryland [1] [2] [3]
Spazman Anthony2May 29, 2001 Cumberland, Maryland [1] [2] [3]
John Rambo6June 26, 2001Hagerstown, Maryland [1] [2] [3]
Spazman Anthony3January 15, 2002Won title in special 6-man match. [1] [2] [3]
John Rambo7April 20, 2002 Bainbridge Township, Ohio [1] [2] [3]
Jake "The Machine" Davis1January 11, 2003 Martinsburg, West Virginia [1] [2] [3]
Headshrinker Samu 1February 8, 2003 Greencastle, Pennsylvania Won title in a "Special Stipulations" 6-man tag team match. [1] [2] [3]
Corporal Punishment 1April 12, 2003 Keyser, West Virginia Match held at Potomac State College. [2]
Headshrinker Samu2April 26, 2003Martinsburg, West VirginiaMatch held at the Apollo Civic Theater. [2]
Aidean1May 24, 2003 Blue Ridge Summit, Pennsylvania [1] [2] [3]
Morgus the Maniac 1July 19, 2003Martinsburg, West Virginia [1] [2] [3]
Leslie Leatherman1November 1, 2003Blue Ridge Summit, Pennsylvania [1] [2] [3]
The Patriot 1January 23, 2004 Newville, Pennsylvania [1] [2] [3]
Leslie Leatherman2January 24, 2004 Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania [1] [2] [3]
Headshrinker Samu3February 14, 2004Blue Ridge Summit, Pennsylvania [1] [2] [3]
Leslie Leatherman3May 8, 2004Hagerstown, Maryland [1] [2] [3]
Headshrinker Samu4June 18, 2004Martinsburg, West VirginiaWins title but vacates it immediately after because he would not be able to make the next title defense in Newville, Pennsylvania on June 26. The title is put up in a 10-man Royal Rumble at the event. [1] [2] [3]
Pirate of the Caribbean1June 26, 2004Newville, PennsylvaniaWon the vacant title in a 10-man battle royal. [1] [2] [3]
Dorian Devile 1July 3, 2004Hagerstown, Maryland [1] [2] [3]
OGB1July 8, 2004Won the title by forfeit when Devile failed to show up. [1] [2] [3]
Super Destroyer1July 17, 2004Martinsburg, West Virginia [1] [2] [3]
Snatch Haggis1September 18, 2004Martinsburg, West VirginiaWon title via forfeit when Super Destroyer failed to show up. [1] [2] [3]
The title is vacated on October 7, 2004. [1] [2] [3]
Headshrinker Samu5October 9, 2004Defeated Gutterboy, John Rambo, and Carnage in a four way dance to win the vacant title. [1] [2] [3]
Genesis1March 19, 2005Newville, PennsylvaniaDefeated Headshrinker Samu and Kage in a triple threat match. [2] [3]
Jason Static1May 21, 2005Newville, PennsylvaniaWon title by forfeit when Genesis was unable to compete due to injury. [2] [3]
Gutterboy2August 13, 2005Newville, PennsylvaniaDefeated Jason Static, John Rambo and Nikita Annilov in a 4-Way Dance. [2] [3]
John Rambo8December 17, 2005Martinsburg, West Virginia [2] [3]
Gutterboy3May 20, 2006Newville, PennsylvaniaDefeated John Rambo, Asian Sinsation and Ryot in a 4-Way Dance. [2] [3]
Leslie Leatherman4March 31, 2007 Gettysburg, Pennsylvania Defeated Gutterboy, Professor Egon Ecton and LT in a 4-Way Dance elimination match. [2] [3]
Gangrel 1May 25, 2007Hagerstown, MarylandMatch held at South Hagerstown High School. [2] [3]
The title is vacated on June 4, 2007, when Gangrel announced he would not be able to appear for the next scheduled title defense in Cambridge, Maryland at the end of the month. [2] [3]
Headshrinker Samu6June 30, 2007 Cambridge, Maryland Pinned Leslie Leatherman in a singles match to win the title. [2] [3]
The title is vacated in January 2008. [2] [3]
Todd Hill1January 26, 2008Hagerstown, MarylandWon title in a battle royal. [2] [3]
Shane Shadows1July 7, 2009Martinsburg, West VirginiaDefeated Todd Hill and Thomas William Farnsworth in a Three Way Match. [2] [3]
Cory Bush12010 [2]
The title is vacated on 2012. [2] [3]
Gustin Uberstud1June 22, 2012Hagerstown, MarylandWon title in a battle royal. [2] [3]
Brandon Scott12014 [2]
LA Starr1November 11, 2015 [2]
Butch Hess1March 20, 2016Martinsburg, West Virginia [2]
The title is vacated on July 24, 2016. [2] [3]
Shorty Smalls1August 14, 2016Martinsburg, West Virginia [2]
Butch Hess2October 15, 2016Martinsburg, West Virginia [2]
The title is vacated on October 15, 2016. [2] [3]
Animal1November 20, 2016Martinsburg, West Virginia
The title is vacated on March 3, 2017. [2] [3]
Lance Anoa'i1April 1, 2017Martinsburg, West Virginia
Jake "The Machine" Davis2July 22, 2017Martinsburg, West Virginia
Ishman Martinez1October 21, 2017Martinsburg, West VirginiaDefeated Jake "The Machine" Davis.. [2] [3]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Abdullah the Butcher</span> Canadian professional wrestler

Lawrence Robert Shreve, better known by the ring name Abdullah the Butcher, is a Canadian retired professional wrestler. He has a reputation for being involved in some of the most violent and bloody hardcore wrestling matches of all time. Over his time in wrestling he was given the moniker of "Madman from Sudan".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Terry Gordy</span> American professional wrestler

Terry Ray Gordy Sr. was an American professional wrestler. Gordy appeared in the United States with promotions such as Mid-South Wrestling, Georgia Championship Wrestling, World Class Championship Wrestling, Jim Crockett Promotions/World Championship Wrestling and the Universal Wrestling Federation as a member of The Fabulous Freebirds. He also appeared in Japan with All Japan Pro Wrestling as one-half of The Miracle Violence Connection.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Samu (wrestler)</span> American professional wrestler

Samula Fred Anoa'i is an American professional wrestler, better known by his ring name, Samu. He is best known for his appearances with the World Wrestling Federation, World Championship Wrestling, Extreme Championship Wrestling, and New Japan Pro-Wrestling in the 1980s and 1990s.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Luc Poirier</span> Canadian professional wrestler

Luc Poirier is a Canadian retired professional wrestler. He is best known for his appearances with New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW) and Catch Wrestling Association (CWA) under the ring name Rambo and with the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) under the ring name Sniper. Rambo was pushed as the top star of CWA after the departure of the promotion's owner Otto Wanz and became a major main event star. He headlined the company's flagship event Euro Catch Festival twelve times between 1991 and 1999, with his each match for the CWA World Heavyweight Championship. He is overall a four-time world champion.

Matthew Bowman is an American professional wrestler, best known by his ring name "Wiseguy" Jimmy Cicero, who has worked for the United States Wrestling Association, Extreme Championship Wrestling, the World Wrestling Federation and various other promotions on the independent circuit. He also works at the Independent Pro Wrestling Association Wrestling School and has trained several wrestlers who later worked for major promotions.

Steven Stewart, known by his ring name Bart Sawyer, is an American retired professional wrestler, color commentator, and occasional actor. He is best known for his time in Championship Wrestling USA and the United States Wrestling Association during the 1990s. In his career, Sawyer also wrestled for Extreme Canadian Championship Wrestling, House of Pain Wrestling Federation, Memphis Wrestling, NWA Georgia, NWA Main Event, NWA Worldwide, World Xtreme Wrestling and W*ING. Additionally, he competed as a preliminary wrestler in World Championship Wrestling and the World Wrestling Federation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mid-Eastern Wrestling Federation</span> American independent professional wrestling promotion

The Mid-Eastern Wrestling Federation was a Mid-Atlantic independent professional wrestling promotion based in Essex, Maryland. Founded by promoter Dennis Wippercht and wrestler Tim "Lucifer" Burke in 1991, the MEWF was one of the leading independent promotions on the East Coast during the 1990s rivaling promotions such as East Coast Wrestling Association, Jersey All Pro Wrestling and Maryland Championship Wrestling.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dino Casanova</span> American professional wrestler

David Mark DiMeglio was an American professional wrestler, better known by the ring name Dino Casanova. He competed in independent promotions in the Northeastern United States including Eastern Championship Wrestling and the Mid-Eastern Wrestling Federation, most notably as one half of the Cream Team with Rip Sawyer. DiMeglio also had a brief stint in World Championship Wrestling with Romeo Valentino during the mid-1990s. As The Goodfellas, they would continue teaming with each other on the independent circuit until his death.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cueball Carmichael</span> American professional wrestler, trainer, and promoter

Chris Jackson is an American professional wrestler, trainer and promoter, known by his ringname Cueball Carmichael, who competes in the Mid-Atlantic and East Coast independent circuit. He has wrestled and won titles in the Allied Powers Wrestling Federation, King Kong Bundy's Devastation Wrestling Federation, Maryland Championship Wrestling, Mid-Eastern Wrestling Federation, the National Wrestling Alliance, Phoenix Championship Wrestling, Southern Championship Wrestling and Steel City Wrestling.

The NWL Cruiserweight Championship is the top professional wrestling Cruiserweight title in the National Wrestling League promotion. It was created on December 13, 1997, when Fumar defeated Shorty Smalls in Moorefield, West Virginia to become the first champion. The title is defended primarily in the Mid-Atlantic and East Coast, most often in Hagerstown, Maryland, but also in Pennsylvania and West Virginia. There are 16 recognized known champions with a total of 50 title reigns.

The NWL Tag Team Championship is a professional wrestling tag team championship in the National Wrestling League promotion. The Brothers Superior defeated The Cream Team in Moorefield, West Virginia in 1989 to become the first champions. The title is defended primarily in the Mid-Atlantic and East Coast, most often in Hagerstown, Maryland, but also in Pennsylvania and West Virginia. There are 34 recognized known teams with a total of 50 title reigns.

The NWL Ladies Championship is the top women's professional wrestling title in the National Wrestling League promotion. It was created when Bambi defeated Heidi Lee Morgan to become first champion in 1990. The title was defended primarily in the Mid-Atlantic and East Coast, most often in Hagerstown, Maryland, but also in Pennsylvania and West Virginia. It was originally retired in 2003, reinstated as the NWL/HoPWF Ladies Championship in 2005 and the NWL Ladies Championship in 2007. There were 12 recognized known champions with a total of 21 title reigns.

The NWL Midget Championship was the midget professional wrestling title in the National Wrestling League promotion. It was first won by Hollywood Miles "Vader" Glencoe who defeated Little Salami in 1995. The title was defended primarily in the Mid-Atlantic and East Coast, most often in Hagerstown, Maryland, but also in Pennsylvania and West Virginia until its retirement in 1999. There were 4 recognized known champions with a total of 4 title reigns.

The NWL/HoPWF Hardcore Championship is the secondary professional wrestling title in the National Wrestling League promotion. It was first won by Chuckie Manson in a three-way match against Morgus the Maniac, Blood and Shorty Smallz in Martinsburg, West Virginia on October 11, 2003. The title is defended primarily in the Mid-Atlantic and East Coast, most often in Hagerstown, Maryland, but also in Pennsylvania and West Virginia. There are 16 recognized known champions with a total of 23 title reigns.

The HoPWF Six-Man Tag Team Championship was a professional wrestling tag team title in the House of Pain Wrestling Federation promotion. It was created on October 5, 1999, when Slickyboy, Brian Anthony and Paul Beswick won a championship tournament in Hagerstown, Maryland. The title was defended primarily in the Mid-Atlantic and East Coast, most often in Maryland, but also in Pennsylvania and West Virginia until its retirement on January 12, 2001. There are 6 recognized known teams with a total of 6 title reigns.

Kevin Featherstone is an American professional wrestler who competes in the Mid-Atlantic and East Coast independent circuit. He is a longtime mainstay of the National Wrestling League and House of Pain Wrestling Federation as one-half of Old School with Scott Vaughn. One of the promotion's most dominant and popular tag teams, they have won the HoPWF Tag Team Championship twice and the NWL Tag Team Championship three times. One of their title reigns lasted a record of two years.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rip Sawyer</span> American professional wrestler

Sidney F. Garrison is a retired American professional wrestler, better known by his ring name Rip Sawyer. He competed in the Mid-Atlantic and East Coast independent circuit during the late 1980s and early 1990s. As one-half of The Cream Team with longtime tag team partner Dino Casanova, they won the MEWF Tag Team Championship in the Mid-Eastern Wrestling Federation in 1991. Defending the title for over 10 months, they were the promotion's longest reigning champions.

William Perry Blake III, better known by the ring name "Hard Rock" Ricky Blues, is an American semi-retired professional wrestler and trainer who competed in the East Coast and Mid-Atlantic independent circuit during the 1990s and 2000s. He is regarded as a pioneering cruiserweight wrestler and dominated the Baltimore-area, especially in the Mid-Eastern Wrestling Federation and Maryland Championship Wrestling, in the early to mid-1990s.

Chad Slivenski is a semi-retired American professional wrestler, known by his ringname Chad Bowman, who competed in East Coast and Mid-Atlantic independent promotions during the 1990s and 2000s. Early in his career, Slivenski spent time in regional promotions such as the United States Wrestling Association and Smoky Mountain Wrestling before their close in the mid-1990s, and made occasional appearances as a preliminary wrestler in World Wrestling Entertainment.

Neil Allen Caricofe, better known by the ring name Neil Superior, was an American professional wrestler and trainer. A mainstay on the East Coast and Mid-Atlantic independent circuit during the 1990s, Superior was perhaps best known for his tenure in the National Wrestling League. His five year reign as NWL Heavyweight Champion is the longest in the promotion's history. In addition, Superior was the first co-holder of the NWL Tag Team Championship as one half of The Brothers Superior with Doug Superior. Superior also wrestled for International World Class Championship Wrestling and South Atlantic Pro Wrestling, where he was its last heavyweight champion, and as a preliminary wrestler for World Championship Wrestling. He died during an altercation with Ocean City police officers which resulted in a wrongful death lawsuit against the city.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 Tsakiries, Phil (2004). "NWL Heavyweight Title History". Solie's Title Histories. Solie.org. Retrieved 2010-05-04.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 "National Wrestling League Heavyweight Champion History". National Wrestling League. Archived from the original on 2008-06-26. Retrieved 2010-05-04.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 "NWL Heavyweight Championship history". Cagematch.de (in German). Retrieved 2010-05-04.