View source for USWA Unified World Heavyweight Championship

{{short description|Professional wrestling championship}}
{{Infobox pro wrestling championship
|image = USWA-UH.jpg
|alt =
|caption =
|championshipname = USWA Unified World Heavyweight Championship
|promotion = [[United States Wrestling Association]]
|created = December 13, 1988
|mostreigns = Jerry Lawler (28 times)
|firstchamp = [[Jerry Lawler]]
|longestreign = [[Sid Vicious (wrestler)|Sid Vicious]] (205 days)
|shortestreign = Sid Vicious (3 days)
|titleretired = November 1997
}}
The '''USWA Unified World Heavyweight Championship''' was a [[professional wrestling]] [[Championship (professional wrestling)#World championships|world heavyweight championship]] formed in 1988, which consisted of the [[WCWA World Heavyweight Championship]] from [[World Class Championship Wrestling]] and the [[AWA World Heavyweight Championship]] from the [[American Wrestling Association]]. The title was unified on December 13, 1988, when AWA World Champion [[Jerry Lawler]] defeated WCWA World Champion [[Kerry Von Erich]] in a unification match.

The title was primarily recognized by and defended in the [[United States Wrestling Association]] until 1997, when the company ceased operations. However, the AWA withdrew its recognition of the championship shortly after the unification match when Lawler was stripped of the AWA world title. The title was also contested in a non-televised match prior to the [[World Wrestling Federation]]'s [[King of the Ring (1993)#Pre-show|King of the Ring]] event in 1993.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/profiles/g/godfather.html | title=Charles Wright profile | quote=June 13, 1993 - WWF King of the Ring | publisher=Online World of Wrestling | access-date=November 21, 2010}}</ref>

==Title history==
{{Professional wrestling title history top|active=no}}
{{Professional wrestling title history middle
|number=1
|champion={{sortname|Jerry|Lawler}}
|reign=1
|date={{dts|December 13, 1988}}
|days={{age in days|December 13, 1988|April 1, 1989}}
|location=Chicago, Illinois
|event=[[SuperClash III]]
|notes=Lawler, the reigning [[AWA World Heavyweight Championship|AWA World Heavyweight Champion]], defeated [[Kerry Von Erich]] to win the [[WCWA World Heavyweight Championship]]. This results in the USWA Unified World Heavyweight Championship being formed. In January 1989, he was stripped of the AWA title by the AWA, ending the AWA title's connection with the USWA Unified World Heavyweight title. Lawler continues to be recognized as the USWA Unified World Heavyweight Champion by the USWA.
On January 10, 1989, [[Dutch Mantell]] appeared to defeat Lawler to win the title after guest referee [[Ricky Morton]] (who had been paid off by Mantell) helped Mantell win by knocking Lawler's feet off the ropes in Mantell's pinfall attempt. The CWA Championship Committee reversed the decision the following week, returning the title to Lawler
|ref=<ref name=USWAUnifiedBook>{{cite book| last1=Will | first1=Gary | first2=Royal | last2= Duncan | title=Wrestling Title Histories: professional wrestling champions around the world from the 19th century to the present | publisher=Archeus Communications | year=2000 | page=198 | location=Pennsylvania | chapter=Tennessee: USWA Unified World Heavyweight Title [Lawler] | isbn=0-9698161-5-4}}</ref><ref name=USWAUnifiedBookWeb>{{cite web | url=http://www.wrestling-titles.com/us/tn/uswa/uswa-uh.html | title=Unified World Heavyweight Title  [United States Wrestling Association] | access-date=March 28, 2017 | work=Wrestling-Titles}}</ref>
}}{{Professional wrestling title history middle
|number=2
|champion={{sort|Master of Pain|[[The Undertaker|Master of Pain]]}}
|reign=1
|date={{dts|April 1, 1989}}
|days={{age in days|April 1, 1989|April 25, 1989}}
|location=Memphis, Tennessee
|event=[[House show|USWA show]]
|notes=The WCWA World Heavyweight Championship was held up in April 1989. Regardless, the USWA continues to recognize the USWA Unified World Heavyweight Championship. At this point, the USWA Unified World Heavyweight Championship was not unified with either the AWA or World Class World Heavyweight Championships; consequently, the influential ''[[Pro Wrestling Illustrated]]'' outright refused to recognise the Unified championship as a separate title in its own right.<ref>"Master of Pain is currently defending the 'unified' title, a title not recognised by PWI or its sister publications."  Ratings Analysis, ''[[Pro Wrestling Illustrated]]'' June 1989</ref>
|ref=<ref name=USWAUnifiedBook/><ref name=USWAUnifiedBookWeb/>
}}{{Professional wrestling title history middle
|number=3
|champion={{sortname|Jerry|Lawler}}
|reign=2
|date={{dts|April 25, 1989}}
|days={{age in days|April 25, 1989|October 23, 1989}}
|location=Memphis, Tennessee
|event=[[House show|USWA show]]
|notes= On April 14 Lawler defeats Kerry Von Erich to win the WCWA World Heavyweight Championship again. Lawler claims to still be champion in AWA and wins the USWA Unified World Heavyweight title on April 25
|ref=<ref name=USWAUnifiedBook/><ref name=USWAUnifiedBookWeb/>
}}{{Professional wrestling title history middle
|number=4
|champion=[[Charles Wright (wrestler)|The Soultaker]]
|reign=1
|date={{dts|October 23, 1989}}
|days={{age in days|October 23, 1989|November 6, 1989}}
|location=Memphis, Tennessee
|event=[[House show|USWA show]]
|notes=This title change was not recognised in the Texas/World Class branch of the USWA
|ref=<ref name=USWAUnifiedBook/><ref name=USWAUnifiedBookWeb/>
}}{{Professional wrestling title history middle
|number=5
|champion={{sortname|Jerry|Lawler}}
|reign=3
|date={{dts|November 6, 1989}}
|days={{age in days|November 6, 1989|December 30, 1989}}
|location=Memphis, Tennessee
|event=[[House show|USWA show]]
|notes=
|ref=<ref name=USWAUnifiedBook/><ref name=USWAUnifiedBookWeb/>
}}{{Professional wrestling title history middle
|number=6
|champion=King Cobra
|reign=1
|date={{dts|December 30, 1989}}
|days={{age in days|December 30, 1989|January 8, 1990}}
|location=Memphis, Tennessee
|event=[[House show|USWA show]]
|notes=This title change was not recognised in the Texas/World Class branch of the USWA
|ref=<ref name=USWAUnifiedBook/><ref name=USWAUnifiedBookWeb/>
}}{{Professional wrestling title history middle
|number=7
|champion={{sortname|Jerry|Lawler}}
|reign=4
|date={{dts|January 8, 1990}}
|days={{age in days|January 8, 1990|February 26, 1990}}
|location=Memphis, Tennessee
|event=[[House show|USWA show]]
|notes=
|ref=<ref name=USWAUnifiedBook/><ref name=USWAUnifiedBookWeb/>
}}{{Professional wrestling title history middle
|number=8
|champion={{sortname|Jimmy|Valiant}}
|reign=1
|date={{dts|February 26, 1990}}
|days={{age in days|February 26, 1990|March 12, 1990}}
|location=Memphis, Tennessee
|event=[[House show|USWA show]]
|notes=This title change was not recognised in the Texas/World Class branch of the USWA
|ref=<ref name=USWAUnifiedBook/><ref name=USWAUnifiedBookWeb/><ref name=F4W0226>{{cite web | url=http://www.f4wonline.com/other-wrestling/daily-pro-wrestling-history-0226-verne-gagne-wins-awa-title-his-birthday-230791 | title=Daily pro wrestling history (02/26): Verne Gagne wins AWA title on his birthday | date=February 26, 2017 | access-date=February 27, 2017 | first=Brian | last=Hoops | publisher=Wrestling Observer Figure Four Online}}</ref>
}}{{Professional wrestling title history middle
|number=9
|champion={{sortname|Jerry|Lawler}}
|reign=5
|date={{dts|March 12, 1990}}
|days={{age in days|March 12, 1990|April 28, 1990}}
|location=Memphis, Tennessee
|event=[[House show|USWA show]]
|notes=
|ref=<ref name=USWAUnifiedBook/><ref name=USWAUnifiedBookWeb/>
}}{{Professional wrestling title history middle
|number=10
|champion={{sortname|Jimmy|Valiant}}
|reign=2
|date={{dts|April 28, 1990}}
|days={{age in days|April 28, 1990|May 5, 1990}}
|location=Memphis, Tennessee
|event=[[House show|USWA show]]
|notes=This title change was not recognised in the Texas/World Class branch of the USWA
|ref=<ref name=USWAUnifiedBook/><ref name=USWAUnifiedBookWeb/>
}}{{Professional wrestling title history middle
|number=11
|champion={{sortname|Jerry|Lawler}}
|reign=6
|date={{dts|May 5, 1990}}
|days={{age in days|May 5, 1990|June 18, 1990}}
|location=Memphis, Tennessee
|event=[[House show|USWA show]]
|notes=
|ref=<ref name=USWAUnifiedBook/><ref name=USWAUnifiedBookWeb/><ref name=F4W0505>{{cite web | url=http://www.f4wonline.com/other-wrestling/day-pro-wrestling-history-may-5-bruno-vs-gorilla-puerto-rico-2nd-annual-von-erich | title=On this day in pro wrestling history (May 5): Bruno Vs. Gorilla in Puerto Rico, 2nd annual Von Erich Memorial Parade of Champions| date=May 5, 2015 | access-date=February 10, 2017 | author=F4W Staff | publisher=Wrestling Observer Figure Four Online}}</ref>
}}{{Professional wrestling title history middle
|number=12
|champion=Snowman
|reign=1
|date={{dts|June 18, 1990}}
|days={{age in days|June 18, 1990|August 27, 1990}}
|location=Memphis, Tennessee
|event=[[House show|USWA show]]
|notes=
|ref=<ref name=USWAUnifiedBook/><ref name=USWAUnifiedBookWeb/>
}}{{Professional wrestling title history middle
|sort number=12.5
|type=vacated
|date={{dts|August 27, 1990}}
|notes=Snowman no-shows title defense. (World Class Championship Wrestling ends business relationship with USWA in September 1990, ending the WCWA title's connection with the USWA Unified World Heavyweight title. Regardless, the USWA continues to recognize the USWA Unified World Heavyweight Championship)
|ref=<ref name=USWAUnifiedBook/><ref name=USWAUnifiedBookWeb/>
}}{{Professional wrestling title history middle
|number=13
|champion={{sortname|Jerry|Lawler}}
|reign=7
|date={{dts|October 8, 1990}}
|days={{age in days|October 8, 1990|November 5, 1990}}
|location=Memphis, Tennessee
|event=[[House show|USWA show]]
|notes=Defeated [[Austin Idol]] in tournament final
|ref=<ref name=USWAUnifiedBook/><ref name=USWAUnifiedBookWeb/>
}}{{Professional wrestling title history middle
|number=14
|champion={{sortname|Terry|Funk}}
|reign=1
|date={{dts|November 5, 1990}}
|days={{age in days|November 5, 1990|March 11, 1991}}
|location=Memphis, Tennessee
|event=[[House show|USWA show]]
|notes=
|ref=<ref name=USWAUnifiedBook/><ref name=USWAUnifiedBookWeb/>
}}{{Professional wrestling title history middle
|number=15
|champion={{sortname|Jerry|Lawler}}
|reign=8
|date={{dts|March 11, 1991}}
|days={{age in days|March 11, 1991|July 29, 1991}}
|location=Memphis, Tennessee
|event=[[House show|USWA show]]
|notes=
|ref=<ref name=USWAUnifiedBook/><ref name=USWAUnifiedBookWeb/>
}}{{Professional wrestling title history middle
|number=16
|champion={{sort|Awesome Kong|[[Colossal Kongs|Awesome Kong]]}}
|reign=1
|date={{dts|July 29, 1991}}
|days={{age in days|July 29, 1991|August 12, 1991}}
|location=Memphis, Tennessee
|event=[[House show|USWA show]]
|notes=
|ref=<ref name=USWAUnifiedBook/><ref name=USWAUnifiedBookWeb/><ref name=F4W0729>{{cite web | url=http://www.f4wonline.com/other-wrestling/day-pro-wrestling-history-july-29-ric-flair-vs-bobo-brazil-nick-bockwinkel-vs-mil | title=On this day in pro wrestling history (July 29): Ric Flair vs. Bobo Brazil, Nick Bockwinkel vs. Mil Mascaras | date=July 29, 2015 | access-date=February 18, 2017 | first=Brian | last=Hoops | publisher=Wrestling Observer Figure Four Online}}</ref>
}}{{Professional wrestling title history middle
|number=17
|champion={{sortname|Jerry|Lawler}}
|reign=9
|date={{dts|August 12, 1991}}
|days={{age in days|August 12, 1991|August 26, 1991}}
|location=Memphis, Tennessee
|event=[[House show|USWA show]]
|notes=
|ref=<ref name=USWAUnifiedBook/><ref name=USWAUnifiedBookWeb/>
}}{{Professional wrestling title history middle
|number=18
|champion=[[Kazuo Sakurada|The Dragon Master]]
|reign=1
|date={{dts|August 26, 1991}}
|days={{age in days|August 26, 1991|September 2, 1991}}
|location=Memphis, Tennessee
|event=[[House show|USWA show]]
|notes=
|ref=<ref name=USWAUnifiedBook/><ref name=USWAUnifiedBookWeb/>
}}{{Professional wrestling title history middle
|number=19
|champion={{sortname|Jerry|Lawler}}
|reign=10
|date={{dts|September 2, 1991}}
|days={{age in days|September 2, 1991|November 25, 1991}}
|location=Memphis, Tennessee
|event=[[House show|USWA show]]
|notes=
|ref=<ref name=USWAUnifiedBook/><ref name=USWAUnifiedBookWeb/>
}}{{Professional wrestling title history middle
|number=20
|champion=[[Kamala (wrestler)|Kamala]]
|reign=1
|date={{dts|November 25, 1991}}
|days={{age in days|November 25, 1991|December 2, 1991}}
|location=Memphis, Tennessee
|event=[[House show|USWA show]]
|notes=
|ref=<ref name=USWAUnifiedBook/><ref name=USWAUnifiedBookWeb/>
}}{{Professional wrestling title history middle
|number=21
|champion={{sortname|Jerry|Lawler}}
|reign=11
|date={{dts|December 2, 1991}}
|days={{age in days|December 2, 1991|December 7, 1991}}
|location=Memphis, Tennessee
|event=[[House show|USWA show]]
|notes=
|ref=<ref name=USWAUnifiedBook/><ref name=USWAUnifiedBookWeb/>
}}{{Professional wrestling title history middle
|sort number=21.5
|type=vacated
|date={{dts|December 7, 1991}}
|notes=Championship vacated after a match against Kamala
|ref=<ref name=USWAUnifiedBook/><ref name=USWAUnifiedBookWeb/>
}}{{Professional wrestling title history middle
|number=22
|champion=[[Kamala (wrestler)|Kamala]]
|reign=2
|date={{dts|December 9, 1991}}
|days={{age in days|December 9, 1991|February 2, 1992}}
|location=Memphis, Tennessee
|event=[[House show|USWA show]]
|notes=Won rematch
|ref=<ref name=USWAUnifiedBook/><ref name=USWAUnifiedBookWeb/>
}}{{Professional wrestling title history middle
|sort number=22.5
|type=vacated
|date={{dts|February 2, 1992}}
|notes=Championship vacated after match against Koko B Ware
|ref=<ref name=USWAUnifiedBook/><ref name=USWAUnifiedBookWeb/>
}}{{Professional wrestling title history middle
|number=23
|champion=[[Kamala (wrestler)|Kamala]]
|reign=3
|date={{dts|February 10, 1992}}
|days={{age in days|February 10, 1992|February 24, 1992}}
|location=Memphis, Tennessee
|event=[[House show|USWA show]]
|notes=Won rematch
|ref=<ref name=USWAUnifiedBook/><ref name=USWAUnifiedBookWeb/><ref name=F4W0210>{{cite web | url=http://www.f4wonline.com/other-wrestling/daily-pro-wrestling-history-0210-masa-saito-wins-awa-gold-tokyo-dome-229891 | title=Daily pro wrestling history (02/10): Masa Saito wins AWA gold at the Tokyo Dome | date=February 10, 2017 | access-date=February 10, 2017 | first=Brian | last=Hoops | publisher=Wrestling Observer Figure Four Online}}</ref>
}}{{Professional wrestling title history middle
|number=24
|champion={{sortname|Koko B.|Ware}}
|reign=1
|date={{dts|February 24, 1992}}
|days={{age in days|February 24, 1992|March 16, 1992}}
|location=Memphis, Tennessee
|event=[[House show|USWA show]]
|notes=
|ref=<ref name=USWAUnifiedBook/><ref name=USWAUnifiedBookWeb/><ref name=F4W0224>{{cite web | url=http://www.f4wonline.com/other-wrestling/daily-pro-wrestling-history-0224-war-games-wcw-wrestlewar-1991-230721 | title=Daily pro wrestling history (02/24): War Games at WCW WrestleWar 1991 | date=February 24, 2017 | access-date=February 27, 2017 | first=Brian | last=Hoops | publisher=Wrestling Observer Figure Four Online}}</ref>
}}{{Professional wrestling title history middle
|number=25
|champion=[[Kamala (wrestler)|Kamala]]
|reign=4
|date={{dts|March 16, 1992}}
|days={{age in days|March 16, 1992|May 4, 1992}}
|location=Memphis, Tennessee
|event=[[House show|USWA show]]
|notes=
|ref=<ref name=USWAUnifiedBook/><ref name=USWAUnifiedBookWeb/>
}}{{Professional wrestling title history middle
|number=26
|champion={{sortname|Jerry|Lawler}}
|reign=12
|date={{dts|May 4, 1992}}
|days={{age in days|May 4, 1992|June 15, 1992}}
|location=Memphis, Tennessee
|event=[[House show|USWA show]]
|notes=Defeated Eddie Gilbert on June 8, 1992 to win the [[GWF North American Heavyweight Championship|GWF World Heavyweight Championship]], supposedly unifying the two championships although Gilbert had been stripped of the championship previously
|ref=<ref name=USWAUnifiedBook/><ref name=USWAUnifiedBookWeb/>
}}{{Professional wrestling title history middle
|number=27
|champion={{sortname|Eddie|Gilbert|Eddie Gilbert (wrestler)}}
|reign=1
|date={{dts|June 15, 1992}}
|days={{age in days|June 15, 1992|July 13, 1992}}
|location=Memphis, Tennessee
|event=[[House show|USWA show]]
|notes=
|ref=<ref name=USWAUnifiedBook/><ref name=USWAUnifiedBookWeb/>
}}{{Professional wrestling title history middle
|number=28
|champion={{sortname|Ricky|Morton}}
|reign=1
|date={{dts|July 13, 1992}}
|days={{age in days|July 13, 1992|July 20, 1992}}
|location=Memphis, Tennessee
|event=[[House show|USWA show]]
|notes=
|ref=<ref name=USWAUnifiedBook/><ref name=USWAUnifiedBookWeb/>
}}{{Professional wrestling title history middle
|number=29
|champion={{sortname|Eddie|Gilbert|Eddie Gilbert (wrestler)}}
|reign=2
|date={{dts|July 20, 1992}}
|days={{age in days|July 20, 1992|September 21, 1992}}
|location=Memphis, Tennessee
|event=[[House show|USWA show]]
|notes=
|ref=<ref name=USWAUnifiedBook/><ref name=USWAUnifiedBookWeb/><ref name=F4W0720>{{cite web | url=http://www.f4wonline.com/daily-updates/day-pro-wrestling-history-brisco-beats-race-nwa-title-gagne-beats-crusher-awa-title | title=On this day in pro wrestling history: Brisco beats Race for NWA title, Gagne beats Crusher for AWA title, Robinson vs. Gagen | date=July 20, 2015 | access-date=February 11, 2017 | first=Brian | last=Hoops | publisher=Wrestling Observer Figure Four Online}}</ref>
}}{{Professional wrestling title history middle
|number=30
|champion=[[Junkyard Dog]]
|reign=1
|date={{dts|September 21, 1992}}
|days={{age in days|September 21, 1992|October 12, 1992}}
|location=Memphis, Tennessee
|event=[[House show|USWA show]]
|notes=
|ref=<ref name=USWAUnifiedBook/><ref name=USWAUnifiedBookWeb/>
}}{{Professional wrestling title history middle
|number=31
|champion={{sortname|Butch|Reed}}
|reign=1
|date={{dts|October 12, 1992}}
|days={{age in days|October 12, 1992|October 17, 1992}}
|location=Memphis, Tennessee
|event=[[House show|USWA show]]
|notes=
|ref=<ref name=USWAUnifiedBook/><ref name=USWAUnifiedBookWeb/>
}}{{Professional wrestling title history middle
|number=32
|champion={{sortname| Todd|Champion}}
|reign=1
|date={{dts|October 17, 1992}}
|days={{age in days|October 17, 1992|November 2, 1992}}
|location=Cleveland, Ohio
|event="[[House show|USWA show]]"
|notes=Announced as having won a match, storyline to cover for Butch Reed leaving USWA
|ref=<ref name=USWAUnifiedBook/><ref name=USWAUnifiedBookWeb/>
}}{{Professional wrestling title history middle
|number=33
|champion={{sortname|Jerry|Lawler}}
|reign=13
|date={{dts|November 2, 1992}}
|days={{age in days|November 2, 1992|December 7, 1992}}
|location=Memphis, Tennessee
|event=[[House show|USWA show]]
|notes=
|ref=<ref name=USWAUnifiedBook/><ref name=USWAUnifiedBookWeb/>
}}{{Professional wrestling title history middle
|number=34
|champion={{sortname|Koko B.|Ware}}
|reign=2
|date={{dts|December 7, 1992}}
|days={{age in days|December 7, 1992|December 14, 1992}}
|location=Memphis, Tennessee
|event=[[House show|USWA show]]
|notes=
|ref=<ref name=USWAUnifiedBook/><ref name=USWAUnifiedBookWeb/>
}}{{Professional wrestling title history middle
|number=35
|champion={{sortname|Jerry|Lawler}}
|reign=14
|date={{dts|December 14, 1992}}
|days={{age in days|December 14, 1992|May 3, 1993}}
|location=Memphis, Tennessee
|event=[[House show|USWA show]]
|notes=
|ref=<ref name=USWAUnifiedBook/><ref name=USWAUnifiedBookWeb/>
}}{{Professional wrestling title history middle
|number=36
|champion={{sort|Papa Shango|[[Charles Wright (wrestler)|Papa Shango]]}}
|reign=2
|date={{dts|May 3, 1993}}
|days={{age in days|May 3, 1993|June 21, 1993}}
|location=Memphis, Tennessee
|event=[[House show|USWA show]]
|notes=Previously held the championship under the [[ring name]] "The Soultaker"
|ref=<ref name=USWAUnifiedBook/><ref name=USWAUnifiedBookWeb/><ref name=F4W0503>{{cite web | url=http://www.f4wonline.com/daily-updates/day-pro-wrestling-history-low-ki-vs-devitt-punk-wins-ovw-title-muto-wins-iwgp-belt | title=On this day in pro wrestling history: Low Ki Vs. Dewitt, Punk wins OVW title, Mutoh wins IWGP belt, Bret wins NA title, Dibiase & Dr. Death, Sheik, Watts, Fargos| date=May 3, 2015 | access-date=February 11, 2017 | author=F4W Staff | publisher=Wrestling Observer Figure Four Online}}</ref>
}}{{Professional wrestling title history middle
|number=37
|champion={{sortname|Owen|Hart}}
|reign=1
|date={{dts|June 21, 1993}}
|days={{age in days|June 21, 1993|July 5, 1993}}
|location=Memphis, Tennessee
|event=[[House show|USWA show]]
|notes=
|ref=<ref name=USWAUnifiedBook/><ref name=USWAUnifiedBookWeb/>
}}{{Professional wrestling title history middle
|number=38
|champion={{sortname|Jerry|Lawler}}
|reign=15
|date={{dts|July 5, 1993}}
|days={{age in days|July 5, 1993|September 13, 1993}}
|location=Memphis, Tennessee
|event=[[House show|USWA show]]
|notes=
|ref=<ref name=USWAUnifiedBook/><ref name=USWAUnifiedBookWeb/>
}}{{Professional wrestling title history middle
|number=39
|champion=[[Tatanka (wrestler)|Tatanka]]
|reign=1
|date={{dts|September 13, 1993}}
|days={{age in days|September 13, 1993|September 20, 1993}}
|location=Memphis, Tennessee
|event=[[House show|USWA show]]
|notes=Tatanka worked for the WWF at the time, and was undefeated.
|ref=<ref name=USWAUnifiedBook/><ref name=USWAUnifiedBookWeb/>
}}{{Professional wrestling title history middle
|number=40
|champion={{sortname|Jerry|Lawler}}
|reign=16
|date={{dts|September 20, 1993}}
|days={{age in days|September 20, 1993|October 11, 1993}}
|location=Memphis, Tennessee
|event=[[House show|USWA show]]
|notes=Lawler pinned Tatanka in a six-man tag team elimination match and the title changed hands due to a pre-match stipulation.
|ref=<ref name=USWAUnifiedBook/><ref name=USWAUnifiedBookWeb/>
}}{{Professional wrestling title history middle
|number=41
|champion={{sortname|Randy|Savage}}
|reign=1
|date={{dts|October 11, 1993}}
|days={{age in days|October 11, 1993|November 20, 1993}}
|location=Memphis, Tennessee
|event=[[House show|USWA show]]
|notes=
|ref=<ref name=USWAUnifiedBook/><ref name=USWAUnifiedBookWeb/>
}}{{Professional wrestling title history middle
|sort number=41.5
|type=vacated
|date={{dts|November 20, 1993}}
|notes=The USWA and the [[World Wrestling Federation]] (WWF) temporarily end co-promotion
|ref=<ref name=USWAUnifiedBook/><ref name=USWAUnifiedBookWeb/>
}}{{Professional wrestling title history middle
|number=42
|champion={{sortname|Jeff|Jarrett}}
|reign=1
|date={{dts|November 22, 1993}}
|days={{age in days|November 22, 1993|December 20, 1993}}
|location=Memphis, Tennessee
|event=[[House show|USWA show]]
|notes=Won a battle royal
|ref=<ref name=USWAUnifiedBook/><ref name=USWAUnifiedBookWeb/>
}}{{Professional wrestling title history middle
|number=43
|champion={{sortname|Jerry|Lawler}}
|reign=17
|date={{dts|December 20, 1993}}
|days={{age in days|December 20, 1993|January 31, 1994 }}
|location=Memphis, Tennessee
|event=[[House show|USWA show]]
|notes=
|ref=<ref name=USWAUnifiedBook/><ref name=USWAUnifiedBookWeb/>
}}{{Professional wrestling title history middle
|number=44
|champion={{sortname|Eddie|Gilbert|Eddie Gilbert (wrestler)}}
|reign=3
|date={{dts|January 31, 1994}}
|days={{age in days|January 31, 1994|February 7, 1994}}
|location=Memphis, Tennessee
|event=[[House show|USWA show]]
|notes=
|ref=<ref name=USWAUnifiedBook/><ref name=USWAUnifiedBookWeb/>
}}{{Professional wrestling title history middle
|number=45
|champion={{sortname|Jerry|Lawler}}
|reign=18
|date={{dts|February 7, 1994}}
|days={{age in days|February 7, 1994|February 14, 1994}}
|location=Memphis, Tennessee
|event=[[House show|USWA show]]
|notes=
|ref=<ref name=USWAUnifiedBook/><ref name=USWAUnifiedBookWeb/><ref name=F4W0207>{{cite web | url=http://www.f4wonline.com/other-wrestling/daily-pro-wrestling-history-0207-bobby-roode-austin-aries-win-tag-team-gold-229726 | title=On this day in pro wrestling history (Feb 7): Bobby Roode & Austin Aries wins tag gold | date=February 7, 2017 | access-date=February 15, 2017 | first=Brian | last=Hoops | publisher=Wrestling Observer Figure Four Online}}</ref>
}}{{Professional wrestling title history middle
|number=46
|champion={{sortname|Eddie|Gilbert|Eddie Gilbert (wrestler)}}
|reign=4
|date={{dts|February 14, 1994}}
|days={{age in days|February 14, 1994|March 25, 1994}}
|location=Memphis, Tennessee
|event=[[House show|USWA show]]
|notes=
|ref=<ref name=USWAUnifiedBook/><ref name=USWAUnifiedBookWeb/><ref name=F4W0214>{{cite web | url=http://www.f4wonline.com/other-wrestling/daily-pro-wrestling-history-0214-austin-vs-mcmahon-st-valentines-day-massacre-230116 | title=On this day in pro wrestling history (Feb 14): Austin vs. McMahon at St. Valentine's Day Massacre | date=February 14, 2017 | access-date=February 15, 2017 | first=Brian | last=Hoops | publisher=Wrestling Observer Figure Four Online}}</ref>
}}{{Professional wrestling title history middle
|number=47
|champion={{sortname|Jerry|Lawler}}
|reign=19
|date={{dts|March 25, 1994}}
|days={{age in days|March 25, 1994|July 16, 1994}}
|location=Senatobia, Mississippi
|event=[[House show|USWA show]]
|notes=
|ref=<ref name=USWAUnifiedBook/><ref name=USWAUnifiedBookWeb/>
}}{{Professional wrestling title history middle
|number=48
|champion={{sortname|Sid|Vicious|Sid Vicious (wrestler)}}
|reign=1
|date={{dts|July 16, 1994}}
|days={{age in days|July 16, 1994|February 6, 1995}}
|location=Memphis, Tennessee
|event=[[House show|USWA show]]
|notes=Won by forfeit
|ref=<ref name=USWAUnifiedBook/><ref name=USWAUnifiedBookWeb/><ref name=F4W0716>{{cite web | url=http://www.f4wonline.com/other-wrestling/day-pro-wrestling-history-july-16-dusty-rhodes-vs-ernie-ladd-reed-vs-jyd-bash | title=On this day in pro wrestling history (July 16): Dusty Rhodes Vs. Ernie Ladd, Reed Vs. JYD, Bash in Huntington Beach | date=July 16, 2015 | access-date=February 11, 2017 | first=Brian | last=Hoops | publisher=Wrestling Observer Figure Four Online}}</ref>
}}{{Professional wrestling title history middle
|number=49
|champion={{sortname|Jerry|Lawler}}
|reign=20
|date={{dts|February 6, 1995}}
|days={{age in days|February 6, 1995|February 25, 1995}}
|location=Memphis, Tennessee
|event=[[House show|USWA show]]
|notes=
|ref=<ref name=USWAUnifiedBook/><ref name=USWAUnifiedBookWeb/>
}}{{Professional wrestling title history middle
|number=50
|champion={{sortname|Bill|Dundee}}
|reign=1
|date={{dts|February 25, 1995}}
|days={{age in days|February 25, 1995|April 3, 1995}}
|location=Memphis, Tennessee
|event=[[House show|USWA show]]
|notes=
|ref=<ref name=USWAUnifiedBook/><ref name=USWAUnifiedBookWeb/>
}}{{Professional wrestling title history middle
|number=51
|champion={{sort|Ramon|[[Scott Hall (wrestler)|Razor Ramon]]}}
|reign=1
|date={{dts|April 3, 1995}}
|days={{age in days|April 3, 1995|May 1, 1995}}
|location=Memphis, Tennessee
|event=[[House show|USWA show]]
|notes=
|ref=<ref name=USWAUnifiedBook/><ref name=USWAUnifiedBookWeb/><ref name=F4W0403>{{cite web | url=http://www.f4wonline.com/other-wrestling/day-pro-wrestling-title-change-history-gotch-vs-hackenschmidt-inoki-vs-hansen | title=On this day in pro wrestling title change history: Gotch VS. Hackeschmidt, Inoki Vs. Hansen, Guerrero Vs. Jericho| date=April 3, 2015 | access-date=February 10, 2017 | author=F4W Staff | publisher=Wrestling Observer Figure Four Online}}</ref>
}}{{Professional wrestling title history middle
|number=52
|champion={{sortname|Jerry|Lawler}}
|reign=21
|date={{dts|May 1, 1995}}
|days={{age in days|May 1, 1995|November 6, 1995}}
|location=Memphis, Tennessee
|event=[[House show|USWA show]]
|notes=
|ref=<ref name=USWAUnifiedBook/><ref name=USWAUnifiedBookWeb/>
}}{{Professional wrestling title history middle
|number=53
|champion={{sortname|Ahmed|Johnson}}
|reign=1
|date={{dts|November 6, 1995}}
|days={{age in days|November 6, 1995|December 20, 1995}}
|location=Memphis, Tennessee
|event=[[House show|USWA show]]
|notes=
|ref=<ref name=USWAUnifiedBook/><ref name=USWAUnifiedBookWeb/>
}}{{Professional wrestling title history middle
|number=54
|champion={{sortname|Jeff|Jarrett}}
|reign=2
|date={{dts|December 20, 1995}}
|days={{age in days|December 20, 1995|March 2, 1996}}
|location=Tunica, Mississippi
|event=[[House show|USWA show]]
|notes=
|ref=<ref name=USWAUnifiedBook/><ref name=USWAUnifiedBookWeb/>
}}{{Professional wrestling title history middle
|sort number=54.5
|type=vacated
|date={{dts|March 2, 1996}}
|notes=Vacated after Jarrett suffered a back injury
|ref=<ref name=USWAUnifiedBook/><ref name=USWAUnifiedBookWeb/>
}}{{Professional wrestling title history middle
|number=55
|champion={{sortname|Jerry|Lawler}}
|reign=22
|date={{dts|March 4, 1996}}
|days={{age in days|March 4, 1996|March 8, 1996}}
|location=Memphis, Tennessee
|event=[[House show|USWA show]]
|notes=Defeated [[Viscera (wrestler)|Mabel]] in tournament final
|ref=<ref name=USWAUnifiedBook/><ref name=USWAUnifiedBookWeb/><ref name=F4W0304>{{cite web | url=http://www.f4wonline.com/other-wrestling/daily-pro-wrestling-history-0304-roh-10th-anniversary-show-231196 | title=Daily Pro Wrestling History (03/04): ROH 10th Anniversary Show | date=March 4, 2017 | access-date=March 5, 2017 | first=Brian | last=Hoops | publisher=Wrestling Observer Figure Four Online}}</ref>
}}{{Professional wrestling title history middle
|sort number=55.5
|type=vacated
|date={{dts|March 8, 1996}}
|notes=Vacated after a match against Bill Dundee
|ref=<ref name=USWAUnifiedBook/><ref name=USWAUnifiedBookWeb/>
}}{{Professional wrestling title history middle
|number=56
|champion={{sortname|Jerry|Lawler}}
|reign=23
|date={{dts|April 5, 1996}}
|days={{age in days|April 5, 1996|April 20, 1996 }}
|location=Memphis, Tennessee
|event=[[House show|USWA show]]
|notes=Lawler won rematch
|ref=<ref name=USWAUnifiedBook/><ref name=USWAUnifiedBookWeb/>
}}{{Professional wrestling title history middle
|number=57
|champion={{sortname|Jeff|Jarrett}}
|reign=3
|date={{dts|April 20, 1996}}
|days={{age in days|April 20, 1996|July 24, 1996}}
|location=Memphis, Tennessee
|event=[[House show|USWA show]]
|notes=Jarrett won with the help of referee Frank Morrell
|ref=<ref name=USWAUnifiedBook/><ref name=USWAUnifiedBookWeb/>
}}{{Professional wrestling title history middle
|number=58
|champion={{sortname|Jerry|Lawler}}
|reign=24
|date={{dts|July 24, 1996}}
|days={{age in days|July 24, 1996|August 30, 1996}}
|location=West Helena, Arkansas
|event=[[House show|USWA show]]
|notes=
|ref=<ref name=USWAUnifiedBook/><ref name=USWAUnifiedBookWeb/>
}}{{Professional wrestling title history middle
|number=59
|champion={{sortname|Sid|Vicious|Sid Vicious (wrestler)}}
|reign=2
|date={{dts|August 30, 1996}}
|days={{age in days|August 30, 1996|September 2, 1996}}
|location=Memphis, Tennessee
|event=[[House show|USWA show]]
|notes=
|ref=<ref name=USWAUnifiedBook/><ref name=USWAUnifiedBookWeb/>
}}{{Professional wrestling title history middle
|number=60
|champion={{sortname|Jerry|Lawler}}
|reign=25
|date={{dts|September 2, 1996}}
|days={{age in days|September 2, 1996|October 4, 1996}}
|location=Memphis, Tennessee
|event=[[House show|USWA show]]
|notes=
|ref=<ref name=USWAUnifiedBook/><ref name=USWAUnifiedBookWeb/>
}}{{Professional wrestling title history middle
|number=61
|champion={{sort|Colorado|[[Mike Rapada|The Colorado Kid]]}}
|reign=1
|date={{dts|October 4, 1996}}
|days={{age in days|October 4, 1996|November 16, 1996}}
|location=Memphis, Tennessee
|event=[[House show|USWA show]]
|notes=
|ref=<ref name=USWAUnifiedBook/><ref name=USWAUnifiedBookWeb/>
}}{{Professional wrestling title history middle
|number=62
|champion={{sortname|Jerry|Lawler}}
|reign=26
|date={{dts|November 16, 1996}}
|days={{age in days|November 16, 1996|March 15, 1997}}
|location=Memphis, Tennessee
|event=[[House show|USWA show]]
|notes=
|ref=<ref name=USWAUnifiedBook/><ref name=USWAUnifiedBookWeb/>
}}{{Professional wrestling title history middle
|number=63
|champion={{sort|Tank|[[Mantaur|Tank]]}}
|reign=1
|date={{dts|March 15, 1997}}
|days={{age in days|March 15, 1997|March 22, 1997}}
|location=Memphis, Tennessee
|event=[[House show|USWA show]]
|notes=
|ref=<ref name=USWAUnifiedBook/><ref name=USWAUnifiedBookWeb/>
}}{{Professional wrestling title history middle
|number=64
|champion={{sortname|Jerry|Lawler}}
|reign=27
|date={{dts|March 22, 1997}}
|days={{age in days|March 22, 1997|April 12, 1997}}
|location=Memphis, Tennessee
|event=[[House show|USWA show]]
|notes=
|ref=<ref name=USWAUnifiedBook/><ref name=USWAUnifiedBookWeb/><ref name=F4WMarch22>{{cite web |url=https://www.f4wonline.com/other-wrestling/daily-pro-wrestling-history-0322-dutch-mantel-wins-southern-title-jerry-lawler | title=Daily pro wrestling history (03/22): Dutch Mantel wins Southern title from Jerry Lawler | date=March 22, 2020 | access-date=March 22, 2020 | work=[[Wrestling Observer Newsletter]] | first=Brian | last=Hoops}}</ref>
}}{{Professional wrestling title history middle
|number=65
|champion=[[Reggie B. Fine|King Reginald]]
|reign=1
|date={{dts|April 12, 1997}}
|days={{age in days|April 12, 1997|April 27, 1997 }}
|location=Memphis, Tennessee
|event=[[House show|USWA show]]
|notes=
|ref=<ref name=USWAUnifiedBook/><ref name=USWAUnifiedBookWeb/>
}}{{Professional wrestling title history middle
|number=66
|champion={{sortname|Jerry|Lawler}}
|reign=28
|date={{dts|April 27, 1997}}
|days={{age in days|April 27, 1997|August 8, 1997}}
|location=Memphis, Tennessee
|event=[[House show|USWA show]]
|notes=
|ref=<ref name=USWAUnifiedBook/><ref name=USWAUnifiedBookWeb/>
}}{{Professional wrestling title history middle
|number=67
|champion={{sortname|Dutch|Mantel}}
|reign=1
|date={{dts|August 8, 1997}}
|days={{sort|{{age in days|August 8, 1997|November 1, 1997}}|<ref name=USWAUnifiedBook/><ref name=USWAUnifiedBookWeb/><ref group=Note>The exact date the USWA closed is not known, which means that the championship reign lasted between {{age in days|August 8, 1997|November 1, 1997}} and {{age in days|August 8, 1997|November 30, 1997}} days</ref>}}
|location=Memphis, Tennessee
|event=[[House show|USWA show]]
|notes=
|ref=<ref name=USWAUnifiedBook/><ref name=USWAUnifiedBookWeb/>
}}{{Professional wrestling title history middle
|sort number=67.5
|type=deactivated
|date={{dts|November 2, 1997}}
|notes=USWA closed
|ref=<ref name=USWAUnifiedBook/><ref name=USWAUnifiedBookWeb/>
}}
{{BundleEnd}}

== Combined reigns ==
[[File:10.9.10JerryLawlerByLuigiNovi.jpg|alt=|thumb|180px|Inaugural and 28-time champion [[Jerry Lawler]]]]



{|class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align: center"
!Rank
!Wrestler
!No. of reigns
!Combined days
|-
|1 || [[Jerry Lawler]] || 28 || 1764
|-
|2 || [[Sid Vicious (wrestler)|Sid Vicious]] || 2 || 208
|-
|3 || [[Jeff Jarrett]] || 3 || 196
|-
|4 || [[Eddie Gilbert (wrestler)|Eddie Gilbert]] || 4 || 137
|-
|5 || [[Terry Funk]] || 1 || 126
|-
|6 || [[Kamala (wrestler)|Kamala]] || 4 || 125
|-
|7 || [[Dutch Mantel]] || 1 || 85-114
|-
|8 || Snowman || 1 || 70
|-
|9 || [[The Godfather (wrestler)|The Soultaker/Papa Shango]] || 2 || 63
|-
|10 || [[Ahmed Johnson]] || 1 || 44
|-
|11 || [[Mike Rapada|The Colorado Kid]] || 1 || 43
|-
|12 || [[Randy Savage]] || 1 || 40
|-
|13 || [[Bill Dundee]] || 1 || 37
|-
|rowspan=2|14 || [[Koko B. Ware]] || 2 || 28
|-
|[[Scott Hall|Razor Ramon]] || 1 || 28
|-
|16 || [[The Undertaker|Master of Pain]] || 1 || 24
|-
|rowspan=2|17 || [[Jimmy Valiant]] || 2 || 21
|-
|[[Junkyard Dog]] || 1 || 21
|-
|19 || [[Todd Champion]] || 1 || 16
|-
|20 || [[Reggie B. Fine|King Reginald]] || 1 || 15
|-
|rowspan=2|21 || [[Colossal Kongs|Awesome Kong]] || 1 || 14
|-
|[[Owen Hart]] || 1 || 14
|-
|23 || King Cobra || 1 || 9
|-
|rowspan=4|24 || [[Ricky Morton]] || 1 || 7
|-
|[[Mantaur|Tank]] || 1 || 7
|-
|[[Tatanka (wrestler)|Tatanka]] || 1 || 7
|-
|[[Kazuo Sakurada|The Dragon Master]] || 1 || 7
|-
|28 || [[Butch Reed]] || 1 || 5
|}

==Footnotes==
{{Reflist|group=Note}}

==References==
{{reflist|30em}}

{{USWA Unified World Heavyweight Championship}}
{{CWAUSWA Championships}}
[[Category:Recurring sporting events established in 1988]]
[[Category:Recurring events disestablished in 1997]]
[[Category:United States Wrestling Association championships]]
[[Category:World heavyweight wrestling championships]]
[[Category:World professional wrestling championships]]