# APW Universal Heavyweight Championship

The APW Universal Heavyweight Championship is a professional wrestling world heavyweight championship contested in All Pro Wrestling. It was introduced on October 12, 1996, when Robert Thompson defeated Michael Modest in the finals of a tournament to become the inaugural champion.

## Title history

Key :
| No. | Overall reign number |
| Reign | Reign number for the specific champion |
| Days | Number of days held |
| <1 | Reign lasted less than a day |
| + | Current reign is changing daily |
| No. | Champion | Championship change | Championship change | Championship change | Reign statistics | Reign statistics | Notes | Ref. |
| No. | Champion | Date | Event | Location | Reign | Days | Notes | Ref. |
| 1 | Robert Thompson | October 12, 1996 | Night of Champions & Legends | Modesto, CA | 1 | 147 | Defeated Michael Modest in tournament final to become the first champion. | |
| 2 | Manny Fernandez | March 8, 1997 | Return of the Ragin Bull | Cupertino, CA | 1 | 91 | | |
| — | Vacated | June 7, 1997 | — | — | — | — | Fernandez vacated the title upon leaving the promotion. | |
| 3 | Michael Modest | July 4, 1997 | Catfight | Hayward, CA | 1 | 63 | Defeated Donovan Morgan in the finals of a tournament to win the vacant title. | |
| 4 | Donovan Morgan | September 5, 1997 | Sports Annihilation | Hayward, CA | 1 | 28 | | |
| 5 | Michael Modest | October 3, 1997 | Night of the Return Match | Hayward, CA | 2 | 119 | | |
| 6 | Robert Thompson | January 3, 1998 | The Large Garage | San Jose, CA | 2 | 56 | | |
| 7 | Maxx Justice | March 27, 1998 | Return to the Large Garage | San Jose, CA | 1 | 35 | | |
| 8 | Vic Grimes | May 1, 1998 | Grimes/O'Grady Send-Off | Hayward, CA | 1 | 8 | | |
| — | Vacated | May 9, 1998 | — | — | — | — | Vacated the title upon leaving the promotion for World Wrestling Federation. | |
| 9 | Maxx Justice | May 16, 1998 | Spartanfest '98 | Pinole, CA | 2 | 154 | Defeated Fatu for the vacant title. | |
| 10 | Boom Boom Comini | October 17, 1998 | Raising Hell in Highlands | North Highlands, CA | 1 | 13 | Defeated Fatu for the vacant title. | |
| 11 | Michael Modest | October 30, 1998 | Halloween Hell 2: The Final Garage Show | Hayward, CA | 3 | 133 | | |
| 12 | Maxx Justice | March 12, 1999 | Last Chance for Justice | Hayward, CA | 3 | 50 | | |
| 13 | Boyce LeGrande | May 1, 1999 | Good Things Happen to Bad Boys | Pinole, CA | 1 | 20 | | |
| 14 | Maxx Justice | May 21, 1999 | Too Hot to Handle | Pinole, CA | 4 | −60 | | |
| 15 | Vinny Massaro | May 22, 1999 | Mack Daddy's & Gigolo's | Hayward, CA | 1 | −58 | | |
| — | Vacated | May 25, 1999 | — | — | — | — | The Pro Wrestling Council ruled that due to outside interference from unlicensed referees, the title would be stripped from Vinny Massaro and held in escrow. A four corners match was to be held on July 10, 1999, in San Jose, including Massaro, Maxx Justice, Michael Modest, and Boyce LeGrande to determine a new champion. | |
| 16 | Maxx Justice | July 10, 1999 | Four Corners Match | San Jose, CA | 5 | 77 | Also in the match was Vinny Massaro, Michael Modest, and Boyce LeGrande | |
| 17 | Shane Dynasty | September 25, 1999 | Road Rage | Lompoc, CA | 1 | 14 | Justice faced masked newcomer Super Diabliquo for the title and there was a question about who was actually under the mask. In an earlier Battle Royal, Super Diabliquo was thought to be Shane Dynasty, but during the title contest, Dynasty was revealed to be ringside wearing a clown mask. While the referee was distracted, Dynasty was knocked unconscious by the Freaks, stripped to his underwear, then substituted for Chris Ward, who was wrestling as Super Diabliquo. Afterward, he was unmasked and declared the champion. | |
| 18 | Michael Modest | October 9, 1999 | 100th Anniversary Show | Pacifica, CA | 4 | 98 | | |
| 19 | Tony Jones | January 15, 2000 | Millennium Madness | Healdsburg, CA | 1 | 56 | | |
| 20 | Ma'Och | March 11, 2000 | 5th Anniversary Show | San Leandro, CA | 1 | 35 | | |
| 21 | Frank Murdoch | April 15, 2000 | Farewell To Modest: Worldwide Internet Tournament | Livingston, CA | 1 | 133 | | |
| 22 | The Honky Tonk Man | August 26, 2000 | Carnival of Carnage 2 | Antioch, CA | 1 | 42 | Tony Jones attempted to hit the Honky Tonk Man with a kendo stick, but accidentally struck Murdoch to give the challenger the victory. | |
| — | Vacated | October 7, 2000 | Changing of the Guard | — | — | — | APW commissioner Gabe Ramirez declared the title vacant when the Honky Tonk Man failed to appear for a title defense. | |
| 23 | Ed Moretti | October 7, 2000 | Changing of the Guard | San Francisco, CA | 1 | <1 | APW commissioner Gabe Ramirez awarded the title to Ed Moretti when Honky Tonk Man failed to appear for a title defense. | |
| 24 | Donovan Morgan | October 7, 2000 | Changing of the Guard | San Francisco, CA | 2 | 193 | Morgan defeated Moretti the same evening for the title. Morgan also held the APW Worldwide Internet Championship in conjunction with the APW Universal Heavyweight Championship. | |
| 25 | Vic Capri | April 18, 2001 | N/A | Chicago, IL | 1 | 45 | During Morgan's tour of the Midwest, he was upset by 2000 KOTI participant Vic Capri in a Two out of Three falls Ladder match. Capri became the first person outside of APW to win the title. | |
| 26 | Michael Modest | June 2, 2001 | Land of the Giants | Pacifica, CA | 5 | 149 | | |
| — | Vacated | October 29, 2001 | — | — | — | — | | |
| 27 | Robert Thompson | May 11, 2002 | Live Event | Pacifica, CA | 3 | 167 | Defeated American Dragon in the finals of a tournament to win the title. | |
| 28 | Larry Blackwell | October 25, 2002 | Halloween Hell | Hayward, CA | 1 | 42 | Pinned Thompson in a "Double Jeopardy" tag team match to win the title. Blackwell teamed up with Kafu while Thompson teamed up with Jardi Frantz. | |
| 29 | Robert Thompson | December 6, 2002 | Live Event | Hayward, CA | 4 | 21 | | |
| 30 | Bobby Quance | December 27, 2002 | Kristmas Kaos | Hayward, CA | 1 | 302 | | |
| — | Vacated | N/A | — | — | — | — | Quance was stripped of the title. | |
| † | James Watkins | October 23, 2003 | — | — | 1 | 0 | Watkins "won" the title when Robert Thompson laid down for Watkins to pin him. APW stripped him as result. | |
| 31 | James Watkins | March 14, 2004 | The Garage Rumble | Hayward, CA | 2 | 230 | | |
| 32 | Nate Rulez | March 14, 2004 | Halloween Hell 7 - Day 2 | Hayward, CA | 2 | 224 | | |
| 33 | Kafu | June 11, 2005 | Live Event | Hayward, CA | 1 | 175 | | |
| 34 | Derek Sanders | December 3, 2005 | Kristmas Kaos | Hayward, CA | 1 | 238 | | |
| 35 | Dana Lee | July 29, 2006 | Gym Wars | Hayward, CA | 1 | 0 | | |
| — | Vacated | July 29, 2006 | — | Hayward, CA | — | — | Lee was stripped immediately after the match due to his actions in the APW Wrestling School. | |
| 36 | Derek Sanders | August 12, 2006 | Gym Wars | Hayward, CA | 2 | 35 | Defeated The Great Tenshi in tournament final to win the title. | |
| 37 | Dana Lee | September 2, 2006 | Live Event | San Francisco, CA | 2 | 42 | | |
| 38 | Kafu | October 14, 2006 | October Reign | Bakersfield, CA | 2 | 161 | | |
| 39 | Oliver John | March 24, 2007 | March Madness | Bakersfield, CA | 1 | 182 | | |
| 40 | Adam Thornstowe | September 22, 2007 | Gym Wars | Hayward, CA | 1 | 21 | Was a Two out of Three falls match. Thronstowe defeated John in two straight falls. | |
| 41 | Mr. Prime Time | October 13, 2007 | Halloween Hell X | Hayward, CA | 1 | 245 | Was a Three-Way Falls Count Anywhere match. Also in the match was Oliver John. | |
| 42 | Oliver John | June 14, 2008 | Gym Wars | Hayward, CA | 2 | 175 | | |
| 43 | Dylan Drake | December 6, 2008 | Gym Wars – Kristmas Kaos | Hayward, CA | 1 | 336 | Drake won the title in a Steel Cage match. | |
| 44 | Malachi | November 7, 2009 | Gym Wars | Hayward, CA | 1 | 182 | | |
| 45 | Jeckles the Jester | May 8, 2010 | Gym Wars | Hayward, CA | 1 | 60 | | |
| 46 | Derek Sanders | July 7, 2010 | Wrestling For The Wounded Warrior Project | Santa Rosa, CA | 3 | 150 | | |
| 47 | Dylan Drake | December 4, 2010 | Kristmas Kaos | Hayward, CA | 2 | 224 | | |
| 50 | Jeckles | July 16, 2011 | Gym Wars | Hayward, CA | 2 | 49 | | |
| 51 | Timothy Thatcher | September 3, 2011 | Gym Wars | Hayward, CA | 1 | 42 | | |
| — | Vacated | October 15, 2011 | Halloween Hell XIV | — | — | — | Commissioner J.J. Perez announced at Halloween Hell XIV that Thatcher was unable to compete and vacated the title. | |
| 52 | Jeckles | October 15, 2011 | Halloween Hell XIV | Hayward, CA | 3 | 91 | Defeated Gangrel for the vacant title. | |
| 53 | Jody Kristofferson | January 14, 2012 | Gym Wars | Hayward, CA | 1 | 0 | Won the annual "Pick The Winner" battle royal, granting him a Universal Heavyweight Title opportunity which he used the same night to defeat Jeckles. | |
| — | Vacated | January 14, 2012 | Gym Wars | Hayward, CA | — | — | Upon winning the title, Kristofferson reluctantly forfeited the title citing his recent developmental deal with WWE. | |
| 54 | Timothy Thatcher | February 18, 2012 | Gym Wars | Hayward, CA | 2 | 259 | Defeated A.J. Kirsch, Dylan Drake, and Jeckles in a Four-Way Elimination match to win the vacant title. | |
| 55 | Dylan Drake | November 3, 2012 | Gym Wars | Hayward, CA | 3 | 63 | Drake won the title in a Steel Cage match. | |
| † | JR Kratos | January 5, 2013 | Hardcore 100 | Hayward, CA | 4 | 28 | | |
| † | Dylan Drake | February 2, 2013 | Hardcore 100 | Hayward, CA | 4 | 70 | Drake regained the title from JR Kratos after Commissioner Blackwell was forced to return the title to Drake after fearing multiple lawsuits from Drake's attorney Mr. Ramirez. Drake continues his reign as champion, though Kratos held the physical belt since January 5. This was all due to a referee "mistake" in the January 5 match. This is considered a continuation of Drake's previous reign. | |
| 56 | Adam Thornstowe | April 13, 2013 | Gym Wars | Hayward, CA | 2 | 426 | This was a Three-Way match that included Dylan Drake and Timothy Thatcher. | |
| 57 | Rik Luxury | June 13, 2014 | Friday the 13th | San Francisco, CA | 1 | 273 | | |
| 58 | JR Kratos | March 13, 2015 | Friday the 13th Part 2 | San Francisco, CA | 1$^{(2)}$ | 351 | | |
| 59 | Jody Kristofferson | February 27, 2016 | Westlake Royale | Daly City, CA | 2 | 230 | | |
| 60 | MVP | October 14, 2016 | Halloween Hell XX | Daly City, CA | 1 | 162 | | |
| 61 | Luster the Legend | March 25, 2017 | Legends are Born | Daly City, CA | 1 | 61 | | |
| 62 | Jeff Cobb | May 6, 2017 | Cow Palace Royale | San Francisco, CA | 1 | 545 | | |
| 63 | Jacob Fatu | November 2, 2018 | Halloween Hell | Daly City, CA | 1 | 273 | | |
| 64 | Jake Atlas | August 2, 2019 | SuckaFree | Daly City, CA | 1 | 105 | | |
| — | Vacated | November 15, 2019 | Game Recognize Game | Hayward, CA | — | — | Atlas vacated the title upon signing a developmental contract with WWE. | |
| 65 | Marcus Lewis | September 3, 2022 | Bay Area Bash | Daly City, CA | 1 | 714 | Earlier in the show Fred Rosser faced JR Kratos for the vacant title, but the match went to a no contest. In the main event, a battle royal was held to determine the new champion. Lewis last eliminated Kratos to win the vacant championship. | |
| 66 | Luster The Legend | August 17, 2024 | APW Hardcore August Fights | Manteca, California | 2 | 180+ | defeated Marcus Lewis, Boyce LeGrande and Jheri Giggalow in a four way match. | |

## Combined reigns

As of February 13, 2025.
Key :
| † | Indicates the current champion |
| <1 | Indicates reign was less than one day |
| + | Indicates combined reign is changing daily |
| Rank | Wrestler | No. of reigns | Combined days |
| 1 | Dylan Drake | 3 | 721 |
| 2 | Marcus Lewis | 1 | 714 |
| 3 | Jeff Cobb | 1 | 545 |
| 4 | JR Kratos | 1 | 453 |
| 5 | Adam Thornstowe | 2 | 437 |
| 6 | Derek Sanders | 3 | 406 |
| 7 | Robert Thompson | 4 | 391 |
| 8 | Oliver John | 2 | 357 |
| 9 | Kafu | 2 | 336 |
| 10 | Donovan Morgan | 2 | 323 |
| 11 | Michael Modest | 5 | 329 |
| 12 | Maxx Justice | 5 | 317 |
| 13 | Bobby Quance | 1 | 302 |
| 14 | Timothy Thatcher | 2 | 301 |
| 15 | Rik Luxury | 1 | 273 |
| 15 | Jacob Fatu | 1 | 273 |
| 17 | Ma'och | 2 | 266 |
| 18 | Mr. Prime Time | 1 | 245 |
| 19 | James Watkins | 1 | 230 |
| 19 | Jody Kristofferson | 1 | 230 |
| 20 | Nate Rulez | 1 | 224 |
| 21 | Luster the Legend † | 2 | 42 + 180+ |
| 22 | Jeckles the Jester/Jeckles | 3 | 203 |
| 23 | Malachi | 1 | 182 |
| 24 | MVP | 1 | 162 |
| 25 | Frank Murdoch | 1 | 133 |
| 26 | Jake Atlas | 1 | 105 |
| 27 | Manny Fernandez | 1 | 91 |
| 28 | Tony Jones | 1 | 56 |
| 29 | Vic Capri | 1 | 45 |
| 30 | The Honky Tonk Man | 1 | 42 |
| 30 | Larry Blackwell | 1 | 42 |
| 30 | Dana Lee | 1 | 42 |
| 31 | Boyce LeGrande | 1 | 20 |
| 32 | SHane Dynasty | 1 | 14 |
| 33 | Boom Boom Comini | 1 | 13 |
| 34 | Vic Grimes | 1 | 8 |
| 35 | Vinny Massaro | 1 | 3 |
| 36 | Ed Morretti | 1 | <1 |