# AWA Southern Heavyweight Championship

The AWA Southern Heavyweight Championship was a major professional wrestling title in the Continental Wrestling Association during the 1970s and 1980s. The title is part of a long lineage that was started 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 as the Memphis Wrestling Southern Heavyweight Championship, where the last recorded champion was Brian Christopher, winning the championship on November 4, 2010, but with no recorded championship matches since then. Memphis Wrestling held their last regular event in 2009.

## Title history

Key :
| No. | Overall reign number |
| Reign | Reign number for the specific champion |
| Days | Number of days held |
| No. | Champion | Championship change | Championship change | Championship change | Reign statistics | Reign statistics | Notes | Ref. |
| No. | Champion | Date | Event | Location | Reign | Days | Notes | Ref. |
| | NWA Southern Heavyweight Championship | NWA Southern Heavyweight Championship | NWA Southern Heavyweight Championship | NWA Southern Heavyweight Championship | NWA Southern Heavyweight Championship | NWA Southern Heavyweight Championship | NWA Southern Heavyweight Championship | NWA Southern Heavyweight Championship |
| 1 | Jerry Lawler | July 27, 1974 | Mid-Am Show | Chattanooga, Tennessee | 1 | 88 | 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. | |
| 2 | Robert Fuller | October 23, 1974 | Mid-Am Show | Nashville, Tennessee | 1 | 7 | | |
| 3 | Jerry Lawler | October 30, 1974 | Mid-Am Show | Nashville, Tennessee | 2 | 61 | | |
| — | Vacated | December 1974 | — | — | — | — | Championship vacated for undocumented reasons | |
| 2 | Ron Fuller | December 29, 1974 | Mid-Am Show | Memphis, Tennessee | 1 | 162 | Won an eight-man tournament. | |
| 5 | The Mongolian Stomper | June 9, 1975 | Mid-Am Show | Memphis, Tennessee | 1 | 35 | | |
| 6 | Jerry Lawler | July 14, 1975 | Mid-Am Show | Memphis, Tennessee | 3 | | | |
| 7 | The Mongolian Stomper | July 28, 1975 (NLT) | Mid-Am Show | | 2 | | | |
| — | Vacated | August 9, 1975 | Mid-Am Show | Memphis, Tennessee | — | — | Championship vacated after a match against Bob Armstrong. | |
| 8 | Bob Armstrong | September 29, 1975 (NLT) | Mid-Am Show | | 1 | | Defeated The Mongolian Stomper in a rematch. The title change may have been repeated on October 7, 1975 in Louisville, Kentucky. | |
| 9 | Jerry Lawler | October 20, 1975 (NLT) | Mid-Am Show | Huntsville, Alabama | 4 | | | |
| 10 | Bob Armstrong | November 24, 1975 (NLT) | Mid-Am Show | | 2 | | | |
| | Vacated | November 1975 | | N/A | | | Championship vacated for undocumented reasons | |
| 11 | Jerry Lawler | December 15, 1975 | Mid-Am Show | Memphis, Tennessee | 5 | | Defeated Ron Fuller in a tournament final. | |
| — | Vacated | January 1976 | — | — | — | — | Championship vacated after a match against Ricky Gibson | |
| 12 | Jerry Lawler | January 19, 1976 | Mid-Am Show | Memphis, Tennessee | 6 | 34 | Defeated Ricky Gibson in a rematch. | |
| 13 | Tommy Rich | February 22, 1976 | Mid-Am Show | Memphis, Tennessee | 1 | | | |
| 14 | Jerry Lawler | April 5, 1976 (NLT) | Mid-Am Show | | 7 | | | |
| 15 | Jack Brisco | August 9, 1976 | Mid-Am Show | Memphis, Tennessee | 1 | 10 | | |
| 16 | Jerry Lawler | August 19, 1976 | Mid-Am Show | Memphis, Tennessee | 8 | 26 | | |
| 17 | Tommy Rich | September 14, 1976 | Mid-Am Show | Memphis, Tennessee | 2 | | | |
| 18 | Jerry Lawler | October 4, 1976 (NLT) | Mid-Am Show | | 9 | | | |
| 19 | Jackie Fargo | October 4, 1976 | Mid-Am Show | Memphis, Tennessee | 1 | | | |
| 20 | Jerry Lawler | October 1976 | Mid-Am Show | | 10 | | | |
| 21 | Rocky Johnson | November 1, 1976 | Mid-Am Show | Memphis, Tennessee | 1 | 161 | The championship moved from NWA Mid-America to the Continental Wrestling Association on March 20, 1977 | |
| | NWA Southern Heavyweight Championship / Mid-Southern Heavyweight Championship | NWA Southern Heavyweight Championship / Mid-Southern Heavyweight Championship | NWA Southern Heavyweight Championship / Mid-Southern Heavyweight Championship | NWA Southern Heavyweight Championship / Mid-Southern Heavyweight Championship | NWA Southern Heavyweight Championship / Mid-Southern Heavyweight Championship | NWA Southern Heavyweight Championship / Mid-Southern Heavyweight Championship | NWA Southern Heavyweight Championship / Mid-Southern Heavyweight Championship | NWA Southern Heavyweight Championship / Mid-Southern Heavyweight Championship |
| 22 | Jerry Lawler | April 11, 1977 | CWA Show | Memphis, Tennessee | 11 | 17 | | |
| 23 | Bob Armstrong | April 28, 1977 | CWA Show | Knoxville, Tennessee | 3 | 3 | | |
| 24 | Jerry Lawler | May 1, 1977 | CWA Show | Memphis, Tennessee | 12 | 28 | | |
| 25 | Paul Orndorff | May 29, 1977 | CWA Show | Memphis, Tennessee | 1 | 50 | | |
| 26 | Jerry Lawler | July 18, 1977 | CWA Show | Memphis, Tennessee | 13 | 7 | | |
| 27 | Bill Dundee | July 25, 1977 | CWA Show | Memphis, Tennessee | 1 | 7 | | |
| 28 | Jerry Lawler | August 1, 1977 | CWA Show | Memphis, Tennessee | 14 | 21 | | |
| 29 | Bill Dundee | August 22, 1977 | CWA Show | Memphis, Tennessee | 2 | 7 | | |
| 30 | Jerry Lawler | August 29, 1977 | CWA Show | Memphis, Tennessee | 15 | 15 | | |
| — | Vacated | September 13, 1977 | — | — | — | — | Lawler retired after a match against Bill Dundee, but later returned to the ring | |
| 31 | Jimmy Valiant | September 25, 1977 | CWA Show | Louisville, Kentucky | 1 | 15 | Defeated Mr. Wrestling in the finals of a six-man one-night tournament. | |
| 32 | Jerry Lawler | October 10, 1977 | CWA Show | Memphis, Tennessee | 16 | 49 | | |
| 33 | Jimmy Valiant | November 28, 1977 | CWA Show | Memphis, Tennessee | 2 | 7 | | |
| 34 | Jerry Lawler | December 5, 1977 | Memphis, Tennessee | CWA Show | 17 | 245 | Championship became an AWA championship in July 1978 when the CWA began working with the American Wrestling Association. | |
| 35 | Jos LeDuc | August 7, 1978 | CWA Show | Memphis, Tennessee | 1 | 7 | | |
| 36 | Jerry Lawler | August 14, 1978 | CWA Show | Memphis, Tennessee | 18 | 14 | | |
| 37 | Jos LeDuc | August 28, 1978 | CWA Show | Memphis, Tennessee | 2 | 7 | | |
| 38 | Jerry Lawler | September 4, 1978 | CWA Show | Memphis, Tennessee | 19 | | | |
| 39 | Don Fargo | November 6, 1978 (NLT) | CWA Show | | 1 | | | |
| 40 | Tommy Gilbert | November 20, 1978 | CWA Show | Memphis, Tennessee | 1 | 7 | | |
| 41 | Don Fargo | November 27, 1978 | CWA Show | Memphis, Tennessee | 2 | 7 | | |
| 42 | Jerry Lawler | December 4, 1978 | CWA Show | Memphis, Tennessee | 20 | 21 | | |
| 43 | Austin Idol | December 25, 1978 | CWA Show | Memphis, Tennessee | 1 | 21 | | |
| 44 | Ron Fuller | January 15, 1979 | CWA Show | Memphis, Tennessee | 2 | 28 | | |
| 45 | Toru Tanaka | February 12, 1979 | CWA Show | Memphis, Tennessee | 1 | 47 | Won the title by forfeit. Robert Fuller won the title on March 19, 1979, but the title was returned to Tanaka. | |
| 46 | Buzz Sawyer | March 31, 1979 | CWA Show | Memphis, Tennessee | 1 | 2 | | |
| — | Vacated | April 2, 1979 | — | — | — | — | Championship vacated after a match against the Mongolian Stomper | |
| 47 | The Mongolian Stomper | April 23, 1979 | CWA Show | Memphis, Tennessee | 3 | 42 | Defeated Buzz Sawyer in a rematch. | |
| 48 | Robert Fuller | June 4, 1979 | CWA Show | Memphis, Tennessee | 2 | | | |
| 49 | Ron Bass | June 1979 | CWA Show | Bluefield, West Virginia | 1 | | | |
| 50 | Randy Taylor | June 1979 | CWA Show | | 1 | | | |
| 51 | Ron Bass | July 2, 1979 | CWA Show | Memphis, Tennessee | 2 | 56 | | |
| 52 | Bill Dundee | August 27, 1979 | CWA Show | Memphis, Tennessee | 3 | 15 | | |
| — | Vacated | September 11, 1979 | CWA Show | Memphis, Tennessee | — | — | Championship vacated after a match against Ron Bass. | |
| 53 | Bill Dundee | September 17, 1979 | CWA Show | Memphis, Tennessee | 4 | 7 | Defeated Bass in a rematch. | |
| 54 | Jerry Lawler | September 24, 1979 | CWA Show | Memphis, Tennessee | 21 | 7 | | |
| 55 | Bill Dundee | October 1, 1979 | CWA Show | Memphis, Tennessee | 5 | 14 | | |
| 56 | Jerry Lawler | October 15, 1979 | CWA Show | Memphis, Tennessee | 22 | 80 | | |
| 57 | Jimmy Valiant | January 3, 1980 | CWA Show | Jackson, Tennessee | 3 | 95 | | |
| 58 | Paul Ellering | April 7, 1980 | CWA Show | Memphis, Tennessee | 1 | 91 | | |
| 59 | Bill Dundee | July 7, 1980 | CWA Show | Memphis, Tennessee | 6 | 28 | | |
| — | Vacated | August 4, 1980 | — | — | — | — | Title was vacated when Dundee won the CWA World Heavyweight Championship | |
| 60 | Bill Irwin | August 11, 1980 | CWA Show | Memphis, Tennessee | 1 | 7 | Defeated Jimmy Valiant the finals of an eight-man one-night tournament. | |
| — | Vacated | August 18, 1980 | CWA Show | Memphis, Tennessee | — | — | Championship vacated after a match against Jimmy Valliant | |
| 61 | Jimmy Valiant | August 25, 1980 | CWA Show | Memphis, Tennessee | 4 | 7 | Defeated Bill Irwin in a rematch. | |
| 62 | Tommy Rich | September 1, 1980 | CWA Show | Memphis, Tennessee | 3 | 8 | | |
| 63 | Jimmy Valiant | September 9, 1980 | CWA Show | Memphis, Tennessee | 5 | | | |
| 64 | Tommy Rich | October 6, 1980 (NLT) | CWA Show | | 4 | | | |
| — | Vacated | November 1980 | — | — | — | — | Championship vacated for undocumented reasons | |
| 65 | Jimmy Valiant | January 17, 1981 | CWA Show | Memphis, Tennessee | 6 | 29 | Defeated Hector Guerrero in a tournament final. | |
| 66 | Jerry Lawler | February 15, 1981 | CWA Show | Memphis, Tennessee | 23 | 127 | | |
| 67 | Jimmy Hart | June 22, 1981 | CWA Show | Memphis, Tennessee | 1 | 5 | | |
| 68 | Chick Donovan | June 27, 1981 | CWA Show | Memphis, Tennessee | 1 | | Hart laid down and let Donovan win the title. | |
| — | Vacated | July 1981 | — | — | — | — | Donovan was stripped of the championship because of the way in which he won it. | |
| 69 | Steve Keirn | July 20, 1981 | CWA Show | Memphis, Tennessee | 1 | 27 | Defeated Bugsy McGraw in a tournament final. | |
| 70 | The Dream Machine | August 16, 1981 | CWA Show | Jackson, Tennessee | 1 | 8 | | |
| 71 | Jerry Lawler | August 24, 1981 | CWA Show | Memphis, Tennessee | 24 | 14 | | |
| 72 | The Dream Machine | September 7, 1981 | CWA Show | Memphis, Tennessee | 2 | 7 | | |
| 73 | Jimmy Valiant | September 14, 1981 | CWA Show | Memphis, Tennessee | 7 | | | |
| 74 | The Dream Machine | October 1981 | CWA Show | Lexington, Kentucky | 3 | | | |
| 75 | Dutch Mantel | October 26, 1981 | CWA Show | Memphis, Tennessee | 1 | 84 | | |
| 76 | Jerry Lawler | January 18, 1982 | CWA Show | Memphis, Tennessee | 25 | 27 | | |
| 77 | Dutch Mantel | February 14, 1982 | CWA Show | Memphis, Tennessee | 2 | 15 | | |
| 78 | Jerry Lawler | March 1, 1982 | CWA Show | Memphis, Tennessee | 26 | 21 | | |
| 79 | Dutch Mantel | March 22, 1982 | CWA Show | Memphis, Tennessee | 3 | 7 | | |
| 80 | Jerry Lawler | March 29, 1982 | CWA Show | Memphis, Tennessee | 27 | | | |
| 81 | Kendo Nagasaki | May 1982 | CWA Show | | 1 | | | |
| 82 | Jerry Lawler | May 24, 1982 | CWA Show | Memphis, Tennessee | 28 | 14 | | |
| 83 | Kamala | June 7, 1982 | CWA Show | Memphis, Tennessee | 1 | 63 | | |
| 84 | Jerry Lawler | August 9, 1982 | CWA Show | Memphis, Tennessee | 29 | 63 | | |
| 85 | Nick Bockwinkel | October 11, 1982 | CWA Show | Memphis, Tennessee | 1 | 28 | | |
| 86 | Jerry Lawler | November 8, 1982 | CWA Show | Memphis, Tennessee | 30 | 7 | | |
| 87 | Sabu the Wildman | November 15, 1982 | CWA Show | Memphis, Tennessee | 1 | 14 | Partnered with Jimmy Hart to defeat Jerry Lawler in a handicap match. Hart got the pin, but Sabu the Wildman was recognized as champion. | |
| 88 | Terry Taylor | November 29, 1982 | CWA Show | Memphis, Tennessee | 1 | 62 | | |
| 89 | Jacques Rougeau | January 30, 1983 | CWA Show | Memphis, Tennessee | 1 | 15 | | |
| 90 | Terry Taylor | February 14, 1983 | CWA Show | Memphis, Tennessee | 2 | 35 | | |
| 91 | Bill Dundee | March 21, 1983 | CWA Show | Memphis, Tennessee | 7 | 49 | | |
| 92 | Dutch Mantel | May 9, 1983 | CWA Show | Memphis, Tennessee | 4 | 7 | | |
| 93 | Bill Dundee | May 16, 1983 | CWA Show | Memphis, Tennessee | 8 | 14 | | |
| 94 | Dutch Mantel | May 30, 1983 | CWA Show | Memphis, Tennessee | 5 | 0 | | |
| 95 | Jerry Lawler | May 30, 1983 | CWA Show | Memphis, Tennessee | 31 | 0 | | |
| 96 | Bill Dundee | May 30, 1983 | CWA Show | Memphis, Tennessee | 9 | 7 | | |
| 97 | Jerry Lawler | June 6, 1983 | CWA Show | Memphis, Tennessee | 32 | 14 | | |
| 98 | Man Mountain Link | June 20, 1983 | CWA Show | Memphis, Tennessee | 1 | 0 | | |
| 99 | Jerry Lawler | June 20, 1983 | CWA Show | Memphis, Tennessee | 33 | | | |
| 100 | Man Mountain Link | July 1983 | CWA Show | | 2 | | | |
| 101 | Jerry Lawler | July 4, 1983 | CWA Show | Memphis, Tennessee | 34 | | | |
| — | Vacated | September 1983 | — | — | — | — | Lawler was stripped of the championship for failing to defend within 30 days. | |
| 102 | Jerry Lawler | September 10, 1983 | CWA Show | Memphis, Tennessee | 35 | | Defeated Bill Dundee in a tournament final. | |
| 103 | Jesse Ventura | September 1983 | CWA Show | | 1 | | | |
| 104 | Jerry Lawler | October 3, 1983 | CWA Show | Memphis, Tennessee | 36 | 7 | | |
| 105 | Jesse Ventura | October 10, 1983 | CWA Show | Memphis, Tennessee | 2 | | | |
| 106 | Jerry Lawler | November 1983 | CWA Show | Chicago, Illinois | 37 | | | |
| 107 | Lord Humongous | April 30, 1984 | CWA Show | Memphis, Tennessee | 1 | 21 | Mike Stark was portraying Lord Humongous at this point in time | |
| 108 | Jerry Lawler | May 21, 1984 | CWA Show | Memphis, Tennessee | 38 | 21 | | |
| 109 | Rick Rude | June 11, 1984 | CWA Show | Memphis, Tennessee | 1 | 35 | | |
| 110 | Tommy Rich | July 16, 1984 | CWA Show | Memphis, Tennessee | 5 | 14 | | |
| 111 | King Kong Bundy | July 30, 1984 | CWA Show | Memphis, Tennessee | 1 | 105 | Special guest referee Eddie Gilbert | |
| 112 | Jerry Lawler | November 12, 1984 | CWA Show | Memphis, Tennessee | 39 | 77 | | |
| — | Vacated | January 28, 1985 | CWA Show | Memphis, Tennessee | — | — | Championship vacated after a match against Eddie Gilbert | |
| 113 | Eddie Gilbert | February 1985 | CWA Show | Memphis, Tennessee | 1 | | Defeated Jerry Lawler in a rematch. | |
| 114 | Jerry Lawler | February 12, 1985 | CWA Show | Memphis, Tennessee | 40 | 33 | | |
| 115 | Randy Savage | March 17, 1985 | CWA Show | Memphis, Tennessee | 1 | 51 | | |
| 116 | Jerry Oske | May 7, 1985 | CWA Show | Louisville, Kentucky | 1 | 6 | | |
| 117 | Randy Savage | May 13, 1985 | CWA Show | Memphis, Tennessee | 2 | 21 | | |
| 118 | Jerry Lawler | June 3, 1985 | CWA Show | Memphis, Tennessee | 41 | 21 | | |
| 119 | Bota the Witch Doctor | June 24, 1985 | CWA Show | Memphis, Tennessee | 1 | 35 | | |
| 120 | Jerry Lawler | July 29, 1985 | CWA Show | Memphis, Tennessee | 42 | 18 | | |
| 121 | Taras Bulba | August 16, 1985 | CWA Show | Selmer, Tennessee | 1 | 21 | | |
| 122 | Jerry Lawler | September 6, 1985 | CWA Show | Martin, Tennessee | 43 | 43 | | |
| 123 | Bill Dundee | October 19, 1985 | CWA Show | Memphis, Tennessee | 10 | 63 | | |
| 124 | Jerry Lawler | December 21, 1985 | CWA Show | Memphis, Tennessee | 44 | 9 | | |
| 125 | Bill Dundee | December 30, 1985 | CWA Show | Memphis, Tennessee | 11 | 99 | | |
| 126 | Jerry Lawler | April 8, 1986 | CWA Show | Memphis, Tennessee | 45 | 24 | | |
| 127 | Bill Dundee | May 2, 1986 | CWA Show | Memphis, Tennessee | 12 | 31 | | |
| 128 | Buddy Landel | June 2, 1986 | CWA Show | Memphis, Tennessee | 1 | 0 | | |
| — | Vacated | June 2, 1986 | CWA Show | Memphis, Tennessee | — | — | Championship vacated immediately after the match | |
| 129 | Buddy Landel | June 16, 1986 | CWA Show | Memphis, Tennessee | 2 | | Defeated The Flame in a tournament final. | |
| — | Vacated | June 1986 | — | — | — | — | Vacated when Buddy Landel left the CWA | |
| 130 | Bam Bam Bigelow | July 28, 1986 | CWA Show | Memphis, Tennessee | 1 | 42 | Won a battle royal. | |
| 131 | Jerry Lawler | September 8, 1986 | CWA Show | Memphis, Tennessee | 46 | 125 | | |
| — | Vacated | January 11, 1987 | — | — | — | — | Vacated when Lawler suffered an injury | |
| 132 | Austin Idol | February 2, 1987 | CWA Show | Memphis, Tennessee | 2 | 77 | Defeated Soul Train Jones in a tournament final. | |
| 133 | Jerry Lawler | April 20, 1987 | CWA Show | Memphis, Tennessee | 47 | 7 | | |
| 134 | Austin Idol | April 27, 1987 | CWA Show | Memphis, Tennessee | 3 | 42 | | |
| 135 | Jerry Lawler | June 8, 1987 | CWA Show | Memphis, Tennessee | 48 | 28 | | |
| 136 | Brickhouse Brown | July 6, 1987 | CWA Show | Memphis, Tennessee | 1 | 7 | | |
| 137 | Jerry Lawler | July 13, 1987 | CWA Show | Memphis, Tennessee | 49 | 21 | | |
| — | Vacated | August 3, 1987 | CWA Show | Memphis, Tennessee | — | — | Vacated after a match against Don Bass | |
| 138 | Don Bass | August 3, 1987 | CWA Show | Memphis, Tennessee | 1 | | 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. | |
| 139 | Jerry Lawler | August 1987 | CWA Show | | 50 | | | |
| 140 | Don Bass | August 24, 1987 | CWA Show | Memphis, Tennessee | 2 | 7 | | |
| 141 | Jerry Lawler | August 31, 1987 | CWA Show | Memphis, Tennessee | 51 | | | |
| — | Vacated | September 1987 | — | — | — | — | Lawler vacated the championship to concentrate on the AWA World Tag Team Championship. | |
| 142 | Bobby Jaggers | October 19, 1987 | CWA Show | Memphis, Tennessee | 1 | 33 | Defeated Billy Travis in a tournament final. | |
| 143 | Jerry Lawler | November 21, 1987 | CWA Show | Memphis, Tennessee | 52 | 16 | | |
| — | Vacated | December 7, 1987 | — | — | — | — | The title was unified with the AWA International Heavyweight Championship and the NWA Mid-America Heavyweight Championship to create the CWA Heavyweight Championship | |

### United States Wrestling Association

Key :
| No. | Overall reign number |
| Reign | Reign number for the specific champion |
| Days | Number of days held |
| No. | Champion | Championship change | Championship change | Championship change | Reign statistics | Reign statistics | Notes | Ref. |
| No. | Champion | Date | Event | Location | Reign | Days | Notes | Ref. |
| | USWA Southern Heavyweight Championship | USWA Southern Heavyweight Championship | USWA Southern Heavyweight Championship | USWA Southern Heavyweight Championship | USWA Southern Heavyweight Championship | USWA Southern Heavyweight Championship | USWA Southern Heavyweight Championship | USWA Southern Heavyweight Championship |
| 1 | Dick Slater | September 1, 1990 | USWA Show | | 1 | 35 | Slater won the title in a tournament. | |
| 2 | Jeff Jarrett | October 6, 1990 | USWA Show | Nashville, Tennessee | 1 | 23 | | |
| 3 | Eddie Gilbert | October 29, 1990 | USWA Show | Memphis, Tennessee | 1 | | | |
| — | Vacated | December 1990 | — | — | — | — | Vacated when Eddie Gilbert left the USWA | |
| 4 | Jeff Jarrett | January 14, 1991 | USWA Show | Memphis, Tennessee | 2 | 42 | Defeated Brian Lee in a tournament final. | |
| — | Vacated | February 25, 1991 | USWA Show | Memphis, Tennessee | — | — | Championship was vacated after a match against Steve Austin | |
| 5 | Jeff Jarrett | March 1991 | USWA Show | | 3 | | Defeated Steve Austin in a rematch. | |
| 6 | Tom Prichard | March 15, 1991 | USWA Show | Dallas, Texas | 1 | 14 | | |
| — | Vacated | March 29, 1991 | USWA Show | Dallas, Texas | — | — | Championship vacated after a match against Jeff Jarrett | |
| 7 | Jeff Jarrett | April 5, 1991 | USWA Show | Dallas, Texas | 4 | 3 | Defeated Tom Prichard in a rematch. | |
| — | Vacated | April 8, 1991 | — | — | — | — | The title was vacated due to finish of the Jarrett-Prichard rematch | |
| 8 | Jeff Jarrett | April 12, 1991 | USWA Show | Dallas, Texas | 5 | 21 | Defeated Tom Prichard in a second rematch. | |
| 9 | Eric Embry | May 3, 1991 | USWA Show | Dallas, Texas | 1 | 10 | | |
| 10 | Bill Dundee | May 13, 1991 | USWA Show | Memphis, Tennessee | 1 | 7 | | |
| 11 | Eric Embry | May 20, 1991 | USWA Show | Memphis, Tennessee | 2 | 168 | | |
| 12 | Tom Prichard | November 4, 1991 | USWA Show | Memphis, Tennessee | 2 | 5 | | |
| 13 | Eric Embry | November 9, 1991 | USWA Show | Memphis, Tennessee | 3 | 23 | | |
| 14 | Tom Prichard | December 2, 1991 | USWA Show | Memphis, Tennessee | 3 | 7 | | |
| 15 | Eric Embry | December 9, 1991 | USWA Show | Memphis, Tennessee | 4 | 61 | | |
| 16 | Tom Prichard | February 8, 1992 | USWA Show | Memphis, Tennessee | 4 | 31 | | |
| 17 | Dr. Death | March 10, 1992 | USWA Show | Louisville, Kentucky | 1 | 6 | Not Dr. Death Steve Williams but a masked Kenny Kendall. | |
| 18 | Jimmy Valiant | March 16, 1992 | USWA Show | Memphis, Tennessee | 1 | 7 | | |
| 19 | Brian Christopher | March 23, 1992 | USWA Show | Memphis, Tennessee | 1 | 28 | | |
| — | Vacated | April 20, 1992 | — | — | — | — | Championship vacated after a match against Tom Pritchard | |
| 20 | Brian Christopher | April 27, 1992 | USWA Show | Memphis, Tennessee | 2 | 7 | Defeated Tom Prichard in a rematch. | |
| — | Vacated | May 4, 1992 | — | — | — | — | The championship remained vacant up due to the finish of the rematch | |
| 21 | Brian Christopher | May 4, 1992 | USWA Show | Memphis, Tennessee | 3 | 49 | Defeated Tom Prichard in a second rematch. | |
| — | Vacated | June 22, 1992 | — | — | — | — | Championship vacated after a match against Tom Pritchard | |
| 22 | Tom Prichard | June 29, 1992 | USWA Show | Memphis, Tennessee | 5 | 21 | Defeated Brian Christopher in a rematch. | |
| 23 | Brian Christopher | July 20, 1992 | USWA Show | Memphis, Tennessee | 4 | 7 | | |
| 24 | Tom Prichard | July 27, 1992 | USWA Show | Memphis, Tennessee | 6 | 7 | | |
| 25 | Brian Christopher | August 3, 1992 | USWA Show | Memphis, Tennessee | 5 | 7 | | |
| 26 | Reno Riggins | August 10, 1992 | USWA Show | Memphis, Tennessee | 1 | 35 | | |
| — | Vacated | September 14, 1992 | USWA Show | Memphis, Tennessee | — | — | Championship vacated after a match against Brian Christopher | |
| 27 | Brian Christopher | September 21, 1992 | USWA Show | Memphis, Tennessee | 6 | 91 | Defeated Reno Riggins in a rematch. | |
| 28 | Jeff Jarrett | December 21, 1992 | USWA Show | Memphis, Tennessee | 6 | 21 | | |
| 29 | Brian Christopher | January 11, 1993 | USWA Show | Memphis, Tennessee | 7 | 49 | | |
| 30 | Jeff Jarrett | March 1, 1993 | USWA Show | Memphis, Tennessee | 7 | 61 | | |
| 31 | Brian Christopher | May 1, 1993 | USWA Show | Memphis, Tennessee | 8 | 58 | | |
| 32 | Jeff Jarrett | June 28, 1993 | USWA Show | Memphis, Tennessee | 8 | 20 | | |
| 33 | Vampire Warrior | July 18, 1993 | USWA Show | Memphis, Tennessee | 1 | 36 | | |
| 34 | Jeff Jarrett | August 23, 1993 | USWA Show | Memphis, Tennessee | 9 | 21 | Renamed the USWA Heavyweight Championship in September 1993 | |
| | USWA Heavyweight Championship | USWA Heavyweight Championship | USWA Heavyweight Championship | USWA Heavyweight Championship | USWA Heavyweight Championship | USWA Heavyweight Championship | USWA Heavyweight Championship | USWA Heavyweight Championship |
| 35 | Tommy Rich | September 13, 1993 | USWA Show | Memphis, Tennessee | 1 | 21 | | |
| — | Vacated | September 25, 1993 | USWA Show | Memphis, Tennessee | — | — | The referee raised Rich's hand in victory after the match when Jeff Jarrett had actually won | |
| 36 | Jeff Jarrett | October 4, 1993 | USWA Show | Memphis, Tennessee | 10 | 49 | Defeated Tommy Rich in a rematch. | |
| 37 | Buddy Landel | November 22, 1993 | USWA Show | Memphis, Tennessee | 1 | 13 | | |
| 38 | Brian Christopher | December 5, 1993 | USWA Show | Memphis, Tennessee | 9 | 64 | | |
| 39 | Doug Gilbert | February 7, 1994 | USWA Show | Memphis, Tennessee | 1 | 7 | | |
| 40 | Brian Christopher | February 14, 1994 | USWA Show | Memphis, Tennessee | 10 | 7 | | |
| 41 | Doug Gilbert | February 21, 1994 | USWA Show | Memphis, Tennessee | 2 | 7 | | |
| 42 | Brian Christopher | February 28, 1994 | USWA Show | Memphis, Tennessee | 11 | 14 | | |
| 43 | Eddie Gilbert | March 14, 1994 | USWA Show | Memphis, Tennessee | 2 | 5 | | |
| 44 | Brian Christopher | March 19, 1994 | USWA Show | Memphis, Tennessee | 12 | 44 | Won the title by countout. | |
| 45 | Doug Gilbert | May 2, 1994 | USWA Show | Memphis, Tennessee | 3 | 7 | | |
| 46 | Brian Christopher | May 9, 1994 | USWA Show | Memphis, Tennessee | 13 | 28 | | |
| 47 | The Dream Machine | June 6, 1994 | USWA Show | Memphis, Tennessee | 1 | 35 | | |
| 48 | Brian Christopher | July 11, 1994 | USWA Show | Memphis, Tennessee | 14 | 21 | | |
| 49 | Doug Gilbert | August 1, 1994 | USWA Show | Memphis, Tennessee | 4 | 54 | | |
| — | Vacated | September 24, 1994 | — | — | — | — | Gilbert was stripped of the title for not defending within 45 days | |
| 50 | Tommy Rich | October 3, 1994 | USWA Show | Memphis, Tennessee | 2 | 63 | Defeated Buddy Landel in a tournament final. | |
| 51 | Brian Christopher | December 5, 1994 | USWA Show | Memphis, Tennessee | 15 | 14 | | |
| 52 | Tommy Rich | December 19, 1994 | USWA Show | Memphis, Tennessee | 3 | 12 | | |
| 53 | Brian Christopher | December 31, 1994 | USWA Show | Memphis, Tennessee | 16 | 93 | | |
| 54 | Brian Lee | April 3, 1995 | USWA Show | Memphis, Tennessee | 1 | 7 | | |
| — | Vacated | April 10, 1995 | USWA Show | Memphis, Tennessee | — | — | Vacated after a match against Brian Christopher | |
| 55 | Brian Lee | April 17, 1995 | USWA Show | Memphis, Tennessee | 2 | 26 | Defeated Brian Lee in a rematch. | |
| 56 | Doug Gilbert | May 13, 1995 | USWA Show | Memphis, Tennessee | 5 | 16 | | |
| 57 | Brian Christopher | May 29, 1995 | USWA Show | Memphis, Tennessee | 17 | 28 | | |
| 58 | Billy Jack Haynes | June 26, 1995 | USWA Show | Memphis, Tennessee | 1 | 39 | | |
| 59 | Brad Armstrong | August 4, 1995 | USWA Show | Knoxville, Tennessee | 1 | 3 | | |
| 60 | Billy Jack Haynes | August 7, 1995 | USWA Show | Memphis, Tennessee | 2 | 35 | | |
| 61 | Brian Christopher | September 11, 1995 | USWA Show | Memphis, Tennessee | 18 | 26 | | |
| 62 | Jesse James Armstrong | October 7, 1995 | USWA Show | Memphis, Tennessee | 1 | 16 | | |
| 63 | Brian Christopher | October 23, 1995 | USWA Show | Memphis, Tennessee | 19 | 21 | | |
| — | Vacated | November 13, 1995 | USWA Show | Memphis, Tennessee | — | — | Championship vacated after a match against Tex Slazinger | |
| 64 | Tex Slazenger | November 22, 1995 | USWA Show | Memphis, Tennessee | 1 | 5 | Defeated Brian Christopher in a rematch. | |
| 65 | Brian Christopher | November 27, 1995 | USWA Show | Memphis, Tennessee | 20 | 5 | | |
| 66 | Tex Slazenger | December 2, 1995 | USWA Show | Memphis, Tennessee | 2 | 39 | The title was returned to Slazenger by acting USWA Commissioner Bob Armstrong due to a controversial finish in the November 27 match. | |
| 67 | Jerry Lawler | January 10, 1996 | USWA Show | Memphis, Tennessee | 1 | 3 | | |
| 68 | Tommy Rich | January 13, 1996 | USWA Show | Memphis, Tennessee | 4 | 32 | | |
| 69 | Brian Christopher | February 14, 1996 | USWA Show | Memphis, Tennessee | 21 | 31 | | |
| 70 | Mabel | March 16, 1996 | USWA Show | Memphis, Tennessee | 1 | 65 | | |
| 71 | Jerry Lawler | May 20, 1996 | USWA Show | Memphis, Tennessee | 2 | 12 | | |
| 72 | Brian Christopher | June 1, 1996 | USWA Show | Memphis, Tennessee | 22 | 149 | | |
| 73 | Ric Hogan | October 28, 1996 | USWA Show | Memphis, Tennessee | 1 | 21 | | |
| 74 | Brian Christopher | November 18, 1996 | USWA Show | Memphis, Tennessee | 23 | 26 | | |
| 75 | Wolfie D | December 14, 1996 | USWA Show | Memphis, Tennessee | 1 | 19 | | |
| 76 | Brian Christopher | January 2, 1997 | USWA Show | Memphis, Tennessee | 24 | 38 | | |
| 77 | Elijah | February 9, 1997 | USWA Show | Memphis, Tennessee | 1 | 48 | | |
| 78 | Brian Christopher | March 29, 1997 | USWA Show | Memphis, Tennessee | 25 | 77 | | |
| 79 | Billy Travis | June 14, 1997 | USWA Show | Memphis, Tennessee | 1 | 28 | | |
| 80 | Spellbinder | July 12, 1997 | USWA Show | Memphis, Tennessee | 2 | 1 | | |
| 81 | Doomsday | July 13, 1997 | USWA Show | Memphis, Tennessee | 1 | 55 | | |
| 82 | Steven Dunn | September 6, 1997 | USWA Show | Memphis, Tennessee | 1 | | | |
| — | | November 1997 | — | — | | | The USWA closed | |

### Memphis Championship Wrestling

Key :
| No. | Overall reign number |
| Reign | Reign number for the specific champion |
| Days | Number of days held |
| No. | Champion | Championship change | Championship change | Championship change | Reign statistics | Reign statistics | Notes | Ref. |
| No. | Champion | Date | Event | Location | Reign | Days | Notes | Ref. |
| | MCW Southern Heavyweight Championship | MCW Southern Heavyweight Championship | MCW Southern Heavyweight Championship | MCW Southern Heavyweight Championship | MCW Southern Heavyweight Championship | MCW Southern Heavyweight Championship | MCW Southern Heavyweight Championship | MCW Southern Heavyweight Championship |
| 1 | Jerry Lawler | March 25, 2000 | MCW Show | Tunica, Mississippi | 1 | | Defeated Bull Pain in a tournament final. | |
| — | Vacated | 2000 | — | — | — | — | Championship vacated for undocumented reasons | |
| 2 | K-Krush | April 12, 2000 | MCW Show | Robinsonville, Mississippi | 1 | 42 | Won a battle royal, last eliminating Jerry Lawler. | |
| 3 | Masked Man #1 | May 24, 2000 | MCW Show | Tunica, Mississippi | 2 | 28 | | |
| 4 | Lord Steven Regal | June 21, 2000 | MCW Show | Memphis, Tennessee | 1 | 59 | | |
| 5 | Joey Abs | August 19, 2000 | MCW Show | Memphis, Tennessee | 1 | 0 | | |
| 6 | K-Krush | August 19, 2000 | MCW Show | Memphis, Tennessee | 2 | 76 | | |
| 7 | Steve Bradley | November 3, 2000 | MCW Show | Manila, Arkansas | 1 | 225 | | |
| 8 | Joey Abs | June 16, 2001 | MCW Show | Jackson, Tennessee | 2 | 21 | | |
| 9 | Steve Bradley | July 7, 2001 | MCW Show | Manila, Arkansas | 2 | 0 | | |
| 10 | Seven | July 7, 2001 | MCW Show | Manila, Arkansas | 1 | 133 | | |
| 12 | Kryptonite | November 17, 2001 | MCW Show | Dyersburg, Tennessee | 1 | | | |
| — | | December 2001 | | — | | | MCW Closed | |

### Memphis Wrestling

Key :
| No. | Overall reign number |
| Reign | Reign number for the specific champion |
| Days | Number of days held |
| No. | Champion | Championship change | Championship change | Championship change | Reign statistics | Reign statistics | Notes | Ref. |
| No. | Champion | Date | Event | Location | Reign | Days | Notes | Ref. |
| | Memphis Wrestling Southern Heavyweight Championship | Memphis Wrestling Southern Heavyweight Championship | Memphis Wrestling Southern Heavyweight Championship | Memphis Wrestling Southern Heavyweight Championship | Memphis Wrestling Southern Heavyweight Championship | Memphis Wrestling Southern Heavyweight Championship | Memphis Wrestling Southern Heavyweight Championship | Memphis Wrestling Southern Heavyweight Championship |
| 1 | Mabel | March 6, 2004 | MW Show | Memphis, Tennessee | 1 | | Defeated Bill Dundee in a tournament final to win the title | |
| 2 | Mordecai | March 2005 | MW Show | Memphis, Tennessee | 1 | | | |
| 3 | Jerry Lawler | July 2005 | MW Show | Memphis, Tennessee | 1 | | | |
| 4 | Shock | March 2007 | MW Show | Memphis, Tennessee | 1 | | | |
| 5 | Jerry Lawler | April 2008 | MW Show | Memphis, Tennessee | 2 | | Defeated Shock in a tournament final to unify the Memphis Wrestling Southern Television Championship. | |
| | | 2008 | N/A | N/A | | | Championship vacated for undocumented reasons | |
| 6 | Brian Christopher | November 4, 2010 | Live show | Memphis, Tennessee | 1 | 38 | Defeated Derrick King in a tournament final to win the vacant title. | |
| — | Deactivated | December 12, 2010 | — | — | — | — | No known championship defenses after Christopher becomes champion. | |

## Footnotes

* ↑ Lawler held the NWA/AWA version 52 times, the USWA version 2 times, the MCW version 2 times and the MW version 2 times.
* ↑ The exact date the championship change took place is uncertain, which means the reign lasted between 1 and 14 days.
* 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 The location of the match was not captured as part of the documentation.
* ↑ The exact date the championship change took place is uncertain, which means the reign lasted between 12 and 25 days.
* ↑ The exact date the championship change took place is uncertain, which means the reign lasted between 1 and 72 days.
* ↑ The exact date the championship change took place is uncertain, which means the reign lasted between 1 and 55 days.
* ↑ The exact date the championship change took place is uncertain, which means the reign lasted between 1 and 71 days.
* ↑ The exact date the championship change took place is uncertain, which means the reign lasted between 17 and 35 days.
* ↑ The exact date the championship change took place is uncertain, which means the reign lasted between 1 and 43 days.
* ↑ The exact date the championship change took place is uncertain, which means the reign lasted between 126 and 168 days.
* ↑ The exact date the championship change took place is uncertain, which means the reign lasted between 1 and 20 days.
* ↑ The exact date the championship change took place is uncertain, which means the reign lasted between 1 and 19 days.
* ↑ The exact date the championship change took place is uncertain, which means the reign lasted between 1 and 27 days.
* ↑ The exact date the championship change took place is uncertain, which means the reign lasted between 1 and 27 days.
* ↑ The exact date the championship change took place is uncertain, which means the reign lasted between 1 and 63 days.
* ↑ The exact date the championship change took place is uncertain, which means the reign lasted between 14 and 77 days.
* ↑ The exact date the championship change took place is uncertain, which means the reign lasted between 1 and 25 days.
* ↑ The exact date the championship change took place is uncertain, which means the reign lasted between 1 and 25 days.
* ↑ The exact date the championship change took place is uncertain, which means the reign lasted between 2 and 26 days.
* ↑ The exact date the championship change took place is uncertain, which means the reign lasted between 1 and 27 days.
* ↑ The exact date the championship change took place is uncertain, which means the reign lasted between 52 and 55 days.
* ↑ The exact date the championship change took place is uncertain, which means the reign lasted between 4 and 22 days.
* ↑ The exact date the championship change took place is uncertain, which means the reign lasted between 17 and 41 days.
* ↑ The exact date the championship change took place is uncertain, which means the reign lasted between 1 and 25 days.
* ↑ The exact date the championship change took place is uncertain, which means the reign lasted between 33 and 55 days.
* ↑ The exact date the championship change took place is uncertain, which means the reign lasted between 1 and −1,073 days.
* ↑ The exact date the championship change took place is uncertain, which means the reign lasted between 11 and 13 days.
* ↑ The exact date the championship change took place is uncertain, which means the reign lasted between 1 and 4 days.
* ↑ The exact date the championship change took place is uncertain, which means the reign lasted between 59 and 67 days.
* ↑ The exact date the championship change took place is uncertain, which means the reign lasted between 1 and 20 days.
* ↑ The exact date the championship change took place is uncertain, which means the reign lasted between 1 and 19 days.
* ↑ The exact date the championship change took place is uncertain, which means the reign lasted between 22 and 51 days.
* ↑ The exact date the championship change took place is uncertain, which means the reign lasted between 152 and 181 days.
* ↑ The exact date the championship change took place is uncertain, which means the reign lasted between 1 and 11 days.
* ↑ The exact date the championship change took place is uncertain, which means the reign lasted between 1 and 14 days.
* ↑ The exact date the championship change took place is uncertain, which means the reign lasted between 1 and 20 days.
* ↑ The exact date the championship change took place is uncertain, which means the reign lasted between 1 and 20 days.
* ↑ The exact date the championship change took place is uncertain, which means the reign lasted between 1 and 30 days.
* ↑ The exact date the championship change took place is uncertain, which means the reign lasted between 33 and 63 days.
* ↑ The exact date the championship change took place is uncertain, which means the reign lasted between 1 and 15} days.
* ↑ The exact date the championship was abandoned is uncertain, which means the reign lasted between 56 and 85 days.
* ↑ The exact date the championship change took place is uncertain, which means the reign lasted between 1 and 18 days.
* ↑ The exact date the championship was abandoned is uncertain, which means the reign lasted between 14 and 44 days.
* ↑ The exact date the championship change took place is uncertain, which means the reign lasted between 360 and 390 days.
* ↑ The exact date the championship change took place is uncertain, which means the reign lasted between 92 and 152 days.
* ↑ The exact date the championship change took place is uncertain, which means the reign lasted between 578 and 638 days.
* ↑ The exact date the championship change took place is uncertain, which means the reign lasted between 367 and 426 days.
* ↑ The exact date the championship change took place is uncertain, which means the reign lasted between 1 and 245 days.
* United States portal