# List of NWA World Heavyweight Champions

The NWA World's Heavyweight Championship is a world heavyweight championship owned and promoted by the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA), an American professional wrestling promotion. It is the promotion's premier title.
NWA currently recognizes 102 individual World's Heavyweight Championship reigns. The inaugural champion was Orville Brown. The longest reigning champion is Lou Thesz, who held the title from November 27, 1949 to March 15, 1956, for a total of 2,300 days (6 years, 3 months, and 16 days); Thesz also holds the record for longest combined reigns at 3,749 days. Shane Douglas and Ray González share the record for the shortest reign as champion, with both men holding the title for less than 1 day. Ric Flair holds the record for most reigns with 9. The youngest champion is Chris Candido who won the title at the age of 22, while the oldest champion is Tim Storm, who won it at the age of 51.
Thom Latimer is the current champion in his first reign. He won the title by defeating EC3 at NWA 76th Anniversary Show on August 31, 2024, in Philadelphia.

## Title history
### Names

| Name | Years |
| NWA World Heavyweight Championship | July 14, 1948 – October 21, 2016 |
| NWA World's Heavyweight Championship | October 21, 2016 – present |

### Reigns

Key :
| No. | Overall reign number |
| Reign | Reign number for the specific champion |
| Days | Number of days held |
| Days recog. | Number of days held recognized by the promotion |
| N/A | Unknown information |
| † | Championship change is unrecognized by the promotion |
| <1 | Reign lasted less than a day |
| No. | Champion | Championship change | Championship change | Championship change | Reign statistics | Reign statistics | Reign statistics | Notes | Ref. |
| No. | Champion | Date | Event | Location | Reign | Days | Days recog. | Notes | Ref. |
| | National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) | National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) | National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) | National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) | National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) | National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) | National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) | National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) | National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) |
| 1 | Orville Brown | July 14, 1948 | N/A | Waterloo, IA | 1 | 501 | 501 | On July 14, 1948, the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) was founded in Waterloo, Iowa and Brown was recognized as the first official NWA World Heavyweight Champion. At the time of the founding of the NWA, Brown already held the Midwest Wrestling Association's World Heavyweight Championship and the Iowa version of the NWA World Heavyweight Championship; during Brown's reign, the two championships were unified into the NWA World Heavyweight Championship. | |
| 2 | Lou Thesz | November 27, 1949 | N/A | N/A | 1 | 1,941 | 2,300 | Awarded when Orville Brown suffered career-ending injuries in an automobile accident on November 1, 1949. Thesz had earlier won the National Wrestling Association's World Heavyweight Championship on July 20, 1948 from Wild Bill Longson. Thesz became the undisputed champion of all of wrestling by winning the Los Angeles Olympic Auditorium's World Heavyweight Championship, the remaining major world championship at the time other than the NWA World Heavyweight Championship, defeating Baron Michele Leone on May 21, 1952. | |
| † | Leo Nomellini | March 22, 1955 | House show | San Francisco, CA | 1 | 115 | — | Nomellini defeated Lou Thesz by countout in the second fall and disqualification in the third fall. The California Athletic Commission recognized the title change by disqualification, but both wrestlers continued to claim the title. | |
| † | Lou Thesz | July 15, 1955 | House show | St. Louis, MO | 2 | 244 | — | Thesz defeated Leo Nomellini in a rematch. | |
| 3 | Whipper Billy Watson | March 15, 1956 | House show | Toronto, ON | 1 | 239 | 239 | Watson won the match and the championship by count out. | |
| 4 | Lou Thesz | November 9, 1956 | House show | St. Louis, MO | 2$^{(3)}$ | 217 | 370 | Thesz won the match and the championship by count out. | |
| † | Édouard Carpentier | June 14, 1957 | House show | Chicago, IL | 1 | 40 | — | Carpentier was awarded the title when Lou Thesz could not continue the match due to a back injury. In some territories, Thesz continued to be recognized as NWA World Heavyweight Champion, while in others Carpentier was billed as the champion. | |
| † | Lou Thesz | July 24, 1957 | House show | Montreal, Quebec | 4 | 113 | — | Thesz won a rematch against Édouard Carpentier by disqualification. The NWA initially continued to recognize Carpentier as the champion, but voided any recognition of Carpentier as champion when he withdrew the claim for the title when Eddie Quinn, Carpentier's promoter in Montreal, quit the NWA in August 1958. Some territories such as Boston's Atlantic Athletic Commission (AAC), Los Angeles' North American Wrestling Alliance (NAWA, later WWA), and the Nebraska promotions continued to recognize Carpentier as NWA World Heavyweight Champion. The AAC recognized Killer Kowalski as world champion when he defeated Carpentier in Boston. Nebraska later recognized Verne Gagne as world champion when he defeated Carpentier in Omaha. Los Angeles recognized Freddie Blassie as world champion when he defeated Carpentier in 1961. | |
| 5 | Dick Hutton | November 14, 1957 | House show | Toronto, ON | 1 | 421 | 421 | | |
| 6 | Pat O'Connor | January 9, 1959 | House show | St. Louis, MO | 1 | 440 | 903 | | |
| † | Gene LeBell | March 24, 1960 | House show | Amarillo, TX | 1 | <1 | — | After LeBell defeated Pat O'Connor, he struck a Texas wrestling commissioner with the championship belt and the decision was reversed. | |
| † | Pat O'Connor | March 24, 1960 | House show | Amarillo, TX | 2 | 463 | — | The title was returned to O'Connor due to the nature of the championship match. | |
| 7 | Buddy Rogers | June 30, 1961 | House show | Chicago, IL | 1 | 145 | 573 | | |
| † | Bruno Sammartino | August 2, 1962 | House show | Toronto, ON | 1 | <1 | — | On August 2, 1962, Sammartino defeated Buddy Rogers in Toronto, but refused to accept the title because Rogers had wrestled with an injury. | |
| † | Buddy Rogers | August 2, 1962 | House show | Toronto, ON | 2 | 16 | — | The title was returned to Rogers after Sammartino refused the title due to Rogers' injury. | |
| † | Bobo Brazil | August 18, 1962 | House show | Newark, NJ | 1 | 73 | — | Brazil refused the title because of a groin injury that Buddy Rogers had claimed to have. However, on September 6, 1962, Brazil was declared champion because a doctor had determined that Rogers had not suffered an injury. This title change is not currently recognized by the NWA. | |
| † | Buddy Rogers | October 30, 1962 | House show | Toledo, OH | 3 | 86 | — | | |
| † | Killer Kowalski | November 21, 1962 | House show | Montreal, Quebec | 1 | 61 | — | Kowalski defeated Buddy Rogers on November 21 in Montreal after Rogers broke his ankle in the first fall. He was only recognized as champion in some states such as Texas until January 21, 1963 when he lost a rematch to Rogers in New York City. Kowalski disputed that Rogers had won the title during the rematch, arguing that the match had not been for the title. The NWA does not recognize any of Rogers' losses, with only one title reign counted for Rogers. | |
| † | Buddy Rogers | January 21, 1963 | House show | New York City, NY | 4 | 3 | — | | |
| 8 | Lou Thesz | January 24, 1963 | House show | Toronto, ON | 3$^{(5)}$ | 1,079 | 1,079 | | |
| † | Buddy Rogers | January 24, 1963 | N/A | N/A | 5 | 77 | — | Promoters in the Northeastern United States refused to recognize Buddy Rogers' one-fall loss to Thesz, thus breaking away from the NWA to form the World Wide Wrestling Federation (WWWF). Rogers continued to defend the championship in the WWWF until he was declared the first WWWF World Heavyweight Champion on April 11. | |
| 9 | Gene Kiniski | January 7, 1966 | House show | St. Louis, MO | 1 | 1,131 | 1,131 | | |
| 10 | Dory Funk Jr. | February 11, 1969 | House show | Tampa, FL | 1 | 1,563 | 1,563 | | |
| 11 | Harley Race | May 24, 1973 | House show | Kansas City, KS | 1 | 57 | 57 | | |
| 12 | Jack Brisco | July 20, 1973 | House show | Houston, TX | 1 | 500 | 500 | | |
| 13 | Giant Baba | December 2, 1974 | House show | Kagoshima, Japan | 1 | 7 | 7 | This was a two-out-of-three-falls match. | |
| 14 | Jack Brisco | December 9, 1974 | House show | Toyohashi, Japan | 2 | 366 | 366 | | |
| 15 | Terry Funk | December 10, 1975 | House show | Miami Beach, FL | 1 | 424 | 424 | | |
| 16 | Harley Race | February 6, 1977 | House show | Toronto, ON | 2 | 926 | 926 | | |
| 17 | Dusty Rhodes | August 21, 1979 | House show | Tampa, FL | 1 | 5 | 5 | | |
| 18 | Harley Race | August 26, 1979 | House show | Orlando, FL | 3 | 66 | 66 | | |
| 19 | Giant Baba | October 31, 1979 | House show | Nagoya, Japan | 2 | 7 | 7 | | |
| 20 | Harley Race | November 7, 1979 | House show | Amagasaki, Japan | 4 | 302 | 302 | | |
| 21 | Giant Baba | September 4, 1980 | House show | Saga, Japan | 3 | 5 | 5 | | |
| 22 | Harley Race | September 9, 1980 | House show | Ōtsu, Japan | 5 | 230 | 230 | | |
| 23 | Tommy Rich | April 27, 1981 | House show | Augusta, GA | 1 | 4 | 4 | | |
| 24 | Harley Race | May 1, 1981 | House show | Gainesville, GA | 6 | 51 | 51 | | |
| 25 | Dusty Rhodes | June 21, 1981 | House show | Atlanta, GA | 2 | 88 | 88 | | |
| 26 | Ric Flair | September 17, 1981 | House show | Kansas City, KS | 1 | 145 | 631 | Former champion Lou Thesz was the special referee. | |
| † | The Midnight Rider | February 9, 1982 | House show | Miami, FL | 3 | <1 | — | On February 9, 1982 in Miami, The Midnight Rider (Dusty Rhodes under a mask due to being under suspension in Florida) defeated Ric Flair for the title, but he returned it when then-NWA President Bob Geigel asked Rider to unmask or return the championship belt as NWA rules at the time forbade masked wrestlers from holding it. | |
| † | Ric Flair | February 9, 1982 | House show | Miami, FL | 2 | 150 | — | The championship was returned to Flair. | |
| † | Jack Veneno | September 7, 1982 | House show | Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic | 1 | <1 | — | Veneno defeated Ric Flair in Santo Domingo. As Veneno refused to defend the title outside his native country, the title was returned to Flair on the same day. | |
| † | Ric Flair | September 7, 1982 | House show | Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic | 3 | 121 | — | | |
| † | Carlos Colón | January 6, 1983 | House show | San Juan, Puerto Rico | 1 | 4 | — | Colon's WWC World Heavyweight Championship was also on the line. This title change is not recognized by the NWA. | |
| † | Ric Flair | January 10, 1983 | House show | Miami, FL | 4 | 29 | — | This was a fictional match; this title change is not recognized by the NWA. On February 8, 1983, Victor Jovica defeated Flair to win the championship during a World Wrestling Council (WWC) event in Trinidad and Tobago, but the decision was reversed three days later because Jovica's feet were on the ropes during the pin. Due to the nature of the pin, neither the NWA nor the WWC recognized Jovica as champion. | |
| 27 | Harley Race | June 10, 1983 | House show | St. Louis, MO | 7 | 167 | 167 | | |
| 28 | Ric Flair | November 24, 1983 | Starrcade | Greensboro, NC | 2$^{(5)}$ | 117 | 164 | This was a steel cage match. Former champion Gene Kiniski was the special referee. | |
| † | Harley Race | March 20, 1984 | House show | Wellington, New Zealand | 8 | 3 | — | This title change was not authorized by the NWA. This title change was recognized by World Championship Wrestling (WCW) from 1998 until 2001, and has been occasionally recognized by the NWA since 2015. | |
| † | Ric Flair | March 23, 1984 | House show | Kallang, Singapore | 6 | 44 | — | This title change was not authorized by the NWA. This title change was recognized by World Championship Wrestling (WCW) from 1998 until 2001, and has been occasionally recognized by the NWA since 2015. | |
| 29 | Kerry Von Erich | May 6, 1984 | 1st Von Erich Memorial Parade of Champions | Irving, TX | 1 | 18 | 18 | This match had no time limit and the title could change hands on a disqualification; Kerry pinned Flair to win the title. | |
| | Jim Crockett Promotions (JCP) | Jim Crockett Promotions (JCP) | Jim Crockett Promotions (JCP) | Jim Crockett Promotions (JCP) | Jim Crockett Promotions (JCP) | Jim Crockett Promotions (JCP) | Jim Crockett Promotions (JCP) | Jim Crockett Promotions (JCP) | Jim Crockett Promotions (JCP) |
| 30 | Ric Flair | May 24, 1984 | House show | Yokosuka, Japan | 3$^{(7)}$ | 793 | 793 | | |
| 31 | Dusty Rhodes | July 26, 1986 | The Great American Bash | Greensboro, NC | 3$^{(4)}$ | 14 | 14 | By early 1985, Jim Crockett Promotions (JCP) controlled many NWA territories and attempted going national, thus limiting championship matches primarily to performers under contract with JCP. | |
| 32 | Ric Flair | August 9, 1986 | House show | St. Louis, MO | 4$^{(8)}$ | 412 | 412 | | |
| 33 | Ron Garvin | September 25, 1987 | World Wide Wrestling | Detroit, MI | 1 | 62 | 62 | Aired September 26, 1987 on tape delay. | |
| | World Championship Wrestling (WCW) | World Championship Wrestling (WCW) | World Championship Wrestling (WCW) | World Championship Wrestling (WCW) | World Championship Wrestling (WCW) | World Championship Wrestling (WCW) | World Championship Wrestling (WCW) | World Championship Wrestling (WCW) | World Championship Wrestling (WCW) |
| 34 | Ric Flair | November 26, 1987 | Starrcade | Chicago, IL | 5$^{(9)}$ | 452 | 452 | On November 21, 1988 the NWA's flagship promotion Jim Crockett Promotions was purchased by Ted Turner and renamed World Championship Wrestling (WCW). This further limited championship matches to performers primarily within the company. | |
| 35 | Ricky Steamboat | February 20, 1989 | Chi-Town Rumble | Chicago, IL | 1 | 76 | 76 | | |
| 36 | Ric Flair | May 7, 1989 | WrestleWar | Nashville, TN | 6$^{(10)}$ | 426 | 426 | | |
| 37 | Sting | July 7, 1990 | The Great American Bash | Baltimore, MD | 1 | 188 | 188 | | |
| 38 | Ric Flair | January 11, 1991 | House show | East Rutherford, NJ | 7$^{(11)}$ | 69 | 69 | After this title win, Flair was also recognized as the first WCW World Heavyweight Champion. | |
| 39 | Tatsumi Fujinami | March 21, 1991 | Starrcade in Tokyo Dome | Tokyo, Japan | 1 | 59 | 59 | Briefly defended along with the IWGP Heavyweight Championship. This title change was originally ignored in the United States. | |
| 40 | Ric Flair | May 19, 1991 | SuperBrawl I | St. Petersburg, FL | 8$^{(12)}$ | 112 | 112 | This title change was originally ignored in the United States, presenting Flair's reign as one continuous reign. | |
| — | Vacated | September 8, 1991 | — | — | — | — | — | Ric Flair was stripped of the title upon signing with the World Wrestling Federation (WWF). | |
| 41 | Masahiro Chono | August 12, 1992 | G1 Climax 1992 Day 5 | Tokyo, Japan | 1 | 145 | 145 | Chono defeated Rick Rude in the final of the G1 Climax tournament. | |
| 42 | The Great Muta | January 4, 1993 | Fantastic Story in Tokyo Dome | Tokyo, Japan | 1 | 48 | 48 | Muta's IWGP Heavyweight Championship was also on the line. | |
| 43 | Barry Windham | February 21, 1993 | SuperBrawl III | Asheville, NC | 1 | 147 | 147 | | |
| 44 | Ric Flair | July 18, 1993 | Beach Blast | Biloxi, MS | 9$^{(13)}$ | 59 | 59 | | |
| — | Vacated | September 15, 1993 | — | — | — | — | — | WCW withdrew from the NWA on September 1, 1993. Dropping any mentions of the NWA name, WCW retained the physical title belt, which continued to be defended as the WCW International World Heavyweight Championship. The NWA declared their championship vacant. | |
| | National Wrestling Alliance/Pro Wrestling Organization LLC | National Wrestling Alliance/Pro Wrestling Organization LLC | National Wrestling Alliance/Pro Wrestling Organization LLC | National Wrestling Alliance/Pro Wrestling Organization LLC | National Wrestling Alliance/Pro Wrestling Organization LLC | National Wrestling Alliance/Pro Wrestling Organization LLC | National Wrestling Alliance/Pro Wrestling Organization LLC | National Wrestling Alliance/Pro Wrestling Organization LLC | National Wrestling Alliance/Pro Wrestling Organization LLC |
| 45 | Shane Douglas | August 27, 1994 | NWA World Title Tournament | Philadelphia, PA | 1 | <1 | <1 | Douglas defeated 2 Cold Scorpio in tournament final. | |
| — | Vacated | August 27, 1994 | NWA World Title Tournament | Philadelphia, PA | — | — | — | Shane Douglas, immediately upon winning it, refused the NWA championship and declared the ECW Championship, of which he was already in possession, to be a world championship. ECW then withdrew from the NWA. | |
| 46 | Chris Candido | November 19, 1994 | NWA World Heavyweight Title Tournament | Cherry Hill, NJ | 1 | 97 | 97 | Candido defeated Tracy Smothers in tournament final. | |
| 47 | Dan Severn | February 24, 1995 | House show | Erlanger, KY | 1 | 1,479 | 1,479 | | |
| 48 | Naoya Ogawa | March 14, 1999 | Battle in the Hama Ring | Yokohama, Japan | 1 | 195 | 195 | | |
| 49 | Gary Steele | September 25, 1999 | NWA 51st Anniversary Show | Charlotte, NC | 1 | 7 | 7 | Gary Steele pinned Ogawa in a three-way match, also involving Brian Anthony. | |
| 50 | Naoya Ogawa | October 2, 1999 | House show | Thomaston, CT | 2 | 274 | 274 | | |
| — | Vacated | July 2, 2000 | — | — | — | — | — | Ogawa vacated the championship to focus on training for his scheduled (but later cancelled) mixed martial arts fight against Rickson Gracie. | |
| 51 | Mike Rapada | September 19, 2000 | Tango in Tampa | Tampa, FL | 1 | 56 | 56 | Rapada defeated Jerry Flynn in tournament final. | |
| 52 | Sabu | November 14, 2000 | Night of Decisions | Tampa, FL | 1 | 38 | 38 | | |
| 53 | Mike Rapada | December 22, 2000 | Christmas Chaos | Nashville, TN | 2 | 123 | 123 | | |
| 54 | Steve Corino | April 24, 2001 | House show | Tampa, FL | 1 | 172 | 172 | | |
| — | Vacated | October 13, 2001 | NWA 53rd Anniversary Show | St. Petersburg, FL | — | — | — | The championship was held up after a Corino vs. Shinya Hashimoto title match ended in a no contest due to Corino being unable to compete after sustaining a head injury. | |
| 55 | Shinya Hashimoto | December 15, 2001 | Clash of the Champions | McKeesport, PA | 1 | 84 | 84 | This was three matches held round robin style; Gary Steele vs. Steve Corino, Gary Steele vs. Shinya Hashimoto, and Steve Corino vs. Shinya Hashimoto. Hashimoto won the round robin matches. | |
| 56 | Dan Severn | March 9, 2002 | Vast Energy | Tokyo, Japan | 2 | 80 | 80 | | |
| — | Vacated | May 28, 2002 | — | — | — | — | — | Dan Severn was stripped of the title after refusing to defend the championship on the inaugural NWA: Total Nonstop Action pay-per-view. | |
| | Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA) | Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA) | Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA) | Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA) | Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA) | Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA) | Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA) | Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA) | Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA) |
| 57 | Ken Shamrock | June 19, 2002 | Weekly pay-per-view event #1 | Huntsville, AL | 1 | 49 | 49 | In June 2002, Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA) worked out a licensing deal with the NWA to control and feature the NWA Championship. Shamrock defeated Malice to win the title. | |
| 58 | Ron Killings | August 7, 2002 | Weekly pay-per-view event #8 | Nashville, TN | 1 | 105 | 105 | | |
| 59 | Jeff Jarrett | November 20, 2002 | Weekly pay-per-view event #22 | Nashville, TN | 1 | 203 | 203 | Jarrett unified the title with the WWA World Heavyweight Championship during this reign. | |
| 60 | A.J. Styles | June 11, 2003 | Weekly pay-per-view event #49 | Nashville, TN | 1 | 133 | 133 | This was a three-way match, also involving Raven. | |
| 61 | Jeff Jarrett | October 22, 2003 | Weekly pay-per-view event #67 | Nashville, TN | 2 | 182 | 182 | | |
| 62 | A.J. Styles | April 21, 2004 | Weekly pay-per-view event #91 | Nashville, TN | 2 | 28 | 28 | This was a steel cage match. | |
| 63 | Ron Killings | May 19, 2004 | Weekly pay-per-view event #95 | Nashville, TN | 2 | 14 | 14 | This was a four-way match, also involving Chris Harris and Raven. | |
| 64 | Jeff Jarrett | June 2, 2004 | Weekly pay-per-view event #97 | Nashville, TN | 3 | 305 | 305 | This was a King of the Mountain match, also involving A.J. Styles, Chris Harris, and Raven. Ron Killings defeated Jarrett on the June 23 weekly pay-per-view event for the title, but due to issues surrounding the title change, the title was held up, before Vince Russo gave Jarrett the title back. | |
| 65 | Ray González | April 3, 2005 | Juicio Final 2005 | San Juan, Puerto Rico | 1 | <1 | <1 | González pinned Jarrett on April 3 in San Juan, but the decision was reversed after the match due to an unauthorized referee counting the pinfall while the originally sanctioned referee was knocked out. Title change was ignored by TNA but was retroactively recognized by the NWA in 2015. | |
| 66 | Jeff Jarrett | April 3, 2005 | Juicio Final 2005 | San Juan, Puerto Rico | 3 | 42 | 42 | The title was returned to Jarrett due to the nature of the championship match. The NWA regards this as a continuation of Jarrett's third reign rather than the start of his fourth reign. | |
| 67 | A.J. Styles | May 15, 2005 | Hard Justice | Orlando, FL | 3 | 35 | 35 | Tito Ortiz was the special referee. | |
| 68 | Raven | June 19, 2005 | Slammiversary | Orlando, FL | 1 | 88 | 88 | This was a King of the Mountain match, also involving Abyss, Monty Brown, and Sean Waltman. | |
| 69 | Jeff Jarrett | September 15, 2005 | International Incident | Windsor, ON | 4 | 38 | 38 | This was a "Raven's Rules" match. | |
| 70 | Rhino | October 23, 2005 | Bound for Glory | Orlando, FL | 1 | 2 | 2 | Rhino won the right to face Jeff Jarrett in a Gauntlet for the Gold match after designated challenger Kevin Nash fell ill and withdrew. Tito Ortiz was the special referee. | |
| 71 | Jeff Jarrett | October 25, 2005 | Impact! | Orlando, FL | 5 | 110 | 110 | Aired November 3, 2005 on tape delay. | |
| 72 | Christian Cage | February 12, 2006 | Against All Odds | Orlando, FL | 1 | 126 | 126 | | |
| 73 | Jeff Jarrett | June 18, 2006 | Slammiversary | Orlando, FL | 6 | 126 | 126 | This was a King of the Mountain match, also involving Abyss, Ron Killings, and Sting. | |
| 74 | Sting | October 22, 2006 | Bound for Glory | Plymouth, MI | 2 | 28 | 28 | Kurt Angle was the special outside enforcer. This was a Title vs. Career match where Sting put his career on the line. | |
| 75 | Abyss | November 19, 2006 | Genesis | Orlando, FL | 1 | 56 | 56 | Abyss defeated Sting by disqualification after Sting pushed the referee. | |
| 76 | Christian Cage | January 14, 2007 | Final Resolution | Orlando, FL | 2 | 119 | 119 | This was a three-way elimination match, also involving Sting. | |
| — | Vacated | May 13, 2007 | — | — | — | — | — | Christian Cage was stripped of the championship when the NWA ended its business agreement with TNA. | |
| | National Wrestling Alliance/Pro Wrestling Organization LLC | National Wrestling Alliance/Pro Wrestling Organization LLC | National Wrestling Alliance/Pro Wrestling Organization LLC | National Wrestling Alliance/Pro Wrestling Organization LLC | National Wrestling Alliance/Pro Wrestling Organization LLC | National Wrestling Alliance/Pro Wrestling Organization LLC | National Wrestling Alliance/Pro Wrestling Organization LLC | National Wrestling Alliance/Pro Wrestling Organization LLC | National Wrestling Alliance/Pro Wrestling Organization LLC |
| 77 | Adam Pearce | September 1, 2007 | House show | Bayamón, Puerto Rico | 1 | 336 | 336 | Pearce defeated Brent Albright in the finals of the Reclaiming the Glory tournament. Pearce competed as a substitute for Bryan Danielson, who defeated Pearce in the semifinals but withdrew from the tournament due to a detached retina. Danielson was the special referee. | |
| 78 | Brent Albright | August 2, 2008 | Death Before Dishonor VI | New York City, NY | 1 | 49 | 49 | | |
| 79 | Adam Pearce | September 20, 2008 | Glory By Honor VII | Philadelphia, PA | 2 | 35 | 35 | | |
| 80 | Blue Demon Jr. | October 25, 2008 | House show | Mexico City, Mexico | 1 | 505 | 505 | | |
| 81 | Adam Pearce | March 14, 2010 | House show | Charlotte, NC | 3 | 357 | 357 | This was a three-way elimination match, also featuring Phill Shatter. | |
| 82 | Colt Cabana | March 6, 2011 | NWA Championship Wrestling from Hollywood | West Hollywood, CA | 1 | 48 | 48 | Aired April 2, 2011 on tape delay. | |
| 83 | The Sheik | April 23, 2011 | Subtle Hustle | Jacksonville, FL | 1 | 79 | 79 | | |
| — | Vacated | July 11, 2011 | — | — | — | — | — | The Sheik was stripped of the championship for refusing to defend against Adam Pearce on July 31, 2011. | |
| 84 | Adam Pearce | July 31, 2011 | NWA at the Ohio State Fair | Columbus, OH | 4 | 252 | 252 | Pearce defeated Chance Prophet, Jimmy Rave, and Shaun Tempers in a four-way match to win the vacant championship. | |
| 85 | Colt Cabana | April 8, 2012 | NWA Championship Wrestling from Hollywood | Glendale, CA | 2 | 104 | 104 | Aired April 29, 2012 on tape delay. | |
| | National Wrestling Alliance/International Wrestling Corp. | National Wrestling Alliance/International Wrestling Corp. | National Wrestling Alliance/International Wrestling Corp. | National Wrestling Alliance/International Wrestling Corp. | National Wrestling Alliance/International Wrestling Corp. | National Wrestling Alliance/International Wrestling Corp. | National Wrestling Alliance/International Wrestling Corp. | National Wrestling Alliance/International Wrestling Corp. | National Wrestling Alliance/International Wrestling Corp. |
| 86 | Adam Pearce | July 21, 2012 | Metro Pro Wrestling | Kansas City, KS | 5 | 98 | 98 | Aired September 23, 2012 via tape delay. This was a two-out-of-three falls match and was match four of a seven-match series between Pearce and Colt Cabana. During this reign, ownership of the NWA World Championship and the NWA itself was transferred from Pro Wrestling Organization LLC to the International Wrestling Corp. | |
| — | Vacated | October 27, 2012 | NWA Warzone Wrestling 14 | Berwick, Victoria, Australia | — | — | — | Adam Pearce left the NWA and resigned as champion after the organization refused to allow him to defend the title in the concluding match of his seven-match series against Colt Cabana. The match did take place with Cabana winning, but both wrestlers refused the title in the aftermath. | |
| 87 | Kahagas | November 2, 2012 | Wrath of Champions | Clayton, NJ | 1 | 134 | 134 | Kahagas won an elimination match for the vacant title by last eliminating Damien Wayne. Match also featured Chance Prophet, Jason Kincaid, Lance Erikson, Anthony Nese, Papadon, Biggie Biggs, and Lance Anoa'i. Kahagas was the reigning NWA National Heavyweight Champion at the time of his victory. | |
| 88 | Rob Conway | March 16, 2013 | A Monster's Ball | San Antonio, TX | 1 | 294 | 294 | Conway replaced an injured Jax Dane and defeated Kahagas for the championship. | |
| 89 | Satoshi Kojima | January 4, 2014 | Wrestle Kingdom 8 in Tokyo Dome | Tokyo, Japan | 1 | 149 | 149 | | |
| 90 | Rob Conway | June 2, 2014 | Cauliflower Alley Club Reunion Show | Las Vegas, NV | 2 | 257 | 257 | | |
| 91 | Hiroyoshi Tenzan | February 14, 2015 | The New Beginning in Sendai | Sendai, Japan | 1 | 196 | 196 | | |
| 92 | Jax Dane | August 29, 2015 | World War Gold | San Antonio, TX | 1 | 419 | 419 | | |
| | National Wrestling Alliance/Lightning One Inc. | National Wrestling Alliance/Lightning One Inc. | National Wrestling Alliance/Lightning One Inc. | National Wrestling Alliance/Lightning One Inc. | National Wrestling Alliance/Lightning One Inc. | National Wrestling Alliance/Lightning One Inc. | National Wrestling Alliance/Lightning One Inc. | National Wrestling Alliance/Lightning One Inc. | National Wrestling Alliance/Lightning One Inc. |
| 93 | Tim Storm | October 21, 2016 | House show | Sherman, TX | 1 | 414 | 414 | On October 1, 2017, Billy Corgan's company Lightning One, Inc. purchased the NWA, including the NWA World Heavyweight Championship. During this reign, the NWA's licensing model was abolished and championship matches were limited primarily to performers under contract with Lightning One, Inc. | |
| 94 | Nick Aldis | December 9, 2017 | Cage of Death 19 | Sewell, NJ | 1 | 266 | 266 | | |
| 95 | Cody | September 1, 2018 | All In | Hoffman Estates, IL | 1 | 50 | 50 | | |
| 96 | Nick Aldis | October 21, 2018 | NWA 70th Anniversary Show | Nashville, TN | 2 | 1,043 | 1,043 | This was a two-out-of-three falls match. | |
| 97 | Trevor Murdoch | August 29, 2021 | NWA 73rd Anniversary Show | St. Louis, MO | 1 | 167 | 167 | This was a Title vs. Career match where Murdoch put his career on the line. | |
| 98 | Matt Cardona | February 12, 2022 | PowerrrTrip | Oak Grove, KY | 1 | 119 | 119 | Aired via tape delay on the March 8, 2022 episode of NWA Powerrr. | |
| — | Vacated | June 11, 2022 | Alwayz Ready | Knoxville, TN | — | — | — | Cardona vacated the title due to an injury. | |
| 99 | Trevor Murdoch | June 11, 2022 | Alwayz Ready | Knoxville, TN | 2 | 154 | 154 | Defeated Nick Aldis, Thom Latimer, and Sam Shaw in a four-way match for the vacant title. | |
| 100 | Tyrus | November 12, 2022 | Hard Times 3 | Chalmette, LA | 1 | 288 | 288 | This was a three-way match, also involving Matt Cardona. | |
| 101 | EC3 | August 27, 2023 | NWA 75th Anniversary Show | St. Louis, MO | 1 | 370 | 370 | This was a Bullrope match with Tyrus's wrestling career on the line as well. | |
| 102 | Thom Latimer | August 31, 2024 | NWA 76th Anniversary Show | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | 1 | 200+ | 200+ | Aired on tape delay on October 1, 2024 as an episode of NWA Powerrr. | |

## Combined reigns

| † | Indicates the current champion |
| <1 | The reign is shorter than one day. |
| Rank | Wrestler | No. of reigns | Combined days |
| 1 | Lou Thesz | 3 | 3,749 |
| 2 | Ric Flair | 9 | 3,119 |
| 3 | Harley Race | 7 | 1,800 |
| 4 | Dory Funk Jr. | 1 | 1,563 |
| 5 | Dan Severn | 2 | 1,559 |
| 6 | Nick Aldis | 2 | 1,309 |
| 7 | Gene Kiniski | 1 | 1,131 |
| 8 | Adam Pearce | 5 | 1,078 |
| 9 | Jeff Jarrett | 6 | 1,006 |
| 10 | Pat O'Connor | 1 | 903 |
| 11 | Jack Brisco | 2 | 866 |
| 12 | Buddy Rogers | 1 | 573 |
| 13 | Rob Conway | 2 | 551 |
| 14 | Blue Demon Jr. | 1 | 505 |
| 15 | Orville Brown | 1 | 501 |
| 16 | Naoya Ogawa | 2 | 469 |
| 17 | Terry Funk | 1 | 424 |
| 18 | Dick Hutton | 1 | 421 |
| 19 | Jax Dane | 1 | 419 |
| 20 | Tim Storm | 1 | 414 |
| 21 | EC3 | 1 | 370 |
| 22 | Trevor Murdoch | 2 | 321 |
| 23 | Tyrus | 1 | 288 |
| 24 | Christian Cage | 2 | 245 |
| 25 | Whipper Billy Watson | 1 | 239 |
| 26 | Sting | 2 | 216 |
| 27 | Thom Latimer † | 1 | 200+ |
| 28 | A.J. Styles | 3 | 196 |
| 28 | Hiroyoshi Tenzan | 1 | 196 |
| 30 | Mike Rapada | 2 | 179 |
| 31 | Steve Corino | 1 | 172 |
| 32 | Colt Cabana | 2 | 152 |
| 33 | Satoshi Kojima | 1 | 149 |
| 34 | Barry Windham | 1 | 147 |
| 35 | Masahiro Chono | 1 | 145 |
| 36 | Kahagas | 1 | 134 |
| 37 | Ron Killings | 2 | 119 |
| 37 | Matt Cardona | 1 | 119 |
| 39 | Dusty Rhodes | 3 | 107 |
| 40 | Chris Candido | 1 | 97 |
| 41 | Raven | 1 | 88 |
| 42 | Shinya Hashimoto | 1 | 84 |
| 43 | The Sheik | 1 | 79 |
| 44 | Ricky Steamboat | 1 | 76 |
| 45 | Ron Garvin | 1 | 62 |
| 46 | Tatsumi Fujinami | 1 | 59 |
| 47 | Abyss | 1 | 56 |
| 48 | Cody Rhodes | 1 | 50 |
| 49 | Brent Albright | 1 | 49 |
| 49 | Ken Shamrock | 1 | 49 |
| 51 | The Great Muta | 1 | 48 |
| 52 | Sabu | 1 | 38 |
| 53 | Giant Baba | 3 | 19 |
| 54 | Kerry Von Erich | 1 | 18 |
| 55 | Gary Steele | 1 | 7 |
| 56 | Tommy Rich | 1 | 4 |
| 57 | Rhino | 1 | 2 |
| 58 | Ray González | 1 | <1 (~50 minutes) |
| 59 | Shane Douglas | 1 | <1 (~3½ minutes) |

## Footnotes

* Duncan, Royal; Will, Gary (2000). "United States: 19th century & widely defended titles – NWA, WWF, AWA, IWA, ECW, NWA: NWA World Heavyweight Title". Wrestling Title Histories: Professional Wrestling Champions Around the World from the 19th Century to the Present. Waterloo, ON: Archeus Communications. ISBN 0-9698161-5-4.
* ↑ Duncan & Will (2000) p. 15 "Orville Brown 1948/07 Recognized as the first champion when the National Wrestilng Alliance is founded in 48/07 in Waterloo, IA by Pinkie George with five other promoters."
* ↑ Duncan & Will (2000) p. 15 "Unifies following titles to become the Undisputed World Heavyweight champion: National Wrestling Association World Heavyweight title, having defeated Bill Longson on 48/07/20 in Indianapolis, IN National Wrestling Alliance World Heavyweight title, awarded on 49/11/27 when champion Orville Brown is injured in an automobile accident on 49/11/01 before a unification match scheduled on 49/11/25 in St. Louis, MO Los Angeles Olympic Auditorium version of the world title, defeating Baron Michele Leone on 52/05/21 in Los Angeles, CA."
* ↑ Duncan & Will (2000) p. 15 "Whipper Billy Watson 56/03/15 Toronto, ON"
* ↑ Duncan & Will (2000) p. 15 "Lou Thesz [2] 56/11/09 St. Louis, MO"
* ↑ Duncan & Will (2000) p. 15 "Edouard Carpentier # 57/06/14 Chicago, IL"
* ↑ Duncan & Will (2000) p. 15 "Lou Thesz # 57 Carpentier withdraws his claim to the title when Montreal promoter Eddie Quinn leaves NWA; NWA voids all recognition of Carpentier as champion"
* ↑ 'Dick Hutton 57/11/14 Toronto, ON"
* ↑ Duncan & Will (2000) p. 15 "Pat O'Connor 59/01/09 St. Louis, MO"
* ↑ Duncan & Will (2000) p. 15 "Lou Thesz [3] 63/01/24 Toronto, ON Promoters in northeast refuse to recognize Rogers' one-fall loss to Thesz and start World Wide Wrestling Federation with Rogers as the first WWWF World Heavyweight champion"
* ↑ Duncan & Will (2000) p. 15 "Gene Kiniski 66/01/07 St. Louis, MO"
* 1 2 Duncan & Will (2000) p. 17 "Flair allows himself to be pinned by Jack Veneno to avoid the riot from the audience, but the title is returned to Flair"
* ↑ Duncan & Will (2000) p. 17 "Carlos Colon # 1983/01/06 San Juan, PR"
* ↑ Duncan & Will (2000) p. 19 "Chris Candido 1994/11/19 Cherry Hill, NJ Defeats Tracy Smothers in tournament final."