NWA World Middleweight Championship

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NWA World Middleweight Championship
A close of up of a masked wrestler, wearing a blue fabric mask with white horns and white tassels from the back of the mask.
Averno, the 85th NWA World Middleweight Champion
Details
Date established 1939
Date retired August 12, 2010
Promotion Empresa Mexicana de Lucha Libre
(1939—1990)
Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre
(1990—1994, 2003—2010)
Último Dragón
(1994—2003)
Other name(s)
World Middleweight Championship (1939—1952)[G]

The NWA World Middleweight Championship was a professional wrestling championship in the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) between 1939 and 2010. For most of its existence, it was defended in the Mexican lucha libre promotion Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre (CMLL), who called it the Campeonato Mundial Peso Medio de NWA. Like all professional wrestling championships, its holders were determined by promoters or promotions, not by athletic competition. The official middleweight limits in lucha libre are 82 kg (181 lb) to 87 kg (192 lb), but this rule is broken when convenient.[Note 3][2]

The championship was created as the "World Middleweight Championship" in early 1939, by Salvador Lutteroth, owner of Empresa Mexicana de Lucha Libre (EMLL).[G] He awarded it to Gus Kallio, a five-time National Wrestling Association World Middleweight Champion, nicknamed "The King of the Middleweights" in the United States.[G][3] When Octavio Gaona defeated Kallio on March 29, 1939, he won both middleweight championships. The National Wrestling Association title was retired in 1940, to give prominence to Lutteroth's creation.[4] When EMLL joined the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) in 1952, the belt was prefixed with "NWA".[5]

In the early 1990s, EMLL withdrew from the NWA and changed its name to Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre (CMLL).[6] CMLL retained ownership of three NWA-branded championships which originated in the promotion.[G] The other two were the NWA World Welterweight Championship and the NWA World Light Heavyweight Championship. All continued to be billed as "Campeonatos de NWA". In 1994, Último Dragón bought the NWA World Middleweight Championship and its booking rights from CMLL.[G] He chose to make himself first champion, and won it in a match with Corazón de León at a Wrestle and Romance (WAR) show on November 8, 1994, in Korakuen Hall. At that point e began promoting the title exclusively in Japan, holding it himself until vacating it in 1998. During his run with the championship Último Dragón also won the J-Crown championships, eight unified lightweight championships, but the NWA World Middleweight Championship was never integrated into the J-Crown. In 2003, after ending The Great Sasuke's long reign, Dragón signed with World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) and returned the championship to CMLL who he worked with off and on up until that point. Averno defeated Zumbido to win the vacant title in its first CMLL match since 1994.[7]

In March 2010, Blue Demon Jr., the president of NWA Mexico the local representative of the National Wrestling Alliance, demanded that CMLL (a non-member of NWA Mexico) cease promoting the NWA-branded championships, declaring that all three championships had been vacated as far as the NWA was concerned.[8] NWA Mexico had already tried to reclaim CMLL's three NWA-branded titles on a previous occasion. CMLL ignored both requests; the NWA Welterweight Champion, Mephisto, commented instead that "the titles belong to CMLL", thus the NWA could not vacate them.[9] On August 12, 2010, CMLL unveiled the new NWA World Historic Middleweight Championship to replace the original championship, which it conceded to NWA Mexico.[10]

Since 1939 45 wrestlers have shared 84 NWA Middleweight Championship reigns. René Guajardo held the championship a record six times. Tarzán López' four reigns totalled 2,948 days, the longest of any champion. The Great Sasuke had the longest single reign, at 1,548 days. Emilio Charles, Jr. had the shortest reign at 11 days.

Title history

Key
Symbol Meaning
No. The overall championship reign
Reign The reign number for the specific wrestler listed.
Event The event in which the championship changed hands
N/A The specific information is not known
— Used for vacated reigns in order to not count it as an official reign
[Note] Indicates that the exact length of the title reign is unknown, with a note providing more details.
No. Champion Reign Date Days held Location Event Notes Ref.
1 Gus Kallio 1 N/A [Note 4] N/A Live event Gus Kallio was awarded the championship in late 1938 or early 1939 due to the fact that he already held the World Middleweight Championship in the United States. [G]
2 Octavio Gaona 1 February 19, 1939 Script error: The function "age_generic" does not exist. Mexico City, Distrito Federal Live event Octavio Gaona won the championship to permanently establish it as an EMLL title. He also won Kallio's other World Middleweight Championship. [G]
3 Tarzán López 1 February 4, 1940 Script error: The function "age_generic" does not exist. Mexico City, Distrito Federal Live event López won both versions of the World Middleweight Championship. After this title change only the Mexican version remained active. [G]
4 Black Guzmán 1 December 16, 1941 Script error: The function "age_generic" does not exist. Mexico City, Distrito Federal Live event   [G]
5 Tarzán López 2 February 11, 1942 Script error: The function "age_generic" does not exist. Mexico City, Distrito Federal Live event   [G]
6 Gory Guerrero 1 February 23, 1946 Script error: The function "age_generic" does not exist. Mexico City, Distrito Federal Live event   [G]
7 Mike Kelly 1 April 12, 1948 Script error: The function "age_generic" does not exist. Mexico City, Distrito Federal Live event   [G]
8 Tarzán López 3 May 28, 1949 Script error: The function "age_generic" does not exist. N/A Live event   [G]
9 Sugi Sito 1 September 21, 1950 Script error: The function "age_generic" does not exist. Mexico City, Distrito Federal EMLL 17th Anniversary Show   [G][11]
10 Enrique Llanes 1 September 24, 1951 Script error: The function "age_generic" does not exist. Mexico City, Distrito Federal EMLL 18th Anniversary Show   [G][11]
— Vacated — February 3, 1952 — N/A N/A EMLL vacated the championship for undocumented reasons. [G]
11 Tarzán López 4 July 13, 1952 Script error: The function "age_generic" does not exist. Mexico City, Distrito Federal Live event Tarzán López won a tournament to win the vacant title. [G]
12 Sugi Sito 2 June 20, 1953 Script error: The function "age_generic" does not exist. Mexico City, Distrito Federal Live event   [G]
13 Santo 1 January 1, 1954 Script error: The function "age_generic" does not exist. Mexico City, Distrito Federal Live event   [G]
14 Rolando Vera 1 October 19, 1956 Script error: The function "age_generic" does not exist. Monterrey, Nuevo León Live event   [G]
15 René Guajardo 1 October 13, 1960 Script error: The function "age_generic" does not exist. Monterrey, Nuevo León Live event   [G]
16 Antonio Posa 1 December 2, 1961 Script error: The function "age_generic" does not exist. Mexico City, Distrito Federal Live event   [G]
17 René Guajardo 2 April 18, 1962 Script error: The function "age_generic" does not exist. Mexico City, Distrito Federal Live event   [G]
18 Rayo de Jalisco 1 October 25, 1962 Script error: The function "age_generic" does not exist. Mexico City, Distrito Federal Live event   [G]
19 Benny Galant 1 May 30, 1964 Script error: The function "age_generic" does not exist. Mexico City, Distrito Federal Live event   [G]
20 Rayo de Jalisco 2 September 25, 1964 Script error: The function "age_generic" does not exist. Mexico City, Distrito Federal EMLL 31st Anniversary Show   [G][11]
21 René Guajardo 3 April 9, 1965 Script error: The function "age_generic" does not exist. Mexico City, Distrito Federal Live event   [G]
22 Jerry London 1 May 14, 1966 Script error: The function "age_generic" does not exist. Mexico City, Distrito Federal Live event   [G]
23 René Guajardo 4 July 1, 1966 Script error: The function "age_generic" does not exist. Monterrey, Nuevo León Live event   [G]
24 Ray Mendoza 1 March 10, 1967 [Note 5] Mexico City, Distrito Federal Live event   [G][12]
— Vacated — May 1967 — N/A N/A EMLL vacated the championship for undocumented reasons. [G]
25 René Guajardo 5 July 29, 1967 Script error: The function "age_generic" does not exist. N/A Live event Guajardo won a decision match for the vacant title. [G]
26 Rayo de Jalisco 3 April 18, 1969 Script error: The function "age_generic" does not exist. Mexico City, Distrito Federal Live event   [G]
27 El Solitario 1 August 15, 1969 Script error: The function "age_generic" does not exist. Mexico City, Distrito Federal EMLL 36th Anniversary Show   [G][11]
28 Mashio Koma 1 June 28, 1970 Script error: The function "age_generic" does not exist. Mexico City, Distrito Federal Live event   [G]
29 Aníbal 1 December 6, 1970 Script error: The function "age_generic" does not exist. Mexico City, Distrito Federal Live event   [G]
30 René Guajardo 6 March 30, 1973 [Note 6] Mexico City, Distrito Federal Live event   [G]
— Vacated — 1974 — N/A N/A EMLL vacated the championship for undocumented reasons. [G]
31 Aníbal 2 September 20, 1974 [Note 7] Mexico City, Distrito Federal EMLL 41st Anniversary Show Aníbal defeated El Cobarde in a decision match to win the title. [G][11]
— Vacated — May 1975 — N/A N/A The championship was vacated when Aníbal left EMLL to work for the Universal Wrestling Association. [G]
32 Perro Aguayo 1 July 4, 1975 Script error: The function "age_generic" does not exist. Mexico City, Distrito Federal Live event Perro Aguayo won a tournament to claim the vacant championship. [G]
33 El Faraón 1 October 22, 1976 Script error: The function "age_generic" does not exist. Mexico City, Distrito Federal Live event   [G]
34 Perro Aguayo 2 March 11, 1977 Script error: The function "age_generic" does not exist. Mexico City, Distrito Federal Live event   [G]
35 Ringo Mendoza 1 July 3, 1977 Script error: The function "age_generic" does not exist. Guadalajara, Jalisco Live event   [G]
36 Joe Plardy 1 October 12, 1977 Script error: The function "age_generic" does not exist. Acapulco, Guerrero Live event   [G]
37 El Faraón 2 November 25, 1977 Script error: The function "age_generic" does not exist. Mexico City, Distrito Federal Live event   [G]
38 Ringo Mendoza 2 February 17, 1978 Script error: The function "age_generic" does not exist. Los Angeles, California Live event   [G]
39 Perro Aguayo 3 April 9, 1978 Script error: The function "age_generic" does not exist. Guadalajara, Jalisco Live event   [G]
40 Ringo Mendoza 3 June 23, 1978 Script error: The function "age_generic" does not exist. Mexico City, Distrito Federal Live event   [G]
41 Tony Salazar 1 August 13, 1978 Script error: The function "age_generic" does not exist. Mexico City, Distrito Federal Live event   [G]
42 Ringo Mendoza 4 February 3, 1979 Script error: The function "age_generic" does not exist. Acapulco, Guerrero Live event   [G]
43 Satoru Sayama 1 September 9, 1979 Script error: The function "age_generic" does not exist. Guadalajara, Jalisco Live event   [G]
44 El Satánico 1 March 28, 1980 Script error: The function "age_generic" does not exist. Mexico City, Distrito Federal Live event   [G]
45 Cachorro Mendoza 1 April 17, 1980 Script error: The function "age_generic" does not exist. Monterrey, Nuevo León Live event   [G]
46 Sangre Chicana 1 June 15, 1980 Script error: The function "age_generic" does not exist. Monterrey, Nuevo León Live event   [G]
47 Tony Salazar 1 January 18, 1981 Script error: The function "age_generic" does not exist. Monterrey, Nuevo León Live event   [G][13]
48 Sangre Chicana 2 March 13, 1981 Script error: The function "age_generic" does not exist. Mexico City, Distrito Federal Live event   [G][13]
49 Ringo Mendoza 5 April 3, 1981 Script error: The function "age_generic" does not exist. Mexico City, Distrito Federal Live event   [G][13]
50 El Faraón 3 November 29, 1981 Script error: The function "age_generic" does not exist. Guadalajara, Jalisco Live event   [G][13]
51 César Curiel 1 April 2, 1982 Script error: The function "age_generic" does not exist. Mexico City, Distrito Federal Live event   [G]
52 El Satánico 2 October 25, 1982 Script error: The function "age_generic" does not exist. Mexico City, Distrito Federal Live event   [G]
53 El Jalisco 1 October 25, 1982 Script error: The function "age_generic" does not exist. Guadalajara, Jalisco Live event   [G]
54 El Satánico 3 March 13, 1983 Script error: The function "age_generic" does not exist. N/A Live event   [G]
55 Lizmark 1 June 3, 1983 Script error: The function "age_generic" does not exist. Mexico City, Distrito Federal Live event   [G]
56 El Satánico 4 December 2, 1983 Script error: The function "age_generic" does not exist. Mexico City, Distrito Federal Live event   [G]
57 Gran Cochisse 1 August 8, 1984 Script error: The function "age_generic" does not exist. Mexico City, Distrito Federal Live event   [G][14]
58 El Satánico 5 September 14, 1984 Script error: The function "age_generic" does not exist. Mexico City, Distrito Federal Live event   [G][14]
59 Gran Cochisse 2 September 30, 1984 Script error: The function "age_generic" does not exist. Guadalajara, Jalisco Live event   [G][14]
60 Gran Hamada 1 November 18, 1984 Script error: The function "age_generic" does not exist. Mexico City, Distrito Federal Live event   [G][14]
61 La Fiera 1 April 5, 1985 Script error: The function "age_generic" does not exist. Mexico City, Distrito Federal Live event   [G]
62 Chamaco Valaguez 1 July 20, 1985 Script error: The function "age_generic" does not exist. Puebla, Puebla Live event   [G]
63 Gran Cochisse 3 May 18, 1986 Script error: The function "age_generic" does not exist. N/A Live event   [G]
64 Kung Fu 1 October 17, 1986 Script error: The function "age_generic" does not exist. Mexico City, Distrito Federal Live event   [G]
65 El Dandy 1 July 17, 1987 Script error: The function "age_generic" does not exist. Mexico City, Distrito Federal Live event   [G][15]
66 Kung Fu 2 October 6, 1987 Script error: The function "age_generic" does not exist. Mexico City, Distrito Federal Live event   [G][15]
67 Atlantis 1 June 10, 1988 Script error: The function "age_generic" does not exist. Mexico City, Distrito Federal Live event   [G]
68 Emilio Charles Jr. 1 July 17, 1988 Script error: The function "age_generic" does not exist. Mexico City, Distrito Federal[16] Live event   [G]
69 Atlantis 2 July 28, 1988 Script error: The function "age_generic" does not exist. Mexico City, Distrito Federal[17] Live event   [G]
70 Emilio Charles Jr. 2 August 12, 1988 Script error: The function "age_generic" does not exist. Mexico City, Distrito Federal Live event   [G]
71 Ángel Azteca 1 April 28, 1989 Script error: The function "age_generic" does not exist. Mexico City, Distrito Federal[18] Live event   [G][19]
72 El Dandy 2 June 2, 1990 Script error: The function "age_generic" does not exist. Mexico City, Distrito Federal Live event   [G]
73 Atlantis 3 August 1, 1990 Script error: The function "age_generic" does not exist. Acapulco, Guerrero Live event   [G]
74 Mano Negra 1 March 3, 1993 Script error: The function "age_generic" does not exist. Acapulco, Guerrero Live event   [G][20]
75 Oro 1 May 23, 1993 Script error: The function "age_generic" does not exist. N/A Live event   [G][20]
76 Mano Negra 2 July 3, 1993 Script error: The function "age_generic" does not exist. Puebla, Puebla Live event   [G][20]
77 Corazón de León 1 December 4, 1993 Script error: The function "age_generic" does not exist. Mexico City, Distrito Federal Live event   [G][20]
78 Último Dragón 1 November 8, 1994 [Note 8] Tokyo, Japan Live event Match promoted by WAR. Último Dragón stops defending the title around 1996. [G]
— Vacated — 1998 — N/A N/A Último Dragón was forced to vacate the championship due to an arm injury. [G]
79 The Great Sasuke 1 February 7, 1999 Script error: The function "age_generic" does not exist. Yokohama, Japan Live event Great Sasuke defeated Tokyo Magnum in tournament final to win the championship. [G]
80 Último Dragón 2 March 5, 2003 [Note 9] Sendai, Miyagi, Japan Live event   [21]
— Vacated — April 2003 — N/A N/A The championship was vacated when Último Dragon began to work for World Wrestling Entertainment.[21] [G]
81 Averno 1 September 3, 2004 Script error: The function "age_generic" does not exist. Mexico City, Distrito Federal Live event Averno defeated Zumbido in a decision match for the vacant championship. [7]
82 Místico 1 January 1, 2005 Script error: The function "age_generic" does not exist. Mexico City, Distrito Federal Super Viernes   [22][23]
83 Black Warrior 1 May 12, 2006 Script error: The function "age_generic" does not exist. Mexico City, Distrito Federal Super Viernes   [24]
84 Místico 2 April 29, 2007 Script error: The function "age_generic" does not exist. Mexico City, Distrito Federal Dia de los Niños   [25]
85 Averno 2 November 30, 2007 Script error: The function "age_generic" does not exist. Mexico City, Distrito Federal Super Viernes CMLL replaced the championship with the NWA World Historic Middleweight Championship on August 12, 2010. [25]
— Vacated — August 12, 2010 — N/A N/A The championship was vacated when CMLL returned it to NWA. [26]

Reigns by combined length

A color photograph of a Japanese man in a black mask with a white front and red and blue markings pointing at the camera
The Great Sasuke, who had the longest individual reign of any NWA World Middleweight Champion.
A color photograph of a Japanese wrestler wearing a light blue mask, cape and trunks posing on a turnbuckle with his hands in the air
Último Dragón, brought the championship to Japan
A color photograph of a Caucasian wrestler smiling as he leans back against the ropes.
Chris Jericho, who as Corazón de León, lost the championship in Japan to signal the transition from CMLL's control.
Key
Symbol Meaning
¤ The exact length of at least one title reign is uncertain, so the shortest possible length is used.
Rank Champion No. of reigns Combined days
1 Tarzán López 4 2,977
2 René Guajardo 6 1,937¤ [Note 6]
3 Great Sasuke 1 1,487
4 Rolando Vera 1 1,455
5 Último Dragón 2 1,177¤ [Note 8][Note 9]
6 Aníbal 2 1,122¤ [Note 7]
7 Averno 2 1,106
8 El Santo 1 1,021
9 Atlantis 3 997
10 Rayo de Jalisco 3 898
11 Gory Guerrero 1 782
12 Místico 2 711
13 Perro Aguayo 3 665
14 Ringo Mendoza 5 662
15 Sugi Sito 2 564
16 Kung Fu 2 521
17 Black Warrior 1 474
18 Mike Kelly 1 411
19 Ángel Azteca 1 400
20 El Satánico 5 388
21 El Solitario 1 378
22 Octavio Gaona 1 350
23 El Faraón 3 348
24 Corazón de León 1 339
25 Chamaco Valaguez 1 302
26 Emilio Charles Jr. 2 270
27 Gran Cochisse 3 238
28 Sangre Chicana 2 237
29 Mano Negra 2 236
30 Tony Salazar 2 228
31 César Curiel 1 206
32 Satoru Sayama 1 201
33 Lizmark 1 182
34 Mashio Koma 1 161
35 El Dandy 2 141
36 Antonio Posa 1 140
37 El Jalisco 1 139
38 Gran Hamada 1 138
39 Enrique Llanes 1 132
40 Benny Galant 1 118
41 La Fiera 1 106
42 Cachorro Mendoza 1 59
43 Black Guzmán 1 57
44 Ray Mendoza 1 51¤ [Note 5]
45 Jerry London 1 48
46 Joe Plardy 1 44
47 Oro 1 41
48 Gus Kallio 1 ¤ [Note 4]

Footnotes

  1. ↑ The official weight of some of the champions have not been documented, making it possible that there was a heavier champion
  2. ↑ The official weight of some of the champions have not been documented, making it possible that there was a lighter champion
  3. ↑ One example of the weight limits being ignored was El Satánico holding the title, despite weighing 97 kg (214 lb).
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 The length of Gus Kallio's title reign is too uncertain to calculate.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 The exact date on which Ray Mendoza vacated the championship is unknown, which means the title reign lasted between Script error: The function "age_generic" does not exist. and Script error: The function "age_generic" does not exist. days.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 The exact date on which René Guajardo vacated the championship during his sixth reign is unknown, which means the title reign lasted between Script error: The function "age_generic" does not exist. and Script error: The function "age_generic" does not exist. days.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 The exact date on which Aníbal vacated the championship during his second reign is unknown, which means the title reign lasted between Script error: The function "age_generic" does not exist. and Script error: The function "age_generic" does not exist. days.
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 The exact date on which Último Dragon vacated the championship during his first reign is unknown, which means the title reign lasted between Script error: The function "age_generic" does not exist. and Script error: The function "age_generic" does not exist. days.
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 The exact date on which Último Dragon vacated the championship during his second reign is unknown, which means the title reign lasted between Script error: The function "age_generic" does not exist. and Script error: The function "age_generic" does not exist. days.

References

General source for title changes before 2000

[G] - Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.

Specific

  1. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  2. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  3. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  4. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  5. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  6. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  8. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  9. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  10. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 11.3 11.4 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  12. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 13.2 13.3 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 14.2 14.3 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  16. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  17. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  18. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  19. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  20. ↑ 20.0 20.1 20.2 20.3 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  21. ↑ 21.0 21.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  22. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  23. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  24. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  25. ↑ 25.0 25.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  26. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.

External links

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