Missouri Wrestling Revival

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Issue 3 of TOTAL WRESTLING – a 110-page bumper special – is out now and is, as always, 100% free to fans worldwide! You can  view it online or download as a PDF for your Kindle, iPad, laptop or tablet!

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“In February 1964, The Beatles appeared on the Ed Sullivan show and it changed the face of American culture forever. Fifty years later, Jim Cornette returns the favour! God help the queen!” In a 10-PAGE spectacular, we sit down with the legendary Jim Cornette to talk ‘rassling, ROH and, of course, Russo!

“I’m happier than ever” We talk exclusively to Jim Ross about his departure from WWE, working for Vince and what it’s like to hire and fire at the sharp end of the industry.

“I will always take the blame for my mistakes” Our controversial interview with the divisive Danny Rodd concludes with his thoughts on the tumultuous death of 1PW.

TNA for Sale? We take an in-depth look at the spiralling TNA; is this the dying days of WCW all over again?

Inside the Wolfpac Controversy We’ve the full story behind the calamitous UK tour, told in the words of fans, the promoters and the Wolfpac themselves.

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Good day wrestling fans. This time of year is so challenging because it is time to look to honor the 2013 MWR Wrestler of the year. This year is no different. Last year Adam Pearce was chosen for not the amount of matches but the impact of them. Pearce was involved in multiple main events for several promotions in the MWR coverage area including Metro Pro Wrestling, 3XWrestling, Magnum Pro Wrestling, Dynamo Pro Wrestling and All American Pro Wrestling that brought attention to the Midwest as well his ability to draw a crowd at each of those shows. Last year was very difficult to choose as Ricky Cruz, Jeremy Wyatt and ACH each had a legitimate argument to be named as the MWR Wrestler of 2012

The always difficult question is what are the factors that makes a wrestler deserving for the award?

Remember this is NOT the BEST wrestler in the area. Otherwise, it may never change, though it needs to be someone that the promoters have put some faith in, by being a man that will be able to have matches that the fans would like to come back to see at their next show.

So once again what should factor in and other than the first one they are not in order of importance. .

1) Impact throughout the MWR Coverage area. If someone only wrestles with one promotion, then there is no shame in that, but it weakens their case to be up for the award

2) Main events – Title contention in their respected promotions. You can wrestle 365 matches a year, but this is not an award for quantity, but quality.

3) Competition. This could go hand in hand with main events and title contention. There is no shame in being a secondary champion or wrestling the first match of the card against another guy who is in your league.

4) Talent- You have to be one of the best…but that does not mean that the wrestlers who are not up for this award are not as talented ? Take for example, Darin Corbin the former St. Louis Anarchy Champion.

He had a great run this year for SLA as their champ, and should be booked at every promotion in the MWR Coverage area, due to his popularity with the fans alone. He can do it all, wrestle in single and tags, as well as do comedy wrestling with the best of them. Yet, in 2013 his impact in the MWR coverage area was limited to SLA, MAGNUM PRO and the highly entertaining must see Youtube show Darin Corbin’s W.R.E.S.T.L.I.N.G Reflections.

On the other side of the river you have Ron Powers at SICW, most of the times he is hated though he has seemed to mellowed a little this year, but his impact for SICW is immeasurable for the success that has East Carondelet, Illinois filling packed houses month after month. Corbin, Powers, Jaysin Strife, the Mississippi Madman, Jack Gamble, Gary Jackson, Jonathan Gresham, and Gerald James are just a few of the men that are great additions to their promotions that have had great years and can be a future MWR Wrestler of the Year, just not this year.

5) Fan interest- The award is not a popularity contest or else we would have a poll for the fans to vote for the award. Yet, the fans have to either love or hate you…You will need to be able to get a response from the fans. Trust me when I tell you that we talk to the fans at all the shows. We are able to get a feel on who the fans are there to see either the wrestler win or get their ass kicked.

6) For the fun of it I went and did the research on each and every match that the wrestlers that are up for the award in 2013 in our promotion. Remember we are focused on singles mainly but I also added tie breakers like success in tag teams, their outside the area achievements. Remember though that it is great that ACH is signed with ROH, that does not automatically makes him the best for the MWR Coverage area. Ryan Drago (Simon Gotch) signed from WLW to WWE, but this is about the IMPACT TO THE MWR coverage area. Still ACH garnered a lot of nominations from the MWR Awards committee for his success of winning the PWE Epic 8 Tournament, big matches at Metro Pro Wrestling and his trilogy with Davey Vega at SLA. Is it enough for him to be named this years MWR Wrestler of the year? We shall see. With the list of wins and losses, let it be known that it is not who has the most wins in the least, I just wanted to show everyone what I am seeing on paper. I have been at the shows, spoken to promoters and fans about the wrestler of the year. Now it is time to act because we are at the final days of 2013.

I want each and every one of you know that I take MWR very serious and the awards are as legit as I can be with them.

Fans, promoters, and wrestlers let me know who you think it is. Don’t hesitate to let me know if I am wrong on something or missing a factor that should play a part in deciding who the wrestler of the year should be.

Christmas idea Purchase the 2011 and 2012 MWR Yearbooks that features the top stories, photos and results from those historic years at Amazon.com

Click here to buy 2011 with the Raven Johnson cover

Click here to buy 2012 with the Rob Schamberger cover 

or purchase your own MWR T-shirt at Pro Wrestling Tees

Click here to buy a Classic Black, Red  as well as the only place to buy the 2011 or 2012 MWR Yearbook shirts. 

ACH

Draw St. Louis Anarchy -Alton, Illinois- 2/1/2013 ACH & Davey Vega fought The Hooligans to a no contest.

WON Metro Pro Wrestling Kansas City, Kansas -3/9/2013 MPW CS Champ ACH def. Dan Walsh.

WON Metro Pro Wrestling- Kansas City, Kansas- 4/13/2013 A.C.H. def. Bolt Brady to retain the Central States Title.

LOSS Metro Pro Wrestling- Kansas City, Kansas- 4/13/2013 Dan Walsh def. ACH to win the Central States. Title

LOSS St. Louis Anarchy Alton, IL on 4/19 /2013 Davey Richards def. A.C.H.

WON Pro Wrestling Epic -Mt. Pulaski, Illinois- 5/10/2013 ACH pinned Mat Fitchett.

WON Pro Wrestling Epic -Mt. Pulaski, Illinois- 5/10/2013 ACH pinned Mark Sterling.

WON Pro Wrestling Epic -Mt. Pulaski, Illinois- 5/10/2013 ACH pinned Jeremy Wyatt to win the Epic 8 tournament.

WON St. Louis Anarchy Alton, Illinois- 6/28/2013 ACH def. Davey Vega.

WON Pro Wrestling Epic -Lincoln, Illinois- 6/29/2013 ACH pinned Davey Vega.

LOSS St. Louis Anarchy -Alton, Illinois- 8/9 /2013 Davey Vega def. ACH.

WON Metro Pro Wrestling – Kansas City, Kansas- 8/10/2013 ACH def. Iceman.

WON Metro Pro Wrestling – Kansas City, Kansas- 8/10/2013 ACH defeats Dan Walsh.

WON St Louis Anarchy- Alton, Illinois – 10/04/2013 A.C.H.(w/ Hardcore Andy) def. Mark Andrews.

LOSS St. Louis Anarchy -Alton, Illinois – 12/6/2013 Davey Vega beat ACH by submission.

Single Wins including battle royals- 10

Single Losses – 4

Draws 1

Top Moments –

Signed with Ring of Honor

Won PWE Epic 8 tournament

Entered 2013 as the Metro Pro Central States Wrestling Champion

Wins against name wrestlers that happened in the MWR Coverage area: None

Main events 3

Brandon Espinosa

Draw MMWA-St Louis, Missouri- 1/12/13 Brandon Espinosa A.J. Williams to a twenty-minute time-limit draw to retain the Jr. Heavyweight Title.

LOSS Pro Wrestling Collision -Carbondale, Illinois- 1/19/2013 Heath Hatton def. Brandon Espinosa.

WON Zero One Supreme -Mattoon, Illinois- 1/26/2013 Brandon Espinosa pinned Ace Hawkins, DaCobra and Christian Rose.

WON St. Louis Anarchy -Alton, Illinois- 2/1/2013 Brandon Espinosa def. Adam Raw.

LOSS Proving Ground Pro- Jacksonville, Illinois -2/9 /2013 Perry Winkle, Bobby Valentino & Marion Fontane pinned AJ Williams, Brandon Espinosa & Ace Hawkins.

WON MMWA- St Louis, Missouri- 2/16/2013 Brandon Espinosa def. Brian James to retain the Jr. Heavyweight Title.

WON Pro Wrestling Collision – Carbondale, Illinois -2/23/2013 PWC Tag Champs Brandon Espinosa & Ace Hawkins def. Alex Castle & Angelus Layne.

WON Mid-Missouri Wrestling Alliance -St. Louis, Missouri – 3/16/2013 MMWA Jr. Heavyweight Champ Brandon Espinosa def. J-Mal Swag.

WON Pro Wrestling Collision -Carbondale, Illinois- 3/23/2013 Brandon Espinosa & Ace Hawkins def. The Submission Squad(Evan Gelistico & Pierre Abernathy) to retain the Tag Team Titles.

LOSS Mid-Missouri Wrestling Alliance- St. Louis, Missouri-4/6/2013- AJ Williams def. MMWA Jr. Heavyweight Champ Brandon Espinosa by DQ.

LOSS World League Wrestling – Richmond Missouri-4/ 13/2013 Triple Threat Match Jack Gamble def. Elvis Aliaga , Brandon Espinosa.

WON St. Louis Anarchy results from Alton, IL on 4/19 /2013 Brandon Espinosa & Angelus Layne def. Reed Bentley & Heidi Lovelace.

WON Pro Wrestling Collision -Carbondale, Illinois 4/27/2013 PWC Tag Champs The New Millennia fought Kings of the Armory to a no contest.

LOSS Pro Wrestling Epic -Mt. Pulaski, Illinois- 5/10/2013 Blake Steel & Matty Montcalm beat The New Millennia – Espy & Ace by DQ.

WON Mid-Missouri Wrestling Alliance -St. Louis, Missouri – 5/112013 MMWA Jr. Heavyweight Champ Brandon Espinosa pinned Jack Gamble & Jon Webb (triple.)

WON Pro Wrestling Collision -Carbondale, Illinois – 5/25/2013 The New Millennia def. Alex Castle (handicap).

LOSS Mid-Missouri Wrestling Alliance -St. Louis, Missouri – 6/08/2013 A.J. Williams def. Brandon Espinosa.

WON Mid-Missouri Wrestling Alliance -St. Louis, Missouri – 6/08/2013 Brandon Espinosa won a triple threat match with Gary Jackson and Dave Osborne(C) to win the Heavyweight Title.

LOSS St. Louis Anarchy Alton, Illinois- 6/28/2013 ACW U-30 Champ Bolt Brady def. Brandon Espinosa.

WON Pro Wrestling Epic -Lincoln, Illinois- 6/29/2013 PWE Heavyweight Champ Brandon Espinosa beat Blake Steel in a ladder match.

WON Mid-Missouri Wrestling Alliance- St. Louis, Missouri – 7/13/2013 MMWA Heavyweight Champ Brandon Espinosa def. Raphael King by DQ.

WON Mid-Missouri Wrestling Alliance- St. Louis, Missouri – 7/13/2013 Espy & Ace Hawkins pinned Dave Osborne & Raphael King.

LOSS World League Wrestling- Jefferson City, Missouri- 7/30/2013 Raphael King def. Brandon Espinosa.

WON St. Louis Anarchy -Alton, Illinois- 8/9 /2013 Brandon Espinosa & Angelus Layne def. Alexander Rudolph & Jordan Lacey.

LOSS Pro Wrestling Epic – Waynesville, Illinois – 8/17/2013 Blake Steel pinned Brandon Espinosa to win the PWE Heavyweight title.

WON Pro Wrestling Epic – Waynesville, Illinois – 8/17/2013 Brandon Espinosa pinned Blake Steel to win the PWE Heavyweight title.

WON Pro Wrestling Epic- Lincoln, Illinois- 8/24/2013 PWE Champion Brandon Espinosa pinned ACH.

LOSS Southern Illinois Championship Wrestling Hillsdale, Missouri – 9/14/2013 Da’Marius Jones def. Brandon Espinosa.

WON Mid-Missouri Wrestling Alliance St. Louis, Missouri – 9/14/2013 MMWA Heavyweight Champ Brandon Espinosa def. Da’Marius Jones.

WON NXWA- Pacific, Missouri- 9/21/2013 Brandon Espinosa won a three-way dance with Moondog Rover and Jackson Whitechapel.

LOSS St Louis Anarchy- Alton, Illinois – 10/04/2013 Arik Cannon def. Brandon Espinosa(w/ Angelus Layne).

WON Pro Wrestling Collision -Nashville, Illinois – 10/5/2013 PWC Tag Champs Brandon Espinosa & Da’marius Jones (subbing for Ace Hawkins) def. JP Lightning & DA Morrison.

LOSS Mid-Missouri Wrestling Alliance St. Louis, Missouri- 10/12/2013 Gary Jackson, Brian James, Lumberjacks Abe & Gabe def. Brandon Espinosa, Lynn Mephisto, Dave Osborne, & Jimmy D.

LOSS Pro Wrestling Epic -Waynesville, Illinois -10/18/2013 Blake Steel beat Brandon Espinosa 2-1 in a 30-min ironman match to win the PWE Heavyweight title.

WON Mid-Missouri Wrestling Alliance -St. Louis, Missouri- 11/9/2013 MMWA Heavyweight Champ Brandon Espinosa def. Gary Jackson by DQ.

WON Dynamo Pro Wrestling- St Louis, Missouri- 11/26/2013 Brandon Espinosa def. Ace Hawkins.

WON St. Louis Anarchy -Alton, Illinois – 12/6/2013 Brandon Espinosa pinned Darin Corbin.

WON Mid-Missouri Wrestling Alliance -St. Louis, Missouri – 12/7/2013 Brandon Espinosa def. Dave Osborne by DQ.

LOSS Mid-Missouri Wrestling Alliance -St. Louis, Missouri – 12/7/2013 Brian James def. Brandon Espinosa to win the MMWA Championship.

Singles wins including battle royal, triple threats 16

Single Losses  – 11

Draw– 1

Tag Team wins 7

Tag Team Losses 4

Top Moments –

Entered 2013 as the PWC Tag Team Champion with Ace Hawkins

Entered 2013 as the MMWA Jr Heavyweight Champion.

2-time PWE Champion

Won MMWA Heavyweight Champion

Defeated Davey Richards at IWAU, Tony Kozina  . Victories over TNA Impact stars at Ohio Valley Wrestling Crimson, Jessie Godderz and Doug Williams.

Wins against name wrestlers that happened in the MWR Coverage area: ACH

Main events – 6

Dan Walsh

WON 3XWrestling -Altoona, Iowa- 1/4/13 Dan Walsh def. Ricky Kwong.

LOSS St. Louis Anarchy -Alton, Illinois- 2/1/2013 Rachel Summerlyn def. Dan Walsh.

WON Metro Pro Wrestling -Kansas City, KS on 2/2/2013 Dan Walsh won a battle royal.

LOSS Metro Pro Wrestling -Kansas City, KS on 2/2/2013 Ricky Cruz & Bull Schmitt def. Dan Walsh & Jake Dirden.

LOSS Metro Pro Wrestling Kansas City, Kansas -3/9/2013 MPW CS Champ ACH def. Dan Walsh.

WON Dynamo Pro Wrestling- Glen Carbon, Illinois- 4/5/2013 DPW Heavyweight Champ Dan Walsh def. Jeremy Wyatt.

WON Metro Pro Wrestling- Kansas City, Kansas- 4/13/2013 Dan Walsh def. ACH to win the Central States Title.

WON St. Louis Anarchy results from Alton, IL on 4/19 /2013 Dan Walsh def. Darin Childs.

WON FIST Combat – Sauget, Illinois – 5/17/20123 Dan Walsh def. Kevin X, KC Karrington & Brandon Gallagher (four-way).

WON Metro Pro Wrestling- Kansas City, Kansas -6/1/2013 Central States Title Match: Dan Walsh def. Derek Stone via DQ.

WON Dynamo Pro Wrestling -Glen Carbon, Illinois – 6/14/2013 DPW Heavyweight Champ Dan Walsh def. Kevin X.

WON Dynamo Pro Wrestling- Glen Carbon, Illinois, – 7/12/2013 Dan Walsh def. Ricky Cruz to retain the Heavyweight Title.

WON Metro Pro Wrestling -Kansas City, Kansas- 7/13/2013 Dan Walsh def. Derek Stone to retain the Central States Title.

LOSS St. Louis Anarchy -Alton, Illinois- 8/9 /2013 Adam Raw & Mat Fitchett def. Evan Gelistico & Dan Walsh in a tables match.

LOSS Metro Pro Wrestling – Kansas City, Kansas- 8/10/2013 ACH defeats Dan Walsh.

WON Dynamo Pro Wrestling -Glen Carbon, Illinois- 9/6/2013 Dan Walsh def. Ricky Cruz.

LOSS St Louis Anarchy- Alton, Illinois – 10/04/2013 Adam Raw def. Dan Walsh.

WON Dynamo Pro Wrestling – 10/05/2013 Dan Walsh def. Dingo to retain the Dynamo Pro Wrestling Championship.

LOSS Dynamo Pro Wrestling Pittsfield, Illinois -10/26/2013 Jake Dirden pinned Dan Walsh to win the DPW Heavyweight title.

LOSS Dynamo Pro Wrestling- St Louis, Missouri- 11/26/2013 Jake Dirden def. Dan Walsh retain the Dynamo Pro Wrestling Heavyweight Title.

Singles wins including battle royal, triple threats 12

Single Losses  5

Draws 0

Tag Team wins 0

Tag Team Losses 2

Top Moments –

Dynamo Pro Wrestling Champion

Metro Pro Wrestling Central State Champion

Wins against name wrestlers that happened in the MWR Coverage area: ACH

Main events– 7

Jake Dirden

WON 3XWrestling -Altoona, Iowa- 1/4/13 Jake Dirden def. Jimmy Rockwell.

WON Southern Illinois Championship Wrestling – East Carondelet, Illinois -1/19/2013 Ron Powers and Jake Dirden def. Jimmy Douglas and Brent Myers.

LOSS Metro Pro Wrestling -Kansas City, KS on 2/2/2013 Ricky Cruz & Bull Schmitt def. Dan Walsh & Jake Dirden.

LOSS Southern Illinois Championship Wrestling -East Carondelet, Illinois -2/9 /2013 Bull Schmitt & Bobby D def. Ron Powers & Jake Dirden.

WON Southern Illinois Championship Wrestling – Fairmont City, Illinois -2/23/2013 Jake Dirden def. Purple Passion.

LOSS Southern Illinois Championship Wrestling East Carondelet, Illinois 3/9/2013 Gary Jackson & Heath Hatton def. Alexandre Rudolph & Jake Dirden.

WON Dynamo Pro Wrestling- Glen Carbon, Illinois- 4/5/2013 Jake Dirden def. Ricky Cruz.

WON Dynamo Pro Wrestling- Glen Carbon, Illinois, – 7/12/2013 Jake Dirden won a handicap match against Billy McNeil & Dash Rando.

WON Proving Ground Pro – Springfield, Illinois- 7/20/2013 Nelson Sixx & Dirty Jake Dirden pinned Bragg’N’Swagg .

WON FIST Combat Wrestling -Sauget, Illinois- 7/26/2013 Jake Dirden def. PooDoo the Cow.

WON FIST Combat Wrestling -Sauget, Illinois- 7/26/2013 Jake Dirden def. Alexander Rudolph, Ricky Cruz & David Vaughn (four-way).

WON FIST Combat Wrestling -Sauget, Illinois- 7/26/2013 Jake Dirden def. Billy McNeil to win the FIST title.

WON Metro Pro Wrestling – Kansas City, Kansas- 8/10/2013 Jake Dirden defeats Steve Fender.

WON Southern Illinois Championship Wrestling- East Carondelet, Illinois – 8/17/2013 Jake Dirden def. Waco(w/ Big Texan).

WON Dynamo Pro Wrestling -Glen Carbon, Illinois- 9/6/2013 Jake Dirden def. MsChif.

WON Southern Illinois Championship Wrestling East Carondelet, Illinois – 9/21/2013 Jake Dirden def. Tony Raze.

WON Dynamo Pro Wrestling – 10/05/2013 Jake Dirden def. Ricky Cruz.

DRAW Southern Illinois Championship Wrestling-Belleville, Illinois – 10/12/2013 Jake Dirden fought Flash Flanagan to a double countout.

WON Southern Illinois Championship Wrestling-Belleville, Illinois – 10/12/2013 Jake Dirden won a 15-man royal rumble.

WON Southern Illinois Championship Wrestling -East Carondelet, Illinois- 10/19/2013 Jake Dirden def. The Big Texan by DQ.

WON Dynamo Pro Wrestling Pittsfield, Illinois -10/26/2013 Jake Dirden pinned Dan Walsh to win the DPW Heavyweight title.

WON Beyond Wrestling – St Louis, Missouri- 10/27/2013 Jake Dirden def. Ricky Starks.

WON Southern Illinois Championship Wrestling -East Carondelet, Illinois- 11/16/2013 Jake Dirden def. Dave Vaughn.

WON Dynamo Pro Wrestling- St Louis, Missouri- 11/26/2013 Jake Dirden def. Dan Walsh retain the Dynamo Pro Wrestling Heavyweight Title.

WON Proving Ground Pro -Petersburg, Illinois- 11/30/2013 Jake Dirden pinned Tadarius Thomas.

LOSS Proving Ground Pro -Petersburg, Illinois- 11/30/2013 Ruff Crossing pinned Jake Dirden to win the vacant PGP Franchise title.

LOSS Southern Illinois Championship Wrestling -East Carondelet, Illinois- 12/14/2013 …..Ken Kasa(w/ Travis Cook & Dave Vaughn) def. Jake Dirden to retain the Classic Title.

Singles wins including battle royal, triple threats 19

Single Losses– 2

Draws 1

Tag Team wins 2

Tag Team Losses 3

Top Moments –

Traveled to Pro Wrestling Noah and took part in 45-50 matches. Worked one match for Kinsuke Sasaki’s Diamond Ring promotion.

A few opponents: Takeshi Morishima, Naomichi Marufuji, Takashi Sugiura, Super Crazy, Taiji Ishimori, Maybach Taniguchi, Mohammed Yone, TMDK, Hitoshi Kumano, Katsuhiko Nakajima, Atsushi Kotoge, Yoshinari Ogawa, Mikey Nicholls, Masao Inoue.

Attended the 2013 Harley Race Wrestling WWE NOAH Camp

Finalist for the TNA Gut check voting

Won the FIST Tournament.

Won Dynamo Pro Wrestling Championship

Wins against name wrestlers that happened in the MWR Coverage area: Tadarius Thomas.

Main events 5

Jeremy Wyatt

WON 3XWrestling -Altoona, Iowa- 1/4/13- Jeremy Wyatt def. Ricky Cruz to retain the Heavyweight Title.

WON Metro Pro Wrestling -Kansas City, KS on 2/2/2013 MPW Heavyweight Champ Jeremy Wyatt def. Sir Bradley Charles.

WON Metro Pro Wrestling -Kansas City, KS on 2/2/2013 MPW Heavyweight Champ Jeremy Wyatt def. TJ Perkins.

LOSS 3XWrestling- Altoona, Iowa-3/1/2013 Ryan Slade def. Jeremy Wyatt to win the Heavyweight Title.

WON Metro Pro Wrestling Kansas City, Kansas -3/9/2013 MPW Heavyweight Champ Jeremy Wyatt def. Adam Pearce.

WON 3XWrestling -Altoona, Iowa- 3/29/13 Jeremy Wyatt def. Jeff O’Shea.

LOSS 3XWrestling -Altoona, Iowa- 3/29/13 .Ryan Slade def. Jeremy Wyatt in a falls-count-anywhere match to retain the Heavyweight Title.

LOSS Dynamo Pro Wrestling- Glen Carbon, Illinois- 4/5/2013 DPW Heavyweight Champ Dan Walsh def. Jeremy Wyatt.

WON Metro Pro Wrestling- Kansas City, Kansas- 4/13/2013 MPW Heavyweight Champion Jeremy Wyatt & Kansas Champion Mike Sydal def. Showtime Bradley Charles & Tyler Cook by DQ.

WON Metro Pro Wrestling- Kansas City, Kansas- 4/13/2013 Jeremy Wyatt def. Kyle O’Reilly to retain the Heavyweight Title.

WON 3XWrestling -Altoona, Iowa- 4/19/2-13 Jeremy Wyatt & Mark Sterling def. J.D. Riggs & J.J. Garrett.

WON Pro Wrestling Epic -Mt. Pulaski, Illinois- 5/10/2013 Jeremy Wyatt pinned Gary Jay.

WON Pro Wrestling Epic -Mt. Pulaski, Illinois- 5/10/2013 Jeremy Wyatt pinned Matt King.

LOSS Pro Wrestling Epic -Mt. Pulaski, Illinois- 5/10/2013 ACH pinned Jeremy Wyatt to win the Epic 8 tournament.

WON Metro Pro Wrestling- Kansas City, Kansas -6/1/2013 Metro Pro Championship Match – Jeremy Wyatt def. Mr. James.

WON Metro Pro Wrestling- Kansas City, Kansas -6/1/2013 Metro Pro Championship Match – Jeremy Wyatt def. Mr. Steven Richards.

LOSS Dynamo Pro Wrestling -Glen Carbon, Illinois – 6/14/2013 Ricky Cruz def. Jeremy Wyatt in a dog collar match.

WON 3XWrestling – Des Moines, Iowa- 6/28/2013 Jeremy Wyatt, Mark Sterling, & Bradley Charles def. Heavyweight Champion Ryan Slade, A.J. Smooth, & Kraig Keesaman.

WON Metro Pro Wrestling -Kansas City, Kansas- 7/13/2013 Jeremy Wyatt def. Mark Sterling to retain the Heavyweight Title.

LOSS Metro Pro Wrestling -Kansas City, Kansas- 7/13/2013 Adam Pearce def. Jeremy Wyatt to win the Heavyweight Title.

WON 3XWrestling -Des Moines, Iowa- 7/26/ 2013 Jeremy Wyatt def. A.J. Smooth.

WON Metro Pro Wrestling – Kansas City, Kansas- 8/10/2013 Jeremy Wyatt def. Adam Pearce for the Metro Pro Wrestling title in a dog collar match.

WON 3XWrestling – Des Moines, Iowa- 8/23/2013 Jeremy Wyatt & Mark Sterling won a four-corner match with The American Bulldogs(Mad Dog McDowell & Jon West)(C), Jake & Ryan King, and Mike Sydal & Ricky Love to win the Tag Team Titles.

LOSS Dynamo Pro Wrestling – 10/05/2013 Kevin X won a triple threat match with Jeremy Wyatt and Geek Singh.

WON 3XWrestling- Des Moines, Iowa – 10/18/2013 The Kansas City Killers (Jeremy Wyatt & Mark Sterling) def. The American Bulldogs(Mad Dog McDowell & Jon West) to retain the Tag Team Titles.

LOSS 3XWrestling -Des Moines, Iowa- 11/22/2013 A.J. Smooth, The American Bulldogs(Mad Dog McDowell & Jon West), Ray Stryker, & Ricky Love def. Jeremy Wyatt, Mark Sterling, Bradley Charles, & Jake & Ryan King in an elimination tag match.

LOSS St. Louis Anarchy -Alton, Illinois – 12/6/2013 Davey Richards beat Jeremy Wyatt by submission.

Singles wins including battle royal, triple threats 14

Single Losses– 8

Draws 0

Tag Team wins 4

Tag Team Losses 1

Top Moments –

Started the year off as the Metro Pro Wrestling and 3XW Champion.

Won the 3XWrestling tag team with Mark Sterling.

Regain the MPW Championship from Adam Pearce

Wins against name wrestlers that happened in the MWR Coverage area: TJ Perkins, Mr. Steven Richards, Kyle O’Reilly, Adam Pearce.

Main events – 13

Ricky Cruz

LOSS 3XWrestling -Altoona, Iowa- 1/4/13 Jeremy Wyatt def. Ricky Cruz to retain the Heavyweight Title.

LOSS Southern Illinois Championship Wrestling – East Carondelet, Illinois -1/19/2013 Ken Kasa def. SICW Classic Champ Ricky Cruz by DQ.

WON Metro Pro Wrestling -Kansas City, KS on 2/2/2013 Ricky Cruz & Bull Schmitt def. Dan Walsh & Jake Dirden.

WON Southern Illinois Championship Wrestling -East Carondelet, Illinois -2/9 /2013 SICW Classic Champ Ricky Cruz def. Gary Jackson.

Draw Southern Illinois Championship Wrestling – Fairmont City, Illinois -2/23/2013 SICW Classic Champ Ricky Cruz fought Ron Powers to a no contest.

WON Southern Illinois Championship Wrestling East Carondelet, Illinois 3/9/2013 SICW Classic Champ Ricky Cruz def. Dave Vaughn.

LOSS Dynamo Pro Wrestling- Glen Carbon, Illinois- 4/5/2013 Jake Dirden def. Ricky Cruz.

WON Southern Illinois Championship Wrestling – East Carondelet, Illinois- 4/13/2013 SICW Classic Champ Ricky Cruz def. Heath Hatton (non-title).

WON Southern Illinois Championship Wrestling Alton, Illinois – 5/11/2013 SICW Classic Champ Ricky Cruz def. Flash Flanagan by DQ.

WON Dynamo Pro Wrestling -Glen Carbon, Illinois – 6/14/2013 Ricky Cruz def. Jeremy Wyatt in a dog collar match.

WON Southern Illinois Championship Wrestling – East Carondelet, Illinois – 6/14/2013 CWC Champion Ricky Cruz def. Ron Powers.

LOSS Southern Illinois Championship Wrestling – East Carondelet, Illinois – 6/14/2013 Ken Kasa(w/ Travis Cook) def. Ricky Cruz to win the Classic Title.

LOSS Dynamo Pro Wrestling- Glen Carbon, Illinois, – 7/12/2013 Dan Walsh def. Ricky Cruz to retain the Heavyweight Title.

LOSS Metro Pro Wrestling -Kansas City, Kansas- 7/13/2013 Tyler Cook def. Ricky Cruz to retain the Kansas Title.

WON Southern Illinois Championship Wrestling- East Carondelet, Illinois – 7/20/2013 Ricky Cruz & Chris Hargas def. Ron Powers & Flash Flanagan by DQ.

WON FIST Combat Wrestling -Sauget, Illinois- 7/26/2013 Ricky Cruz def. Jonathan Gresham.

LOSS FIST Combat Wrestling -Sauget, Illinois- 7/26/2013 Jake Dirden def. Alexander Rudolph, Ricky Cruz & David Vaughn (four-way).

WON Southern Illinois Championship Wrestling -Sauget, Illinois- 8/10/2013 Ricky Cruz def. the Big Texan.

LOSS Southern Illinois Championship Wrestling -Sauget, Illinois- 8/10/2013 Flash Flanagan def. Ricky Cruz.

WON Southern Illinois Championship Wrestling- East Carondelet, Illinois – 8/17/2013 Ricky Cruz won a triple threat match with Ron Powers and Flash Flanagan.

LOSS Dynamo Pro Wrestling -Glen Carbon, Illinois- 9/6/2013 DPW Champion Dan Walsh def. Ricky Cruz.

WON Southern Illinois Championship Wrestling Hillsdale, Missouri – 9/14/2013 Ricky Cruz def. Alexander Rudolph by DQ.

WON Southern Illinois Championship Wrestling Hillsdale, Missouri – 9/14/2013 Ricky Cruz & Gary Jackson def. Alexander Rudolph & Brandon Gallagher.

WON Southern Illinois Championship Wrestling East Carondelet, Illinois – 9/21/2013 Ricky Cruz def. Classic Champion Ken Kasa(w/ Travis Cook & Dave Vaughn) by DQ.

LOSS Dynamo Pro Wrestling – 10/05/2013 Jake Dirden def. Ricky Cruz.

WON Southern Illinois Championship Wrestling-Belleville, Illinois – 10/12/2013 Ricky Cruz def. Dave Vaughn.

WON Southern Illinois Championship Wrestling -East Carondelet, Illinois- 10/19/2013 Ricky Cruz & Ron Powers def. Classic Champion Ken Kasa & Flash Flanagan.

WON Dynamo Pro Wrestling Pittsfield, Illinois -10/26/2013 Ricky Cruz pinned Dingo.

WON Southern Illinois Championship Wrestling -East Carondelet, Illinois- 11/16/2013 Ricky Cruz & Daniel Eads def. Bull Bronson & Ax Allwardt.

WON Southern Illinois Championship Wrestling -East Carondelet, Illinois- 12/14/2013 Ricky Cruz pinned Alexander Rudolph.

Singles wins including battle royal, triple threats 14

Single Losses– 10

Draws 1

Tag Team wins 5

Tag Team Losses 0

Top Moments –

Started the year as CWC Champion for SICW

Tag Team Champ in Galli in Chicago with the Rebel Noriega

5 Tours of Puerto Rico 2 PPVS and 3 Big Shows Defended the SICW Championship in Puerto Rico.

Trained wrestlers around the Midwest, assisted Dave Vaughn with a tour of Puerto Rico.

Wrestled in New York, Texas and Tennessee.

NRW IN Puerto Rico gave award to Ricky Cruz for his contributions in Puerto Rico as well as his assistance with fellow wrestlers.

Wins against name wrestlers that happened in the MWR Coverage area. Zero One USA Champion Jonathan Gresham

Main events 11

Saint Louis Anarchy will bring you Benefit Bash on Friday night Jan. 10th in Alton IL. This will be a benefit for Brian and Lori Davis. The Davis family lost everything in a fire including their seven year old son. We encourage everyone to come out and help out this family in need during this time.

Saint Louis Anarchy presents: Benefit Bash 2014
Friday night Jan 10th 2014
Live at the Knights of Columbus in Alton IL (405 E. 4th Street Alton IL)

Tickets for this event are all $10 and are first come first serve.

Doors open at 6:30pm show starts at 7:00pm

NOTE: Draft Beer will be $2 for this event.

Matches Signed: NOTE: We have been asked by Davey Richards to not announce him yet for this card. This should not effect the Feb. 28th and March 1st double shot weekend. When we know something we will announce it.

Main Event: Saint Louis Anarchy Champion Gerald James and Jeremy Wyatt vs. Davey Vega and Mat Fitchett

Michael Elgin vs. Jo Jo Bravo

ACH vs. Making his Anarchy debut B-Boy

Kyle O’ Reilly vs. Evan Gelistico

The Hooligans vs. 2 Star Heros (Matt Knicks and Chris Castro)

Bolt Brady vs. Mike Sydal

Brandon Espinosa vs. Matt Cage

Angelus Layne vs. Alex Castle

Jordan Lacey/Alex the Big Owl vs. Jeff O’ Shea and Mallaki Matthews

Six Man Eliminaiton Scramble featuring wrestlers making their SLA debut

50 Years of St. Louis Magazine
The city’s history through our pages

BY JEANNETTE COOPERMAN, NANCY CURTIS, GEORGE MAHE, CHRISTY MARSHALL, JARRETT MEDLIN, WILLIAM POWELL, AND STEFENE RUSSELL

Click here for some great photos and a look at an exciting night of pro wrestling at SICW!

http://www.stlmag.com/Blogs/Look-Listen/December-2013/Slideshow-Championship-Wrestling-in-East-Carondelet/?s=ra

Metro Pro Wrestling – Show 132

– Central States Championship – Dan Walsh (c) (w/ Magic Man) vs. Derek Stone (w/ Lucy Mendez)
– Takeon vs. SBC (w/ Tyler Cook)
– Metro Pro Title Match – “The Rebel” Jeremy Wyatt (c) vs. “Scrap Iron” Adam Pearce

Taped July 2013

By Ben Simon

Art by Rob Schamberger

Updated 5/4/15

In December 2013, Randy Orton and John Cena met to unify the WWE and “World Heavyweight” championships.  After the match, there was one world heavyweight champion in all (the top level) of pro wrestling.  It got me to thinking, can I trace the best lineage of champions all the way from the beginning?

At any time in history, who was the real Heavyweight Champion of the World?

For this project, I had to decide what my definition of “world champion” is.  To many of my friends on the independent circuit, if a title is defended on different continents, it can be a “world title.”  Instead, this lineage follows the title that a wrestling industry majority considers to be the most prestigious at any given time.

Let me lay out some ground rules and specifications.  First, this is not a lineal championship; one doesn’t necessarily have “to beat the man to be the man,” although that is how it almost always works out.  Second, the man can only be the champion if he is recognized as such by the strongest sanctioning group or promoter; Ric Flair‘s “real world champ” campaign in the WWF wasn’t official.  Finally, only one champion can exist at any time; in the summer of 2011, there were two WWE champs simultaneously but that doesn’t apply here.

WON BY	WON FROM	LOCATION	WON ON	LOST ON
Georg Hackenschmidt	Tom Jenkins	New York City, N.Y.	5/4/1905	4/3/1908
Frank Gotch	Georg Hackenschmidt	Chicago, Ill.	4/3/1908	4/1/1913
Joe Stecher	Charlie Cutler	Omaha, Neb.	7/5/1915	4/9/1917
Earl Caddock	Joe Stecher	Omaha, Neb.	4/9/1917	1/30/1920
Joe Stecher	Earl Caddock	New York City, N.Y.	1/30/1920	12/13/1920
Ed Lewis	Joe Stecher	New York City, N.Y.	12/13/1920	5/6/1921
Stanislaus Zbyszko	Ed Lewis	New York City, N.Y.	5/6/1921	3/3/1922
Ed Lewis	Stanislaus Zbyszko	Wichita, Kan.	3/3/1922	1/8/1925
Wayne Munn	Ed Lewis	Wichita, Kan.	1/8/1925	4/15/1925
Stanislaus Zbyszko	Wayne Munn	Philadelphia, Pa.	4/15/1925	5/30/1925
Joe Stecher	Stanislaus Zbyszko	Saint Louis, Mo.	5/30/1925	2/21/1928
Ed Lewis	Joe Stecher	Saint Louis, Mo.	2/21/1928	1/4/1929
Gus Sonnenberg	Ed Lewis	Boston, Mass.	1/4/1929	7/1/1929
Jim Londos	Dick Shikat	Philadelphia, Pa.	6/6/1930	6/27/1935
Danno O’Mahony	Jim Londos	Boston, Mass.	6/27/1935	3/2/1936
Dick Shikat	Danno O’Mahony	New York City, N.Y.	3/2/1936	4/25/1936
Ali Baba	Dick Shikat	Detroit, Mich.	4/25/1936	6/26/1936
Everett Marshall	Ali Baba	Columbus, Ohio	6/26/1936	9/1/1936
John Pesek	Awarded	N/A	9/13/1937	9/13/1937
Lou Thesz	Everett Marshall	Saint Louis, Mo.	12/29/1937	2/11/1938
Steve Casey	Lou Thesz	Boston, Mass.	2/11/1938	9/1/1938
Everett Marshall	Awarded	N/A	9/14/1938	2/23/1939
Lou Thesz	Everett Marshall	Saint Louis, Mo.	2/23/1939	6/23/1939
Bronko Nagurski	Lou Thesz	Houston, Texas	6/23/1939	3/7/1940
Ray Steele	Bronko Nagurski	Saint Louis, Mo.	3/7/1940	3/11/1941
Bronko Nagurski	Ray Steele	Houston, Texas	3/11/1941	6/5/1941
Sandor Szabo	Bronko Nagurski	Saint Louis, Mo.	6/5/1941	2/19/1942
Bill Longson	Sandor Szabo	Saint Louis, Mo.	2/19/1942	10/7/1942
Yvon Robert	Bill Longson	Montreal, Canada	10/7/1942	11/27/1942
Bobby Managoff	Yvon Robert	Houston, Texas	11/27/1942	2/19/1943
Bill Longson	Bobby Managoff	Saint Louis, Mo.	2/19/1943	2/21/1947
Whipper Billy Watson	Bill Longson	Saint Louis, Mo.	2/21/1947	4/25/1947
Lou Thesz	Whipper Billy Watson	Saint Louis, Mo.	4/25/1947	11/21/1947
Bill Longson	Lou Thesz	Houston, Texas	11/21/1947	7/10/1948
Lou Thesz	Bill Longson	Indianapolis, Ind.	7/10/1948	3/15/1956
Whipper Billy Watson	Lou Thesz	Toronto, Canada	3/15/1956	11/9/1956
Lou Thesz	Whipper Billy Watson	Saint Louis, Mo.	11/9/1956	11/14/1957
Dick Hutton	Lou Thesz	Toronto, Canada	11/14/1957	1/9/1959
Pat O’Connor	Dick Hutton	Saint Louis, Mo.	1/9/1959	6/30/1961
Buddy Rogers	Pat O’Connor	Chicago, Ill.	6/30/1961	1/24/1963
Lou Thesz	Buddy Rogers	Toronto, Canada	1/24/1963	1/7/1966
Gene Kiniski	Lou Thesz	Saint Louis, Mo.	1/7/1966	2/11/1969
Dory Funk	Gene Kiniski	Tampa, Fla.	2/11/1969	5/24/1973
Harley Race	Dory Funk	Kansas City, Mo.	5/24/1973	7/20/1973
Jack Brisco	Harley Race	Houston, Texas	7/20/1973	12/2/1974
Giant Baba	Jack Brisco	Kagoshima, Japan	12/2/1974	12/9/1974
Jack Brisco	Giant Baba	Toyohashi, Japan	12/9/1974	12/10/1975
Terry Funk	Jack Brisco	Miami, Fla.	12/10/1975	2/6/1977
Harley Race	Terry Funk	Toronto, Canada	2/6/1977	8/21/1979
Dusty Rhodes	Harley Race	Tampa, Fla.	8/21/1979	8/26/1979
Harley Race	Dusty Rhodes	Orlando, Fla.	8/26/1979	10/31/1979
Giant Baba	Harley Race	Nagoya, Japan	10/31/1979	11/7/1979
Harley Race	Giant Baba	Amagasaki, Japan	11/7/1979	9/4/1980
Giant Baba	Harley Race	Saga, Japan	9/4/1980	9/9/1980
Harley Race	Giant Baba	Otsu, Japan	9/9/1980	4/27/1981
Tommy Rich	Harley Race	Augusta, Ga.	4/27/1981	5/1/1981
Harley Race	Tommy Rich	Gainesville, Ga.	5/1/1981	6/21/1981
Dusty Rhodes	Harley Race	Atlanta, Ga.	6/21/1981	9/17/1981
Ric Flair	Dusty Rhodes	Kansas City, Mo.	9/17/1981	6/10/1983
Harley Race	Ric Flair	Saint Louis, Mo.	6/10/1983	11/24/1983
Ric Flair	Harley Race	Greensboro, N.C.	11/24/1983	5/6/1984
Kerry Von Erich	Ric Flair	Irving, Texas	5/6/1984	5/24/1984
Ric Flair	Kerry Von Erich	Yokosuka, Japan	5/24/1984	7/26/1986
Dusty Rhodes	Ric Flair	Greensboro, N.C.	7/26/1986	8/9/1986
Ric Flair	Dusty Rhodes	Saint Louis, Mo.	8/9/1986	9/25/1987
Ron Garvin	Ric Flair	Detroit, Mich.	9/25/1987	11/26/1987
Ric Flair	Ron Garvin	Chicago, Ill.	11/26/1987	2/20/1989
Ricky Steamboat	Ric Flair	Chicago, Ill.	2/20/1989	5/7/1989
Ric Flair	Ricky Steamboat	Nashville, Tenn.	5/7/1989	7/7/1990
Sting	Ric Flair	Baltimore, Md.	7/7/1990	1/11/1991
Ric Flair	Sting	East Rutherford, N.J.	1/11/1991	9/8/1991
Ric Flair	29 Men	Albany, N.Y.	1/19/1992	4/5/1992
Randy Savage	Ric Flair	Indianapolis, Ind.	4/5/1992	9/1/1992
Ric Flair	Randy Savage	Hershey, Pa.	9/1/1992	10/12/1992
Bret Hart	Ric Flair	Saskatoon, Canada	10/12/1992	4/4/1993
Yokozuna	Bret Hart	Las Vegas, Nev.	4/4/1993	4/4/1993
Hulk Hogan	Yokozuna	Las Vegas, Nev.	4/4/1993	6/13/1993
Yokozuna	Hulk Hogan	Dayton, Ohio	6/13/1993	3/20/1994
Bret Hart	Yokozuna	New York City, N.Y.	3/20/1994	11/23/1994
Bob Backlund	Bret Hart	San Antonio, Texas	11/23/1994	11/26/1994
Diesel	Bob Backlund	New York City, N.Y.	11/26/1994	11/19/1995
Bret Hart	Diesel	Landover, Md.	11/19/1995	3/31/1996
Shawn Michaels	Bret Hart	Anaheim, Calif.	3/31/1996	11/17/1996
Sycho Sid	Shawn Michaels	New York City, N.Y.	11/17/1996	1/19/1997
Shawn Michaels	Sycho Sid	San Antonio, Texas	1/19/1997	2/13/1997
Bret Hart	3 Men	Chattanooga, Tenn.	2/16/1997	2/17/1997
Sycho Sid	Bret Hart	Nashville, Tenn.	2/17/1997	3/23/1997
The Undertaker	Sycho Sid	Rosemont, Ill.	3/23/1997	8/3/1997
Bret Hart	The Undertaker	East Rutherford, N.J.	8/3/1997	11/9/1997
Shawn Michaels	Bret Hart	Montreal, Canada	11/9/1997	3/29/1998
Steve Austin	Shawn Michaels	Boston, Mass.	3/29/1998	6/28/1998
Kane	Steve Austin	Pittsburgh, Pa.	6/28/1998	6/29/1998
Steve Austin	Kane	Cleveland, Ohio	6/29/1998	9/27/1998
The Rock	Mankind	Saint Louis, Mo.	11/15/1998	12/29/1998
Mankind	The Rock	Worcester, Mass.	12/29/1998	1/24/1999
The Rock	Mankind	Anaheim, Calif.	1/24/1999	1/26/1999
Mankind	The Rock	Tucson, Ariz.	1/26/1999	2/15/1999
The Rock	Mankind	Birmingham, Ala.	2/15/1999	3/28/1999
Steve Austin	The Rock	Philadelphia, Pa.	3/28/1999	5/23/1999
The Undertaker	Steve Austin	Kansas City, Mo.	5/23/1999	6/28/1999
Steve Austin	The Undertaker	Charlotte, N.C.	6/28/1999	8/22/1999
Mankind	Austin + 1 Man	Minneapolis, Minn.	8/22/1999	8/23/1999
Triple H	Mankind	Ames, Iowa	8/23/1999	9/14/1999
Mr. McMahon	Triple H	Las Vegas, Nev.	9/14/1999	9/20/1999
Triple H	5 Men	Charlotte, N.C.	9/26/1999	11/14/1999
The Big Show	Triple H + 1 Man	Detroit, Mich.	11/14/1999	1/3/2000
Triple H	The Big Show	Miami, Fla.	1/3/2000	4/30/2000
The Rock	Triple H	Washington, D.C.	4/30/2000	5/21/2000
Triple H	The Rock	Louisville, Ky.	5/21/2000	6/25/2000
The Rock	Triple H + 4 Men	Boston, Mass.	6/25/2000	10/22/2000
Kurt Angle	The Rock	Albany, N.Y.	10/22/2000	2/25/2001
The Rock	Kurt Angle	Las Vegas, Nev.	2/25/2001	4/1/2001
Steve Austin	The Rock	Houston, Texas	4/1/2001	9/23/2001
Kurt Angle	Steve Austin	Pittsburgh, Pa.	9/23/2001	10/8/2001
Steve Austin	Kurt Angle	Indianapolis, Ind.	10/8/2001	12/9/2001
Chris Jericho	Steve Austin	San Diego, Calif.	12/9/2001	3/17/2002
Triple H	Chris Jericho	Toronto, Canada	3/17/2002	4/21/2002
Hulk Hogan	Triple H	Kansas City, Mo.	4/21/2002	5/19/2002
The Undertaker	Hulk Hogan	Nashville, Tenn.	5/19/2002	7/21/2002
The Rock	Undertaker + 1 Man	Detroit, Mich.	7/21/2002	8/25/2002
Brock Lesnar	The Rock	Uniondale, N.Y.	8/25/2002	11/17/2002
The Big Show	Brock Lesnar	New York City, N.Y.	11/17/2002	12/15/2002
Kurt Angle	The Big Show	Sunrise, Fla.	12/15/2002	3/30/2003
Brock Lesnar	Kurt Angle	Seattle, Wash.	3/30/2003	7/27/2003
Kurt Angle	Lesnar + 1 Man	Denver, Colo.	7/27/2003	9/16/2003
Brock Lesnar	Kurt Angle	Raleigh, N.C.	9/16/2003	2/15/2004
Eddie Guerrero	Brock Lesnar	Daly City, Calif.	2/15/2004	6/27/2004
John Layfield	Eddie Guerrero	Norfolk, Va.	6/27/2004	4/3/2005
John Cena	John Layfield	Los Angeles, Calif.	4/3/2005	1/8/2006
Edge	John Cena	Albany, N.Y.	1/8/2006	1/29/2006
John Cena	Edge	Miami, Fla.	1/29/2006	6/11/2006
Rob Van Dam	John Cena	New York City, N.Y.	6/11/2006	7/3/2006
Edge	Van Dam + 1 Man	Philadelphia, Pa.	7/3/2006	9/17/2006
John Cena	Edge	Toronto, Canada	9/17/2006	10/2/2007
Randy Orton	Awarded	Rosemont, Ill.	10/7/2007	10/7/2007
Triple H	Randy Orton	Rosemont, Ill.	10/7/2007	10/7/2007
Randy Orton	Triple H	Rosemont, Ill.	10/7/2007	4/27/2008
Triple H	Orton + 2 Men	Baltimore, Md.	4/27/2008	11/23/2008
Edge	Triple H + 1 Man	Boston, Mass.	11/23/2008	12/14/2008
Jeff Hardy	Edge + 1 Man	Buffalo, N.Y.	12/14/2008	1/25/2009
Edge	Jeff Hardy	Detroit, Mich.	1/25/2009	2/15/2009
Triple H	Edge + 4 Men	Seattle, Wash.	2/15/2009	4/26/2009
Randy Orton	Triple H + 4 Men	Providence, R.I.	4/26/2009	6/7/2009
Batista	Randy Orton	New Orleans, La.	6/7/2009	6/9/2009
Randy Orton	3 Men	Charlotte, N.C.	6/15/2009	9/13/2009
John Cena	Randy Orton	Montreal, Canada	9/13/2009	10/4/2009
Randy Orton	John Cena	Newark, N.J.	10/4/2009	10/25/2009
John Cena	Randy Orton	Pittsburgh, Pa.	10/25/2009	12/13/2009
Sheamus	John Cena	San Antonio, Texas	12/13/2009	2/21/2010
John Cena	Sheamus + 4 Men	Saint Louis, Mo.	2/21/2010	2/21/2010
Batista	John Cena	Saint Louis, Mo.	2/21/2010	3/28/2010
John Cena	Batista	Glendale, Ariz.	3/28/2010	6/20/2010
Sheamus	Cena + 2 Men	Uniondale, N.Y.	6/20/2010	9/19/2010
Randy Orton	Sheamus + 4 Men	Rosemont, Ill.	9/19/2010	11/22/2010
The Miz	Randy Orton	Orlando, Fla.	11/22/2010	5/1/2011
John Cena	Miz + 1 Man	Tampa, Fla.	5/1/2011	7/17/2011
CM Punk	John Cena	Rosemont, Ill.	7/17/2011	8/14/2011
Alberto Del Rio	CM Punk	Los Angeles, Calif.	8/14/2011	9/18/2011
John Cena	Alberto Del Rio	Buffalo, N.Y.	9/18/2011	10/2/2011
Alberto Del Rio	Cena + 1 Man	New Orleans, La.	10/2/2011	11/20/2011
CM Punk	Alberto Del Rio	New York City, N.Y.	11/20/2011	1/27/2013
The Rock	CM Punk	Phoenix, Ariz.	1/27/2013	4/7/2013
John Cena	The Rock	East Rutherford, N.J.	4/7/2013	8/8/2013
Daniel Bryan	John Cena	Los Angeles, Calif.	8/18/2013	8/18/2013
Randy Orton	Daniel Bryan	Los Angeles, Calif.	8/18/2013	9/15/2013
Daniel Bryan	Randy Orton	Detroit, Mich.	9/15/2013	9/16/2013
Randy Orton	Daniel Bryan	Miami, Fla.	10/27/2013	4/6/2014
Daniel Bryan	Orton + 1 Man	New Orleans, La.	4/6/2014	6/9/2014
John Cena	7 Men	Boston, Mass.	6/29/2014	8/17/2014
Brock Lesnar	John Cena	Los Angeles, Calif.	8/17/2014	3/29/2015
Seth Rollins	Lesnar + 1 Man	Santa Clara, Calif.	3/29/2015	present

NOTES

In 1905, Hackenschmidt established himself as the de facto champ with his win over Jenkins.

In 1915, Joe Stecher was the first real successor to the throne following Gotch’s retirement.  Cutler and Schoenlein were not widely-accepted claimants.

In 1929, Gus Sonnenberg was stripped by all of the athletic commissions that went on to form the National Wrestling Association.  This was the start of Tom Packs’s (St. Louis, NWA) vs. Paul Bowser’s (AWA, Boston) promotional squabbles.  Sonnenberg remained AWA champ, but the commissions of the NWA had more power, territory, and recognition.  July 1st, 1929 is listed as an approximation of the stripping.

In 1930, Jim Londos  beat NYSAC Champion Dick Shikat for Shikat’s title.  From this, the NWA commissions recognized Londos as their champion too.  This made “The Golden Greek” the real world champion.

In 1936, Everett Marshall’s public recognition ceased because the NWA wanted to have a tournament to crown a champion.  September 1st, 1936 is an approximation of the reign’s end.

In 1937, John Pesek was given the NWA Title after being the only wrestler to pay to enter the tournament.  His recognition was withdrawn shortly later.  Pesek was a real badass, but the reign was a joke.  He didn’t win or lose the title in the ring.  September 13th, 1937 is an approximation of the reign’s end (in the public eye).

In 1937, Lou Thesz beat Marshall for the AWA (Boston) Championship.  It is uncertain but probable that the National Wrestling Association sanctioned this as well, retroactively.  It was for the Boston title in St. Louis (a NWA town!).  The NWA perhaps still recognized Pesek’s reign at this time, but Thesz was the man!

In 1938, Steve Casey was stripped of his mainstream recognition due to his affiliation and exclusivity with the AWA.  A bogus reason was given that Casey was “out of the country;” if only the Internet existed then!  Everett Marshall is awarded the NWA Title that had been taken from him two years prior.  Casey’s title end is approximated.

From Marshall in 1938 to Thesz in 1949, my lineage follows the old NWA’s official list.

In 1949 during Thesz’s reign, the National Wrestling Association and the new National Wrestling Alliance were consolidated.  The Association was losing ground to Sam Muchnick’s new Alliance before the merger.

From Thesz in 1949 to Flair in 1991, my lineage follows the new NWA’s official list.

In 1991, Flair’s conflict with NWA President Jim Herd came to a boil.  Flair left the Alliance and the Title for Vince McMahon’s WWF.  Succession is interrupted for the first time in 53 years.

In 1992, Ric Flair wins the WWF’s Royal Rumble match and the WWF Championship.  The WWF had been expanding since 1983 and this event seemed to shift fans’ interest in favor of the WWF Title.  “Real World Champion,” indeed!

From Flair in 1992 to present day, my lineage follows WWE’s official WWE Championship list, with one exception.  CM Punk was deemed to be an official champion in the summer of 2011.  Rey Mysterio’s and John Cena’s opposing reigns weren’t seen as the best; Punk’s is counted for that time.

This canon of world heavyweight champions may change with my philosophy someday.  However, I think pro wrestling is more fun with only one world champ at a time.  The title at the top means more.  Really, this is a list of the men who were the official champions of the top promotional entities of their days.

Even wrestlers in peak shape can have underlying health conditions, such as issues with their feet. Say if they have heel spurs, then they have to get more comfortable by getting one of the best shoes for heel spurs to protect your feet when outside of the ring.

I’m interested in what the MWR readers think of this.  Comment and let me know.

Real World Championship Fun Facts

• Sheamus is the third Irish champion, behind Danno O’Mahony and Steve Casey.
• Alberto Del Rio is the only Mexican champion.
• Giant Baba is the only Japanese champion.
• Saint Louis has the most title changes at 18.  New York City is in second with 11.  Thanks, Tom and Sam!
• Lou Thesz has the longest single reign ever at 2,805 days.
• Semi-related house cleaning: Georg Hackenschmidt’s name misses the “e” on purpose.  It’s pronounced “Gay-Org.”
• The 30’s were confusing and really difficult to research.
• Hulk Hogan clocks in at a mere 98 days.  His prime was during the wild 80’s, when Flair still had hold of the big belt.
• Bruno Sammartino isn’t on this list.  Neither is Verne Gagne.  They were beloved champions but never held #1.
• 72 Champions, 171 single reigns

All-Time Leaderboard

CHAMPION	COMBINED DAYS
Lou Thesz	4628
Ric Flair	3236
Joe Stecher	1959
Bill Longson	1925
Jim Londos	1847
Frank Gotch	1824
Harley Race	1799
Dory Funk	1563
Ed Lewis	1504
John Cena	1220
Gene Kiniski	1131
Georg Hackenschmidt	1065
Earl Caddock	1026
Pat O’Connor	903
Jack Brisco	866
Bret Hart	654
Randy Orton	609
Brock Lesnar	579
Buddy Rogers	573
Triple H	539
Steve Austin	529
CM Punk	462
Terry Funk	424
Dick Hutton	421
Shawn Michaels	396
Ray Steele	369
The Rock	367
Diesel	358
Stanislaus Zbyszko	346
Bronko Nagurski	344
Whipper Billy Watson	302
Kurt Angle	297
John Layfield	280
Yokozuna	280
Sandor Szabo	259
Danno O’Mahony	249
The Undertaker	232
Everett Marshall	229
Steve Casey	202
Sting	188
Gus Sonnenberg	178
Sheamus	161
The Miz	160
Randy Savage	149
Edge	139
Eddie Guerrero	133
Dusty Rhodes	107
Chris Jericho	98
Hulk Hogan	98
Wayne Munn	97
Sycho Sid	97
Bobby Managoff	84
Alberto Del Rio	84
The Big Show	78
Ricky Steamboat	76
Daniel Bryan	65
Ali Baba	62
Ron Garvin	62
Dick Shikat	54
Yvon Robert	51
Mankind	47
Jeff Hardy	42
Batista	37
Seth Rollins	36 as of 5/4/15
Rob Van Dam	22
Giant Baba	19
Kerry Von Erich	18
Mr. McMahon	6
Tommy Rich	4
Bob Backlund	3
Kane	1
John Pesek	0