AWA WORLD TITLE
James Monosso – Blood, Sweat, And Tears – September 3rd, 2012 – New Orleans, Louisiana – 267 day reign
The Madman From Happy Valley became the first man to wear the AWA World Heavyweight Title when he defeated AWA original and two-time National Champion, “Hotshot” Stevie Scott in the Finals of an epic sixty-four man tournament. Monosso’s split from his manager, Percy Childes, and the Unholy Alliance, won the crowd to his side during the tournament making him an unlikely hero as the title was wrapped around his waist.
Calisto Dufresne – Memorial Day Mayhem – May 27th, 2013 – Corpus Christi, Texas – 186 day reign
With James Monosso physically becoming more and more broken down with every title defense and Calisto Dufresne ever the opportunist, the Ladykiller used a steel chair over the skull of a injured Monosso to become the second man to wear the World Title and the first man to hold the AWA World Title, AWA National Title, and AWA National Tag Team Titles in his career.
Dave Bryant – SuperClash V – November 28th, 2013 – Dallas, Texas – 0 day reign
Riding an incredible hot streak that took the World Television Champion through The Chase For The Clash tournament, Dave Bryant entered the American Airlines Center with a chance to erase the memories of the years he spent out of the sport or on the fringes of the business trying to make it back to the big leagues. After a grueling battle with the World Champion, Bryant unveiled the Iron Crab – his new submission hold – and forced Dufresne to give up his cherished title belt. However…
Supreme Wright – SuperClash V – November 28th, 2013 – Dallas, Texas – 180 day reign
…mere moments after Dave Bryant had shocked the world, Supreme Wright decided to shock it again. Carrying his newly-won Steal The Spotlight guaranteed title match in his pocket, Wright informed Bryant (and the rest of the viewing audience) that for the first time ever, the title match was under “anywhere, anytime” rules. Wright instantly cashed in the title opportunity on an exhausted Bryant, winning the title in a matter of moments in a surprising and opportunistic fashion.
Dave Bryant (2) – Memorial Day Mayhem – May 26th, 2014 – Gainesville, Florida – 89 day reign
Controversy reigned at the event many have called the “Gainesville Gyp” when crooked official Marty Meekly called for the bell when Supreme Wright was trapped in Dave Bryant’s Iron Crab submission hold. The submission appeared to never happen yet Bryant was awarded the championship presumably by order of the infamous Wise Men.
Supreme Wright (2) – All-Star Showdown – August 22nd, 2014 – San Francisco, California – 98 day reign
With new AWA President Percy Childes in charge, Bryant faced overwhelming odds in taking on Wright for the title one last time. Ultimately, those odds were too much for him as interference by Brad Jacobs directly led to Wright winning the title for the second time.
Ryan Martinez – SuperClash VI – November 27th, 2014 – New York, New York – 444 day reign
The AWA’s White Knight led a team to vanquish the threat of the Wise Men in the summer and won the Rumble as well, leaving just one thing left to cap off 2014 – the AWA World Heavyweight Title. After a brutal near-hour long battle, Martinez emerged victorious, winning his first World Title and bringing hope to AWA fans around the world.
Johnny Detson – Saturday Night Wrestling – February 13th, 2016 – Las Vegas, Nevada
With Ryan Martinez left laying at the hands of Juan Vasquez, Johnny Detson cashed in a “Anywhere, Anytime” title shot granted to him by the AWA President at an opportune time. One Wilde Driver later and we had a brand new World Heavyweight Champion.
AWA WORLD TAG TEAM TITLES
The Blonde Bombers – March 3rd, 2013 – Oklahoma City, Oklahoma – 271 day reign
The Stampede Cup tournament in March of 2013 had the usual prizes but with one very special addition – the AWA World Tag Team Titles. Having returned to the AWA at SuperClash IV, the new Blonde Bombers of Brad Jacobs and Kenny Stanton rode a wave of momentum into the Cup, defeating the team of Ryan Martinez and Gunnar Gaines in the Finals. They later went on to unify the World Tag Team Titles with the National Tag Team Titles at Memorial Day Mayhem.
Skywalker Jones & Hercules Hammonds – SuperClash V – November 28th, 2013 – Dallas, Texas – 248 day reign
After one of the most successful years on record for a tag team, the Blonde Bombers walked into SuperClash V facing a team that was using Skywalker Jones’ Steal The Spotlight contract to challenge for the titles in a rematch of a thrilling battle between the two teams at the Stampede Cup earlier in the year. A spectacular rematch followed but in the end, Jones and Hammonds were able to make the score 1-1 between these two teams with a title-claiming victory.
The Lights Out Express – Saturday Night Wrestling – August 2nd, 2014 – Phoenix, Arizona – 43 day reign
By hook or by crook, the Lights Out Express were determined to capture the World Tag Team Titles after failing on more than one occasion and on this night – backed by the power of the Wise Men – they accomplished exactly that.
Air Strike – Homecoming – September 13th, 2014 – Dallas, Texas – 190 day reign
Fresh off the Battle of Los Angeles which saw the Wise Men defeated and disbanded, their troops were knocked off their game heading into Dallas, Texas for another Homecoming event. On this night, the popular duo of Cody Mertz and Michael Aarons were able to overcome, defeating Anderson, Strong, and White and rocketing themselves into the upper echelon of tag teams in the world of professional wrestling.
The Lights Out Express (2) – Saturday Night Wrestling – March 21st, 2015 – Dallas, Texas – 78 day reign
With Air Strike physically and mentally exhausted from their grueling schedule as the Double Crown Tag Team Champions, the Lights Out Express took advantage of a hot-tempered Michael Aarons who agreed to defend the titles against Anderson and Strong AFTER already defending them the same night against the War Pigs. Even with the odds stacked against them, Mertz and Aarons seemed to be on their way to victory when outside interference from Donnie White in the form of a Flying Mohawk cost the popular duo the tag titles and made Aaron Anderson and Lenny Strong the first-ever two-time World Tag Team Champions.
Violence Unlimited – Saturday Night Wrestling – June 6th, 2015 – Kansas City, Missouri – 174 day reign
The match was set – Air Strike vs the Lights Out Express for the World Tag Team Titles… until Mertz and Aarons were assaulted in the back, left too injured to challenge for the titles. The over-confident L.O.E. made an open challenge… and boy, did they regret that. Danny Morton and Jackson Haynes, fresh off the plane from Japan, steamrolled the two-time tag team champions and won the AWA World Tag Team Titles for the very first time.
Air Strike (2) – SuperClash VII – November 26th, 2015 – Houston, Texas – 80 day reign
In what many believed would be the final encounter between two of the greatest tag teams in modern wrestling, Michael Aarons and Cody Mertz regained their titles in a war of attrition that saw both Jackson Haynes and Cody Mertz injured by the end of the brutal encounter. Air Strike had plenty to be thankful for on that Thanksgiving night in Houston though as they became only the second team to hold the World Tag Team Titles on two occasions.
Wes Taylor and Tony Donovan – Saturday Night Wrestling – February 13th, 2016 – Las Vegas, Nevada – 108 day reign
Wes Taylor and Tony Donovan took advantage of a handful of injuries suffered by arguably the most popular tag team in AWA history to capture the AWA World Tag Team Titles, sending Cody Mertz and Michael Aarons out of the AWA at the same time.
Jack and Travis Lynch – Memorial Day Mayhem – May 30th, 2016 – Seattle, Washington – 13 day reign
With Calisto Dufresne sidelined due to injury, Travis Lynch seemed to be facing overwhelming odds when he took on Taylor and Donovan for the World Tag Team Titles… until the surprise return of his big brother, Jack Lynch, to stand by his side. The shocking surprise threw Taylor and Donovan off their game and when all was said and done, the Iron Cowboy was wearing AWA tag team gold for the second time.
Wes Taylor and Tony Donovan (2) – Saturday Night Wrestling – June 11th, 2016 – Calgary, Alberta, Canada
The brothers from Texas saw their long-awaited reign come to a crashing halt when the AWA ventured to Canada for the very first time. Controversy swirled around the end of the match but the record book shows Taylor and Donovan regained championship gold in the Great White North.
AWA NATIONAL TITLE
Marcus Broussard – Memorial Day Mayhem – May 24th, 2008 – Ft. Worth, Texas – 57 day reign
The San Jose Shark became the first ever AWA National Champion at the inaugural Memorial Day Mayhem by defeating Mark Shaw in the finals of a tournament. Broussard earned his spot in the finals by defeating Ron Houston and earning a forfeit win over Rick Marley due to injuries while Shaw earned his with victories over Kenta Kitzukawa and Tumaffi. Broussard won the toughly-fought tournament final with a rolling reverse cradle – the same hold taught to him by his longtime friend “The Natural” Adam Rogers.
Ron Houston – Saturday Night Wrestling – July 19th, 2008 – Dallas, Texas – 98 day reign
The Athens, Georgia Madman avenged his Memorial Day Mayhem loss to Broussard by challenging – and defeating – the San Jose Shark on this edition of SNW. The wily Broussard seemed on the verge of retaining the title on several occasions but ultimately, Houston’s Fade To Black was the difference-maker in this one, scoring the East Coast Terror the ultimate victory.
Kolya Sudakov – Non-Televised Arena Event – October 24th, 2008 – San Antonio, Texas – 254 day reign
The circumstances surrounding the title change were bizarre at best. It began with Ron Houston asking Adam Rogers to be his partner in the upcoming National Tag Team Title tournament. Rogers accepted – but also decided to cash in his earned National Title match as well. The match was set for later in the night but never took place as Mark Shaw assaulted Rogers and took him out of the match. Houston’s response? An open challenge to anyone in the locker room – a challenge that Kolya Sudakov was quick to accept. The Russians assaulted Houston before the bell, breaking his right arm, and ultimately making him easy prey for the Russian War Machine.
Stevie Scott – Death Or Glory – July 4th, 2009 – Jackson, Mississippi – 253 day reign
It was supposed to be a glorious night for AWA fans at Death Or Glory when “Hotshot” Stevie Scott battled for his country’s honor against the evil Russian, Kolya Sudakov but what resulted was far, far different when Scott betrayed his good friend and tag team partner, Sweet Daddy Williams and aligned himself with the devious Ben Waterson en route to bashing Sudakov over the skull with a steel briefcase and capturing the AWA National Title. What should have been a joyous celebration was instead one of the most shocking moments in AWA history.
Juan Vasquez – The Main Event – March 13th, 2010 – University Park, Texas – 14 day reign
It was a long-awaited triumph on the AWA’s second anniversary show when Juan Vasquez finally put down the Southern Syndicate’s Stevie Scott to become the fifth man to wear the AWA National Title. The two hated rivals battered each other with all of their signature moves only for an inside cradle off a bodyslam attempt to spell the difference in crowning a new champion.
Stevie Scott (2) – Saturday Night Wrestling – March 27th, 2010 – Dallas, Texas – 244 day reign
Never without a plan, the Southern Syndicate took over SNW on this fateful night in Dallas, prompting Juan Vasquez to offer a rematch – one final match between Stevie Scott and Vasquez for the National Title. The Southern Syndicate was quick to accept and with Brian Von Braun given the role of special enforcer, the match seemed certain to go the champion’s way… until Southern Syndicate chicanery reared its head once more and Stevie Scott used a handful of tights to become the first two-time AWA National Champion.
Juan Vasquez – SuperClash II – November 25th, 2010 – Dallas, Texas – 222 day reign
The stakes were never higher for a match in the American Wrestling Alliance. Juan Vasquez put himself in the ultimate predicament by guaranteeing that if he did not win the National Title, he’d walk away from the AWA. Stevie Scott and the Southern Syndicate were determined to make that happen… or were they? After a grueling battle, Vasquez pulled a fast one – appearing to align himself with Ben Waterson and capturing the title. However, after the match, the truth was revealed and Vasquez betrayed Waterson to show that he’d used the mastermind to help bring down his own empire.
Calisto Dufresne – Wrestlerock – July 4th, 2011 – Durham, North Carolina – 264 day reign
Ever the opportunist, when a plot unfolded to physically decimate Juan Vasquez during his title defense against an unmasked Marcus Broussard, Calisto Dufresne was right there to pick up the pieces. A shocking return capped off by a Wham, Bam, Thank You Ma’am saw the Ladykiller claim the National Title for the first time.
Mark Langseth – Non-Televised Arena Event – March 23, 2012 – Westwego, Louisiana – 1 day reign
Never one to be outdone, with the aid of his Royalty allies Dave Cooper and Joe Petrow, Mark Langseth followed one of the most controversial title changes in AWA history with THE most controversial title change. In a night referred to as The Westwego Incident, a suspended Langseth took advantage of weather issues, an inexperienced crew, and a depleted talent roster in the building to snatch the title away from Dufresne and run off into the night with it. This incident would lead to the National Title being abandoned by the AWA and the start of the historic World Title Tournament.
Title Revived – SuperClash VI – November 27th, 2014 – New York, New York
As a “thank you” to the AWA for honoring the EMWC at SuperClash, Chris Blue bought back the National Title from Mark Langseth and returned it to the AWA. The title was to be put up for grabs in the first-ever Brass Ring Tournament in early 2015.
Rob Driscoll – Saturday Night Wrestling – March 21st, 2015 – Dallas, Texas – 148 days
With the return of the National Title, “Diamond” Rob Driscoll outlasted seven other competitors to grab the brass ring and capture the gold by defeating Travis Lynch (with the aid of a returning Miss Sandra Hayes) in the Finals of the tournament.
Travis Lynch – Saturday Night Wrestling – August 15th, 2015 – Portland, Oregon
On a wild night in Portland, an early show encounter between Travis Lynch and Miss Sandra Hayes resulted in Hayes giving Lynch a title shot later in the night. Rob Driscoll, who had previously won the right to refuse any more Lynch title shots, was livid upon arriving to the building but was stuck between a rock and a hard place and took the match. After a hard-fought battle, Travis Lynch FINALLY put down “Diamond” Rob to capture the National Title. A rematch would certainly have been on the horizon but a post-match temper tantrum from Driscoll saw him assault a referee with a steel chair and end up permanently barred from the AWA.
AWA LONGHORN HERITAGE TITLE/AWA WORLD TELEVISION TITLE
Nenshou – SuperClash II – November 25th, 2010 – Dallas, Texas – 283 day reign
The mysterious Asian Assassin became the first Longhorn Heritage Champion by surviving a tournament to crown the champion – defeating the legendary Brent Maverick in the Finals at the AWA’s biggest event of the year. Maverick seemed on the verge of victory as he went for his trademark Acey Deucy when Nenshou raked the eyes and toppled him for a three count with a moonsault.
Robert Donovan – The Stampede Cup Night One – September 3rd, 2011 – Atlanta, Georgia – 176 day reign
Robert Donovan’s goal when he walked into the AWA in the summer of 2010 was to wear the Longhorn Heritage Title. As one of the only men who had competed in the LWC still active, Donovan believed that title rightfully belonged to him and the sight of a man like Nenshou and Percy Childes holding it made him physically ill. After failing to win the title at WrestleRock, Donovan got a rematch at the Cup – this time under Laredo Street Fight rules. The battle was fierce and violent but this time, it was Donovan overcoming the younger and more athletic champion to claim the gold for himself.
Rex Summers – All Star Showdown – February 25th, 2012 – Dallas, Texas – 94 day reign
Rex Summers’ world revolves around gold so when he lost his precious PCW World Title belt to Travis Lynch on a late Saturday night in February of 2012, he kicked a plan into overdrive – a plan to take advantage of the champion’s pride, honor, and soft spot for the company he once fought for. Rex Summers came to the ring following a Robert Donovan title defense and laid out an immediate challenge for the title. Donovan accepted and actually seemed on the verge of victory when “Agent To The Stars” Ben Waterson interfered, smashing Donovan over the head with his metal briefcase which led directly into Summers’ Heat Check double arm DDT and a new champion being crowned.
Glenn Hudson – Memorial Day Mayhem – May 28th, 2012 – Fort Smith, Arkansas – 132 day reign
When the arrogant Rex Summers agreed to defend his title in the first round of the World Title Tournament against a man who had not competed in a ring in several years, many thought Summers had it in the bag. But those “many” did not know Glenn Hudson. The former “Bullywug” shocked the world that night in Arkansas with a stunning upset, eliminating Summers from the tournament AND taking his title in the process.
Dave Bryant – Homecoming – October 6th, 2012 – Dallas, Texas – 295 day reign
The Doctor of Love got himself into a Winner Takes All situation at Homecoming in 2012. A failure to capture the Longhorn Heritage Title would result in him also being forced to leave the AWA – losing his last shot at making a late-career comeback in the big leagues. Armed with a loaded right hand, Bryant would knock Hudson out cold with one punch and in the process would spark a feud that would dominate this title for the next year highlighted by a show stealing Ladder Match at SuperClash IV in Los Angeles. Shortly after the Ladder Match, Bryant would re-christen the title as the World Television Title – a move agreed to by the AWA.
Glenn Hudson (2) – Saturday Night Wrestling – July 27th, 2013 – Tupelo, Mississippi – 15 day reign
Dave Bryant and Glenn Hudson met once again on this hot night in Mississippi after Bryant was pinned by Hudson in a six man tag team match and agreed to an impromptu title defense. Hudson brought the offense at a fast and furious pace on this night and shocked the world by snatching the Television Title off Bryant’s waist with barely any time remaining in the time limit.
Dave Bryant (2) – Saturday Night Wrestling – August 10th, 2013 – Memphis, Tennessee – 162 day reign
With the time limit waived, Bryant and Hudson collided just two weeks after Hudson’s title victory, determined to settle their issue once and for all. The issue was settled… although not the way Hudson had envisioned as he was defeated by his arch-rival after over twenty-five minutes of action and then brutally assaulted by the group known as Royalty. Bryant would later come back to save his foe from Royalty but not before they managed to break Hudson’s ankle and sideline him indefinitely.
VACANT – Saturday Night Wrestling – January 18th, 2014 – Dallas, Texas
Faced with the controversial loss of his World Title at SuperClash V, Dave Bryant elected to vacate the World Television Title so that he could pursue Supreme Wright and the World Championship.
Alphonse Green – Saturday Night Wrestling – February 1st, 2014 – Dallas, Texas – 99 day reign
With the vacant title on the line, the King of the Battle Royals survived a twenty man Open Invitational Battle Royal alongside Ryan Martinez. The two went on to compete in a hard-fought singles match that came to an end when Martinez was setting up for his patented Brainbuster only to be plucked into a small package by the fiesty leader of Gang Green, bringing championship gold around Green’s waist for the very first time.
Ryan Martinez – Saturday Night Wrestling – May 10th, 2014 – Dallas, Texas – 85 day reign
In what would become Alphonse Green’s last AWA match for some time due to injury, the leader of Gang Green came up short against the man he defeated for the vacant title a few months earlier, giving the AWA’s White Knight his first taste of AWA championship gold.
Johnny Detson – Saturday Night Wrestling – August 2nd, 2014 – Phoenix, Arizona – 20 day reign
With the power of the Wise Men behind him, Johnny Detson set up Ryan Martinez for a gigantic fall in Phoenix when Martinez first defended against Mr. Sadisuto… then against Tony Sunn… and finally again Detson who was able to put his future rival away for the one-two-three to steal Martinez’ first piece of AWA championship gold right from around his waist.
Tony Sunn – All-Star Showdown – August 22nd, 2014 – San Francisco, California – 98 day reign
Determined to strike a blow for the good guys, Tony Sunn walked into hostile territory in San Francisco with the Wise Men stacking the odds against him. But he ultimately overcame those odds, forcing Detson to submit in the middle of the ring and claiming the World Television Title – the first domino to fall in the reign of power of the Wise Men.
Shadoe Rage – SuperClash VI – November 27th, 2014 – New York, New York – 365 day reign
The veteran, Shadoe Rage, climbed into the ring in Madison Square Garden determined to walk away with his first AWA title. Tony Sunn, however, wanted to make his first SuperClash a memorable one. Only one could get their way and it turned out to be Rage who hit Sunn so hard with a running knee to the head that we STILL haven’t seen the fan favorite. That Sunn has set and the sun rose with the reign of the new champion underway.
Supernova – SuperClash VII – November 26th, 2015 – Houston, Texas
After battling over the World Television Title for much of 2015, Supernova finally caught Shadoe Rage in a match with no time limit at SuperClash, ending the one year title reign of Rage by forcing him to pass out in the clutches of the Solar Flare in the middle of the ring.
Retired Championships
AWA NATIONAL TAG TEAM TITLES (defunct)
Kentucky’s Pride – Black Friday Beatdown – November 28th, 2008 – Dallas, Texas – 367 day reign
The legendary duo of City Jack and Tin Can Rust became the first tag team to wear the AWA National Tag Team Titles around their waist when they survived a sixteen team tournament, besting their rivals – Calisto Dufresne and Adrian Freeman – in the Finals to claim the gold when they used their Dark And Bloody Ground maneuver on Freeman for the victory.
Calisto Dufresne & Adrian Freeman – SuperClash I – November 29th, 2009 – Dallas, Texas – 133 day reign
Kentucky Pride’s year-long title reign came to a startling conclusion at the AWA’s biggest event of the year when their longtime enemies FINALLY got the best of them. But as momentous as the title change was, Dufresne’s disgusting actions in throwing fire into the injured eye of City Jack was just as newsworthy. This act would ultimately sideline Jack for nearly an entire year – a year that the Ladykiller spent gloating at every opportunity.
The Bishop Boys – Saturday Night Wrestling – April 10th, 2010 – Dallas, Texas – 150 day reign
Dufresne and Freeman’s reign was short-lived as a new force was tearing their way through the tag team division. Suddenly with the support of the fans after being betrayed by Ben Waterson at the The Stampede Cup, the Bishops shocked the world on this edition of SNW by mowing over the National Champions to claim the title belts.
Rough N Ready – Battle On The Bayou – September 6th, 2010 – New Orleans, Louisiana – 377 day reign
Since Day One in the AWA, Dave Cooper and Eric Matthew Somers were the team that many had expected would one day wear the National Tag Team Titles but by hook or by crook, the titles seemed to elude them. On this night, they made certain that would not happen by putting the AWA’s Executive Consultant, Joe Petrow, under their employ to ensure the titles would end up around their waists after a wild brawl raged throughout the entire building.
Violence Unlimited – SNW: Homecoming – September 17th, 2011 – Dallas, Texas – 69 day reign
Rough N Ready had held the National Tag Team Titles for over a year when they walked into the Crockett Coliseum for Homecoming to face a team they knew was their greatest challenge. Violence Unlimited had chased the titles for just about a year at this point, winning the 2010 Stampede Cup Tournament in the process. But time and time again, RNR avoided defending the titles against them. Not this time. With no help from Joe Petrow or Mark Langseth possible, RNR gave it all they had but in the end, Jackson Haynes and Danny Morton were triumphant in a bloody battle in becoming the National Tag Team Titles.
James & Jack Lynch – SuperClash III – November 24th, 2011 – Southaven, Mississippi – 187 day reign
In a rematch from their epic showdown in the finals of the 2011 Stampede Cup, it was a match for the ages pitting the last two Stampede Cup champions against one another in battle. It was a hard-fought matchup with both teams coming close to victory on several occasions but it was untimely interference from the returning former National Tag Team Champions, The Bishop Boys, that ultimately cost Danny Morton and Jackson Haynes their treasure.
The Bishop Boys (2) – Memorial Day Mayhem – May 28th, 2012 – Fort Smith, Arkansas – 365 day reign
Ever the thinker, Cousin Bo took advantage of a situation where the AWA suddenly found themselves without a Tag Team Title match at MDM, offering the Bishops up as a replacement. A brutal attack on James Lynch followed, essentially leaving Jack Lynch to defend the titles in a handicap match. The attempt was valiant but ultimately failed, allowing the Bishops to become the first team in AWA history to wear the titles twice.