Following the name of the champion(s): Indicates the number of times the wrestler has held that title at that point.
[...]
Indicates a gap in the listing where title changes are not known.
*
If used next to the names of the wrestlers, they may, in fact, not have held the title in the period indicated. If used next to the dates or places, either they are possibly wrong or the title changes are fictitious.
<
Title was held or changed hands no later than this. In these cases, it is known that a wrestler held the title at a certain time but not when he/she won it.
+
Broadcast date; the actual recording date is unknown.
@
Order uncertain. Different titleholders may be known for the same year, for example, but it is not known who held the title before whom.
#
Unofficial or disputable claims. These are usually matches that certainly took place, but where there is doubt that the wrestler shown should be recognized as a true title holder. These listings are also italicized in HTML files
Has defeated Dick Shikat on 30-06-06 in Philadelphia, PA to be recognized as world champion by the state athletic commissions of New York and Pennsylvania; has also been recognized by NWA since 31-09-30; recognized in Southern California from 32-03 when Lewis moves to the east coast (although Lewis defends his title once again on 32-03-30 in Los Angeles, CA); recognition withdrawn in 33-04 when the Los Angeles promoter Lou Daro switches his affiliation from NWA to Jack Curley's group.
Has defeated Ed "Strangler" Lewis on 33-02-20 in New York, NY to be recognized as world champion by the state athletic commissions of New York and Pennsylvania; recognized as champion in Los Angeles, CA from 33-05.
Suspended by the California Athletic Commission when Londos fails to appear for the scheduled title defense against Chielf Little Wolf on 35-02-27; recognition officially withdrawn in Los Angeles in
35-05 for failure to enter an international tournament.
Has won the world title, defeating Ali Baba on 36-06-12 in Newark, NJ; defeats Lopez on 36-08-19 to end the dispute temporarily; loses to Dean Detton on 36-09-28 in Philadelphia, PA but continues to be recognized in California when the state commission does not recognize the title switch due to the match being one-fall (The Los Angeles Times, 36-10-01).
Vincent Lopez [2]
1936-09-30
Los Angeles, CA
Recognition dropped on 36-10-10 by the California commission which recognizes Dean Detton for defeating Dave Levin on 36-09-28 in Philadelphia, PA (The Los Angeles Times, 36-10-11).
Officially recognized by the California commission for defeating Dave Levin on 36-09-28 in Philadelphia, PA (The Los Angeles Times, 36-10-11); Lopez is scheduled to challenge Detton on 36-10-28 in Los Angeles, CA but is injured on 36-10-24 by Kimon Kudō (The Los Angeles Times, 36-10-26) who substitutes in the title match and loses; Detton retains the title against Lopez in Los Angeles, CA on 37-02-24 and 37-03-03.
Declared as champion when Londos no-shows his scheduled defense against Szabo; recognition withdrawn in 41-01 when Londos is reinstated as the champion; defeats Bobby Managoff on 41-01-08 in Los Angeles, CA to become the challenger for Londos' title.
Reinstated as the champion; defeats Sandor Szabo on 41-02-12 in Los Angeles, CA to retain the title.
Rube Wright #
1942-08-19
Los Angeles, CA
Defeats Swedish Angel in tournament final; promoted as a tournament to replace Jim Londos as World champion; however, the State Commission refuses to recognize Wright as World champion; starts claiming California state title by 43-01 instead (or Wright simply starts claiming the state title); also billed as Pacific Coast Title; recognized as world champion in New York.
Again claims the title in California; recognition most likely withdrawn by the California commission in late 46-10 when George Becker, holder of the Pacific Northwest version, is recognized in the state (see below).
Wins when Thesz cannot continue due to a
back injury; loses to Thesz by DQ on 57-07-24 in Montreal, QC but continues to be recognized by the NWA; NWA withdraws his title claim on 57-08-25 when his manager and Montreal
promoter Eddie Quinn leaves the NWA; officially recognized
as world champion in Los Angeles in 59-10 by the North American Wrestling Alliance for being the top contender who has met the most title claimants, including Thesz.
