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
Officially recognized as the world champion by NAWA for being the top contender who has met the most title claimants, including the NWA world champion Lou Thesz whom Carpentier has defeated on 57-06-14 in Chicago, IL.
Wins when doctor rules Carpentier is unable to continue in 3rd fall; NAWA is renamed WWA in 61; continues be billed as NAWA title in San Bernardino, CA until 64.
Defeats Blassie again 62-04-13 in Tōkyō, JPN; however, Blassie is again recognized as champion in California on 62-06-04 when NAWA "reviewed his complaints and returned his crown Monday" (Independent, Long Beach, CA, 62-06-05); Rikidōzan continues to hold the title in Japan.
Toyonobori defeats Graham by DQ in a unification match on 65-09-08 in Los Angeles, CA, but the title is returned to Graham due to DQ; Graham defeats Toyonobori on 65-09-20 in Los Angeles, CA.
WWA joins NWA in 68-10; Brazil retires the title on 68-12-11 in order to challenge the NWA champion Gene Kiniski; Brazil and Kiniski wrestle to a draw on 68-12-18 in Los Angeles, CA.
