The GCW Heavyweight Championship is the major title in the Georgia Championship Wrestling professional wrestling promotion. It started in 1964 and was unified in 1981 with the NWA National Heavyweight Championship.

The title was picked back up in 1998 by NWA Georgia, which became NWA Wildside in September 1999 when it merged with National Championship Wrestling. Along with this change, the championship became known as the NWA Wildside Heavyweight Championship. The title continued until Wildside ceased operations on April 30, 2005.

In 2012, NWA Action (later renamed NWA Atlanta) picked up the title and restored its original name. Cru Jones won the reactivated title by defeating Steve Stiles on June 23, 2012, in Stockbridge, Georgia, and vacated it in 2013. It was either unified with the Atlanta Heavyweight Championship in June 2015 or retired in February 2016.

Under the resurrection of Georgia Championship Wrestling, an announcement was made that the Georgia Heavyweight Championship would be revived and a new champion crowned on April 24, 2021.

In May 2025, Georgia Championship Wrestling was rebranded as Georgia Classic Wrestling, although through the name change the titles remained active.

Title history

Names NameTime of useNWA Georgia Heavyweight ChampionshipFebruary 5, 1963 – September 9, 1981NWA Wildside Heavyweight ChampionshipSeptember 1999 – April 30, 2005NWA Georgia Heavyweight ChampionshipJune 23, 2012 – June 15, 2017GCW Georgia Heavyweight ChampionshipApril 24, 2021 – present

Reigns WrestlerCountDateLocationNotesNWA Georgia Heavyweight ChampionshipJohn Mauldin * 11938 Reported on an Atlanta program in July 1938 as having "recently" retired as champion.Choo-Choo Lynn 1February 5, 1963Recognized in Macon.Honey Boy Hannigan 1July 23, 1963 Macon, GAChoo-Choo Lynn 2 July 30, 1963Macon, GADick the Bruiser 1March 24, 1964Sputnik Monroe1August 9, 1964Atlanta, GADon Fargo1September 25, 1964Atlanta, GASputnik Monroe2October 16, 1964Atlanta, GAMario Galento1November 13, 1964Atlanta, GABuddy Fuller1May 28, 1965Atlanta, GALouie Tillet1May 27, 1966Buddy Fuller2June 17, 1966Atlanta, GAEl Mongol1February 24, 1967Atlanta, GANick Kozak1March 17, 1967Atlanta, GAEl Mongol2April 7, 1967Atlanta, GABuddy Fuller3April 28, 1967Atlanta, GAEl Mongol3June 16, 1967Atlanta, GATim Woods1July 11, 1967Atlanta, GAEl Mongol4July 18, 1967Atlanta, GATim Woods2August 11, 1967Atlanta, GAEl Mongol5September 8, 1967Atlanta, GABobby Shane1September 29, 1967El Mongol6October 10, 1967Atlanta, GATim Woods3May 3, 1968Atlanta, GAWins a title under a mask calling himself the Big O; Unmask on May 24, 1968.The Big O1May 10, 1968Atlanta, GATarzan Tyler1June 14, 1968Atlanta, GAThe Professional1August 23, 1968Atlanta, GAThe Big O2November 8, 1968Atlanta, GAHeld upNovember 29, 1968Atlanta, GAAfter a match against with The Professional.The Professional2December 6, 1968Atlanta, GADefeated Valentine in a rematch to win vacant title.Dale Lewis1December 27, 1968Atlanta, GAEl Mongol7February 7, 1969Atlanta, GAAssassin #11March 21, 1969El Mongol8April 15, 1969Atlanta, GAThe Professional3May 16, 1969Atlanta, GAPaul DeMarco1June 21, 1969Atlanta, GAJoe Scarpa1September 19, 1969Atlanta, GAPaul DeMarco2October 3, 1969Atlanta, GAThe Professional4November 28, 1969Atlanta, GAVacatedFebruary 18, 1970After The Professional was injured.Assassin #21March 13, 1970Atlanta, GADefeated Joe Scarpa in an 8-man tournament final to win the vacant title.Nick Bockwinkel1April 17, 1970Atlanta, GAPaul DeMarco3July 17, 1970Atlanta, GANick Bockwinkel2July 24, 1970Atlanta, GABuddy Colt1September 4, 1970Atlanta, GAFred Blassie1November 13, 1970Atlanta, GABuddy Colt2November 20, 1970Atlanta, GARay Gunkel1November 27, 1970Atlanta, GAVacatedNovember 30, 1970When Buddy Colt and Homer O'Dell file an appeal.El Mongol9February 5, 1971Atlanta, GADefeated Nick Bockwinkel in a 14-man tournament final to win the vacant title.Buddy Colt3June 18, 1971Atlanta, GA Ray Gunkel2July 20, 1971Atlanta, GABuddy Colt4January 1972El Mongol10January 25, 1972Buddy Colt5April 8, 1972Griffin, GARoberto Soto1May 5, 1972VacatedNovember 1972When Soto jumps to the All South Wrestling Alliance.Mr. Wrestling II1March 2, 1973Atlanta, GADefeated Sputnik Monroe in a 16-man tournament final to win the vacant title.Bill Watts1May 11, 1973Atlanta, GAMr. Wrestling II2July 13, 1973Bill Watts2July 21, 1973Atlanta, GAStrippedAugust 17, 1973After Watts deliberately gets disqualified in a defense against Mr. Wrestling II.Mr. Wrestling II3August 31, 1973Defeated Watts in a rematch to win the title.Bill Watts3November 2, 1973Atlanta, GARon Fuller1December 21, 1973Atlanta, GAMr. Wrestling II4January 11, 1974Atlanta, GABuddy Colt6July 5, 1974Atlanta, GAMr. Wrestling II5August 30, 1974Atlanta, GAHarley Race1September 13, 1974Atlanta, GADon Muraco1September 21, 1974Held UpOctober 4, 1974After match with Buddy Colt.Luke Graham1October 8, 1974Atlanta, GAWon a tournament to win the vacant title.Buddy Colt7October 11, 1974Atlanta, GAWon a battle royal to win the title.Held upNovember 15, 1974Atlanta, GAIn a following match against Rocky Johnson.Rocky Johnson1December 6, 1974Atlanta, GADefeated Colt in a rematch.Abdullah the Butcher1February 21, 1975Atlanta, GAMr. Wrestling II6July 4, 1975Atlanta, GAAbdullah the Butcher2July 11, 1975Atlanta, GAToru Tanaka1August 7, 1975Atlanta, GAMike McCord1September 16, 1975Nikolai Volkoff1September 23, 1975Atlanta, GAMr. Wrestling II7October 3, 1975Atlanta, GAThe Spoiler1November 27, 1975Atlanta, GADusty Rhodes1January 30, 1976Atlanta, GAThe Spoiler2February 6, 1976Atlanta, GADick Slater1August 20, 1976Atlanta, GAMr. Wrestling II8October 26, 1976Columbus, GADick Slater2November 25, 1976Columbus, GAPaul Jones1April 15, 1977Dick Slater3June 4, 1977Mr. Wrestling II9July 22, 1977Stan Hansen1November 16, 1977Mr. Wrestling II10January 25, 1978Stan Hansen2February 6, 1978StrippedMay 20, 1978When attacking the referee after a match with Mr. Wrestling II.Angelo Mosca1June 9, 1978Atlanta, GAWon a one night 14-man tournament to win the vacant title.StrippedSeptember 23, 1978After a match with Thunderbolt Patterson.Mr. Wrestling II11October 16, 1978Augusta, GADefeated Stan Hansen in a one night 6-man tournament final. Masked Superstar1December 4, 1978Augusta, GAWahoo McDaniel1May 14, 1979Augusta, GAMasked Superstar2July 30, 1979Augusta, GAWahoo McDaniel2August 17, 1979Augusta, GAVacatedAugust 18, 1979After double pin in a match with Masked Superstar.Killer Karl Kox1August 24, 1979Augusta, GADefeats Bob Armstrong in a one night 14-man tournament final.Tommy Rich1October 26, 1979Atlanta, GAMasked Superstar3December 7, 1979Atlanta, GAMr. Wrestling II12January 12, 1980Atlanta, GAAustin Idol2March 29, 1980Atlanta, GABaron von Raschke1June 8, 1980Atlanta, GASteve Keirn1August 11, 1980Dennis Condrey1September 8, 1980Tony Atlas1October 24, 1980Atlanta, GAVacatedApril 1981When Tony Atlas leaves Georgia.Tommy Rich2May 17, 1981Atlanta, GADefeated Greg Valentine in a tournament final to win the vacant title.Ken Patera1June 12, 1981Atlanta, GATommy Rich3August 9, 1981Atlanta, GADefeated Masked Superstar to win the vacant title when Patera leaves the area after a dispute with booker Ole Anderson.Masked Superstar4September 12, 1981Atlanta, GARetiredSeptember 13, 1981Atlanta, GAUnified with the NWA National Heavyweight Championship.Billy Black1June 1, 1998Awarded the title when it is revived by NWA Georgia.Lord Humongous1February 25, 1999Loganville, GASilky Boom Boom1April 5, 1999Loganville, GAFrenchy Riviera1May 6, 1999Loganville, GASilky Boom Boom2June 2, 1999Conyers, GABart Sawyer1June 27, 1999Stockbridge, GAVacatedOctober 1999NWA Wildside Heavyweight Championship.Rick Michaels1October 14, 1999Loganville, GALast eliminated Dusty Dotson in a Mega Rumble match to win the vacant title.VacatedJanuary 2000Rukkus1February 5, 2000Cornelia, GAWon the title in a Mega Rumble match.Stone Mountain1April 15, 2000Cornelia, GADefeated Mark E. Mark, who subbed for Rukkus.Prince Justice1May 5, 2001Cornelia, GAScott Wrenn1September 1, 2001Cornelia, GARick Michaels2October 19, 2001Cornelia, GAA.J. Styles1December 22, 2001Cornelia, GADavid Young1March 23, 2002Cornelia, GADefeated Styles and Rick Michaels in a three-way elimination match.Jason Cross1June 1, 2002Cornelia, GAAdam Jacobs1June 29, 2002Cornelia, GAWon a gauntlet steel cage match, last eliminating A.J. Styles.David Young2August 2, 2002Cornelia, GADefeated John Phoenix when Jacobs no-showed.Iceberg1September 22, 2002Cornelia, GAHotstuff Hernandez1July 5, 2003Cornelia, GAOnyx1October 25, 2003Cornelia, GAJason Cross2September 4, 2004Cornelia, GARay Gordy1December 4, 2004Cornelia, GAOnyx2December 4, 2004Cornelia, GARainman1March 26, 2005Cornelia, GADefeated Onyx and Ray Gordy in a three-way match.Onyx3April 30, 2005Cornelia, GAFinal champion.RetiredApril 30, 2005Cornelia, GAWhen NWA Wildside closes.NWA Georgia Heavyweight Championship.Cru Jones1June 23, 2012Stockbridge, GADefeats Steve Stiles to be recognized by NWA Action when title is revived.VacatedSeptember 2013Andy Anderson1October 26, 2013Stockbridge, GADefeats Pain in 32-man tournament final.Tyson Dean1December 14, 2013Griffin, GAOdinson1April 25, 2015Griffin, GA Tommy Too Much1June 27, 2015Stockbridge, GAMike Pain1August 13, 2016Dudley, GALogan Creed1October 1, 2016Columbus, GA Damien Wayne1July 15, 2017Columbus, GA GCW Georgia Heavyweight ChampionshipTerry Lawler1April 24, 2021Buckhead, GA Shawn Hunter1July 24, 2021Buckhead, GACharlie Anarchy1April 30, 2022Buckhead, GAChop Top1July 30, 2022Buckhead, GAHunter James 1March 25, 2023Buckhead, GATerry Lawler 2September 30, 2023Buckhead, GASean Nelson 1November 30, 2024Buckhead, GANick Halen1June 28,2025Buckhead, GATerry Lawler3March 28,2026Buckhead, GA

See also Georgia Championship Wrestling National Wrestling Alliance NWA Wildside

References

External links Wrestling-Titles.com