NWA bringing back title held by Harley Race, Randy Savage and Jeff Jarrett

The National Wrestling Alliance is dipping back to the past to bring forth the return of the NWA Mid-America Heavyweight Championship at the Back to the Territories television taping on June 1 in Knoxville, TN.

The Mid-America Heavyweight Championship was introduced in 1957. Buddy Rogers won the inaugural title belt. Dutch Mantel holds the record with 13 reigns. Jerry Lawlor has the record for duration with 343 days. The championship has been held by a list of legends including Harley Race, Randy Savage, Jeff Jarrett, and more.

In 1988, the championship went by the wayside. The NWA provided some historical context in the press release:

The last NWA Mid-America champion was Jerry “The King” Lawler. The belt was eventually folded into the Championship (nee, Continental) Wrestling Association heavyweight title during a late-‘80s power struggle to dominate the Tennessee, Alabama and Kentucky promotional territories. Prior to that, though, it served as one of the most prestigious titles throughout the Southern U.S.

Nearly 40 years later, the NWA is resurrecting the Mid-America Heavyweight Championship. Now, you might be wondering what’s the purpose of adding another title to the mix? The NWA currently has nine championships in rotation for the men and women divisions.

The Mid-America Heavyweight Championship will be focused more for use in the expanding territory system. Joe Galli explained, “With the NWA’s growing territory partnerships, it seems only appropriate to have a title defended throughout those promotions with national ranking implications. And that will be the NWA Mid-America Championship.” The new champ will be crowned at the appropriately named Back to the Territories event.

Share your reaction to the news of more gold within the NWA. What memories do you have of the Mid-America Heavyweight Championship?