IWCCW Heavyweight Championship
Encyclopedia
The ICW / IWCCW Heavyweight Championship was the top singles championship of International World Class Championship Wrestling
between 1984 and 1995 where IWCCW closed down operations. Since the ICW/IWCCW championships were not given "world title status" by Pro Wrestling Illustrated
, this championship was seen as a regional championship, although it was considered the top singles championship of the promotion.
Initially ICW’s main title was the WWC Universal Heavyweight Championship
, through a talent exchange program and a close working relationship between ICW and WWC
the Universal Title was promoted in the New England area as the main ICW title without ever mentioning the WWC name, nor was it presented as a title owned by ICW. When the arrangement came to an end in 1985 a specific “ICW Heavyweight Championship” was created with the lineage of the WWC Universal title during the time of the working relationship.
In 1993 the then champion Tony Atlas
along with a number of IWCCW wrestlers left the company leaving the title vacant and only used sporadically between 1993 and 1995 where the promotion closed.
means “No later than”
International World Class Championship Wrestling
International World Class Championship Wrestling was an independent professional wrestling promotion based in Boston, Massachusetts. It was promoted by Angelo Savoldi and his sons Mario, Tom, and Joseph Savoldi....
between 1984 and 1995 where IWCCW closed down operations. Since the ICW/IWCCW championships were not given "world title status" by Pro Wrestling Illustrated
Pro Wrestling Illustrated
Pro Wrestling Illustrated is a professional wrestling magazine. PWI is currently based in Blue Bell, Pennsylvania and published by Kappa Publishing Group.-History:The first issue of Pro Wrestling Illustrated was released in 1979...
, this championship was seen as a regional championship, although it was considered the top singles championship of the promotion.
Initially ICW’s main title was the WWC Universal Heavyweight Championship
WWC Universal Heavyweight Championship
The WWC Universal Heavyweight Championship is a professional wrestling world heavyweight championship and the top title contested for in the Puerto Rican professional wrestling promotion, the World Wrestling Council. The championship was established in July 1982, as the WWC World Heavyweight...
, through a talent exchange program and a close working relationship between ICW and WWC
World Wrestling Council
The World Wrestling Council is one of Puerto Rico's two main professional wrestling promotions, the other one being the International Wrestling Association....
the Universal Title was promoted in the New England area as the main ICW title without ever mentioning the WWC name, nor was it presented as a title owned by ICW. When the arrangement came to an end in 1985 a specific “ICW Heavyweight Championship” was created with the lineage of the WWC Universal title during the time of the working relationship.
In 1993 the then champion Tony Atlas
Tony Atlas
Anthony White better known by his ring name "Tony Atlas" is an American bodybuilder, powerlifter, and professional wrestler who has held multiple titles and championships in each sport. He is also known by his bodybuilding title, "Mr...
along with a number of IWCCW wrestlers left the company leaving the title vacant and only used sporadically between 1993 and 1995 where the promotion closed.
Title history
[…] Means champion lineage is uncertain at this period in timemeans “No later than”
| Wrestler: | Times: | Date: | Location: | Notes: |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carlos Colón Carlos Colón Carlos Colón may refer to:*Carlos Colón, Sr., wrestler*Carly Colón, wrestler whose real name is Carlos Colón, son of the above*The Deadlines' lead guitarist, Carlos Colón... |
1 | 1984 | Carlos Colón was the WWC Universal Heavyweight Champion when ICW was founded and recognized as the first champion to represent ICW. | |
| Dory Funk, Jr. Dory Funk, Jr. Dory Ernest Funk Jr. known professionally as Dory Funk, Jr. is a professional wrestler and wrestling trainer. He is the son of Dory Funk Sr. and brother of Terry Funk. He is credited with the invention of the Texas cloverleaf submission hold and runs the Funking Conservatory, a professional... |
1 | February 27, 1985 | Bangor, ME Bangor, Maine Bangor is a city in and the county seat of Penobscot County, Maine, United States, and the major commercial and cultural center for eastern and northern Maine... |
This marked the first (and, to date, only) time that the WWC Universal Heavyweight Championship WWC Universal Heavyweight Championship The WWC Universal Heavyweight Championship is a professional wrestling world heavyweight championship and the top title contested for in the Puerto Rican professional wrestling promotion, the World Wrestling Council. The championship was established in July 1982, as the WWC World Heavyweight... changed hands outside of Puerto Rico. |
| Held up | May 18, 1985 | Bayamón, PR Bayamón, Puerto Rico Bayamón is a municipality of Puerto Rico located on the northern coastal valley, north of Aguas Buenas and Comerío; south of Toa Baja and Cataño; west of Guaynabo; and east of Toa Alta and Naranjito. Bayamón is spread over 11 wards and Bayamón Pueblo... |
Held up after a match against Carlos Colón. This marked the end of the ICW/WWC joint title lineage | |
| Joe Savoldi Joseph Savoldi Joseph Fornini, known by his ring name "Jumping" Joe Savoldi is an American professional wrestler and the son of wrestler Angelo Savoldi... |
1 | April 1, 1986 | Joe Savoldi is the first champion to be recognized as the “ICW Heavyweight Champion | |
| Phil Apollo Phil Apollo Phil Panos, known by his ringname Phil Apollo, is an American professional wrestler who competed in North American independent wrestling promotions including International World Class Championship Wrestling and World Class Championship Wrestling... |
1 | March 1, 1987 | Joe Savoldi | |
| Vacant | October 1, 1987 | Title is vacated when Phil Apollo leaves the promotion | ||
| Joe Savoldi | 2 | October 1, 1987 | Joe Savoldi wins a battle royal to claim the vacant title. | |
| Moondog Spike Moondog Spike Bill Smithson was a professional wrestler who wrestled as Moondog Spike during the early 1990s with Moondog Spot from 1991 to 1992 and Moondog Cujo from 1992 to 1993 as part of the Moondogs.-Career:... |
1 | 1988 | ||
| Joe Savoldi | 3 | 1988 | ||
| ”Lord” Jonathan Boyd Jonathan Boyd Jonathan Barry Boyle was an Australian professional wrestler who is known worldwide under the name "Lord" Jonathan Boyd. Initially Boyd competed both in North American and international promotions as part of the Royal Kangaroos with his cousin Norman Frederick Charles III... |
1 | December 28, 1988 | ||
| Joe Savoldi | 4 | January, 1989 | Presque Isle, ME | |
| Tony Atlas Tony Atlas Anthony White better known by his ring name "Tony Atlas" is an American bodybuilder, powerlifter, and professional wrestler who has held multiple titles and championships in each sport. He is also known by his bodybuilding title, "Mr... |
1 | February 11, 1989 | Presque Isle, ME | |
| Vic Steamboat | 1 | July 24, 1990 | Middletown, NY | |
| Tony Atlas | 2 | April 19, 1991 | S. China, ME | |
| Vacant | March 1, 1993 | Title is vacated when Tony Atlas leaves ICW. | ||
| Tito Santana Tito Santana Merced Solis better known by his ring name Tito Santana, is an American professional wrestler whose heyday spanned from the late 1970s to the early 1990s, though he continues to appear on the independent circuit. He is best known from his time in the World Wrestling Federation... |
1 | February 9, 1994 | Yardville, NJ | Defeats Greg Valentine Greg Valentine John Wisniski, Jr. is an American professional wrestler, better known as Greg "The Hammer" Valentine. He is the son of wrestler Johnny Valentine.-Training:... to win the vacant title |
| Greg Valentine Greg Valentine John Wisniski, Jr. is an American professional wrestler, better known as Greg "The Hammer" Valentine. He is the son of wrestler Johnny Valentine.-Training:... |
1 | March 3, 1995 | Orwigsburg, PA | |
| Koko B. Ware James Ware (wrestler) James Ware , better known by his ring name Koko B. Ware, is a retired American professional wrestler who made his professional wrestling debut in 1978. He gained most of his popularity in the World Wrestling Federation when he was known as the Birdman... |
1 | June 2, 1995 | Chattanooga, TN | Is awarded the title when Greg Valentine does not show for a scheduled title defence. |