List of TNA World Heavyweight Champions

Current champion Drew Galloway.

The TNA World Heavyweight Championship is a professional wrestling world heavyweight championship owned by the Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA) promotion. From June 2002 to May 2007, TNA used the NWA World Heavyweight Championship as their primary championship due to an agreement with the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA). On May 13, 2007, the NWA abruptly ended the arrangement and retrieved control of the NWA World Heavyweight Championship.[1] On the same night, TNA were set to host their annual Sacrifice pay-per-view (PPV) event, in which the NWA World Heavyweight Championship was to be defended by then-champion Christian Cage against Kurt Angle and Sting in a three-way match. Angle won the match and on the following episode of TNA's television program Impact! on May 17, was declared the new "TNA World Heavyweight Champion".[2][3] He was stripped of the championship later in the program, with Management Director Jim Cornette citing a problematic finish to the PPV match.[4] The ownership of the championship was decided on June 17, 2007 at TNA's Slammiversary PPV event in a King of the Mountain match involving Angle, Cage, A.J. Styles, Samoa Joe, and Chris Harris, which Angle won.[5]

Being a professional wrestling championship, the title is won via a scripted ending to a match or awarded to a wrestler because of a storyline. All title changes have occurred at TNA-promoted events; reigns that occurred on Impact Wrestling usually air on tape delay and as such are listed with the day the tapings occurred, rather than the air date. Angle holds the record for most reigns, with six. At 256 days, Bobby Roode's first reign is the longest in the title's history. Angle's first reign holds the record for shortest reign in the title's history at one day. The championship is currently held by Drew Galloway. Overall, there have been 36 reigns shared among 19 wrestlers, with four vacancies.

Title history

For a list of World Heavyweight Champions in TNA between 2002 and 2007, see List of NWA World Heavyweight Champions.

As of May 10, 2016.

# Order in reign history
Reign The reign number for the specific set of wrestlers listed
Event The event promoted by the respective promotion in which the titles were won
— Used for vacated reigns so as not to count it as an official reign
+ Indicates the current reign is changing daily
# Wrestler Reign Date Days held Location Event Notes Ref(s)
1 Kurt Angle 1 May 13, 2007 1 Orlando, Florida Sacrifice Angle defeated Sting and NWA World Heavyweight Champion Christian Cage in a three–way match to become the inaugural champion after NWA Executive Director Robert Trobich stripped Christian Cage of the NWA World Heavyweight Championship, and ended NWA's business relations with TNA earlier that day.[6] [2][7]
— Vacated — May 14, 2007 — Orlando, Florida TNA Impact! Angle was stripped of the championship due to a double–fall result of the three–way match at Sacrifice. This episode aired on tape delay on May 17, 2007. [3][4][6]
2 Kurt Angle 2 June 17, 2007 119 Nashville, Tennessee Slammiversary Angle defeated Samoa Joe, A.J. Styles, Christian Cage, and Chris Harris in a King of the Mountain match to win the vacant championship. After the event, Angle's reign and the vacancy were no longer recognized, and thus is viewed to be the start of the title's history. As of 2015, TNA counts Angle's previous reign to his credit without detailing why, thus giving loose recognition towards that reign. [5][8]
3 Sting 1 October 14, 2007 2 Duluth, Georgia Bound for Glory [9][10]
4 Kurt Angle 3 October 16, 2007 180 Orlando, Florida TNA Impact! This episode aired on tape delay on October 25, 2007. [11][12]
5 Samoa Joe 1 April 13, 2008 182 Lowell, Massachusetts Lockdown This was a six sides of steel cage match. [13][14]
6 Sting 2 October 12, 2008 189 Hoffman Estates, Illinois Bound for Glory [15][16]
7 Mick Foley 1 April 19, 2009 63 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Lockdown This was a six sides of steel cage match. [17][18]
8 Kurt Angle 4 June 21, 2009 91 Auburn Hills, Michigan Slammiversary This was a King of the Mountain match, also involving Samoa Joe, Jeff Jarrett, and A.J. Styles. [19][20]
9 A.J. Styles 1 September 20, 2009 211 Orlando, Florida No Surrender This was a five–way match also involving Sting, Matt Morgan and Hernandez. [21][22]
10 Rob Van Dam 1 April 19, 2010 113 Orlando, Florida TNA Impact! [23][24]
— Vacated — August 10, 2010 — Orlando, Florida TNA Impact! The title was vacated due to Rob Van Dam suffering a storyline injury. This episode aired on tape delay on August 19, 2010. [25][26]
11 Jeff Hardy 1 October 10, 2010 91 Daytona Beach, Florida Bound for Glory Hardy defeated Kurt Angle and Mr. Anderson in a three–way tournament final to win the vacant title. [27][28]
12 Mr. Anderson 1 January 9, 2011 35 Orlando, Florida Genesis [29][30]
13 Jeff Hardy 2 February 13, 2011 11 Orlando, Florida Against All Odds This was a ladder match. [31][32]
14 Sting 3 February 24, 2011 108 Fayetteville, North Carolina TNA Impact! This episode aired on tape delay on March 3, 2011. [33][34]
15 Mr. Anderson 2 June 12, 2011 29 Orlando, Florida Slammiversary [35][36]
16 Sting 4 July 11, 2011 27 Orlando, Florida Impact Wrestling This episode aired on tape delay on July 14, 2011. [37][38]
17 Kurt Angle 5 August 7, 2011 72 Orlando, Florida Hardcore Justice [39][40]
18 James Storm 1 October 18, 2011 8 Orlando, Florida Impact Wrestling This episode aired on tape delay on October 20, 2011. [41][42]
19 Bobby Roode 1 October 26, 2011 256 Macon, Georgia Impact Wrestling This episode aired on tape delay on November 3, 2011. [43][44]
20 Austin Aries 1 July 8, 2012 98 Orlando, Florida Destination X Aries voluntarily vacated the X Division Championship in exchange for a TNA World Heavyweight Championship title shot at the event. [45][46]
21 Jeff Hardy 3 October 14, 2012 147 Phoenix, Arizona Bound for Glory [47][48]
22 Bully Ray 1 March 10, 2013 130 San Antonio, Texas Lockdown This was a steel cage match. [49][50]
23 Chris Sabin 1 July 18, 2013 28 Louisville, Kentucky Impact Wrestling: Destination X Sabin voluntarily vacated the X Division Championship in exchange for a TNA World Heavyweight Championship title shot at the event. [51]
24 Bully Ray 2 August 15, 2013 66 Norfolk, Virginia Impact Wrestling: Hardcore Justice This was a steel cage match. [52]
25 A.J. Styles 2 October 20, 2013 9 San Diego, California Bound for Glory This was a no–disqualifications match. [53]
— Vacated — October 29, 2013 — — — TNA President Dixie Carter announced via Twitter that Styles had been stripped of the title due to a contract dispute. Styles continued to carry around the championship belt proclaiming himself champion in the storyline. [54]
26 Magnus 1 December 3, 2013 128 Orlando, Florida Impact Wrestling: Final Resolution Defeated Jeff Hardy in a tournament final to win the vacant title. This was a Dixieland match which aired on tape delay on December 19, 2013. On the January 9, 2014 episode of Impact Wrestling (taped December 6, 2013), A.J. Styles returned claiming to be the legitimate TNA World Champion as he was never defeated for the title (though not recognized as such by TNA). Magnus defeated him later that night to become the undisputed champion. [55]
27 Eric Young 1 April 10, 2014 70 Orlando, Florida Impact Wrestling If Magnus had been counted out or disqualified he would have lost the title.
If anyone had interfered in the match they would have been fired.		 [56]
28 Lashley 1 June 19, 2014 91 Bethlehem, Pennsylvania Impact Wrestling If anyone besides MVP or Kenny King had interfered they would have been fired.
29 Bobby Roode 2 September 18, 2014 111 Bethlehem, Pennsylvania Impact Wrestling This episode aired on tape delay on October 29, 2014. Kurt Angle was the special guest referee.
30 Lashley 2 January 7, 2015 24 New York, New York Impact Wrestling
31 Kurt Angle 6 January 31, 2015 145 London, England Impact Wrestling This episode aired on tape delay on March 20, 2015.
32 Ethan Carter III 1 June 25, 2015 101 Orlando, Florida Impact Wrestling This episode aired on tape delay on July 1, 2015.
33 Matt Hardy 1 October 4, 2015 2 Concord, North Carolina Bound for Glory This was a three way match also involving Drew Galloway with Jeff Hardy as Special Guest Referee.
— Vacated — October 6, 2015 — — — Vacated due to a legal injunction filed by Ethan Carter III as part of the storyline. [57]
34 Ethan Carter III 2 January 5, 2016 3 Bethlehem, Pennsylvania Impact Wrestling Carter defeated Matt Hardy in the finals of the TNA World Title Series to win the vacant title. [58]
35 Matt Hardy 2 January 8, 2016 67 Bethlehem, Pennsylvania Impact Wrestling Had Hardy not won, he would have left TNA. This episode aired on tape delay on January 19, 2016. [59]
36 Drew Galloway 1 March 15, 2016 56+ Orlando, Florida Impact Wrestling Galloway invoked his Feast or Fired title opportunity to challenge Hardy for the championship and win the title. [60][61]

Combined reigns

Record six-time champion: Kurt Angle.
Two-time champion Bobby Roode, whose first reign lasted 256 days - which is the longest in the title's history.

As of May 10, 2016.

† Indicates the current champion
Rank Wrestler No. of
reigns		 Combined days
1 Kurt Angle 6 608
2 Bobby Roode 2 367
3 Sting 4 326
4 Jeff Hardy 3 249
5 A.J. Styles 2 220
6 Bully Ray 2 196
7 Samoa Joe 1 182
8 Magnus 1 128
9 Lashley 2 115
10 Rob Van Dam 1 113
11 Ethan Carter III 2 104
12 Austin Aries 1 98
13 Eric Young 1 70
14 Matt Hardy 2 69
15 Mr. Anderson 2 64
16 Mick Foley 1 63
17 Drew Galloway † 1 56+
18 Chris Sabin 1 28
19 James Storm 1 8

See also

References

  1. ↑ "NWA/Trobich strips TNA/Cage/Team 3D of NWA branded Championships". National Wrestling Alliance. Retrieved 2011-02-04.
  2. 1 2 Sokol, Chris (2007-05-14). "World title picture muddied after good Sacrifice". SLAM! Sports: Wrestling. Canadian Online Explorer. Retrieved 2011-02-04.
  3. 1 2 Sokol, Chris (2007-05-17). "Impact: Making sense of the title situation". SLAM! Sports: Wrestling. Canadian Online Explorer. Retrieved 2011-02-04. Mike Tenay and Don West hyped the show as the TNA Champion, Kurt Angle, made his way to the ring. Angle talked about finally winning the gold.
  4. 1 2 "Angle Stripped Of The TNA World Title". Total Nonstop Action. web.archive.org. 2007-05-20. Archived from the original on 2007-05-20. Retrieved 2011-02-05.
  5. 1 2 Clevett, Jason (2010-08-12). "TNA scores with Slammiversary". SLAM! Sports: Wrestling. Canadian Online Explorer. Retrieved 2011-02-04.
  6. 1 2 Caldwell, James (2007-05-18). "Caldwell's Impact report 5/17: Angle–Rhino, Daniels–Raven, blood, Gore, and Stomper". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved 2011-02-04. The fans chanted for Christian and Angle said he is the new TNA champion.
  7. ↑ Caldwell, James (2007-05-13). "Caldwell's Sacrifice PPV report 5/13: Ongoing "virtual time" coverage of live PPV". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved 2011-02-04.
  8. ↑ Caldwell, James (2007-06-17). "Caldwell's Slammiversary PPV report 6/17: Ongoing "virtual time" coverage of live PPV". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved 2011-02-04.
  9. ↑ Sokol, Chris (2007-10-14). "Angle gets stung at Bound For Glory". SLAM! Sports: Wrestling. Canadian Online Explorer. Retrieved 2011-02-04.
  10. ↑ Caldwell, James (2007-10-14). "Caldwell's TNA Bound for Glory PPV report 10/14: Ongoing "virtual time" coverage of live PPV". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved 2011-02-04.
  11. ↑ Sokol, Chris (2007-10-26). "Impact: Crowning a new old champion". SLAM! Sports: Wrestling. Canadian Online Explorer. Retrieved 2011-02-04.
  12. ↑ Keller, Wade (2007-10-26). "Keller's TNA Impact report 10/26: Sting vs. Angle, More Tournament, Team 3D vs. X Division". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved 2011-02-04.
  13. ↑ Sokol, Chris (2008-04-18). "TNA Lockdown:Joe captures gold". SLAM! Sports: Wrestling. Canadian Online Explorer. Retrieved 2011-02-04.
  14. ↑ Caldwell, James (2008-04-13). "Caldwell's TNA Bound for Glory PPV report 4/13: Ongoing "virtual time" coverage of Joe vs. Angle PPV". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved 2011-02-04.
  15. ↑ Sokol, Chris; Sokol, Bryan (2008-10-15). "Sting takes title at Bound for Glory". SLAM! Sports: Wrestling. Canadian Online Explorer. Retrieved 2011-02-04.
  16. ↑ Caldwell, James (2008-10-12). "Caldwell's TNA Bound for Glory PPV report 10/12: Ongoing "virtual time" coverage of live PPV". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved 2011-02-04.
  17. ↑ Sokol, Chris; Sokol, Bryan (2009-04-20). "TNA's lackluster Lockdown". SLAM! Sports: Wrestling. Canadian Online Explorer. Retrieved 2011-02-04.
  18. ↑ Caldwell, James (2009-04-19). "Caldwell's TNA Bound for Glory PPV report 4/19: Ongoing "virtual time" coverage of all-cage PPV – Sting vs. Foley". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved 2011-02-04.
  19. ↑ Sokol, Bryan; Sokol, Chris (2010-08-12). "TNA Slammiversary shocks and surprises". SLAM! Sports: Wrestling. Canadian Online Explorer. Retrieved 2011-02-04.
  20. ↑ Caldwell, James (2009-06-21). "Caldwell's TNA Slammiversary PPV report 6/21: Ongoing "virtual time" coverage of King of the Mountain PPV". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved 2011-02-04.
  21. ↑ Kapur, Bob (2010-08-12). "AJ Styles wins title at No Surrender". SLAM! Sports: Wrestling. Canadian Online Explorer. Retrieved 2011-02-04.
  22. ↑ Caldwell, James (2009-09-20). "Caldwell's TNA No Surrender PPV report 9/20: Ongoing "virtual time" coverage of Kurt Angle vs. Sting vs. Matt Morgan vs. A.J. Styles". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved 2011-02-04.
  23. ↑ Tylwalk, Nick (2010-04-20). "Impact: RVD gets an instant title shot and a big TNA star makes his return". SLAM! Sports: Wrestling. Canadian Online Explorer. Retrieved 2011-02-04.
  24. ↑ Wilkenfeld, Daniel (2010-04-19). "Wilkenfeld's TNA Impact report 4/19: Ongoing "virtual time" coverage of Spike TV broadcast–Whole F'n New Champion". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved 2011-02-04.
  25. ↑ Bishop, Matt (2010-08-20). "TNA Impact: RVD stripped of title; EV2.0, Fortune continue to battle". SLAM! Sports: Wrestling. Canadian Online Explorer. Retrieved 2011-02-04.
  26. ↑ Wilkenfeld, Daniel (2010-08-19). "Wilkenfeld's TNA Impact report 8/19: Ongoing "virtual time" coverage of Spike TV broadcast". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved 2011-02-04.
  27. ↑ Bishop, Matt (2010-10-15). "Bound For Glory: Hogan, Bischoff, Jarrett behind 'they' as Hardy wins title in shocker". SLAM! Sports: Wrestling. Canadian Online Explorer. Retrieved 2011-02-04.
  28. ↑ Caldwell, James (2010-10-10). "Caldwell's TNA Bound for Glory PPV results 10-10-10: Ongoing "virtual time" coverage of live PPV – Angle vs. Anderson vs. Hardy, "they" reveal". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved 2011-02-04.
  29. ↑ Sokol, Bryan (2011-01-28). "Genesis: Hardy arrives, Hardy falls". SLAM! Sports: Wrestling. Canadian Online Explorer. Retrieved 2011-02-04.
  30. ↑ Caldwell, James (2011-01-09). "Caldwell's TNA Genesis PPV results 1/9: Ongoing "virtual time" coverage of live PPV – Morgan vs. Anderson #1 contender, four title matches, RVD mystery opponent". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved 2011-02-04.
  31. ↑ Kapur, Bob (2011-02-14). "Hardy regains title at so–so Against All Odds". SLAM! Sports: Wrestling. Canadian Online Explorer. Retrieved 2011-02-19.
  32. ↑ Caldwell, James (2011-02-13). "Caldwell's TNA Against All Odds PPV results 2/13: Ongoing "virtual time" coverage of live PPV – Anderson vs. Hardy, Genesis re-matches, fluid X Division situation". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved 2011-02-13.
  33. ↑ Bishop, Matt (2011-03-04). "Impact: Sting returns, wins title". SLAM! Sports: Wrestling. Canadian Online Explorer. Retrieved 2011-07-15.
  34. ↑ Caldwell, James (2011-03-03). "Caldwell's TNA Impact report 3/3: Ongoing "virtual–time" coverage of Impact on Spike TV – Hogan, wedding, 3/3/11 reveal, Tag Title match, retirement match, celebrities". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved 2011-03-03.
  35. ↑ Bishop, Matt (2011-06-16). "Slammiversary delivers TNA's best PPV effort of year". SLAM! Sports: Wrestling. Canadian Online Explorer. Retrieved 2011-06-29.
  36. ↑ Caldwell, James (2011-06-12). "Caldwell's TNA Slammiversary PPV results 6/12: Ongoing "virtual time" coverage of live PPV – Sting vs. Anderson, Angle vs. Jarrett blow-off". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved 2011-06-12.
  37. ↑ Bishop, Matt (2011-07-15). "Impact: Sting is champion again". SLAM! Sports: Wrestling. Canadian Online Explorer. Retrieved 2011-07-15.
  38. ↑ Keller, Wade (2011-07-14). "Keller's TNA Impact report: Ongoing live coverage of Destination X fallout, Mr. Anderson vs. Sting". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved 2011-07-14.
  39. ↑ Kapur, Bob (2011-08-07). "Hardcore Justice: Angle wins, TNA viewers don't". SLAM! Sports: Wrestling. Canadian Online Explorer. Retrieved 2011-10-21.
  40. ↑ Caldwell, James (2011-08-07). "Caldwell's TNA Hardcore Justice PPV results 8/7: Ongoing "virtual time" coverage of live PPV - Sting vs. Angle, five title matches, BFG Series matches". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved 2011-08-07.
  41. ↑ Bishop, Matt (2011-10-21). "Impact: Storm upsets Angle to claim first world title". SLAM! Sports: Wrestling. Canadian Online Explorer. Retrieved 2011-10-21.
  42. ↑ Caldwell, James (2011-10-20). "Caldwell's TNA Impact Wrestling report 10/20: Complete "virtual-time" coverage Bound for Glory fall-out, TNA World Title match". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved 2011-10-21.
  43. ↑ Bishop, Matt (2011-11-04). "Impact: Roode betrays Storm, wins title". SLAM! Sports: Wrestling. Canadian Online Explorer. Retrieved 2011-11-04.
  44. ↑ Keller, Wade (2011-11-03). "Keller's TNA Impact Wrestling report 11/3: Ongoing live coverage of Storm defending against Roode". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved 2011-11-03.
  45. ↑ Bishop, Matt (2012-07-08). "Simply the best: Aries stuns Roode to win TNA world title at Destination X". SLAM! Sports: Wrestling. Canadian Online Explorer. Retrieved 2012-07-09.
  46. ↑ Caldwell, James (2012-07-08). "Caldwell's TNA Destination X PPV results 7/8: Ongoing "virtual time" coverage of live PPV - Roode vs. Aries, new X Division champion, Angle vs. Joe". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved 2012-07-08.
  47. ↑ Pollock, John (2012-10-15). "Hardy back on top at Bound For Glory". SLAM! Sports: Wrestling. Canadian Online Explorer. Retrieved 2012-10-15.
  48. ↑ Caldwell, James (2012-10-14). "Caldwell's TNA Bound for Glory PPV results 10/14: Ongoing "virtual time" coverage of live PPV - Aries vs. Hardy, Storm vs. Roode". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved 2012-10-14.
  49. ↑ Bishop, Matt (2013-03-11). "Bully Ray wins TNA title, turns on Hogans at Lockdown". Canoe.ca. Retrieved 2013-03-13.
  50. ↑ "CALDWELL'S TNA LOCKDOWN PPV RESULTS 3/10: Live, in-person coverage from San Antonio - Hardy vs. Ray TNA Title match, Lethal Lockdown, more".
  51. ↑ "CALDWELL'S TNA IMPACT RESULTS 7/18: Complete "virtual-time" coverage of "Destination X" Impact - TNA Title main event, BFG Series, three X Division qualifying matches, more".
  52. ↑ "CALDWELL'S TNA IMPACT RESULTS 8/15: Complete "virtual-time" coverage of "Hardcore Justice" Impact - TNA Title cage match, BFG Series matches, more".
  53. ↑ Caldwell, James. "CALDWELL'S TNA BFG PPV RESULTS 10/20 (Hour 3): Styles vs. Bully for the TNA Title, Sting vs. Magnus". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved 2013-10-20.
  54. ↑ Caldwell, James. "TNA NEWS: Halloween Impact tonight - TNA Title announcement, PPV re-matches, Abyss, SPOILER link". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved 2013-10-29.
  55. ↑ Caldwell, James. "CALDWELL'S TNA IMPACT RESULTS 12/19: Complete "virtual-time" coverage of "Final Resolution" Impact - Tournament Finals, Angle vs. Roode, Feast or Fired reveal, more". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved 2013-12-19.
  56. ↑ Caldwell, James. "CALDWELL'S TNA IMPACT RESULTS 4/10: Complete "virtual-time" coverage of Orlando Impact - new TNA World champion". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved 2014-04-11.
  57. ↑ "Exclusive: Matt Hardy Makes A Shocking Announcement". YouTube. Retrieved 2015-10-06.
  58. ↑ McMahon, Mike. "1/5 TNA Impact – MCMAHON’S Complete Report on Pop debut". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved 10 January 2016.
  59. ↑ http://www.pwinsider.com/article/98897/major-major-tna-spoiler.html?p=1
  60. ↑ Caldwell, James. "New TNA Hvt. champion determined on TNA Impact". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved 15 March 2016.
  61. ↑ Boutwell, Josh. "TNA Impact Wrestling Results - 3/15/16 (The Era of Galloway)". wrestleview.com. Retrieved 16 March 2016.

External links

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