Date established June 6, 1996 Date won February 21, 2009 Most reigns Takao Omori (3) | Current champion(s) Keith Walker First champion(s) Jonnie Stewart | |
Promotion Wrestling Superstars Live | ||
The WSL World Heavyweight Championship is a professional wrestling world heavyweight championship in the Wrestling Superstars Live promotion. It was originally known as the AWA Superstars of Wrestling World Heavyweight Championship.
Contents
History
In 1996, Dale Gagne and his associate Jonnie Stewart, former American Wrestling Association (AWA) employees, filed corporate papers to license the AWA name in the state of Minnesota and formed an organization known as AWA Superstars of Wrestling. In April 2007 World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) filed a lawsuit against Dale Gagner and Jonnie Stewart, citing trademark infringement, as WWE owned all American Wrestling Association properties due to their purchase after the AWA's closure.
In October 2008, the court ruled that although Gagne and Stewart had licensed the AWA in the state of Minnesota, they had never filed for a federal trademark and ruled in favor of WWE. The court ruling prohibits Gagne and his associate from exploiting or trading on the AWA name or any other derivatives. As a result, the organization was renamed to Wrestling Superstars Live. Due to there being no connection to the American Wrestling Association, Wrestling Superstars Live championship reigns are recognized from 1996 and forward.
Current champion
The current recognized WSL World Heavyweight Champion is Keith Walker. He defeated Rick Landell on February 21, 2009.
Title history
* Wrestling Superstars Live considers Zbyszko's reign before and his reign after his loss to Brian Logan to be one continuous reign.
† Unofficial title changes not recognized by Wrestling Superstars Live.