Andrew wrote:The WWE title (RAW) actually has the most history. It dates back to the 60s while the World Heavyweight title dates back to 2002, not long after the brand split. I'd prefer it if the WWE title (but get rid of Cena's custom belt, that's run its course) was the lineage they continued.
World Heavyweight title was back in WCW and it goes further back to NWA
WWF History
The WWF got kicked off in the 1960's by Vince MacMahon's father (Vince McMahon Sr.) It is called the WWWF (WorldWide Wrestling Federation), and their style of wrestling is much different than the goofy style of today. There were no weird personalities (clowns, mounties, insane Iraqies, etc.) there were just normal guys in serious matches. But in the early 1980's, the federation was passed on to Vince Jr., and all that changed. He used a style of wrestling that was much more exiting and the WWF became world renound..... when it was started, the basis of it was centered around Hulk Hogan. The match where he faced the champion the Iron Shiek (who was an Olympic champion at the time) was probably the most know match of all-time. Hogan won and held the belt for a LONG time.....a few years...
In 1990 a Southeastern based Organization is formed an joined the National Wrestling Alliance. This Organization is known as World Championship Wrestling.
In 1991, with only several regional branches of the NWA still operating, WCW TV Announcers start to refer to the NWA World Title as the WCW World Title.
On March 21, 1991, Tatsumi Fujinami defeated Ric Flair in Tokyo, to win the NWA World Title. the WCW however disagreed with the NWA and started there own World Title and gave it to Ric Flair. They claimed Tatsumi should have been disqualified. This now made two Recognized World Titles within the NWA.
On May 19th,1991, Ric Flair defeated Tatsumi Fujinami in Florida to unify the two belts.
When Ric Flair joins the WWF on September 8 ane the unified title is stripped from him.
August 12, 1992, Masahiro Chono defeats Rick Rude in tournament to fill the vacant NWA/WCW World Titles. The Titles change hands several times throughout the next 11 Months.
July 18, 1993, Ric Flair after his return to the NWA/WCW defeats Barry Whindam for the NWA/WCW Unified Title.
Later that year in September, WCW withdrew from the NWA on an upcoming Pay- Per-View match between Ric Flair and Rick Rude. The result of this has the NWA no longer recognizing Ric Flair as its champion a. WCW then renames there title the WCW International title. It is then renamed back to the WCW World Title.
In March of 2001, World Wrestling Federation Entertainmen ("WWFE") aquired World Championship Wrestling from AOL/Time Werner, which is where we currently stand.
WCW History
Though The National Wrestling Alliance (which is the father of World Championship Wrestling) name itself did not come into existance untill it was officialy created in 1948. New information has shown that the NWA's roots far surpassed that. All the way to the early 19th Century. Where the first Organizaed Wrestling Organization existed in Lousiana. Abraham Lincoln the 16th President of the United States was one of the earliest champions.
The earliest known Title History of the NWA has been traced to 1877. When on Febuary 7th William Muldoon defeated French Champion, Christol, to win the World Greco-Roman Championship, this earned him the right to be named the World Wrestling Champion. The title chamged hands many times over the next 70 years.
Then on July 14th, in 1947, the National Wrestling Alliance was formed by several Wrestling promoters in North America. Although they run in different territhey all agree to work under the NWA Banner. The first NWA President is announced to be P.L. "Pinkie" George. Orville Brown, the reigning Midwest Wrestling Association World Heavyweight champion, is then known to be the first NWA World champion, as the MWA joines the NWA.
In 1990 a Southeastern based Organization is formed an joined the National Wrestling Alliance. This Organization is known as World Championship Wrestling.
In 1991, with only several regional branches of the NWA still operating, WCW TV Announcers start to refer to the NWA World Title as the WCW World Title.
On March 21, 1991, Tatsumi Fujinami defeated Ric Flair in Tokyo, to win the NWA World Title. the WCW however disagreed with the NWA and started there own World Title and gave it to Ric Flair. They claimed Tatsumi should have been disqualified. This now made two Recognized World Titles within the NWA.
On May 19th,1991, Ric Flair defeated Tatsumi Fujinami in Florida to unify the two belts.
When Ric Flair joins the WWF on September 8 ane the unified title is stripped from him.
August 12, 1992, Masahiro Chono defeats Rick Rude in tournament to fill the vacant NWA/WCW World Titles. The Titles change hands several times throughout the next 11 Months.
July 18, 1993, Ric Flair after his return to the NWA/WCW defeats Barry Whindam for the NWA/WCW Unified Title.
Later that year in September, WCW withdrew from the NWA on an upcoming Pay- Per-View match between Ric Flair and Rick Rude. The result of this has the NWA no longer recognizing Ric Flair as its champion a. WCW then renames there title the WCW International title. It is then renamed back to the WCW World Title.
In March of 2001, World Wrestling Federation Entertainmen ("WWFE") aquired World Championship Wrestling from AOL/Time Werner, which brought an end to the WWF vs. WCW era in sports entertainment