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The ECW World Heavyweight Championship is a professional wrestling world heavyweight championship in Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW) and currently WWE for Extreme (WWEFE or WWE). It was the original world title of the Extreme Championship Wrestling promotion, later used in WWE as the world title of the ECW brand and one of three in WWE, complementing the WWE Championship and World Heavyweight Championship. It was introduced as the NWA-ECW Heavyweight Championship on April 25, 1992. Originally a part of the Eastern Championship Wrestling promotion, while it was a member of the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) governing body. It was established as a world heavyweight championship in 1994 following the promotion's secession from the NWA. The promotion became Extreme Championship Wrestling and the title became the ECW World Heavyweight Championship. It remained active until April 11, 2001 when ECW was closed and WWE subsequently purchased its assets. WWE relaunched ECW as a WWE brand in April 2006 with the title being recommissioned and designated as the ECW brand's world title.

The championship is generally contested in professional wrestling matches, in which participants execute scripted finishes rather than contend in direct competition. All title changes have occurred at ECW or WWE—promoted events thus far. The inaugural champion was Jimmy Snuka, who defeated Salvatore Bellomo in a tournament final on April 25, 1992 to become the first NWA-ECW Heavyweight Champion. WWE, however, does not recognize NWA-ECW Heavyweight Championship reigns. Instead they recognize Shane Douglas' second reign, which originally began on March 26, 1994, but is recognized as starting on August 27, 1994—the same day the championship was renamed the ECW World Heavyweight Championship—as the inception of the title's history. The Sandman holds the record for most reigns, with five. At 406 days, Douglas' fourth reign is the longest in the title's history. Overall, there have been 49 reigns shared between 32 wrestlers, with one vacancy, and 2 deactivations.

Title history[]

Key
# Order in reign history
Reign The reign number for the specific set of wrestlers listed
Event The event in which the title was won
Used for vacated reigns so as not to count it as an official reign
N/A The information is not available or is unknown
+ Indicates the current reign is changing daily

Names[]

Name Years
NWA-ECW Heavyweight Championship 1992 — 1994
ECW World Heavyweight Championship 1994 — 2006
ECW World Championship 2006 — 2007
ECW Championship 2007 — 2010

Reigns[]

# Wrestlers Reign Date Days
held
Location Event Notes
1 Jimmy Snuka 1 01992-Template:MONTH-Template:0expr April 25, 1992 &00000000000000010000001 Mount Tabor, Pennsylvania Live event Snuka defeated Salvatore Bellomo in a tournament final to become the first NWA-ECW Heavyweight Champion. NWA-ECW Heavyweight Championship reigns are not recognized by World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE).
2 Johnny Hotbody 1 01992-Template:MONTH-Template:0expr April 26, 1992 &000000000000007900000079 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Live event
3 Jimmy Snuka 2 01992-Template:MONTH-Template:0expr July 14, 1992 &000000000000007800000078 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Live event
4 Don Muraco 1 01992-Template:MONTH-Template:0expr September 30, 1992 &000000000000004700000047 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Live event
5 The Sandman 1 01992-Template:MONTH-Template:0expr November 16, 1992 &0000000000000138000000138 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Live event
6 Don Muraco 2 01993-Template:MONTH-Template:0expr April 3, 1993 &0000000000000127000000127 Radnor, Pennsylvania Live event
7 Tito Santana 1 01993-Template:MONTH-Template:0expr August 8, 1993 &000000000000003200000032 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Live event
8 Shane Douglas 1 01993-Template:MONTH-Template:0expr September 9, 1993 &000000000000002300000023 Roanoke, Virginia Live event Douglas won the championship due to forfeit.
9 Sabu 1 01993-Template:MONTH-Template:0expr October 2, 1993 &000000000000008500000085 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Bloodfest: Part 2
10 Terry Funk 1 01993-Template:MONTH-Template:0expr December 26, 1993 &000000000000009000000090 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Holiday Hell (1993) This was a no disqualification match.
11 Shane Douglas 2 01994-Template:MONTH-Template:0expr March 26, 1994 &0000000000000385000000385 Devon, Pennsylvania Ultimate Jeopardy (1994) Douglas pinned Funk in an Ultimate Jeopardy match also involving, Mr. Hughes, Rocco Rock, Johnny Grunge, Road Warrior Hawk, Kevin Sullivan, and The Tazmaniac. On August 27, 1994, the title was renamed the ECW World Heavyweight Championship when Douglas relinquished the NWA World Heavyweight Championship. ECW leaves the NWA and is renamed Extreme Championship Wrestling. WWE recognizes the championship history beginning on August 27, 1994.
12 The Sandman 2 01995-Template:MONTH-Template:0expr April 15, 1995 &0000000000000196000000196 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Hostile City Showdown (1995)
13 Mikey Whipwreck 1 01995-Template:MONTH-Template:0expr October 28, 1995 &000000000000004200000042 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Live event This was a ladder match.
14 The Sandman 3 01995-Template:MONTH-Template:0expr December 9, 1995 &000000000000004900000049 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania December to Dismember (1995) This was a three way dance also involving Steve Austin.
15 Raven 1 01996-Template:MONTH-Template:0expr January 27, 1996 &0000000000000252000000252 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Live event
16 The Sandman 4 01996-Template:MONTH-Template:0expr October 5, 1996 &000000000000006300000063 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Ultimate Jeopardy (1996) The Sandman and Tommy Dreamer defeated Stevie Richards and Brian Lee in a tag team match. The Sandman gained the pinfall to win the championship after Raven failed to show for the event.
17 Raven 2 01996-Template:MONTH-Template:0expr December 7, 1996 &0000000000000127000000127 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Holiday Hell (1996) This was a barbed wire match.
18 Terry Funk 2 01997-Template:MONTH-Template:0expr April 13, 1997 &0000000000000118000000118 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Barely Legal
19 Sabu 2 01997-Template:MONTH-Template:0expr August 9, 1997 &00000000000000080000008 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Born to Be Wired This was a barbed wire match.
20 Shane Douglas 3 01997-Template:MONTH-Template:0expr August 17, 1997 &000000000000006000000060 Fort Lauderdale, Florida Hardcore Heaven (1997) This was a three way dance also involving Terry Funk.
21 Bam Bam Bigelow 1 01997-Template:MONTH-Template:0expr October 16, 1997 &000000000000004500000045 New York, New York Live event
22 Shane Douglas 4 01997-Template:MONTH-Template:0expr November 30, 1997 &0000000000000406000000406 Monaca, Pennsylvania November to Remember (1997)
23 Taz 1 01999-Template:MONTH-Template:0expr January 10, 1999 &0000000000000252000000252 Kissimmee, Florida Guilty as Charged (1999)
24 Mike Awesome 1 01999-Template:MONTH-Template:0expr September 19, 1999 &000000000000008900000089 Villa Park, Illinois Anarchy Rulz (1999) This was a three way dance also involving Masato Tanaka.
25 Masato Tanaka 1 01999-Template:MONTH-Template:0expr December 17, 1999 &00000000000000060000006 Nashville, Tennessee ECW on TNN
26 Mike Awesome 2 01999-Template:MONTH-Template:0expr December 23, 1999 &0000000000000112000000112 White Plains, New York ECW on TNN
27 Taz 2 02000-Template:MONTH-Template:0expr April 13, 2000 &00000000000000090000009 Indianapolis, Indiana ECW on TNN Taz had signed with the World Wrestling Federation following his title loss to Mike Awesome on September 19, 1999. However, Awesome unexpectedly signed with World Championship Wrestling in 2000 while still being champion. As a result, Paul Heyman and Vince McMahon arranged for Taz to return to ECW and defeat Awesome for title.
28 Tommy Dreamer 1 02000-Template:MONTH-Template:0expr April 22, 2000 &00000000000000000000000 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania CyberSlam (2000)
29 Justin Credible 1 02000-Template:MONTH-Template:0expr April 22, 2000 &0000000000000162000000162 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania CyberSlam (2000)
30 Jerry Lynn 1 02000-Template:MONTH-Template:0expr October 1, 2000 &000000000000003500000035 Saint Paul, Minnesota Anarchy Rulz (2000)
31 Steve Corino 1 02000-Template:MONTH-Template:0expr November 5, 2000 &000000000000006300000063 Villa Park, Illinois November to Remember (2000) This was a Double Jeopardy match also involving Justin Credible and The Sandman.
32 The Sandman 5 02001-Template:MONTH-Template:0expr January 7, 2001 &00000000000000000000000 New York, New York Guilty as Charged (2001) This was a Tables, Ladders, Chairs, and Canes match also involving Justin Credible.
33 Rhino 1 02001-Template:MONTH-Template:0expr January 7, 2001 &000000000000009300000093 New York, New York Guilty as Charged (2001)
Deactivated 02001-Template:MONTH-Template:0expr April 10, 2001 N/A N/A ECW filed for bankruptcy on April 4, 2001. World Wrestling Entertainment purchased its assets in 2003.
34 Refugee Mike 1 02006-Template:MONTH-Template:0expr June 6, 2006 &000000000000009800000098 Trenton, New Jersey ECW The title was revived by WWE for the ECW brand. Mike won the title by defeating Bobby Lashley in an Extreme Rules match.
Vacated 02006-Template:MONTH-Template:0expr September 12, 2006 N/A N/A Refugee Mike took a leave of absence, leaving the title vacant.
35 Refugee Matt 1 02006-Template:MONTH-Template:0expr September 30, 2006 &000000000000001900000019 Detroit, Michigan Saturday Night's Main Event Matt defeated Chris Hunter in a 60-minute Iron Man match to become the new champion.
36 Dana Shadows 1 02006-Template:MONTH-Template:0expr October 19, 2006 &000000000000005900000059 Raleigh, North Carolina No Mercy (2006) This was a Last Ride match.
37 Ashley Massaro 1 02006-Template:MONTH-Template:0expr December 17, 2006 &00000000000000010000001 Augusta, Georgia December to Dismember (2006) This was an Extreme Rules match. Ashley was the first woman to hold the title, or any WWE world championship.
Vacated 02006-Template:MONTH-Template:0expr December 18, 2006 Atlanta, Georgia RAW The championship is vacated due to Ashley retiring.
38 Dana Shadows 2 02006-Template:MONTH-Template:0expr December 26, 2006 &000000000000001400000014 Jacksonville, Florida ECW Dana defeated Misery and Lyn-Z in a Three Way Dance to win the vacant championship.
John Cena 02007-Template:MONTH-Template:0expr January 9, 2007 Seattle, Washington ECW Tnas John Cena Won championship
39 Shayla Darksyde 1 02007-Template:MONTH-Template:0expr January 16, 2007 &000000000000001200000012 Houston, Texas ECW Shayla defeated Raven, Matt Parker, Mayz Franchise, Apollo and Lyn-Z in an Elimination Chamber match to win the vacant championship.
40 Raven 3 02007-Template:MONTH-Template:0expr January 28, 2007 &0000000000000112000000112 San Antonio, Texas Royal Rumble (2007) This was a Raven's Deathmatch.
41 JJ Crawford 1 02007-Template:MONTH-Template:0expr May 20, 2007 &00000000000000020000002 St. Louis, Missouri ECW This was an Extreme Rules match.
42 Refugee Tim 1 02007-Template:MONTH-Template:0expr May 22, 2007 &000000000000003900000039 Orlando, Florida ECW This was a Crowd Supplies Weapons match.
43 Jeff Hardy 1 02008-Template:MONTH-Template:0expr June 29, 2008 &00000000000000030000003 Jacksonville, Florida One Night Stand (2007) This was a ladder match.
44 Refugee Tim 2 02007-Template:MONTH-Template:0expr July 3, 2007 &000000000000002600000026 Cleveland, Ohio ECW This was an Extreme Rules match.
45 Tetsuya Natsukawa 1 02007-Template:MONTH-Template:0expr July 29, 2007 &000000000000002800000028 Houston, Texas Vengeance: Night of Champions This was an Odd Man Out match that also involved Batista and Jeff Hardy.
46 Reaper 1 02007-Template:MONTH-Template:0expr August 26, 2007 &0000000000000143000000143 East Rutherford, New Jersey SummerSlam (2007) This was an Extreme Rules match.
47 Tetsuya Natsukawa 2 02007-Template:MONTH-Template:0expr August 16, 2007 &000000000000002100000021 Memphis, Tennessee Unforgiven (2007) This was a Championship Scramble match that also involved UnlimitedExtreme, Dacia Stoker, John Bradshaw Layfield.
48 John Bradshaw Layfield 1 02007-Template:MONTH-Template:0expr October 7, 2007 &000000000000002100000021 Rosemont, Illinois No Mercy (2007) This was a Three Way Dance that also involved Blaze.
Vacated 02007-Template:MONTH-Template:0expr October 28, 2007 Washington, D.C. Cyber Sunday (2007) The title was vacated after Misery interrupted a title defense, resulting in a controversial No Contest.
49 Devin Jacobs 1 02007-Template:MONTH-Template:0expr November 20, 2007 &00000000000000070000007 Kansas City, Missouri ECW Jacobs awarded himself the championship.
Vacated 02007-Template:MONTH-Template:0expr November 27, 2007 East Rutherford, New Jersey ECW Management stripped vacated the title when Devin Jacobs was suspended for abuse of power.
50 Genesis 1 02007-Template:MONTH-Template:0expr December 16, 2007 &0000000000000105000000105 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Armageddon (2007) Genesis defeated Refugee Mike, Chris Jericho, Tetsuya Natsukawa, CM Punk and Blaze in an Elimination Chamber match to win the vacant championship.
51 The Manhunter 1 02008-Template:MONTH-Template:0expr March 30, 2008 &000000000000002800000028 Orlando, Florida WrestleMania XXIV This was a Triple Cage match.
52 Sold1er 1 02008-Template:MONTH-Template:0expr April 27, 2008 &000000000000002100000021 Baltimore, Maryland Backlash (2008) This was a Triple Threat match also involving Genesis.
53 Bull Buchanan 1 02008-Template:MONTH-Template:0expr May 18, 2008 &000000000000001400000014 Omaha, Nebraska Backlash (2008)
54 Grim Richardson 1 02008-Template:MONTH-Template:0expr June 1, 2008 28 San Diego, California Extreme Rules (2008)
55 Jasper Merrick 1 02008-Template:MONTH-Template:0expr June 29, 2008 &000000000000003000000030 Dallas, Texas Night of Champions (2008)
56 Refugee Matt 2 02008-Template:MONTH-Template:0expr July 29, 2008 &00000000000000000000000 Dallas, Texas Night of Champions (2008) This was ECW's final airing, the title was retired later that night.

List of combined reigns[]

<1 Indicates that the reign lasted less than one day.
Rank Wrestler # of reigns Combined days
1 Shane Douglas 4 874
2 Raven 3 491
3 The Sandman 5 446
4 Taz 2 261
5 Terry Funk 2 208
6 Mike Awesome 2 201
7 Don Muraco 2 174
8 Justin Credible 1 162
9 Reaper 1 143
10 Genesis 1 105
11 Refugee Mike 1 98
12 Rhino 1 93
12 Sabu 2 93
13 Jimmy Snuka 2 79
13 Johnny Hotbody 1 79
14 Dana Shadows 2 73
15 Refugee Tim 2 65
16 Steve Corino 1 63
17 Tetsuya Natsukawa 2 49
18 Bam Bam Bigelow 1 45
19 Mikey Whipwreck 1 42
20 Jerry Lynn 1 35
21 Tito Santana 1 32
22 Jasper Merrick 1 30
23 Grim Richardson 1 28
23 The Manhunter 1 28
24 John Bradshaw Layfield 1 21
24 Sold1er 1 21
25 Refugee Matt 2 19
26 Bull Buchanan 1 14
27 Shayla Darksyde 1 12
28 Devin Jacobs 1 7
29 Masato Tanaka 1 6
30 Jeff Hardy 1 3
31 JJ Crawford 1 2
32 Ashley Massaro 1 1
33 Andy Brookes 1 1
34 Tommy Dreamer 1 <1
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