THE HISTORY OF THE

APW WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

2/28/2005 - 7/15/2006

All-Pro Wrestling was founded in early 2006 by Eric Bischoff (Dean Mason). The promotion was criticized from its inception for Bischoff's treatment of talent and always mired in controversy that never allowed the company to build any momentum or credibility. The promotion amassed great ratings early on but succumbed eventually to the faults of its owner. It was a direct rival of Solid Gold Wrestling in its prime.

We include this title history complete and uncut out of respect for the championship and the talent that made it what it was.

 

1st CHAMPION

HANDLER
Brian Mills

DATE
 02 / 28 / 2005

REIGN
 15 days

Carlito defeated John Cena (Anthony Mancini) in a tournament final to become first ever All-Pro Wrestling World Heavyweight Champion.

2nd CHAMPION

HANDLER
Corey Rich

DATE
03 / 14 / 2005

REIGN
 22 days

Lance Storm defeated Carlito to become the new APW World Heavyweight Champion.

3rd CHAMPION

HANDLER
 Tushar Gate

DATE
04 / 04 / 2005

REIGN
 29 days

Shawn Michaels defeated Lance Storm to become the new APW World Heavyweight Champion.

 

4th CHAMPION

HANDLER
Josh Edmonson

DATE
 05 / 02 / 2005

REIGN
 28 days

In a Six-Pack Challenge, Randy Orton defeated Shawn Michaels, Mordecai (Fizzle), Triple H (Mike Adkins), Chris Jericho (Shawn Taggart), and Lance Storm (Corey Rich) to become the new APW World Heavyweight Champion.

5th CHAMPION

HANDLER
Mike Adkins

DATE
05 / 30 / 2005

REIGN
 22 days

Triple H defeated Randy Orton and Lance Storm (Corey Rich) in a Triple Threat match to become the new APW World Heavyweight Champion.

6th CHAMPION

REIGN #2

HANDLER
Richie

DATE
07 / 25 / 2005

REIGN
 15 days

Carlito defeated Triple H to become the new APW World Heavyweight Champion.

 

7th CHAMPION

HANDLER
 Craig McDermid

DATE
 08 / 08 / 2005

REIGN
 5 minutes

Chris Benoit defeated Carlito to become the new APW World Heavyweight Champion.

8th CHAMPION

REIGN #3

HANDLER
Richie

DATE
08 / 08 / 2005

REIGN
 14 days

APW owner Eric Bischoff immediately restarted the match, allowing Carlito to defeat Chris Benoit and regain his championship for the third time.

9th CHAMPION

HANDLER
Manny

DATE
08 / 22 / 2005

REIGN
 32 days

Sting defeated Carlito to become the new APW World Heavyweight Champion.

 

10th CHAMPION

HANDLER
 Barka

DATE
 09 / 21 / 2005

REIGN
 30 days

An imposter of the deceased Curt Hennig defeated Sting to become the new APW World Heavyweight Champion.

11th CHAMPION

HANDLER
Dave Trayers

DATE
03 / 26 / 2006

REIGN
 56 days

Rob Van Dam defeated the imposter Curt Hennig and Randy Orton (Josh Edmonson) to become the new APW World Heavyweight Champion and end the imposter's reign of terror.

VACATED
05 / 21 / 2006

APW ceases operations and the APW World Heavyweight Championship is declared vacant indefinitely.

 

12th CHAMPION

REIGN #4

HANDLER
Brian Mills

DATE
 06 / 25 / 2006

REIGN
 13 days

Carlito debuted on SGW television with the APW World Heavyweight Championship, declaring himself a four-time world champion. He challenged the reigning SGW World Heavyweight Champion, Lance Storm (Corey Rich), to a unification match but found himself challenged by former APW World Heavyweight Champion, Rob Van Dam (Dave Trayers). It was decided that the winner of Carlito versus Rob Van Dam would face Lance Storm in the unification match.

13th CHAMPION

REIGN #2

HANDLER
Dave Trayers

DATE
07 / 08 / 2006

REIGN
 7 days

Rob Van Dam defeated Carlito to become the new APW World Heavyweight Champion.

14th CHAMPION

REIGN #2

HANDLER
Corey Rich

DATE
 07 / 15 / 2006

REIGN
 Final

The reigning SGW World Heavyweight Champion Lance Storm defeated the APW World Heavyweight Champion Rob Van Dam to unify the championships for the first time.

The APW World Heavyweight Championship was absorbed into the SGW World Heavyweight Championship lineage and ceases to exist.