CMLL World Heavyweight Championship - Championship History

Championship History

In the late 1980s CMLL left the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) to avoid the politics of the NWA. In 1991 CMLL decided to create a series of World Championships, the first of which was the for the Heavyweight division. The first champion was crowned in the finals of a 16 man tournament that saw Konnan el Babaro defeat Cien Caras. Konnan lost the title to Cien Caras in his first title defense on August 18, 1991, making him one of only two champions to not have a single successful title defense. Cien Caras would go on to successfully defend the Championship against Vampiro, Solomon Grundy and Rayo de Jalisco, Jr. Caras left CMLL along with a group of wrestlers to join the recently formed Asistencia Asesoría y Administración (AAA), thus vacating the Championship. CMLL held a 16 man tournament from October 30, 1992 until November 20, 1992, and saw Black Magic win the title, becoming the first non-Hispanic competitor to win the Championship. Black Magic made six successful title defenses during his run with the title, defeating Villano IV, Tigre Canadiense, Brazo de Plata twice, Rayo de Jalisco Jr. and King Haku. His title came to an end when Brazo de Plata won the title on June 27, 1993. Plata went on to retain the title against Silver King, Gran Markus, Jr. and Pierroth, Jr. before losing it to Silve King on July 28, 1994. Silver King would defend the title four times, including a title defense against his own brother Dr. Wagner, Jr.. June 23, 1995 saw Apolo Dantés become the sixth overall champion. Dántes made successful defenses against Canadians Corazon de Leon and Vampiro, before losing it to Rayo de Jalisco Jr. on April 14, 1996. Jalisco Jr. defeated Dantes in the rematch, followed by successful title defenses against Gran Markus, Jr. and Mascara Ano 2000. On April 18, 1997 Steel won the title, and became only the second wrestler to not have a single successful title defense as he vacated the title when he left for the World Wrestling Federation (WWF later WWE) where he became known as "Val Venis".

Instead of a holding a traditional tournament to crown another champion CMLL decided to take the top three heavyweights contenders in Universo 2000, Rayo de Jalisco Jr. and Cien Caras. On October 19, 1997 Universo 2000 won the title, starting the first of his three reigns. Universo 2000 defended the title three times, against Brazo de Plata, Mascara Sagrada, and Rayo de Jalisco Jr., before losing the title to Rayo de Jalisco Jr. With his title win Rayo de Jalisco Jr. became the first man to hold the title twice. Rayo defended against Cien Caras and Máscara Año 2000 but was not able to defeat the third "Dinamita" as he lost to Universo 2000. Universo 2000's second run with the title is by far the longest individual reign as he kept the title for 1,225 days and successfully defending the title 19 times, a record as well. Universo defended against Máscara Sagrada, Brazo de Plata, 8 times against Rayo de Jalisco Jr., Villano IV, Lizmark, Jr., Mr. Niebla and Violencia. The record breaking run ended on April 18, 2003 when Mr. Niebla won the title. Mr. Niebla managed to defend against Universo 2000 as well as Apolo Dantés, Shocker, Rey Bucanero, and Tinieblas Jr before losing the title to Universo 2000. With his win Universo 2000 became the only wrestler to hold the title three times. Universo 2000 defended against Dos Caras, Jr. twice, Mr. Niebla and Mascara Sagrada. On July 8, 2007 Dos Caras, Jr. became the 14th overall champion. His reign lasted 533 days but only saw Caras, Jr. defend the title four times over all, defeating Lizmark, Jr., Universo 2000 and Último Guerrero. Towards the end of Dos Caras, Jr. title reign he received an offer from WWE putting his future as a champion in question. On December 22, 2008, Guerrero won the title and shortly afterwards Caras, Jr. left CMLL for WWE. On April 2, 2009 Último Guerrero successfully defended the World title against Rey Mendoza, Jr. on an independent wrestling promotion show in Gomez Palacio, marking the first time the CMLL World title has been defended on a non-CMLL promoted show. After a 963 day reign and 17 successful defenses, Guerrero lost the title to Héctor Garza on August 12, 2011. The championship was vacated on November 11, 2011, after Garza left CMLL for Perros del Mal Producciones. On January 1, 2012, El Terrible was crowned the new champion, when he defeated CMLL World Light Heavyweight Champion Rush in a decision match. The two had won a torneo cibernetico match a week earlier to earn spots in the match.