International Wrestling Australia


IWA - History of the Heavyweight Title


Prof. William Miller - 1880 first Australian Heavyweight Champion
Clarence Wistler - 26 Sept, 1885 * Dies in 1886.
Buttan Singh - 02 May ,1903 Melbourne * Defeats Gunga Brahm.
Clarence Weber - 19 Nov, 1906 Melbourne * Vacates in 1915 upon retirement.
Billy Meeske - 22 Nov,1922 Melbourne * Defeats Joe Bailey.
Clarence Weber [2] - 01 Sept, 1923 Melbourne
Billy Meeske [2 ] - 18 Sept, Melbourne
Joe Dawson - 18 March, 1933 Brisbane
Billy Meeske - [3] 15 April, 1933 Brisbane

* Ordered to defend the title at Raychard Stadium in 33 but refuses.

Tom Lurich - 3 June, 1933 Sydney
* Defeats Bonny Muir to win the Raychard Stadium version after Meeske refuses to defend the title; Eddie Scurff defeats Jim Barlett in tournament final to win the Stadium Limited version in 1938 and defends it until 41 (Meeske loses in earlier round).

George Pencheff - 09 Dec, 1939 Sydney * Still recognized as champion as of 1937.
Fred Atkins -10 Oct, 1942 Sydney * Defeats Pat Meehan in round-robin tournament final; Pencheff, also in the tournament, continues to claim the title; Atkins defeats Pencheff on 18 March 1944; leaves the country in 1949.

Leo Jensen - 03 Dec 1952 Sydney * Defeats Bonnie Muir.
George Pencheff [2] - 1955 * Returns from overseas and claims the title.
Baron Von Heczy - 04 Feb, 1957 Adelaide
Kangaroo Kennedy -14 April, 1962 Newcastle
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


IWA Champions ( International Wrestling Alliance / Australia )

Killer Kowalski - Nov 1964 * Recognized as first champion.
Dominic Denucci [2] - 7 Nov , 1964, Melbourne
Ray Stevens - 10 Jan, 1965, Sydney
Dominic Denucci - 17 Jan, 1965 , Melbourne
Mitsu Arakawa - 27 Jan, 1965 , Melbourne
Hercules Cortez - 1 June, 1965, Melbourne
Killer Kowalski [2] - 8 June, 1965, Sydney
Spiros Arion - 6 Aug ,1965, Sydney
Karl Krauser (Karl Gotch) - 18, August 1965 , Melbourne
Spiros Arion [2] - 25, August, 1965 , Melbourne
Killer Kowalski [3] - 11, Dec, 1965 Honolulu, HI *
Dominic Denucci [3] - 2 Dec, 1966, Sydney
Toru Tanaka - 3 June, 1966, Sydney
Mark Lewin -9 July, 1966, Melbourne
Skull Murphy - 13 August, 1966, Melbourne
Bearcat Wright - 19 August, 1966, Sydney
The Destroyer (Guy Mitchell) 3 Sept, 1966, Melbourne
Spiros Arion [2]- 29 Oct, 1966 Melbourne
Ray Stevens [2] - 2 Dec, 1966, Sydney
Billy White Wolf (Adon Kaissey) -11 Feb 1967, Melbourne
Killer Kowalski [4] 19 May, 1967 Melbourne
Tex McKenzie 6 July, 1967, Melbourne
Skull Murphy [2] - 12 August, 1967, Melbourne
Bearcat Wright [2] - 19 August, 1967, Melbourne
Killer Kowalski [5] - 1 Sept, 1967, Melbourne
Mario Milano - 8 Sept, 1967, Sydney
King Curtis Iaukea - 30 Sept, 1967, Sydney
Mark Lewin [2] - 13 Oct, 1967, Sydney
Ripper Collins - 20 Oct, 1967, Sydney
Mario Milano [2] - 29 Oct, 1967, Sydney
Killer Karl Kox - 6 Jan, 1968, Melbourne
Spiros Arion [3] - 11 Jan, 1968, Melbourne
Gorilla Monsoon - 16 Feb, 1968, Sydney
Spiros Arion [4] -22 March, 1968, Sydney
Baron Mikel Sciculna - 15 June, 1968, Sydney
Mario Milano [3] - 17 August, 1968, Melbourne
Toru Tanaka [2 ] - 20 Sept, 1968, Sydney
Tex McKenzie [2] - 11 Nov, 1968, Sydney
Skull Murphy [3] - 18 Nov, 1968, Adelaide
Bob Ellis - 7 Feb, 1969,Sydney
Killer Karl Kox [2] - 14 Feb, 1969, Sydney
Spiros Arion [5] - 21 Feb, 1969, Sydney
The Spoiler (Don Jardine) - 4 April, 1969, Sydney
Mario Milano [4] - 5 May, 1969,Sydney

* IWA joins NWA in August 1969 but continues to recognize its own world champion.

Killer Karl Kox [3] - 19 Sept, 1969, Sydney
Bill Robinson - 31 Oct, 1969, Sydney
King Curtis Iaukea [2] - 19 Dec, 1969, Sydney
Dominic Denucci [4] -7 Jan, 1970, Sydney
King Curtis Iaukea [3] -3 April, 1970, Sydney
Stan Stasiak - 4 Dec, 1970, Sydney
King Curtis Iaukea [4] -13 Dec, 1970, Sydney
* Abandoned in 1971.
* IWA recognised Australian Heavyweight Champions 1971 - 79 /
Bruiser Brody / Andre? the Giant / King Curtis Iaukea / Fred Blassie / Ivan Koloff / Roy Heffernan / Wahoo McDaniel / Tiger Singh / Jack Brisco / Bulldog Brower / Spiros Arion / Cyclone Negro / Shiek Wadi Ayoub / Waldo Von Erich / Ernie Ladd / Dory Funk / Rick Martel / Shohei Baba / Harley Race / Don Muraco / Jack Claybourne /
* Title inactive 1980 - 1998.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------


International Wrestling Australia ( IWA ) 1998

Rasta (Voodoo Man ) - Olympic Stadium , Homebush Bay Sydney. 18 April ,1998.
* beat Sgt Bianco in final round of tournament. * IWA title presented by Mario Milano
Bill Condoleon - Gosford, NSW, 24 April ,1998.
Mark Mercedes - Bankstown, Sydney. 06 Sept, 1998.
7ft Thunder - Bankstown, Sydney. 04 April, 1999.
Mark Mercedes [2]- Bankstown, Sydney. 14 April, 1999.
7ft Thunder - [2] Gosford. 23 April, 1999.
Punisher Pickford - Gosford. 21 May, 1999.
Stephen Swann - Merrylands, Sydney. 30 May, 1999.
Mark Mercedes [3] - Bankstown, Sydney. 04 July, 1999.
Vulcan - Bankstown, Sydney. 05 September, 1999.
Gregory Von Stekker - Merrylands, Sydney. 18 September, 1999.
Vulcan [2] - Bankstown, Sydney. 03 October, 1999.
AJ Freely - Newcastle, NSW. 22 October, 1999.
Michael Dimovski - Shellharbour, NSW. 29 April, 2000.
AJ Freely [2] - Burwood, Sydney. 30 April, 2000.
Punisher Pickford [2] - Gosford. 16 June , 2000.
Big Phil Picasso - Fox Studios, Sydney. 20 July, 2000.
Mark Mercedes [4] - Uni of NSW, Sydney, 3 November, 2000


IWA TAG TEAM HISTORY

Larry Henning & Harley Race - June 1966 * Recognized as the first champions.
Mark Lewin & Dominic Denucci - 1 July, 1966, Sydney
Skull Murphy & Brute Bernard 15 - July, 1966, Sydney
Mark Lewin & Bearcat Wright 29 - July, 1966, Sydney
Skull Murphy & Brute Bernard [2] - 15 August, 1966, Sydney
George Scott & Sandy Scott - 22 October, 1966, Melbourne
Ray Stevens & Art Nelson - 19 November, 1966, Melbourne
George Scott & Sandy Scott [2] - 2 Dec, 1966, Melbourne
Kurt Von Stroheim & Karl Von Stroheim - June, 1967 - U.S. *
Mario Milano & Red Bastien - 28 July, 1967, Sydney
Skull Murphy & Killer Kowalski -25 August, 1967, Sydney
Mario Milano & Red Bastien [2] - 20 Sept, 1967, Melbourne
Skull Murphy & Killer Kowalski [2] - 6 Oct, 1967,Sydney
Mario Milano & Red Bastien [3]- 13 Oct, 1967,Sydney
Pat Patterson & Art Nelson - 25 December, 1967, San Francisco, CA *
Mario Milano & Bill White Wolf (Adnon Kaissey) -16 Feb, 1968, Perth
Skull Murphy & Brute Bernard [3] - 22 March, 1968, Sydney
Mario Milano & Antonio Pugiliese (Tony Parisi) - 1 April, 1968, Adelaide
Skull Murphy & Killer Karl Kox - 19 May, 1968, Brisbane
Dominic Denucci & Antonio Pugliese - 27 May, 1968, Brisbane
Killer Kowalski & Bill Miller - 10 June, 1968, Adelaide
Dominic Denucci & Mario Milano - 1 July, 1968, Adelaide
Cilcon Negro & Baron Mikel Sciculna - 6 July, 1968, Sydney
Assassins (Joe Hamilton & Tom Renesto) -30 August, 1968, Sydney
George Scott & Sandy Scott [3] - 11 October, 1968, Sydney
Skull Murphy & Toru Tanaka] - 13 November, 1968, Sydney
Skull Murphy & Brute Bernard [4] - 3 January, 1969, Sydney
Antonio Pugiliese & Don Leo Jonathan - 21 January, 1969, Sydney
Mario Milano & The Spoiler (Don Jardine) - 7 March, 1969, Sydney
Antonio Pugiliese & Don Leo Jonathan [2] - 14 March, 1969, Melbourne
Waldo Von Erich & Mario Milano - 4 April, 1969, Sydney
Waldo Von Erich & The Spoiler * April 1969 * Milano gives up his half of the title.
Billy White Wolf & Tex McKenzie - 25 April, 1969, Sydney
Waldo Von Erich & The Spoiler [2] - 24 May, 1969, Sydney
Dick Murdoch & Lars Anderson * October 1969 * Awarded.
Skull Murphy & Brute Bernard [5] - 5 December, 1969, Sydney
Mario Milano & Spiros Arion - 19 December, 1969, Sydney
King Curtis Iaukea & Buddy Austin - 26 December, 1969, Sydney
Rip Hawk & Swede Hanson - 23 April 1970, Hobart ,Tasmania
Mark Lewin & Antonio Pugliese - 15 May,1970,Sydney
Kurt Von Steiger & Karl Von Steiger - 19 June,1970,Sydney
Mark Lewin & Spiros Arion - 27 June,1970, Newcastle
Kurt Von Steiger & Karl Von Steiger - 19 June,1970, Gosford
Mark Lewin & Mario Milano - 14 December,1970, Sydney
Texas Outlaws (Dick Murdoch & Dusty Rhodes) - 21 Jan, 1971, Sydney
Mark Lewin & Killer Kowalski - 29 April, 1971, Sydney
Tiger Jeet Singh & Mr. Fuji - 19 May, 1971, Sydney
Mark Lewin & King Curtis Iaukea [2] - 11 June, 1971, Sydney
Kurt Von Steiger & Karl Von Steiger [2] - 17 August, 1971, Sydney
* Abandoned in 1971.
* IWA recognised Australian Tag Team Champions 1971 - 80 /
* Ronnie Miller & Larry O Dea / Tony Garea & Johnny Gray / Mr Fuji & Professor Tanaka / Texas Outlaws - Dusty Rhodes & Dick Murdoch * Title inactive.
---------------------------------------------------------------
International Wrestling Australia ( IWA ) Tag Team Champions
Cheap Heat ( Andrew Bumthorne & Rod Schwanker ) - 3 November, 2000, Sydney.

--------------------------------------------

IWA Trans Tasman Title / aka / Australian Middleweight Title

Jim Deakin - 9 May, 1931, Sydney * Defeats Jack Haymon; vacant upon retirement.
Dick Cameron - 24 April, 1932, Sydney
Sammy Rogers - 30 May, 1936, Sydney
Dick Cameron [2] - 27 May, 1939, Sydney * Title inactive.
Ray Greenfield - 29 February 1953, Sydney * Defeats Len Holt.
John Morrow - 17 August, 1955, Sydney
Lane Holt - 2 April, 1957, Sydney
* Abandoned in 1960.-------------------------------------------------
* IWA recognised Australian Trans Tasman Champions 1971 - 80 /
* Bobby Burns / Kenny Medlin / Les Thornton / Shintaro Fuji / Bob Roop /
* Title inactive until 1992.
* Skyhawk - 17 Dec, 1992, Melbourne - defeats AJ Freely ( NZ )
* Title inactive.
---------------------------------
IWA Trans Tasman Title
Billy Cole - 3 November, 2000, Sydney * defeated Mehdi Basiri in tournament final.

Links:

Profiles

Jim Barnett

The Fabulous Kangaroos & The Royal Kangaroos

Big Chief Little Wolf

Bruno Sammartino

Mario Milano

Interviews

Harley Race

Steve Rackman

Killer Kowalski

Websites

Australian Pro Wrestling Directory

National Wrestling Alliance official website

World Wrestling Entertainment official website

AWF Pro Wrestling official website

International Wrestling Australia official website