10 Greatest NWA World Heavyweight Champions

One of the originals, a man from a time so long ago that the Lou Thesz Press was still considered a convincing potential match-ender, Thesz put the belt on the map with several epic-length reigns.

Across three, seemingly eternal NWA World Heavyweight Championship runs, Thesz carried the old school wrestling flag with gusto for more than 10 years combined. A true innovator of the squared circle, Thesz debuted a variety of moves including the STF, the powerbomb and the German suplex.

A brutally tough shooter with a wealth of Greco-Roman and catch wrestling experience, Thesz kept his work grounded. Painful mat work, counter-wrestling, joint manipulation and takedowns were commonplace in his marathon-paced main events. Presented as a prodigious super rookie in his early days, Thesz would use his legit athlete cred to shoot on anyone who dared make the business look anything less than a competitive struggle.

By 1966, the then-49 Lou Thesz was still a top draw and competitor with the kind of conditioning men half his age would scratch their heads at. Despite his tip top form, the NWA were ready to move on to the next generation of potential main event stars. Thesz dropped the strap to super heel Gene Kiniski, who was entrusted with eventually putting over the promotion's next pick for lead babyface.