Everything You Need To Know About The NWA's 70th Anniversary Pay-Per-View

6. The National Heavyweight Championship

NWA 70 Cody Nick Aldis
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The National Heavyweight title was created in 1980 as part of Georgia Championship Wrestling. There it was held by future world championship contenders and legendary stars such as Jack Brisco, Ted DiBiase, Larry Zbyszko, Tully Blanchard, and even Dusty Rhodes. In late 1986, following Jim Crockett Promotions’ buyout of GCW, the National title was unified with JCP’s United States Championship — the title from which WWE’s current US belt gets its name, legacy, and lineage.

In 1997, the NWA decided to revive the National belt to be used as part of the Alliance’s many independent territories. It was then defended from Florida to New Jersey and even in Canada, landing in the hands of wrestlers like Stevie Richards, IMPACT's Braxton Sutter, and Jax Dane.

Now, the historic title has been chosen by Billy Corgan as the NWA’s secondary belt to be revived at the 70th Anniversary show. An eight-man tournament will be held on Sunday to crown a brand new champion in Nashville, and former holder of the title and NWA legend, Magnum TA will be on hand to present the winner with the newly unveiled belt.

 
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Douglas Scarpa is a freelance writer, independent filmmaker, art school graduate, and pro wrestling aficionado -- all of which mean he is in financial ruin. He has no backup plan to speak of, yet maintains his abnormally high spirits. If he had only listened to the scorn of his childhood teachers, he wouldn't be in this situation.