Following the name of the champion(s): Indicates the number of times the wrestler has held that title at that point.
[...]
Indicates a gap in the listing where title changes are not known.
*
If used next to the names of the wrestlers, they may, in fact, not have held the title in the period indicated. If used next to the dates or places, either they are possibly wrong or the title changes are fictitious.
<
Title was held or changed hands no later than this. In these cases, it is known that a wrestler held the title at a certain time but not when he/she won it.
+
Broadcast date; the actual recording date is unknown.
@
Order uncertain. Different titleholders may be known for the same year, for example, but it is not known who held the title before whom.
#
Unofficial or disputable claims. These are usually matches that certainly took place, but where there is doubt that the wrestler shown should be recognized as a true title holder. These listings are also italicized in HTML files
Held up after a match against Wilbur Snyder on 57-02-19 in Chicago, IL ends with DKO while Snyder accidentally covers Schmidt; Snyder is initially awarded the title but Schmidt appeals with the NWA.
Defeats Schmidt for the title (Kenosha Evening News, 57-03-05); again defeats Schmidt on 57-03-16 in Milwaukee, WI to "regain" the title (Wisconsin State Journal, 57-03-20); Dick the Bruiser defeats Snyder on 57-06-01 in Chicago, IL, but Snyder continues to be recognized as champion.
Also wins the world title in Omaha, NE, defeating Edouard Carpentier on 58-08-09 with Fred Kohler as the guest referee; still billed as the United States champion in Ft. Wayne, IN as of 58-12-11 and in Oshkosh, WI as of 59-03-13; Dick the Bruiser is billed as champion in Benton Harbor, MI in 58-12.
Also for the recognition of the Omaha version of the world title; Gagne continues to be recognized in Minneapolis; loses to Angelo Poffo on 58-12-27 in Cincinnati, OH but continues to be billed as champion in Illinois and Wisconsin.
Also for the recognition of the Omaha version of the world title (Evening World-Herald, Omaha, NE, 59-06-16); United States title recognition withdrawn when Chicago promoter Fred Kohler and Detroit promoter Jim Barnett split in 60-01; Bruiser continues to be recognized as champion by American Wrestling Alliance in Detroit.
