I think this deserves it's own thread; Every Black World Champion (first World title win) since 1963

[Easy-E]

Now, I've been working on this for a few weeks.

And these are WORLD Champions and the year they won their first WORLD Title (This about the wrestlers [Brothas & Sistas] not the companies).

I think this should be it's own thread because it should be a list we always have.

It's important to me.

Contribute. Tell me if I messed something up.

1960​	Bearcat Wright (1963) Unofficially Recognized	WWA (World Wrestling All-Stars)
	Bobo Brazil (1966)	WWA
1970​	Sailor Art Thomas (1972)	WWA
1980​	Ernie Ladd (1980)	WWA
	Calypso Jim (1987)	WWA
1990​	Ron Simmons (1992)	WCW
	The Rock (1998)	WWF
	Jacqueline (1998)	WWF
2000​	Booker T (2000)	WCW
	R-Truth (2002)	NWA
	Xavier (2002) (Not Woods)	ROH
	Jazz (2002)	WWE
	Bob Sapp (2004)	IWGP
	Ruckus (2005)	CZW (Combat Zone Wrestling)
	Human Tornado (2007)	PWG
	Awesome Kong (2008)	TNA/IMPACT
2010​	Alicia Fox (2010)	WWE
	Mark Henry (2011)	WWE
	AR Fox (2013)	EVOLVE
	BLK Jeez (2014)	CZW
Correction​	Bobby Lashley (2014) (2006)	IMPACT ECW (WWE)
	Rich Swann (2014) (2021)	FIP (Full Impact Pro) TNA
	Jay Lethal (2015)	ROH
	Jonathan Gresham (2016)	CZW
	Fred Yehi (2016)	FIP
	Jade (Mia Yim/Michin) (2016)	TNA/IMPACT
	Naomi (2016)	WWE
	Sasha Banks (2016)	WWE
	Lio Rush (2017)	CZW
Additional​	Shane (aka "Swerve") Strickland (2017) (2024)	CZW AEW
	Ricochet (2017)	PWG (Pro Wrestling Guerrilla)
	Moose (2017)	IPW (Independence Pro Wrestling)
Additional ​	Keith Lee (2018) (2020)	PWG NXT
	Kofi Kingston (2019)	WWE
2020​	Sasha Banks (2016) CORRECTION (2015)	WWE NXT
	Bianca Belair (2021)	WWE
	Tasha Steelz (2022)	TNA/Impact
	Big E (2022) (2012)	WWE NXT
	Athena (2022) (2017)	ROH NXT
	Carmelo Hayes (2023)	NXT
	Trick Williams (2024)	NXT
	Oba Femi (2025)	NXT

 

[Cattle Mutilation]

Swerve Strickland (2024) AEW

 

[TheGreatShowtime]

Swerve Strickland (2024) AEW

I think he only put the first time they won the championship down because Swerve was listed in 2017 for CZW. Booker & Bobby would've been listed a few more times if he had put all the title reigns.

 

[Easy-E]

Swerve Strickland (2024) AEW

I knew ppl would bring that up ..which is cool.

But this every Black champs first world title. I was actually surprised Swerve (I should add that he's Shane Strickland) won his first b4 AEW.

 

[Easy-E]

I think he only put the first time they won the championship down because Swerve was listed in 2017 for CZW. Booker & Bobby would've been listed a few more times if he had put all the title reigns.

I'm gonna update this thread daily for BHM.

I'll have to limit that to the Big Companies.

I been reading a whole lot of wrestling history.

 

[Saysumthinfunnymike]

I don't really count CZW and PWG as being big enough promotions to say they was really a world champion but I guess that's splitting hairs

 

[Rollie Forbes]

Good job, @Easy-E

 

[Saysumthinfunnymike]

By the way this is such a dope moment that everyone should watch at least once. This is the full match

 

[Easy-E]

I don't really count CZW and PWG as being big enough promotions to say they was really a world champion but I guess that's splitting hairs

I thought about that.

But, I think guys like Rico and Keith Lee are big enough names to honor them.

But, I didn't add NXT--which I might go ahead and add.

Good job, @Easy-E

Appreciate it, big dog! @Rollie Forbes

 

[Easy-E]

BEARCAT WRIGHT

Unofficially recognized as the very first Black World Champion in American Wrestling History.

 

[Easy-E]

Honorable Mentions;

Trick Williams - NXT - 2024 (two times)

Every Black NXT Champion:

• Big E (2012)
• Sasha Banks (2015)
• Ember Moon (Athena) (2017)
• Keith Lee (2020)
• HIM, Carmelo Hayes (2023)
• Trick Williams (2024)
• Oba Femi (2025)

 

[Easy-E]

 

[Easy-E]

5 TIME
5 TIME
5 TIME
5 TIME
5 TIME

1. Bash At The Beach - July 2000 - Jeff Jarrett
2. Fall Brawl 2000 - September 2000 - Kevin Nash
3. Monday Nitro - October 2000 - (Vacant title) Jeff Jarrett
4. Monday Nitro - March 2001 - Winner Takes All (US Title/World Title) Scott Steiner
5. WWF RAW is WAR - July 2001 - Kurt Angle

The match Book became the FIVE TIME, FIVE TIME, FIVE TIME, FIVE TIME, FIVE TIME Champion!

 

[TheSuperkick!]

I see you didn't count WWECW as a world title runs. I know it became a silver title in more ways than one but when Bobby won it, the title was seen on the level of the other 2 titles. It was even a title you could go for after winning the Rumble.

 

[Easy-E]

@TheSuperkick!

Good point.