The MLW World Middleweight Championship is a professional wrestling championship created and promoted by the American professional wrestling promotion Major League Wrestling (MLW). The title was unveiled on July 18, 2018, it is contested in MLW's middleweight division by wrestlers at a maximum weight of 205 lb (93 kg). The current champion is Kushida, who is in his first reign. He won the title by defeating Templario at Battle Riot VIII in Kissimmee, Florida on January 29, 2026.

History

Inaugural champion Maxwell Jacob Friedman.

On June 28, 2018, Major League Wrestling (MLW) announced the creation of the MLW World Middleweight Championship, for their middleweight division instead of the "cruiserweight" division, which is more common in American professional wrestling. It was announced that the title holds a weight limit of 205 lb (93 kg). Also announced was an singles match between Maxwell Jacob Friedman and Joey Ryan to crown the first champion. The title match was later advertised on July 6 during episode 12 of MLW Fusion. The title was unveiled on July 18. The following day, Maxwell Jacob Friedman defeated Joey Ryan to become the inaugural MLW World Middleweight Championship (air date July 27, 2018). The title would be vacated on December 7, after Friedman was sidelined with an elbow injury. Teddy Hart would defeat El Hijo de L.A. Park, Dezmond Xavier, Gringo Loco and Kotto Brazil in a five-way ladder match on December 14 at MLW Fusion Live to win the title.

Reigns

Key
No.Overall reign number
ReignReign number for the specific champion
DaysNumber of days held
+Current reign is changing daily
No.ChampionChampionship changeReign statisticsNotesRef.
DateEventLocationReignDays
Major League Wrestling (MLW)
1Maxwell Jacob FriedmanJuly 19, 2018Battle Riot INew York City, New York1141Friedman defeated Joey Ryan to become the inaugural champion. The episode aired on tape delay on July 27, 2018.
—VacatedDecember 7, 2018————Friedman vacated the championship after an elbow injury.
2Teddy HartDecember 14, 2018Fusion LiveMiami, Florida1330Hart defeated Dezmond Xavier, El Hijo de L.A. Park, Gringo Loco and Kotto Brazil in a five-way ladder match to win the vacant championship.
3Myron ReedNovember 9, 2019Blood and ThunderOrlando, Florida1424Aired on the November 9 episode of Fusion via tape delay.
4Lio RushJanuary 6, 2021Kings of ColosseumOrlando, Florida1119
5Myron ReedMay 5, 2021Fusion LiveOrlando, Florida2150
6TajiriOctober 2, 2021FightlandPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania1111This was a four-way match also involving Aramis and Arez.
7Myron ReedJanuary 21, 2022Blood and ThunderNorth Richland Hills, Texas3240This was a four-way match also including Bandido and Matt Cross.
8Shun SkywalkerSeptember 18, 2022Super SeriesNorcross, Georgia142
9Lince DoradoOctober 30, 2022FightlandPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania1158
10AkiraApril 6, 2023War ChamberQueens, New York City, New York1191This was a Three-way match also including Lio Rush.
11Rocky RomeroOctober 14, 2023SlaughterhousePhiladelphia, Pennsylvania1138This was a Winner Takes All match, with Romero's NWA World Historic Welterweight Championship also on the line.
12MísticoFebruary 29, 2024Intimidation GamesNew York City, New York1401
—VacatedApril 5, 2025————Místico vacated the championship after announcing his intention to move up to the heavyweight division.
13TemplarioSeptember 13, 2025FightlandNorth Richland Hills, Texas1138Defeated Ikuro Kwon to win the vacant title.
14KushidaJanuary 29, 2026Battle Riot VIIIKissimmee, FL176+Aired on tape delay on February 5, 2026.

Combined reigns

As of April 15, 2026.

Record-setting three-time and most combined days as MLW World Middleweight champion at 814, Myron Reed.
†Indicates the current champions
RankWrestlerNo. of reignsCombined days
1Myron Reed3814
2Místico1401
3Teddy Hart1330
4Akira1191
5Lince Dorado1158
6Maxwell Jacob Friedman1141
7Rocky Romero1138
8Templario1138
9Lio Rush1119
10Tajiri1111
11Kushida †176+
12Shun Skywalker142

External links

  • at Cagematch.net