The Championship was originally just called the "World Middleweight Championship", created and defended mainly in Mexico. Documentation confirms that Gus Kallio held the title in 1938 with indications that he may have held the title three times since the 1920 but without being able to confirm any specific dates or how he won the championship. In 1939 Octavio Gaona won the title and from that point forward the title became one of the main titles for Empresa Mexicana de Lucha Libre (EMLL) based out of Mexico City, Mexico. When EMLL joined the National Wrestling Alliance in 1952, the title was given the prefix "NWA".[3] In the late 1980s EMLL withdrew from the NWA, they changed their name to Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre (CMLL) to create a clean break from their past NWA association. CMLL retained two NWA labeled titles, the Middlweight championship and the NWA World Light Heavyweight Championship despite them no longer being officially recognized by the NWA.
The earliest recorded champion was Gus Kallio, having won it some time in the 1920s. Averno is the current NWA World Middleweight champion having defeated Místico on November 30, 2007. This is Averno's second NWA World Middleweight title reign and he is at least the 84th overall champion and the 45th person to hold the championship.[4]. René Guajardo has the most reigns, having held the title six times. Tarzán López's four reigns combine for 2,977 days, the most of any champion; while the Great Sasuke's single regin is the longest individual reign with 1,487 days. Oro is the person who has held the title the shortest time, 41 days.
| # | Wrestler | Reign | Date | Days held | Location | Event | Notes |
| 01 1 | Kallio Gus Kallio | 01 1 | 01938-01-01 January 1, 1938 N/A | — Unknown [Note 2] | — N/A | Live event | Is said to have won it at least three time in since the 1920s |
| 02 2 | Gaona Octavio Gaona | 01 1 | 01939-02-19 February 19, 1939 | &0000000000000350.000000350 | Mexico City, Distrito Federal | Live event | Wins the title and establishes it permanently at EMLL |
| 03 3 | Lopez Tarzán López | 01 1 | 01940-02-04 February 4, 1940 | &0000000000000681.000000681 | Mexico City, Distrito Federal | Live event | |
| 04 4 | Guzmán, BlackBlack Guzmán | 01 1 | 01941-12-16 December 16, 1941 | &0000000000000057.00000057 | Mexico City, Distrito Federal | Live event | |
| 05 5 | Lopez Tarzán López | 02 2 | 01942-02-11 February 11, 1942 | &0000000000001473.0000001,473 | Mexico City, Distrito Federal | Live event | |
| 06 6 | Guerrero, GoryGory Guerrero | 01 1 | 01946-02-23 February 23, 1946 | &0000000000000782.000000782 | Mexico City, Distrito Federal | Live event | |
| 07 7 | Kelly Mike Kelly | 01 1 | 01948-04-12 April 12, 1948 | &0000000000000411.000000411 | Mexico City, Distrito Federal | Live event | |
| 08 8 | Lopez Tarzán López | 03 3 | 01949-05-28 May 28, 1949 | &0000000000000481.000000481 | — N/A | Live event | |
| 09 9 | Sito, SugiSugi Sito | 01 1 | 01950-09-21 September 21, 1950 | &0000000000000368.000000368 | — N/A | Live event | |
| 10 10 | Llanes, EnriqueEnrique Llanes | 01 1 | 01951-09-24 September 24, 1951 | &0000000000000132.000000132 | Mexico City, Distrito Federal | Live event | |
| 10.5 — | Vacated | — | 01952-02-03 February 3, 1952 | — | — N/A | — N/A | Championship vacated for unknown reasons |
| 11 11 | Lopez Tarzán López | 04 4 | 01952-07-13 July 13, 1952 | &0000000000000342.000000342 | Mexico City, Distrito Federal | Live event | Wins tournament |
| 12 12 | Sito, SugiSugi Sito | 02 2 | 01953-06-20 June 20, 1953 | &0000000000000195.000000195 | Mexico City, Distrito Federal | Live event | |
| 13 13 | Santo, ElEl Santo | 01 1 | 01954-01-01 January 1, 1954 | &0000000000001021.0000001,021 | Mexico City, Distrito Federal | Live event | |
| 14 14 | Vera, RolandoRolando Vera | 01 1 | 01956-10-19 October 19, 1956 | &0000000000001455.0000001,455 | Monterrey, Nuevo León | Live event | |
| 15 15 | Guajardo, RenéRené Guajardo | 01 1 | 01960-10-13 October 13, 1960 | &0000000000000415.000000415 | Monterrey, Nuevo León | Live event | |
| 16 16 | Poza Antonio Poza | 01 1 | 01961-12-02 December 2, 1961 | &0000000000000140.000000140 | Mexico City, Distrito Federal | Live event | |
| 17 17 | Guajardo, RenéRené Guajardo | 02 2 | 01962-04-18 April 18, 1962 | &0000000000000190.000000190 | Mexico City, Distrito Federal | Live event | |
| 18 18 | Rayo de Jalisco | 01 1 | 01962-10-25 October 25, 1962 | &0000000000000583.000000583 | Mexico City, Distrito Federal | Live event | |
| 19 19 | Galant Benny Galant | 01 1 | 01964-05-30 May 30, 1964 | &0000000000000118.000000118 | Mexico City, Distrito Federal | Live event | |
| 20 20 | Rayo de Jalisco | 02 2 | 01964-09-25 September 25, 1964 | &0000000000000196.000000196 | — N/A | Live event | |
| 21 21 | Guajardo, RenéRené Guajardo | 03 3 | 01965-04-09 April 9, 1965 | &0000000000000400.000000400 | Mexico City, Distrito Federal | Live event | |
| 22 22 | London Jerry London | 01 1 | 01966-05-14 May 14, 1966 | &0000000000000048.00000048 | Mexico City, Distrito Federal | Live event | |
| 23 23 | Guajardo, RenéRené Guajardo | 04 4 | 01966-07-01 July 1, 1966 | &0000000000000253.000000253 | Monterrey, Nuevo León | Live event | |
| 24 24 | Mendoza, RayRay Mendoza | 01 1 | 01967-03-11 March 11, 1967 | &0000000000000051.00000051 [Note 3] | Mexico City, Distrito Federal | Live event | |
| 24.5 — | Vacated | — | 01967-05 May 1967 | — | — N/A | — N/A | Championship vacated for unknown reasons |
| 25 25 | Guajardo, RenéRené Guajardo | 05 5 | 01967-07-29 July 29, 1967 | &0000000000000629.000000629 | — N/A | Live event | Wins decision match |
| 26 26 | Rayo de Jalisco | 03 3 | 01969-04-18 April 18, 1969 | &0000000000000119.000000119 | Mexico City, Distrito Federal | Live event | |
| 27 27 | Solitario, ElEl Solitario | 01 1 | 01969-08-15 August 15, 1969 | &0000000000000378.000000378 | Mexico City, Distrito Federal | Live event | |
| 28 28 | Koma Mashio Koma | 01 1 | 01970-06-28 June 28, 1970 | &0000000000000161.000000161 | Mexico City, Distrito Federal | Live event | |
| 29 29 | Aníbal | 01 1 | 01970-12-06 December 6, 1970 | &0000000000000845.000000845 | Mexico City, Distrito Federal | Live event | |
| 30 30 | Guajardo, RenéRené Guajardo | 06 6 | 01973-03-30 March 30, 1973 | &0000000000000277.000000277 [Note 4] | Mexico City, Distrito Federal | Live event | |
| 30.5 — | Vacated | — | 01974 1974 | — | — N/A | — N/A | Championship vacated for unknown reasons |
| 31 31 | Aníbal | 02 2 | 01974-09-20 September 20, 1974 | &0000000000000223.000000223 [Note 4] | Mexico City, Distrito Federal | Live event | Defeats El Cobarde in decision match |
| 31.5 — | Vacated | — | 01975-05 May 1975 | — | — N/A | — N/A | Championship vacated when Aníbal jumped to the Universal Wrestling Association |
| 32 32 | Aguayo, PerroPerro Aguayo | 01 1 | 01975-07-04 July 4, 1975 | &0000000000000476.000000476 | Mexico City, Distrito Federal | Live event | Wins tournament |
| 33 33 | Faraón, ElEl Faraón | 01 1 | 01976-10-22 October 22, 1976 | &0000000000000140.000000140 | Mexico City, Distrito Federal | Live event | |
| 34 34 | Aguayo, PerroPerro Aguayo | 02 2 | 01977-03-11 March 11, 1977 | &0000000000000114.000000114 | Mexico City, Distrito Federal | Live event | |
| 35 35 | Mendoza, RingoRingo Mendoza | 01 1 | 01977-07-03 July 3, 1977 | &0000000000000101.000000101 | Guadalajara, Jalisco | Live event | |
| 36 36 | Plardy Joe Plardy | 01 1 | 01977-10-12 October 12, 1977 | &0000000000000044.00000044 | Acapulco, Guerrero | Live event | |
| 37 37 | Faraón, ElEl Faraón | 02 2 | 01977-11-25 November 25, 1977 | &0000000000000084.00000084 | Mexico City, Distrito Federal | Live event | |
| 38 38 | Mendoza, RingoRingo Mendoza | 02 2 | 01978-02-17 February 17, 1978 | &0000000000000051.00000051 | Los Angeles, California | Live event | |
| 39 39 | Aguayo, PerroPerro Aguayo | 03 3 | 01978-04-09 April 9, 1978 | &0000000000000075.00000075 | Guadalajara, Jalisco | Live event | |
| 40 40 | Mendoza, RingoRingo Mendoza | 03 3 | 01978-06-23 June 23, 1978 | &0000000000000051.00000051 | Mexico City, Distrito Federal | Live event | |
| 41 41 | Salazar, TonyTony Salazar | 01 1 | 01978-08-13 August 13, 1978 | &0000000000000174.000000174 | Mexico City, Distrito Federal | Live event | |
| 42 42 | Mendoza, RingoRingo Mendoza | 04 4 | 01979-02-03 February 3, 1979 | &0000000000000218.000000218 | Acapulco, Guerrero | Live event | |
| 43 43 | Sayama, SatoruSatoru Sayama | 01 1 | 01979-09-09 September 9, 1979 | &0000000000000201.000000201 | Guadalajara, Jalisco | Live event | |
| 44 44 | Satánico, ElEl Satánico | 01 1 | 01980-03-28 March 28, 1980 | &0000000000000020.00000020 | Mexico City, Distrito Federal | Live event | |
| 45 45 | Mendoza, CachorroCachorro Mendoza | 01 1 | 01980-04-17 April 17, 1980 | &0000000000000059.00000059 | Monterrey, Nuevo León | Live event | |
| 46 46 | Sangre Chicana | 01 1 | 01980-06-15 June 15, 1980 | &0000000000000217.000000217 | Monterrey, Nuevo León | Live event | |
| 47 47 | Salazar, TonyTony Salazar | 01 1 | 01981-01-18 January 18, 1981 | &0000000000000054.00000054 | Monterrey, Nuevo León | Live event | |
| 48 48 | Sangre Chicana | 02 2 | 01981-03-13 March 13, 1981 | &0000000000000021.00000021 | Mexico City, Distrito Federal | Live event | |
| 49 49 | Mendoza, RingoRingo Mendoza | 05 5 | 01981-04-03 April 3, 1981 | &0000000000000240.000000240 | Mexico City, Distrito Federal | Live event | |
| 50 50 | Faraón, ElEl Faraón | 03 3 | 01981-11-29 November 29, 1981 | &0000000000000124.000000124 | Guadalajara, Jalisco | Live event | |
| 51 51 | Curiel César Curiel | 01 1 | 01982-04-02 April 2, 1982 | &0000000000000206.000000206 | Mexico City, Distrito Federal | Live event | |
| 52 52 | Satánico, ElEl Satánico | 02 2 | 01982-10-25 October 25, 1982 | &-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1.0000000 | Mexico City, Distrito Federal | Live event | |
| 53 53 | Jalisco El Jalisco | 01 1 | 01982-10-25 October 25, 1982 | &0000000000000139.000000139 | Guadalajara, Jalisco | Live event | |
| 54 54 | Satánico, ElEl Satánico | 03 3 | 01983-03-13 March 13, 1983 | &0000000000000082.00000082 | N/A | Live event | |
| 55 55 | Lizmark | 01 1 | 01983-06-03 June 3, 1983 | &0000000000000182.000000182 | Mexico City, Distrito Federal | Live event | |
| 56 56 | Satánico, ElEl Satánico | 04 4 | 01983-12-02 December 2, 1983 | &0000000000000250.000000250 | Mexico City, Distrito Federal | Live event | |
| 57 57 | Grand Cochisse | 01 1 | 01984-08-08 August 8, 1984 | &0000000000000037.00000037 | Mexico City, Distrito Federal | Live event | |
| 58 58 | Satánico, ElEl Satánico | 05 5 | 01984-09-14 September 14, 1984 | &0000000000000016.00000016 | Mexico City, Distrito Federal | Live event | |
| 59 59 | Grand Cochisse | 02 2 | 01984-09-30 September 30, 1984 | &0000000000000049.00000049 | Guadalajara, Jalisco | Live event | |
| 60 60 | Gran Hamada | 01 1 | 01984-11-18 November 18, 1984 | &0000000000000138.000000138 | Mexico City, Distrito Federal | Live event | |
| 61 61 | Fiera, LaLa Fiera | 01 1 | 01985-04-05 April 5, 1985 | &0000000000000106.000000106 | Mexico City, Distrito Federal | Live event | |
| 62 62 | Valaguez, ChamacoChamaco Valaguez | 01 1 | 01985-07-20 July 20, 1985 | &0000000000000302.000000302 | Puebla, Puebla | Live event | |
| 63 63 | Grand Cochisse | 03 3 | 01986-05-18 May 18, 1986 | &0000000000000152.000000152 | — N/A | Live event | |
| 64 64 | Kung Fu | 01 1 | 01986-10-17 October 17, 1986 | &0000000000000273.000000273 | Mexico City, Distrito Federal | Live event | |
| 65 65 | Dandy, ElEl Dandy | 01 1 | 01987-07-17 July 17, 1987 | &0000000000000081.00000081 | Mexico City, Distrito Federal | Live event | |
| 66 66 | Kung Fu | 02 2 | 01987-10-06 October 6, 1987 | &0000000000000248.000000248 | Mexico City, Distrito Federal | Live event | |
| 67 67 | Atlantis | 01 1 | 01988-06-10 June 10, 1988 | &0000000000000037.00000037 | Mexico City, Distrito Federal | Live event | |
| 68 68 | Charles, Jr., EmilioEmilio Charles, Jr. | 01 1 | 01988-07-17 July 17, 1988 | &0000000000000011.00000011 | — N/A | Live event | |
| 69 69 | Atlantis | 02 2 | 01988-07-28 July 28, 1988 | &0000000000000015.00000015 | — N/A | Live event | |
| 70 70 | Charles, Jr., EmilioEmilio Charles, Jr. | 02 2 | 01988-08-12 August 12, 1988 | &0000000000000259.000000259 | Mexico City, Distrito Federal | Live event | |
| 71 71 | Angel Ángel Azteca | 01 1 | 01989-04-28 April 28, 1989 | &0000000000000400.000000400 | — N/A | Live event | |
| 72 72 | Dandy, ElEl Dandy | 02 2 | 01990-06-02 June 2, 1990 | &0000000000000060.00000060 | Mexico City, Distrito Federal | Live event | |
| 73 73 | Atlantis | 03 3 | 01990-08-01 August 1, 1990 | &0000000000000945.000000945 | Acapulco, Guerrero | Live event | |
| 74 74 | Mano Negra | 01 1 | 01993-03-03 March 3, 1993 | &0000000000000081.00000081 | Acapulco, Guerrero | Live event | |
| 75 75 | Oro | 01 1 | 01993-05-23 May 23, 1993 | &0000000000000041.00000041 | — N/A | Live event | |
| 76 76 | Mano Negra | 02 2 | 01993-07-03 July 3, 1993 | &0000000000000155.000000155 | Puebla, Puebla | Live event | |
| 77 77 | Corazon Corazón de León | 01 1 | 01993-12-04 December 4, 1993 | &0000000000000339.000000339 | Mexico City, Distrito Federal | Live event | |
| 78 78 | Ultimo Último Dragón | 01 1 | 01994-11-08 November 8, 1994 | &0000000000001150.0000001,150 [Note 5] | Tokyo, Japan | Live event | |
| 78.5 — | Vacated | — | 01998 1998 | — | — N/A | — N/A | Championship vacated due to an arm injury |
| 78 78 | Great Sasuke Great Sasuke | 01 1 | 01999-02-07 February 7, 1999 | &0000000000001487.0000001,487 | Yokohama, Japan | Live event | Defeats Tokyo Magnum in tournament final |
| 79 79 | Ultimo Último Dragón | 02 2 | 02003-03-05 March 5, 2003 | &0000000000000027.00000027 [Note 4] | Sendai, Miyagi, Japan | Live event | [5] |
| 79.5 — | Vacated | — | 02003-04 April 2003 | — | — N/A | — N/A | Championship vacated when Último Dragon signs with World Wrestling Entertainment[5] |
| 80 80 | Averno | 01 1 | 02004-09-03 September 3, 2004 | &0000000000000161.000000161 | Mexico City, Distrito Federal | Live event | Defeats Zumbido in a decision match[6] |
| 81 81 | Mistico Místico | 01 1 | 02005-02-11 February 11, 2005 | &0000000000000455.000000455 | Mexico City, Distrito Federal | Live event | [7] |
| 82 82 | Black Warrior | 01 1 | 02006-05-12 May 12, 2006 | &0000000000000474.000000474 | Mexico City, Distrito Federal | Live event | [8] |
| 83 83 | Mistico Místico | 02 2 | 02007-04-29 April 29, 2007 | &0000000000000215.000000215 | Mexico City, Distrito Federal | Live event | [9] |
| 84 84 | Averno | 02 2 | 02007-11-30 November 30, 2007 | &0000000000000711.000000711+ | Mexico City, Distrito Federal | Live event | [9] |