Bobo Brazil, NWA World Champion?

On 1962-08-18, Bobo Brazil defeated Buddy Rogers in an NWA world heavyweight championship match in Newark, NJ.

Brazil was awarded the title by the referee when Rogers was counted out claiming a groin injury. Brazil refuses the victory stating that he would accept the title by pinfall only. This is similar to the ending that took place 16 days before in Toronto, ON when Bruno Sammartino, who defeated Rogers, refused the title because Rogers was injured during the match.

Rogers was injured on 1962-08-31 in Columbus, OH due to the attack by Karl Gotch and Bill Miller in the dressing room. When he cancels several matches in September, Brazil was briefly billed as the world champion in some towns including Commack, NY and Hagerstown, MD but eventually recognized as the United States champion by early October.

On 1962-10-30, Rogers defeated Brazil in Toledo, OH retaining the title rather than ending the dispute.

Here’re the reasons why Brazil should not be counted as the former NWA world heavyweight champion:

  1. Simply, Brazil was booked not to win the title. His title reign was not approved by the NWA.
  2. If Rogers was not injured due to the attack by Gotch and Miller in Columbus and able to continue defending the title, Brazil would not be billed as the champion after the Newark match. Some promoters retroactively decided to recognize his Newark victory due to Rogers’ inactivity.
  3. If Brazil’s reign should be counted, so should countless of others (e.g. Lord Al Hayes, Midnight Rider, Ricky Morton, etc.). In a wonderful world of Wikipedia, however, Ray Gonzalez is still on the list…

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