The first champion was Jake Hager who won a 23-man battle royal by defeating Ted DiBiase, Jr. to become the first champion. On March 22, 2008, Hager defeated FCW Southern Heavyweight Champion Heath Miller to unify the two championships and retire the FCW Southern Heavyweight Championship. Bo Rotundo/Dallas holds the record for the most reigns with three reigns. Leo Kruger, Rick Victor and Bo Rotundo all hold the record for shortest reign, because all three have individually won and lost the title on the same day. Jake Hager holds the record for the longest reign (as an individual) with 216 days. In August 2012, the championship was retired when FCW became NXT Wrestling and replaced with the NXT Championship. The final champion was Richie Steamboat, who defeated Rick Victor to win the title