About The AWA

Founded by wrestler/promoter Verne Gagne and associate Wally Karbo, Minneapolis Boxing & Wrestling Club, Inc. originally held membership in the National Wrestling Alliance until a dispute recognition of the NWA World heavyweight championship. 

In 1960, the group dropped out of the NWA and formed its own brand name (and "sanctioning body"), the American Wrestling Association. The AWA had originally been used as a brand name by promoter Paul Bowser from the late 1920's to the early 50's, and briefly in the 50's by Chicago promoters Ray Fabiani and Leonard Schwartz. 

Gagne existed as the top regional promoter in the midwest until the mid-1980's, when, like every other promoter in the industry, he was faced by the realities of cable television and promoter expansion. In 1985, the AWA debuted on ESPN. 

The 1990's saw a whole new AWA. Re-named AWA Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. under former Director of Talent and Events, Dale Gagne, along with the last known AWA Light Heavyweight Champion, "The Illustrious" Jonnie Stewart.  As such, Stewart faced King Kong Bundy who was subsequently named AWA World Champion. Shortly after, "The Underwear Model" Eric Priest became the youngest AWA World Champion of all time.

Wrestling legends who have competed at some point during there career in the AWA include Hulk Hogan, Jesse Ventura, Nick Bockwinkle, Harley Race, Curt Hennig, Road Warrior Animal, Road Warrior Hawk, Fritz Von Erich, Pat Patterson, Shawn Michaels, Jerry Lawler, Larry Zbyszko, Rick Martel, Stan Hansen, and Sgt. Slaughter to name just a few.

AWA Territories

The response to the AWA's recently announced "open door policy" has been overwhelming. Returning to where Professional Wrestling all started, the AWA has once again started the sanctioning process. To date (and growing daily), the following organizations are part of the AWA.

 

AWA North Atlantic	AWA Apex Wrestling, representing West Virginia	AWA Power Pro Wrestling, rrepresenting North & South Carolina
AWA Pinnacle, representing Washington State	AWA ALLEP, representing Texas	AWA Rocky Mountain Championship Wrestling, representing Colorado
AWA World-1 South, representing Georgia	AWA Great American Wrestling Federation, Florida (in association with AWA World-1 South)	AWA Minnesota
AWA Hawai'i Championship Wrestling	AWA West Coast Wrestling Connection, representing Oregon	AWA WSW representing Pennsylvania
AWA Ontario, Canada	AWA Pro Wrestling Zero-One MAX, representing Japan	AWA Quebec, Canada
AWA Brew City, representing Wisconsin	AWA Supreme Championship Wrestling, representing Indiana	AWA Mountaineer Wrestling Association, in association with AWA APEX West Virginia
AWA Connecticut	AWA Slam, representing Chicago	AWA Leduc, representing Montreal, Quebec
AWA The Wrestling Federation, representing Pennsylvania/New Jersey

The AWA will be working with these fine organizations to bring you the very best Professional Wrestling experience ever! Make sure to support their events in your area.