AWA Championship Wrestling

1986."AWA Championship Wrestling" aired on cable sports network ESPN from 1985 to 1990. It was a continuation of the earlier ESPN program "Pro Wrestling USA", the co-operative venture between the American Wrestling Association (AWA) and several National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) affiliates (most notably Jim Crockett Promotions). On February 26, 2008, ESPN Classic [ [http://prowrestling.about.com/b/2008/03/06/awa-on-espn-classic.htm?r=94 AWA on ESPN Classic] ] began reairing "AWA Championship Wrestling" episodes.

Overview

In September 1985, the AWA began airing weekly programming on ESPN, giving the promotion the national exposure already enjoyed by the World Wrestling Federation (on USA Network) and the NWA's Georgia/World Championship Wrestling (on TBS). However, weekly AWA shows were not treated with any priority by the cable network, sometimes being delayed, preempted by live programming, or suffering from occasional changes in time slot, making it difficult for fans to tune in on a regular basis. Following the disastrous Team Challenge Series [ [http://www.kayfabememories.com/Regions/awa/awa7-2.htm AWA #7 Page #2] ] , the AWA lost its contract with ESPN and became virtually inactive by late 1990.

Taping locations

For many years, the AWA held their television tapings in their home base of Minneapolis, Minnesota (for their syndicated "All-Star Wrestling" program) at the WTCN television studios. However, in early 1985, AWA promoter Verne Gagne made the decision to hold some television tapings at the Tropicana Hotel in Atlantic City, New Jersey. When Gagne inked the deal with ESPN later that same year, he along with the ESPN management felt that another location for the AWA television tapings was necessary. Ultimately, Gagne and ESPN settled on the Showboat Sports Pavilion in Las Vegas, Nevada. Both the WWF on the USA Network and WCW on TBS were able to draw more crowds than the AWA's ESPN program. [ [http://www.mndaily.com/articles/2007/04/26/71708 Pile-driving, gut-busting, back-breaking theater - Minnesota Daily ] ] The ESPN tapings in Las Vegas often took place in front of small, silent crowds [http://www.kayfabememories.com/Regions/awa/awa5-2.htm AWA #5 Page #2] ] .

Notable moments

*By the near end of 1986, Curt Hennig was deemed the top challenger to AWA World Champion Nick Bockwinkel. The ever relentless Hennig wrestled Bockwinkel to a one hour draw in a match seen nationwide on ESPN [ [http://www.kayfabememories.com/Regions/awa/awa4-2.htm AWA #4 Page #2] ] .

*In the spring of 1987, Sherri Martel began managing Kevin Kelly. Her most memorable moment as his manager came when she interfered in an arm wrestling match between Kelly and Tommy Rich on "AWA Championship Wrestling". Rich got immediate revenge by cornering the escaping Martel and ripping her dress off to reveal a strapless pink teddy and black stockings. In the following weeks, Rich would come to ringside during Kelly's matches and taunt Martel with her stolen dress.

*In 1987, Wahoo McDaniel was brought into the AWA to challenge Curt Hennig for the World Title in a series of ultra stiff brawls. Ultimately, Hennig emerged victorious in the feud by beating McDaniel in an Indian Strap match seen nationwide on ESPN.

*In the weeks following December 13, 1988 pay-per-view, SuperClash III, ESPN aired bouts from the aforementioned pay-per-view broadcast and did not show any new AWA matches [ [http://www.kayfabememories.com/Regions/awa/awa7.htm AWA #7 Page #1] ] .

*The AWA International Television Championship was a short-lived title in the American Wrestling Association from 1987 to 1989. Greg Gagne was the first champion. It was filled with a several months long tournament and was defended on their television broadcasts on ESPNcite book | author=Royal Duncan & Gary Will | title=Wrestling Title Histories | publisher=Archeus Communications | year=4th Edition 2006 | id=ISBN 0-9698161-5-4 ] .

*After Jerry Lawler was stripped of the AWA World Title (for refusing to defend it following the SuperClash III pay-per-view due to a dispute with Verne Gagne over the payout from SuperClash III), a Battle Royal to decide the new AWA Champion was held in St Paul, Minnesota on February 7, 1989. When the Battle Royal to crown a new champ (which was ultimately, Larry Zbyszko, who emerged victorious after eliminating Tom Zenk) aired on ESPN a week or so later, the announcers particularly, Lee Marshall tried to bury Jerry Lawler.

ee also

*AWA on television

References

External links

* [http://www.411mania.com/wrestling/tv_reports/index_topic/topic/9194 411's AWA on ESPN Classic Report]
** [http://www.411mania.com/wrestling/tv_reports/offset=50/date_sort=desc Page 2]
* [http://realwrestlecrap.proboards89.com/?board=wrestling&action=display&thread=116786&page=1 The Official Wrestlecrap.com Forums :: Wrestling Boards :: The (W)Rest of Wrestling :: AWA on classic]
** [http://realwrestlecrap.proboards89.com/index.cgi?board=wrestling&action=display&thread=118529 AWA on ESPN Classic Time Change]
** [http://realwrestlecrap.proboards89.com/index.cgi?board=wrestling&action=display&thread=125946 AWA on ESPN Classic: Watch the Company Die Edition]