Al Haft

Al Haft (1885-1976), NWA Founder, Columbus, OH (Midwest Wrestling Association) Promoter (1919-1965)

Al Haft was a prominent wrestling promoter who controlled the Columbus, Ohio territory from the 1920s to the 1960s. Haft's promotion, known as the Midwest Wrestling Association (MWA), was one of the most influential wrestling territories in the Midwest and played a significant role in the early development of the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA). Haft's territory centered around Columbus but extended throughout Ohio and parts of the surrounding states (KY, WV, PA, IN, IL), making it a significant player in the professional wrestling landscape of the time.

Founding of the Columbus Territory

• Early Life and Entry into Wrestling:

  • Born in 1885, Al Haft initially pursued a career in professional boxing but turned to wrestling from 1917-1932 and soon transitioned into wrestling promotion from 1919-1965. His entry into the wrestling business was marked by a keen understanding of both athletic talent and promotional skills, which he leveraged to build a successful local wrestling scene in Columbus.

  • In the 1920s, Haft began promoting wrestling events under the banner of the Columbus Athletic Club, which he eventually renamed the Midwest Wrestling Association (MWA). His early success was built on a reputation for promoting competitive matches and developing strong local talent.

• Formation of the Midwest Wrestling Association:

  • By the 1930s, the MWA had become the leading wrestling promotion in Ohio, hosting regular events at venues like the Columbus Auditorium and later the Fairgrounds Coliseum. Haft’s shows were characterized by a blend of local favorites and top stars from other regions, which helped draw large crowds.

  • Haft crowned his first MWA World Heavyweight Champion in 1930, creating a local title that he promoted as a world championship. This move was typical of the era, as many regional promoters sought to establish their own versions of world titles to bolster their shows’ appeal.

    
    

Building a Wrestling Empire in the Midwest (1930s-1940s)

• Talent Development and Innovation:

  • Haft was known for his ability to identify and develop wrestling talent. He trained and managed several wrestlers who would go on to become major stars, such as Gorgeous George, Ray "The Crippler" Stevens, Johnny Barend, and Buddy Rogers (then known as "Nature Boy" Buddy Rogers). His eye for talent and commitment to promoting entertaining matches made the Columbus territory a hotbed for developing new stars.

  • Haft's promotion was innovative in its presentation, often incorporating theatrical elements and storylines to create a more engaging experience for fans. This emphasis on showmanship laid the groundwork for the modern wrestling style, blending athleticism with entertainment.

  • Haft even built his own outdoor arena in Columbus named Haft's Acre where he worked with Nature Boy Buddy Rogers, Gorgeous George & Wild Bull Curry.

• Expansion of the Territory:

  • Throughout the 1930s and 1940s, Haft expanded his promotion's reach throughout Ohio and parts of West Virginia, Kentucky, and Indiana. He ran other Ohio shows in cities like Cleveland, Cincinnati, Dayton, Akron and Toledo, as well as in smaller towns throughout the Midwest, and large cities like Chicago & Indianapolis.

  • Haft also partnered with other regional promoters to co-promote shows, bringing in talent from around the country to create larger, more diverse cards. This collaborative approach helped establish a network of wrestling promotions that prefigured the cooperative model later used by the NWA.

    
    

Key Role in the Formation of the NWA in 1948

• Founding Member of the NWA:

  • In 1948, Haft joined a group of key promoters, including Sam Muchnick, Pinkie George, Orville Brown, Harry Light, and others, to form the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA). The NWA was created to bring structure and cooperation to the professional wrestling business, which was highly fragmented at the time.

  • As a founding member of the NWA, Haft's territory was recognized as the official NWA member promotion in Ohio. This designation gave him exclusive rights to promote wrestling in the region and ensured that he would receive bookings for the NWA World Heavyweight Champion, who was obligated to defend the title in member territories.

  • Haft's membership was important because his MWA World Heavyweight Championship traced back to 1930 and was created as a spin-off from the Jim Londos World Heavyweight Championship which NWA used to date their title history back to 1905. Haft's star John Pesek was passed up by Londos so Haft put Pesek over Joe Stecher and created the MWA World Championship. In 1948, Haft's MWA World Champion was Orville Brown and he merged his MWA World Championship with the NWA World Championship and Lou Thesz became the Unified NWA World Champion after Orville Brown was seriously injured in an automobile accident in 1949 and retired.

• Impact of the NWA Membership:

  • Haft’s participation in the NWA provided his territory with greater legitimacy and access to top-tier talent, especially the NWA World Heavyweight Champion, a major draw for any wrestling promotion. The affiliation also allowed Haft to maintain his regional dominance, as the NWA discouraged other promoters from encroaching on his territory.

  • The cooperative booking arrangements of the NWA allowed Haft to feature a wide variety of wrestlers from other territories, keeping his shows fresh and competitive.

    
    

Peak Years and Influence (1950s-1960s)

• Promoting Big Matches and Major Stars:

  • During the 1950s, Haft continued to promote major events in Columbus and other cities throughout Ohio. He regularly featured NWA World Heavyweight Champions like Lou Thesz, Buddy Rogers, and Pat O’Connor, who drew significant crowds to his shows.

  • Haft maintained a strong roster of local and regional talent, including names like Johnny Barend, Ray Stevens, and Bobby Davis. His ability to create compelling storylines and feuds helped maintain fan interest in his shows throughout the decade.

• Focus on Television:

  • With the rise of television in the 1950s, Haft was one of the early promoters to embrace the new medium, airing his wrestling shows on local TV stations. This move expanded his audience beyond the live gates and helped build a broader fan base for his promotion.

  • Haft’s television shows featured a mix of squash matches, competitive bouts, and interviews, a format that would become standard for wrestling TV shows in the years to come.

    
    

Transition and Decline (1960s-1970s)

• Decline of Haft's Control:

  • By the 1960s, Haft's influence began to wane as other promotions, particularly Jim Barnett & Johnny Doyle out of Indiana, Verne Gagne's AWA and Vincent J. McMahon’s World Wide Wrestling Federation (WWWF), began to expand their reach. The rise of national television programming made it more difficult for regional promotions to maintain their audiences.

  • Despite these challenges, Haft continued to run shows in Columbus and other cities, but the territory’s heyday was clearly over. He began to rely more on established NWA stars and less on developing his own talent, which hurt his promotion’s ability to compete with other territories.

• Sale of the Territory:

  • In the 1960s, as Haft neared retirement, he began to scale back his promotional efforts. In 1964, Haft sold the Columbus territory to Flying Fred Curry, son of Wild Bull Curry, working for Ed 'The Sheik' Farhat who had just taken over Harry Light's Big Time Wrestling in nearby Detroit, MI. This sale marked the end of Haft’s direct involvement in professional wrestling promotion.

    
    

Al Haft's Legacy and Impact on Wrestling

• Innovative Promoter and Talent Developer:

  • Al Haft is remembered as one of the most innovative wrestling promoters of his era, particularly in the Midwest. His focus on developing new talent, promoting entertaining matches, and utilizing television as a promotional tool helped shape the future of professional wrestling.

  • Haft's eye for talent allowed him to cultivate a roster that included some of the most influential wrestlers in the history of the sport. His work in developing wrestlers like Buddy Rogers and Ray Stevens had a lasting impact on wrestling.

• Key Role in the NWA's Early Development:

  • As a founding member of the NWA, Haft played a critical role in the organization’s early success. His territory provided a significant market for the NWA World Heavyweight Champion, and his support for the NWA helped establish it as the premier governing body in professional wrestling for much of the 20th century.

• Influence on Modern Wrestling:

  • Although Haft's promotion eventually declined, his contributions to wrestling were far-reaching. His approach to talent development, storytelling, and the use of television would become standard practices in the industry, influencing future generations of promoters and wrestlers alike.

    
    

Conclusion

Al Haft's tenure as the promoter of the Columbus, Ohio wrestling territory was marked by innovation, talent development, and a commitment to professional wrestling's growth. His promotion became a significant player in the Midwest and a foundational member of the NWA. While the Columbus territory eventually faded, Haft's impact on wrestling's early days remains a testament to his vision and dedication to the sport.