The American Wrestling Association (AWA) was founded by Verne Gagne and Wally Karbo in 1960. The AWA emerged as a powerful promotion based in the Midwest and became one of the major wrestling organizations in North America during the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s.
Founding of the AWA:
Background and Context: Before founding the AWA, Verne Gagne was already a well-known wrestler and a former collegiate amateur wrestling champion. He became one of the top stars of the 1950s and was heavily featured in the Chicago-based wrestling promotion run by Fred Kohler, which was affiliated with the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA). Gagne was an extremely popular figure, particularly in the Midwest, and had a strong following due to his clean-cut image, technical wrestling skills, and charisma.
Departure from the NWA: Verne Gagne's split from the NWA was primarily driven by his desire to become the NWA World Heavyweight Champion. Despite being a significant draw, Gagne was not chosen to hold the NWA's top title, largely because the NWA board of directors preferred champions who had the flexibility to travel to all the NWA territories to defend the belt. Gagne, wanting to establish himself as a top champion, decided to form his own promotion.
Creation of the AWA (1960): The AWA officially came into existence in 1960, when Verne Gagne and Wally Karbo, another wrestling promoter and matchmaker, broke away from the NWA. The AWA was initially formed around the NWA's existing Minneapolis territory, which Gagne and Karbo controlled. To establish the AWA as a credible promotion, they needed a world champion.
AWA World Heavyweight Championship: To create their own World Heavyweight Championship, Gagne and Karbo declared that the reigning NWA World Heavyweight Champion at the time, Pat O'Connor, refused to defend his title against Gagne. They then declared the title vacant within the AWA territory and announced that Gagne had "won" the AWA World Heavyweight Championship by default. In reality, Gagne was simply recognized as the new AWA World Champion without defeating the NWA champion in a match.
Establishing a Promotion: Gagne and Karbo set up the AWA headquarters in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and began running shows throughout the Midwest, including Minnesota, Wisconsin, North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa, Nebraska, and Illinois. They also secured a crucial television deal with local TV station WTCN (later KARE) in Minneapolis, which helped them reach a broad audience in the region. The television exposure, combined with Gagne’s popularity, quickly established the AWA as a credible wrestling promotion.
Style and Philosophy: The AWA became known for its straightforward, athletic style of wrestling, with a focus on legitimate competition and clean finishes. Gagne emphasized technical wrestling skills and often brought in amateur wrestlers and athletes to bolster the credibility of the promotion. Gagne himself continued to wrestle as a top star in the AWA, holding the AWA World Heavyweight Championship multiple times throughout the 1960s and 1970s.
Key Figures in the AWA:
Verne Gagne: The face of the promotion, Gagne was not only the owner but also the top star and a multi-time AWA World Heavyweight Champion. He built the AWA around his image as a legitimate athlete and a “real” wrestler.
Wally Karbo: As co-founder and promoter, Karbo played a significant role in the day-to-day operations, securing venues, booking matches, and negotiating TV deals.
AWA’s Growth and Influence:
Talent Roster: The AWA attracted some of the biggest names in wrestling during its peak years, including Nick Bockwinkel, Ray Stevens, The Crusher, Mad Dog Vachon, Jesse Ventura, Larry Hennig, Hulk Hogan, Bobby "The Brain" Heenan, Rick Martel, Curt Hennig, and many others. These talents helped the AWA maintain a high profile and significant popularity throughout the Midwest and beyond.
National Expansion: By the 1970s and early 1980s, the AWA was regarded as one of the three major wrestling promotions in the United States, alongside the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) and Jim Crockett Promotions (JCP), representing the NWA. The AWA expanded beyond its traditional Midwest base, attempting to make inroads into other regions through television syndication.
Decline and Closure:
Competition with the WWF: In the 1980s, the AWA began to struggle due to increased competition from the WWF. Vince McMahon Jr.'s aggressive national expansion strategy included poaching top talent from the AWA, most notably Hulk Hogan, Bobby Heenan, Gene Okerlund, and others. These moves significantly weakened the AWA's roster and fan base.
Financial Struggles and Closure: Unable to compete with the WWF’s financial muscle and national reach, the AWA's fortunes continued to decline throughout the late 1980s. Despite efforts to revitalize the promotion, such as the creation of the "Team Challenge Series" and bringing in younger talent, the AWA was unable to recover. The promotion officially closed its doors in 1991.
Legacy:
The AWA left a significant mark on professional wrestling history. It produced some of the industry's most recognizable stars, influenced the wrestling style of the Midwest, and was a major force in shaping modern wrestling. Even after its closure, the AWA's legacy continued through its alumni, who went on to achieve significant success in other promotions, particularly in the WWF and WCW.
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