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Pro Wrestling Stories
  • Topics
    • Dark Tales of Wrestling
    • Shoot Interviews
    • Wrestling Territories
    • Women Wrestling Pioneers
    • Shoot Fights
    • Lists
    • In Memoriam
    • Pro Wrestling Documentaries, Books, and Movie Reviews
    • Huge Crowd Reactions
    • Nostalgic Wrestling Photos
    • Ask PWS
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    • About Pro Wrestling Stories
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    • HOMAGE.com – Our favorite in retro wrestling attire! (Use code “PWS” for a nice surprise)
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  • Podcasts
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    • The Genius Cast with Lanny Poffo (2018-19)
    • The Pro Wrestling Stories Podcast (2020)
    • Songs From The Squared Circle
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Wrestling Territories

From outlaws to ghost territories to powerhouses of the NWA, road stories, backhanded dealings, and beyond, learn the history of many of your favorite wrestling territories and the demise each sadly faced.

From outlaws to ghost territories to powerhouses of the NWA, road stories, backhanded dealings, and beyond, learn the history of many of your favorite wrestling territories and the demise each sadly faced.

The United States Wrestling Association (USWA) wrestling territory thrived with stars such as Jerry "The King" Lawler, Sid Vicious, Jeff Jarrett, announcer Lance Russell, Nightmare Danny Davis, The Punisher (later the Undertaker), manager Skandor Akbar, Cactus Jack Manson (Mick Foley), "Stunning Steve Austin, Brian Christopher, "Gentleman" Chris Adams, Miss Texas (Jacqueline Moore), Eric Embry, and a host of others.

United States Wrestling Association (USWA) | Wrestling Territories

by Jim Phillips

The United States Wrestling Association (USWA) saw many young stars come through its doors that rattled the wrestling game to its core!

A Ghost Story: How a Long-forgotten Territory Still Haunts WWE

A Ghost Story: How a Long-forgotten Territory Still Haunts WWE

by Bobby Mathews

This ‘lost promotion’ has gone by Southeastern, Continental Championship Wrestling, and CWF. Its legacy is there if one knows where to look.

A heel Vince McMahon on USWA television in 1993 and Jerry "The King" Lawler.

Vince McMahon’s WWF and Jerry Lawler’s USWA: A Secret War!

by Javier Ojst

The war between Vince McMahon and Jerry “The King” Lawler and the time Vince and several WWF stars invaded the USWA in Memphis.

Verne Gagne over the years.

Verne Gagne and the Rise and Fall of the AWA

by Jim Phillips

From his storied sports career to the AWA, rumors about Hulk Hogan, and troubling final days, this is the unforgettable story of Verne Gagne.

The World Wrestling Association (WWA Indianapolis) wrestling territory thrived under the tutelage of Dick The Bruiser (after purchasing the NWA Indianapolis territory from Jim Barnett with Wilbur Snyder in 1964) and stars such as Baron von Raschke, Big Moose Cholak, Wilbur Snyder, The Great Wojo, Bobby Heenan, Scott Steiner, The Valiant Brothers (Johnny, Jimmy, and Jerry), The Assassins (Joe Tomasso and Guy Mitchell), Ox Baker, The Fabulous Kangaroos, and a host of others.

World Wrestling Association: WWA Indianapolis Wrestling Territory

by Jim Phillips

World Wrestling Association (WWA Indianapolis) was a territory created out of rebellion with a legacy going back to the creation of the NWA.

The Big Time Wrestling in Detroit (BTW) wrestling territory thrived initially under the tutelage of Harry Light and stars such as Lord Athol Layton, Walter "Killer" Kowalski, Abdullah the Butcher, The Mighty Igor, The Sheik, Dick The Bruiser, "Wild Bull" Curry, Fritz Von Erich, Bobo Brazil, The Grand Wizard of Wrestling, and a host of others.

Big Time Wrestling in Detroit | Wrestling Territories

by Jim Phillips

Big Time Wrestling in Detroit was one of the most successful NWA territories and introduced fans to hardcore wrestling before anyone else.

Pro Wrestling Guerrilla has thrived since 2003 with star alumni such as Adam Pearce, Kevin Steen (Kevin Owens), AJ Styles, Uhaa Nation (Apollo Crews), Frankie Kazarian, Adam Cole, El Generico (Sami Zayn), CM Punk, Colt Cabana, Tyler Black (Seth Rollins), Kenny Omega, Bryan Danielson (FKA Daniel Bryan), Claudio Castagnoli (FKA Cesaro), Johnny Gargano, and a host of others.

Pro Wrestling Guerrilla | Guerrilla Movement: The Story of PWG

by Jordan Talbot

What do some of the biggest and best names in WWE and AEW have in common? They all cut their teeth in Pro Wrestling Guerrilla.

The Georgia Championship Wrestling (GCW) wrestling territory thrived with stars such as Jack and Jerry Brisco, "The Minnesota Wrecking Crew" Ole and Arn Anderson, El Mongol, The Masked Superstar, Abdullah the Butcher, promoter Jim Barnett, "Bullet" Bob Armstrong, Mr. Wrestling II, "The Fabulous Freebirds" Terry Gordy and Michael Hayes, "Wildfire" Tommy Rich, The Assassins, Seth Hansen, and a host of others.

Georgia Championship Wrestling | Wrestling Territories

by Jim Phillips

Georgia Championship Wrestling was a prolific wrestling territory. However, greed, backstabbing, and Vince McMahon would lead to its demise.

The Championship Wrestling from Florida (CWF) wrestling territory thrived with stars such as Jack and Jerry Brisco,

Championship Wrestling from Florida (CWF): Wrestling Territories

by Jim Phillips

Championship Wrestling from Florida saw wrestling’s finest travel through its doors. However, it is its tragic demise that leaves its mark.

The NWA Central States Wrestling territory thrived under the tutelage of Bob Giegel (center) and stars such as (from left to right) Harley Race, "Tarzan" Killer Kowalski, Sonny Myers, Mike George, Black Angus Campbell, Steve Regal, "Bulldog" Bob Brown, Dewey Robertson (pre-Missing Link), Wild Bill Longson, "The Big O" Bob Orton Sr., Danny Little Bear, "Nature Boy" Roger Kirby, Orville Brown, "The Freight Train" Rufus R. Jones, and a host of others.

NWA Central States Wrestling: The Wrestling Territories

by Jim Phillips

Central States Wrestling (Heart of America Sports Attractions) was one of the original NWA territories that thrived until its demise in 1989.

The Big Time Wrestling in San Fransisco wrestling territory thrived initially under the tutelage of Joe Malcewicz (top left) and later Roy Shire (top right) and stars such as Pat Patterson, Ray Stevens, Roddy Piper, Pepper Gomez, booker Red Bastien, Chavo (Sr.) and Mando Guerrero, "Moondog" Lonnie Mayne, "High Chief" Peter Maivia, and a host of others.

Big Time Wrestling in San Francisco | Wrestling Territories

by Jim Phillips

Big Time Wrestling in San Francisco was one of the most profitable NWA territories. However, unfortunate factors would lead to its demise.

This is the story of Ring of Honor, who epitomized the very best of professional wrestling - as told by those who lived and breathed it.

Ring of Honor: Epitomizing The Very Best

by Ian Aldous

This is the story of Ring of Honor, who epitomized the very best of professional wrestling – as told by those who lived and breathed…

The Western States Sports wrestling territory thrived under the helm of Dory Funk Sr., Dory Funk, Jr., and Terry Funk, and stars such as Mike DiBiase, Lord Alfred Hayes, Dick Murdoch, Ciclón Negro, The Von Brauners, Fritz Von Erich, Don "The Lawman" Slatton, Gory Guerrero, Ricky Romero, and a host of others.

Western States Sports – Funk Amarillo Territory | The Wrestling Territories

by Jim Phillips

The Funk’s Western States Sports wrestling territory out of Amarillo took wrestling to great heights. Here’s the story of its rise and demise.

The Mid-South Wrestling Association wrestling territory thrived with the cast of "Cowboy" Bill Watts, Boyd Pierce, Mr. Olympia, The Junkyard Dog, Jim Ross, Jim Cornette, Bobby Eaton, and Dennis Condrey of The Midnight Express, Buddy Landel, Mr. Wrestling II, Magnum T.A., Ted DiBiase, Dr. Death Steve Williams, Robert Gibson and Ricky Morton of The Rock 'n' Roll Express, Kamala, Butch Read, Hacksaw Jim Duggan, and a host of others.

Mid-South Wrestling Association | The Wrestling Territories

by Jim Phillips

Mid-South Wrestling Association was one of the hottest wrestling promotions of the 1980s. Its ultimate demise leaves its mark in history.

Betrayal, disloyalty, and mob tactics ran rampant between Ann Gunkel and the NWA with their Battle for Atlanta!

Ann Gunkel and the NWA’s Heated Battle for Atlanta

by Javier Ojst

Betrayal, disloyalty, and mob tactics ran rampant between Ann Gunkel and the NWA with their Battle for Atlanta!

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  • Topics
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® 2023 Pro Wrestling Stories
  • Topics
    • Dark Tales of Wrestling
    • Shoot Interviews
    • Wrestling Territories
    • Women Wrestling Pioneers
    • Shoot Fights
    • Lists
    • In Memoriam
    • Pro Wrestling Documentaries, Books, and Movie Reviews
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  • About
    • About Pro Wrestling Stories
    • Contact
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  • Meet The Team
  • Merch
    • HOMAGE.com – Our favorite in retro wrestling attire! (Use code “PWS” for a nice surprise)
    • PWSTees.com – Your favorite Pro Wrestling Stories, on a tee!
  • Podcasts
    • Pro Wrestling Stories Presents (2015)
    • The Genius Cast with Lanny Poffo (2018-19)
    • The Pro Wrestling Stories Podcast (2020)
    • Songs From The Squared Circle
  • Write For Us