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Pro Wrestling Stories
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AWA

Chief Don Eagle was a Native American wrestling pioneer of immense talent. New eyewitness testimony exposes chilling details from the room where wrestling legend Don Eagle met his untimely end.

Chief Don Eagle: Haunting Secrets of Wrestler’s Mysterious Death

by Bill McCormack  Sep 2, 2025

Chief Don Eagle was a native American wrestling pioneer, remembered for screwjob finishes and an unsolved death that still begs answers.

The forgotten 1983 St. Louis wrestling war saw two powerhouse promotions destroy each other while Vince McMahon quietly positioned himself to claim victory ...without even fighting.

1983 St Louis Wrestling War McMahon Won Doing Nothing

by Rick Fields  Aug 4, 2025

In 1983, two wrestling promotions destroyed each other in St. Louis while Vince McMahon watched, waited, and won everything.

Baffling, brilliant, and unforgettable โ€” explore the wild ride of Larry Zbyszko, from Brunoโ€™s betrayal to โ€œLiving Legendโ€ status in wrestling.

Larry Zbyszko: Boo On Me – His Secret Tale

by Benny J. Scala  May 8, 2025

Baffling, brilliant, and unforgettable โ€” explore the wild ride of Larry Zbyszko, from Brunoโ€™s betrayal to โ€œLiving Legendโ€ status in wrestling.

From vintage souvenir fan club packages to the irresistible charm of 1950s board games, unwrap the joy of nostalgia with these twelve timeless classic wrestling Christmas gifts of years past that promise to transport you back to the golden era of wrestling home entertainment and evoke the cherished memories of Christmas mornings past!

Classic Wrestling Christmas Gifts: 12 Timeless Treasures

by Pro Wrestling Stories  Dec 17, 2024

From souvenir fan club packages to 1950s board games, unleash your nostalgia with these 12 classic wrestling Christmas gifts from the past!

Today in Pro Wrestling History (August 16): Verne Gagne Becomes AWA World Champion for the First Time

by Pro Wrestling Stories  Aug 16, 2024

Discover how wrestling legend Verne Gagne became the first recognized AWA World Heavyweight Champion on August 16, 1960.

Today In Pro Wrestling History July 19

Today in Pro Wrestling History (July 19): Gene Kiniski’s Triple Crown

by Pro Wrestling Stories  Jul 19, 2024

Learn how Gene Kiniski became the first AWA Triple Crown Champion by winning the World Tag Team Championship on this day in 1961.

Today In Pro Wrestling History June 29

Today in Pro Wrestling History (June 29): Stan Hansen Forfeits the AWA World Title

by Pro Wrestling Stories  Jun 29, 2024

Remembering Davey Boy Smith, the British Bulldog, on the anniversary of his passing. He was a beloved figure and multi-time champion in the WWF.

Today In Pro Wrestling History May 2

Today in Pro Wrestling History: (May 2) – Curt Hennig Takes the AWA Crown

by Pro Wrestling Stories  May 2, 2024

Nick Bockwinkel’s legendary AWA title reign ended on this day. Curt Hennig shocked the world with his victory.

Today In Pro Wrestling History April 14

Today in Pro Wrestling History: (April 14) – Remembering ‘Canada’s Greatest Athlete’

by Pro Wrestling Stories  Apr 14, 2024

Remembering Gene Kiniski, ‘Canada’s Greatest Athlete’, NWA and AWA World Champion. A true wrestling icon.

Today In Pro Wrestling History April 8

Today in Pro Wrestling History: (April 8) – The Last Stand of the AWA

by Pro Wrestling Stories  Apr 8, 2024

Larry Zbyszko’s AWA title win at SuperClash IV highlighted the promotion’s decline. Discover the fall of a wrestling legend.

Today In Pro Wrestling History April 6

Today in Pro Wrestling History: (April 6) – Patera & Saito Go Out for Burgers

by Pro Wrestling Stories  Apr 6, 2024

Pro wrestlers Ken Patera and Masa Saito had a wild night involving McDonald’s, a thrown rock, and a fight with police.

Today In Pro Wrestling History February 7

Today In Pro Wrestling History (Feb 7): Larry Z Rules the AWA

by Pro Wrestling Stories  Feb 7, 2024

Today In Pro Wrestling History: On February 7th, 1989, Larry Zbysko wins the AWA championship in a 20-man Battle Royal.

Today In Pro Wrestling History December 13

Today In Pro Wrestling History (Dec 13): Two World Champions Clash in Chicago

by Pro Wrestling Stories  Dec 13, 2023

On December 13, SuperClash III, a historic wrestling event with Lawler vs. Von Erich, falls short of expectations despite high-profile billing.

Today In Pro Wrestling History December 12

Today In Pro Wrestling History (Dec 12): The AWA Title Bids Farewell

by Pro Wrestling Stories  Dec 13, 2023

Today in Pro Wrestling History: On December 12, 1990, the AWA World Heavyweight Championship, a symbol of professional wrestling prestige, faced its conclusion. The title…

Over the years, Juan Kachmanian established himself as a prominent figure in the professional wrestling industry by adopting different personas, including Ervan the Armenian, Ivan the Terrible, The Missing Link, The Great Pampero, the Wild Bull of the Pampas, and most notably, Pampero Firpo.

“Oooh Yeah!” The Untold Story of Pampero Firpo

by Benny J. Scala  May 9, 2023

Delve into the life and exploits of the Wild Bull of the Pampas, Pampero Firpo, whose tale goes much beyond inspiring a future WWE Champion!

Larry Hennig: Much More Than Mr. Perfect’s Dad

by Evan Ginzburg  Jan 26, 2023

As revered as “Mr. Perfect” Curt Hennig deserves to be, his father Larry Hennig was a legendary champ with an exceptional story of his own!

From the 1980s to 1992, professional wrestling enjoyed a boom because of the kids-friendly product and larger-than-life characters of WWF's Golden Era. However, by the Ruthless Aggression Era (2002-2008), there was a significant shift in the product. And often, returning legends from the golden past didn't always fare well!

10 Golden Era Wrestlers in WWE’s Ruthless Aggression Era

by Griffin Kaye  Nov 23, 2023

Returning legends from the Golden Era didn’t always fare well! Here are ten wrestlers who returned to WWE during the Ruthless Aggression Era!

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  Apr 22, 2023

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

Buffalo Jim Barrier pictured with wrestling friends Ron Simmons, Yokozuna, Undertaker, and Rikishi.

Buffalo Jim Barrier: His Shocking, Unsolved Death

by Javier Ojst  Aug 15, 2024

Buffalo Jim Barrier was a fun-loving wrestling promoter, business owner, and Las Vegas mainstay until his grim and unsolved death in Motel 6.

Fumi Saito alongside Bruiser Brody and Jimmy Snuka.

Fumi Saito: Japanโ€™s Leading Wrestling Historian and Journalist

by Javier Ojst  Nov 8, 2022

It isn’t easy to overstate how entrenched Fumi Saito has been in the professional wrestling industry for the past four decades.

Hulk Hogan winning the AWA World Heavyweight Championship remains one of the greatest "What if's" in our beloved sport's rich history.

Hulk Hogan and the AWA Championship: What If He Won?

by Benny J. Scala  Dec 21, 2023

What if Hulk Hogan become AWA Champion? A ‘What If?’ scenario that would have had an astronomical effect on the entire wrestling timeline.

The man, the myth, the legend: Rowdy Roddy Piper.

Rowdy Roddy Piper: A Wild Maverick Who Died Too Soon

by Geries Tadros  Jan 10, 2023

Wrestler Rowdy Roddy Piperโ€”a maverick known for his outrageous behaviorโ€”died too soon. We take a look back at Piperโ€™s life and career.

Verne Gagne's AWA Tag Team Challenge Series kicked off with lingerie-clad cheerleaders. It all went downhill from there!

Revealed: The Untold Story of AWA Team Challenge Series

by Javier Ojst  Sep 25, 2024

To counter the growing dominance of the WWF, AWA had to do something different. Thus, the AWA Team Challenge Series was born.

Verne Gagne over the years.

Verne Gagne and the Rise and Fall of the AWA

by Jim Phillips  Apr 22, 2023

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

Stan Hansen refused to drop the AWA World Championship belt to Nick Bockwinkel, something he was ordered to do by Verne Gagne and the AWA.

Stan Hansen and the AWA Championship Belt Scandal

by Javier Ojst  Nov 23, 2023

What Stan Hansen did to the AWA World Heavyweight Championship belt after becoming champion is forever a part of wrestling lore.

Adrian Adonis over the years.

Adrian Adonis: His Remarkable Career and Tragic End

by Jim Phillips  Mar 10, 2023

Adrian Adonis was audacious, arrogant, and truly one of the best. Sadly, he’d perish in a freak accident. This is his unforgettable story.

The Road Warriors (Michael โ€œHawkโ€ Hegstrand and Joe โ€œAnimalโ€ Laurinaitis) make their television debut at TBS Studios on Techwood Drive on June 11th, 1983.

Surprising Story Behind TV Debut of The Road Warriors

by Ron Matejko  May 23, 2025

“Back then, guys like us were aware of each other!โ€ Here is the story of the formation and landmark television debut of The Road Warriors.

Eddie Sharkey - The trainer of professional wrestling champions. [design: JP Zarka / ProWrestlingStories.com]

Eddie Sharkey – The Trainer of Wrestling Champions

by Javier Ojst  Nov 27, 2024

From training legendary professional wrestlers to gouging out eyes alongside Harley Race, Eddie Sharkey is the last of a dying breed!

A very dear, close, personal, long-time friend to us all: Mean Gene Okerlund over the years.

Mean Gene Okerlund: Secret History on the Man Behind the Mic

by JP Zarka  Jan 26, 2023

From being a singer in a hit band to becoming the voice of a generation of wrestling fans, Mean Gene Okerlund lived quite a surprising…

Tully Blanchard Origins - His Memorable Football Career Before Wrestling

Tully Blanchard | His Memorable Football Career Before Wrestling

by Ron Matejko  Jul 7, 2022

Whether it was football or wrestling, the spotlight has always shined bright on the second-generation star, Tully Blanchard.

Leon White (who would later become Big Van Vader) had many stiff run-ins with Bruiser Brody in and out of the ring early on in his career.

Vader’s Shocking Rookie Error Against Bruiser Brody

by Javier Ojst  Jul 13, 2023

Discover the shocking tale of the adversity Big Van Vader had to overcome against Bruiser Brody early in his career.

The two Hulk's do battle. Fantasy art on Deviantart by MrJimiMadcap.

Hulk Hogan versus Marvel Comics | The Fight for His Name

by Braeden Farrell  Jan 10, 2023

Hulk Hogan and Hulkamania possibly never would have run wild had it not been for this bizarre agreement between Marvel Comics and the WWF!

The bond between Scott Hall and Curt Hennig ran deep.

Scott Hall and Curt Hennig’s Secret Bond Beyond The Ring

by Matt Pender  Feb 24, 2023

Learn about the unique bond between Curt Hennig and Scott Hall, two pro wrestlers known for their athleticism and loyalty to each other.

SAITO Remembered: "Brother, He Was Double-Tough"

Masa Saito Remembered: “Brother, He Was Double-Tough”

by Bobby Mathews  Jan 10, 2023

“What everyone seems to remember is the arrest of Masa Saito โ€“ and subsequent conviction โ€“ while competing in the AWA in 1984.”

One of the worst aspects of these shocking crimes was that many people in the wrestling community were aware of it and did nothing for more than a decade.

Wrestling Deviants Jailed for Shocking Abuse

by Bobby Mathews  Feb 27, 2023

These stories are a cautionary tale: a reminder that wrestling draws many marginal people toward its tawdry spotlight.

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  • Choose a Story
  • About
    • About Pro Wrestling Stories
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      • Disclaimer, Terms of Service, Privacy Policy, and Disclosure Policies
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  • Dark Tales
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  • 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!
  • Meet The Team
  • More
    • Women Wrestling Pioneers
    • Shoot Fights
    • Lists
    • In Memoriam
    • Podcasts
      • Pro Wrestling Stories Presents (2015)
      • The Genius Cast with Lanny Poffo (2018-19)
      • The Pro Wrestling Stories Podcast (2020)
    • Pro Wrestling Documentaries, Books, and Movie Reviews
    • Today in History
    • Huge Crowd Reactions
    • Ask PWS