Author: Today in Pro Wrestling History: On May 30th, 1986, Bill Watts’ Mid-South Wrestling is renamed the Universal Wrestling Federation, and crowns Terry Gordy as the first UWF heavyweight champion.
Today in Pro Wrestling History: (May 30): Gordy is On Top of the Universe
To establish the new UWF Heavyweight Championship, a tournament was held, featuring the promotion’s top talent. The finals saw “The Freebird” Terry Gordy defeat “Dr. Death” Steve Williams to become the inaugural champion. This victory solidified Gordy as the face of the UWF and marked the beginning of a new era for the promotion.
The UWF, under Watts’ leadership, was known for its hard-hitting, realistic wrestling style, emphasizing athleticism and compelling storylines. Watts had a keen eye for talent, and the UWF roster boasted future stars such as Sting, Eddie Gilbert, and The Fabulous Freebirds.
These stories may also interest you:
- Dr Death Steve Williams and Steve Ray: A Shoot in the Ring
- The Great American Bash: From the NWA to WWE
- The Rockers and Their Canceled WWF Championship Win
Can’t get enough pro wrestling history in your life? Sign up to unlock ten pro wrestling stories curated uniquely for YOU, plus subscriber-exclusive content. A special gift from us awaits after signing up!
Want More? Choose another story!
Be sure to follow us on Facebook, X/Twitter, Instagram, Threads, YouTube, TikTok, and Flipboard!
Pro Wrestling Stories is committed to accurate, unbiased wrestling content rigorously fact-checked and verified by our team of researchers and editors. Any inaccuracies are quickly corrected, with updates timestamped in the article's byline header.
Got a correction, tip, or story idea for Pro Wrestling Stories? Contact us! Learn about our editorial standards here. Ever wanted to learn more about the people behind Pro Wrestling Stories? Meet our team of authors!
This post may contain affiliate links, which means we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. This helps us provide free content for you to enjoy!
