List of outlaw wrestling promotions

This article is about "outlaw" professional wrestling promotions in the United States. For modern-day independent wrestling promotions, see List of independent wrestling promotions in the United States. For a list of National Wrestling Alliance-affiliated promotions, see List of NWA territories.

This is a list of outlaw wrestling promotions in the United States, sorted by regional area, and lists "outlaw promotions" from the 1940s to 2000s. This list does not include pre-1948 groups active during the "Pioneer Era" (1900s-1940s) or modern-day "indy promotions". Outlaw promotions are traditionally defined as professional wrestling promotions not affiliated with the National Wrestling Alliance, did not recognize the NWA World Heavyweight Championship, and promoted shows in direct competition against NWA regional territories. Wrestlers who had been blackballed from the industry or were winding down their career often found a home with such promotions. These groups were often short-lived as NWA promoters would receive top stars from other members to prevent a potential takeover of a territory. This was not always the case, however, as some promotions freely cooperated with the NWA promoters (e.g. National Wrestling Federation) while others operated in areas where there was not an established NWA presence. Longtime NWA members, such as Jim Crockett Promotions and World Class Championship Wrestling, left the organization in order to compete with the World Wrestling Federation during the 1980s wrestling boom.

New England

Name Location Owner(s) Years active Notes
Big Time Wrestling Boston, Massachusetts Tony Santos, Sr. 1960–1975 [1]
Century Wrestling Alliance Boston, Massachusetts Tony Rumble 1989–1997 Joined the NWA as NWA New England in 1997.[1][2]
International Championship Wrestling Boston, Massachusetts Angelo Savoldi
Mario Savoldi		 1985–1995 [1][2]
International Wrestling Federation Reading, Massachusetts Killer Kowalski 1979–1996 [1][2]
New England Wrestling Alliance Lynn, Massachusetts Jack Viles 1975–1977 [1]
New England Wrestling Association New Bedford, Massachusetts Joe Eugenio 1988–1993 [1]
New England Wrestling Federation Massachusetts Richard Byrnes 1982–1985 Also known as the United States Wrestling Federation.[1]
Northeast Championship Wrestling New Haven, Connecticut Tom Janette 1983–1993 [1]
Northeast Wrestling Federation Musky Sallow
Bob Backlund		 Springfield, Massachusetts 1984–1985 [1]

East Coast

Maryland

Name Location Owner(s) Years active Notes
National Wrestling League Hagerstown, Maryland Dick Caricofe 1988– [1]
Wrestling Independent Network Baltimore Ed Zohn, Jeff Capo, Juli Blanton 1989–1993 [1]

New Jersey

Name Location Owner(s) Years active Notes
Eastern Wrestling Alliance New Jersey Ted Stanley 1985 [1]
Empire Wrestling Federation New Jersey Jack Barnett
Enzo Morabito		 1983–1985 [1]
Universal Wrestling Alliance Woodbridge, New Jersey Dennis Galamb
Jim Ryan		 1985–1990 [1]
World Wrestling Association Woodbury, New Jersey Larry Sharpe 1989–1998 [1]

New York

Name Location Owner(s) Years active Notes
Camp IWF Brooklyn, New York Johnny Rodz 1986–1990 [1]
International Championship Wrestling New York Steve Devito 1989 [1]
International Wrestling Association Buffalo, New York Pedro Martínez 1975 [1][3][4]
National Wrestling Federation Buffalo, New York Pedro Martínez 1970–1974 [1][3][4]
New Independent Wrestling Association Ardsley, New York Micky DiFate
René Reyes		 1984–1985 [1]
Ringside 41 New York City, New York 1976 [1]
Universal Wrestling Rochester, New York Roger Reed 1977 [1]
Vega International Wrestling New York City, New York 1978–1980 [1]
World Wrestling Council New York/Pennsylvania Mark Tendler 1986 [1]

Pennsylvania

Name Location Owner(s) Years active Notes
Atlantic States Wrestling Alliance York, Pennsylvania Ed Zohn 1989–1991 Also known as the Mid-Atlantic Wrestling Alliance.[1]
Atlantic Wrestling Federation Hanover, Pennsylvania Max Thrasher 1988–1993 [1]
East Coast Wrestling Federation Easton, Pennsylvania Paul Swanger 1983–1984 [1]
North American Wrestling Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Mike Donatelli 1986–1995 [1]
National Independent Championship Wrestling Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania Bob Raskin 1985 [1]
National Wrestling Federation Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania DC Drake
Bob Raskin		 1986–1994 [1]
Super-Pro Wrestling Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Gene Dargan 1984 [1]
Three Rivers Wrestling Association Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Gene Dargan 1977–1979 [1]
World Wide Wrestling Alliance Colmar, Pennsylvania Dino Sanna 1981– [1][5]

Midwest

Illinois

Name Location Owner(s) Years active Notes
Pro Wrestling International Chicago Terry Scholl 1984–1995 [1]
Southern Illinois Championship Wrestling Springfield, Illinois Herb Simmons 1984–1992 [1]
Windy City Wrestling Chicago Sam DeCero 1988–2010 [1]

Indiana

Name Location Owner(s) Years active Notes
American Wrestling Federation Danville, Indiana 1989–1992 [1]
International Wrestling Alliance Indianapolis, Indiana 1989–1990 Merged with the American Wrestling Federation in 1990.[1]
World Wrestling Association Indianapolis, Indiana Dick the Bruiser 1971–1990 Ran against the NWA's Detroit office under Ed Farhat from 1971 to 1974.[1][6]

Iowa

Name Location Owner(s) Years active Notes
Midwest Championship Wrestling Quad Cities, Iowa Dale Edwards 1984–1986 [1][7]
Ringside Wrestling Clinton, Iowa Rocky Brewer 1982–1983 [1]

Michigan

Name Location Owner(s) Years active Notes
Michigan Championship Wrestling Lansing, Michigan Fritz Burns
Ricky Cortez		 1977–1994 [1]
Midwest All-Pro Belleville, Michigan 1988–1993 Merged with Motor City Wrestling in 1993.
Superstars of Wrestling Detroit, Michigan George Cannon 1976–1983 [1]
Universal Wrestling Detroit, Michigan Jack Cain
Tony Marino
Terry Sullivan		 1974–1976 Also known as International Wrestling in the Toledo, Ohio area. Ran against the NWA's Detroit office under Ed Farhat during the mid-1970s.[8]
Wolverine Wrestling Lansing, Michigan Bert Ruby
Fritz Burns
Ricky Cortez		 1968–1977 [1][9]

Minnesota

Name Location Owner(s) Years active Notes
Pro Wrestling America Minneapolis, Minnesota Eddie Sharkey 1985–1996 Ran against the American Wrestling Association in the mid-to-late 1980s.[1]
Western Wrestling Association New Brighton, Minnesota Bill Wasserman
Patricia Brown		 1988– [1]

Missouri

Name Location Owner(s) Years active Notes
Greater St. Louis Wrestling St. Louis, Missouri Larry Matysik 1983 Split with the NWA's St. Louis office following the retirement of Sam Muchnick.[10]
Mid-Missouri Wrestling Association St. Louis, Missouri Tony Casta 1985– [1]
NWAA Malden, Missouri Henry Rogers 1963–1987 [1]

Ohio

Name Location Owner(s) Years active Notes
American States Wrestling Alliance Mansfield, Ohio Charlie Fulton
Mike Collins		 1988– [1]
American Wrestling Federation Athens, Ohio John Brammer 1990–1992 [1]
Great Lakes Wrestling Association Euclid, Ohio Lou Kokley
Joe Weaver		 1989–1994 [1]
Midwest Championship Wrestling Jackson Center, Ohio Jim Lancaster 1981–1992 [1]
Ohio Championship Wrestling Cleveland, Ohio Henry Robinson 1982 [1]
Ohio Championship Wrestling Cleveland, Ohio Tim Hampton
Ken Jugan
Ed Bonzo
J.W. Hawk		 1982–1983
Ohio Championship Wrestling Ohio Bob Fradd 1984–1985 [1]
Professional Promotions Ohio Bailey Barnes
Wayne Oberton		 1976 [1]
Tri-State Wrestling Association Ohio John Summers 1985–1986 [1]
Universal Wrestling Federation Dayton, Ohio Bobby Davis
Don Lewin
Mark Lewin		 1971 [1]
Wrestling Show Classics Cincinnati, Ohio Bobby Davis 1969–1970 Ran against the NWA Detroit office under Ed Farhat for control of northern Ohio. Held the first ever wrestling card at The Spectrum in Philadelphia in the fall of 1969.

Wisconsin

Name Location Owner(s) Years active Notes
Mid-West Wrestling Milwaukee, Wisconsin 1986 [1]
Superstar Wrestling Milwaukee, Wisconsin Al Patterson 1982 [1]
United Wrestling Association Milwaukee, Wisconsin Al Patterson
Grace Brazil
Sam Wells		 1983 [1]
Wisconsin Wrestling Federation Palmyra, Wisconsin 1984 [1]

Rocky Mountains

Name Location Owner(s) Years active Notes
Diamond Belt Championship Wrestling Boise, Idaho David Gould 1980–1981 [1]
Rocky Mountain Wrestling Riverton, Wyoming Bill Ash
Raoul Sanchez		 1980–1981 [1]

Southeast

Alabama

Name Location Owner(s) Years active Notes
Dixie Wrestling 1982 [1]
South Wrestling Huntsville, Alabama Bobby Dee 1982 [1][11]
World Wrestling Organization Mobile, Alabama Mr. Ito 1988 [1]

Florida

Name Location Owner(s) Years active Notes
All-American Championship Wrestling New Port Richey, Florida Bob Hamel 1983–2013 [1]
Allied Sports Miami, Florida Mel Ziegler 1972 Ran against the NWA's Miami office under Bill Dundee in 1972.
Championship Wrestling Federation Tampa, Florida Boris Malenko 1991 [1]
Global Wrestling Boca Raton, Florida Bob Roop
Boris Malenko
Red Roberts		 1986–1988 [1]
Independent Pro Wrestling Association Davie, Florida Rusty Brooks 1988–2003 [1]
Intercontinental Championship Wrestling Alliance Tampa, Florida Ron Slinker 1989–1995 Also known as the International Championship Wrestling Alliance.
International World Wrestling Alliance Tampa, Florida Boris Malenko 1984 [1]
Professional Wrestling Alliance John Davenport 1985 [1]
Professional Wrestling Federation Tampa, Florida Dusty Rhodes
Mike Graham
Steve Keirn		 1989–1991
Southern Wrestling Federation Clermont, Florida Jerry Grey 1988–1993 [1]
Sunbelt Wrestling Jacksonville, Florida Don Curtis
Louie Tillet		 1981 Ran against the NWA's Florida office following a dispute with Eddie Graham.
Suncoast Pro Wrestling Bradenton, Florida Henry Raines 1989–1993 [1]
Universal Wrestling Association Panama City, Florida Lynn Austin 1985 [1]
World League Wrestling Jacksonville, Florida Don Curtis 1981 [1]

Georgia

Name Location Owner(s) Years active Notes
All South Wrestling Alliance Atlanta, Georgia Ann Gunkel 1972–1974 Ran against Georgia Championship Wrestling after her husband's death.[1]
All Star Championship Wrestling Macon, Georgia Grady Odom 1985 [1]
American Wrestling Federation 1984 [1]
American Wrestling Federation Bainbridge, Georgia Frankie Cain 1986 [1]
Deep South Wrestling McDonough, Georgia Jody Hamilton 1986–1988 [1]
International Wrestling League Atlanta, Georgia Jim Wilson
Thunderbolt Patterson		 1974 Ran against Georgia Championship Wrestling in the mid-1970s. Filed an anti-trust lawsuit against the NWA in 1976.[1][12]
Southern Championship Wrestling Atlanta, Georgia Jerry Blackwell
Joe Pedicino		 1988–1990 [1]
Star Cavalcade Wrestling Bainbridge, Georgia Frankie Cain
Lowell Takles
Sue Takles		 1988 [1]
Star Wrestling Bainbridge, Georgia Frankie Cain 1982 [1]
World League Wrestling Atlanta, Georgia Lars Anderson 1979–1982 [1]

Kentucky

Name Location Owner(s) Years active Notes
All-Star Wrestling Paducah, Kentucky Phil Golden 1972–1974 [1]
International Championship Wrestling Lexington, Kentucky Angelo Poffo 1978–1984 Ran against Continental Wrestling Association in Kentucky and assisted fellow outlaw promotion All-Star Wrestling in its war against the NWA-affiliated Southeastern Championship Wrestling in Knoxville, Tennessee.[1][6]
International Wrestling Association 1984 [1]
Mountain Wrestling Association Georgetown, Kentucky Dale Mann 1979–1995 [1]

North Carolina

Name Location Owner(s) Years active Notes
Atlantic Coast Wrestling Mooresville, North Carolina Nelson Royal 1988–1991 [1][13][14]
Carolina Championship Wrestling Alliance Smithfield, North Carolina Dexter Justice-Smithfield
Glenwood Crocker
Jerry Kennett
Jim Massingale
Sandy Lee		 1987–1997 [1][15][16]
Eastern Wrestling Association Lexington, North Carolina Johnny Hunter 1974–1989 [1]
International Wrestling Alliance Greensboro, North Carolina Ken Spence 1979–1997 [1]
North American Wrestling Alliance Burlington, North Carolina James Wells 1980–1999 [1]
North American Wrestling Alliance Kings Mountain, North Carolina Buddy Porter 1982–1995 [1]
North American Wrestling Alliance Lenoir, North Carolina Mark Henderson 1982–2000 [1]
South Atlantic Pro Wrestling Charlotte, North Carolina George Scott
Paul Jones		 1990–1992 [1]
Southern Championship Wrestling Lenoir, North Carolina Chief Jay Eagle 1983–1990 [1]

South Carolina

Name Location Owner(s) Years active Notes
Atlantic Coast Wrestling Columbia, South Carolina Ira Parks 1981–1990 [1]
Big Time Promotions Inman, South Carolina Dale Stepp 1982–1992 [1]

Tennessee

Name Location Owner(s) Years active Notes
All-Star Wrestling Knoxville, Tennessee Bob Roop
Bob Orton, Jr.
Boris Malenko
Ron Garvin
Ron Wright		 1979–1980 Split from Southeastern Championship Wrestling following a dispute with Ron Fuller. Merged with Lexington, Kentucky-based |International Championship Wrestling in 1980.
All Star Championship Wrestling Knoxville, Tennessee Bill Needham 1990–1992 [1]
Continental Wrestling Federation Knoxville, Tennessee Ron Fuller 1988–1989 [1]
Independent Wrestlers Union 1982 [1]
Mid-South Wrestling Association Memphis, Tennessee Russ Edwards 1982 Also known as Mid-South Pro Wrestling.[1]
Southern States Championship Wrestling Knoxville, Tennessee James Strange 1986–1991 [1]
USA Wrestling Knoxville, Tennessee David Woods
Robert Fuller		 1987–1988 [1]
Universal Wrestling Association Knoxville, Tennessee Buddy Lee
Lou Thesz		 1976 Ran against NWA Mid-America following a dispute with Nick Gulas.[1][17]

Virginia

Name Location Owner(s) Years active Notes
All-American Wrestling Rye Cove, Virginia Denny Million
Jerry Vanover		 1988–1996 [1]
American Championship Wrestling Hillsville, Virginia Bob Ross 1978– [1]
United Wrestling Association Castlewood, Virginia Mike Samson 1989–1995 [1]
Virginia Wrestling Association Richmond, Virginia Dave Leehy 1988–1993 [1]

West Virginia

Name Location Owner(s) Years active Notes
American International Wrestling Oak Hill, West Virginia 1954–1977 [18]
American International Wrestling Logan, West Virginia Larry Bowling 1989 [1]
North American Championship Wrestling 1980–1985 [1]
Three Rivers Wrestling Ken Jugan 1977–1979 Merged with the Knoxville, Tennessee-based All-Star Wrestling in September 1979.
United Wrestling Alliance 1982 [1]

Southwest

Arizona

Name Location Owner(s) Years active Notes
International Wrestling Union Phoenix, Arizona Marcial Bovee 1983 [1]
Universal Wrestling Association Phoenix, Arizona Barry Bernsten 1972–1974 [1]
Western States Wrestling Alliance Phoenix, Arizona Barry Bernsten
David Rose
Marcial Bovee		 1974–1991 [1]
World Athletic Association Phoenix, Arizona Al Fenn
Ernie Mohammed		 1954–1973 [1]

Oklahoma

Name Location Owner(s) Years active Notes
Universal Wrestling Federation Tulsa, Oklahoma Bill Watts 1979–1987 Originally known as Mid-South Wrestling from 1979 to 1986. Left the NWA in 1979 to compete against the World Wrestling Federation.[6]

Texas

Name Location Owner(s) Years active Notes
Dallas Wrestling Club Dallas, Texas Ed McLemore 1940–1968 Ran against the NWA's Dallas office under Norman Clark from 1952 to 1953. He later partnered with Fritz Von Erich and took over the territory as NWA Big Time Wrestling.[19]
North American Wrestling Alliance Dallas–Fort Worth, Texas Killer Tim Brooks 1990–1991 [1]
Southwest Championship Wrestling San Antonio, Texas Joe Blanchard 1978–1985 Ran against NWA Big Time Wrestling in the late-1970s.[1][6][20][21]
Texas All-Pro Wrestling Houston, Texas Tugboat Taylor 1989–1995 [1]
Texas All-Star Wrestling San Antonio, Texas Fred Behrend 1985–1986 [1]
Texas Wrestling Federation Dallas, Texas Gary Hart 1990–1991 [1]
Wild West Wrestling Dallas–Fort Worth, Texas Ken Mantell 1987–1988 Ran against World Class Championship Wrestling in 1987.[1]
West Texas Wrestling Association 1983
World Class Championship Wrestling Dallas–Fort Worth, Texas Fritz Von Erich 1981–1990 Originally known as NWA Big Time Wrestling from 1966 to 1982. Left NWA in 1981 to compete against the World Wrestling Federation.[1][6]

West Coast

Name Location Owner(s) Years active Notes
All-California Championship Wrestling San Bernardino, California Joe Palumbo 1987–1989 [1]
American Wrestling Alliance San Francisco, California Roy Shire 1961–1981 Ran against the NWA's Los Angeles office under Joe Malewicz. After running Malewicz out of business, Shire joined NWA in 1968 as "NWA Big Time Wrestling".[1][6]
Bay Area Wrestling San Francisco, California Woody Farmer 1989–1992 [1][22]
California Pro Wrestling Los Angeles Karl Lauer 1983–1990 [1]
Golden State Wrestling Southern California Bill Carr 1987 [1]
International Wrestling Federation Culver City, California Eric Shaw 1986–1990 [1]
Oregon Wrestling Federation Portland, Oregon Billy Jack Haynes 1988 Ran against Portland Wrestling in the summer of 1988.[1]
Pacific Coast Championship Wrestling Hayward, California Jerry Monti 1991–1992 [1]
Pacific Coast Crown Championship Wrestling California DA Thunder 1986–1987 [1]
Superstar Championship Wrestling Seattle, Washington Dean Silverstone 1973–1978 [1][23]
West Coast Wrestling Alliance Fresno, California Gloria Gale Lane 1991–1992 [1]
Western States Alliance Southern California Antone Leone 1981–1982 [1]
Western States Wrestling Association San Bernardino, California Billy Anderson
Jesse Hernandez		 1988–1991 [1]
Worldwide Wrestling Associates Los Angeles Mike LeBell 1958–1982 Originally known as North American Wrestling Alliance from 1958 to 1961. Rejoined the NWA in 1968 as "NWA Hollywood Wrestling".

References

General
Specific
  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 100 101 102 103 104 105 106 107 108 109 110 111 112 113 114 115 116 117 118 119 120 121 122 123 124 125 126 127 128 129 130 131 132 133 134 135 136 137 138 139 Royal Duncan & Gary Will (2000). Wrestling Title Histories (4th ed.). Archeus Communications. ISBN 0-9698161-5-4.
  2. 1 2 3 "The New England Indy Graveyard". The New England Independent. Metrocast.net. Retrieved April 26, 2012.
  3. 1 2 "'PEDRO' MARTINEZ, FAMED BUFFALO WRESTLING PROMOTER, DIES". The Buffalo News. February 12, 1998.
  4. 1 2 Johnson, Steven (February 24, 2010). "SLAM! Wrestling: Announcer Martinez was instrumental in IWA, video world". SLAM! Sports. Retrieved June 21, 2012.
  5. ↑ Kracz, Ed (May 12, 2011). "Wrestling promoter hits a milestone". Bucks County Courier Times.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Dykens, Brad (August 2004). "The Nostalgia Pop #7: Promoting the Promoters". Wrestling Columns. OnlineWorldofWrestling.com. Retrieved June 21, 2012.
  7. ↑ Gallipoli, Thomas M. (September 1, 2007). "SPECIALIST: List of Deceased Wrestlers for 2006". Annual Obituaries. Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved June 21, 2012.
  8. ↑ "Historical Summary of Wrestling in Canton". Ohio Wrestling History. ProWrestlingHistory.com. Retrieved June 21, 2012.
  9. ↑ Eskenazi, Joe (November 6, 2003). "Lords of the Ring: Meet the Ruby's, a nice Jewish family — unless you're wrestling them". J. Retrieved June 21, 2012.
  10. ↑ Edwards, John (2004). "Looking Back: Greater St. Louis Wrestling - September 3, 1983". KayfabeMemories.com. Retrieved June 21, 2012.
  11. ↑ Dills, Tim (2004). "Memphis/CWA #9 Page #2". Regional Territories: Memphis/CWA. KayfabeMemories.com. Retrieved June 21, 2012.
  12. ↑ Hornbaker, Tim (January 4, 2011). "National Wrestling Alliance Legal Problems". Legacyofwrestling.com.
  13. ↑ Mooneyham, Mike (February 10, 2002). "Nellie Royal Leaves Behind Golden Memories". The Wrestling Gospel According to Mike Mooneyham. MikeMooneyham.com. Retrieved June 21, 2012.
  14. ↑ "Nelson Royal: Class of 2009". Hall of Heroes Class of 2009: Nelson Royal. MidAtlanticGateway.com. 2009. Retrieved June 21, 2012.
  15. ↑ "Jerry Kennett: Wrestler enters new arena". The Dispatch. Associated Press. September 22, 1993. Retrieved June 21, 2012.
  16. ↑ "Wrestling with city woes? Mayor's new arena is located in council hall". The Prescott Courier. Associated Press. December 9, 1993. Retrieved June 21, 2012.
  17. ↑ Dills, Tim (2004). "Memphis/CWA #3 Page #2". Regional Territories: Memphis/CWA. KayfabeMemories.com. Retrieved June 21, 2012.
  18. ↑ Snyder, Nancy (host) (1999). "Saturday Night Wrasslin'". Newswatch 4. WOAY-TV.
  19. ↑ Hornbaker, Tim. "Dallas Wrestling Territory". Legacyofwrestling.com.
  20. ↑ Oliver, Greg (March 22, 2012). "SLAM! Wrestling: Joe Blanchard passes". SLAM! Sports. Retrieved June 21, 2012.
  21. ↑ Kosub, LeAnna (March 22, 2012). "Former wrestler Joe Blanchard dead at 83". The Local Scene. Retrieved June 21, 2012.
  22. ↑ Lano, Mike (April 23, 2007). "SLAM! Wrestling: Woody Farmer leads three generations to battle". SLAM! Sports. Retrieved June 21, 2012.
  23. ↑ Oliver, Greg (March 28, 2003). "SLAM! Wrestling: Site of WMXIX has deep wrestling roots". SLAM! Sports. Retrieved June 21, 2012.

External links

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