The LWA

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New York Times - Former LWF head to form new wrestling outfit to run opposition to Titan's World Wrestling Federation:

ATLANTA (AP) - Earlier this week, former Legends Wrestling Federation owner Jim Crockett Jr. shocked the wrestling world by announcing that, over three years after selling the Legends Wrestling Federation to Titan Sports (more context here), he would be forming a new promotion using many of the LWF's former top stars and several of the best athletes from around the world who were unsigned. Crockett announced the first three events, a triple-header across three consecutive nights at Madison Square Garden, which will take place the same weekend as Titan is expected to run WrestleMania III in Toronto. The first three events will be a three night, thirty-two man tournament to crown the first World's Heavyweight Champion for the Legends Wrestling Alliance. The first show is headined by Lou Thesz, the inaugural LWF World's Heavyweight CHampion, wrestling William Muldoon. Elsewhere on the card is the longest reigning LWF World's Heavyweight Champion, Jack Brisco, who will face John Pesek in the semi-final match on the card.

Crockett stated to the press that the style of wrestling would be akin to the style of the LWF, which centered around athletic, technical wrestling with some exceptions in the case of brawlers like Bull Curry and Ox Baker, both of whom were popular among the LWF fans due to their violent matches on the major arena shows. Crockett managed to sign virtually every huge star from the LWF, including Jack and Jerry Brisco amid rumors of their return to the World Wrestling Federation. Crockett also managed to scoop up former LWF United States Champion and World's Heavyweight Championship challenger Nick Bockwinkel and Ray Stevens, the inaugural LWF World's Tag Team Champions, a top level duo who also had recently committed to a major contract with Titan's WWF and backed out of the deal due to the money being offered by the LWA.

Beyond just the former LWF standouts, Crockett scoured the world to collect the top talent that hadn't been signed to a wrestling contract. Crockett scored the services of former world champions Frank Gotch, Georg Hackenschmidt, Evan Lewis and also secured the services of Yusuf Ismail, a brawling brute from Turkey who is known to audiences all over the world as "The Terrible Turk". Crockett also acquired perhaps the biggest prospect of all, the unbeaten champion from India known as The Great Gama. Titan's WWF had been in negotiations with Gama's camp for a debut at their WrestleMania III event, but talks had fallen through possibly due to money. Those close to the situation believe that the LWA offered a significant amount more per match than Titan, as well as the promise of higher level competition than Titan's current top stars such as Ric Flair, Barry Windham and the ever-popular "Macho Man" Randy Savage.

As far as television coverage, which has become the lifeblood of Titan's WWF, Crockett said the three nights would be broadcast live on TBS, with the final night taking place during the same time slot as Titan's WrestleMania III. Turner has also committed to the LWA past those first three cards, and Crockett also noted that Pay-Per-View television is also a strong possibility for some matches down the line. When asked if counterprogramming Titan's major events would be a recurring theme, Crockett declined to comment.

When asked about divisions beyond the Heavyweight Championship, Crockett said the Junior Heavyweight Championship would likely be revived following the Heavyweight Title tournament and said that the former LWF World's Jr. Heavyweight Champion Danny Hodge specifically requested to take part in the tournament. Crockett was also asked about the US, Southern and Tag Team Championships, but said only that a tag team division would be unlikely in the LWA because the focus is on singles competition.

When asked about the schedule, Crockett said they would not be running as heavy of a schedule as Titan's WWF, estimating that the LWA would run "probably 10 cards per year to their [Titan's] 50". Crockett cited the physical nature of the style combined with the training routines of the athletes as the main reason for the reduced schedule. "To take nothing away from their athletes, but this is a different sport than what they're involved in. These guys are the absolute finest athletes in the world and fans will be treated, between the three events, to thirty-one bouts featuring the top professional athletes you'll find anywhere."

None of the wrestlers were on hand at the press conference, but a press conference with Thesz, Hodge, Gotch, Hackenschmidt, Bockwinkel and Jack Brisco was announced for the eve of the major tournament. We'll have coverage of that event when it happens, as well as reports on the three night tournament event.

Card #1
Madison Square Garden
1.) LWA World's Heavyweight Championship Tournament - Opening Round: Bull Curry vs. Yusuf Ismail
2.) LWA World's Heavyweight Championship Tournament - Opening Round: Jerry Brisco vs. Evan Lewis
3.) LWA World's Heavyweight Championship Tournament - Opening Round: Dan Severn vs. Bob Roop
4.) LWA World's Heavyweight Championship Tournament - Opening Round: John Valentine vs. Jackie Fargo
5.) LWA World's Heavyweight Championship Tournament - Opening Round: The Destroyer vs. Gorgeous George
6.) LWA World's Heavyweight Championship Tournament - Opening Round: Danny Hodge vs. Fritz von Goering
7.) LWA World's Heavyweight Championship Tournament - Opening Round: Nick Bockwinkel vs. George Tragos
8.) LWA World's Heavyweight Championship Tournament - Opening Round: Ray Stevens vs. Ox Baker
9.) LWA World's Heavyweight Championship Tournament - Opening Round: Rikidozan vs. The Great Gama
10.) LWA World's Heavyweight Championship Tournament - Opening Round: Buddy Rogers vs. Rod Fenton
11.) LWA World's Heavyweight Championship Tournament - Opening Round: Jim Londos vs. Henry Irlsinger
12.) LWA World's Heavyweight Championship Tournament - Opening Round: Ed Lewis vs. Dick Hutton
13.) LWA World's Heavyweight Championship Tournament - Opening Round: Georg Hackenschmidt vs. Maurice Tillet
14.) LWA World's Heavyweight Championship Tournament - Opening Round: Frank Gotch vs. Baron von Raschke
15.) LWA World's Heavyweight Championship Tournament - Opening Round: Jack Brisco vs. John Pesek
16.) LWA World's Heavyweight Championship Tournament - Opening Round: Lou Thesz vs. William Muldoon

Card #2
Madison Square Garden
1.) LWA World's Heavyweight Championship Tournament - Second Round: Winner of Rikidozan/Gama vs. Winner of Curry/Ismail (A)
2.) LWA World's Heavyweight Championship Tournament - Second Round: Winner of Rogers/Fenton vs. Winner of Brisco/Lewis (B)
3.) LWA World's Heavyweight Championship Tournament - Second Round: Winner of Londos/Irlsinger vs. Winner of Severn/Roop (C)
4.) LWA World's Heavyweight Championship Tournament - Second Round: Winner of Lewis/Hutton vs. Winner of Valentine/Fargo (D)
5.) LWA World's Heavyweight Championship Tournament - Second Round: Winner of Hackenschmidt/Tillet vs. Winner of Destroyer/George (E)
6.) LWA World's Heavyweight Championship Tournament - Second Round: Winner of Gotch/von Raschke vs. Winner of Hodge/von Goering (F)
7.) LWA World's Heavyweight Championship Tournament - Second Round: Winner of Brisco/Pesek vs. Winner of Bockwinkel/Tragos (G)
8.) LWA World's Heavyweight Championship Tournament - Second Round: Winner of Thesz/Muldoon vs. Winner of Stevens/Baker (H)

Card #3
Madison Square Garden
1.) LWA World's Heavyweight Championship Tournament - Quarterfinal: (D) vs. (E)
2.) LWA World's Heavyweight Championship Tournament - Quarterfinal: (C) vs. (F)
3.) LWA World's Heavyweight Championship Tournament - Quarterfinal: (B) vs. (G)
4.) LWA World's Heavyweight Championship Tournament - Quarterfinal: (A) vs. (H)
5.) LWA World's Heavyweight Championship Tournament - Semifinal: Winner of Quarterfinal #1 vs. Winner of Quarterfinal #4
6.) LWA World's Heavyweight Championship Tournament - Semifinal: Winner of Quarterfinal #2 vs. Winner of Quarterfinal #3
7.) LWA World's Heavyweight Championship Tournament - Final: Winner of Semifinal #1 vs. Winner of Semifinal #2

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The National - Crockett's New Promotion Holds Press Conference For Three-Night Debut on TBS

NEW YORK - Yesterday, two days before the debut of the new LWA promotion, Jim Crockett Jr. held a press conference alongside some of the top signed names at the theater inside of Madison Square Garden. The promotion, which debuts across three nights on Turner's Superstation TBS, will move inside of the main arena on Friday night for what is expected to be three consecutive sellouts. On hand to offer comment alongside Crockett were Lou Thesz, Danny Hodge, Frank Gotch, Georg Hackenschmidt and Jack Brisco.

Crockett called the three night tournament "The Greatest Tournament in Wrestling History" and touted it as the top thirty-two athletes anywhere in the world doing battle to crown the real world's champion, which was in part a dig at Titan's current WWF Champion Ric Flair, who debuted in the promotion early last year as the "Real World's Champion" in his feud with then-champion "Macho Man" Randy Savage. Crockett noted that the tournament had potential for overrun and that TBS was prepared to pre-empt the late night programming should the events run long, saying that "with athletes of this caliber, matches may go longer than what you're used to seeing elsewhere."

Crockett also noted the worldwide reach of the roster assembled for the tournament, with talents from Russia, Turkey, Japan, India and France taking part in the three-night event. When asked about the potential of expanding the Japanese roster with standouts such as Antonio Inoki and Giant Baba, Crockett said talks were ongoing and that a deal was not able to be done for them in time for the tournament. With regards to Mexican talent, Crockett was less optimistic, saying that attempts to contact Mil Mascaras were unsuccessful.

Another major note from the presser was the question of signing talent from Titan's WWF, including the popular British Bulldogs tag team, who are nearing a year and a half with Titan's Tag Team Titles. Crockett said he was unaware of any talent whose contracts were expiring and that he's not sure there's a place for tag team matches in this style of wrestling, citing the focus on one-on-one, athletic, competitive wrestling over showmanship and flash. Crockett was also asked about the inclusion of Bull Curry and Ox Baker, who are not traditional wrestlers like the other thirty participants in the tournament and tend to fall more onto the showmanship side of things. Crockett responded by saying both ranked among the top wrestlers in the world in every publication and everyone has been made aware that intentional fouls and excessive brawling would result in a suspension and repeat offenders would be released from the league.

The event turned towards the wrestlers and the first question was aimed at the inaugural LWF World Heavyweight Champion, Lou Thesz. Thesz was asked what he thought about having to earn a championship over a three night event and was asked to comment on the overall quality of competition. Thesz responded simply by stating that virtually everyone in the tournament could win the championship and be a deserving champion. Thesz complimented William Muldoon and said he was looking forward to testing himself against a man he'd heard so much about and seeing who the better man was. When asked about potentially meeting Ed Lewis in the tournament, which would be in one of the two semifinal bouts provided both men win their three previous encounters in the tournament, Thesz declined to comment further than "it would be an honor."

Brisco, one of only two men to be two time LWF/WWF World Champion, was asked next about the idea of becoming a three promotion World's Champion and said it was a neat idea on paper and said he was looking forward to facing John Pesek. When asked about Pesek's reputation as a "policeman", Brisco said he wasn't concerned too much about the potential of the match becoming dangerous for either man involved, saying he expected a fair, clean fight.

The Gotch/Hackenschmidt rivalry took center-stage, as both men were asked to assess the other's chances in the tournament. Like a potential Lewis/Thesz showdown, this would have to take place in the semifinals of the tournament after three prior bouts on the part of each men. Hackenschmidt cited being in the best shape of his career, with no corruption in his training camp, and said he looked forward to the opportunity to face Gotch if he was able to survive the gauntlet to reach the semifinals. Gotch, who opens the tournament against Baron von Raschke, said he expects to meet Hackenschmidt in the semifinals and will be disappointed if the Russian Lion quits before he gets to that point in the tournament.

Danny Hodge, the long time LWF World's Jr. Heavyweight Champion and former Tag Team Champion alongside Lou Thesz, was asked how he was preparing to face men that were almost universally in a weight class above him. Hodge said he's put on a little more weight, but didn't expect it to impact his stamina or his speed at all. Hodge noted that he's been in the ring with von Goering, his first round opponent before, and doesn't expect an easy fight but also mentions that he did not train to lose. When asked about the possibility of meeting Frank Gotch in the second round, Hodge only said he looked forward to the bout.

Nick Bockwinkel was supposed to attend the event, but was unable to due to weather preventing his flight from getting into New York on time. Crockett joked about late-season snow in the Midwest being the reason and hyped up the match between Bockwinkel and George Tragos. Crockett said Bockwinkel specifically asked for Thesz in the first round, but the blind draw produced a match with one of Thesz's trainers and that Bockwinkel told Crockett that he was looking to send a message to Thesz on the first night of the tournament. Crockett noted that the only possible way for that match to happen in this tournament would be for both men to reach the finals.

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Card #1
Madison Square Garden
1.) LWA World's Heavyweight Championship Tournament - Opening Round: Bull Curry beat Yusuf Ismail in 6:27 with a series of punches.
2.) LWA World's Heavyweight Championship Tournament - Opening Round: Jerry Brisco beat Evan Lewis in 5:31 with a figure four leglock.
3.) LWA World's Heavyweight Championship Tournament - Opening Round: Bob Roop beat Dan Severn in 12:26 with a shoulder breaker.
4.) LWA World's Heavyweight Championship Tournament - Opening Round: John Valentine beat Jackie Fargo in 11:22 with an atomic skullcrusher.
5.) LWA World's Heavyweight Championship Tournament - Opening Round: The Destroyer beat Gorgeous George in 3:09 with a figure four leglock.
6.) LWA World's Heavyweight Championship Tournament - Opening Round: Fritz von Goering beat Danny Hodge in 19:22 with a knee drop.
7.) LWA World's Heavyweight Championship Tournament - Opening Round: Nick Bockwinkel beat George Tragos in 8:11 with the Bockwinkel sleeper.
8.) LWA World's Heavyweight Championship Tournament - Opening Round: Ox Baker beat Ray Stevens in 11:36 with the heart punch.
9.) LWA World's Heavyweight Championship Tournament - Opening Round: Rikidozan beat The Great Gama in 23:46 wih an overhead chop.
10.) LWA World's Heavyweight Championship Tournament - Opening Round: Buddy Rogers beat Rod Fenton in 19:39 with a figure four leglock.
11.) LWA World's Heavyweight Championship Tournament - Opening Round: Jim Londos beat Henry Irlsinger in 22:01 via countout.
12.) LWA World's Heavyweight Championship Tournament - Opening Round: Ed Lewis beat Dick Hutton in 16:49 with the strangler's headlock.
13.) LWA World's Heavyweight Championship Tournament - Opening Round: Georg Hackenschmidt beat Maurice Tillet in 5:44 with a double leg slam.
14.) LWA World's Heavyweight Championship Tournament - Opening Round: Baron von Raschke beat Frank Gotch in 12:37 with a back suplex.
15.) LWA World's Heavyweight Championship Tournament - Opening Round: Jack Brisco beat John Pesek in 18:37 via pinfall.
16.) LWA World's Heavyweight Championship Tournament - Opening Round: William Muldoon beat Lou Thesz in 28:47 with a body lift & throw.

Card #2
Madison Square Garden
1.) LWA World's Heavyweight Championship Tournament - Second Round: Bull Curry beat Rikidozan in 11:26 via countout due to injury.
2.) LWA World's Heavyweight Championship Tournament - Second Round: Buddy Rogers beat Jerry Brisco in 9:09 with a figure four leglock.
3.) LWA World's Heavyweight Championship Tournament - Second Round: Bob Roop beat Jim Londos in 6:05 with a shoulderbreaker.
4.) LWA World's Heavyweight Championship Tournament - Second Round: Ed Lewis beat John Valentine in 8:14 with the strangler's headlock.
5.) LWA World's Heavyweight Championship Tournament - Second Round: The Destroyer beat Georg Hackenschmidt in 9:08 with a figure four leglock.
6.) LWA World's Heavyweight Championship Tournament - Second Round: Fritz von Goering beat Baron von Raschke in 11:11 with a knee drop.
7.) LWA World's Heavyweight Championship Tournament - Second Round: Nick Bockwinkel beat Jack Brisco in 14:07 with the Bockwinkel sleeper.
8.) LWA World's Heavyweight Championship Tournament - Second Round: William Muldoon beat Ox Baker in 16:11 with a double shoulder lock.

Card #3
Madison Square Garden
1.) LWA World's Heavyweight Championship Tournament - Quarterfinal: The Destroyer beat Ed Lewis in 9:22 with a figure four leglock.
2.) LWA World's Heavyweight Championship Tournament - Quarterfinal: Bob Roop beat Fritz von Goering in 13:11 with a shoulderbreaker.
3.) LWA World's Heavyweight Championship Tournament - Quarterfinal: Buddy Rogers beat Nick Bockwinkel in 8:26 with a figure four leglock.
4.) LWA World's Heavyweight Championship Tournament - Quarterfinal: William Muldoon beat Bull Curry in 21:26 with a double shoulder lock
5.) LWA World's Heavyweight Championship Tournament - Semifinal: William Muldoon beat The Destroyer in 27:34 via countout.
6.) LWA World's Heavyweight Championship Tournament - Semifinal: Buddy Rogers beat Bob Roop in 26:37 with a figure four leglock.
7.) LWA World's Heavyweight Championship Tournament - Final: Buddy Rogers beat William Muldoon in 8:38 with a figure four leglock.