Cory's USWA History: Title Histories & 2004-Early 2008

[Cory Olson]

Thanks to Booker Bill for the comments!

Before I do my first storyline post, I thought I'd give some background on how I started the USWA. I started my LOW fed in 2004, real-time. At first, I usually played around the real-life time of my cards. Sometimes, I would play ahead if I knew I was going to be busy in the coming months. Around the end of 2010, I fell behind but just kept playing as I could, as I wanted to keep the history going and not stop what I had started. (This was the time I met and started dating my now wife.)

While I'm sure other promoters did this too, TDalton made his fed the NWF and Chad Olson did the AWA so I wanted to do a different territory and not a national or global promotion. I ended up going with the USWA as I always admired the history of Memphis and how it had a different flavor than some of the other territories of its time, with some wild matches and stipulations. I ended up focusing initially on some of the cities they promoted in the '70s and '80s and even some parts of the Lawler/Jarrett-owned USWA of the '90s. As you'll see if you haven't read before, I eventually did a few years of running cities in Texas to represent the time period from about '89-'91 when the USWA was both the Memphis side and the remnants of the old World Class in Dallas. While I will acknowledge other territories, I usually don't acknowledge the NWF or AWA as I don't want to give alternate histories to what Tim or Chad have done.

When I started in 2004, I was playing two COTG feds: the GWF and the CPC. I believe I was in the 2117 sets at this time. I largely stuck to the book for my GWF and did about 60% official storylines for the CPC but incorporated a lot of bootlegs and GWF characters that Tom wasn't using at the time. My CPC was sort of a home for unique wrestlers, sort of how AEW is pushed now. Tom wrote an article in the original Promoter about how the LWF was being explained alongside the GWF and CPC as being a part of Cloneworld, with all of the legends being clones and arenas being recreations of 20th-century Earth arenas. While I kept the USWA separate from my two COTG feds, I did acknowledge the Cloneworld storyline for why these recreations of U.S. territories existed. But within the territories themselves, they just act like it's a 20th/21st-century promotion on Earth with no sci-fi elements or acknowledgment of other planets. (I hope that all makes sense!) I don't give full histories of the other territories but I sort of acknowledge 1998 as the first year of those Cloneworld feds. (I chose that year since Tom made Greg Valentine's original card in '98.) While I will tie-in real-life events and feuds, I sort of consider these Cloneworld results as alternate timelines. (This is how I explain that Frank Gotch wrestled alongside wrestlers from the '80s.) Sometimes, I will rewrite events. (For example, I called Gotch a former NWA World Heavyweight champion when the NWA didn't exist until 1948.) I planned to have some LWF wrestlers occasionally wrestle in the CPC but that didn't end up happening. One of the reasons I didn't initially use King Kong Bundy in the USWA was that I had used him in the CPC with Greg Valentine as a tag team (their original individual cards released at Galacticons.) I later had Bundy leave the CPC and become Avalanche in the GWF. (I know the official storyline was that Avalanche was a clone. But since I had the GWF and CPC in the same universe, I said that he jumped to the GWF and changed names.) And I didn't want to have Avalanche in the GWF at the same time as Bundy was in the USWA since the USWA was still technically part of my universe of all three feds. Around 2005, I wasn't able to keep playing three feds. I was really enjoying the USWA as I just got on a big kick of loving old wrestling and I decided to focus on it alone.

I started posting on the original Discussion Board in the fall of '06 after some convincing from Chad. I had been e-mailing the LOW staff regular results updates in the form of storytelling like I do now and he suggested I do the same thing on the DB. I will copy over any posts that weren't on this board. But all other results will be written for the first time based on my handwritten notebooks and a few saved computer files. To start, I will do a few announcements of the USWA forming before I post Card #1. I will do the USWA Championship Wrestling recaps like I do now but in shorter forms. I hope you guys enjoy this history recap!

[Chad Olson]

Cool intro, brother! Can't wait to revisit these old results!

[Cory Olson]

Thanks to my brother Chad for the comments!

It was announced on the WMC-TV, Channel 5 news (out of Memphis) on October 31, 2003 that a new wrestling league has been formed that will promote in some of the mid-southern states, such as Tennessee, Kentucky, Mississippi, Arkansas, and other areas. This promotion will be known as the United States Wrestling Association or USWA. The USWA comes on the heels of other pro wrestling promotions that have been successful in various regions of the U.S., as well as in other countries. This promotion is being backed by several investors. All decisions pertaining to matches, title shots, suspensions, etc. will be determined by a five-man committee, made up of Max Andrews, Roy Welch, Randy Hales, Eddie Marlin, and Chairman and pro wrestler Jerry Jarrett. The committee will vote on any decisions, with the majority vote winning. The USWA will initially recognize three championships: a World Heavyweight champion, World Tag Team champions, and a Southern Heavyweight champion. All titles will be required to be defended every calendar month (not necessarily every 30 days, as some promotions or governing bodies require). Wrestlers will be allowed to hold both the World Tag Team and Southern Heavyweight titles simultaneously but should they win the World Heavyweight title, they will need to forfeit their other titles, as the World title is the top prize of the promotion. Most months, the USWA will promote three cards, typically on Friday nights.

The USWA hopes to secure some of the top available wrestling talent and promote some great matches throughout the South! Two big names have already agreed to compete in the USWA. Former NWA World Heavyweight champion Harley Race has signed with the USWA! The tough Missourian has wrestled around the world, capturing many regional titles, as well as the NWA title, which is recognized as the primary championship by many wrestling territories.

Another superstar that has agreed to compete is Nick Bockwinkel! Bockwinkel has competed in Pacific Northwest Wrestling (PNW), as well as in the WWA (the World Wrestling Alliance, which promotes both in the Los Angeles area and in the Indianapolis area) and Big Time Wrestling (BTW) in the San Francisco Bay area in his home state. He is a great technical wrestler but is not afraid to bend the rules when it suits him. His arrogance often infuriates crowds! Most wrestling experts feel that either Bockwinkel or Race could become the first USWA World Heavyweight champion!

Stay tuned to WMC-TV for more updates on the USWA in the coming weeks!

[Cory Olson]

USWA Update: November 10, 2003

USWA Committee Chairman Jerry Jarrett announced on the WMC-TV News more great names that plan to come to the USWA in 2004!
• One of the top tag teams in wrestling has agreed to come in, as Hawk and Animal—the “Legion of Doom,” the Road Warriors out of Chicago have agreed to come to the USWA! These painted powerhouses have taken the wrestling world by storm, first in Georgia Championship Wrestling (GCW) and in many other areas as well. Their Doomsday Device is one of the most feared double team maneuvers in all of wrestling. Most wrestling experts feel that they are the favorites to be the first USWA World Tag Team champions!
• Another powerful star is Killer Kowalski! Kowalski stands 6’7” and tips the scales at 290 lbs. His various claw holds are deadly on many opponents. His no-nonsense brawling style is very effective. Kowalski has won championships in the IWA (International Wrestling Association) in Quebec, Canada as well as in BTW (Big Time Wrestling) based in the Great Lakes region of Michigan and Ohio (not to be confused with BTW in the San Francisco area).
• Another huge star (literally!) comes out of Japan and that’s Giant Baba! The 6’10”, 298-pounder will be, as of this date, the largest wrestler on the USWA roster. Baba was a baseball star before going into wrestling and becoming one of the biggest names in All Japan Pro Wrestling (AJPW), as well as in all of puroresu. He has captured both the PWF World Heavyweight title and the AJPW International Heavyweight title. His offense includes his devastating big boot, his bone-cracking chops, and his dreaded neckbreaker drop!
• Another former World champion plans to compete in the USWA in ’04 and that’s Frank Gotch! The Iowan technical wrestler is known all around the U.S. He is a former NWA World Heavyweight champion and is known for being able to wrestle long-grueling matches and come out on top. He has primarily competed in Central States Wrestling (CSW) based in St. Louis and Kansas City, MO but he is known for accepting challenges not only from wrestlers but almost any form of combat sports, including going up to Alaska to take on lumberjacks! Gotch has a variety of ways he can defeat an opponent but his favorite weapon is the famed Gotch toehold!
• Another well-known American wrestler who has made headlines in and out of the ring is Gorgeous George! “The Human Orchid,” “The Toast of The Coast” is known for his blonde locks, his Georgie pins, and his particular nature of preparing the ring before he tangles with an opponent! His valet Cherie Dupré will be joining him in the USWA. Don’t let his appearance or antics fool you, this is one tough wrestler!

[joebreakdown]

Really cool idea. I love reading origins and histories so I'll be following the retro story!

[Cory Olson]

Thanks to Joe Breakdown for the comments!

USWA Update: November 17, 2003

Some more of the top professional wrestlers have agreed to compete in the new USWA in 2004!
• The USWA’s first manager has been announced, as the Russian Nikita Breznikov will be in the area! While Breznikov is not as well-known, his first two charges are: the Iron Sheik and Nikolai Volkoff! The Iranian powerhouse Sheik and the Russian powerhouse Volkoff recently formed their international alliance in the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) in the Northeast states, where they captured the WWF World Tag Team titles. The Sheik is also a former WWF champion. Both men like to utilize maneuvers to the back, such as the Sheik’s Camel Clutch and Volkoff’s backbreaker drop (done over the knee). Breznikov’s men could win singles or tag team gold!
• Another tag team agreed to head down south this week and that’s New York City’s Valiant Brothers—“Handsome” Jimmy and “Luscious” Johnny! This duo has also competed in the WWF and held the World Tag Team titles there. They have also teamed up in six-man tag team matches with their third brother “Gentleman” Jerry. They have made headlines all over the U.S., for their rulebreaking tactics and arrogance. You can bet that the Valiants will be favorites to win the USWA World Tag Team titles!
• A second-generation wrestler will be competing in the USWA and that’s Ted DiBiase! DiBiase is the son of “Iron” Mike DiBiase. The two have teamed up in Western States Sports (WSS), based out of Amarillo, TX. Ted has also competed in AJPW. Ted has not been wrestling the last few months of 2003 so many were surprised by this announcement but also pleased as he will be a great force inside the ring!
• One of the most popular wrestlers in professional wrestling will make a big splash in USWA rings and that’s the Fijian warrior “Superfly” Jimmy Snuka! Snuka has competed in the WWF the last three years, including a wild feud with Magnificent Muraco. Snuka is known for his lightning-fast attacks and maneuvers off the ropes, including his always impressive Superfly Leap!
• Two wrestlers who are known for separate accomplishments have announced that they will be allies. One of the top box office attractions in the sport, “Nature Boy” Buddy Rogers will be coming to this area! Rogers is a former NWA and WWF World Heavyweight champion and has riled up fans across the nation. His figure-four leglock (or grapevine, he calls it) is a deadly submission maneuver! Rogers is bringing with him a wrestler he met in the WWF—“Playboy” Buddy Rose! Rose hails from Las Vegas and has wrestled in the WWF and PNW. His Bombs Away knee drop off the top rope is a dangerous maneuver! But Rose is also known for sneaky, underhanded tactics bringing him victory! Rogers announced that he knows that there is strength in numbers and that’s why he called up Rose to join him in this new promotion. He said that he and Rose are the best around and that they will prove it in the USWA!

In other news, USWA Committee Member Eddie Marlin announced that the USWA’s home offices will be in Memphis, TN and that the USWA has signed a deal with WMC-TV, Channel 5, to produce a weekly TV show called USWA Championship Wrestling. This show will be taped in the WMC-TV Studios and will be hosted by long-time wrestling announcer Lance Russell and WMC’s own weatherman Dave Brown! This show will air on Saturdays on WMC-TV, as well as on other local channels in cities where the USWA promotes cards. The show will feature highlights from recent cards, announcements of upcoming cards and matches, interviews with the wrestling stars, and more!

[Cory Olson]

USWA Update: November 24, 2003

More huge wrestling stars have agreed to compete in the USWA in 2003!
• Former BTW (Detroit/Great Lakes) United States Heavyweight champion Bobo Brazil will be coming to the USWA! The native of Benton Harbor, MI has had some bloody battles in the last few years with the Syrian madman the Sheik and also collided with Killer Kowalski on more than one occasion. Brazil is a powerful brawler and can flatten many opponents with his Coco Butt, which he will often execute several times in one match. Brazil will definitely be a popular wrestler among the fans of the USWA!
• Another popular wrestler headed this way is Red Bastien! The flying redhead out of Minnesota has competed in World Class Championship Wrestling (WCCW), WSS, Championship Wrestling from Florida (CWF), and other areas. He has captured both singles and tag team titles. His high-flying offense, such as his dropkicks and flying head scissors, can knock down any size opponent. His finisher is one of the most unique in wrestling, as he lifts the opponent up into the air and executes an airplane spin but then turns it into an atomic drop!
• Also joining the USWA is “The Intelligent, The Sensational” the Destroyer! This masked man has competed around the world. He is a former WWA World Heavyweight champion as well as a former PWF World Heavyweight champion. The Destroyer has been both an opponent and a tag team partner of Giant Baba in AJPW. He is a great technical wrestler, who specializes in the figure-four leglock!
• Another of wrestling’s top champions will be in the USWA, as Johnny Valentine will compete! This native of Seattle has competed in CSW, Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling (MACW), CWF, and other areas and has captured many titles. While he has been in successful tag teams, he prefers going at it alone. His Atomic Skullcrusher is his favorite maneuver, which is a stiff elbow smash to the head of a standing opponent. Valentine will often deliver a few Skullcrushers before scoring the pinfall!
• The last pair of wrestlers for now who have announced their intentions to compete in the USWA is a bizarre duo. “The Fabulous” Ox Baker will be coming to the area with the Sandman! Baker has a well-known reputation for his famous heart punch, which has sent wrestlers out of the arena on stretchers and incapacitated many a man! He looks to hurt wrestlers just as much as win matches. Baker discovered the Sandman in Philadelphia in an underground fighting league. Sandman is uncaring and will often smoke a cigarette and drink a beer (or more!) while entering the ring. He is a brawler, who carries a Singapore cane with him to the ring and will use it when he can get away with it!
• There was also an update on Ted DiBiase. The Nebraskan sent in a videotape to WMC-TV. In the video, DiBiase was standing in front of a huge mansion. DiBiase was dressed in very fine clothes. He pointed to the mansion and said that he was coming from his winter residence in the Netherlands Antilles. He stated that the reason he has been gone from pro wrestling the last few months is that he was saving his money and making wise investments and that now he has become a millionaire! He said that his wrestling skill has only gotten him so far and that what really counts in wrestling is money. Onto the screen walked a short but muscular man counting several U.S.-hundred dollar bills. DiBiase said that this is Virgil, who will be joining him in the USWA. Virgil wishes to be a wrestler as well but his first job is to be DiBiase’s bodyguard. He said that Virgil will also wrestle and he and DiBiase are hoping to get into the inaugural tournament to crown World Tag Team champions. And if he needs to use his millions to convince the USWA Committee, he will do that! He said that everybody has a price for him—“The Million Dollar Man”! DiBiase cackled as the video ended!

USWA Committee member Roy Welch announced that to start, the USWA will have six primary cities in which they will promote regularly: Memphis, Nashville, Knoxville, Louisville, Lexington, and Evansville. These cities will receive regular USWA cards! Welch also announced that the first USWA card has been scheduled for Friday, January 10 at the Mid-South Coliseum in Memphis! A tournament will start on that night to crown the first USWA World Heavyweight champion! More details about the tournament will be announced in the coming weeks!

[Cory Olson]

USWA Update: December 1, 2003

In a special report from “Big” Jack Eaton on WMC-TV’s sports report, the brackets have been announced for the tournaments to crown the USWA World Heavyweight and World Tag Team champions! The World champion will be crowned in an eight-man single-elimination tournament that will take place over the first four cards. The Tag Team champions will be decided in a four-team tournament that will take place over the first three cards. The brackets can be seen below:

World Heavyweight Title Tournament
World Tag Team Title Tournament

Thanks to Pete Beck, DK II, for sharing these bracket templates with me in Excel many years ago!

USWA Committee Chairman Jerry Jarrett answered some questions from the press about the brackets. He said that since the Iron Sheik was entered in the tournament for the World title and since the World champion won’t be allowed to hold another title, he and Nikolai Volkoff would not be entered into the World Tag Team title tournament. But if the Iranian powerhouse does not win the World title, he and Volkoff could certainly earn a shot at the World Tag Team champions later in 2004. It was asked if “The Million Dollar Man” Ted DiBiase had bought his and Virgil’s way into the tag team tournament after his video message on November 24. Jarrett denied that claim and said that DiBiase and Virgil will have a tough match-up right away against “The Legion of Doom”!

The USWA begins on January 10, 2004 with their first card from their homebase at the Mid-South Coliseum in Memphis!
• Bobo Brazil will do battle with “The Human Orchid,” “The Toast of The Coast” Gorgeous George! George will have Cherie Dupré with him and will make sure the ring “meets his standards” to compete. Brazil is a powerhouse and a brawler and won’t take any of George’s nonsense. Who will win between two of the top stars in wrestling today?
• The first tag team match in USWA history will see new allies “Nature Boy” Buddy Rogers and “Playboy” Buddy Rose team up to battle the Iron Sheik and Nikolai Volkoff! Rogers and the Sheik will do battle the following week in Louisville in the World title tournament but this match could give some momentum to the winner. Rogers stated that he was going to help Rose launch to stardom. Sheik and Volkoff have Nikita Breznikov in their corner. Whom will the fans favor in Memphis?
• In a preview of the World Tag Team tournament, “The Million Dollar Man” Ted DiBiase will battle Hawk of the Road Warriors in singles competition! DiBiase and bodyguard Virgil will face Hawk and Animal next week in Louisville. But this singles match could give the winner an edge for that tag team match. You bet Virgil will accompany DiBiase to the ring and you can bet Animal will keep a close eye on Virgil!
• Speaking of the Tag Team title tournament, the first match in the first round of that tournament will take place, when the Valiants battle the new team of “The Fabulous” Ox Baker and the Sandman! “Handsome” Jimmy and “Luscious” Johnny certainly have the experience advantage against the brawlers. But the underhanded tactics of Baker and Sandman could lead them to victory. Who will move on to the finals in two weeks in Evansville?
• The fans in Memphis will be treated to a double main event, as the first two first-round matches will take place to crown the first USWA World Heavyweight champion! First of all, former NWA World Heavyweight champion Frank Gotch will tangle with Johnny Valentine. The technical, pure wrestling style of Gotch will collide with the hard-hitting style of Valentine. Who will win?
• The second main event and tournament match will see former NWA World Heavyweight champion Harley Race take on a man he knows well—former PWF World Heavyweight and AJPW International Heavyweight champion Giant Baba! These two tangled a few times over the last six years in AJPW and CSW when Race defended the NWA title against Baba. Baba didn’t win the title yet but a win over Race to try and win the USWA title would avenge those losses. Can Baba do it or will Race triumph again?

All these great bouts, as well as Nick Bockwinkel and Killer Kowalski in action when the USWA kicks off in Memphis!

[bookerbill]

This is just fantastic stuff.

[Cory Olson]

Thanks to Booker Bill for the comments!

January 10, 2004
Card #1: Mid-South Coliseum in Memphis

1) Killer Kowalski pinned Virgil after a giant swing. Virgil was accompanied by his employer “The Million Dollar Man” Ted DiBiase and the two came out to DiBiase’s self-penned song “Everybody Has a Price.” Kowalski was dominant in this one and picked up the win in just a few minutes. Killer will face Nick Bockwinkel next week at the Louisville Gardens in the first round of the USWA World Heavyweight title tournament! ½*

2) Bobo Brazil pinned Gorgeous George. “The Human Orchid” came to the ring to “Pomp and Circumstances.” As Lance Russell introduced George from the announcers’ table, George insisted that his valet Cherie Dupré “purify” the wrestling ring with an atomizer that she carries! Once the bell rang, George avoided locking up with the popular Brazil. When Brazil finally got his hands on “The Toast of The Coast,” he wouldn’t let up on him! Brazil delivered seven consecutive Coco Butts, leaving George a bloody mess! He covered George and scored the pinfall, much to the delight of the Memphis fans! ¾*

3) Nick Bockwinkel picked up a win over Red Bastien. Bockwinkel controlled much of the action against the flying redhead. Bockwinkel clamped on his Bockwinkel sleeper (a slightly different variation of the typical hold that he claims he learned while wrestling for All Japan Pro Wrestling). His version was effective, as Bastien dropped to the mat. Referee Paul Morton checked Bastien’s arm and it dropped three times, so Morton called for the bell and awarded Bockwinkel the match via submission. The Beverly Hills native will have a big challenge ahead of him next week in Louisville, when he tangles with Killer Kowalski and hopes to move on in the World title tournament! **

4) “Nature Boy” Buddy Rogers and “Playboy” Buddy Rose scored a huge win over the Iron Sheik and Nikolai Volkoff in the first tag team match in USWA history. Iron Sheik and Volkoff were accompanied by their manager Nikita Breznikov. After being introduced, Breznikov requested the microphone from Lance Russell and asked the Memphis fans to rise while Volkoff sang the Russian National Anthem. While Volkoff is a tremendous singer, the Memphis fans did not wish to hear this! This was a competitive tag team bout and Rogers and Rose worked well together for a new team, especially against an established team. Rogers clamped on the figure-four grapevine on the big Russian Volkoff in the center of the ring. The Sheik attempted a save but was cut off by a jumping knee smash from the “Playboy.” Volkoff was forced tap out. The fans sided with Rogers and Rose in this match and popped big for the finish! Rogers and the Iranian powerhouse will meet again next week, in the final first-round match of the World title tournament! ****

5) “The Million Dollar Man” Ted DiBiase scored an impressive submission victory over Hawk. DiBiase was, of course, accompanied by his bodyguard Virgil, who was recovered from his opening match. Hawk was accompanied by his tag team partner Animal (who wore street clothes and his face paint). The Road Warriors came out to “Iron Man” by Black Sabbath and received a huge ovation from the Memphis fans! Hawk had a lot of offense against DiBiase but got busted open after DiBiase dodged a shoulder tackle in the corner and Hawk’s head hit the ring post. DiBiase took advantage of Hawk’s woozy state and locked on his Million Dollar Dream (also known as the Cobra Clutch). Hawk dropped to his knees. Paul Morton checked Hawk’s arm and it dropped three times so DiBiase got the win! This could give him and Virgil some momentum as they will battle “The Legion of Doom” next week in Louisville in the USWA World Tag Team title tournament! ***½

6) Speaking of the World Tag Team title tournament, the first first-round match saw “Handsome” Jimmy and “Luscious” Johnny Valiant defeat Ox Baker and The Sandman by DQ. The more experienced Valiants were able to double team Baker for several minutes. Baker finally made a tag to the Sandman and Sandman had some offense against “Handsome” Jimmy. Baker tried to distract referee Jerry Calhoun, while Sandman grabbed his Singapore cane. Sandman cracked Jimmy over the head with the cane. Unfortunately for the Sandman and Baker, Calhoun turned around in time to see this and disqualified Sandman and Baker. “Luscious” Johnny came in but got smacked with the cane as well. Calhoun warned Sandman and Baker to leave the ring and they finally obliged. Sandman opened up another beer as the duo returned to the back. Although they were hurting, the Valiants returned to the back the winners and they moved on to the finals in two weeks in Evansville! **½

7) In the first main event of the evening and the first match in the USWA World Heavyweight title tournament, Johnny Valentine scored a huge win by defeating Frank Gotch. The two grapplers exchanged some great scientific wrestling in the opening minutes. The action picked up and Valentine unleashed his Atomic Skullcrusher. He delivered four Skullcrushers to Gotch and then covered him pick up somewhat of an upset win. Valentine moved on to the semifinals in two weeks in Evansville! **

8) After an intermission, the second main event took place. Harley Race pinned Giant Baba to move on to the semifinals of the World title tournament! Baba received a big ovation from the Memphis fans as he entered the Mid-South Coliseum to the theme music from All Japan Pro Wrestling’s TV show! Baba and Race battled back-and-forth. Baba had the advantage and sent Race into the corner. He charged in at Race but Race moved out of the way and Baba hit the buckles hard. Race caught Baba on the rebound with a reverse rolling cradle and scored the pinfall. It was an impressive victory and Race will face Johnny Valentine in two weeks in Evansville! ***