This website documents the history and heritage of the NWA, not just to the official formation of the National Wrestling Alliance in 1949 but to its National Wrestling Association roots in 1928 and the earlier history of the World Heavyweight Championship. As an unofficial site we do not claim to be exhaustive or impartial but this is a labour of love.
NWA Heritage 1867-2011
The first professional wrestling championships have their origins in a combination of amateur Greco-Roman grappling and the submission stye of Catch-as-Catch-Can.
The first recorded champion in "American Collar and Elbow" was James McLaughlin in 1867 and in "Greco Roman" was Civil War veteran William Muldoon in 1880. Muldoon was the first chairman of the New York State Athletic Commission and it may be that this was wrestling'd first govering body.
Catch wrestling originated in Lancashire England and its version of the world championship was unified with the American Greco-Roman championship when Evan "Strangler" Lewis defeated Ernest Roeber. The title became known as the American Heavyweight Championship.
The European Greco-Roman championship can be reliably traced back to 1894 when Tom Cannon defeated Tom MacIrney in Liverpool, england to become champion. The title later changed hands in Denmark and Germany. in 1905, European champion George Hackenschmidt beat American champion Tom Jenkins to be the first World Heavyweight Champion. Hackenschmidt lost the title in 1908 to American champion Frank Gotch.
Promoters (more like today's boxing promoters like Don King) ruled wrestling, particularly the so-called Gold Dust Trio of World heavyweight Champion Ed Lewis, veteran Toots Mondt and Lewis' manager Billy Sandow.
The trio created much of the wrestling we know today, heroes and villains, angles, programmes, storylines and agreed finishes.
On one occasion Lewis purposefully lost the title to Wayne Munn but then Stanislaus Zbyszko double-crossed Munn in a "shoot" and won the title. Zbyszko was beaten by Joe Stecher, a rival of Lewis and the Gold dust trio lost their grasp of the title.
In the late 1920s the championship fragmented, being recognised by various governing bodies. Like in today's boxing there are champions recognised by WBA WBC, IBF and so on, back in the 1920s the wrestling champion was variously recognised by:
- The National Wrestling Association (part of the National boxing Association)
- The American Wrestling Association
- The New York State Athletic Commission.
In the 1930s the titles were once again unified by champion Danno O'Mahoney but after his reign it once again splintered and there was also separate recognition of champions by the Ring Magazine and by the Midwest Wrestling Association.
The Midwest Wrestling Association evolved into a group called the National Wrestling Alliance which existed completely independently of the other NWA, the much older National Wrestling Association.
In 1949 the NWAssociation champion Lou Thesz, who had direct lineage back to the original champions Gotch and Hackenschmidt was scheduled to meet NWAlliance champion Orville Brown. The latter suffered a car crash and so Lou Thesz was recognised as the second NWAlliance World Heavyweight Champion. Thesz was also still the NWAssociation champion.
Many people believe the NWAssociation folded in 1949 with the title unification but this is not the case. The Association still existed as its own entity well into the 1970s, recognising the NWA champion. It is for this reason that we, like PWI, recognise the NWA title going back through the NWAssociation to the original title.
NWAlliance president Sam Muchnick reported on Thesz's 1949 title win and stated "Thesz's claim to the title is via lineal descent from the immortal Frank Gotch.
Read this article here:
http://wrestlingclassics.com/.ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=10;t=002894
In 2011 the present NWA World Heavyweight Champion is Colt Cobana.
The first recorded champion in "American Collar and Elbow" was James McLaughlin in 1867 and in "Greco Roman" was Civil War veteran William Muldoon in 1880. Muldoon was the first chairman of the New York State Athletic Commission and it may be that this was wrestling'd first govering body.
Catch wrestling originated in Lancashire England and its version of the world championship was unified with the American Greco-Roman championship when Evan "Strangler" Lewis defeated Ernest Roeber. The title became known as the American Heavyweight Championship.
The European Greco-Roman championship can be reliably traced back to 1894 when Tom Cannon defeated Tom MacIrney in Liverpool, england to become champion. The title later changed hands in Denmark and Germany. in 1905, European champion George Hackenschmidt beat American champion Tom Jenkins to be the first World Heavyweight Champion. Hackenschmidt lost the title in 1908 to American champion Frank Gotch.
Promoters (more like today's boxing promoters like Don King) ruled wrestling, particularly the so-called Gold Dust Trio of World heavyweight Champion Ed Lewis, veteran Toots Mondt and Lewis' manager Billy Sandow.
The trio created much of the wrestling we know today, heroes and villains, angles, programmes, storylines and agreed finishes.
On one occasion Lewis purposefully lost the title to Wayne Munn but then Stanislaus Zbyszko double-crossed Munn in a "shoot" and won the title. Zbyszko was beaten by Joe Stecher, a rival of Lewis and the Gold dust trio lost their grasp of the title.
In the late 1920s the championship fragmented, being recognised by various governing bodies. Like in today's boxing there are champions recognised by WBA WBC, IBF and so on, back in the 1920s the wrestling champion was variously recognised by:
- The National Wrestling Association (part of the National boxing Association)
- The American Wrestling Association
- The New York State Athletic Commission.
In the 1930s the titles were once again unified by champion Danno O'Mahoney but after his reign it once again splintered and there was also separate recognition of champions by the Ring Magazine and by the Midwest Wrestling Association.
The Midwest Wrestling Association evolved into a group called the National Wrestling Alliance which existed completely independently of the other NWA, the much older National Wrestling Association.
In 1949 the NWAssociation champion Lou Thesz, who had direct lineage back to the original champions Gotch and Hackenschmidt was scheduled to meet NWAlliance champion Orville Brown. The latter suffered a car crash and so Lou Thesz was recognised as the second NWAlliance World Heavyweight Champion. Thesz was also still the NWAssociation champion.
Many people believe the NWAssociation folded in 1949 with the title unification but this is not the case. The Association still existed as its own entity well into the 1970s, recognising the NWA champion. It is for this reason that we, like PWI, recognise the NWA title going back through the NWAssociation to the original title.
NWAlliance president Sam Muchnick reported on Thesz's 1949 title win and stated "Thesz's claim to the title is via lineal descent from the immortal Frank Gotch.
Read this article here:
http://wrestlingclassics.com/.ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=10;t=002894
In 2011 the present NWA World Heavyweight Champion is Colt Cobana.
As proof that the National Wrestling Association existed past 1949, here are minutes from a 1962 Association meeting, edited for spelling, grammar and brevity. And below is a list of National Wrestling Association presidents up to 1973.
National Wrestling Association of America
R.B. Latting, President
Wilfred F. Lewis, 1st Vice-Pres.
WM. Brennan, 2nd Vice-Pres.
Ollie Downs, Sec.-Treas.
Emile Bruneau, 3rd Vice-Pres.
M.R. Forrester, 4th Vice-Pres.
Chas. W. Pian, Chairman Executive Committee
Newsletter
August - September, 1962
First, a thank you to the Honorable Albert D. Rosellini, Governor of Washington, the Honorable Harold Tollefson, Mayor of Tacoma, the Washington State Athletic Commission, their Chairmen, Wilbert F. Lewis, Dr. Chas. P. Larson, Anthony J. Felice and their lovely Wives. Secretary Mrs. R. Roberts and the Tacoma Athletic Commission for being such gracious hosts during our stay at Tacoma for our Convention. Your efforts and work was well planned, organized and managed with time for pleasure and Convention business.
Our wrestling meeting was well attended and opened as scheduled August 23rd at 9:00 A.M. Meeting was called to order by President Chas W. Pian and he greeted the Delegates and thanked all the members of the Association for giving their time and cooperation and working together during the year in helping to make our organization a better one. He also thanked the Washington State Athletic Commission for their whole-hearted support by having our National Wrestling Association placed on all signs, banners as well as the Convention book. President Pian also gave a very excellent report in which he reviewed his past record as Commissioner of the Missouri State Athletic Commission and recommended that all Commissions recognize the suspension list, he cautioned against fly-by-night operations at the expense of local promoters. He recommended that the Commissioners of State, City and Provinces work closely with their promoter in an effort to solve problems and keep wrestling at its highest tradition.
Chairmen of other Committees were called upon and presented their reports:
Executive: Lawson M. Lynn, Alabama
Constitution By-Laws: Clarence H. Crawford, Asheville, N.C.
Legislative: Dr. Wagner, Marion, Ohio
Membership: M.R. Forrester, Tennessee
Grievance: David Ott, Ohio
The Public Relations Chairman, Jay Edson, Arizona was absent
Secretary Downs presented his report both on the newsletter and bulletin which was approved and found in good order by the Finance Committee was also read informing the Delegates that 26 paid up Commissions of the regular membership were in good standing and also 20 Associate Members. With all bills paid as of August 19, 1962 left a balance in the bank for the ensuing year. The Secretary and Treasurer reported that he has received dues from the Nevada State Athletic Commission their Chairman for 1962 and also for 1963. He thanked Jim Deskin, their Chairman, who was present at the meeting. Chairman Emile Bruneau, Louisiana, of the Rating Committee presented and submitted his report to the delegates of the ratings in the Heavyweight and Junior Heavyweight Divisions which were accepted.
Heavyweight Class
World Champion: Buddy Rogers
U.S Champion: Pat Connor
1. Johnny Valentine
2. Gene Kiniski
3. Edouard Carpentier
4. Antonino Rocco
5. Killer Kowalski
Honorable Mention: Verne Gagne, Bill Miller, Karl Gotch, The Bruiser (Dick Afflis), The Crusher (Reggie Lisowski), Wilbur Snyder, Buddy Austin, Bobo Brazil, Sailor Thomas and Lorenzo Parente
Junior Heavyweight Class
World Champion: Danny Hodge
1. Irish Mike Clancy
2. Joe McCarthy
3. Hiro Matsuda
4. Dory Funk
5. Mike DiBiase
R.B. Latting, President, Texas
Wilbert F. Lewis, 1st Vice President, Washington State
William Brennan, 2nd Vice President, Virginia
Emile Bruneau, 3rd Vice President, Louisiana
M.R. Forrester, 4th Vice President, Tennessee
Our President, Mr. Henri Gagnon, was unable to attend the Convention this year or accept any charge with the organization for this term. Mr. Gagnon was sick for some time lately and has charged me to thank you for the consideration, the National Wrestling Association has put in him by making him eligible as present.
Buddy Rogers defended his World Heavyweight title against Edouard Carpentier by pinning him 2 out of 3 falls that drew a crowd of 18,010 with a gate of $55,719 on July 27th at Comisky Baseball Park in Chicago for Promoter and our associate member, Fred Kohler. This was Roger's 27th straight win in Chicago and the amount of money in these 27 appearances of the Champion for promoter Kohler hiked to $1,007,949 in the Windy City since May, 1960.
We welcome Frank N. Stojack this years new Carl C. McCray Perpetual Service Award winner and also Don Owen, wrestling promoter in Portland, Albany Coos Bay, Medford, Eugene, Salem and Klamath Falls, Oregon as new associate members of our Association.
We were happy to meet Cliff Olson and Harry Elliott, Wrestling promoters in Washington State and also associate members at our Convention in Tacoma.
A salute to Mr. Dean A. Silverstone for his excellent job done as Publicity Director for Wrestling in Tacoma and Seattle in the Northwest. He really supplies important information on Wrestling, forthcoming programs and keeps the fans well posted on all wrestlers appearing on Wrestling shows. Keep up the good work, Dean.
Let us look forward and keep in close touch with your promoter, matchmaker or booking agent in your territory to supply the best talent for your Wrestling Fans and keep wrestling at its highest tradition for another successful season.
R.B. Latting, President
National Wrestling Association of America
Wilfred F. Lewis, 1st Vice-Pres.
WM. Brennan, 2nd Vice-Pres.
Ollie Downs, Sec.-Treas.
Emile Bruneau, 3rd Vice-Pres.
M.R. Forrester, 4th Vice-Pres.
Chas. W. Pian, Chairman Executive Committee
Newsletter
August - September, 1962
First, a thank you to the Honorable Albert D. Rosellini, Governor of Washington, the Honorable Harold Tollefson, Mayor of Tacoma, the Washington State Athletic Commission, their Chairmen, Wilbert F. Lewis, Dr. Chas. P. Larson, Anthony J. Felice and their lovely Wives. Secretary Mrs. R. Roberts and the Tacoma Athletic Commission for being such gracious hosts during our stay at Tacoma for our Convention. Your efforts and work was well planned, organized and managed with time for pleasure and Convention business.
Our wrestling meeting was well attended and opened as scheduled August 23rd at 9:00 A.M. Meeting was called to order by President Chas W. Pian and he greeted the Delegates and thanked all the members of the Association for giving their time and cooperation and working together during the year in helping to make our organization a better one. He also thanked the Washington State Athletic Commission for their whole-hearted support by having our National Wrestling Association placed on all signs, banners as well as the Convention book. President Pian also gave a very excellent report in which he reviewed his past record as Commissioner of the Missouri State Athletic Commission and recommended that all Commissions recognize the suspension list, he cautioned against fly-by-night operations at the expense of local promoters. He recommended that the Commissioners of State, City and Provinces work closely with their promoter in an effort to solve problems and keep wrestling at its highest tradition.
Chairmen of other Committees were called upon and presented their reports:
Executive: Lawson M. Lynn, Alabama
Constitution By-Laws: Clarence H. Crawford, Asheville, N.C.
Legislative: Dr. Wagner, Marion, Ohio
Membership: M.R. Forrester, Tennessee
Grievance: David Ott, Ohio
The Public Relations Chairman, Jay Edson, Arizona was absent
Secretary Downs presented his report both on the newsletter and bulletin which was approved and found in good order by the Finance Committee was also read informing the Delegates that 26 paid up Commissions of the regular membership were in good standing and also 20 Associate Members. With all bills paid as of August 19, 1962 left a balance in the bank for the ensuing year. The Secretary and Treasurer reported that he has received dues from the Nevada State Athletic Commission their Chairman for 1962 and also for 1963. He thanked Jim Deskin, their Chairman, who was present at the meeting. Chairman Emile Bruneau, Louisiana, of the Rating Committee presented and submitted his report to the delegates of the ratings in the Heavyweight and Junior Heavyweight Divisions which were accepted.
Heavyweight Class
World Champion: Buddy Rogers
U.S Champion: Pat Connor
1. Johnny Valentine
2. Gene Kiniski
3. Edouard Carpentier
4. Antonino Rocco
5. Killer Kowalski
Honorable Mention: Verne Gagne, Bill Miller, Karl Gotch, The Bruiser (Dick Afflis), The Crusher (Reggie Lisowski), Wilbur Snyder, Buddy Austin, Bobo Brazil, Sailor Thomas and Lorenzo Parente
Junior Heavyweight Class
World Champion: Danny Hodge
1. Irish Mike Clancy
2. Joe McCarthy
3. Hiro Matsuda
4. Dory Funk
5. Mike DiBiase
R.B. Latting, President, Texas
Wilbert F. Lewis, 1st Vice President, Washington State
William Brennan, 2nd Vice President, Virginia
Emile Bruneau, 3rd Vice President, Louisiana
M.R. Forrester, 4th Vice President, Tennessee
Our President, Mr. Henri Gagnon, was unable to attend the Convention this year or accept any charge with the organization for this term. Mr. Gagnon was sick for some time lately and has charged me to thank you for the consideration, the National Wrestling Association has put in him by making him eligible as present.
Buddy Rogers defended his World Heavyweight title against Edouard Carpentier by pinning him 2 out of 3 falls that drew a crowd of 18,010 with a gate of $55,719 on July 27th at Comisky Baseball Park in Chicago for Promoter and our associate member, Fred Kohler. This was Roger's 27th straight win in Chicago and the amount of money in these 27 appearances of the Champion for promoter Kohler hiked to $1,007,949 in the Windy City since May, 1960.
We welcome Frank N. Stojack this years new Carl C. McCray Perpetual Service Award winner and also Don Owen, wrestling promoter in Portland, Albany Coos Bay, Medford, Eugene, Salem and Klamath Falls, Oregon as new associate members of our Association.
We were happy to meet Cliff Olson and Harry Elliott, Wrestling promoters in Washington State and also associate members at our Convention in Tacoma.
A salute to Mr. Dean A. Silverstone for his excellent job done as Publicity Director for Wrestling in Tacoma and Seattle in the Northwest. He really supplies important information on Wrestling, forthcoming programs and keeps the fans well posted on all wrestlers appearing on Wrestling shows. Keep up the good work, Dean.
Let us look forward and keep in close touch with your promoter, matchmaker or booking agent in your territory to supply the best talent for your Wrestling Fans and keep wrestling at its highest tradition for another successful season.
R.B. Latting, President
National Wrestling Association of America
National Wrestling Association Presidents 1928-1973
Gen. John V. Clinnin (until 30/10)
Col. Harry J. Landry (30/10 - 50s)
Lawson M. Lynn (?? - 61)
Chas W. Pian (61 - 62/08)
R.B. Latting (62/08 - ??)
Malcom Forrester (66/05<)
Nick Kerasiotis (73/03<)
Col. Harry J. Landry (30/10 - 50s)
Lawson M. Lynn (?? - 61)
Chas W. Pian (61 - 62/08)
R.B. Latting (62/08 - ??)
Malcom Forrester (66/05<)
Nick Kerasiotis (73/03<)