Embedded Files
World Wrestling Association (1964-1989)
Indianapolis, Indiana had been run for years by the capable office of Jim Barnett and Balk Estes. After Barnett's failed attempts to create a huge national promotion, he "sold off" his former city to Dick the Bruiser. During pro-wrestling's "Golden Age," where television made pro-wrestlers nationally recognized, Dick the Bruiser was amongst the most well-known. He had made a name for himself in a number of territories and now he owned his own. He was a notorious character in and out of the ring and the Bruiser was always the top star in his own promotion. After buying his company, Bruiser captured the WWA World Championship from Freddie Blassie. He brought his claim to that non-NWA organization's title home and made it his native title. His longtime association with Verne Gagne's AWA helped him keep in touch with young talent and keep himself a nationally exposed star. He often brought in stars he'd known from his prime or ones that he'd made connections with in the AWA. Many young stars got their start in his promotion, but it was always Bruiser's group and he was always on top. Detroit became the battleground between The Bruiser and NWA promoter Eddie Farhat (The Sheik) in between 1971 and 1974. They ran opposing arenas with top notch talent, but eventually the Bruiser pulled back and focused on his home base of Indianapolis and money city of Chicago until the WWF's expansion pounded his operation into oblivion.
Mitsu Arakawa
Ox Baker
Fred Blassie
Crusher Broomfield (One Man Gang)
Emile Dupree
The Fabulous Kangaroos (Al Costello & Don Kent)
Fabulous Ones (Stan Lane & Steve Keirn)
The Flying Scotts (George & Sandy)
Chuck O'Connor (Big John Studd)
Angelo Poffo
Sailor Art Thomas
Valiant Brothers (Jimmy & Johnny)
The Von Brauners (Kurt & Karl)
I'd like to thank Tim Hornbaker and his wonderful "National Wrestling Alliance" book. I'd also like to thank Steve Yohe, J. Michael Kenyon, Doc Silverkat, and James Zordani specifically for their various contributions via the internet. And, of course, Royal Duncun and Gary Will's contributions to wrestling-titles.com
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