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{{Short description|Wrestling governing body}}
{{Infobox Wrestling promotion
{{Infobox Wrestling promotion
|name =Wrestling Superstars Live
|name =Wrestling Superstars Live
Line 7: Line 8:
|style =American wrestling
|style =American wrestling
|location =[[Rochester, Minnesota]]
|location =[[Rochester, Minnesota]]
|founder =Dale Gagner<br />Jonnie Stewart
|founder =Dale Gagne<br />Jonnie Stewart
|owner =Dale Gagner
|owner =Dale Gagne
|parent =
|parent =
|sister =
|sister =
|predecessor = '''Unofficial:'''<br>[[American Wrestling Association]]
|formerly =AWA Superstars of Wrestling
|formerly =AWA Superstars of Wrestling
|}}
|}}
'''Wrestling Superstars Live''' ('''WSL'''), previously known as '''AWA Superstars of Wrestling''' ('''AWA'''), was a governing body for a group of independent [[professional wrestling promotion]]s and sanctioned various championships. It was founded in 1996 by Dale Gagner and Jonnie Stewart and closed in 2009.
'''Wrestling Superstars Live''' ('''WSL'''), previously known as '''AWA Superstars of Wrestling''' ('''AWA'''), was a governing body for a group of independent [[professional wrestling promotion]]s that sanctioned various championships. It was founded in 1996 by Dale Gagne and Jonnie Stewart and closed in 2009.


==History==
==History==
===Early history===
===Early history===
In 1996, Dale Gagner and his associate Jonnie Stewart, former [[American Wrestling Association]] (AWA) employees, began using the AWA name in the state of Minnesota, falsely claiming authorization from the Minnesota Secretary of State, and formed an organization known as AWA Superstars of Wrestling. They billed the organization as a continuation of the American Wrestling Association, which closed in 1991.
In 1996, Dale Gagner, billing himself as "Dale Gagne", and his associate Jonnie Stewart, former [[American Wrestling Association]] (AWA) employees, began using the AWA name in the state of Minnesota, falsely claiming authorization from the Minnesota Secretary of State, and formed an organization known as AWA Superstars of Wrestling. They billed the organization as a continuation of the [[American Wrestling Association]], which closed in 1991.


By 2005, the organization began to franchise the AWA Superstars of Wrestling name, selling memberships to existing independent promotions around the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, and Japan. Several members of AWA Superstars of Wrestling were former members of the [[National Wrestling Alliance]].
By 2005, the organization began to franchise the AWA Superstars of Wrestling name, selling memberships to existing independent promotions around the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, and Japan. Several members of AWA Superstars of Wrestling were former members of the [[National Wrestling Alliance]]. In a press release sent out on October 30, 2007, the organization announced that it would no longer sanction independent promotions. Gagner and Stewart noted that each of the remaining territories would be individually assessed.<ref name="AWA sanctioning">{{cite web |url=http://www.gerweck.net/news/1193763516.shtml |title=AWA Discontinues Sanctioning |access-date=2007-10-30 |author=Gerweck, Steve |publisher=Gerweck.net |quote=For Immediate Release. |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071101110405/http://www.gerweck.net/news/1193763516.shtml <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archive-date = 2007-11-01}}</ref><!--DO NOT LIST THE TERRITORIES WITH EXTERNAL LINKS. THIS IS IN VIOLATION OF OUR EXTERNAL LINKING POLICY.-->

In a press release sent out October 30, 2007, the organization announced that it would no longer sanction independent promotions. Gagner and Stewart noted that each of the remaining territories would be individually assessed.<ref name="AWA sanctioning">{{cite web |url=http://www.gerweck.net/news/1193763516.shtml |title=AWA Discontinues Sanctioning |access-date=2007-10-30 |author=Gerweck, Steve |publisher=Gerweck.net |quote=For Immediate Release. |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071101110405/http://www.gerweck.net/news/1193763516.shtml <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archive-date = 2007-11-01}}</ref><!--DO NOT LIST THE TERRITORIES WITH EXTERNAL LINKS. THIS IS IN VIOLATION OF OUR EXTERNAL LINKING POLICY.-->


===Lawsuit, renaming, reorganization, and closure===
===Lawsuit, renaming, reorganization, and closure===
On April 26, 2007 [[World Wrestling Entertainment]] (WWE) filed a lawsuit against Dale Gagner, citing [[trademark infringement]], as WWE owned some American Wrestling Association properties due to their purchase of AWA from [[Verne Gagne]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.startribune.com/462/story/1146399.html|title=World Wrestling sues promoter|author=Browning, Dan|date=2007-04-28|publisher=[[Star Tribune]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070428030922/http://www.startribune.com/462/story/1146399.html|archive-date=2007-04-28}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.georgiawrestlinghistory.com/news-notes/2007/05/04.html|title=News and Notes, May 4, 2007|date=2007-05-04|publisher=GeorgiaWrestlingHistory.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.1wrestling.com/news/newsline.asp?news=28334|title=WWE Files Lawsuit Against Gagne For Trademark Violations Associated With AWA|author=Ryder, Bob|date=2007-04-26|publisher=1wrestling.com}}</ref> In a move to sidestep WWE, Jonnie Stewart, with the help of a Chicago-based copyright law firm, attempted to trademark the name "American Wrestling Alliance" instead.
On April 26, 2007 [[World Wrestling Entertainment]] (WWE) filed a lawsuit against Dale Gagner, citing [[trademark infringement]], as WWE owned some American Wrestling Association properties due to their purchase of AWA from [[Verne Gagne]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.startribune.com/462/story/1146399.html|title=World Wrestling sues promoter|author=Browning, Dan|date=2007-04-28|publisher=[[Star Tribune]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070428030922/http://www.startribune.com/462/story/1146399.html|archive-date=2007-04-28}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.georgiawrestlinghistory.com/news-notes/2007/05/04.html|title=News and Notes, May 4, 2007|date=2007-05-04|publisher=GeorgiaWrestlingHistory.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.1wrestling.com/news/newsline.asp?news=28334|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070503030034/http://www.1wrestling.com/news/newsline.asp?news=28334|url-status=usurped|archive-date=May 3, 2007|title=WWE Files Lawsuit Against Gagne For Trademark Violations Associated With AWA|author=Ryder, Bob|date=2007-04-26|publisher=1wrestling.com}}</ref> In a move to sidestep WWE, Jonnie Stewart, with the help of a Chicago-based copyright law firm, attempted to trademark the name "American Wrestling Alliance" instead.


On October 29, 2008, a settlement was reached between Gagner and WWE. The court ruling prohibits Gagner from use of the AWA name or any other derivatives.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wrestleview.com/news08/1225314623.shtml|title=WWE wins trademark infringement lawsuit over AWA|date=2008-10-28|publisher=wrestleview.com}}</ref> As a result, the organization was renamed to Wrestling Superstars Live (WSL). In 2009, WSL went out of business.
On October 29, 2008, a settlement was reached between Gagner and WWE. The court ruling prohibits Gagner from use of the AWA name or any other derivatives.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wrestleview.com/news08/1225314623.shtml|title=WWE wins trademark infringement lawsuit over AWA|date=2008-10-28|publisher=wrestleview.com}}</ref> As a result, the organization was renamed to Wrestling Superstars Live (WSL). In 2009, WSL went out of business.


==Championships==
==Championships==
When the organization was formed in 1996, Wrestling Superstars Live claimed the lineages and names of the original American Wrestling Association championships. However, following WWE's filed lawsuit against Gagner and Stewart, AWA Wrestling Superstars Live championship reigns are recognized from 1996 and forward.
When the organization was formed in 1996, Wrestling Superstars Live claimed the lineages and names of the original American Wrestling Association (AWA) championships. However, following WWE's lawsuit against Gagner and Stewart, Wrestling Superstars Live ignored the AWA championship reigns and only the reigns from 1996 and forward were recognized.
{| class="wikitable sortable"
{| class="wikitable sortable"
⚫
|-
!Championship
!Championship
!Final champion
!Final champion(s)
!Date won
!Date won
!Location
!Location
Line 62: Line 61:
|The championship was vacant; Team Vision won the 2008 Mountain Mayhem tournament by defeating Team Macktion (Kirby Mack and T.J. Mack) in the finals
|The championship was vacant; Team Vision won the 2008 Mountain Mayhem tournament by defeating Team Macktion (Kirby Mack and T.J. Mack) in the finals
|}
|}
Three championships were retired prior to WSL's closure:
Four championships were retired prior to WSL's closure:
*The [[AWA Superstars of Wrestling United States Championship|AWA United States Championship]] was abandoned in December 2007.
*The [[Wrestling Superstars Live#International Heavyweight Championship|AWA Superstars of Wrestling International Heavyweight Championship]] was retired in 2005.
*The [[AWA Japan Women's Championship]] was retired in December 2007.
*The [[AWA Japan Women's Championship]] was replaced by the HCW World Women's Championship in December 2007.
*The [[International Junior Heavyweight Championship (Zero1)|AWA World Junior Heavyweight Championship]] was re-branded as the "Zero1-Max International Junior Heavyweight Championship" in 2007.
*The [[International Junior Heavyweight Championship (Zero1)|AWA World Junior Heavyweight Championship]] was re-branded as the "Zero1-Max International Junior Heavyweight Championship" in 2008.
*The [[AWA Superstars of Wrestling United States Championship]] was replaced by the WSL World Fighting Championship in March 2008.

==Championship history==
===International Heavyweight Championship===
====Title history====
{| class="wikitable" width=100%
!width=20%|Wrestler:
!width=5% |Times:
!width=18%|Date:
!width=21%|Location:
!width=36%|Notes:
⚫
|-
|style="background: #dddddd;" colspan=5|''Title created by AWA Superstars of Wrestling, with the promotion claiming lineage to the original [[AWA International Heavyweight Championship]].''
|-
|Jonnie Stewart
|1
|April 23, 1999
|—
|Stewart defeated George Petroski to become the inaugural champion.<ref name=Cage>{{cite web|url=https://www.cagematch.net/?id=5&nr=762|title=AWA International Heavyweight Championship|work=Cagematch.net|accessdate=March 16, 2023}}</ref><ref name=WTitles>{{cite web|url=https://www.wrestling-titles.com/us/wsl/awa-int-h.html|title=AWA Superstars of Wrestling International Heavyweight Title|work=Wrestling Titles|accessdate=March 16, 2023}}</ref><ref name=Solie>{{cite web|url=https://www.solie.org/titlehistories/ihawa.html|title=AWA INTERNATIONAL HEAVYWEIGHT TITLE HISTORY|work=Solie's Vintage Wrestling|accessdate=March 16, 2023}}</ref>
|-
|style="background: #dddddd;" colspan=5|''Title vacated on April 14, 2000 after Stewart failed to make a defense.''<ref name=Cage/><ref name=WTitles/><ref name=Solie/>
|-
|Danny Dominion
|1
|April 14, 2000
|[[Blythe, California]]
|Dominion defeated Navajo Warrior to win the vacant championship.<ref name=Cage/><ref name=WTitles/><ref name=Solie/>
|-
|style="background: #dddddd;" colspan=5|''Title vacated in 2002.''<ref name=Cage/><ref name=WTitles/><ref name=Solie/>
|-
|[[Erik Watts]]
|1
|February 4, 2005
|[[Tucson, Arizona]]
|Watts defeated [[Diamond Dallas Page]] to win the vacant championship.<ref name=WTitles/><ref name=Solie/>
|-
|style="background: #dddddd;" colspan=5|''The championship was retired in 2005 following a declaration of the AWA Board of Directors.''<ref name=Solie/>
|}


==Members==
==Members==
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{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
!width="215"|Promotion
!width="215"|Promotion
!width="100"|State
!width="100"|Location
!width="100"|Years
!width="100"|Years
|-
|-
|All Action Wrestling
|All Action Wrestling
|[[Western Australia]]
|[[Western Australia]]
|November 2007 – May 2009
|November 2007 – 2009
|-
|-
|AWA Florida
|AWA Florida
Line 118: Line 155:
|Mountaineer Wrestling Association
|Mountaineer Wrestling Association
|[[West Virginia]]
|[[West Virginia]]
|2004 – 2008
|2005 – 2008
|-
|-
|National Championship Wrestling
|National Championship Wrestling
|[[Tennessee]]
|[[Tennessee]]
|2007
|2007 -
|-
|-
|Pinnacle Pro Wrestling
|Pinnacle Pro Wrestling
Line 135: Line 172:
|Pro-Wrestling World-1
|Pro-Wrestling World-1
|[[Pennsylvania]]
|[[Pennsylvania]]
|2004 - 2007
|2005 – 2007
|-
|-
|[[Pro Wrestling Zero1]]
|[[Pro Wrestling Zero1|Pro Wrestling Zero1-Max]]
|[[Japan]]
|[[Japan]]
|2005 – December 2007
|2005 – December 2007
Line 169: Line 206:


{{Wrestling Superstars Live}}
{{Wrestling Superstars Live}}
{{American Wrestling Association}}
{{Professional wrestling in Australia}}
{{Professional wrestling in Australia}}
{{Professional wrestling in Canada}}
{{Professional wrestling in Canada}}

Latest revision as of 08:08, 21 December 2024

Wrestling Superstars Live
AcronymWSL
Founded1996
Defunct2009
StyleAmerican wrestling
HeadquartersRochester, Minnesota
Founder(s)Dale Gagne
Jonnie Stewart
Owner(s)Dale Gagne
FormerlyAWA Superstars of Wrestling
PredecessorUnofficial:
American Wrestling Association

Wrestling Superstars Live (WSL), previously known as AWA Superstars of Wrestling (AWA), was a governing body for a group of independent professional wrestling promotions that sanctioned various championships. It was founded in 1996 by Dale Gagne and Jonnie Stewart and closed in 2009.

History

[edit]

Early history

[edit]

In 1996, Dale Gagner, billing himself as "Dale Gagne", and his associate Jonnie Stewart, former American Wrestling Association (AWA) employees, began using the AWA name in the state of Minnesota, falsely claiming authorization from the Minnesota Secretary of State, and formed an organization known as AWA Superstars of Wrestling. They billed the organization as a continuation of the American Wrestling Association, which closed in 1991.

By 2005, the organization began to franchise the AWA Superstars of Wrestling name, selling memberships to existing independent promotions around the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, and Japan. Several members of AWA Superstars of Wrestling were former members of the National Wrestling Alliance. In a press release sent out on October 30, 2007, the organization announced that it would no longer sanction independent promotions. Gagner and Stewart noted that each of the remaining territories would be individually assessed.[1]

Lawsuit, renaming, reorganization, and closure

[edit]

On April 26, 2007 World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) filed a lawsuit against Dale Gagner, citing trademark infringement, as WWE owned some American Wrestling Association properties due to their purchase of AWA from Verne Gagne.[2][3][4] In a move to sidestep WWE, Jonnie Stewart, with the help of a Chicago-based copyright law firm, attempted to trademark the name "American Wrestling Alliance" instead.

On October 29, 2008, a settlement was reached between Gagner and WWE. The court ruling prohibits Gagner from use of the AWA name or any other derivatives.[5] As a result, the organization was renamed to Wrestling Superstars Live (WSL). In 2009, WSL went out of business.

Championships

[edit]

When the organization was formed in 1996, Wrestling Superstars Live claimed the lineages and names of the original American Wrestling Association (AWA) championships. However, following WWE's lawsuit against Gagner and Stewart, Wrestling Superstars Live ignored the AWA championship reigns and only the reigns from 1996 and forward were recognized.

Championship Final champion(s) Date won Location Previous holder
World Heavyweight Championship Keith Walker February 21, 2009 Michigan City, Indiana Ricky Landell
World Fighting Championship Keith Walker September 13, 2008 Waukesha, Wisconsin Ricky Landell
World Light Heavyweight Championship Kirby Mack January 7, 2007 Pottstown, Pennsylvania T.J. Mack
World Tag Team Championship Team Vision
(Chasyn Rance and Mister Saint Laurent) 		April 18, 2008 Fayetteville, West Virginia The championship was vacant; Team Vision won the 2008 Mountain Mayhem tournament by defeating Team Macktion (Kirby Mack and T.J. Mack) in the finals

Four championships were retired prior to WSL's closure:

Championship history

[edit]

International Heavyweight Championship

[edit]

Title history

[edit]
Wrestler: Times: Date: Location: Notes:
Title created by AWA Superstars of Wrestling, with the promotion claiming lineage to the original AWA International Heavyweight Championship.
Jonnie Stewart 1 April 23, 1999 — Stewart defeated George Petroski to become the inaugural champion.[6][7][8]
Title vacated on April 14, 2000 after Stewart failed to make a defense.[6][7][8]
Danny Dominion 1 April 14, 2000 Blythe, California Dominion defeated Navajo Warrior to win the vacant championship.[6][7][8]
Title vacated in 2002.[6][7][8]
Erik Watts 1 February 4, 2005 Tucson, Arizona Watts defeated Diamond Dallas Page to win the vacant championship.[7][8]
The championship was retired in 2005 following a declaration of the AWA Board of Directors.[8]

Members

[edit]

Wrestling Superstars Live had members in the United States, Canada, England, Japan, and Australia.[9]

Promotion Location Years
All Action Wrestling Western Australia November 2007 – 2009
AWA Florida Florida 2005 – 2009
AWA Rush Minnesota 2007
AWA United Kingdom England 2005 – 2006
Brew City Wrestling Wisconsin 2005 – 2008
Canadian Wrestling Federation Manitoba August 2005 – April 2007
Carolina Wrestling Federation North Carolina 2005 – 2007
Elite Canadian Championship Wrestling British Columbia 2006
Hawai'i Championship Wrestling Hawaii 2006 – 2007
Millennium Wrestling Federation Massachusetts March 2005 – 2007
Mountaineer Wrestling Association West Virginia 2005 – 2008
National Championship Wrestling Tennessee 2007 -
Pinnacle Pro Wrestling Washington 2005 – 2007
Platinum Pro Wrestling Indiana 2009
Pro-Wrestling World-1 Pennsylvania 2005 – 2007
Pro Wrestling Zero1-Max Japan 2005 – December 2007
Rocky Mountain Championship Wrestling Colorado January 2005 – 2008
Spinebuster/World-1 South Georgia July 2005 – 2008
Supreme Championship Wrestling Indiana 2005 – 2007
Ultra Championship Wrestling-Zero Utah February 2005 – 2007
West Coast Wrestling Connection Oregon 2007 – 2008

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Gerweck, Steve. "AWA Discontinues Sanctioning". Gerweck.net. Archived from the original on 2007-11-01. Retrieved 2007-10-30. For Immediate Release.
  2. ^ Browning, Dan (2007-04-28). "World Wrestling sues promoter". Star Tribune. Archived from the original on 2007-04-28.
  3. ^ "News and Notes, May 4, 2007". GeorgiaWrestlingHistory.com. 2007-05-04.
  4. ^ Ryder, Bob (2007-04-26). "WWE Files Lawsuit Against Gagne For Trademark Violations Associated With AWA". 1wrestling.com. Archived from the original on May 3, 2007.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  5. ^ "WWE wins trademark infringement lawsuit over AWA". wrestleview.com. 2008-10-28.
  6. ^ a b c d "AWA International Heavyweight Championship". Cagematch.net. Retrieved March 16, 2023.
  7. ^ a b c d e "AWA Superstars of Wrestling International Heavyweight Title". Wrestling Titles. Retrieved March 16, 2023.
  8. ^ a b c d e f "AWA INTERNATIONAL HEAVYWEIGHT TITLE HISTORY". Solie's Vintage Wrestling. Retrieved March 16, 2023.
  9. ^ "AWA Superstars / Wrestling Superstars Live!".
[edit]
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