Wrestling Superstars Live: Difference between revisions
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'''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 and sanctioned various championships. It was founded in 1996 by Dale Gagner and Jonnie Stewart and closed in 2009. |
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==History== |
==History== |
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Revision as of 17:30, 11 February 2023
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| Acronym | WSL |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1996 |
| Defunct | 2009 |
| Style | American wrestling |
| Headquarters | Rochester, Minnesota |
| Founder(s) | Dale Gagner Jonnie Stewart |
| Owner(s) | Dale Gagner |
| 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 promotions and sanctioned various championships. It was founded in 1996 by Dale Gagner and Jonnie Stewart and closed in 2009.
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.
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 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
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
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.
| Championship | Final champion | 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 |
Three championships were retired prior to WSL's closure:
- The AWA United States Championship was abandoned in December 2007.
- The AWA Japan Women's Championship was retired in December 2007.
- The AWA World Junior Heavyweight Championship was re-branded as the "Zero1-Max International Junior Heavyweight Championship" in 2007.
Members
Wrestling Superstars Live had members in the United States, Canada, England, Japan, and Australia.[6]
| Promotion | State | Years |
|---|---|---|
| All Action Wrestling | Western Australia | November 2007 – May 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 | 2004 – 2008 |
| National Championship Wrestling | Tennessee | 2007 |
| Pinnacle Pro Wrestling | Washington | 2005 – 2007 |
| Platinum Pro Wrestling | Indiana | 2009 |
| Pro-Wrestling World-1 | Pennsylvania | 2004 - 2007 |
| Pro Wrestling Zero1 | 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
- ^ Gerweck, Steve. "AWA Discontinues Sanctioning". Gerweck.net. Archived from the original on 2007-11-01. Retrieved 2007-10-30.
For Immediate Release.
- ^ Browning, Dan (2007-04-28). "World Wrestling sues promoter". Star Tribune. Archived from the original on 2007-04-28.
- ^ "News and Notes, May 4, 2007". GeorgiaWrestlingHistory.com. 2007-05-04.
- ^ Ryder, Bob (2007-04-26). "WWE Files Lawsuit Against Gagne For Trademark Violations Associated With AWA". 1wrestling.com.
- ^ "WWE wins trademark infringement lawsuit over AWA". wrestleview.com. 2008-10-28.
- ^ "AWA Superstars / Wrestling Superstars Live!".
External links
| Notable active promotions | |
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| Defunct promotions |
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| Governing bodies and interpromotional alliances |
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| Television and streaming channels | |
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| Promotions |
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| Defunct promotions |
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| Defunct governing bodies |
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