World Association of Wrestling

World Association of Wrestling (WAW) is a British professional wrestling promotion founded by Ricky Knight, Sweet Saraya, and Jimmy Ocean in 1994 in Norwich, Norfolk. It is affiliated with the all-female promotion Bellatrix Female Warriors which is also owned by Saraya Knight. The promotion features British-style wrestling and uses British rules.[1][2]

World Association of Wrestling
AcronymWAW
Founded1994
StyleProfessional wrestling
Sports entertainment
HeadquartersNorwich, Norfolk
Founder(s)Ricky Knight
Sweet Saraya
Jimmy Ocean
Owner(s)Ricky Knight
Sweet Saraya
Zak Knight[1]
SisterBellatrix Female Warriors
Websitehttps://wawuk.com/

History

Ricky Knight, Sweet Saraya, and Jimmy Ocean formed WAW in 1994 in Norwich.[2][3] Ocean left the business after approximately one year.[4] In 2005, Ricky Knight and Sweet Saraya formed the World Association of Women's Wrestling, although the name was later changed to Bellatrix Female Warriors.[5]

In 2014, WAW ran more than 100 shows.[5] In September 2016, WAW began airing on Mustard TV.[2] American wrestler Scott Hall is an agent for the promotion and works behind the scenes at television tapings.[1]

The promotion was featured in the 2012 Channel 4 documentary The Wrestlers: Fighting with My Family about the Knight family.[1] It was featured in the film Fighting with My Family, which was based on the documentary.[1]

WAW Academy

The promotion also includes a wrestling school, The WAW Academy, which trains in the British catch-as-catch-can wrestling style.[3][5] Trainees perform for both WAW and Bellatrix Female Warriors.[5] The Academy trains wrestlers of all ages, including children.[5] Interest in the school increased after Ricky Knight and Sweet Saraya's daughter Saraya-Jade was signed by the WWE in 2011.[5] Zak Knight and Sweet Saraya are the head trainers at the academy, but they also bring in guest trainers, as well.[1]

Championships

Current
Championship Champion(s) Previous Date won Days Reference
WAW World Heavyweight Championship Ricky Knight Jr. Roy Knight 2 June 2019 550+ [6]
WAW World Tag Team Championship The Art of Pro Wrestling The UK Pitbulls (Bulk and Big Dave) 30 November 2019 207+ [7]
WAW World Light Heavyweight Championship Villman Brad O'Brien 5 January 2020 171+ [8]
WAW Open International Championship Brody Steele Aaron O'Malley 22 September 2018 641+ [9]
WAW European Heavyweight Championship Vacant Dale Broughton 19 January 2020 157+ [10]
WAW British Heavyweight Championship Keegan Tony Knight 26 October 2019 242+ [11]
WAW Television Championship Ricky Knight Jr. Alexander Young 5 May 2018 781+ [12]
WAW Under-23 Championship Dillon Slade Jaiden Docwra 4 August 2019 325+ [13]
WAW Academy Championship Drew Marshall Opie Jackson 4 August 2019 325+ [14]
WAW Academy Tag Team Championship The Dementors (Nocturne and The Mummy) The Battlekats (Battlekat Eli and Battlekat SL) 19 January 2020 157+ [15]

Retired
Championship Last champion(s) Date won Date retired Previous champion(s) First champion(s) Reference
RQW World Heavyweight Championship Luke Hawx 19 March 2016 14 May 2016 Roy Knight Robbie Brookside [16]
RQW European Tag Team Championship The UK Hooligans (Zak Knight and Roy Knight) 1 May 2015 14 May 2016 K4 (King Kendo and Karl Kramer) Team Charming (Jack Storm and Dave Moralez) [17]
RQW European Cruiserweight Championship Mitchell Starr 22 May 2016 5 June 2016 Peter Nixon Bubblegum [18]

See also

References
  1. Evans, Aaron (April 30, 2017). "Zak Knight talks about the growth of WAW, Paige's future and The Rock falling in love with his family". Memorabilia Guy. Retrieved April 30, 2017.
  2. Hannant, David (August 12, 2016). "World Association of Wrestling set to hit the screens of Mustard TV". Norwich Evening News. Retrieved April 25, 2017.
  3. "The History of WAW". WAW. Retrieved March 2, 2017.
  4. "INTERVIEW: ZAK KNIGHT, SWEET SARAYA AND RICKY KNIGHT". The Student Pocket Guide. July 1, 2016. Retrieved March 2, 2017.
  5. Murphy, Dan. "Europeans stars ready to shine at Bellatrix 8". SLAM! Wrestling. Retrieved April 27, 2017.
  6. "WAW World Heavyweight Championship". WAW. Retrieved 18 February 2020.
  7. "WAW World Tag Team Championship". WAW. Retrieved 18 February 2020.
  8. "WAW World Light Heavyweight Championship". WAW. Retrieved 18 February 2020.
  9. "WAW Open International Championship". WAW. Retrieved 18 February 2020.
  10. "WAW European Heavyweight Championship". WAW. Retrieved 18 February 2020.
  11. "WAW British Heavyweight Championship". WAW. Retrieved 18 February 2020.
  12. "WAW Television Championship". WAW. Retrieved 18 February 2020.
  13. "WAW Under-23 Championship". WAW. Retrieved 18 February 2020.
  14. "WAW Academy Championship". WAW. Retrieved 18 February 2020.
  15. "WAW Academy Tag Team Championship". WAW. Retrieved 18 February 2020.
  16. "RQW World Heavyweight Championship". WAW. Retrieved April 30, 2017.
  17. "RQW European Tag Team Championship". WAW. Retrieved April 30, 2017.
  18. "RQW European Cruiserweight Championship". WAW. Retrieved April 30, 2017.
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