World Wrestling Association (Indianapolis)

The World Wrestling Association was an Indianapolis-based professional wrestling promotion which was operated by Dick "The Bruiser" Afflis and his business partner Wilbur Snyder.[1][2] The WWA was affiliated with the larger American Wrestling Association and recognized its champions, though the WWA also had its own champions. The WWA also recognized the championships of the Indianapolis-based Powerful Women of Wrestling promotion as their women's champions in the late 1980s.

For other uses, see World Wrestling Association (disambiguation).
World Wrestling Association
AcronymWWA
FoundedMarch 1964[1]
Defunct1989
StyleAmerican Wrestling
HeadquartersIndiana
Founder(s)Dick the Bruiser[2]
Wilbur Snyder[2]
Owner(s)Dick the Bruiser
Wilbur Snyder
ParentAmerican Wrestling Association
FormerlyNWA Indianapolis

History

The World Wrestling Association (WWA), operating under the legal name Championship Wrestling of Indiana, Inc., was established in 1964 by Dick Afflis and Wilbur Snyder.[1][2] The duo purchased the Indianapolis NWA promotion in 1964 from its longtime owner Jim Barnett, who at that time was attempting to start up a promotion in Australia. The name of the promotion was taken from the former promotions in the Chicago and Los Angeles areas.[2]

In 1965, the WWA purchased the Chicago-based Fred Kohler Enterprises from Fred Kohler. In May of the same year, the promotion ceased promoting events in Detroit.

The promotion developed wrestlers such as Bobby Heenan and amateur wrestler Greg Wojciechowski. Wojciechowski wrestled for the WWA under the name "The Great Wojo" and held the WWA World Heavyweight Championship three times.[3] In later years, Scott Steiner got his start in the WWA under his real name, Scott Rechsteiner.

A talent sharing agreement with American Wrestling Association (AWA) head (and longtime champion) Verne Gagne brought forth other talent, including The Crusher and Baron von Raschke. The WWA also put on joint wrestling events with the AWA starting in 1966. In 1971, the WWA returned to promoting events in Detroit in competition with NWA Detroit until 1975.

The WWA tried to make a go of it in the mid-1980s, when Vince McMahon's World Wrestling Federation (WWF) was buying regional promotions across the country, but the Bruiser's advancing age and the talent drain to the WWF was too much and the WWA ceased promoting matches in 1989.

Championships
  • WWA World Heavyweight Championship[3]
  • WWA World Tag Team Championship[3]

Alumni

Male wrestlers
Birth name: Ring name(s): Tenure: Notes
Ángel Acevedo The Cuban Assassin 1979
Karl Afflis Leroy Redbone 1983–1984
William Afflis † Dick the Bruiser 1964–1984 [4][5][6][7][8][9]
Mitsulazu Arakawa † Mitsu Arakawa 1964, 1966–1967, 1969–1970, 1972–1975 [10][9][7]
Simeon Ardelean † The Mongol 1964–1965
Victor Arko Mike Kelly 1972, 1981–1982
William Arko Pat Kelly 1972, 1981–1982
Daniel Arteaga † Chico Garcia 1973
Alberto Amessa Tony Romano 1974
Nedelko Babic † Igor Volkoff / Yugo Babich 1965, 1975
Ralph Bartleman † Black Bart 1965
Douglas Baker † Ox Baker 1974–1979 [10][5][7][11]
Roland Barriault Marcel Semard 1964
Rolland Bastien † Red Bastien 1970
Robert Bédard Sgt. Jacques Goulet 1974–1976 [10][12][11]
Ernie Bemis Mr. Kleen 1969
Dick Beyer The Destroyer 1966
Joe Blanchard † Joe Blanchard 1964–1965, 1970, 1974
Frederick Blassman † Fred Blassie 1964
Nick Bockwinkel † Nick Bockwinkel 1976 1
Edward Bogucki † Ivan Kalmikoff 1970–1971
William Borders † Jim Grabmire 1964, 1972, 1977–1978
Robert Boyer Bobby Bold Eagle / Bold Eagle 1972–1979, 1981, 1983
James Brawner † Kurt Von Brauner 1964
Tim Brooks Killer Brooks 1974
Phil Buckley † Buck Robley 1976
Edward Cholak † Moose Cholak 1964–1967, 1969–1979, 1981 [5][9]
Paul Christerson Paul Christy 1967–1982 [5]
Ricardo Cortez † Ricky Cortez 1972–1974
Giacomo Costa † Al Costello 1969–1971, 1974, 1977–1979 [6][7]
John Davis Jim Starr / Johnny Starr 1974–1979, 1981 [10][11]
Sam DeCero Super Maxx 1984–1985
Dominic DeNucci Dominic DeNucci 1976–1978
Joseph DiTommaso † The Bat / Assassin #2 / Joe Tomasso 1965–1967, 1969 [9]
Doug Donnan † Karl Von Brauner 1964
Robert Ellis Cowboy Bob Ellis 1964, 1972–1975 [10][5][7]
James Fanning Jimmy Valiant 1972–1975, 1977–1978 [6]
Ed Farhat † The Sheik 1969, 1974–1979 [10][11]
Willie Farkas Bill Farkas 1972–1973
Kit Fox † Chief Kit Fox 1964
Bob Geigel † Bob Geigel 1965
Richard Garza † Mighty Igor / Igor Vodik 1970–1971, 1974, 1979 [10]
Steve Gobrukovich † Nicoli Volkoff 1964–1965, 1969–1973
William Goelz † Billy Goelz 1964, 1973
Jóse Gómez † Pepper Gomez 1970, 1973–1976, 1978–1979 [10]
Carlos González Carlos Belafonte 1973
José González José González 1978
Pedro Gonzales † Pedro Gonzales 1978–1979
Frank Goodish † Bruiser Brody / King Kong Brody 1979
Archie Gouldie † Mongolian Stomper 1972
Gilbert Guerra † Gilbert Guerrero / Gil Guerrero / The Black Saint 1972–1979, 1982–1983
Heigo Hamaguchi Higo Hamaguchi 1972–1973
Ib Solvang Hansen † Eric the Red 1972
Bob Harmon Bobby Harmon 1977, 1983
Charles Harris † Jim Dillinger 1969–1972
Houston Harris † Bobo Brazil 1964–1965, 1969–1970, 1974–1979, 1981, 1983–1984 [10][5][13]
Karl Harris Disco Dog 1983
Philip Heddon † Blackjack Heddon / Jack Heddon / Phil Heddon / Ivan Volkoff 1974–1978
Lawrence Hennig Larry Hennig 1977
Robert Hermann † Hans Hermann 1972
John Hill † Guy Mitchell / Assassin #1 / Jerry Valiant / Mad Man Mitchell / The Strangler 1964–1966, 1975–1979, 1981–1984 [10][11][6][7][9]
Steve Howe Dutch Savage 1981
Ray Hrstich Ray Gordon 1964–1965
Michael Huber Spike Huber 1975–1979, 1981–1984
Larry Hulin † Bobby Graham 1964–1965
Francis Huntington Frank Hill 1976–1977
Jerry Jaffee Jerry Graham Jr. / Jerry Jaffee 1977, 1979, 1981–1984
Benjamin Jarrells † Ben Jarrells 1972
Gervaise Jones † John Ruffin 1975, 1979, 1984
John Kakacek † Johnny Kace 1970–1973
Don Kalt † Jack Dillinger / Pvt. Don Fargo 1969–1970, 1974–1975 [10]
McRonald Kamaka Dr. Moto 1967–1968
John Karney † Boris Volkoff 1965, 1969
Robert Kelley Bob Kelly 1976
Gene Kiniski † Gene Kiniski 1965 [9]
Willis Kirby Roger Kirby 1964, 1974, 1978–1979 [10]
Louis Klein † Lou Klein 1976–1977
Jim Kusultis Jim Alexi / Abdul Shikar 1972–1974, 1977
Ernie Ladd † Ernie Ladd 1972–1975, 1977–1979 [12][11][7]
John Lanza Blackjack Lanza 1967, 1969–1970, 1972–1973 [5][7]
Pierre Lafleur Zarinoff Lebeouf / Igor Volkoff 1975–1979 [10]
Guy Larose † Hans Schmidt 1964, 1970–1971
Thomas Lentych Tom Lynch 1970, 1972–1979
Mark Lewin Mark Lewin 1978
Greg Limbach The Golden Viking 1975–1977
Douglas Lindzy † Doug Gilbert / The Professor 1967, 1971–1973
Reginald Lisowski † The Crusher 1967, 1972–1973, 1975–1976, 1979 1 [5][6][7][8]
Porfirio Longoria † Porfirio Longoria 1964
Robert Manoogian Jr. † Bobby Managoff 1964–1966 [9]
Lorenzo Martino † Lorenzo Parente 1964
Jerry Matthews † Jerry Graham 1977
Rick McGraw Rick McGraw 1982
Dave McKigney † The Beast / Gene DuBois 1972–1974
Lawrence McMullen † Frank Dillinger 1969
Frank Menacker † Sam Menacker 1973–1976
Bob Merrill Bob Stanlee 1964
Bill Miller † Bill Miller 1964–1965, 1970–1972, 1974–1976 [10]
Daniel Miller Dan Miller / Danny Miller 1964, 1971–1972
Charles Milliser † JR Hogg / Super Assassin 1982–1984
John Minton † Chuck O'Connor / Big John Studd 1975–1976, 1981 [10]
George Momberg † Karl Von Krupp / Killer Karl Krupp 1975–1976
Pedro Morales Pedro Morales 1977
Akio Murasaki Great Saki 1973–1974
Malcolm Oatneal † Malcolm Monroe 1979
Patrick O'Connor † Pat O'Connor 1964–1965, 1969–1970, 1975
Gregory Paeth Greg Lake / The Patriot 1975, 1979–1982, 1984
Jim Painter † Jim Lancaster 1975–1977, 1979 [11]
Oreal Perras Ivan Koloff 1973–1974, 1977–1978
Angelo Poffo † Angelo Poffo 1964–1965, 1969–1972
Calvin Pullins † Calvin Pullins / Prince Pullins 1964–1965, 1969–1970, 1972–1978
Harley Race Harley Race 1964
Manuel Ramos Bull Ramos 1970
James Raschke Baron von Raschke 1969–1974 1 [7][8]
Scott Rechsteiner Scott Steiner 1986–1987 [5]
Steve Regal Steve Regal 1975–1979, 1982–1983
John Richmond Mad Maxx 1984–1985
Billy Robinson † Billy Robinson 1973–1974
Victor Rosettani † Vic Rossitani 1972
André Roussimoff † André the Giant / André Rousimoff / The Polish Giant 1972, 1974, 1976
Robert Sabre † Bob Sabre / George Ringo 1970, 1972, 1976, 1978
Bruno Sammartino Bruno Sammartino 1973–1975, 1978 [10]
Joseph Scarpello † Joe Scarpello 1964
Mark Sciarra Mark Sciarra 1977–1978
Frank Shields Bull Bullinski 1973
Reginald Siki Sweet Daddy Siki 1964
Bert Smith Stan Kowalski / Killer Kowalski / The Big K 1974 [10]
Joe Smith Jr. † Don Kent 1969–1971, 1974, 1976–1978 [6][7]
Wilbur Snyder † Wilbur Snyder 1964–1982 [4][5][7][8][9]
Carl Stevens † Ray Stevens 1972
Gene Stevens † Frank Dalton 1975
William Strozier Huey Long 1965–1966 [9]
Thomas Sullivan Johnny Valiant 1973–1975, 1977–1979, 1981 [10][6][7]
Allen Sarven Al Snow 1988–1989
Joseph Tangaro † Joe Brunetti / Joe Tangaro 1964–1965
Chris Taylor † Chris Taylor 1974, 1977
Terrible Ted Terrible Ted 1972–1973
Les Thatcher Les Thatcher 1964
Arthur Thomas † Sailor Art Thomas 1964, 1972–1979 [10][11][13][7]
Troy Thompson Dream Machine 1982
Jack Thornton † Jack King 1964
Lajos Tiza † Lou Thesz 1975 [11]
Masanori Toguchi Kim Duk 1974–1975 [10]
Clem Turner † Clem Turner 1972–1975
Jeff Van Kamp Jeff Van Camp 1984
Robert Vantroba Bobby Vann / Bounty Hunter #2 / The New Strangler 1972–1974, 1976–1979, 1983
Hossein Vaziri The Iron Sheik 1974
Oscar Verdu † Killer Verdu 1977–1978
Victor Victor the Wrestling Bear 1984
Dennis Waters Johnny Powers 1967
Robin Whisman The Big Whiz / The Hooded Hangman 1977–1978, 1982–1986
Bill White Bill White 1975
Robert Whitlow Bob Whitlow 1964
John Wilson † Jack Wilson 1964
Robert Windham Blackjack Mulligan 1971–1973, 1981 [5][7]
John Wisniski † Johnny Valentine 1964–1965
Greg Wojciechowski Greg Wojo / The Great Wojo 1981, 1983–1984
Bill Wright † Billy Red Cloud 1972–1973
Pedro Zapata † Juan Zapata 1974–1975, 1979, 1982
Francis Zela † Boris Volkoff / Igor Volkoff 1964–1966
Unknown Abdullah the Great 1982–1984
Unknown Al Barr 1972
Unknown Apache Lou 1969–1970
Unknown Ben Cagle 1982
Unknown Ben Justice 1975
Unknown Bill Frazier 1964–1966
Unknown Billy Jack Mann / Dale Mann 1970–1972
Unknown Blackie Guzman / Raúl Guzmán 1973–1979
Unknown Bo Brown 1974
Unknown Bobby Graham 1964
Unknown The Bounty Hunter / Jack Cougar / Ali Hassan / Sheik Akbar 1977–1979, 1981–1982
Unknown Bruce Swayze / Bruce Heffernan 1972, 1977
Unknown Buddy Rogers Jr. 1977–1978
Unknown Buddy Sullivan 1982
Unknown Chi Chi Rodriguez 1977
Unknown Chris Carter 1984–1989
Unknown Chris Markoff 1966–1967
Unknown Cowboy Parker 1973–1974
Unknown Craig Carson 1983–1984
Unknown Dan Reeves 1972
Unknown David Novak 1976–1977 [11]
Unknown † Dennis Hall / Dennis Dolly 1964–1965, 1967
Unknown Denny Alberts 1976
Unknown Dick Young 1981
Unknown Bill Nixon / Doornob Nixon 1965–1966, 1970–1971, 1974, 1979 [10]
Unknown Duke George / Maj. Duke George 1975–1978
Unknown Ed George 1978–1979
Unknown El Bracero / Jose Martinez 1972–1975, 1977–1979, 1981–1983
Unknown Emile Zapata 1976
Unknown Francisco Rios 1964–1966
Unknown Frank Adonis / Frankie Adonis 1971–1973
Unknown Gary Valen 1969–1970
Unknown The Green Giant / The Jolly Green Giant 1964
Unknown Hoss Hogg 1982, 1985
Unknown Jack Allen 1964
Unknown Jack Ruffin 1976–1979
Unknown Jake Milliman 1983
Unknown Jerry Novak 1976–1977 [11]
Unknown Jerry Stiles 1981
Unknown Jim Eskew 1964
Unknown Joe Cagle 1981–1982
Unknown Joe Furr 1972
Unknown Johnny Carr 1964, 1966, 1970
Unknown Johnny Gates 1974
Unknown Johnny King 1964
Unknown Jose Betancourt 1966
Unknown Jose Elizia 1979–1980, 1982, 1984
Unknown Jose Pantera 1976–1978
Unknown Jungle Tiger 1964
Unknown Ken Dillinger 1970–1977
Unknown Leo Seitz 1977–1978
Unknown † Luis Martínez 1966, 1969–1970, 1972–1974, 1978 [7]
Unknown Luis Montero 1964
Unknown Mark Dartell 1981
Unknown Mark Manson 1972–1975
Unknown Masked Demon 1964–1965
Unknown Masked Hercules 1965
Unknown Max Blue 1974–1977, 1979 [11]
Unknown Mickey Doyle 1988–1989
Unknown Mike Snyder 1974–1975, 1977–1978
Unknown Pancho Zapata 1977
Unknown Pedro Villanueva 1964
Unknown Red Dupree 1972
Unknown Red Kelly 1964, 1966
Unknown Rick Hamilton / Ricky Hamilton 1974–1977
Unknown Rocky Montero 1965, 1974
Unknown Santiago Acosta 1969
Unknown Speedy Gonzales 1964
Unknown † Steve Cooper 1982
Unknown Sweet Daddy Long 1965–1966
Unknown Tiny Hampton 1964, 1979, 1983
Unknown Tom DeMarco 1972–1977, 1979 [10]
Unknown Tom Jones 1965
Unknown Tug Neilson 1964
Unknown Vito Martino 1976–1977
Unknown Walter Johnson 1978–1979
Unknown Whipper Watson Jr. 1973
Unknown Wild Burrero 1983

Female wrestlers
Birth name: Ring name(s): Tenure: Notes
Joan Ballard Jessica Rogers 1964
Lucille Ann Casey Ann Casey 1974
Rachael Gargus Rachel Dubois 1973–1974
Peggy Jones Heather Feather 1974–1975
Paula Lacher Peggy Patterson 1972
Mary Jane Mull † Mary Jane Mull 1972–1973
Maria Nelson Marie LaVerne 1979
Betty Jo Niccoli Betty Niccoli 1964
Cynthia Peretti † Princess Jasmine 1972–1975, 1977–1978
Tanya Lee Pope Tanya West 1973
Cora Svonsteckik † Cora Combs 1965, 1973–1975
Debbie Szostecki Lady Satan 1974–1975, 1977, 1981
Beverly Wenhold Beverly Shade 1972
Jeri Wright Corrine Cordero 1975
Unknown Cindy Allen 1972
Unknown Dawn Lemke / Donna Lemke 1972, 1978
Unknown Early Dawn 1979
Unknown Lucille Dupree 1974–1978
Unknown † Marva Scott 1979
Unknown Priscilla Purcell 1981
Unknown Ramona Isbell 1979
Unknown Rita Crawford 1965–1966
Unknown Sandy Partlowe 1975–1977
Unknown Sharon Lass 1966, 1978

Midget wrestlers
Birth name: Ring name(s): Tenure: Notes
Jonathan Adams † Little John 1975
Shigeri Akabane † Little Tokyo 1973, 1975
John P. Cusic † Irish Jackie 1964
Murray Downs † Little Bruiser 1972
Jean Jacques Girard † Tiny Tim 1964
William Guillot † Billy the Kid 1964, 1972–1975
Raymond Kessler The Haiti Kid 1975
Harold Lang † Cowboy Lang 1975
Jean Roy Tiny Roe 1964
Leon Stap † Fuzzy Cupid 1965
Roger Tomlin † Little Boy Blue 1964
Eric Tovey Lord Littlebrook 1967, 1975
Pierre Villeneuve Farmer Pete 1977
Louis Waterhouse Jr. Little Louie 1975
Unknown Bobo Johnson 1972, 1974
Unknown Chico Santana 1964
Unknown The Jamaica Kid 1965
Unknown The Mighty Atom 1967–1968, 1970, 1973
Unknown Pee Wee Lopez 1964
Unknown Wee Willie Wilson 1972–1973, 1977

Stables and tag teams
Tag team/Stable(s) Members Tenure(s)
The Assassins Assassin #1 and Assassin #2 1965–1966
The Blackjacks Blackjack Lanza and Blackjack Mulligan 1972–1973
The Bounty Hunters David Novak and Jerry Novak 1976–1977
The Chain Gang Frank Dillinger and Jim Dillinger 1969
The Chain Gang Jack Dillinger and Jim Dillinger 1969–1970
The Chain Gang Jim Dillinger and Ken Dillinger 1972
Devil's Duo Angelo Poffo and Chris Markoff 1966–1967
The Fabulous Kangaroos Al Costello and Don Kent 1974, 1977–1978
The Kelly Twins Mike Kelly and Pat Kelly 1972, 1981–1982
The Legionnaires Sgt. Jacques Goulet and Pvt. Don Fargo 1974–1975
The Legionnaires Sgt. Jacques Goulet and Pvt. Zarinoff Lebeouf 1975–1976
The Motor City Hitmen Al Snow and Mickey Doyle 1988–1989
The New York Dolls Rick McGraw and Dream Machine 1982
The Scufflin' Hillbillies 1964–1966
The Valiants Johnny Valiant and Jerry Valiant 1973–1975, 1977–1978, 1981
The Von Brauners Karl Von Brauner and Kurt Von Brauner 1964
The Wild Hoggs JR Hogg and Hoss Hogg 1982, 1985
The Wild Warriors Mad Maxx and Super Maxx 1984–1985

Managers and valets
Birth name: Ring name(s): Tenure: Notes
Bunny Burmeister Miss Bunny Love 1978–1982
Eddie Creatchman † Eddie Creatchman 1974–1976 [10][11]
Raymond Heenan Bobby Heenan 1969–1974 [10][11][7][8]
John Davis Johnny Starr 1974–1976 [11]
Solomon Weingeroff † Saul Weingeroff 1974–1976 [12]
Unknown Jim Kent 1976–1977 [11]
Unknown Mark Mason 1981

Commentators and interviewers
Birth name: Ring name(s): Tenure: Notes
Robert Luce Bob Luce [14][6][15]
Chuck Marlow Chuck Marlow [14]
Frank Menacker † Sam Menacker 1971–1982 [14][6]

Other personnel
Birth name: Ring name(s): Tenure: Notes
William Afflis † Dick the Bruiser 1964–1989
Wilbur Snyder † Wilbur Snyder 1964–1989
Notes
† ^ Indicates they are deceased.
‡ ^ Indicates they died while they were employed with the World Wrestling Association.
1 ^ Indicates they were part of a talent exchange with the American Wrestling Association.

Notes
  1. "Regional Territories: WWA-Indianapolis - Intro". Kayfabe Memories. Retrieved 2009-08-23.
  2. "Regional Territories: WWA-Indianapolis". Kayfabe Memories. Retrieved 2009-08-23.
  3. Royal Duncan & Gary Will (2006). Wrestling Title Histories (4th ed.). Archeus Communications. ISBN 0-9698161-5-4.
  4. Dupree, Mike (2004). "Regional Territories: WWA-Indianapolis". KayfabeMemories.com.
  5. Hornbaker, Tim (2012). Legends of Pro Wrestling: 150 Years of Headlocks, Body Slams, and Piledrivers. New York: Sports Publishing. p. 507. ISBN 1613210752.
  6. Oliver, Greg (2005). The Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame: The Tag Teams. Toronto: ECW Press. p. 22, 70, 127, 230. ISBN 1550226835.
  7. Bukantis, Brian (2007). This Saturday Night! Detroit Wrestling 1965-80 Photo Album. Lulu.com. p. 3. ISBN 1430305568.
  8. Solomon, Brian (2015). "Gentleman's Agreement: The Glory Days of the Territorial System". Pro Wrestling FAQ: All That's Left to Know About the World's Most Entertaining Spectacle. Milwaukee: Hal Leonard Corporation. ISBN 1617136271.
  9. Dupree, Mike (2004). "Regional Territories: WWA-Indianapolis #8". KayfabeMemories.com.
  10. Dupree, Mike (2004). "Random notes and the Legionnaires". KayfabeMemories.com.
  11. Dupree, Mike (2004). "Random notes and the Legionnaires (2)". KayfabeMemories.com.
  12. Dupree, Mike (2004). "WWA-Indianapolis #3 Page #2". KayfabeMemories.com.
  13. Klein, Greg (2012). The King of New Orleans: How the Junkyard Dog Became Professional Wrestling's First Black Superstar. Toronto: ECW Press. p. 53-54. ISBN 1770410309.
  14. Dupree, Mike (2004). "Slammin' Sammy Menacker and the Detroit Connection". KayfabeMemories.com.
  15. Hirsley, Michael (February 13, 2007). "A promoter extraordinaire; Staging pro wrestling shows was a labor of love for Bob Luce". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved June 21, 2012.

References
  • Lentz III, Harris M. (2003). Biographical Dictionary of Professional Wrestling (2 ed.). McFarland. ISBN 0786417544.
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