How the Long-Defunct AWA Is Stoking Wrestling Fans’ Nostalgia In the ’80s, the Minneapolis-based promotion was home to some of the industry’s biggest stars.

The AWA was one of the strongest groups in the U.S. until 1984 when a young Vince McMahon Jr. had his eyes on expanding the World Wrestling Federation throughout the country.

After being left reeling from how Hulk Hogan abruptly departed the American Wrestling Association (AWA) in 1983 to join WWE, which ultimately led to more surprise exits from the promotion, Greg ...

Pro Wrestling USA As 1985 approached, various NWA regions and AWA decided to merge their operations to form Pro Wrestling USA to compete against the growing WWF threat.

Verne Gagne was on an eight-year run of holding the American Wrestling Association's heavyweight championship belt when he went against Nick Bockwinkel at the St. Paul Auditorium on Nov. 8, 1975 ...