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{{Infobox Wrestling promotion
{{Pwcompanybox
|name=Pro Wrestling America |name=Pro Wrestling America
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⚫ '''Pro Wrestling America''' is an independent wrestling promotion based in Minneapolis, MN during the 1980s and early 1990s. Founded and promoted by retired wrestler ], a longtime veteran of the ] and owner of the '''Pro Wrestling America Training Center''', Pro Wrestling America featured many established wrestlers while in between the then "Big Three" (], ] and the ]) as well as providing many lightheavyweight and cruiserweight wrestlers with their first national exposure, most notably, ], ]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.jerrylynn.8m.com/articles3.html |title=Against All Odds, He's Winning on His Own Terms |author=Laible, Don |date= February 1999 |publisher=New Wave Wrestling Magazine |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20001217141900/http://jerrylynn.8m.com/articles3.html|archive-date=2000-12-17|url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/Bios/lynn-jerry.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120717135025/http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/Bios/lynn-jerry.html |url-status=usurped |archive-date=July 17, 2012 |title=Jerry Lynn |author=Molinaro, John |author2=Richard Kamchen |date=2005-06-03 |work=SLAM! Wrestling Bios and Stories |publisher=SLAM! Sports }}</ref> and ].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/Bios/waltman.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120730031211/http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/Bios/waltman.html |url-status=usurped |archive-date=July 30, 2012 |title=Sean Waltman |author=Milner, John M. |date=2005-05-15 |work=SLAM! Wrestling Bios and Stories |publisher=SLAM! Sports }}</ref>
{{for|the ] ] based in ]|Pro Wrestling America Live}}


⚫ The promotion stopped running regular events in 1993, but continues to host shows in the Minneapolis area with Sharkey's wrestling school. Among the former students who have appeared for several of these events include ]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/Bios/lacey.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120721152440/http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/Bios/lacey.html |url-status=usurped |archive-date=July 21, 2012 |title=Lacey |author=Xamin, Mark |date=2008-04-10 |work=SLAM! Wrestling Bios and Stories |publisher=SLAM! Sports }}</ref> and ],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.freewebs.com/austinaries/bio.html |title=Biography |author=Aries, Austin |author-link=Austin Aries |year=2004 |publisher=AustinAries.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080407024255/http://www.freewebs.com/austinaries/bio.html|archive-date=2008-04-07|url-status=dead }}</ref> both being top stars in ].
⚫ '''Pro Wrestling America''' is a regional independent wrestling promotion based in ] during the 1980s and early 1990s. Founded and promoted by retired wrestler ], a longtime veteran of the ] and owner of the '''Pro Wrestling America Training Center''', Pro Wrestling America featured many established wrestlers while in between the then "Big Three" (], ] and the ]) as well as providing many lightheavyweight and cruiserweight wrestlers with their first national exposure, most notably, ], ] <ref> {{cite web |url=http://www.jerrylynn.8m.com/articles3.html |title=Against All Odds, He’s Winning on His Own Terms |accessdate= |author=Laible, Don |authorlink= |coauthors= |date= |year=1999 |month=February |format= |work= |publisher=New Wave Wrestling Magazine |pages= |language= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |quote= }} </ref> <ref>{{cite web |url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/Bios/lynn-jerry.html |title=Jerry Lynn |accessdate= |author=Molinaro, John |authorlink= |coauthors=Richard Kamchen |date=2005-06-03 |year= |month= |format= |work=SLAM! Wrestling Bios and Stories |publisher=SLAM! Sports |pages= |language= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |quote= }}</ref> and ]. <ref> {{cite web |url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/Bios/waltman.html |title=Sean Waltman |accessdate= |author=Milner, John M. |authorlink= |coauthors= |date=2005-05-15 |year= |month= |format= |work=SLAM! Wrestling Bios and Stories |publisher=SLAM! Sports |pages= |language= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |quote= }} </ref>

⚫ Although the promotion stopped running regular events in 1993, it has held sporadic events in the Minneapolis-area with Sharkey's wrestling school since 1996. Among the former students who have appeared for several of these events include ] <ref> {{cite web |url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/Bios/lacey.html |title=Lacey |accessdate= |author=Xamin, Mark |authorlink= |coauthors= |date=2008-04-10 |year= |month= |format= |work=SLAM! Wrestling Bios and Stories |publisher=SLAM! Sports |pages= |language= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |quote= }} </ref> and ], <ref> {{cite web |url=http://www.freewebs.com/austinaries/bio.html |title=Biography |accessdate= |author=Aries, Austin |authorlink=Austin Aries |coauthors= |date= |year=2004 |month= |format= |work= |publisher=AustinAries.com |pages= |language= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |quote= }} </ref> both being top stars in ].


==History== ==History==
In 1982, after leaving the AWA as a result of a pay dispute with promoter ], Sharkey was approached by fifteen other wrestlers including ''']''' (] & ]), ] <ref name="WAWLI"> {{cite web |url=http://www.wrestlingclassics.com/wawli/New111-120.htm |title=Sharkey Mania! |accessdate= |author=Mosedale, Mike |authorlink= |coauthors= |date=2000-11-15 |year= |month= |format= |work=The New WAWLI (Wrestling As We Liked It) Papers No. 115-2001 |publisher=WrestlingClassics.com |pages= |language= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |quote= }} </ref> and ] <ref> {{cite web |url=http://www.barrydarsowwrestling.com/Biography.html |title=Biography |accessdate= |author=Campbell, Matthew |authorlink= |coauthors= |date= |year=2001 |month= |format= |work= |publisher=BarryDarsowWrestling.com |pages= |language= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |quote= }} </ref> similarly upset with Gagne over withholding payment and convinced Sharkey to start his own promotion. With Rude, Darsow and the Road Warriors as his main stars, Sharkey was soon able to sign other wrestlers including ], ], ], ''']''' (] & ]) and the ''']''' (] & ]) as well as ], ], ] often making appearances. Ray Whebbe, Jr. <ref> {{cite web |url=http://www.wrestlingclassics.com/wawli/New101-110.htm |title=Encyclopedia of Pro Wrestling Authors Interviewed |accessdate= |author=Marvez, Alex |authorlink= |coauthors= |date= |year=2001 |month= |format= |work=The New WAWLI (Wrestling As We Liked It) Papers No. 102-2001 |publisher=WrestlingClassics.com |pages= |language= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |quote= }} </ref> and Dale Gagne, the current owner of ], was also involved with the promotion. <ref> {{cite web |url=http://ddtdigest.com/features/alynch/inter002.htm |title=The Second Interview with Adrian Lynch - 12/27/99 |accessdate= |author= |authorlink= |coauthors= |date=1999-12-27 |year= |month= |format= |work= |publisher=DDTdigest.com |pages= |language= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |quote= }} </ref> Although a chief rival of the American Wrestling Alliance during the late 1980s, Sharkey and Gagne eventually agreed to a talent exchange deal between the two promotions. A number of PWA veterans were brought into the AWA during its last years including ] and ]. <ref> {{cite web |url=http://www.411mania.com/wrestling/tv_reports/76288/411%5C%5Cs-AWA-on-ESPN-Classic-Report-05.22.08.htm |title=411's AWA on ESPN Classic Report 05.22.08 |accessdate= |author=Harrison, Ricky |authorlink= |coauthors= |date=2008-05-22 |year= |month= |format= |work= |publisher=411mania.com |pages= |language= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |quote= }} </ref> In 1982, after leaving the AWA as a result of a pay dispute with promoter ], Sharkey was approached by fifteen other wrestlers similarly upset with Gagne over withholding payment and convinced Sharkey to start his own promotion. Sharkey duly set up his own promotion Pro Wrestling America starring his own trainees such as ] (at this stage known as ] and ] respectively) as well as ],<ref name="WAWLI">{{cite web |url=http://www.wrestlingclassics.com/wawli/New111-120.htm |title=Sharkey Mania! |author=Mosedale, Mike |date=2000-11-15 |work=The New WAWLI (Wrestling As We Liked It) Papers No. 115-2001 |publisher=WrestlingClassics.com }}</ref> and ] (then still wrestling under his legal name).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.barrydarsowwrestling.com/Biography.html|title=Biography|author=Campbell, Matthew|year=2001|publisher=BarryDarsowWrestling.com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100428091144/http://www.barrydarsowwrestling.com/Biography.html|archive-date=2010-04-28|url-status=dead}}</ref> Sharkey was soon able to sign other wrestlers including ], ], ], ] (] & ]) and the ] (] & ]) as well as ], ], ] often making appearances. Ray Whebbe Jr.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wrestlingclassics.com/wawli/New101-110.htm |title=Encyclopedia of Pro Wrestling Authors Interviewed |author=Marvez, Alex |year=2001 |work=The New WAWLI (Wrestling As We Liked It) Papers No. 102-2001 |publisher=WrestlingClassics.com }}</ref> and Dale Gagner, the current owner of ], was also involved with the promotion.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://ddtdigest.com/features/alynch/inter002.htm |title=The Second Interview with Adrian Lynch - 12/27/99 |date=1999-12-27 |publisher=DDTdigest.com }}</ref> Although a chief rival of the American Wrestling Alliance during the late 1980s, Sharkey and Gagne eventually agreed to a talent exchange deal between the two promotions. A number of PWA veterans were brought into the AWA during its last years including ] and ].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.411mania.com/wrestling/tv_reports/76288/411%5C%5Cs-AWA-on-ESPN-Classic-Report-05.22.08.htm |title=411's AWA on ESPN Classic Report 05.22.08 |author=Harrison, Ricky |date=2008-05-22 |publisher=411mania.com }}</ref>


In 1986, Eddie Sharkey and promoter Don Condello worked out an agreement for PWA wrestlers to appear in televised wrestling events in central Canada. ], ], Ricky Rice & Derrick Dukes and The Terminators (Riggs & Wolff) were among those who appeared in the territory. <ref> {{cite web |url=http://slam.canoe.ca/SlamWrestlingBios/condello.html |title=SLAM! Wrestling Canadian Hall of Fame: Tony Condello |accessdate= |author=May, Vern |authorlink= |coauthors= |date= |year=2003 |month= |format= |work= |publisher=SLAM! Sports |pages= |language= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |quote= }} </ref> Pro Wrestling America, among other regional promotions such as Georgia All-Star Wrestling and the ], also had a working relationship with the ] during its last years and allowed its own wrestlers compete in GWF tournaments and other events. Jerry Lynn and The Lightning Kid, two of the promotion's top light heavyweight wrestlers, faced each other in a match to crown the first ]. <ref> {{cite web |url=http://www.wrestlingclassics.com/wawli/Nos.759-762.htm |title=Global Wrestling Federation - An Introduction |accessdate= |author=Speed, Steve |authorlink= |coauthors= |date= |year=2000 |month= |format= |work=The WAWLI (Wrestling As We Liked It) Papers No. 762 |publisher=WrestlingClassics.com |pages= |language= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |quote= }} </ref> A number of PWA wrestlers often appeared on ''The Prima-Donns'', a longrunning cable access show in the Minneapolis-area, including Eddie Sharkey, ], ] and Jerry Lynn. <ref> {{cite web |url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2005/09/20/1227421.html |title=SLAM! Wrestling: The Prima-Donns body slam cable access television |accessdate= |author=McNamara, Andy |authorlink= |coauthors= |date=2005-09-28 |year= |month= |format= |work= |publisher=SLAM! Sports |pages= |language= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |quote= }} </ref> In 1986, Eddie Sharkey and promoter Tony Condello worked out an agreement for PWA wrestlers to appear in televised wrestling events in central Canada. ], ], Ricky Rice & Derrick Dukes and The Terminators (Riggs & Wolff) were among those who appeared.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://slam.canoe.ca/SlamWrestlingBios/condello.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120715222921/http://slam.canoe.ca/SlamWrestlingBios/condello.html |url-status=usurped |archive-date=July 15, 2012 |title=SLAM! Wrestling Canadian Hall of Fame: Tony Condello |author=May, Vern |year=2003 |publisher=SLAM! Sports }}</ref> Pro Wrestling America, among other regional promotions such as Georgia All-Star Wrestling and the ], also had a working relationship with the ] during its last years and allowed its own wrestlers compete in GWF tournaments and other events. Jerry Lynn and The Lightning Kid, two of the promotion's top light heavyweight wrestlers, faced each other in a match to crown the first ].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wrestlingclassics.com/wawli/Nos.759-762.htm |title=Global Wrestling Federation - An Introduction |author=Speed, Steve |year=2000 |work=The WAWLI (Wrestling As We Liked It) Papers No. 762 |publisher=WrestlingClassics.com }}</ref> A number of PWA wrestlers often appeared on ''The Prima-Donns'', a long-running ] ] show in the Minneapolis area, including Eddie Sharkey, ], ] and Jerry Lynn.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2005/09/20/1227421.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120713172730/http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2005/09/20/1227421.html |url-status=usurped |archive-date=July 13, 2012 |title=SLAM! Wrestling: The Prima-Donns body slam cable access television |author=McNamara, Andy |date=2005-09-28 |publisher=SLAM! Sports }}</ref>


⚫ Pro Wrestling America was enormously successful. Despite no access to television or advertising it was the promotion was the first and only independent promotion consistently turn a profit.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.deathvalleydriver.com/Benaka/Sharkey.html |title=The Lee Benaka Interviews: Eddie Sharkey |author=Benaka, Lee |year=1991 |publisher=DeathValleyDriver.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020424052402/http://www.deathvalleydriver.com/Benaka/Sharkey.html|archive-date=2002-04-24|url-status=dead }}</ref> in 1996 Sharkey began joint promotions with Terry Fox under the names Wrestle America 2000 and Pro Wrestling America, with students from their wrestling camp.<ref name="WAWLI"/> The promotions have since toured through North America, Japan, South America and the Middle East.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.citypages.com/content/printVersion/8750 |title=Ring Around the Wrestlers |author=Zellar, Brad |date=1997-07-09 |publisher=Minneapolis City Pages |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110606014835/http://www.citypages.com/content/printVersion/8750/|archive-date=2011-06-06|url-status=dead }}</ref>
Several interpromotional events with the ] were held during the late-1980s. ], founder of the National Wrestling Federation, made his professional debut in the promotion in 1986 defending his NWF title. Although becoming the first ever PWA Middleweight Champion, a falling out between Crossen and Sharkey caused Crossen to leave the promotion and retire with the title in 1990. <ref>Crossen, Shawn. ''Pro Wrestling Kids' Style: The Most Amazing Untold Story in Professional Wrestling History''. NWF Books, 2005. ISBN 1-879000-12-1 (pg. 132-135)</ref> <ref> {{cite web |url=http://www.nwfwrestling.net/Crossen.html |title=Crusher Crossen |accessdate= |author=National Wrestling Federation |authorlink= |coauthors= |date= |year= |month= |format= |work=NWF Superstars |publisher=NWFwrestling.net |pages= |language= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |quote= }} </ref>


==Alumni==
⚫ Although Pro Wrestling America was very successful during its early years, despite no access to television or advertising according to Eddie Sharkey, the promotion was the first and, as of 1991, the only independent promotion never to lose money. <ref> {{cite web |url=http://www.deathvalleydriver.com/Benaka/Sharkey.html |title=The Lee Benaka Interviews: Eddie Sharkey |accessdate= |author=Benaka, Lee |authorlink= |coauthors= |date= |year=1991 |month= |format= |work= |publisher=] |pages= |language= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |quote= }} </ref> The promotion would eventually cease running shows after 1993, however Sharkey once again began promoting in the area with Terry Fox after a three year absence, under either Wrestle America 2000 or Pro Wrestling America, with students from their wrestling camp. <ref name="WAWLI"/> The promotion has since occasionally toured Japan and the Middle East. <ref> {{cite web |url=http://www.citypages.com/content/printVersion/8750 |title=Ring Around the Wrestlers |accessdate= |author=Zellar, Brad |authorlink= |coauthors= |date=1997-07-09 |year= |month= |format= |work= |publisher=Minneapolis City Pages |pages= |language= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |quote= }} </ref>
{{main|List of Pro Wrestling America alumni}}

==Roster==
{|
| valign=top |
*]
*]
*]
*]
*]
*The Hater
*]
*Johnny Love
*]
*Larry Cameron
| valign=top |
*]
*]
*]
*]
*]
*]
*]
*Tommy Ferrara
*]
*Wellington Wilkens, Jr.
|}

{|
| valign=top |
*Matt and Bret Derringer
*''']''' (] & ])
*''']''' (] & ])
*Masked Maniacs
*'''Maximum Overdrive''' (] & ])
*Miami Vice Defenders (Savannah Jack & Ed Roberts)
*The Punishers (Sledge & Hammer)
| valign=top |
*''']''' (] & ])
*''']''' (] & ])
*The Storm Troopers
*The Terminators (Rigs & Wolf)
*The Texas Hangmen (] & ])
*'''Thunderblood''' (] & Derrick Dukes)
*'''Top Guns''' (] & ])
|}


==Championships== ==Championships==
{| class="wikitable" {| class="wikitable"
!style="background: #e3e3e3;"|Championship !Championship
!style="background: #e3e3e3;"|Current champion(s) !Current champion(s)
!style="background: #e3e3e3;"|Previous champion(s) !Previous champion(s)
!style="background: #e3e3e3;"|Date won !Date won
!style="background: #e3e3e3;"|Location !Location
|- |-
|PWA Heavyweight Championship |]
|Wellington Wilkens, Jr. |Wellington Wilkens Jr.
| |
|August 25, 1996 |August 25, 1996
|] <ref name="Titles">{{cite book | author=Royal Duncan & Gary Will | title=Wrestling Title Histories | publisher=Archeus Communications | year=4th Edition 2000 | id=ISBN 0-9698161-5-4 }}</ref> <ref> {{cite web |url=http://www.wrestling-titles.com/us/mn/pwa/pwa-h.html |title=P.W.A. Heavyweight Title |accessdate= |author= |authorlink= |coauthors= |date= |year=2003 |month= |format= |work= |publisher=Puroresu Dojo |pages= |language= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |quote= }} </ref> <ref> {{cite web |url=http://www.solie.org/titlehistories/pwahw.html |title=P.W.A. Heavyweight Title History |accessdate= |author=Palma, Richard |authorlink= |coauthors= |date= |year=2001 |month= |format= |work= |publisher=Solie's Title Histories |pages= |language= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |quote= }} </ref> |]<ref name="Titles">{{cite book | author=Royal Duncan & Gary Will | title=Wrestling Title Histories | publisher=Archeus Communications | year=2000|edition=4th | isbn=0-9698161-5-4 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wrestling-titles.com/us/mn/pwa/pwa-h.html |title=P.W.A. Heavyweight Title |year=2003 |publisher=Puroresu Dojo |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030430171828/http://www.wrestling-titles.com/us/mn/pwa/pwa-h.html|archive-date=2003-04-30|url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.solie.org/titlehistories/pwahw.html |title=P.W.A. Heavyweight Title History |author=Palma, Richard |year=2001 |publisher=Solie's Title Histories }}</ref>
|- |-
|] |]
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|] |]
|April 20, 1991 |April 20, 1991
|] <ref name="Titles"/> <ref> {{cite web |url=http://www.wrestling-titles.com/us/mn/pwa/pwa-lh.html |title=P.W.A. Light Heavyweight Title |accessdate= |author= |authorlink= |coauthors= |date= |year=2003 |month= |format= |work= |publisher=Puroresu Dojo |pages= |language= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |quote= }} </ref> <ref> {{cite web |url=http://www.solie.org/titlehistories/pwalhw.html |title=P.W.A. Light-Heavyweight Title History |accessdate= |author=Palma, Richard |authorlink= |coauthors=Brian Westcott |date= |year=2001 |month= |format= |work= |publisher=Solie's Title Histories |pages= |language= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |quote= }} </ref> |]<ref name="Titles"/><ref name="P.W.A. Light Heavyweight Title">{{cite web |url=http://www.wrestling-titles.com/us/mn/pwa/pwa-lh.html |title=P.W.A. Light Heavyweight Title |year=2003 |publisher=Puroresu Dojo |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030802212037/http://www.wrestling-titles.com/us/mn/pwa/pwa-lh.html|archive-date=2003-08-02|url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.solie.org/titlehistories/pwalhw.html |title=P.W.A. Light-Heavyweight Title History |author=Palma, Richard |author2=Brian Westcott |year=2001 |publisher=Solie's Title Histories }}</ref>
|- |-
|] |]
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|The Lightning Kid |The Lightning Kid
|December 27, 1991 |December 27, 1991
|] <ref name="Titles"/> <ref> {{cite web |url=http://www.wrestling-titles.com/us/mn/pwa/pwa-lh.html |title=P.W.A. Light Heavyweight Title |accessdate= |author= |authorlink= |coauthors= |date= |year=2003 |month= |format= |work= |publisher=Puroresu Dojo |pages= |language= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |quote= }} </ref> <ref> {{cite web |url=http://www.solie.org/titlehistories/pwalhw.html |title=P.W.A. Light-Heavyweight Title History |accessdate= |author=Palma, Richard |authorlink= |coauthors= |date= |year=2001 |month= |format= |work= |publisher=Solie's Title Histories |pages= |language= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |quote= }} </ref> |]<ref name="Titles"/><ref name="P.W.A. Light Heavyweight Title"/><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.solie.org/titlehistories/pwalhw.html |title=P.W.A. Light-Heavyweight Title History |author=Palma, Richard |year=2001 |publisher=Solie's Title Histories }}</ref>
|- |-
|PWA Tag Team Championship |]
|'''Thunderblood'''<br>{{small|(] & ])}} |Thunderblood<br>{{small|(] & ])}}
|Storm Troopers |Storm Troopers
|January 1996 |January 1996
|<ref name="Titles"/> <ref> {{cite web |url=http://www.wrestling-titles.com/us/mn/pwa/pwa-t.html |title=P.W.A. Tag Team Title |accessdate= |author= |authorlink= |coauthors= |date= |year=2003 |month= |format= |work= |publisher=Puroresu Dojo |pages= |language= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |quote= }} </ref> <ref> {{cite web |url=http://www.solie.org/titlehistories/pwatt.html |title=P.W.A. Tag Team Title History |accessdate= |author=Palma, Richard |authorlink= |coauthors= |date= |year=2001 |month= |format= |work= |publisher=Solie's Title Histories |pages= |language= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |quote= }} </ref> |<ref name="Titles"/><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wrestling-titles.com/us/mn/pwa/pwa-t.html |title=P.W.A. Tag Team Title |year=2003 |publisher=Puroresu Dojo |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030707174541/http://www.wrestling-titles.com/us/mn/pwa/pwa-t.html|archive-date=2003-07-07|url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.solie.org/titlehistories/pwatt.html |title=P.W.A. Tag Team Title History |author=Palma, Richard |year=2001 |publisher=Solie's Title Histories }}</ref>
|} |}


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==External links== ==External links==
* *

{{Pro Wrestling America}}
{{Professional wrestling in the United States}}


] ]
] ]
] ]
] ]

Latest revision as of 22:11, 17 August 2024

Pro Wrestling America
AcronymPWA
Founded1985
StyleProfessional wrestling
HeadquartersMinneapolis, Minnesota (1985-1993; 1996-present)
Founder(s)Eddie Sharkey
Owner(s)Eddie Sharkey (1985-1993; 1996-present)
Terry Fox (1996-present)
SisterWrestle America 2000

Pro Wrestling America is an independent wrestling promotion based in Minneapolis, MN during the 1980s and early 1990s. Founded and promoted by retired wrestler Eddie Sharkey, a longtime veteran of the American Wrestling Association and owner of the Pro Wrestling America Training Center, Pro Wrestling America featured many established wrestlers while in between the then "Big Three" (American Wrestling Association, National Wrestling Alliance and the World Wrestling Federation) as well as providing many lightheavyweight and cruiserweight wrestlers with their first national exposure, most notably, Sabu, Jerry Lynn and The Lightning Kid.

The promotion stopped running regular events in 1993, but continues to host shows in the Minneapolis area with Sharkey's wrestling school. Among the former students who have appeared for several of these events include Lacey and Austin Aries, both being top stars in Ring of Honor.

History

In 1982, after leaving the AWA as a result of a pay dispute with promoter Greg Gagne, Sharkey was approached by fifteen other wrestlers similarly upset with Gagne over withholding payment and convinced Sharkey to start his own promotion. Sharkey duly set up his own promotion Pro Wrestling America starring his own trainees such as the two future members of the Road Warriors tag team (at this stage known as Crusher Von Haig and The Road Warrior respectively) as well as Rick Rood, and Barry Darsow (then still wrestling under his legal name). Sharkey was soon able to sign other wrestlers including Paul Ellering, Tom Zenk, Nikita Koloff, The Destruction Crew (Mike Enos & Wayne Bloom) and the Steiner Brothers (Rick & Scott Steiner) as well as Mad Dog Vachon, Bruiser Brody, Larry Cameron often making appearances. Ray Whebbe Jr. and Dale Gagner, the current owner of AWA Superstars, was also involved with the promotion. Although a chief rival of the American Wrestling Alliance during the late 1980s, Sharkey and Gagne eventually agreed to a talent exchange deal between the two promotions. A number of PWA veterans were brought into the AWA during its last years including Derrick Dukes and Ricky Rice.

In 1986, Eddie Sharkey and promoter Tony Condello worked out an agreement for PWA wrestlers to appear in televised wrestling events in central Canada. Chris Markoff, Buck Zumhofe, Ricky Rice & Derrick Dukes and The Terminators (Riggs & Wolff) were among those who appeared. Pro Wrestling America, among other regional promotions such as Georgia All-Star Wrestling and the United States Wrestling Association, also had a working relationship with the Global Wrestling Federation during its last years and allowed its own wrestlers compete in GWF tournaments and other events. Jerry Lynn and The Lightning Kid, two of the promotion's top light heavyweight wrestlers, faced each other in a match to crown the first GWF Light Heavyweight Championship. A number of PWA wrestlers often appeared on The Prima-Donns, a long-running Public-access television cable TV show in the Minneapolis area, including Eddie Sharkey, Baron von Raschke, Nick Bockwinkel and Jerry Lynn.

Pro Wrestling America was enormously successful. Despite no access to television or advertising it was the promotion was the first and only independent promotion consistently turn a profit. in 1996 Sharkey began joint promotions with Terry Fox under the names Wrestle America 2000 and Pro Wrestling America, with students from their wrestling camp. The promotions have since toured through North America, Japan, South America and the Middle East.

Alumni

Main article: List of Pro Wrestling America alumni

Championships

Championship Current champion(s) Previous champion(s) Date won Location
PWA Heavyweight Championship Wellington Wilkens Jr. August 25, 1996 Sendai, Japan
PWA Iron Horse Television Championship The Lightning Kid Derrick Dukes April 20, 1991 Mora, MN
PWA Light Heavyweight Championship Jerry Lynn The Lightning Kid December 27, 1991 Dallas, TX
PWA Tag Team Championship Thunderblood
(Charlie Norris & Derrick Dukes) 		Storm Troopers January 1996

References

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  2. Molinaro, John; Richard Kamchen (2005-06-03). "Jerry Lynn". SLAM! Wrestling Bios and Stories. SLAM! Sports. Archived from the original on July 17, 2012.
  3. Milner, John M. (2005-05-15). "Sean Waltman". SLAM! Wrestling Bios and Stories. SLAM! Sports. Archived from the original on July 30, 2012.
  4. Xamin, Mark (2008-04-10). "Lacey". SLAM! Wrestling Bios and Stories. SLAM! Sports. Archived from the original on July 21, 2012.
  5. Aries, Austin (2004). "Biography". AustinAries.com. Archived from the original on 2008-04-07.
  6. ^ Mosedale, Mike (2000-11-15). "Sharkey Mania!". The New WAWLI (Wrestling As We Liked It) Papers No. 115-2001. WrestlingClassics.com.
  7. Campbell, Matthew (2001). "Biography". BarryDarsowWrestling.com. Archived from the original on 2010-04-28.
  8. Marvez, Alex (2001). "Encyclopedia of Pro Wrestling Authors Interviewed". The New WAWLI (Wrestling As We Liked It) Papers No. 102-2001. WrestlingClassics.com.
  9. "The Second Interview with Adrian Lynch - 12/27/99". DDTdigest.com. 1999-12-27.
  10. Harrison, Ricky (2008-05-22). "411's AWA on ESPN Classic Report 05.22.08". 411mania.com.
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  12. Speed, Steve (2000). "Global Wrestling Federation - An Introduction". The WAWLI (Wrestling As We Liked It) Papers No. 762. WrestlingClassics.com.
  13. McNamara, Andy (2005-09-28). "SLAM! Wrestling: The Prima-Donns body slam cable access television". SLAM! Sports. Archived from the original on July 13, 2012.
  14. Benaka, Lee (1991). "The Lee Benaka Interviews: Eddie Sharkey". DeathValleyDriver.com. Archived from the original on 2002-04-24.
  15. Zellar, Brad (1997-07-09). "Ring Around the Wrestlers". Minneapolis City Pages. Archived from the original on 2011-06-06.
  16. ^ Royal Duncan & Gary Will (2000). Wrestling Title Histories (4th ed.). Archeus Communications. ISBN 0-9698161-5-4.
  17. "P.W.A. Heavyweight Title". Puroresu Dojo. 2003. Archived from the original on 2003-04-30.
  18. Palma, Richard (2001). "P.W.A. Heavyweight Title History". Solie's Title Histories.
  19. ^ "P.W.A. Light Heavyweight Title". Puroresu Dojo. 2003. Archived from the original on 2003-08-02.
  20. Palma, Richard; Brian Westcott (2001). "P.W.A. Light-Heavyweight Title History". Solie's Title Histories.
  21. Palma, Richard (2001). "P.W.A. Light-Heavyweight Title History". Solie's Title Histories.
  22. "P.W.A. Tag Team Title". Puroresu Dojo. 2003. Archived from the original on 2003-07-07.
  23. Palma, Richard (2001). "P.W.A. Tag Team Title History". Solie's Title Histories.

External links

Pro Wrestling America
Championships

PWA Tag Team Championship

Key personnel
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