AWA All-Star Wrestling

While the American Wrestling Association (AWA) did appear on ESPN from 1985 until it folded in 1990, "All Star Wrestling" predated ESPN by 25 years.

Back in the 1960's, the AWA, based out of Minneapolis, ran house shows (live wrestling cards) in the Midwest. The main markets would usually have one house show scheduled every two weeks, while the minor markets would get one show per month.

The television show "All Star Wrestling" was essentially a one-hour paid advertisement for the AWA house shows. Every two weeks, many of the wrestlers who were currently working the house shows for the AWA would assemble at a studio in Minneapolis Minnesota. They would wrestle jobbers (lesser wrestlers) in squash jobs (one-sided victories) that seldom lasted more than a few minutes each. Then they would do as many different interviews as were needed, tailored to whatever opponents they were scheduled to meet at the various house shows during the coming two weeks. Editors would splice together the appropriate interview and wrestling footage for each individual house show and send the canned one-hour production to the TV stations in the respective market. The AWA bought 60 or 90 minute time slots each week at the TV stations. The shows usually ran on a Saturday or Sunday morning (when TV time was relatively inexpensive). The shows were shot in black and white throughout the 1960's and some of the 1970's, and in color thereafter.

The early shows followed a standard format: There would be a squash match featuring a wrestler appearing at the upcoming house show; then the wrestler would appear in an interview and promise to vanquish his opponent. Then the opponent would appear in a squash match, followed by his interview. After each interview, the viewer would be reminded of the the date, time, and location of the house show. This would continue throughout the 60-90 minutes and include as many of the wrestlers appearing at the upcoming house show as possible, as well as other well-known wrestlers in the AWA who might be appearing in the near future. For wrestlers who could not appear in Minneapolis on the date the taping was produced, footage of one of their old squash matches would be spliced in, and the wrestlers might do the interview for the house show weeks before the actual house show. Taping the interviews well in advance wasn't a problem, as most matches (and most results) were already known weeks or months in advance.

The shows of the 1960's and early 1970's were basically one-hour commercials for the next house show, and third party advertisers were almost nonexistent. In the early 1970's, as wrestling became more popular, national companies such as McDonalds and local companies such as car dealerships bought commercial spots on the shows.

IN THAT WORLD where the world of Sports & Athleticism collides with the universe of the Melodrama, the Morality Play and Mythological Heroes & Monsters, we find the American phenomenon of Professional Wrestling. In it there are many variations of the species, each peculiar to its own terrain and indigenous populous.

WHEREVER OR FOR whomever they 'rassled', the Pro Grappler was basically the same and were quite adaptable to journeying between the various Eco systems. From the big shows in Madison Square Garden (NYC), the International Amphitheater (Chicago), Kiel Auditorium (St. Louis) or to any tiny venue anywhere, Wrestling was Wreatling. Its parts were very interchangeable.

BUT IN MUCH the same manner as fads and fashions, what was in vogue today would not necessarily fly the next. Where false biographies, counterfeit titles of nobility and backgrounds done a la Jules Verne were always around, it seemed that these elements were taking center stage ahead of ability on the mat.

IN THE FACE of all this excessive intrusion of the superficial, there was no greater defender of a "back to basics" than Verne Gagne. Having been in wrestling as a kid, it could be said that Gagne grew up in the sport. He was an All American Wrestler from the University of Minnesota, where the local boy also was an End on the Golden Gopher Football team*

HIS CAREER IN the pro ranks began following service in the U.S. Marine corps in World War II. It was a career that started near the top and never fell off. His matches were often nationally televised events; being several title shots vs. World Champion, Lou Thesz.**

UNLIKE MANY TALENTED persons in any variety of fields, Mr. Gagne invested wisely in a boxing & wrestling promotions business in Minneapolis, formerly run by former World's Heavyweight Champion Wrestler, Joe Stecher and his brother Tony. This Minneapolis Boxing & Wrestling Club would become the American Wrestling Association, AWA for short.

THIS WAS THE parent organization that gave the America, Canada and the whole World "AWA ALL-STAR WRESTLING". The series bowed in 1960 and lasted from 1960 until approximately 1988. Although it first was done from the Twin Cities area of Minnesota, it later relocate to the Showboat Hotel in Las Vegas, where it did its last shows.

THE SHOW AS well as the AWA promotions fell victim to changes in the grappling business. In place of the former territorial system, national promotions dominated the scene. Local TV programs run on UHF stations gave way to cable and some "punk" from NYC moved in on everyone else.

THIS SHOW DID as great a job that was possible in bringing on virtually every great in the business in the course of its run. Of course, these "stars" were also going to be appearing in big cards being promoted in very big venues where the program aired. But, after all that's what the show was for!***

WE FEEL THE need to include just a brief statement about Wrestling's being 'fixed" or "rigged". At every night of pro wrestling, no matter where, the show will be opened with an address by the Ring Announcer that goesa somethinga lika thisa:

"Good evening Ladies & Gentlemen, welcome to All Star Heavyweight Wrestling, Joe Blatz promoter." (and now most importantly) he continues......"These EXHIBITIONS are sanctioned by the State Athletic Commission of (your state here)." Nuff said about that.

NOTE: * Verne had a chance to go to the Chicago Bears and was an End in the 1949 College All-Star Football Game (as LaVerne Gagne). He chose wrestling.

NOTE ** Most of these matches originated in Chicago's International Amphitheater and were televised over WGN TV and the Du Mont Television Network.

NOTE*** All of those stars appeared, as well as rookie newcomers (aka "Job Men") such as this writer, who did some pro wrestling for about 7 years (part time).

Yes AWA wrestling how can anyone forget about this unreal show. First they had a very short interviewer named Marty O'Neil who made "Rock n Roll" Buck Zumhofe look like a nose tackle. Then it was Gene Okerland who when he got "mad as the wrestler" would say either "Were out of time" or "Well be right back" acting like he was mad but actually sounding forced. After he went to the WWF Ken Resneck took over even though his mustache looked like week old soup got stuck to it was a very fine interviewer who "Georgeous" Jimmy Garvin called mouse face which made me fall off my chair laughing. After he jumped ship then Larry Nelson came on board which he was so bad that Phyllis George would of been an improvement! Then there's Doug McLeod the best wrestling announcer ever who made every match exciting with his description of blows! Then he was offered more pay by the Minnesota North Stars hockey team. At ringside who can forget Roger Kent who's mispronouncing of words and sentences were historic Like when a wrestler was big "Hes a big-on!" punched or kicked in the guts "right in the gussets"or when kicked "He punted him" or "the "piledriver should be banned" after Nick Bockwinkle used it on a helpless opponent.(Right Roger like you care!) After he left to greener money(WWF) they had Rod Trongard who's announcing style was great but different. Like when a wrestler scraped the sole of his boot across another guys forehead he'd say"Right across the front-e-lobe" or when a wrestler is in trouble "Hes in a bad bad way". He also would say AWA the baddest,toughest,meanest, most scientific wrestlers are here right in the AWA!(No extra money Verne Gagne!) After he left(WWF) Larry(Wheres Phyllis?!) Nelson took over and I would talk to someone else or totally ignore him.(WWE wisely didn't take him!) Also Greg Gagne had the ugliest wrestling boots I ever saw a yellow color of something I don't want to say.Also when hes looking for the tag he looks like he wants to get it over with so that he can run to the nearest restroom! Jumpin Jim Brunzell was such a great dropkick artist that you wonder why Greg was ever his partner. Jerry Blackwell(RIP)was also a superstar wrestler but you wonder why Verne had himself win against him.(Puhleeeeze!) Then when Vince McMahon would hire Gagnes jobbers, he would make most of them wrestle squash matches. I like to see the Gagne family say wrestlings real now!

I caught the tail end of this show on ESPN at 2 or 2:30 just before it went under. I was ten at the time and just started watching the WWF religiously and here was this AWA show. In a way it was better that WWF programing b/c you had well established superstars fighting each other instead of prelim jobbers getting squashed. Granted their superstars during this time were just the fat left over from one of Vince McMahons talent raids but they were well seasoned and talented wrestlers none the less. Here's a list from what I recall: -Greg Gagne getting his leg splashed by Kakina Maximus(Yokozuna) outside the ring thus loosing the chance to become tag team champions w/ Paul Diamond(Max Moon). Gagne was out w/ an injury and the Destruction Crew (Beverly Bros.) won the tag straps. -Paul Diamond was looking for a new tag partner and found the Trooper (the Patriot) -John Nords (Berzerker) gimmick was a lumberjack who carried around an axe called Bessie or Bertha. -Diamond and Trooper beat Sato and Tanaka (Orient Express) for a shot at the tag straps. -some wrestler called the Unknown Soldier. -World champ Larry Zybisko(sp.) was to fight the Unknownn Soldier but it turned out to be Mr. Saito under a mask. -Wayne Bloom would never let Mike Enos talk during promos. -I also caught the tail end of the Team Challenge Series. I remember Mikman Millman helped the team win and he kept going on and on about it.

The little bit I saw during the early 90's was enough to leave an impression on me. The product was nothing like the glitz and glamour of the WWF. It was a no nonsense, pure wrestling at its finest. Very traditional right down to the mic work. I'm still trying to find old AWA tapes. If you're sick of the current product the WWe is dishing out. Get ahold of some classic AWA or NWA. You won't be disappointed.

Remember when they had such wrestlers as Tom "Rocky" Stone, Jake "The Milkman" Milliman, Rooster Griffin, Sammy Darrell, that pear shaped wrestler Herman Schafer, Nacho Barrara, The Black Panther, Coco Lewis, Angel Rivera, John Hill and his war dance, Chris Curtis, Paul Gardner, Rocky King, The Beast from Argentina, Hollywood Nelson, Spike Huber "who should of been better than a preliminary wrestler" Brian Knobs, Jerry Sags, Rick Hunter, Kenny "KO" Kaos, Ron Ritchie, Freddy "Puppy Dog" Pelequin, Craig Carson, The Zulu, "Torpedo" Guzman, Tom Zenk,and Sonny Rogers. And they described Col DeBeers as "The mercenary from South Africa, champion of apartheid!