Universal Wrestling Federation
The Universal Wrestling Federation was a regional professional wrestling federation founded by Leroy McGuirk, and later owned by Bill Watts.
Tri-State Wrestling
A former territory wrestler, Leroy McGuirk eventually took over promoting a wrestling circuit that covered Oklahoma, Louisiana and Mississippi.
Up until 1973, Watts had even been a fan favourite for Tri-State Wrestling. After a short break in Eddie Graham's Championship Wrestling Florida, he would return to Tri-state in 1975.
Mid South Wrestling
In 1979, Bill Watts bought out the Tri-State Wrestling circuit from McGuirk, and renamed the circuit Mid South Wrestling. One of his first acts as owner was to withdrawl from the NWA, though MSW would still remain losely alligned with the organization. MSW began adding shows in Arkansas to its circuit.
Bill Watts was seen at the time as one of the best promoters in America, and his show was garnering high ratings. Instead of focusing on cartoonish characters and cheesy interviews, Mid South Wrestling focused on energetic matches, and characters whose personas blurred the lines between good and evil.
Rumors began circulating that MSW was going national. In late 1985, those rumors were proven true; MSW would go dark for a few months, to return as the UWF.
Universal Wrestling Federation
In March 1986, MSW went national and was relaunched as the UWF. However, despite the federation's success, it could not compete against Jim Crockett Promotions and The WWF (now known as WWE). Watts would end up selling the UWF to Crockett in 1987.
Crockett's circuit would be sold to Ted Turner and eventually become WCW. In the early '90s, Watts would find himself with a run as WCW President.
Referenced By
Jim Crockett Promotions | National Wrestling Alliance | Pro Wrestling USA | Pro wrestler | Professional wrestling
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