Other notables to hold the Missouri Title:   

à     Johnny Valentine (1973)
Gene Kiniski  (1973)
Dick Slater (1977)
Kevin, Kerry, and David Von Erich (Various)
Crusher Jerry Blackwell (twice - 1983 and 1984)
Ken Patera (twice - 1980 and 1981)
First Champion: Harley Race wins a title tournament in St. Louis on 9/16/72
Last Champion: Harley Race defeats Crusher Jerry Blackwell in St. Louis on 8/2/85 (Race’s 7^th title reign)

à     The title is discontinued in February 1986 when Jim Crockett buys part of St. Louis office and uses his own wrestlers and titles.

Keep in mind, these matches were normal house show matches, usually on the odd card from the NWA champion visiting town. Looking back, we were very spoiled with the level of competition and the matches we could see twice every month. Not like today, having the WWF come to town, maybe 2-3 times a year and being stuck with seeing the WWF Hardcore or European titles. Brisco, Flair, Race, and Valentine it ain’t.

Logistically, the way the title was handled in the regional days made sense. Many of the title reigns seemed to last a few months. In the course of a month, a house show appearance could be made on a Friday night at the Kiel Auditorium, another show on Saturday in the area (or neighboring promotions in the AWA, Central States, or WWA), and back to St. Louis Sunday afternoon to tape three week’s worth of TV. Then, the wrestler was basically free to work other areas until his next house show or TV taping.

There were a few long Missouri Title reigns, notably Dory Funk, Jr. (nine months over 1974-1975), Jack Brisco (also approximately nine months over 1976-1977), and Harley Race (approximately 10 month reign in 1984). With tenure like this, a title change actually meant something, as a result, people cared - and money was drawn. And, when the title did change hands, it did so with a clean pin in the center of the ring. One item of note, the Missouri Title was contested in one fall matches, whereas the World Title matches were always two out of three falls.

Looking back at some of the title reigns it seems that Sam Muchnick, in his great wisdom and skill as a promoter (and usually NWA President) used his regional belt in a few different ways:

·     One, to reward excellent talent and put them over large in his home promotion (Race, Funks, Kiniski, Dick the Bruiser)

·     Two, to draw money on the odd cards when the NWA champion was not in town (Same as above)

·     Three, to take a young star (potential future NWA title holder) give them a chance and see if they could run with it and/or draw money. (Ted DiBiase, Kevin/David/Kerry Von Erich)

What is also interesting is the number and variety of wrestlers that contested the title. Many of them are associated with other promotions, such as Bruiser (his own WWA-Indianapolis), the Von Erichs (Texas), Patera & Blackwell (AWA), Backlund (WWF), and Harley Race (Central States). I think this speaks to the credibility of the title and the prestige of headlining in St. Louis and working for Sam Muchnick.

Conclusion:

The Missouri State Heavyweight Title was one of the most respected regional titles in the glory days of professional wrestling. The way the title was defended and changed hands greatly benefited the promotion, the NWA as a whole, the wrestlers involved, and most of all, the ticket buying public who were treated to years of good matches with clean finishes. Today’s promoters and bookers could take a page out of Sam Muchnick’s book - they would learn something. 

NEXT MONTH:

Memorable matches - NWA Titles, Feuds, etc.