Who worked both WWA and St. Louis (NWA)? - This roster sounds like a "who's who" of both promotions throughout the 1970s and early 1980s, to name a few who cashed checks in both Indianapolis and four hours later by car in St. Louis :

ü      The Valiant Brothers

ü      Wilbur Snyder

ü      Moose Cholak

ü      Sailor Art Thomas

ü      Bobo Brazil

ü      King Kong (Bruiser) Brody

ü      Bobby Heenan

ü      Ox Baker

ü      Von Raschke

ü      Harley Race

ü      Spike Huber (one time son in law of Bruiser)

ü      Pat O'Connor

ü      Blackjack Mulligan

(Thanks to Clawmaster's excellent results on the St. Louis message board to remind me!)

Again, some of the above names raise the question about the power of the NWA or the desire or ability to ban or blackball anybody? Besides Sam Muchnick working very closely with his non-NWA friend Bruiser, Harley Race, a multi-time NWA champion and owner/booker in Kansas City (another NWA shop) also worked closely with Bruiser.

When Indy was Hot: "Through 1972 and1973, Indianapolis was frequently SRO, with main events like Bruiser and Crusher vs. The Blackjacks, Bruiser and Bruno Sammartino vs. Ernie Ladd and Baron Von Raschke, Cowboy Bob Ellis vs. Baron Von Raschke, and Bobby Heenan and Jimmy Valiant vs. Art Thomas and Pepper Gomez." (courtesy of the WWA Region page - kayfabememories.com)

"By 1975, Indianapolis had gone back to being a farm type league... a haven for new talent and aging veterans or established stars between jobs. It was also a stop-off point for performers working the Chicago/St. Louis circuit. Dick would also use it to bring in major talent for a string of matches between himself, taking it to Chicago , St. Louis and Ft. Wayne . Some of the more notables included Bruiser Brody, Harley Race and Nick Bockwinkel." (courtesy of the WWA Region page - kayfabememories.com)

The Beauty of Kayfabe - Just to demonstrate the beauty of kayfabe: Bruiser won his own WWA title on 12/26/77 (one of his multiple title reigns). According to the WWA title history I could find, Bruiser held this belt until 8/4/79 . During this lengthy run, and concurrently, Bruiser also had three Missouri Title reigns, winning the strap on.

ü      7/14/78

ü      3/17/79 ( St. Patty's night in St. Louis , must have been a wild one!)

ü      5/18/79

Another beauty of kayfabe; how to be the champion in two different areas at the same time! (and how not to slip up on an interview or cutting a promo?!)

I hope enjoyed this month's article and I look forward to seeing you all on the message board! Thanks for reading.

NEXT MONTH:

A Look at NWA Title Defenses in St. Louis