Jack Veneno wouldnt be the only Caribbean superstar to upset Ric Flair for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship. Veneno also wouldnt be the only man to have his title victory go unrecognized. Carlos Colon is the famous owner and operator of Puerto Ricos World Wrestling Council promotion. His sons, Carlito and Primo, have gone on to have moderately successful careers in the WWE, and Carlos was inducted in the Hall of Fame earlier this year. Colon has held the WWCs top prize a record 26 times. The so-called Universal Heavyweight Championship got its name due to a controversial victory by Carlos over Ric Flair. On January 6, 1983, Colon challenged Flair in his native Puerto Rico. The bout was a title for title match -- with both the NWA World Championship and the WWCs at-the-time World Heavyweight belt on the line. Carlos was able to pull out the upset, defeating Flair for the NWA title. Despite his victory, the National Wrestling Alliance refused to acknowledge the win and championship reign. The NWA World title was returned to Ric Flair following the match and subsequent ruling by the NWA. Because of his victory over Flair, Colon claimed that his WWC belt was a bigger deal than the NWAs title. As such, he began referring to the WWC strap as the Universal Heavyweight Championship, and the name has stuck ever since.
Douglas Scarpa is a freelance writer, independent filmmaker, art school graduate, and pro wrestling aficionado -- all of which mean he is in financial ruin. He has no backup plan to speak of, yet maintains his abnormally high spirits. If he had only listened to the scorn of his childhood teachers, he wouldn't be in this situation.
