10 Wrestling Bookers Who Made Themselves World Champion
9. Orville Brown
When a group of regional promoters came together to recognize a single world champion in 1948, their choice was Midwest Wrestling Association champion Orville Brown. Brown had captured several titles and beaten many respected competitors, making him a prime choice for the first National Wrestling Alliance World Heavyweight Champion.
Of course, the fact that he was one of the group of promoters didn't hurt. Brown continued to unify the NWA title with others around the country, including the original AWA Championship. By the time Brown was forced to forfeit the belt (he had sustained career-ending injuries in a car accident), it was considered one of the world's major wrestling championships.