5 Indie Wrestling Feuds That Carried Over Into WWE
4. The Heavenly Bodies Vs. The Rock N' Roll Express (SMW)
Smoky Mountain Wrestling was Jim Cornette's attempt to prove that the more traditional territories could still succeed in the 1990's. Formed in October, 1991, Smoky Mountain would be out of business by late-1995.
It was a bold experiment by the loudmouth manager and promoter, although times had sadly changed since the glory days of the NWA.
Nonetheless, SMW gave starts to future stars such as Lance Storm and a young Chris Jericho (who competed together as The Thrillseekers). Further to that, Cornette also had a working relationship with Vince McMahon and the WWF.
Talent would be sent down to Smoky Mountain for development, with Glenn 'Kane' Jacobs being a notable example.
Incredibly, Cornette was able to broker a deal that saw the SMW Tag-Team Titles defended on a major WWF pay-per-view in 1993. At the Survivor Series, The Heavenly Bodies became the new champs by dethroning The Rock N' Roll Express.
This was the continuation of a feud that had been blossoming between both tandems in Smoky Mountain, and marked a rare pay-per-view appearance in the WWF for The Rock N' Roll Express.