5 Worst Wrestling Promotions You May Not Have Heard Of
1. Herb Abrams' UWF
The Universal Wrestling Federation, helmed by Bill Watts as part of his ill-fated drive to nationalise the lauded Mid-South territory, popularised episodic wrestling television. That is not the promotion we are discussing here, for Watts - in a neat metaphor for the failure to compete with the WWF - did not get around to registering the trademark. Herb Abrams did.
His version of the UWF was quietly - and dubiously - influential, in that he abused his position as booker by dominating onscreen proceedings and lashing out at his detractors long before Vince McMahon ever did. He was so stung by Dave Meltzer's criticism that he promoted a jobber character called "Davey Melzter" (subtle). Abrams was a paradox; part enterprising businessman, part absolute lunatic, he somehow managed to secure famous buildings for his erratically-booked shows, which barely anybody attended.
The essence of his life's work is distilled in the embedded video. To underscore its standing as completely antithetical to the changing wrestling world, the emaciated Jimmy Valiant was positioned as a top star, a shrunken inverse to the a la mode muscle monster.
The entire presentation is utterly lo-fi, as if Tim Heidecker and Eric Wareheim turned their hands to old school wrasslin' as a vessel for their frightening brand of grotesque amateur-style programming. Commentator Craig DeGeorge even has a Trey Parker moment as he mangles the "Nightstalker" name beyond any audible recognition.
It wasn't to be funny.