8 Important Wrestling Events That Happened When Great Balls Of Fire Was Released
2. Title Controversy Leads To Formation Of AWA
1957
was an eventful year for Thesz and Edouard Carpentier, but their most
significant night came on 14 June as they battled over the NWA World
Heavyweight Championship. The Flying Frenchman won the bout, but Thesz retained
the title. It’s a disqualification technicality that we’ve grown used to, but
60 years ago, it was cause for starting a new promotion.
Thesz
won the first fall, Carpentier won the second, and then Thesz was DQed during
the third. The referee awarded Carpentier the championship, but NWA officials
overturned the decision. Many territories disagreed with the sanctioning body,
and continued to recognize the new champion. Nebraska, in particular, viewed
Carpentier as the new champion until he lost to Verne Gagne the following year.
NWA
member Wally Karbo believed in Gagne and so they launched their own promotion –
the American Wrestling Association (AWA). Gagne challenged NWA World
Heavyweight Champion Pat O’Connor, and because O’Connor refused to sign for the
match, Gagne was crowned the first AWA World Champion.