# List of outlaw wrestling promotions

This is a list of outlaw wrestling promotions in the United States, sorted by regional area, from the 1940s to 1980s. This list does not include pre-1948 groups active during the "Pioneer Era" (1900s–1940s), overseas promotions outside the NWA remit from this period or modern-day "indy promotions". Outlaw promotions are traditionally defined as professional wrestling promotions not affiliated with the National Wrestling Alliance, not recognizing the NWA World Heavyweight Championship and promoting shows in direct competition against NWA regional territories. Wrestlers who had been blackballed from the sport or were winding down their career often found a home with such promotions. These groups were often short-lived as NWA promoters would receive top stars from other members to prevent a potential takeover of a territory.
This was not always the case, however, as some promotions freely cooperated with the NWA promoters (e.g. National Wrestling Federation) while others operated in areas where there was not an established NWA presence. Upon its acrimonious exit from the NWA in summer 1983, the World Wrestling Federation became, in effect, an outlaw promotion. Longtime NWA members, such as Jim Crockett Promotions, the Universal Wrestling Federation and World Class Championship Wrestling, left the organization in order to compete with the WWF during the 1980s wrestling boom. The collapse of the NWA territory system at the end of the decade, the result of the WWF's national expansion, subsequently saw outlaw promotions being replaced by the emerging independent wrestling circuit in North America.

## New England

| Name | Location | Owner(s) | Years active | Notes |
| Donald Van Fleet Promotions | Maine | Donald Van Fleet Louis Lipp | 1947-1980 | Toured with fairs and carnivals throughout Canada and the United States. Van Fleet's wife, Violet Ray, was the promotion's women's champion. Several wrestling stars got their start travelling with Van Fleet including Bearcat Wright, Butcher Vachon, Billy Hines, Kathy Starr and midget wrestler Little Brutus. In the late-1970s, Van Fleet also operated in Maine and Florida under the "International Wrestling League" banner. |
| Big Time Wrestling | Boston, Massachusetts | Tony Santos, Sr. | 1960–1975 | |
| Century Wrestling Alliance | Boston, Massachusetts | Tony Rumble Ellen Magliaro | 1989–2007 | Joined the NWA as NWA New England in 1997. He was the promoter there until his death in 1999. Rumble's wife, Ellen Magliaro ran it until its closure. |
| International Championship Wrestling | Boston, Massachusetts | Angelo Savoldi Mario Savoldi | 1985–1995 | |
| International Wrestling Federation | Reading, Massachusetts | Killer Kowalski | 1979–1996 | |
| New England Wrestling Alliance | Lynn, Massachusetts | Jack Viles | 1975–1977 | |
| New England Wrestling Association | New Bedford, Massachusetts | Joe Eugenio | 1988–1993 | |
| New England Wrestling Federation | Massachusetts | Richard Byrnes | 1982–1985 | Also known as the United States Wrestling Federation. |
| Northeast Championship Wrestling | New Haven, Connecticut | Tom Janette | 1983–1993 | |
| Northeast Wrestling Federation | Wethersfield, Connecticut | Morris "Mushky" Salow | 1984–1985 | Ran against the World Wrestling Federation during the early-1980s which included a legal fight over the Springfield Civic Center. Bob Backland, a former WWF World Heavyweight Champion, served as a booker for the short-lived group. |

## East Coast
### Maryland

| Name | Location | Owner(s) | Years active | Notes |
| National Wrestling League | Hagerstown, Maryland | Dick Caricofe, Chris Evans | 1988– | Dick Caricofe was the promoter until 2020 when COVID-19 started and Chris Evans took over. Caricofe died on May 14, 2021. Today it is still run by Evans. |
| Wrestling Independent Network | Baltimore | Ed Zohn, Jeff Capo, Juli Blanton | 1992–1993 | |

### New Jersey

| Name | Location | Owner(s) | Years active |
| Eastern Wrestling Alliance | New Jersey | Ted Stanley | 1985 |
| Empire Wrestling Federation | New Jersey | Jack Barnett Enzo Morabito | 1983–1985 |
| Universal Wrestling Alliance | Woodbridge, New Jersey | Dennis Galamb Jim Ryan | 1985–1990 |
| World Wrestling Association | Woodbury, New Jersey | Larry Sharpe | 1989–1998 |

### New York

| Name | Location | Owner(s) | Years active |
| Camp IWF | Brooklyn, New York | Johnny Rodz | 1986–1990 |
| East Coast Wrestling Association | | Hauppague, New York | 1978-1982? |
| International Championship Wrestling | New York | Steve Devito | 1989 |
| International Wrestling Association | Buffalo, New York | Pedro Martínez | 1975-1978 |
| National Wrestling Federation | Buffalo, New York | Pedro Martínez | 1970–1974 |
| New Independent Wrestling Association | Ardsley, New York | Micky DiFate René Reyes | 1984–1985 |
| Ringside 41 | New York City, New York | | 1974-1976 |
| Universal Wrestling | Rochester, New York | Roger Reed | 1977 |
| Vega International Wrestling | New York City, New York | | 1978–1980 |
| World Wrestling Council | New York/Pennsylvania | Mark Tendler | 1986 |

### Pennsylvania

| Name | Location | Owner(s) | Years active | Notes |
| Atlantic States Wrestling Alliance | York, Pennsylvania | Ed Zohn | 1989–1991 | Also known as the Mid-Atlantic Wrestling Alliance. |
| Atlantic Wrestling Federation | Hanover, Pennsylvania | Max Thrasher | 1988–1993 | |
| East Coast Wrestling Federation | Easton, Pennsylvania | Paul Swanger | 1983–1984 | |
| North American Wrestling | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania | Mike Donatelli | 1986–1995 | |
| National Independent Championship Wrestling | Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania | Bob Raskin | 1985 | |
| National Wrestling Federation | Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania | D. C. Drake Bob Raskin | 1986–1994 | |
| Super-Pro Wrestling | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania | Gene Dargan | 1984 | |
| Three Rivers Wrestling Association | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania | Gene Dargan | 1977–1979 | |
| World Wide Wrestling Alliance | Colmar, Pennsylvania | Dino Sanna | 1981– | |

## Midwest
### Illinois

| Name | Location | Owner(s) | Years active | Notes |
| Tri-State Wrestling | Bridgeview | Robert J. Brooks | 1989 | |
| Pro Wrestling International | Chicago | Terry Scholl | 1984–1995 | |
| Southern Illinois Championship Wrestling | Springfield, Illinois | Herb Simmons | 1975–1992 | Merged with the Mid-Missouri Wrestling Alliance in 1992. |
| Windy City Wrestling | Chicago | Sam DeCero | 1988–2010 | |

### Indiana

| Name | Location | Owner(s) | Years active | Notes |
| American Wrestling Federation | Danville, Indiana | | 1989–1992 | |
| International Wrestling Alliance | Indianapolis, Indiana | | 1989–1990 | Merged with the American Wrestling Federation in 1990. |
| World Wrestling Association | Indianapolis, Indiana | Dick the Bruiser | 1971–1990 | Ran against the NWA's Detroit office under Ed Farhat from 1971 to 1974. |

### Iowa

| Name | Location | Owner(s) | Years active | Notes |
| Midwest Championship Wrestling | Quad Cities, Iowa | Dale Edwards | 1984–1986 | |
| Ringside Wrestling | Clinton, Iowa | Rocky Brewer | 1982–1983 | |

### Michigan

| Name | Location | Owner(s) | Years active | Notes |
| Continental Wrestling Association | Detroit, Michigan | Luis Martinez | 1980-1981 | Broke away from NWA Big Time Wrestling in 1980. |
| Michigan Championship Wrestling | Lansing, Michigan | Fritz Burns Ricky Cortez | 1977–1994 | |
| Midwest All-Pro | Belleville, Michigan | | 1988–1993 | Merged with Motor City Wrestling in 1993. |
| National Championship Wrestling | Detroit, Michigan | The Sheik Ed George | 1980–1982 | |
| Superstars of Wrestling | Detroit, Michigan | George Cannon | 1976–1983 | Also known as the Canadian Wrestling Association in select Canadian markets. Ran against the NWA's Toronto office under Frank Tunney during the mid-1970s but also had a working relationship with the NWA's Detroit office under Ed Farhat. |
| Universal Wrestling | Detroit, Michigan | Jack Cain Tony Marino Terry Sullivan | 1974–1976 | Also known as International Wrestling in the Toledo, Ohio area. Ran against the NWA's Detroit office under Ed Farhat during the mid-1970s. |
| Wolverine Wrestling | Lansing, Michigan | Bert Ruby Fritz Burns Ricky Cortez | 1968–1977 | |

### Minnesota

| Name | Location | Owner(s) | Years active | Notes |
| Pro Wrestling America | Minneapolis, Minnesota | Eddie Sharkey | 1985–1996 | Ran against the American Wrestling Association in the mid-to-late 1980s. |
| Western Wrestling Association | New Brighton, Minnesota | Bill Wasserman Patricia Brown | 1988– | |

### Missouri

| Name | Location | Owner(s) | Years active | Notes |
| Greater St. Louis Wrestling | St. Louis, Missouri | Larry Matysik | 1983 | Split with the NWA's St. Louis office following the retirement of Sam Muchnick. |
| Mid-Missouri Wrestling Association | St. Louis, Missouri | Tony Casta | 1985– | Merged with Southern Illinois Championship Wrestling in 1992. |
| Henry Rogers Wrestling Promotions | Malden, Missouri | Henry Rogers | 1963–1987 | Also known as NWWA Championship Wrestling. |

### Ohio

| Name | Location | Owner(s) | Years active | Notes |
| Jack Pfefer Promotions | Toledo, Ohio | Jack Pfefer | 1949-1951 | A one-time member of The Trust, Pfefer exposed the pro wrestling business to the New York Daily Mirror in 1934. He subsequently traveled the U.S. promoting his own world title, particularly in California and Ohio, with a troupe of wrestlers. |
| American States Wrestling Alliance | Mansfield, Ohio | Charlie Fulton Mike Collins | 1988– | |
| American Wrestling Federation | Athens, Ohio | John Brammer | 1990–1992 | |
| Great Lakes Wrestling Association | Euclid, Ohio | Lou Kokley Joe Weaver | 1989–1994 | |
| Midwest Championship Wrestling | Jackson Center, Ohio | Jim Lancaster | 1981–1992 | |
| Ohio Championship Wrestling | Cleveland, Ohio | Henry Robinson | 1982 | |
| Ohio Championship Wrestling | Cleveland, Ohio | Tim Hampton Ken Jugan Ed Bonzo J.W. Hawk | 1982–1983 | |
| Ohio Championship Wrestling | Ohio | Bob Fradd | 1984–1985 | |
| Professional Promotions | Ohio | Bailey Barnes Wayne Oberton | 1976 | |
| Rossco Sports Promotions | Ohio | 1950s-1970s | |
| Tri-State Wrestling Association | Ohio | John Summers | 1985–1986 | |
| Universal Wrestling Federation | Dayton, Ohio | Bobby Davis Don Lewin Mark Lewin | 1971 | |
| World Wide Championship Wrestling | Columbus, Ohio | Angelo Martino | 1977 | |
| Wrestling Show Classics | Cincinnati, Ohio | Bobby Davis | 1969–1970 | Ran against the NWA Detroit office under Ed Farhat for control of northern Ohio. Held the first ever wrestling card at The Spectrum in Philadelphia in the fall of 1969. |

### Wisconsin

| Name | Location | Owner(s) | Years active |
| International Wrestling Promotions | Madison, Wisconsin | Jimmy Demetral | 1924–1973 |
| Mid-West Wrestling | Milwaukee, Wisconsin | | 1986 |
| Superstar Wrestling | Milwaukee, Wisconsin | Al Patterson | 1982 |
| United Wrestling Association | Milwaukee, Wisconsin | Al Patterson Grace Brazil Sam Wells | 1983 |
| Wisconsin Wrestling Federation | Palmyra, Wisconsin | | 1984 |

## Rocky Mountains

| Name | Location | Owner(s) | Years active | Notes |
| Diamond Belt Championship Wrestling | Boise, Idaho | David Gould | 1980–1981 | |
| Rocky Mountain Wrestling | Riverton, Wyoming | Bill Ash Raoul Sanchez | 1980–1981 | |

## Southeast
### Alabama

| Name | Location | Owner(s) | Years active |
| Dixie Wrestling | | | 1982 |
| South Wrestling | Huntsville, Alabama | Bobby Dee | 1982 |
| World Wrestling Organization | Mobile, Alabama | Mr. Ito | 1988 |

### Florida

| Name | Location | Owner(s) | Years active | Notes |
| All-American Championship Wrestling | New Port Richey, Florida | Bob Hamel | 1983–2013 | |
| Allied Sports Enterprises | Miami, Florida | Mel Ziegler | 1972 | Was awarded a five-year contract to hold boxing and wrestling shows at the Miami Beach Auditorium. Ran against the NWA's Miami office under Bill Dundee in 1972. |
| Championship Wrestling Federation | Tampa, Florida | Boris Malenko | 1991 | |
| Global Wrestling Alliance | Sunrise, Florida | Buddy Gilbert | 1980-1982 | Also known as the World Wrestling Association. |
| Global Wrestling Alliance | Boca Raton, Florida | Bob Roop Boris Malenko Red Roberts | 1986–1988 | |
| Independent Pro Wrestling Association | Davie, Florida | Rusty Brooks | 1988–2003 | |
| Intercontinental Championship Wrestling Alliance | Tampa, Florida | Ron Slinker | 1989–1995 | Also known as the International Championship Wrestling Alliance. |
| International World Wrestling Alliance | Tampa, Florida | Boris Malenko | 1982-1984 | |
| Professional Wrestling Alliance | | John Davenport | 1985 | |
| Professional Wrestling Federation | Tampa, Florida | Dusty Rhodes Mike Graham Steve Keirn | 1989–1991 | |
| Southern Wrestling Federation | Clermont, Florida | Jerry Grey | 1988–1993 | |
| Sunbelt Wrestling | Jacksonville, Florida | Don Curtis Louie Tillet | 1981 | Ran against the NWA's Florida office following a dispute with Eddie Graham. |
| Suncoast Pro Wrestling | Bradenton, Florida | Henry Raines | 1989–1993 | |
| Universal Wrestling Association | Panama City, Florida | Lynn Austin | 1985 | |
| World League Wrestling | Jacksonville, Florida | Don Curtis | 1981 | |

### Georgia

| Name | Location | Owner(s) | Years active | Notes |
| All South Wrestling Alliance | Atlanta, Georgia | Ann Gunkel | 1972–1974 | Ran against Georgia Championship Wrestling after her husband's death. |
| All Star Championship Wrestling | Macon, Georgia | Grady Odom | 1985 | |
| American Wrestling Federation | | | 1984 | |
| American Wrestling Federation | Bainbridge, Georgia | Frankie Cain | 1986 | |
| Deep South Wrestling | McDonough, Georgia | Jody Hamilton | 1986–1988 | |
| International Wrestling League | Atlanta, Georgia | Jim Wilson Thunderbolt Patterson | 1974 | Ran against Georgia Championship Wrestling in the mid-1970s. Filed an anti-trust lawsuit against the NWA in 1976. |
| Southern Championship Wrestling | Atlanta, Georgia | Jerry Blackwell Joe Pedicino | 1988–1990 | |
| Star Cavalcade Wrestling | Bainbridge, Georgia | Frankie Cain Lowell Takles Sue Takles | 1988 | |
| Star Wrestling | Bainbridge, Georgia | Frankie Cain | 1982 | |
| World League Wrestling | Atlanta, Georgia | Lars Anderson | 1979–1982 | |

### Kentucky

| Name | Location | Owner(s) | Years active | Notes |
| All-Star Wrestling | Paducah, Kentucky | Phil Golden | 1972–1974 | |
| International Championship Wrestling | Lexington, Kentucky | Angelo Poffo | 1978–1984 | Ran against Continental Wrestling Association in Kentucky and assisted fellow outlaw promotion All-Star Wrestling in its war against the NWA-affiliated Southeastern Championship Wrestling in Knoxville, Tennessee. |
| International Wrestling Association | | | 1984 | |
| Mountain Wrestling Association | Georgetown, Kentucky | Dale Mann | 1979–1995 | |
| Pro Wrestling Promotions | Georgetown, Kentucky | | 1981-1982 | Worked with Nick Gulas before his retirement in 1982 |

### Mississippi

| Name | Location | Owner(s) | Years active | Notes |
| International Championship Wrestling | Jackson, Mississippi | George Culkin Gil Culkin | 1977–1979 | Ran against NWA Tri-State during the late 1970s, and briefly became an affiliate of the American Wrestling Association, before merging with Mid-South Wrestling. |

### North Carolina

| Name | Location | Owner(s) | Years active |
| Atlantic Coast Wrestling | Mooresville, North Carolina | Nelson Royal | 1988–1991 |
| Carolina Championship Wrestling Alliance | Smithfield, North Carolina | Dexter Justice-Smithfield Glenwood Crocker Jerry Kennett Jim Massingale Sandy Lee | 1987–1997 |
| Eastern Wrestling Association | Lexington, North Carolina | Johnny Hunter | 1974–1989 |
| International Wrestling Alliance | Greensboro, North Carolina | Ken Spence | 1979–1997 |
| North American Wrestling Alliance | Burlington, North Carolina | James Wells | 1980–1999 |
| North American Wrestling Alliance | Kings Mountain, North Carolina | Buddy Porter | 1982–1995 |
| North American Wrestling Alliance | Lenoir, North Carolina | Mark Henderson | 1982–2000 |
| South Atlantic Pro Wrestling | Charlotte, North Carolina | George Scott Paul Jones | 1990–1992 |
| Southern Championship Wrestling | Lenoir, North Carolina | Chief Jay Eagle | 1983–1990 |

### South Carolina

| Name | Location | Owner(s) | Years active | Notes |
| Atlantic Coast Wrestling | Columbia, South Carolina | Ira Parks | 1981–1990 | |
| Big Time Promotions | Inman, South Carolina | Dale Stepp | 1982–1992 | |

### Tennessee

| Name | Location | Owner(s) | Years active | Notes |
| All-Star Championship Wrestling | Knoxville, Tennessee | Bob Roop Bob Orton, Jr. Boris Malenko Ron Garvin Ron Wright | 1979–1980 | Split from Southeastern Championship Wrestling following a dispute with Ron Fuller. Merged with Lexington, Kentucky-based International Championship Wrestling in 1980. |
| All Star Championship Wrestling | Knoxville, Tennessee | Bill Needham | 1990–1992 | |
| Continental Wrestling Federation | Knoxville, Tennessee | Ron Fuller | 1988–1989 | |
| Eastern Championship Wrestling | Knoxville, Tennessee | | 1981 | Short-lived group that attempted to run Knoxville following the ASW/SCW promotional war. |
| Independent Wrestlers Union | Franklin, Tennessee | | 1982 | |
| Mid-South Wrestling Association | Memphis, Tennessee | Russ Edwards | 1982 | Also known as Mid-South Pro Wrestling. |
| Southern States Championship Wrestling | Knoxville, Tennessee | James Strange | 1986–1991 | |
| USA Wrestling | Knoxville, Tennessee | David Woods Robert Fuller | 1987–1988 | |
| Universal Wrestling Association | Knoxville, Tennessee | Buddy Lee Lou Thesz | 1976 | Ran against NWA Mid-America following a dispute with Nick Gulas. |

### Virginia

| Name | Location | Owner(s) | Years active |
| All-American Wrestling | Rye Cove, Virginia | Denny Million Jerry Vanover | 1988–1996 |
| American Championship Wrestling | Hillsville, Virginia | Bob Ross | 1978– |
| United Wrestling Association | Castlewood, Virginia | Mike Samson | 1989–1995 |
| Virginia Wrestling Association | Richmond, Virginia | Dave Leehy | 1988–1993 |

### West Virginia

| Name | Location | Owner(s) | Years active | Notes |
| American International Wrestling | Oak Hill, West Virginia | | 1954–1977 | |
| American International Wrestling | Logan, West Virginia | Larry Bowling | 1989 | |
| North American Championship Wrestling | | | 1980–1985 | |
| Three Rivers Wrestling | | Gene Dargan Ken Jugan | 1977–1979 | Merged with the Knoxville, Tennessee-based All-Star Wrestling in September 1979. Relocated to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania after All-Star's close. |
| United Wrestling Alliance | | | 1982 | |

## Southwest
### Arizona

| Name | Location | Owner(s) | Years active | Notes |
| Don Wilson Promotions | Phoenix, Arizona | Don Wilson | 1974 | Co-founder of the Wrestling Fans International Association, Wilson was forced to shut down when a rival promoter threatened him at gunpoint. |
| International Wrestling Union | Phoenix, Arizona | Marcial Bovee | 1983 | |
| Universal Wrestling Association | Phoenix, Arizona | Barry Bernsten | 1972–1974 | |
| Western States Wrestling Alliance | Phoenix, Arizona | Barry Bernsten David Rose Marcial Bovee | 1974–1991 | |
| World Athletic Association | Phoenix, Arizona | Al Fenn Ernie Mohammed | 1954–1973 | |

### Oklahoma

| Name | Location | Owner(s) | Years active | Notes |
| Universal Wrestling Federation | Tulsa, Oklahoma | Bill Watts | 1979–1987 | Originally known as Mid-South Wrestling from 1979 to 1986. Left the NWA in 1979 to compete against the World Wrestling Federation. |

### Texas

| Name | Location | Owner(s) | Years active | Notes |
| Dallas Wrestling Club | Dallas, Texas | Ed McLemore | 1940–1968 | Ran against the NWA's Dallas office under Norman Clark from 1952 to 1953. He later partnered with Fritz Von Erich and took over the territory as NWA Big Time Wrestling. |
| North American Wrestling Alliance | Dallas–Fort Worth, Texas | Killer Tim Brooks | 1990–1991 | |
| Southwest Championship Wrestling | San Antonio, Texas | Joe Blanchard | 1978–1985 | Ran against NWA Big Time Wrestling in the late-1970s. |
| Texas All-Pro Wrestling | Houston, Texas | Tugboat Taylor | 1989–1995 | |
| Texas All-Star Wrestling | San Antonio, Texas | Fred Behrend | 1985–1986 | |
| Texas Wrestling Federation | Dallas, Texas | Gary Hart | 1990–1991 | |
| Wild West Wrestling | Dallas–Fort Worth, Texas | Ken Mantell | 1987–1988 | Ran against World Class Championship Wrestling in 1987. |
| West Texas Wrestling Association | | | 1983 | |
| World Class Championship Wrestling | Dallas–Fort Worth, Texas | Fritz Von Erich | 1986–1990 | Originally known as NWA Big Time Wrestling from 1966 to 1982. Left NWA in 1986 to compete against the World Wrestling Federation. |

## West Coast

| Name | Location | Owner(s) | Years active | Notes |
| All-California Championship Wrestling | San Bernardino, California | Joe Palumbo | 1987–1989 | |
| American Wrestling Alliance | San Francisco, California | Roy Shire | 1961–1981 | Ran against the NWA's Los Angeles office under Joe Malewicz. After running Malewicz out of business, Shire joined NWA in 1968 as "NWA Big Time Wrestling". |
| Bay Area Wrestling | San Francisco, California | Woody Farmer | 1989–1992 | |
| California Pro Wrestling | Los Angeles | Karl Lauer | 1983–1990 | |
| Golden State Wrestling | Southern California | Bill Carr | 1987 | |
| International Wrestling Federation | Culver City, California | Eric Shaw | 1986–1990 | |
| Oregon Wrestling Federation | Portland, Oregon | Billy Jack Haynes | 1988 | Ran against Portland Wrestling in the summer of 1988. |
| Pacific Coast Championship Wrestling | Hayward, California | Jerry Monti | 1991–1992 | |
| Pacific Coast Crown Championship Wrestling | California | DA Thunder | 1986–1987 | |
| Pacific Coast Wrestling Promotions | Los Angeles, California | | 1976–1977 | Ran against NWA Hollywood Wrestling in 1976. |
| Superstar Championship Wrestling | Seattle, Washington | Dean Silverstone | 1973–1978 | |
| West Coast Wrestling Alliance | Fresno, California | Gloria Gale Lane | 1991–1992 | |
| Western States Alliance | Southern California | Antone Leone | 1981–1982 | Also known as Western Championship Wrestling |
| Western States Wrestling Association | San Bernardino, California | Billy Anderson Jesse Hernandez | 1988–1991 | |
| Worldwide Wrestling Associates | Los Angeles | Mike LeBell | 1958–1982 | Originally known as North American Wrestling Alliance from 1958 to 1961. Rejoined the NWA in 1968 as "NWA Hollywood Wrestling". |