# List of National Wrestling Alliance attendance records

The following is a list of National Wrestling Alliance attendance records. Founded in 1948, the National Wrestling Alliance controlled the professional wrestling industry in North America and other parts of the world during the "Territory-era" (1940s-1980s). All of the major NWA promoters were put out of business after the World Wrestling Federation began its national expansion under Vince McMahon, Jr. during the 1980s wrestling boom.
The two largest remaining members, New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW) and World Championship Wrestling (WCW) left the organization in 1993, however, the NWA continued to exist as a loose coalition of independent promotions until the mid-2010s. In 2017, the NWA was purchased by Billy Corgan and became a singular, independent promotion, putting an end to the NWA territory system.
The list is dominated by the American wrestling promotion World Wide Wrestling Federation (WWWF), a precursor to the modern-day World Wrestling Entertainment, which was operated by Vince McMahon, Sr. and Toots Mondt. Based in New York City, New York, they joined the NWA in 1957 as the Capitol Wrestling Corporation (CWC) with their territory eventually encompassing most of the Northeastern United States. Pat O'Connor vs. Buddy Rogers, co-promoted by the CWC and Fred Kohler Enterprises, was held at Comiskey Park on June 30, 1961, drawing a crowd of 38,000. It earned a then-record $141,345 (equivalent to US$1,441,152 in 2023) at the gate and is most attended NWA live event of all-time. On January 24, 1963, McMahon and Mondt left the NWA and began promoting their own world champion under the WWWF banner. McMahon rejoined the NWA in 1971 and remained a member until his son, Vince McMahon, Jr., finally split from the organization in 1983.
The Japan Pro Wrestling Alliance (JWA) and World Wrestling Council (WWC) are tied for the second highest number of shows with 5 each. At the height of its power, NWA-affiliated promotions held events at indoor arenas and sports stadiums that typically had a seating capacity of at least 20,000 people or more, and in which the NWA World Heavyweight Championship was often contested in the main event. All but sixteen of the events have been held in United States, while five have been held in Japan and Puerto Rico, four in Mexico and two in Canada.

## Events and attendances

| Promotion | Event | Location | Venue | Attendance | Main Event(s) |
| FKE / CWC | Pat O'Connor vs. Buddy Rogers June 30, 1961 | Chicago, Illinois | Comiskey Park † | 38,000 | Pat O'Connor (c) vs. Buddy Rogers in a Best 2-out-of-3 Falls match for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship |
| JWA | World Big League May 7, 1961 | Nara, Japan | Ayame Pond Amusement Park | 36,000 | Rikidozan and Toyonobori vs. Jim Wright and Mr. X in a Best 2-out-of-3 Falls match |
| WCCW | David Von Erich Memorial Parade of Champions May 6, 1984 | Irving, Texas | Texas Stadium † | 32,132 | Ric Flair (c) vs. Kerry Von Erich for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship |
| WWWF | Showdown at Shea June 25, 1976 | New York City, New York | Shea Stadium | 32,000 | Antonio Inoki vs. Muhammad Ali in a Boxer vs. Wrestler match |
| WWC | WWC Aniversario September 17, 1983 | San Juan, Puerto Rico | Hiram Bithorn Stadium | 32,000 | Abdullah the Butcher vs. André the Giant |
| TSW | Superdome Extravaganza July 22, 1978 | New Orleans, Louisiana | Louisiana Superdome † | 31,000 | Ray Candy vs. Ernie Ladd in a steel cage match |
| FKE | Pat O'Connor vs. Yukon Eric July 29, 1960 | Chicago, Illinois | Comiskey Park † | 30,275 | Pat O'Connor (c) vs. Yukon Eric in a Best 2-out-of-3 Falls match for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship |
| WCCW | Cotton Bowl Extravaganza '85 October 6, 1985 | Dallas, Texas | Cotton Bowl † | 30,214 | The Von Erichs (Kerry and Kevin Von Erich) vs. The Dynamic Duo (Chris Adams and Gino Hernandez) in a Hair vs. Hair match |
| JWA | JWA Pro-Wrestling World Championship Series (Day 1) October 7, 1957 | Tokyo, Japan | Korakuen Stadium | 30,000 | Lou Thesz (c) vs. Rikidozan for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship |
| JWA | JWA Pro-Wrestling World Championship Series (Day 2) October 13, 1957 | Osaka, Japan | Ogimachi Pool | 30,000 | Lou Thesz (c) vs. Rikidozan in a Best 2-out-of-3 Falls match for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship |
| WWC | Carlos Colón vs. Ric Flair April 3, 1983 | Bayamón, Puerto Rico | Juan Ramón Loubriel Stadium | 30,000 | Carlos Colón (c) vs. Ric Flair in a steel cage match for the WWC Universal Heavyweight Championship |
| WWC | WWC Aniversario September 15, 1984 | San Juan, Puerto Rico | Roberto Clemente Coliseum | 29,000 | Stan Hansen and Bruiser Brody (c) vs. Abdullah the Butcher and Carlos Colón for the PWF World Tag Team Championship |
| EMLL | Blue Demon vs. El Santo September 27, 1953 | Mexico City, Mexico | Plaza de Toros | 28,000 | Blue Demon (c) vs. El Santo for the NWA World Welterweight Championship |
| JCP | Great American Bash July 6, 1985 | Charlotte, North Carolina | American Legion Memorial Stadium | 27,000 | Ric Flair (c) vs. Nikita Koloff for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship with David Crockett as special referee |
| FKE | Killer Kowalski vs. Bearcat Wright September 16, 1960 | Chicago, Illinois | Comiskey Park † | 26,731 | Killer Kowalski vs. Bearcat Wright in a Best 2-out-of-3 Falls match |
| BTW | Parade of Champions June 24, 1972 | Irving, Texas | Texas Stadium † | 26,339 | Dory Funk Jr. (c) vs. Fritz Von Erich for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship |
| WCCW | 2nd Annual Von Erich Memorial Parade of Champions May 5, 1985 | Irving, Texas | Texas Stadium † | 26,153 | Kerry Von Erich vs. One Man Gang. Per the pre-match stipulation, One Man Gang would earn a match against Fritz Von Erich but if Kerry won manager Gary Hart would have his head shaved. |
| WWWF | Billy Graham vs. Bruno Sammartino June 27, 1977 | New York City, New York | Madison Square Garden | 26,090 | Superstar Billy Graham (c) vs. Bruno Sammartino for the WWWF World Heavyweight Championship |
| WWWF | Bob Backlund vs. Ivan Koloff August 28, 1978 | New York City, New York | Madison Square Garden | 26,000 | Bob Backlund (c) vs. Ivan Koloff for the WWWF World Heavyweight Championship |
| NWA-HW | Fred Blassie vs. John Tolos August 27, 1971 | Los Angeles, California | Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum † | 25,847 | Fred Blassie vs. John Tolos in a Best 2-out-of-3 Falls match |
| IWA | Édouard Carpentier vs. Buddy Rogers July 21, 1960 | Montreal, Canada | Delorimier Stadium † | 25,703 | Édouard Carpentier vs. Buddy Rogers in a Best 2-out-of-3 Falls match |
| JDE | Lou Thesz vs. Baron Michele Leone May 21, 1952 | Los Angeles, California | Gilmore Baseball Park † | 25,256 | Lou Thesz (c) vs. Baron Michele Leone in a Best 2-out-of-3 Falls unification match for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship and World Heavyweight Championship |
| WWWF | Superstar Billy Graham vs. Dusty Rhodes September 26, 1977 | New York City, New York | Madison Square Garden | 25,102 | Superstar Billy Graham (c) vs. Dusty Rhodes for the WWWF World Heavyweight Championship |
| EMLL | Blue Demon vs. Tony Borne November 27, 1953 | Mexico City, Mexico | Plaza de Toros | 25,000 | Blue Demon vs. Tony Borne in a Mask vs. Hair/Beard match |
| JWA | JWA International Big Competition (Day 10) August 1, 1955 | Osaka, Japan | Ogimachi Pool | 25,000 | Mitsuhiro Rikidozan and Kin'ichi Azumafuji (c) vs. Jesús Ortega and Bud Curtis in a Best 2-out-of-3 Falls match for the NWA Hawaii Tag Team Championship |
| EMLL | Black Shadow vs. Tony Borne October 30, 1958 | Mexico City, Mexico | Plaza de Toros | 25,000 | Black Shadow vs. Tony Borne in a Hair vs. Hair match |
| JWA | Summer Series I (Day 15) August 14, 1967 | Osaka, Japan | Osaka Baseball Stadium | 25,000 | Giant Baba (c) vs. Gene Kiniski in a Best 2-out-of-3 Falls match for the NWA International Heavyweight Championship |
| JCP | Great American Bash (Day 20) July 18, 1987 | Charlotte, North Carolina | American Legion Memorial Stadium | 25,000 | Ric Flair (c) vs. Road Warrior Hawk for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship |
| WWWF | Bruno Sammartino vs. Waldo Von Erich May 19, 1975 | New York City, New York | Madison Square Garden | 24,553 | Bruno Sammartino (c) vs. Waldo Von Erich for the WWWF World Heavyweight Championship |
| WWC | Carlos Colón vs. Ric Flair October 16, 1982 | San Juan, Puerto Rico | Hiram Bithorn Stadium | 24,000 | Carlos Colón (c) vs. Ric Flair for the WWC World Heavyweight Championship |
| IWA | Édouard Carpentier vs. Antonino Rocca July 18, 1956 | Montreal, Canada | Delorimier Stadium † | 23,227 | Édouard Carpentier vs. Antonino Rocca |
| WWC | Carlos Colón vs. Ric Flair January 6, 1983 | San Juan, Puerto Rico | Hiram Bithorn Stadium | 23,000 | Carlos Colón (WWC) vs. Ric Flair (NWA) in a Champion vs. Champion match for the WWC World Heavyweight Championship and NWA World Heavyweight Championship |
| JCP | Great American Bash (Day 4) July 5, 1986 | Charlotte, North Carolina | American Legion Memorial Stadium | 23,000 | Ric Flair (c) vs. Ricky Morton in a steel cage match for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship |
| WWWF | Showdown At Shea September 30, 1972 | Flushing, New York | Shea Stadium | 22,508 | Pedro Morales (c) vs. Bruno Sammartino for the WWWF World Heavyweight Championship |
| WWWF | Superstar Billy Graham vs. Bob Backlund February 20, 1978 | New York City, New York | Madison Square Garden | 22,092 | Superstar Billy Graham (c) vs. Bob Backlund for the WWWF World Heavyweight Championship |
| WWWF | Superstar Billy Graham vs. Mil Máscaras December 19, 1977 | New York City, New York | Madison Square Garden | 22,085 | Superstar Billy Graham (c) vs. Mil Máscaras for the WWWF World Heavyweight Championship |
| EMLL | Sugi Sito vs. El Santo January 1, 1954 | Mexico City, Mexico | Plaza de Toros | 22,000 | Sugi Sito (c) vs. El Santo for the NWA World Middleweight Championship |

## Historical
### Territory-era (1940s-1980s)

Top 10 most-attended shows in the 1940s :
| No. | Promotion | Event | Location | Venue | Attendance | Main Event(s) |
| 1. | MVSC | Lou Thesz vs. Gorgeous George January 28, 1949 | St. Louis, Missouri | Kiel Auditorium | 12,496 | Lou Thesz (c) vs. Gorgeous George for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship |
| 2. | MVSC | Lou Thesz vs. Antonino Rocca February 25, 1949 | St. Louis, Missouri | Kiel Auditorium | 10,932 | Lou Thesz (c) vs. Antonino Rocca for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship |
| 3. | FKE | Don Eagle vs. Cyclone Anaya November 18, 1949 | Chicago, Illinois | International Amphitheater | 10,745 | Don Eagle vs. Cyclone Anaya in a Best 2-out-of-3 Falls match |
| 4. | MVSC | Buddy Rogers vs. Don Eagle February 4, 1949 | St. Louis, Missouri | Kiel Auditorium | 10,651 | Buddy Rogers vs. Don Eagle |
| 5. | MVSC | Buddy Rogers vs. Billy Darnell April 1, 1949 | St. Louis, Missouri | Kiel Auditorium | 10,598 | Buddy Rogers vs. Billy Darnell |
| 6. | MVSC | Lou Thesz vs. Enrique Torres January 14, 1949 | St. Louis, Missouri | Kiel Auditorium | 10,579 | Lou Thesz (c) vs. Enrique Torres for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship |
| 7. | MVSC | Bill Longson vs. Gorgeous George March 11, 1949 | St. Louis, Missouri | Kiel Auditorium | 10,573 | Bill Longson vs. Gorgeous George |
| 8. | MVSC | Bill Longson vs. Primo Carnera March 25, 1949 | St. Louis, Missouri | Kiel Auditorium | 10,466 | Bill Longson vs. Primo Carnera |
| 9. | MVSC | Buddy Rogers vs. Don Eagle March 18, 1949 | St. Louis, Missouri | Kiel Auditorium | 10,276 | Buddy Rogers vs. Don Eagle |
| 10. | MVSC | Buddy Rogers vs. Bobby Bruns January 7, 1949 | St. Louis, Missouri | Kiel Auditorium | 10,110 | Buddy Rogers vs. Bobby Bruns |
Top 10 most-attended shows in the 1950s :
| No. | Promotion | Event | Location | Venue | Attendance | Main Event(s) |
| 1. | JWA | JWA Pro-Wrestling World Championship Series (Day 1) October 7, 1957 | Tokyo, Japan | Korakuen Stadium | 30,000 | Lou Thesz (c) vs. Rikidozan for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship |
| 1. | JWA | JWA Pro-Wrestling World Championship Series (Day 2) October 13, 1957 | Osaka, Japan | Ogimachi Pool | 30,000 | Lou Thesz (c) vs. Rikidozan in a Best 2-out-of-3 Falls match for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship |
| 2. | EMLL | Blue Demon vs. El Santo September 27, 1953 | Mexico City, Mexico | Plaza de Toros | 28,000 | Blue Demon (c) vs. El Santo for the NWA World Welterweight Championship |
| 3. | JDE | Lou Thesz vs. Baron Michele Leone May 21, 1952 | Los Angeles, California | Gilmore Baseball Park | 25,256 | Lou Thesz (c) vs. Baron Michele Leone in a Best 2-out-of-3 Falls unification match for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship and World Heavyweight Championship |
| 4. | JWA | JWA International Big Competition (Day 10) August 1, 1955 | Osaka, Japan | Ogimachi Pool | 25,000 | Mitsuhiro Rikidozan and Kin'ichi Azumafuji (c) vs. Jesús Ortega and Bud Curtis in a Best 2-out-of-3 Falls match for the NWA Hawaii Tag Team Championship |
| 4. | EMLL | Blue Demon vs. Tony Borne November 27, 1953 | Mexico City, Mexico | Plaza de Toros | 25,000 | Blue Demon vs. Tony Borne in a Mask vs. Hair/Beard match |
| 4. | EMLL | Black Shadow vs. Tony Borne October 30, 1958 | Mexico City, Mexico | Plaza de Toros | 25,000 | Black Shadow vs. Tony Borne in a Hair vs. Hair match |
| 5. | IWA | Édouard Carpentier vs. Antonino Rocca July 18, 1956 | Montreal, Canada | Delorimier Stadium | 23,227 | Édouard Carpentier vs. Antonino Rocca |
| 6. | EMLL | Sugi Sito vs. El Santo January 1, 1954 | Mexico City, Mexico | Plaza de Toros | 22,000 | Sugi Sito (c) vs. El Santo for the NWA World Middleweight Championship |
| 7. | IWA | Gene Kiniski vs. Killer Kowalski July 17, 1957 | Montreal, Canada | Delorimier Stadium | 21,851 | Gene Kiniski (c) vs. Killer Kowalski in a Best 2-out-of-3 Falls match for the MAC International Heavyweight Championship with Mike Mazurki as the guest referee |
| 8. | IWA | Yvon Robert vs. Pat O'Connor August 18, 1954 | Montreal, Canada | Delorimier Stadium | 21,616 | Yvon Robert vs. Pat O'Connor in a Best 2-out-of-3 Falls match |
| 9. | IWA | Édouard Carpentier vs. Killer Kowalski August 15, 1956 | Montreal, Quebec | Delorimier Stadium | 21,454 | Killer Kowalski (c) vs. Édouard Carpentier for the MAC World Heavyweight Championship with special referee Rocky Marciano |
| 10. | CWC | Antonino Rocca & Miguel Pérez vs. Sheik of Araby & Bull Curry October 20, 1958 | New York City, New York | Madison Square Garden | 20,793 | Antonino Rocca and Miguel Pérez vs. Sheik of Araby and Bull Curry |
Top 10 most-attended shows in the 1960s :
| No. | Promotion | Event | Location | Venue | Attendance | Main Event(s) |
| 1. | FKE / CWC | Pat O'Connor vs. Buddy Rogers June 30, 1961 | Chicago, Illinois | Comiskey Park † | 38,000 | Pat O'Connor (c) vs. Buddy Rogers in a Best 2-out-of-3 Falls match for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship |
| 2. | JWA | World Big League May 7, 1961 | Nara, Japan | Ayame Pond Amusement Park | 36,000 | Rikidozan and Toyonobori vs. Jim Wright and Mr. X in a Best 2-out-of-3 Falls match |
| 3. | FKE | Pat O'Connor vs. Yukon Eric July 29, 1960 | Chicago, Illinois | Comiskey Park † | 30,275 | Pat O'Connor (c) vs. Yukon Eric in a Best 2-out-of-3 Falls match for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship |
| 4. | FKE | Killer Kowalski vs. Bearcat Wright September 16, 1960 | Chicago, Illinois | Comiskey Park † | 26,731 | Killer Kowalski vs. Bearcat Wright in a Best 2-out-of-3 Falls match |
| 5. | IWA | Édouard Carpentier vs. Buddy Rogers July 21, 1960 | Montreal, Canada | Delorimier Stadium | 25,703 | Édouard Carpentier vs. Buddy Rogers in a Best 2-out-of-3 Falls match |
| 6. | JWA | Summer Series I (Day 15) August 14, 1967 | Osaka, Japan | Osaka Baseball Stadium | 25,000 | Giant Baba (c) vs. Gene Kiniski in a Best 2-out-of-3 Falls match for the NWA International Heavyweight Championship |
| 7. | CWC | Buddy Rogers vs. Bobo Brazil July 17, 1962 | Washington, D.C. | D.C. Stadium † | 20,959 | Buddy Rogers vs. Bobo Brazil in a Best 2-out-of-3 Falls match for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship |
| 8. | CWC | Buddy Rogers & Bob Orton vs. Johnny Valentine & Bearcat Wright January 22, 1962 | New York City, New York | Madison Square Garden | 20,777 | Buddy Rogers and Bob Orton vs. Johnny Valentine and Bearcat Wright in a Best 2-out-of-3 Falls match |
| 9. | CWC | Buddy Rogers & Bob Orton vs. Johnny Valentine & Vittorio Apollo May 26, 1961 | New York City, New York | Madison Square Garden | 20,702 | Buddy Rogers and Bob Orton vs. Johnny Valentine and Vittorio Apollo |
| 10. | CWC | Antonino Rocca and Johnny Valentine vs. The Fabulous Kangaroos February 27, 1961 | New York City, New York | Madison Square Garden | 20,400 | Antonino Rocca and Johnny Valentine vs. The Fabulous Kangaroos (Al Costello and Roy Heffernan) |
Top 10 most-attended shows in the 1970s :
| No. | Promotion | Event | Location | Venue | Attendance | Main Event(s) |
| 1. | WWWF | Showdown at Shea June 25, 1976 | New York City, New York | Shea Stadium | 32,000 | Antonio Inoki vs. Muhammad Ali in a Boxer vs. Wrestler match |
| 2. | TSW | Superdome Extravaganza July 22, 1978 | New Orleans, Louisiana | Louisiana Superdome † | 31,000 | Ray Candy vs. Ernie Ladd in a steel cage match |
| 3. | BTW | Parade of Champions June 24, 1972 | Irving, Texas | Texas Stadium | 26,339 | Dory Funk Jr. (c) vs. Fritz Von Erich for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship |
| 4. | WWWF | Billy Graham vs. Bruno Sammartino June 27, 1977 | New York City, New York | Madison Square Garden | 26,090 | Superstar Billy Graham (c) vs. Bruno Sammartino for the WWWF World Heavyweight Championship |
| 5. | WWWF | Bob Backlund vs. Ivan Koloff August 28, 1978 | New York City, New York | Madison Square Garden | 26,000 | Bob Backlund (c) vs. Ivan Koloff for the WWWF World Heavyweight Championship |
| 6. | NWA-HW | Memorial Coliseum Spectacular August 27, 1971 | Los Angeles, California | Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum | 25,847 | Fred Blassie vs. John Tolos in a Best 2-out-of-3 Falls match |
| 7. | WWWF | Superstar Billy Graham vs. Dusty Rhodes September 26, 1977 | New York City, New York | Madison Square Garden | 25,102 | Superstar Billy Graham (c) vs. Dusty Rhodes for the WWWF World Heavyweight Championship |
| 8. | WWWF | Bruno Sammartino vs. Waldo Von Erich May 19, 1975 | New York City, New York | Madison Square Garden | 24,553 | Bruno Sammartino (c) vs. Waldo Von Erich for the WWWF World Heavyweight Championship |
| 9. | WWWF | Showdown at Shea September 30, 1972 | Flushing, New York | Shea Stadium | 22,508 | Pedro Morales (c) vs. Bruno Sammartino for the WWWF World Heavyweight Championship |
| 10. | WWWF | Superstar Billy Graham vs. Bob Backlund February 20, 1978 | New York City, New York | Madison Square Garden | 22,092 | Superstar Billy Graham (c) vs. Bob Backlund for the WWWF World Heavyweight Championship |
Top 10 most-attended shows in the 1980s :
| No. | Promotion | Event | Location | Venue | Attendance | Main Event(s) |
| 1. | WCCW | David Von Erich Memorial Parade of Champions May 6, 1984 | Irving, Texas | Texas Stadium † | 32,132 | Ric Flair (c) vs. Kerry Von Erich for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship |
| 2. | WWC | WWC Aniversario September 17, 1983 | San Juan, Puerto Rico | Hiram Bithorn Stadium | 32,000 | Abdullah the Butcher vs. André the Giant |
| 3. | WCCW | Cotton Bowl Extravaganza '85 October 6, 1985 | Dallas, Texas | Cotton Bowl † | 30,214 | The Von Erichs (Kerry and Kevin Von Erich) vs. The Dynamic Duo (Chris Adams and Gino Hernandez) in a Hair vs. Hair match |
| 4. | WWC | Carlos Colón vs. Ric Flair December 18, 1983 | Bayamón, Puerto Rico | Juan Ramón Loubriel Stadium | 30,000 | Carlos Colón (c) vs. Ric Flair in a steel cage match for the WWC Universal Heavyweight Championship |
| 5. | WWC | WWC Aniversario September 15, 1984 | San Juan, Puerto Rico | Roberto Clemente Coliseum | 29,000 | Stan Hansen and Bruiser Brody (c) vs. Abdullah the Butcher and Carlos Colón for the PWF World Tag Team Championship |
| 6. | JCP | Great American Bash July 6, 1985 | Charlotte, North Carolina | American Legion Memorial Stadium | 27,000 | Ric Flair (c) vs. Nikita Koloff for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship with David Crockett as special referee |
| 7. | WCCW | 2nd Von Erich Memorial Parade of Champions May 5, 1985 | Irving, Texas | Texas Stadium | 26,153 | Ric Flair (c) vs. Kevin Von Erich for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship |
| 8. | JCP | Great American Bash (Day 20) July 18, 1987 | Charlotte, North Carolina | American Legion Memorial Stadium | 25,000 | Ric Flair (c) vs. Road Warrior Hawk for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship |
| 9. | WWC | Carlos Colón vs. Ric Flair October 16, 1982 | San Juan, Puerto Rico | Hiram Bithorn Stadium | 24,000 | Carlos Colón (c) vs. Ric Flair for the WWC World Heavyweight Championship |
| 10. | WWC | Carlos Colón vs. Ric Flair January 6, 1983 | San Juan, Puerto Rico | Hiram Bithorn Stadium | 23,000 | Carlos Colón (WWC) vs. Ric Flair (NWA) in a Champion vs. Champion match for the WWC World Heavyweight Championship and NWA World Heavyweight Championship |
| 10. | JCP | Great American Bash (Day 4) July 5, 1986 | Charlotte, North Carolina | American Legion Memorial Stadium | 23,000 | Ric Flair (c) vs. Ricky Morton in a steel cage match for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship |

### Modern-era (1990s-2010s)

Note: New Japan Pro Wrestling withdrew from the organization in February 1993, followed by World Championship Wrestling in September 1993.
Top 10 most-attended shows in the 1990s :
| No. | Promotion | Event | Location | Venue | Attendance | Main Event(s) |
| 1. | NJPW / WCW | Fantastic Story in Tokyo Dome January 4, 1993 | Tokyo, Japan | Tokyo Dome | 63,500 | Genichiro Tenryu vs. Riki Choshu |
| 2. | NJPW | G1 Climax (Day 3) August 10, 1992 | Tokyo, Japan | Ryogoku Kokugikan | 11,500 | G1 Climax tournament quarter-finals |
| 2. | NJPW | G1 Climax (Day 4) August 11, 1992 | Tokyo, Japan | Ryogoku Kokugikan | 11,500 | G1 Climax tournament semi-finals |
| 2. | NJPW | G1 Climax (Day 5) August 12, 1992 | Tokyo, Japan | Ryogoku Kokugikan | 11,500 | G1 Climax tournament finals |
| 2. | NJPW | Wrestling Scramble: Battle Zone Space I (Day 11) November 22, 1992 | Tokyo, Japan | Ryogoku Kokugikan | 11,500 | The Great Muta (c) vs. Sting for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship |
| 2. | NJPW | Wrestling Scramble: Battle Zone Space I (Day 12) November 23, 1992 | Tokyo, Japan | Ryogoku Kokugikan | 11,500 | Masahiro Chono (c) vs. Scott Steiner for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship |
| 3. | NJPW | Battle Final: Battle Final in Rainbow Hall (Day 8) December 11, 1992 | Nagoya, Japan | Rainbow Hall | 10,510 | The Hell Raisers (Hawk Warrior & Power Warrior) vs. Scott Norton & Jim Neidhart |
| 4. | WCW | The Real Event (Day 1) March 11, 1993 | London, England | Wembley Arena | 11,500 | Big Van Vader (c) vs. Sting for the WCW World Heavyweight Championship |
| 5. | WCW | The Real Event (Day 2) March 12, 1993 | Birmingham, England | National Exhibition Centre | 10,500 | Sting & Dustin Rhodes vs. Barry Windham & Paul Orndorff in a Bunkhouse match |
| 6. | WCW | The Great American Bash July 7, 1990 | Baltimore, Maryland | Baltimore Arena | 10,000 | Ric Flair (c) vs. Sting for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship |
| 6. | WCW | WCW Worldwide April 17, 1992 | Augusta, Georgia | | 10,000 | 10-man Nintendo Top Ten Challenge tournament |
| 7. | WCW | WrestleWar February 25, 1990 | Greensboro, North Carolina | Greensboro Coliseum | 9,894 | Ric Flair (c) vs. Lex Luger for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship |
| 8. | WCW | Starrcade December 29, 1991 | Norfolk, Virginia | Norfolk Scope | 9,000 | 20-man Battlebowl match |
| 9. | WCW | Clash of the Champions XXIV August 18, 1993 | Daytona Beach, Florida | Ocean Center | 8,903 | Big Van Vader (c) vs. Davey Boy Smith for the WCW World Heavyweight Championship |
| 10. | WCW | Halloween Havoc October 27, 1991 | Chattanooga, Tennessee | UTC Arena | 8,900 | Lex Luger (c) vs. Ron Simmons in a Best 2-out-of-3 Falls match for the WCW World Heavyweight Championship |
Note: Total Nonstop Action Wrestling withdrew from the organization in May 2007.
Top 10 most-attended shows in the 2000s :
| No. | Promotion | Event | Location | Venue | Attendance | Main Event(s) |
| 1. | NWA-MACW | The Next Revolution (Day 1) December 30, 2003 | Guangzhou, China | Tianhe Gymnasium | 7,500 | Terry Taylor (c) vs. Steve Williams for the NWA Mid-Atlantic Heavyweight Championship |
| 2. | NWA-MACW | The Next Revolution (Day 2) January 1, 2004 | Guangzhou, China | Huadu Stadium | 6,100 | Steve Williams (c) vs. Terry Taylor for the NWA Mid-Atlantic Heavyweight Championship |
| 3. | TNA | Lockdown April 15, 2007 | St. Charles, Missouri | Family Arena | 6,000 | Team Angle (Kurt Angle, Samoa Joe, Rhino, Sting and Jeff Jarrett) vs. Team Cage (Christian Cage, A.J. Styles, Scott Steiner, Abyss and Tomko) (with James Mitchell) in a Lethal Lockdown match with Harley Race as gatekeeper |
| 4. | NWA-OVW | Christmas Chaos January 31, 2001 | Louisville, Kentucky | Louisville Gardens | 5,010 | Nick Dinsmore (c) vs. Chris Benoit for the NWA-OVW Heavyweight Championship |
| 5. | TNA APW | Impacto Total (Day 1) January 5, 2007 | Lissabon, Portugal | Campo Pequeno Bullring | 5,000 | Kurt Angle vs. Samoa Joe in a singles match. |
| 6. | NWA-OF / NWA-PE | NWA Wrestling Showcase April 4, 2008 | Newark, New Jersey | JFK Recreation Center | 4,500 | Judas Young (c) vs. Tom Brandi for the NWA Pro East Heavyweight Championship |
| 7. | TNA | House Show November 25, 2006 | Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, México | Arena Coliseo de Monterrey | 4,000 | Kurt Angle vs. Abyss in a singles match. |
| 7. | TNA | House Show March 17, 2006 | Plymouth Township, Michigan | Compuware Sports Arena | 3,700 | Christian Cage (c) vs. Jeff Jarrett for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship. |
| 9. | TNA | Bound for Glory October 22, 2006 | Plymouth Township, Michigan | Compuware Sports Arena | 3,600 | Jeff Jarrett (c) vs. Sting for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship with Kurt Angle as special outside enforcer. |
| 10. | NWA-MACW | The Next Revolution (Day 3) January 3, 2004 | Guangzhou, China | Guangzhou Gymnasium | 3,400 | Battle royal |
Top 10 most-attended shows in the 2010s :
| No. | Promotion | Event | Location | Venue | Attendance | Main Event(s) |
| 1. | NWA-MACW | Halifax County Bash January 29, 2011 | South Boston, Virginia | Halifax County High School | 2,300 | Buff Bagwell vs. Rikki Nelson |
| 2. | NWA-IWA | Wrestle-Fire-Works 2 July 13, 2010 | Merville, France | | 2,000 | Kim Kaycee (c) vs. Bulla Punk for the NWA European Women's Championship |
| 2. | NWA-PWR | Oliver John vs. Kafu September 18, 2011 | Watsonville, California | Santa Cruz County Fair | 2,000 | Oliver John vs. Kafu |
| 3. | NWA / ROH | Crockett Cup April 27, 2019 | Concord, North Carolina | Cabarrus Arena | 1,300 | Jim Crockett Sr. Memorial Cup Tag Team Tournament |
| 4. | NWA | Summer Clash July 14, 2014 | Benton, Arkansas | Saline County Fairgrounds | 1,200 | Byron Wilcott (c) vs. Tim Storm for the NWA North American Heavyweight Championship |
| 5. | NWA-MACW | Brawl For It All February 27, 2010 | Cheraw, South Carolina | Cheraw High School | 1,100 | The Rock 'n' Roll Express (Ricky Morton & Robert Gibson) vs. Buff Bagwell & Rikki Nelson |
| 5. | NWA-IZW | Festival of the Southwest May 8, 2010 | Sierra Vista, Arizona | Fort Huachuca | 1,100 | The Native Warriors (Hawaiian Lion & The Navajo Warrior) vs. The Ballard Brothers (Shane Ballard & Shannon Ballard) in a Steel Cage match |
| 6. | NWA-PWR | Oliver John vs. Atsushi Sawada February 27, 2010 | King City, California | Salinas Valley Fairgrounds | 1,000 | Oliver John (c) vs. Atsushi Sawada in a non-title Steel Cage match for the NWA Heritage Championship |
| 6. | NWA-PWR | Oliver John vs. Atsushi Sawada July 31, 2010 | Watsonville, California | Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds | 1,000 | Oliver John (c) vs. Atsushi Sawada for the NWA Heritage Championship |
| 7. | NWA-ICWA | Sunny Day August 14, 2010 | Fresnes-sur-Escaut, France | | 900 | Battle royal |
| 8. | NWA-PWF / WFAC | Wrestling For A Cause: Call To Arms | Tampa, Florida | Scottish Rite Pavilion | 850 | The Sheik (c) vs. Kazuchika Okada for the NWA North American Heavyweight Championship |
| 9. | NWA-MACW | Night of Champions March 13, 2010 | Easley, South Carolina | Easley High School | 800 | The Rock 'n' Roll Express (Ricky Morton & Robert Gibson) vs. Buff Bagwell & Rikki Nelson |
| 9. | NWA-ICWA | October Fest 2 October 2, 2010 | Frameries, Belgium | Salle Max Audin | 800 | Greg Fury (c) vs. Teo Tispun for the NWA French Heavyweight Championship |
| 9. | NWA-MACW | Fall Brawl August 13, 2011 | South Hill, Virginia | Park View High School | 800 | Christian York vs. Chris Hamrick |
| 10. | NWA-PWR | Blue Demon Jr. vs. Oliver John May 14, 2011 | Turlock, California | Stanislaus County Fair | 700 | Blue Demon Jr. (c) vs. Oliver John for the PWR Heavyweight Championship |