Jerry Jarrett
In 1977, promoter Jerry Jarrett broke away from Nick Gulas' NWA Mid-America promoter and formed his own promotion, the Continental Wrestling Association. Lawler - Gulas' biggest star - opted to join Jarrett. The CWA quickly outperformed NWA Mid-America, which ultimately folded in 1981. Lawler was both a co-owner of the CWA and its top star.