In 1996 former American Wrestling Association employees Dale Gagner and Jonnie Stewart relicensed the American Wrestling Association name in the state of Minnesota and the promotion opened up as an independent promotion called AWA Superstars of Wrestling. The only thing in common with the original AWA is the name. Minneapolis redirects here. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Year 1996 (MCMXCVI) was a leap year starting on Monday (link will display full 1996 Gregorian calendar). ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ...

In 2005, Gagner began to franchise the AWA name, selling memberships to existing independent promotions around the United States, Canada, United Kingdom and Japan. Several members of the new AWA are former members of the National Wrestling Alliance. National Wrestling Alliance logo The National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) is the largest governing body for a group of independent professional wrestling promotions and sanctions various NWA championships. ...

In April 26, 2007 it was revealed that World Wrestling Entertainment has sought legal action against Dale Gagner for the use of the AWA name, citing trademark infringement, as WWE owns the AWA tape library, trademarks, and logos. ^{[1] [2] [3]} is the 116th day of the year (117th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ... World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. ...

Titles

Beginning in 1996, AWA Superstars of Wrestling supposedly revived several classic AWA titles, claiming not just the title lineages and names, but control over title histories. However, as noted, World Wrestling Entertainment has sued Gagner for the use of the AWA name, citing trademark infringement, as the WWE owns the AWA tape library, trademarks, and logos. Because there is no connection to the original organizations or individuals involved therein, no continuity in title reigns or even physical belts, and questionable legal use of the AWA name, the claims made by AWA Superstars of Wrestling over the use of AWA Title names and histories are in historical dispute and in legal jeopardy.

• AWA Superstars World Heavyweight Championship
• AWA World Junior Heavyweight Championship
• AWA Superstars World Light Heavyweight Championship
• AWA Superstars World Tag Team Championship
• AWA International Heavyweight Championship
• AWA Japan Women's Championship

The list does not include titles promoted by the various AWA Territories. The American Wrestling Association (AWA) World Heavyweight Championship is the highest ranked championship in the current AWA Superstars of Wrestling promotion. ... The AWA World Junior Heavyweight Championship is a championship contested for in the Japanese professional wrestling promotion Pro Wrestling ZERO1-MAX. The championship was known as the NWA/UPW/ZERO-ONE International Junior Heavyweight Championship from its inception until ZERO-ONE left the NWA on October 31, 2004 and changed... The AWA Superstars World Light Heavyweight Championship is a title in the AWA Superstars of Wrestling promotion. ... The American Wrestling Association (AWA) Superstars World Tag Team Championship is the tag team title for the AWA Superstars of Wrestling promotion. ... The AWA International Heavyweight Championship, originally known as the CWA/AWA International Heavyweight Championship (also identified in Pro Wrestling Illustrated magazine as the Mid-Southern International Championship and the AWA International Championship) was a major professional wrestling title defended in the Continental Wrestling Association. ... The AWA Japan Womens Championship is a womens professional wrestling title in the American Wrestling Association. ...

Territories

Unlike the original AWA, which was wholly owned and operated by Verne Gagne, the new AWA Superstars of Wrestling has adopted a territory system similar to the National Wrestling Alliance. However, unlike the NWA, most AWA Superstars of Wrestling "territories" keep their original names as well as their AWA territory name. These territories are neither as large nor as strong as the pre-1990 territories, which dominated pro wrestling under the NWA banner. It should be noted that the legal action brought by WWE has questioned Gagner's ability to license the AWA name, and thus puts the many AWA territories at risk of losing their supposed affiliation. Verne Gagne (born February 26, 1926) is a former professional wrestler, trainer and wrestling promoter. ... National Wrestling Alliance logo The National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) is the largest governing body for a group of independent professional wrestling promotions and sanctions various NWA championships. ...

In a press release sent out October 30th, 2007, the promotion announced that it will no longer sanction independent territories. According to Gagner and Stewart, each of the promotions' territories will be individually assessed. ^[4]

References