NWA United States Tag Team Championship (Tri-State version)
Encyclopedia
The NWA Tri-State Tag Team Championship was a tag team
title
created in 1962, and contested in the National Wrestling Alliance
's Tri-State territory, which was promoted by Leroy McGuirk
(Arkansas
and Oklahoma
) and Jack Curtis and Aurelian "Grizzly" Smith
(Louisiana
). For most of its existence, the title was the Tri-State version of the NWA United States Tag Team Championship.
This group of promoters existed until Bill Watts
' Mid-South Wrestling bought out the majority of the Tri-State territory, and also Gil Culkin and George Gulkin's Mississippi
territory, in August 1979. After Watts took over, McGuirk took the title to Oklahoma, the only part of the Tri-State territory not owned by Watts. The U.S. Tag Team Championship's name was then changed to the Tri-State Tag Title in 1980.
The title lasted until Tri-State closed in 1982, when Mid-South Wrestling took over Oklahoma from McGuirk.
Tag team
Tag team professional wrestling is a variation in which matches are contested between teams of multiple wrestlers. A tag team may comprise two wrestlers who normally wrestle in singles competition, but more commonly are made of established teams who wrestle regularly as a unit and have a team name...
title
Championship (professional wrestling)
A Championship or "title" in professional wrestling is a recognition promoted by professional wrestling organizations.Championship reigns are determined by professional wrestling matches, in which competitors are involved in scripted rivalries...
created in 1962, and contested in the National Wrestling Alliance
National Wrestling Alliance
The National Wrestling Alliance is a wrestling promotion company and sanctions various NWA championships in the United States. The NWA has been in operation since 1948...
's Tri-State territory, which was promoted by Leroy McGuirk
Leroy McGuirk
Leroy Michael McGuirk was an American wrestler and professional wrestling promoter. He was involved in professional wrestling for more than fifty years. As one of the longest surviving members of the National Wrestling Alliance , he was affiliated with the promotion from 1949 to 1982.-Early...
(Arkansas
Arkansas
Arkansas is a state located in the southern region of the United States. Its name is an Algonquian name of the Quapaw Indians. Arkansas shares borders with six states , and its eastern border is largely defined by the Mississippi River...
and Oklahoma
Oklahoma
Oklahoma is a state located in the South Central region of the United States of America. With an estimated 3,751,351 residents as of the 2010 census and a land area of 68,667 square miles , Oklahoma is the 28th most populous and 20th-largest state...
) and Jack Curtis and Aurelian "Grizzly" Smith
Aurelian Smith
Aurelian Smith was an American professional wrestler better known as Grizzly Smith. He was the father of professional wrestlers Aurelian, Jr...
(Louisiana
Louisiana
Louisiana is a state located in the southern region of the United States of America. Its capital is Baton Rouge and largest city is New Orleans. Louisiana is the only state in the U.S. with political subdivisions termed parishes, which are local governments equivalent to counties...
). For most of its existence, the title was the Tri-State version of the NWA United States Tag Team Championship.
This group of promoters existed until Bill Watts
Bill Watts
William F. "Bill" Watts is a former American professional wrestler and promoter. Watts was famous under his "Cowboy" gimmick in his wrestling career, and then as a tough, no-nonsense promoter in the Mid-South area of the United States, which grew to become the UWF.In 1992, he was the Executive...
' Mid-South Wrestling bought out the majority of the Tri-State territory, and also Gil Culkin and George Gulkin's Mississippi
Mississippi
Mississippi is a U.S. state located in the Southern United States. Jackson is the state capital and largest city. The name of the state derives from the Mississippi River, which flows along its western boundary, whose name comes from the Ojibwe word misi-ziibi...
territory, in August 1979. After Watts took over, McGuirk took the title to Oklahoma, the only part of the Tri-State territory not owned by Watts. The U.S. Tag Team Championship's name was then changed to the Tri-State Tag Title in 1980.
The title lasted until Tri-State closed in 1982, when Mid-South Wrestling took over Oklahoma from McGuirk.
Title history
Silver areas in the title history indicate periods of unknown lineage.| Wrestlers: | Times: | Date: | Location: | Notes: |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NWA United States Tag Team Championship (Tri-State version) | ||||
| Jan Madrid and Louie Tillet | 1 | 1962 | ||
| Alberto and Ramon Torres | 1 | 1962 | ||
| Jack and Jim Dalton | 1 | July 2, 1962 | Tulsa, Oklahoma Tulsa, Oklahoma Tulsa is the second-largest city in the state of Oklahoma and 46th-largest city in the United States. With a population of 391,906 as of the 2010 census, it is the principal municipality of the Tulsa Metropolitan Area, a region with 937,478 residents in the MSA and 988,454 in the CSA. Tulsa's... |
|
| Jerry Kozak and Bill Watts Bill Watts William F. "Bill" Watts is a former American professional wrestler and promoter. Watts was famous under his "Cowboy" gimmick in his wrestling career, and then as a tough, no-nonsense promoter in the Mid-South area of the United States, which grew to become the UWF.In 1992, he was the Executive... |
1 | September 2, 1963 | Tulsa, Oklahoma | |
| The title was vacated no later than April 1966. | ||||
| The Assassins |
1 | May 10, 1966 | Little Rock, Arkansas Little Rock, Arkansas Little Rock is the capital and the largest city of the U.S. state of Arkansas. The Metropolitan Statistical Area had a population of 699,757 people in the 2010 census... |
|
| Jack Brisco Jack Brisco Freddie Joe Brisco was an American professional wrestler, better known as Jack Brisco or Uvalde Slim. He performed for various territories of the National Wrestling Alliance , becoming a two-time NWA World Heavyweight Champion, and multi-time NWA Tag Team Champion with his brother Gerald Brisco... and Haystacks Calhoun William Calhoun William Dee Calhoun was a professional wrestler, who used the professional name "Haystack" or "Haystacks" Calhoun. The gargantuan wrestler was one of the foremost drawing cards during the industry’s “Golden Age” of the 1950s and 1960s while sporting his trademark white T-shirt, blue overalls, and... |
1 | 1966 or 1967 | ||
| The Assassins | 2 | March 10, 1967 | Oklahoma City, Oklahoma Oklahoma City, Oklahoma Oklahoma City is the capital and the largest city in the state of Oklahoma. The county seat of Oklahoma County, the city ranks 31st among United States cities in population. The city's population, from the 2010 census, was 579,999, with a metro-area population of 1,252,987 . In 2010, the Oklahoma... |
|
| Jack Brisco and Gorgeous George, Jr. | 1 | May 9, 1967 | Little Rock, Arkansas | |
| Togo Shikuma and Chati Yokouchi | 1 | May 16, 1967 | Little Rock, Arkansas | |
| Skandor Akbar and Danny Hodge Danny Hodge Daniel "Danny" Allen Hodge is a retired American wrestler and boxer. He is renowned for his wrestling career, both amateur and professional, and has also been a boxer. Hodge was born, grew up, and still lives in Perry, Oklahoma... |
1 | October 1967 | ||
| Chuck Karbo and Chati Yokouchi | 1 | December 1967 | ||
| Jack Donovan and Ron Reed | 1 | April 1968 | Tulsa, Oklahoma | |
| Skandor Akbar and Danny Hodge | 2 | May 4, 1968 | Shreveport, Louisiana Shreveport, Louisiana Shreveport is the third largest city in Louisiana. It is the principal city of the fourth largest metropolitan area in the state of Louisiana and is the 109th-largest city in the United States.... |
|
| Danny Hodge and Lorenzo Parente | 1 | December 3, 1968 | Little Rock, Arkansas | |
| Treach Phillips and Karl Von Stroheim | 1 | January 1969 | ||
| Alberto and Ramon Torres | 2 | May 6, 1969 | Little Rock, Arkansas | |
| The Medics |
1 | October 1969 | Little Rock, Arkansas | |
| Alberto and Ramon Torres | 3 | 1969 | ||
| The Medics | 2 | 1969 | ||
| Tarzan Baxter and Karl Karlson | 1 | November 2, 1969 | Little Rock, Arkansas | |
| Luke Brown Luke Brown (wrestler) Carl Dennis Campbell, Sr. was an American professional wrestler better known by his ring name Luke "Big Boy" Brown... and Dutch Savage Dutch Savage Frank Stewart is a former professional wrestler and wrestling promoter, best known for his time spent competing in Pacific Northwest Wrestling under the ring name Dutch Savage.-Career:... |
1 | February 1, 1970 | Tulsa, Oklahoma | |
| The title was vacated in April 1970 when Savage left the area. | ||||
| The Hollywood Blonds |
1 | May 8, 1970 | ||
| Luke Brown and Danny Hodge | 1 | May 27, 1970 | Springfield, Missouri Springfield, Missouri Springfield is the third largest city in the U.S. state of Missouri and the county seat of Greene County. According to the 2010 census data, the population was 159,498, an increase of 5.2% since the 2000 census. The Springfield Metropolitan Area, population 436,712, includes the counties of... |
|
| The Hollywood Blonds | 2 | May 29, 1970 | Oklahoma City, Oklahoma | |
| Billy Red Lyons Billy Red Lyons William Snip was a Canadian professional wrestler, who used the stage name Billy Red Lyons. He was an active wrestler between 1956 and 1984, and won numerous championship throughout his career. He worked for promotions in both Canada and the United States, particularly in Ontario, California,... and Bill Watts |
1 | January 1971 | ||
| Karl Von Brauner and Waldo Von Erich Waldo Von Erich Walter Paul Sieber was a Canadian professional wrestler under the ring name Waldo Von Erich. He was billed as the brother of Fritz Von Erich, but was not actually related to Fritz or the rest of the Von Erich family.... |
1 | March 1971 | ||
| The Kentuckians |
1 | April 1971 | ||
| The Spoilers |
1 | 1971 | ||
| Tom Jones and Billy Red Lyons | 1 | May 31, 1971 | Shreveport, Louisiana | |
| The Continental Warriors |
1 | March 21, 1972 | Monroe, Louisiana Monroe, Louisiana Monroe is a city in and the parish seat of Ouachita Parish, Louisiana, United States. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 53,107, making it the eighth largest city in Louisiana. A July 1, 2007, United States Census Bureau estimate placed the population at 51,208, but 51,636... |
|
| Tom Jones and Ken Mantell | 1 | August 21, 1972 | Shreveport, Louisiana | |
| Terry Garvin Terry Garvin Terry Joyal, better known by his ring name Terry Garvin, was a Canadian professional wrestler. He is best known for his work with kayfabe brother Ron Garvin, with whom he won several tag team championships in the Southern United States... and Duke Myers |
1 | August 28, 1972 | Monroe, Louisiana Monroe, Louisiana Monroe is a city in and the parish seat of Ouachita Parish, Louisiana, United States. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 53,107, making it the eighth largest city in Louisiana. A July 1, 2007, United States Census Bureau estimate placed the population at 51,208, but 51,636... |
|
| Yasu Fuji and Chati Yokouchi | 1 | December 1972 | ||
| Bull Bullinski and Dennis Stamp | 1 | February 13, 1973 | Shreveport, Louisiana | |
| The Hollywood Blonds | 3 | February 20, 1973 | Tulsa, Oklahoma | |
| Eddie Sullivan and Rip Tyler | 1 | 1973 | ||
| Dewey Robertson Dewey Robertson Byron James John "Dewey" Robertson was a professional wrestler, known best for his ring name The Missing Link.... and Dennis Stamp |
1 | May 1973 | ||
| Alex Perez and El Gran Tapio | 1 | July 1973 | ||
| Kim Duk and Stan Kowalski | 1 | September 1973 | ||
| Luke Brown and Klondike Bill Klondike Bill Bill Soloweyko , better known by his ring name Klondike Bill, was a Canadian professional wrestler trained by Stu Hart in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. He wrestled in various NWA territories throughout the 1960's and 70's, before moving onto World Championship Wrestling.-Career:Bill was trained by Stu... |
1 | January 1974 | ||
| Bob Brown Bob Brown (wrestler) Robert Harold Brown was a Canadian professional wrestler, better known by his ring name "Bulldog" Bob Brown.- Early life :... and Siegfried Stanke |
1 | March 1974 | ||
| Chief Thundercloud and Chief White Cloud | 1 | June 1974 | ||
| Steve Lawler and Jim White Jim White (wrestler) James "Jim" White was an American professional wrestler during the 1960s and 1970s in the southern United States. He was the frequent tag team partner of Jerry Lawler.-Professional wrestling career:... |
1 | September 1974 | ||
| Johnny Eagles and Terry Lathan | 1 | October 1974 | ||
| Frank Goodish Frank Goodish Frank Donald Goodish was an American professional wrestler who earned his greatest fame under the name Bruiser Brody. Goodish was an All-State football and basketball player at Warren High School, Michigan, and played football at West Texas A&M University... and Stan Hansen Stan Hansen John Stanley Hansen, Jr. is an American former professional wrestler, better known by his ring name Stan Hansen. As a wrestler, Hansen was well known for his stiff wrestling style, which he attributes to poor eyesight, as he is nearly blind without glasses... |
1 | October 1974 | ||
| Jay Clayton and Danny Hodge | 1 | July 9, 1975 | Fort Smith, Arkansas Fort Smith, Arkansas Fort Smith is the second-largest city in Arkansas and one of the two county seats of Sebastian County. With a population of 86,209 in 2010, it is the principal city of the Fort Smith, Arkansas-Oklahoma Metropolitan Statistical Area, a region of 298,592 residents which encompasses the Arkansas... |
|
| Killer Karl Kox Herb Gerwig Herb Gerwig was an American professional wrestler, better known by his ring name of Killer Karl Kox, who competed in the National Wrestling Alliance as well as international promotions such as All Japan Pro Wrestling, the International Wrestling Alliance and World Championship Wrestling during the... and Dick Murdoch Dick Murdoch Hoyt Richard "Dick" Murdoch was an American professional wrestler.-Professional wrestling career:A second-generation wrestler, the son of 1950s Texas wrestler Frankie Hill Murdoch, Dick Murdoch grew up with fellow second-generation wrestlers Dory Funk, Jr. and Terry Funk, watching their fathers... |
1 | October 1975 | ||
| The title was vacated in December 1975 when Kox and Murdoch split up. | ||||
| Greg Valentine Greg Valentine John Wisniski, Jr. is an American professional wrestler, better known as Greg "The Hammer" Valentine. He is the son of wrestler Johnny Valentine.-Training:... and Bill Watts |
1 | January 7, 1976 | ||
| Gorgeous George, Jr. and Greg Valentine | 1 | January 1976 | ||
| The Hollywood Blonds | 4 | March 18, 1976 | New Orleans, Louisiana New Orleans, Louisiana New Orleans is a major United States port and the largest city and metropolitan area in the state of Louisiana. The New Orleans metropolitan area has a population of 1,235,650 as of 2009, the 46th largest in the USA. The New Orleans – Metairie – Bogalusa combined statistical area has a population... |
|
| Buck Robley and Bob Slaughter Sgt. Slaughter Robert Remus , better known by his ring name Sgt. Slaughter, is an American former WWE personality and semi-retired professional wrestler. From the late 1970s to the early 1990s, Slaughter had success in the National Wrestling Alliance, American Wrestling Association, and World Wrestling... |
1 | March 29, 1976 | Tulsa, Oklahoma | |
| Ted DiBiase Ted DiBiase Theodore Marvin "Ted" DiBiase, Sr. is a retired professional wrestler, manager, ordained minister and color commentator. DiBiase achieved championship success in a number of wrestling promotions, holding thirty titles during his professional wrestling career... and Dick Murdoch |
1 | April 28, 1976 | Fort Smith, Arkansas | |
| Killer Karl Kox and Bob Sweetan | 1 | May 11, 1976 | Shreveport, Louisiana | |
| Killer Karl Kox and Ken Patera Ken Patera Ken Patera is a former professional wrestler, Olympic weightlifter, and Strongman competitor.-Weightlifting/Strongman career:Patera is a former Olympic weightlifter and American powerlifter... |
1 | October 19, 1976 | ||
| Billy Robinson Billy Robinson Billy Robinson is a British professional wrestler and catch wrestling instructor. Robinson was well known in Japan where he has trained mixed martial arts fighters in catch wrestling... and Bill Watts |
1 | 1976 | Shreveport, Louisiana | |
| Skandor Akbar and Choi Sun | 1 | January 1977 | Shreveport, Louisiana | |
| Tony Rocco and Bob Sweetan | 1 | March 16, 1977 | Shreveport, Louisiana | |
| The Medics | 3 | March 26, 1977 | Shreveport, Louisiana | |
| Porkchop Cash and Mike George | 1 | August 16, 1977 | Shreveport, Louisiana | |
| The Medics | 4 | August 23, 1977 | Shreveport, Louisiana | |
| Porkchop Cash and Dr. X | 1 | September 27, 1977 | Shreveport, Louisiana | |
| Ciclón Negro and Dr. X | 1 | October 27, 1977 | ||
| The Brute Bugsy McGraw Bugsy McGraw is the ring name of former professional wrestler Michael Davis. He also wrestled under the name "The Skull." He is not to be confused with the other wrestler named Mike Davis.-Total Nonstop Action Wrestling :... and Dr. X |
1 | 1977 | ||
| Ray Candy Ray Candy Ray Canty , known by the ring name Ray Candy, was an American professional wrestler for the Jim Crockett Promotions and various other regional wrestling territories... and Steven Little Bear |
1 | February 22, 1978 | Baton Rouge, Louisiana Baton Rouge, Louisiana Baton Rouge is the capital of the U.S. state of Louisiana. It is located in East Baton Rouge Parish and is the second-largest city in the state.Baton Rouge is a major industrial, petrochemical, medical, and research center of the American South... |
|
| The Assassin Jody Hamilton Joseph "Jody" Hamilton is an American retired professional wrestler and current wrestling promoter and trainer. In his active days Hamiltion was best known as known as one half of the tag team The Assassins where he was called "Assassin #1"... and Ernie Ladd Ernie Ladd Ernest "Ernie" Ladd , nicknamed "The Big Cat" was an American collegiate and professional football player and a professional wrestler.-Pro Football career:... |
1 | April 5, 1978 | Baton Rouge, Louisiana | |
| Ray Candy and Steven Little Bear | 2 | April 23, 1978 | Baton Rouge, Louisiana | |
| Jerry Brown and Bobby Jaggers Bobby Jaggers Bobby Jaggers is a retired professional wrestler.-In wrestling:*Finishing moves**Elbow drop**Reversed neckbreaker-Championships and accomplishments:... |
1 | May 5, 1978 | Oklahoma City, Oklahoma | |
| Mike George and Randy Tyler | 1 | November 18, 1978 | Tulsa, Oklahoma | |
| The title was vacated after a match against Jerry Brown and Bobby Jaggers in December 1978. | ||||
| André the Giant André the Giant André René Roussimoff , best known as André the Giant, was a French professional wrestler and actor. His best remembered acting role was that of Fezzik, the giant in the film The Princess Bride... and Dusty Rhodes Dusty Rhodes (wrestler) Virgil Riley Runnels, Jr. , better known as "The American Dream" Dusty Rhodes, is a semi-retired American professional wrestler currently working for WWE... |
1 | December 25, 1978 | New Orleans, Louisiana | |
| Dusty Rhodes and The Spoiler | 1 | January 1979 | ||
| The Angel and The Assassin | 1 | January 25, 1979 | New Orleans, Louisiana | |
| Buck Robley and Bill Watts | 1 | July 21, 1979 | New Orleans, Louisiana | |
| The title after Robley was injured by Angelo Mosca Angelo Mosca Angelo Mosca is a former Canadian Football League player and professional wrestler. He is also known by the wrestling nicknames King Kong Mosca and The Mighty Hercules... on August 17, 1979. |
||||
| Sugar Bear Harris and Oki Shikina | 1 | October 1979 | ||
| Herb Calvert and Jimmy Garvin Jimmy Garvin James Williams is a retired American professional wrestler. He is best known by his ring name "Gorgeous" Jimmy "Jam" Garvin and as a member of the legendary Fabulous Freebirds.... |
1 | November 5, 1979 | Tulsa, Oklahoma | |
| Steve Lawler and Siegfried Stanke | 1 | December 1979 | ||
| Eddie and Tommy Gilbert | 1 | March 3, 1980 | Tulsa, Oklahoma | |
| The title was renamed during the Gilberts' reign. | ||||
| NWA Tri-State Tag Team Championship | ||||
| Ron McFarlane and Doug Somers Doug Somers Doug Somers is an American retired professional wrestler known by his ring name "Pretty Boy" Doug Somers... |
1 | 1980 | ||
| Hector Guerrero Hector Guerrero Héctor Manuel Guerrero Llanes is a Mexican-American professional wrestler, better known simply by his paternal name, Héctor Guerrero... and Ron Sexton |
1 | 1980 | ||
| Ron McFarlane and Doug Somers | 2 | 1980 | ||
| Eddie and Tommy Gilbert | 2 | 1980 | ||
| The title was vacated after Tommy Gilbert was injured. | ||||
| Chief Frank Hill and Terry Orndorff | 1 | 1981 | ||
| The title was held up after a match between Frank Hill & Terry Orndorff and The Akbar Army (Jerry Brown & Ron McFarlane). | ||||
| The Akbar Army |
1 | 1981 | ||
| Eddie Gilbert and Ricky Morton Ricky Morton Richard Wendell "Ricky" Morton is an American professional wrestler who has worked for such wrestling organizations as Jim Crockett Promotions, the American Wrestling Association, Extreme Championship Wrestling, World Championship Wrestling, the World Wrestling Federation and Total Nonstop Action... |
1 | May 16, 1981 | Tulsa, Oklahoma | |
| Mike George and Ed Wiskoski Edward Wiskoski Edward Wiskoski is a former American professional wrestler best known as Colonel DeBeers in the AWA . He also wrestled as Derek "The Mongoose" Draper and Mega Maharishi... |
1 | July 11, 1981 | Tulsa, Oklahoma | |
| Eddie Gilbert and Ricky Morton | 2 | July 25, 1981 | Tulsa, Oklahoma | |
| Dave and Joel Deaton Joseph Jones (wrestler) Joel Lofton Jones better known as Joel Deaton is a professional wrestler. He is most noticed for being one of the members of a tag team in Jim Crockett Promotions known as the Thunderfoots. He was the original Thunderfoot. He was briefly engaged to Delta Burke in early 1987.-Career:Joel Jones was... |
1 | 1981 | ||
| Eric Embry Eric Embry Douglas Eric Embry is a retired professional wrestler, best known for his appearances with World Class Championship Wrestling and the United States Wrestling Association as The Flamboyant Eric Embry... and Chief Frank Hill |
1 | 1981 | ||
| Porkchop Cash and Doug Somers | 1 | 1981 | ||
| The title was vacated in 1981 after Cash and Somers split up. | ||||
| Turk Ali Bey and El Toro | 1 | 1981 | ||
| The title was retired in 1982 when NWA Tri-State closed, and the territory was taken over by Mid-South Wrestling. | ||||
See also
- NWA United States Tag Team Championship (Board-recognized version)NWA United States Tag Team ChampionshipThe NWA United States Tag Team Championship is a name used by several championships that were or currently are under the National Wrestling Alliance 's supervision:...
– - NWA United States Tag Team Championship (Florida version)NWA Florida United States Tag Team ChampionshipThe Florida version of the United States Tag Team Championship was a major professional wrestling tag team championship. The title was defended sporadically in the National Wrestling Alliance affiliated Championship Wrestling from Florida from 1961 to 1962, 1978 to 1980, and then 1983 until 1986...
– - NWA United States Tag Team Championship (Northeast version)WWWF United States Tag Team ChampionshipThe WWWF United States Tag Team Championship was a major tag team title in the World Wide Wrestling Federation from 1963 until 1967. Originally, the WWF was a member of the National Wrestling Alliance operating out of the Northeast and was called the Capitol Wrestling Corporation...
–