NWA Wildside
Encyclopedia
NWA Wildside was an American independent
professional wrestling promotion
based in Cornelia, Georgia
, with an office in Atlanta, Georgia
, operating between September 1999 and April 2005.
While in operation, NWA Wildside was one of the main affiliates of the National Wrestling Alliance
, a group that dates back to 1948 and was one of the most-watched independent promotions in the United States.
hired NWA Wildside to serve as its development territory, and sent their Power Plant
wrestlers like Shannon Moore
, Jamie Noble
, Sean O'Haire
, Mark Jindrak
and Elix Skipper
to compete in the company.
Soon, World Championship Wrestling hired several NWA Wildside talent for their shows including A.J. Styles
and Frank "Air" Paris
, with other wrestlers such as Onyx
, David Young
and Rick Michaels
appearing on World Wrestling Federation
tapings.
With the establishment of Total Nonstop Action Wrestling
, various NWA Wildside stars such as Styles, Abyss
(Prince Justice), Young, Onyx, Slim J, Hotstuff Hernandez
, Jason Cross
, Jimmy Rave
, Altar Boy Luke
, Matt Sydal
, Delirious
, and Tony Mamaluke appeared for the company.
Wildside's weekly one hour TV show aired nationally and was available to as much as 40% of the United States at its peak.
In late 2004, Wildside was broadcast by The Wrestling Channel in the United Kingdom
giving them a transatlantic audience.
Two of the main attractions of Wildside were the fact that their wrestlers were allowed to be more creative in the ring, and the announcers - Dan Wilson and Steven Prazak - gave a legitimacy to the product rather than treating it as a joke.
, the owner of Deep South Wrestling, a former WWE developmental territory located in McDonough, Georgia
.
Behrens left DSW after getting the promotion ready to produce TV but before TV production began due to creative differences with Hamilton, and was employed by TNA as Director of Third Party Bookings.
Wildside was replaced by NWA Anarchy
, a promotion operating in the same arena using similar talent.
Note: Names are listed in alphabetical order of the last name of their NWA: Wildside chararcter. Not their real last name nor their current character's last name.
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Note: names in parentheses by an individual's name denotes their current ring name
, or the name they are best known by.
Independent circuit
In professional wrestling, the independent circuit or indy circuit refers to the many independent promotions which are much smaller than major televised promotions. They are roughly analagous to a minor league for pro wrestling, or community or regional theatre.Specific promotions on the...
professional wrestling promotion
Professional wrestling promotion
A professional wrestling promotion is a company or business that regularly performs shows involving professional wrestling. Promotion also describes a role which entails management, advertising and logistics of running a wrestling event...
based in Cornelia, Georgia
Cornelia, Georgia
Cornelia is a city in Habersham County, Georgia, United States. The population was 3,834 at the 2010 census. It is home to one of the world's largest apple sculptures, which is displayed on top of an obelisk shaped monument...
, with an office in Atlanta, Georgia
Atlanta, Georgia
Atlanta is the capital and most populous city in the U.S. state of Georgia. According to the 2010 census, Atlanta's population is 420,003. Atlanta is the cultural and economic center of the Atlanta metropolitan area, which is home to 5,268,860 people and is the ninth largest metropolitan area in...
, operating between September 1999 and April 2005.
While in operation, NWA Wildside was one of the main affiliates of 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...
, a group that dates back to 1948 and was one of the most-watched independent promotions in the United States.
History
Wildside was originally named National Championship Wrestling in 1997 and was owned by Steve Martin, who often made appearances on the wrestling card. In December 1999 NCW merged with NWA Georgia to form NWA Wildside under the ownership of Bill Behrens.WCW development territory
World Championship WrestlingWorld Championship Wrestling
World Championship Wrestling, Inc. was an American professional wrestling promotion which existed from 1988 to 2001. Based in Atlanta, Georgia, it began as a regional promotion affiliated with the National Wrestling Alliance , named Jim Crockett Promotions until November 1988, when Ted Turner and...
hired NWA Wildside to serve as its development territory, and sent their Power Plant
WCW Power Plant
The WCW Power Plant was a professional wrestling school located in Atlanta, Georgia and owned and operated by World Championship Wrestling. The Power Plant, which was developed from a school operated by Jody Hamilton, was in operation throughout the 1990s...
wrestlers like Shannon Moore
Shannon Moore
Shannon Moore is an American professional wrestler, who is signed to Total Nonstop Action Wrestling . He is best known for his work with World Championship Wrestling between 1999 and 2001 and with World Wrestling Entertainment for several years in the 2000s.Moore befriended Matt and Jeff Hardy...
, Jamie Noble
Jamie Noble
James Howard Gibson better known by his WWE ring name Jamie Noble, is an American former professional wrestler currently working for WWE as a trainer. He is best known for his work from 2002 to 2009 when a severe back injury forced him to retire from competition...
, Sean O'Haire
Sean O'Haire
Sean Christopher Haire is an American mixed martial artist and former professional wrestler, better known by his ring name, Sean O'Haire.-World Championship Wrestling:...
, Mark Jindrak
Mark Jindrak
Mark Robert Jindrak is an American professional wrestler, best known for his appearances with World Championship Wrestling and World Wrestling Entertainment...
and Elix Skipper
Elix Skipper
Elix Skipper is an American professional wrestler. He is best known for his appearances with World Championship Wrestling, where he was a one-time Cruiserweight Champion and a one-time Cruiserweight Tag Team Champion, and Total Nonstop Action Wrestling, where he is a four-time NWA World Tag Team...
to compete in the company.
Soon, World Championship Wrestling hired several NWA Wildside talent for their shows including A.J. Styles
A.J. Styles
Allen Neal Jones , better known by his ring name A.J. Styles is an American professional wrestler currently working for Total Nonstop Action Wrestling...
and Frank "Air" Paris
Frank Paris
Frank Parris is an American professional wrestler. He is best known for his stint in World Championship Wrestling under ring name Air Paris.-Debut:...
, with other wrestlers such as Onyx
Onyx (wrestler)
Kyle McNeely is an American professional wrestler. He is best known under the ring name Onyx and for his stint in Total Nonstop Action Wrestling as a member of The Elite Guard.-World Wrestling Federation / Entertainment :...
, David Young
David Young (wrestler)
David Williams , better known by his ring name, David Young, is an American professional wrestler. Though he has mainly appeared with NWA Wildside and Total Nonstop Action Wrestling, Young has also competed for Ring of Honor, Asistencia Asesoría y Administración and ZERO-ONE...
and Rick Michaels
Rick Michaels
Raymond Rawls is an American professional wrestler, best known under his ring name Rick Michaels.-National Championship Wrestling / NWA Wildside :...
appearing on World Wrestling Federation
World Wrestling Entertainment
World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. is an American publicly traded, privately controlled entertainment company dealing primarily in professional wrestling, with major revenue sources also coming from film, music, product licensing, and direct product sales...
tapings.
With the establishment of Total Nonstop Action Wrestling
Total Nonstop Action Wrestling
Total Nonstop Action Wrestling is a privately held professional wrestling promotion founded by Jeff Jarrett and Jerry Jarrett. The company broadcasts its events on television and the Internet fifty two weeks a year with over a million weekly viewers on its primary television program, Impact...
, various NWA Wildside stars such as Styles, Abyss
Chris Parks
Christopher J. "Chris" Parks , better known by his ring name "The Monster" Abyss, is an American professional wrestler currently working for Total Nonstop Action Wrestling...
(Prince Justice), Young, Onyx, Slim J, Hotstuff Hernandez
Shawn Hernandez
Shawn Hernandez is an American professional wrestler of Mexican and Puerto Rican descent, better known by his ring names, "Hotstuff Hernandez" and "Hernandez"....
, Jason Cross
Jason Cross
William Jason Massengale is an American professional wrestler. He is best known by his ring name Jason Cross and for his tenure in Total Nonstop Action Wrestling.-NWA Wildside :...
, Jimmy Rave
Jimmy Rave
James Guffey is an American professional wrestler, better known by his ring name, Jimmy Rave. He is best known for working for Total Nonstop Action Wrestling...
, Altar Boy Luke
Oren Hawxhurst
Oren Hawxhurst is an American professional wrestler, actor and stuntman. He is best known as Luke Hawx and is also known for his time in Xtreme Pro Wrestling under the ring name Altar Boy Luke.-Professional wrestling career:...
, Matt Sydal
Matt Sydal
Matthew Joseph Korklan is an American professional wrestler, also known as Matt Sydal and Evan Bourne. He is signed with WWE and wrestles on its Raw brand under the ring name Evan Bourne, where he is currently one half of the WWE Tag Team Champions with Kofi Kingston as Air Boom.Before signing...
, Delirious
Delirious (wrestler)
Hunter Johnston is an American professional wrestler, better known by his ring name Delirious. He is currently wrestling for Ring of Honor, International Wrestling Cartel, Chikara, Pro Wrestling Noah, and Jersey All Pro Wrestling...
, and Tony Mamaluke appeared for the company.
Distinction from other independent promotions
In late 2004, Wildside was broadcast by The Wrestling Channel in the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
giving them a transatlantic audience.
Two of the main attractions of Wildside were the fact that their wrestlers were allowed to be more creative in the ring, and the announcers - Dan Wilson and Steven Prazak - gave a legitimacy to the product rather than treating it as a joke.
Demise
In April 2005, NWA Wildside closed down, after producing 300 consecutive weeks of television, as a result of owner Behrens accepting a job with World Wrestling Entertainment. He then worked with Jody HamiltonJody 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"...
, the owner of Deep South Wrestling, a former WWE developmental territory located in McDonough, Georgia
McDonough, Georgia
McDonough is a city in Henry County, Georgia, United States. The population was 22084 at the 2010 census. Inclusion of the unincorporated neighborhoods surrounding McDonough, which are not part of a town/city, raises the population to approximately 30,000 from an estimate in 2008. The city is the...
.
Behrens left DSW after getting the promotion ready to produce TV but before TV production began due to creative differences with Hamilton, and was employed by TNA as Director of Third Party Bookings.
Wildside was replaced by NWA Anarchy
NWA Anarchy
NWA Anarchy Wrestling is an American independent professional wrestling promotion based in Cornelia, Georgia and promoting events throughout North Georgia...
, a promotion operating in the same arena using similar talent.
Championships
Champions listed are the final champions in Wildside.- NWA Wildside Heavyweight ChampionshipNWA Georgia Heavyweight ChampionshipThe NWA Georgia Heavyweight Championship was the major title in the Georgia Championship Wrestling professional wrestling promotion. It started in 1964 and was unified in 1981 with the NWA National Heavyweight Championship....
— Onyx - NWA Wildside Junior Heavyweight ChampionshipNWA Georgia Junior Heavyweight ChampionshipThe NWA Georgia Junior Heavyweight Championship was a championship in the NWA's Georgia Championship Wrestling promotion. It was strictly for the junior heavyweight wrestlers.-Title history:-External links:*...
— Slim J. - NWA Wildside Tag Team ChampionshipNWA Georgia Tag Team ChampionshipThe NWA Georgia Tag Team Championship was the top tag team championship in Georgia Championship Wrestling from 1968 to 1980, when it was replaced with the NWA National Tag Team Championship....
— Iceberg and Tank - NWA Wildside Television Championship — Jeremy V.
- NWA Wildside United States Heavyweight ChampionshipNWA Wildside United States Heavyweight ChampionshipThe NWA Wildside United States Heavyweight Championship was a title contested for in the National Wrestling Alliance-member promotion NWA Wildside....
— Skeeter Frost
Notable alumni
Some notable alumni of NWA Wildside include:Note: Names are listed in alphabetical order of the last name of their NWA: Wildside chararcter. Not their real last name nor their current character's last name.
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- Alter Boy Luke (Luke Hawx)Oren HawxhurstOren Hawxhurst is an American professional wrestler, actor and stuntman. He is best known as Luke Hawx and is also known for his time in Xtreme Pro Wrestling under the ring name Altar Boy Luke.-Professional wrestling career:...
- C.W. Anderson (Chrisopher W. Anderson)C.W. AndersonChris Wright is an American professional wrestler, better known by the ring name, C.W. Anderson. He is best known for his time with Extreme Championship Wrestling.-Early life:...
- Brian Black (Palmer Cannon)Brian MailhotBrian Mailhot is an American professional wrestler and mixed martial arts fighter, better known for his short stint in World Wrestling Entertainment's SmackDown! brand under the ring name of Palmer Canon.-Early career:...
- Bull BuchananBarry BuchananBarry Buchanan is an American professional wrestler, best known for his appearances as Bull Buchanan and B-2 in the World Wrestling Federation/Entertainment.-National Championship Wrestling :...
- Brian Christopher (Grandmasta Sexay)Brian LawlerBrian Christopher Lawler is a professional wrestler. He is the son of color commentator and professional wrestler Jerry "The King" Lawler and brother of wrestling referee Kevin Christian...
- Jason CrossJason CrossWilliam Jason Massengale is an American professional wrestler. He is best known by his ring name Jason Cross and for his tenure in Total Nonstop Action Wrestling.-NWA Wildside :...
- DeliriousDelirious (wrestler)Hunter Johnston is an American professional wrestler, better known by his ring name Delirious. He is currently wrestling for Ring of Honor, International Wrestling Cartel, Chikara, Pro Wrestling Noah, and Jersey All Pro Wrestling...
- Terry Ray Gordy, Jr. (Jesse)Ray GordyTerry Ray Gordy, Jr. is an American professional wrestler best known for his time in World Wrestling Entertainment appearing on its SmackDown brand under the ring names Jesse and Slam Master J...
- James Guffey (Jimmy Rave)Jimmy RaveJames Guffey is an American professional wrestler, better known by his ring name, Jimmy Rave. He is best known for working for Total Nonstop Action Wrestling...
- Chris HamrickChris HamrickChris Hamrick is an American professional wrestler. He is perhaps best known for his appearances with Extreme Championship Wrestling throughout the early 2000s...
- "Wildcat" Chris HarrisChris Harris (wrestler)Christopher Eric "Chris" Harris is an American professional wrestler. He is best known for working for Total Nonstop Action Wrestling, where he was formerly one-half of the tag team America's Most Wanted along with partner & Former TNA World Heavyweight Champion James Storm.-World Championship...
- Hotstuff Hernandez (Hernandez)Shawn HernandezShawn Hernandez is an American professional wrestler of Mexican and Puerto Rican descent, better known by his ring names, "Hotstuff Hernandez" and "Hernandez"....
- Ron Killings (R-Truth)Ron KillingsRonald Aaron "Ron" Killings is an American professional wrestler and rapper. He is currently signed to WWE working on its Raw brand. Since working for the company, he has been a one time United States Champion under the ring name R-Truth and a two time Hardcore Champion under the ring name K-Kwik...
- New Jack
- Prince Justice (Abyss)Chris ParksChristopher J. "Chris" Parks , better known by his ring name "The Monster" Abyss, is an American professional wrestler currently working for Total Nonstop Action Wrestling...
- Alexis Laree (Mickie James)Mickie JamesMickie Laree James , better known simply as Mickie James, is an American professional wrestler and singer of mixed Native American-Caucasian descent, currently signed to Total Nonstop Action Wrestling , where she is a former two-time TNA Women's Knockout Champion.James began her professional...
- Murder oneMurder OneMurder one is another term for first-degree murder.Murder One may also refer to:*Murder One , a television series in the United States*Murder One , a book store in London...
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- LodiBrad CainBradley "Brad" Cain is an American professional wrestler, author and personal trainer, better known by his ring name, Lodi...
- Tony Mamaluke
- Joey Matthews (Joey Mercury)Adam BirchAdam Birch is a retired American professional wrestler, best known for his tenure with World Wrestling Entertainment , and training in WWE's developmental territory Florida Championship Wrestling, as Joey Mercury...
- Rick MichaelsRick MichaelsRaymond Rawls is an American professional wrestler, best known under his ring name Rick Michaels.-National Championship Wrestling / NWA Wildside :...
- Shannon MooreShannon MooreShannon Moore is an American professional wrestler, who is signed to Total Nonstop Action Wrestling . He is best known for his work with World Championship Wrestling between 1999 and 2001 and with World Wrestling Entertainment for several years in the 2000s.Moore befriended Matt and Jeff Hardy...
- Sean O'HaireSean O'HaireSean Christopher Haire is an American mixed martial artist and former professional wrestler, better known by his ring name, Sean O'Haire.-World Championship Wrestling:...
- OnyxOnyx (wrestler)Kyle McNeely is an American professional wrestler. He is best known under the ring name Onyx and for his stint in Total Nonstop Action Wrestling as a member of The Elite Guard.-World Wrestling Federation / Entertainment :...
- Frank "Air" ParisFrank ParisFrank Parris is an American professional wrestler. He is best known for his stint in World Championship Wrestling under ring name Air Paris.-Debut:...
- Bob SappBob SappRobert Malcolm "Bob" Sapp is an American kickboxer, mixed martial artist, professional wrestler, actor, comedian and former professional American football player. Sapp currently has a combined fight record of 21–21–0, mostly fighting in Japan...
- Ric SavageFrank HugueletFrank Huguelet is a retired American professional wrestler. He is best known by his ring name "Heavy Metal" Ric Savage.Huguelet wrestled across the eastern seaboard from 1990 until 1997...
- Sinister Minister (James Mitchell)James Mitchell (wrestler)James Isaac Mitchell is an American professional wrestling manager, known for his appearances with World Championship Wrestling as James Vandenberg, Extreme Championship Wrestling as The Sinister Minister, and Total Nonstop Action Wrestling under his own name.-Smoky Mountain Wrestling:Mitchell...
- Tony Stradlin
- A.J. StylesA.J. StylesAllen Neal Jones , better known by his ring name A.J. Styles is an American professional wrestler currently working for Total Nonstop Action Wrestling...
- Matt Sydal (Evan Bourne)Matt SydalMatthew Joseph Korklan is an American professional wrestler, also known as Matt Sydal and Evan Bourne. He is signed with WWE and wrestles on its Raw brand under the ring name Evan Bourne, where he is currently one half of the WWE Tag Team Champions with Kofi Kingston as Air Boom.Before signing...
- David Young
- Dameon Steel/ (Dameon Daniels)
- White trashWhite trashWhite trash is an American English pejorative term referring to poor white people in the United States, suggesting lower social class and degraded living standards...
- Scotty Wrenn (BLC)
- JC Dazz (BLC)
Note: names in parentheses by an individual's name denotes their current ring name
Ring name
A ring name is a stage name used by a professional wrestler, martial artist, or boxer. While some ring names may have a fictitious first name and surname, others may simply be a nickname, such as The Undertaker.-Wrestling:...
, or the name they are best known by.
- When MattMatt HardyMatthew Moore "Matt" Hardy is a semi-retired American professional wrestler. He is best known for his stints in World Wrestling Entertainment and Total Nonstop Action Wrestling ....
and Jeff HardyJeff HardyJeffrey Nero "Jeff" Hardy is an American professional wrestler, who is currently signed to Total Nonstop Action Wrestling , where he is a former two–time TNA World Heavyweight Champion...
's Organization of Modern Extreme Grappling ArtsOrganization of Modern Extreme Grappling ArtsThe Organization of Modern Extreme Grappling Arts, also known as OMEGA, is an independent professional wrestling promotion based in central North Carolina....
(OMEGA) promotion closed down, many of the wrestlers went to compete in NWA Wildside, including:- Caprice Coleman
- Shane Helms (Hurricane Helms)Gregory HelmsGregory Shane Helms is an American professional wrestler. He is best known for his time with World Wrestling Entertainment where he wrestled as The Hurricane and Gregory Helms. He is also known for his time with World Championship Wrestling where he wrestled as "Sugar" Shane Helms...
- Matt Hardy
- Shannon Moore