AWA Championship Wrestling

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AWA Championship Wrestling aired on cable sports network ESPN from 1985 to 1990. It was a continuation of the earlier ESPN program Pro Wrestling USA, the co-operative venture between the American Wrestling Association (AWA) and several National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) affiliates (most notably Jim Crockett Promotions). On February 26, 2008, ESPN Classic began reairing AWA Championship Wrestling episodes. In September 1985, the AWA began airing weekly programming on ESPN, giving the promotion the national exposure already enjoyed by the World Wrestling Federation (on USA Network) and the NWA's Georgia/World Championship Wrestling (on TBS). However, weekly AWA shows were not treated with any priority by the cable network, sometimes being delayed, preempted by live programming, or suffering from occasional changes in time slot, making it difficult for fans to tune in on a regular basis. Following the disastrous Team Challenge Series, the AWA lost its contract with ESPN and became virtually inactive by late 1990.

Cast

Verne Gagne actor Billy Robinson actor Ed Francis actor Don Leo Jonathan actor Dick the Bruiser actor Red Bastien actor Mighty Igor actor Crusher Lisowski actor Gene Kiniski actor Pat Patterson actor Larry Hennig actor Harley Race actor Ole Anderson actor Adrian Adonis actor Bob Orton Jr. actor Billy Graham actor Brad Rheingans actor Ken Patera actor Jim Brunzell actor Crusher Blackwell actor