1940s
Recommended for further information:
- National Wrestling Alliance: The Untold Story of the Monopoly that Strangled Professional Wrestling by Tim Hornbaker
- HOOKER by Lou Thesz with Kit Bauman
- National Wrestling Alliance: 1948 – 1993 (Wrestling-Titles.com)
1940
06-13 Kansas City, KS
Orville Brown wins the Midwest Wrestling Association world heavyweight title for the first time.
1941
01 Wichita, KS
The first organization under the name of “National Wrestling Alliance” is founded by Billy Sandow and Max Bauman. This would later inspire Pinkie George, Des Moines, IA promoter, to use the name for his championships.
05-31 Des Moines, IA
Sports Enterprises, Inc., headed by Pinkie George, runs its inaugural wrestling card at the Riverview Park. Rudy Strongberg pins Abe Kashey in the main event.
1942
03-27 St. Louis, MO
Sam Muchnick, former associate of local promoter Tom Packs, runs his first wrestling card at the St. Louis Arena. The Swedish Angel defeats Bobby Bruns in the main event.
1943
05-09 Waterloo, IA
In the first mention of the “National Wrestling Alliance” in Iowa, Ede Virag is billed as the NWA world heavyweight champion for having defeated “both Orville Brown and Bill Longson after capturing tournaments in Minnneapolis and Philadelphia.”
1948
07-18 Waterloo, IA
The National Wrestling Alliance is founded by Pinkie George (Des Moines) and five other promoters. World heavyweight and junior heavyweight titles are officially recognized.
1949
09-17 Chicago, IL
The weekly pro-wrestling program from the Marigold Arena debuts on the DuMont Television Network. “Wrestling from Marigold” continues until 1955.
11-01 Bethany, MO
World heavyweight champion Orville Brown and Bobby Bruns are involved in automobile accident. Brown, who is scheduled to face National Wrestling Association champion Lou Thesz in a unification match in St. Louis, MO on 11-25, suffers the career-ending severe injuries.
11-25 ~ 27 St. Louis, MO
The annual convention is held. The membership has grown to 20 promoters. Lou Thesz and Leroy McGuirk are now recognized as the world champions by both the National Wrestling Alliance and the National Wrestling Association in the heavyweight and junior heavyweight divisions respectively.
12-28 Des Moines, IA
Billy Goelz, still billed as the National Wrestling Alliance world junior heavyweight champion in Iowa and Illinois, loses to National Wrestling Association champion Leroy McGuirk in a “unification” match.