Rob Faint
Out of the ashes of the AWA rose the PWA, or Pro Wrestling America. With no television and no advertising, they somehow managed to turn a profit every year they existed.
The PWA was formed in 1985 by Eddie Sharkey. Frustrated by Verne Gagne’s poor payouts, Sharkey, along with several other wrestlers, decided to form their own organization. He populated it with his trainees like the Road Warriors, Barry Darsow, and Rick Rood and some veterans such as Mad Dog Vachon, Steve Regal and Bruiser Brody. With its headquarters in Minneapolis, he was in direct competition with the AWA. Eventually the AWA and PWA implemented a talent exchange. Much later, the USWA and the GWF shared talent as well.
The PWA was one of the first organizations to feature light heavyweights, with wrestlers like the Lightning Kid, Jerry Lynn and Sabu headlining cards. They also allowed their titles to be defended outside of their established territories. (For example, the PWA Light Heavyweight Championship was defended on a GWF card)
The PWA recognized several titles:
The PWA heavyweight title was established in 1985; its status is unknown today. The last known defense was sometime in 2012.
Notable champions: Mad Dog Vachon (1st champion), Charlie Norris, Jerry Lynn, Ricky Rice.
The PWA Iron Horse Television Championship was active from 1985 to 1990.
Notable champions: Derrick Dukes, The Lightning Kid.
The PWA Light Heavyweight Championship was active from 1985 to 1992.
Notable champions: The Lightning Kid, Jerry Lynn, Steve Regal (who at the time was the AWA Jr heavyweight champion)
The PWA Tag Team Championship was active from 1985 to 1996.
Notable champions: The Terminators, Top Gun, The Fantastics, The Steiner Brothers
Note: This match, Maximum Overdrive (champs) vs the Steiners, was at Clash of The Champions 12; it was not billed as a title bout in WCW, but billed as such in PWA. The championship was vacated due to absence, even though the Steiners were not aware that they were champions.