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World Association of Wrestling
AcronymWAW
Founded1994
StyleProfessional wrestling
Sports entertainment
HeadquartersNorwich, Norfolk
Founder(s)Ricky Knight
Sweet Saraya
Jimmy Ocean
Owner(s)Ricky Knight
Sweet Saraya
Zak Knight[1]
SisterBellatrix Female Warriors
Websitehttps://wawuk.com/

World Association of Wrestling (WAW) is a British independent professional wrestling promotion founded by Ricky Knight, Sweet Saraya, and Jimmy Ocean in 1994 in Norwich, England. It is affiliated with the all-female promotion Bellatrix Female Warriors which is also owned by Saraya Knight. The promotion features British-style wrestling and uses British rules.[1][2]

History

Ricky Knight, Sweet Saraya, and Jimmy Ocean formed WAW in 1994 in Norwich.[2][3] Ocean left the business after approximately one year.[4] In 2005, Ricky Knight and Sweet Saraya formed the World Association of Women's Wrestling, although the name was later changed to Bellatrix Female Warriors.[5]

In 2014, WAW ran more than 100 shows.[5] In September 2016, WAW began airing on Mustard TV.[2] American wrestler Scott Hall was previously a backstage agent for the promotion, working behind the scenes at television tapings and appeared in an on-screen authority role as WAW Commissioner.[1]

The promotion was featured in the 2012 Channel 4 documentary The Wrestlers: Fighting with My Family about the Knight family.[1] It was featured in the film Fighting with My Family, which was based on the documentary.[1]

Former Norwich City striker Grant Holt and 2012 Olympics boxing bronze medallist Anthony Ogogo both began their wrestling careers with WAW.[6]

In 2020, WAW was featured in another documentary, this time on BBC Three. A four-part series, Step Into The Ring followed the lives of five young wrestlers battling against physical and mental health issues to pursue professional careers under the guidance of Zak Knight.[7]

WAW Academy

The promotion also includes a wrestling school, The WAW Academy, which trains in the British catch-as-catch-can wrestling style.[3][5] Trainees perform for both WAW and Bellatrix Female Warriors.[5] The academy trains wrestlers of all ages, including children.[5] Interest in the school increased after Ricky Knight and Sweet Saraya's daughter Saraya-Jade was signed by the WWE in 2011.[5] Zak Knight and Sweet Saraya are the head trainers at the academy, but they also bring in guest trainers, as well.[1] Past guest trainers have included Scott Hall, Dave Taylor, Mr. Anderson, Steve Grey, Mal Sanders, Marty Jones, Jonny Storm, Dean Allmark, and more.

Championships

Current

Championship Champion(s) Previous Date won Days Reference
WAW World Heavyweight Championship Roy Knight PJ Knight 2 April 2022 690+ [8]
WAW World Tag Team Championship The Norfolk Killers (RKJ and Brett Semtex) The UK Hooligans (Zak Knight and Roy Knight) 20 February 2022 731+ [9]
WAW World Light Heavyweight Championship Aaron O'Malley Marvel Marcus 27 November 2021 816+ [10]
WAW Open International Championship Brody Steele Aaron O'Malley 22 September 2018 1,978+ [11]
WAW European Heavyweight Championship Zak Zodiac Vacant 28 May 2022 634+ [12]
WAW British Heavyweight Championship Brad Slayer Nathan Cruz 2 April 2022 690+ [13]
WAW Television Championship Ricky Knight Jr. Alexander Young 5 May 2018 2,118+ [14]
WAW People's Championship Tony Knight Saraya Knight 28 May 2022 634+ [15]
WAW Under-23 Championship Jaiden Docwra Dillon Slade 19 February 2022 732+ [16]
WAW Academy Championship Kobe Nitro Oscar Hyde 9 April 2022 683+ [17]
WAW Academy Tag Team Championship Heavy Thunder (Keegan and Rip Parker) The Battlekats 8 January 2022 774+ [18]

Retired

Championship Last champion(s) Date won Date retired Previous champion(s) First champion(s) Reference
RQW World Heavyweight Championship Luke Hawx 19 March 2016 14 May 2016 Roy Knight Robbie Brookside [19]
RQW European Tag Team Championship The UK Hooligans (Zak Knight and Roy Knight) 1 May 2015 14 May 2016 K4 (King Kendo and Karl Kramer) Team Charming (Jack Storm and Dave Moralez) [20]
RQW European Cruiserweight Championship Mitchell Starr 22 May 2016 5 June 2016 Peter Nixon Bubblegum [21]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f Evans, Aaron (April 30, 2017). "Zak Knight talks about the growth of WAW, Paige's future and The Rock falling in love with his family". Memorabilia Guy. Retrieved April 30, 2017.
  2. ^ a b c Hannant, David (August 12, 2016). "World Association of Wrestling set to hit the screens of Mustard TV". Norwich Evening News. Retrieved April 25, 2017.
  3. ^ a b "The History of WAW". WAW. Retrieved March 2, 2017.
  4. ^ "INTERVIEW: ZAK KNIGHT, SWEET SARAYA AND RICKY KNIGHT". The Student Pocket Guide. July 1, 2016. Retrieved March 2, 2017.
  5. ^ a b c d e f Murphy, Dan. "Europeans stars ready to shine at Bellatrix 8". SLAM! Wrestling. Archived from the original on April 28, 2017. Retrieved April 27, 2017.
  6. ^ "From Premier League player to wrestler, Grant Holt on his love of grappling, meeting Billy Gunn and WWE". Talksport.
  7. ^ "BBC Three - Step into the Ring". BBC. Retrieved 2021-07-22.
  8. ^ "WAW World Heavyweight Championship". WAW. Retrieved 6 April 2022.
  9. ^ "WAW World Tag Team Championship". WAW. Retrieved 16 March 2022.
  10. ^ "WAW World Light Heavyweight Championship". WAW. Retrieved 25 January 2022.
  11. ^ "WAW Open International Championship". WAW. Retrieved 18 February 2020.
  12. ^ "WAW European Heavyweight Championship". WAW. Retrieved 6 April 2022.
  13. ^ "WAW British Heavyweight Championship". WAW. Retrieved 6 April 2022.
  14. ^ "WAW Television Championship". WAW. Retrieved 18 February 2020.
  15. ^ "WAW People's Championship". WAW. Retrieved 25 January 2022.
  16. ^ "WAW Under-23 Championship". WAW. Retrieved 16 March 2022.
  17. ^ "WAW Academy Championship". WAW. Retrieved 25 January 2022.
  18. ^ "WAW Academy Tag Team Championship". WAW. Retrieved 25 January 2022.
  19. ^ "RQW World Heavyweight Championship". WAW. Retrieved April 30, 2017.
  20. ^ "RQW European Tag Team Championship". WAW. Retrieved April 30, 2017.
  21. ^ "RQW European Cruiserweight Championship". WAW. Retrieved April 30, 2017.

External links

Professional wrestling in the United Kingdom and Ireland
Knight wrestling family
Categories