This is a list of outlaw wrestling promotions in the United States, sorted by regional area, from the 1940s to 1980s. This list does not include pre-1948 groups active during the "Pioneer Era" (1900s–1940s), overseas promotions outside the NWA remit from this period or modern-day "indy promotions". Outlaw promotions are traditionally defined as professional wrestling promotions not affiliated with the National Wrestling Alliance, not recognizing the NWA World Heavyweight Championship and promoting shows in direct competition against NWA regional territories. Wrestlers who had been blackballed from the sport or were winding down their career often found a home with such promotions. These groups were often short-lived as NWA promoters would receive top stars from other members to prevent a potential takeover of a territory.
This was not always the case, however, as some promotions freely cooperated with the NWA promoters (e.g. National Wrestling Federation) while others operated in areas where there was not an established NWA presence. Upon its acrimonious exit from the NWA in summer 1983, the World Wrestling Federation became, in effect, an outlaw promotion. Longtime NWA members, such as Jim Crockett Promotions, the Universal Wrestling Federation and World Class Championship Wrestling, left the organization in order to compete with the WWF during the 1980s wrestling boom. The collapse of the NWA territory system at the end of the decade, the result of the WWF's national expansion, subsequently saw outlaw promotions being replaced by the emerging independent wrestling circuit in North America.
New England Name Location Owner(s) Years active Notes Donald Van Fleet Promotions Maine Donald Van FleetLouis Lipp 1947-1980 Toured with fairs and carnivals throughout Canada and the United States. Van Fleet's wife, Violet Ray, was the promotion's women's champion. Several wrestling stars got their start travelling with Van Fleet including Bearcat Wright, Butcher Vachon, Billy Hines, Kathy Starr and midget wrestler Little Brutus. In the late-1970s, Van Fleet also operated in Maine and Florida under the "International Wrestling League" banner.Big Time WrestlingBoston, MassachusettsTony Santos, Sr.1960–1975Century Wrestling AllianceBoston, MassachusettsTony RumbleEllen Magliaro 1989–2007Joined the NWA as NWA New England in 1997. He was the promoter there until his death in 1999. Rumble's wife, Ellen Magliaro ran it until its closure. International Championship WrestlingBoston, MassachusettsAngelo SavoldiMario Savoldi1985–1995International Wrestling FederationReading, MassachusettsKiller Kowalski1979–1996New England Wrestling AllianceLynn, MassachusettsJack Viles1975–1977New England Wrestling AssociationNew Bedford, MassachusettsJoe Eugenio1988–1993New England Wrestling Federation Boston, MassachusettsRichard Byrnes1982–1985Also known as the United States Wrestling Federation.Northeast Championship WrestlingNew Haven, ConnecticutTom Janette1983–1993Northeast Wrestling FederationWethersfield, ConnecticutMorris "Mushky" Salow1984–1985Ran against the World Wrestling Federation during the early-1980s which included a legal fight over the Springfield Civic Center. Bob Backland, a former WWF World Heavyweight Champion, served as a booker for the short-lived group.
East Coast Maryland Name Location Owner(s) Years active NotesNational Wrestling LeagueHagerstown, MarylandDick Caricofe, Chris Evans 1988– Dick Caricofe was the promoter until 2020 when COVID-19 started and Chris Evans took over. Caricofe died on May 14, 2021. Today it is still run by Evans. Wrestling Independent NetworkBaltimoreEd Zohn, Jeff Capo, Juli Blanton1992–1993
New Jersey Name Location Owner(s) Years active NotesEastern Wrestling AllianceNew JerseyTed Stanley1985Empire Wrestling FederationNew JerseyJack BarnettEnzo Morabito1983–1985Universal Wrestling AllianceWoodbridge, New JerseyDennis GalambJim Ryan1985–1990World Wrestling Association Woodbury, New JerseyLarry Sharpe1989–1998
New York Name Location Owner(s) Years active NotesCamp IWFBrooklyn, New YorkJohnny Rodz1986–1990East Coast Wrestling AssociationHauppague, New York1978-1982?International Championship WrestlingNew YorkSteve Devito1989International Wrestling AssociationBuffalo, New YorkPedro Martínez1975-1978National Wrestling Federation Buffalo, New YorkPedro Martínez1970–1974New Independent Wrestling AssociationArdsley, New YorkMicky DiFateRené Reyes1984–1985Ringside 41New York City, New York1974-1976Universal Wrestling Rochester, New YorkRoger Reed1977Vega International WrestlingNew York City, New York1978–1980World Wrestling CouncilNew York/PennsylvaniaMark Tendler1986
Pennsylvania Name Location Owner(s) Years active NotesAtlantic States Wrestling AllianceYork, PennsylvaniaEd Zohn1989–1991Also known as the Mid-Atlantic Wrestling Alliance.Atlantic Wrestling FederationHanover, PennsylvaniaMax Thrasher1988–1993East Coast Wrestling FederationEaston, PennsylvaniaPaul Swanger1983–1984North American Wrestling Pittsburgh, PennsylvaniaMike Donatelli1986–1995National Independent Championship WrestlingLehigh Valley, PennsylvaniaBob Raskin1985National Wrestling FederationLehigh Valley, PennsylvaniaD. C. DrakeBob Raskin1986–1994Super-Pro WrestlingPittsburgh, PennsylvaniaGene Dargan1984Three Rivers Wrestling AssociationPittsburgh, PennsylvaniaGene Dargan1977–1979World Wide Wrestling AllianceColmar, PennsylvaniaDino Sanna1981–
Midwest
Illinois Name Location Owner(s) Years active NotesTri-State Wrestling BridgeviewRobert J. Brooks1989Pro Wrestling International ChicagoTerry Scholl1984–1995Also known as Chicago Championship Wrestling.Southern Illinois Championship WrestlingSpringfield, IllinoisHerb Simmons1975–1992Merged with the Mid-Missouri Wrestling Alliance in 1992.Windy City WrestlingChicagoSam DeCero1988–2010
Indiana Name Location Owner(s) Years active NotesAmerican Wrestling FederationDanville, Indiana1989–1992International Wrestling AllianceIndianapolis, Indiana1989–1990Merged with the American Wrestling Federation in 1990.World Wrestling AssociationIndianapolis, IndianaDick the Bruiser1971–1990Ran against the NWA's Detroit office under Ed Farhat from 1971 to 1974.
Iowa Name Location Owner(s) Years active NotesMidwest Championship WrestlingQuad Cities, IowaDale Edwards1984–1986Ringside WrestlingClinton, IowaRocky Brewer1982–1983
Michigan Name Location Owner(s) Years active NotesContinental Wrestling Association Detroit, MichiganLuis Martinez1980-1981Broke away from NWA Big Time Wrestling in 1980.Michigan Championship WrestlingLansing, MichiganFritz BurnsRicky Cortez1977–1994Midwest All-ProBelleville, Michigan1988–1993Merged with Motor City Wrestling in 1993.National Championship WrestlingDetroit, MichiganThe SheikEd George1980–1982Superstars of WrestlingDetroit, MichiganGeorge Cannon1976–1983Also known as the Canadian Wrestling Association in select Canadian markets. Ran against the NWA's Toronto office under Frank Tunney during the mid-1970s but also had a working relationship with the NWA's Detroit office under Ed Farhat.Universal WrestlingDetroit, MichiganJack CainTony MarinoTerry Sullivan1974–1976Also known as International Wrestling in the Toledo, Ohio area. Ran against the NWA's Detroit office under Ed Farhat during the mid-1970s.Wolverine WrestlingLansing, MichiganBert RubyFritz BurnsRicky Cortez1968–1977
Minnesota Name Location Owner(s) Years active NotesPro Wrestling AmericaMinneapolis, MinnesotaEddie Sharkey1985–1996Ran against the American Wrestling Association in the mid-to-late 1980s.Western Wrestling Association New Brighton, MinnesotaBill WassermanPatricia Brown1988–
Missouri Name Location Owner(s) Years active NotesGreater St. Louis WrestlingSt. Louis, MissouriLarry Matysik1983Split with the NWA's St. Louis office following the retirement of Sam Muchnick.Mid-Missouri Wrestling AssociationSt. Louis, MissouriTony Casta1985–Merged with Southern Illinois Championship Wrestling in 1992.Henry Rogers Wrestling PromotionsMalden, MissouriHenry Rogers1963–1987Also known as NWWA Championship Wrestling.
Ohio Name Location Owner(s) Years active NotesJack Pfefer PromotionsToledo, OhioJack Pfefer1949-1951A one-time member of The Trust, Pfefer exposed the pro wrestling business to the New York Daily Mirror in 1934. He subsequently traveled the U.S. promoting his own world title, particularly in California and Ohio, with a troupe of wrestlers.American States Wrestling AllianceMansfield, OhioCharlie FultonMike Collins1988–American Wrestling FederationAthens, OhioJohn Brammer1990–1992Great Lakes Wrestling AssociationEuclid, OhioLou KokleyJoe Weaver1989–1994Midwest Championship WrestlingJackson Center, OhioJim Lancaster1981–1992Ohio Championship WrestlingCleveland, OhioHenry Robinson1982Ohio Championship WrestlingCleveland, OhioTim HamptonKen JuganEd BonzoJ.W. Hawk1982–1983Ohio Championship WrestlingOhioBob Fradd1984–1985Professional PromotionsOhioBailey BarnesWayne Oberton1976Rossco Sports PromotionsOhio1950s-1970sTri-State Wrestling AssociationOhioJohn Summers1985–1986Universal Wrestling FederationDayton, OhioBobby DavisDon LewinMark Lewin1971World Wide Championship WrestlingColumbus, OhioAngelo Martino1977Wrestling Show ClassicsCincinnati, OhioBobby Davis1969–1970Ran against the NWA Detroit office under Ed Farhat for control of northern Ohio. Held the first ever wrestling card at The Spectrum in Philadelphia in the fall of 1969.
Wisconsin Name Location Owner(s) Years active NotesInternational Wrestling PromotionsMadison, WisconsinJimmy Demetral1924–1973Mid-West WrestlingMilwaukee, Wisconsin1986Superstar WrestlingMilwaukee, WisconsinAl Patterson1982United Wrestling Association Milwaukee, WisconsinAl PattersonGrace BrazilSam Wells1983Wisconsin Wrestling FederationPalmyra, Wisconsin1984
Rocky Mountains Name Location Owner(s) Years active NotesDiamond Belt Championship WrestlingBoise, IdahoDavid Gould1980–1981Rocky Mountain WrestlingRiverton, WyomingBill AshRaoul Sanchez1980–1981
Southeast Alabama Name Location Owner(s) Years active NotesDixie WrestlingBoaz, Alabama1982South WrestlingHuntsville, AlabamaBobby Dee1982World Wrestling OrganizationMobile, AlabamaMr. Ito1988
Florida Name Location Owner(s) Years active NotesAll-American Championship WrestlingNew Port Richey, FloridaBob Hamel1983–2013Allied Sports EnterprisesMiami, FloridaMel Ziegler1972Was awarded a five-year contract to hold boxing and wrestling shows at the Miami Beach Auditorium. Ran against the NWA's Miami office under Bill Dundee in 1972.Championship Wrestling FederationTampa, FloridaBoris Malenko1991Global Wrestling AllianceSunrise, FloridaBuddy Gilbert1980-1982Also known as the World Wrestling Association.Global Wrestling AllianceBoca Raton, FloridaBob RoopBoris MalenkoRed Roberts1986–1988Independent Pro Wrestling Association Davie, FloridaRusty Brooks1988–2003Intercontinental Championship Wrestling Alliance Tampa, FloridaRon Slinker1989–1995Also known as the International Championship Wrestling Alliance.International World Wrestling AllianceTampa, FloridaBoris Malenko1982-1984Professional Wrestling AllianceJohn Davenport1985Professional Wrestling FederationTampa, FloridaDusty RhodesMike GrahamSteve Keirn1989–1991Southern Wrestling FederationClermont, FloridaJerry Grey1988–1993Sunbelt WrestlingJacksonville, Florida Don CurtisLouie Tillet1981Ran against the NWA's Florida office following a dispute with Eddie Graham.Suncoast Pro Wrestling Bradenton, FloridaHenry Raines1989–1993Universal Wrestling AssociationPanama City, FloridaLynn Austin1985World League Wrestling Jacksonville, FloridaDon Curtis1981
Georgia