South Atlantic Pro Wrestling (SAPW, formerly known as the North American Wrestling Association) was a professional wrestling promotion founded by George Scott, John Ringley and Mike Lamberth in Charlotte, North Carolina in 1990, and later taken over by Paul Jones and Frank Dusek. It was the last effort to revive the NWA's Mid-Atlantic wrestling territory.
History and overview Formation The North American Wrestling Association was founded by George Scott, John Ringley and Mike Lamberth in January 1990. The first event and TV taping was held in Sumter, South Carolina on February 8, 1990. Matches from these shows were first shown in March and April 1990.
The first North American Heavyweight Champion, Robert Fuller, won the championship in an 18-man tournament by defeating Ricky Steamboat in the finals on June 30, 1990, in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. The first North American Tag Team Champions were crowned in a tournament final that same month, also in Winston-Salem, when The Nasty Boys defeated Danny Allen and Bob Emery.
Scott and Ringley, as former Jim Crockett Promotions employees, recognized the importance of television exposure. The group purchased all the old JCP market stations in the Carolinas along with the original timeslots. In July 1990, Paul Jones and Frank Dusek took over the promotion and negotiated a deal with the America One Network to air "South Atlantic Pro Wrestling" on Friday nights later that year.
Territorial reach George Scott and his partners hoped to revive the National Wrestling Alliance's old Mid-Atlantic wrestling territory which traditionally covered Virginia, North Carolina and South Carolina. After securing key television markets in the Carolinas, the promotion signed contracts with all the old Jim Crockett Promotions arenas to hold pro wrestling shows on a regular basis. Within the first year of operation, house shows and TV tapings were held at the Columbia Township Auditorium, Grady Cole Center, Greenwood Civic Center, Limestone College Gym, and the Winston-Salem Memorial Coliseum. SAPW tours also included high school gyms, rec centers, and fairs in cities throughout Georgia, Mississippi, Virginia, and the Carolinas. In August 1991, SAPW held a benefit show in Wentworth, North Carolina for Operation Family Shield, a support group established by then Governor Jim Martin, that provided financial assistance to military families of North Carolina National Guardsmen and U.S. Army reservists stationed in the Persian Gulf.
Notable talent SAPW featured many Mid-Atlantic veterans such as Big John Studd, Bob Orton Jr., Ivan Koloff, Junkyard Dog, Manny Fernandez, Matt Bourne, Paul Jones, Randy Colley, Ricky Steamboat, Robert Fuller, Ron Garvin, Tommy Rich, Wahoo McDaniel, and The Fantastics. Other legends such as Lou Thesz, Johnny Weaver, and Tim Woods appeared alongside SAPW announcer Ted Webb as special guest commentators for "South Atlantic Pro Wrestling". Bob Caudle also joined the promotion in late 1991. Henry Marcus, another longtime JCP associate, promoted his final house show for the group.
The promotion also showcased younger talent, including Baron Samdi, Curtis Thompson, Dean Malenko, Nelson Frazier, The Patriot, P. N. News, Ric Savage, Rob Van Dam, Vince Torelli, The American Pit Bulldogs and The Nasty Boys. Chris Chavis, who had trained under Larry Sharpe at the Monster Factory prior to his SAPW debut, was its first breakout star. During his first year in SAPW, he was voted 3rd runner up for Rookie of the Year in Pro Wrestling Illustrated. Chavis was also awarded the SAPW Heavyweight Championship before being signed to the World Wrestling Federation. Chavis attributed his early success to Ricky Steamboat and Wahoo McDaniel who mentored him during his time in SAPW.
Style and controversy SAPW catered to traditional Southern wrestling fans that had grown up during the Mid-Atlantic territory's "glory years" of previous decades. The promoters promised a back-to-basics approach to pro wrestling that provided an alternative to "sports entertainment" marketed by the World Wrestling Federation. They were also critical of the independent promotions beginning to emerge with the weakening of the NWA. Its "family friendly" environment was not without controversy, however, as a real-life fight between Ken Shamrock and The Nasty Boys left the future UFC fighter hospitalized. The drunken brawl had reportedly woken up other wrestlers staying in the motel. Frank Dusek claimed that it was only the intervention of Robert Fuller and the American Pit Bulldogs (Rex and Spike) that prevented Knobbs and Saggs from throwing the unconscious wrestler over the third floor balcony of their motel room. Shamrock suffered a broken sternum and a caved in eye socket as a result of the two-on-one attack.
World Wrestling Council The promotion had a brief association with the World Wrestling Council after Manny Fernandez became SAPW's booker in August 1991. In November of that year, Fernandez was "suspended" from the promotion when he took the SAPW Heavyweight Championship to Puerto Rico. This led to a cross promotional effort with the WWC which saw Fernandez defend the belt as the "WWC North America Champion".
Demise In spite of a strong start, the promotion operated at a loss during its first six months in business. George Scott lost an estimated $600,000 before deciding to cut his losses and retire to Florida. There was a noticeable drop in quality after the original investors pulled out and many of the promotion's top stars left the area. "South Atlantic Pro Wrestling" remained in the Friday night death slot throughout its two-year run. Jones and Dusek eventually sold SAPW to North Carolina promoter Greg Price who ran the promotion during its final year. Its last official show was held in Cerro Gordo, North Carolina on August 1, 1992.
Alumni Male wrestlers Birth name:Ring name(s):Tenure:NotesBrad AndersonThe Viper1990–1991Scott Studd1992Ronnie Garvin1991Tommy Angel1991–1992Ricky Steamboat1990Vladimir Koloff1991–1992Jay Eagle1990Neil Superior1992Chris Chavis1990–1991The Nightstalker1992Chuck Coates1990Randy Colley1990Butch MaloneThe White Knight1990–19911992American Bulldog SpikePitbulldog Spike1990–1991Manny Fernandez1991Chaz Rocco1992Death Squad #11992Paul Jones1990–1991The Storm Trooper1991Carlos Colón1991The Black Scorpion1992Jackie Fulton1990–1991Bobby Fulton1990–1991Death Squad #21992Mike Maverick1990–1992Sumo Riki1991Colt Steele19901992Vince Torelli1990–1991Tex Sallinger1990Brian Knobbs1990Stan Lane1991Gene LigonThunderfoot1990Wahoo McDaniel1991–1992Big John Studd1990Rip Morgan1990Rikki Nelson1991P. N. News1992Jack Lord1990Bob Orton, Jr.1990Matt BorneThe Maniac1990Smasher Sloan1991Ivan Koloff1990–1992Tommy Rich1992Jack Victory1990Junkyard Dog1991–1992Ranger Ross1990–1991Gary Royal1991Jerry Sags1990Frank Dusek19901991Dean Malenko1990Sam Houston1990–1991 Rob Van DamRob Zakowski1991–1992Siva Afi1991J.T. Thomas1990Curtis Thompson1990–1991Robert Fuller1990–1991Shaska Whatley1991–1992The Patriot1991 1992Rick WilsonRicky Wilson1990American Bulldog RexPitbulldog Rex1990–1991Baron Samedi1990Allen KenseyAlan Kinsey1990American GI1991The Assassin1992Beau RaginBo RaginBob Ragin1990Bob Emory19901991Brian Johnson1990Bubba Kirk1990Buddy Blonz1992Chuck Roberts1990Clarence Sowell1990 Colin OrsackThe Texas Battleship1990Cruel Connection I19901991Cruel Connection II1991The Crusader1991Dan Grundy1990Darrell Woodworth1990Darrin Stevens1992David Isley19901992David Sledge1990 David Studemire1990David Taylor1991–1992Dennis Fowler1990Denny BrownThe Red Raider1991Derrick Dukes1990Dr. X1990Ebony Austin1992The Enforcer1990Eric Cooper1990Gary Booth1990Gary Simone1990The Gladiator1990Gordon Lambert1992The Grappler1990–1992Greg Bobchick1991–1992Greg Brown1990 The Heartthrob 1991Helmut Hessler1991–1992Hunter Thompson1990The Iron Man1990Jeff Collette1991Jeff Husker1991–1992Jerry Price1990Jerry Rose19901991Jim Elliot1990Jimmy Johnson1991Johnny Blitz1992Johnny B. Goode1991Johnny Del Rio1991–1992Johnny Kidd1992 Johnny ZJohnny Ziegler1990Kokla Khan1990Lee Ramsey1990Luther D1990Lynn Wagner1990Mac Mason1990Mad Bull1992Madd Maxx1992The Maneater1990–1991Mark Fleming1990The Masked Bammer1992Matt BurnsMat Burns1991Matt Dozer1992The Mighty Atar1991–1992Mike Cavanar1990Mike Crockett1990Mike Curevich1990Mike Rexx1990Mike Somani1990Mike Starr1991–1992Mike Wallace1990Nicky Hawks1991–1992The Ninja1992Richard Beck1992Rick SlagleRinglord Rick1990–1992Rick Starr19901991Robert Booth1990Robert Campbell1990–1991Roughhouse Graham1991–1992The Russian Assassin1991Rusty Riddle1992Rusty Stevens1990Sammy MartinSammy Morton1990Scotty Piper1991Speedy GonzalesRinglord Speedy1990–1992The Starman1991Stone Cold1992Thomas St. John1990Tommy PoundThe Convict1991-92TJ Roberts1992Tom Atlas1990Tom Lively1990Tommy Gunn1991–1992Tommy Landell1990–1991Tommy Seabolt1990–1992Trent Knight1990–1991Trooper Max1992Tyrone Knox1991–1992William Ford1990William Winfield1992Willie Clay1992
Female wrestlers Birth name:Ring name(s):Tenure:NotesLady XPeggy Lee Leather1991–1992Bambi1991–1992Velvet McIntyre1992Leilani Kai1991Betty Blonz1992Stacy Lee Austin1992Susie Krueger1992
Stables and tag teams Tag team/Stable(s)MembersTenure(s)The American Bulldogs / The Pit BulldogsRex and Spike1990–1991The Death SquadDeath Squad #1 and Death Squad #21992The German Stormtroopers / The StormtroopersHelmut Hessler and Hans Schmidt1991The Nasty BoysBrian Knobs and Jerry Sags1990The New FantasticsBobby Fulton and Jackie Fulton1990–1991Paul Jones' RangersPaul Jones, Ranger Ross, Bo Ragin, Vince Torelli and Chris Chavis1990The Royal Family Jack Victory and Rip Morgan1990The RussiansIvan Koloff and Vladimir Koloff1992The RinglordsRinglord Rick and Ringlord Speedy1990–1992The Stud StableRobert Fuller, Matt Borne, Tex Salenger, Curtis Thompson, The Maneater, Luther D, The Nasty Boys, and The Pitbulldogs1990The TNT ExpressTommy Seabolt and Tommy Angel1991–1992
Managers and valets Birth name:Ring name(s):Tenure:NotesKevin "The Truth" Casey1991Paul Jones1990–1991Robert Fuller1990–1991
Commentators and interviewers Birth name:Ring name(s):Tenure:NotesRicky Steamboat1990Guest color commentatorPaul Jones1990–1991Color commentatorVince Torelli1990Color commentatorGene Ligon1990Color commentatorBig John Studd1990Guest color commentatorFrank Dusek1990–1991Play-by-play commentatorGeorge Scott1990Guest color commentatorGeorge Scott, Jr.1990Color commentatorLou Thesz1990Guest color commentatorJohnny Weaver1990Guest color commentatorTed Webb1990Play-by-play commentatorRobert Fuller1990Color commentatorMr. Wrestling1990Guest color commentator
Referees Birth name:Ring name(s):Tenure:NotesLeroy Ramsey1990–1991Byron Richards1990–1991
Other personnel Birth name:Ring name(s):Tenure:NotesPaul Jones1990–1991OwnerMike Lamberth1990OwnerGreg Price1991–1992OwnerJohn Ringley1990OwnerFrank Dusek1990–1991OwnerGeorge Scott1990Owner
Company name to YearCompany name:Years:North American Wrestling Association1990South Atlantic Pro Wrestling1990–1992Notes † Indicates they are deceased. ‡ Indicates they died while they were employed with SAPW. GWF Indicates they were part of a talent exchange with the Global Wrestling Federation. WWC Indicates they were part of a talent exchange with the World Wrestling Council.
Championships SAPW Heavyweight Championship