World Association of Wrestling

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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 is an agent for the promotion and works behind the scenes at television tapings.[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]

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.[6]

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 David Taylor, Ken Anderson, Steve Grey, Mal Sanders, Jonny Storm, and more.

Championships[]

Current[]

Championship Champion(s) Previous Date won Days Reference
WAW World Heavyweight Championship Ricky Knight Jr. Roy Knight 2 June 2019 1,123+ [7]
WAW World Tag Team Championship The UK Hooligans (Zak Knight and Roy Knight) The Art of Pro Wrestling 30 November 2019 451+ [8]
WAW World Light Heavyweight Championship Marvel Marcus Villman 19 December 2020 395+ [9]
WAW Open International Championship Brody Steele Aaron O'Malley 22 September 2018 1,214+ [10]
WAW European Heavyweight Championship Brad O'Brien PJ Knight 27 June 2020 205+ [11]
WAW British Heavyweight Championship Sam Santari Zak Knight 5 September 2020 500+ [12]
WAW Television Championship Ricky Knight Jr. Alexander Young 5 May 2018 1,354+ [13]
WAW Under-23 Championship Dillon Slade Jaiden Docwra 4 August 2019 898+ [14]
WAW Academy Championship Ryan Richards Drew Marshall 5 December 2020 409+ [15]
WAW Academy Tag Team Championship The Staff (Sir Ryan Matthews and Mr. Hayward The Dementors (Nocturne and The Mummy) 10 October 2020 465+ [16]

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 [17]
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) [18]
RQW European Cruiserweight Championship Mitchell Starr 22 May 2016 5 June 2016 Peter Nixon Bubblegum [19]

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. Retrieved April 27, 2017.
  6. ^ "BBC Three - Step into the Ring". BBC. Retrieved 2021-07-22.
  7. ^ "WAW World Heavyweight Championship". WAW. Retrieved 18 February 2020.
  8. ^ "WAW World Tag Team Championship". WAW. Retrieved 22 July 2021.
  9. ^ "WAW World Light Heavyweight Championship". WAW. Retrieved 22 July 2020.
  10. ^ "WAW Open International Championship". WAW. Retrieved 18 February 2020.
  11. ^ "WAW European Heavyweight Championship". WAW. Retrieved 22 July 2020.
  12. ^ "WAW British Heavyweight Championship". WAW. Retrieved 22 July 2021.
  13. ^ "WAW Television Championship". WAW. Retrieved 18 February 2020.
  14. ^ "WAW Under-23 Championship". WAW. Retrieved 18 February 2020.
  15. ^ "WAW Academy Championship". WAW. Retrieved 22 July 2021.
  16. ^ "WAW Academy Tag Team Championship". WAW. Retrieved 18 February 2020.
  17. ^ "RQW World Heavyweight Championship". WAW. Retrieved April 30, 2017.
  18. ^ "RQW European Tag Team Championship". WAW. Retrieved April 30, 2017.
  19. ^ "RQW European Cruiserweight Championship". WAW. Retrieved April 30, 2017.

External links[]

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