In September 1985, the AWA began airing weekly programming onESPN, giving the promotion the national exposure already enjoyed by theWorld Wrestling Federation (onUSA Network) and the NWA'sGeorgia/World Championship Wrestling (onTBS). However, weekly AWA shows were not treated with any priority by the cable network, sometimes being delayed, preempted by live programming, or suffering from occasional changes in time slot, making it difficult for fans to tune in on a regular basis. Following the disastrousTeam Challenge Series,[2][3] the AWA lost its contract with ESPN and became virtually inactive by late 1990.
For many years, the AWA held their television tapings in their home base ofMinneapolis, Minnesota (for theirsyndicatedAll-Star Wrestling program), at theWTCN television studios. However, in early 1985, AWA promoterVerne Gagne made the decision to hold some television tapings at theTropicana Hotel inAtlantic City, New Jersey. When Gagne signed the deal with ESPN later that same year, he along with the ESPN management felt that another location for the AWA television tapings was necessary. Ultimately, Gagne and ESPN settled on theShowboat Sports Pavilion inLas Vegas, Nevada. Both the WWF on the USA Network and the NWA on TBS were able to draw more crowds than the AWA's ESPN program.[4] The ESPN tapings in Las Vegas often took place in front of small, silent crowds.[5] In 1989, they taped from theRochester, MinnesotaCivic Center until their final taping on August 11, 1990.
Rod Trongard's voice was featured on the AWA's weekly ESPN broadcasts, reaching millions of homes around the world. His signature phrase was "From coast to coast, continent to continent, and border to border". During broadcasts, he often included city names in the phrase, signifying the broad reach of wrestling and the AWA's broadcasts at the time. Trongard called matches alongside fellow commentators Lord James Blears andLee Marshall.[6][7]Ralph Strangis' earliest national exposure was as play-by-play man andring announcer for the American Wrestling Association on ESPN,[8] where he worked alongside Lee Marshall,[9] and laterEric Bischoff,[10] in the waning days of that promotion.
The October 12, 1986, main event from Showboat Sports Pavilion ofCurt Hennig vs.Larry Zbyszko with Mr. Go.
By the near end of 1986,Curt Hennig was deemed the top challenger toAWA World ChampionNick Bockwinkel. The ever relentless Hennig wrestled Bockwinkel to a one-hour draw in a match seen nationwide on ESPN.[11]
In the spring of 1987,Sherri Martel beganmanagingKevin Kelly. Her most memorable moment as his manager came when she interfered in anarm wrestling match between Kelly andTommy Rich onAWA Championship Wrestling. Rich got immediate revenge by cornering the escaping Martel and ripping her dress off to reveal a strapless pink teddy and black stockings. In the following weeks, Rich would come to ringside during Kelly's matches and taunt Martel with her stolen dress.
In 1987,Wahoo McDaniel was brought into the AWA to challengeCurt Hennig for the World Title in a series of ultra stiff brawls. Ultimately, Hennig emerged victorious in the feud by beating McDaniel in anIndian Strap match seen nationwide on ESPN.[5]
In the weeks following December 13, 1988, pay-per-view,SuperClash III, ESPN aired bouts from the aforementioned pay-per-view broadcast and did not show any new AWA matches.[12]
AfterJerry Lawler was stripped of the AWA World Title (for refusing to defend it following the SuperClash III pay-per-view due to a dispute with Verne Gagne over the payout from SuperClash III), aBattle Royal to decide the new AWA Champion was held inSt Paul, Minnesota, on February 7, 1989. When the Battle Royal to crown a new champ (which was ultimately,Larry Zbyszko, who emerged victorious after eliminatingTom Zenk) aired on ESPN a week or so later, the announcers, particularlyLee Marshall, tried toburyJerry Lawler.
