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World Association of Wrestling

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]

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/

History

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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

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The promotion also includes a wrestling school, The WAW Academy.[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

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Current

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Championship Champion(s) Previous Date won Days Reference
WAW World Heavyweight Championship Roy Knight PJ Knight 2 April 2022 1,001+ [8]
WAW World Tag Team Championship The Norfolk Killers (RKJ and Brett Semtex) The UK Hooligans (Zak Knight and Roy Knight) 20 February 2022 1,042+ [9]
WAW World Light Heavyweight Championship Irn Dru Marshall Jack Landers 3 March 2024 1,127+ [10]
WAW Open International Championship Brody Steele Aaron O'Malley 22 September 2018 2,289+ [11]
WAW European Heavyweight Championship Zak Zodiac Vacant 28 May 2022 945+ [12]
WAW British Heavyweight Championship Brad Slayer Nathan Cruz 2 April 2022 1,001+ [13]
WAW Television Championship Ricky Knight Jr. Alexander Young 5 May 2018 2,429+ [14]
WAW People's Championship Tony Knight Saraya Knight 28 May 2022 945+ [15]
WAW Under-23 Championship Jaiden Docwra Dillon Slade 19 February 2022 1,043+ [16]
WAW Academy Championship Kobe Nitro Oscar Hyde 9 April 2022 994+ [17]
WAW Academy Tag Team Championship Heavy Thunder (Keegan and Rip Parker) The Battlekats 8 January 2022 1,085+ [18]

Retired

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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

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References

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  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.
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