National Wrestling Alliance: The Untold Story of the Monopoly that Strangled Pro Wrestling »

Timothy Hornbaker has been a professional-wrestling researcher for 10 years. He lives in Miami.

From its humble beginnings in the Midwest after World War II to its worldwide expansion and eventual dominance of a $25-million-a-year industry, the National Wrestling Alliance's (NWA) rise and fall is detailed in this dramatic tale. While celebrating the great achievements of star wrestlers like Lou Thesz, Ed "Strangler" Lewis, and Buddy Rogers, this history also exposes the inner workings of wrestling, describing in detail the Department of Justice's investigation of the NWA's operating procedures. The comprehensive study of NWA promoters and how their relationships to influential politicians, writers, and each other protected their interests for more than 50 years offers an inside look at wrestling's complicated legacy, revealing the intricate conspiracies of this century-old brand of entertainment.

GeorgiaWrestlingHistory.com

The most comprehensive and well-written reference piece associated with the business of professional wrestling. . . . Highest possible recommendation.

Introduction     VII
The Origins of a Wrestling Monopoly     1
International Expansion     13
The Undisputed Champ: Lou Thesz     30
The Backbone of the Alliance: Sam Muchnick     46
The Nekoosa Strangler: Ed "Strangler" Lewis     61
Chicago's Consummate Entrepreneur: Fred Kohler     77
The Red-Haired Shooter: Joe "Toots" Mondt     94
Wrestling's First {dollar}100,000 Gate: Thesz vs. Leone     109
United States v. The National Wrestling Alliance     120
Sonny Myers v. The NWA     143
The Founding Father Resigns     160
The Expansion of Capitol Wrestling     174
NWA World Heavyweight Champions (1948-1975)     196
Distinguished Wrestling Champions     220
Promotional Wars     250
Booking Wrestling's Future: The Members of the NWA     272
NWA World Heavyweight Champions (1975-Present)     323
NWA History (1975-Present)     346
Acknowledgments     367
About the photos     368
Photo credits     371