National Wrestling Alliance: The Untold Story of the Monopoly that Strangled Pro Wrestling
Beginning in 1948, a nationwide cartel of sports promoters united to streamline their wrestling interests and organized a system to both share talent and recognize champions. They came to a central agreement that would benefit all parties, and promised not to invade the territory of their fellow associates or act outside the official By-Laws. The union these bold individuals formed was the National Wrestling Alliance, an organization that would soon capture the heart of the professional wrestling world, and condemn anyone not affiliated.
Professional wrestling was a $25 million-a-year industry and the members of the NWA wanted to control every aspect of the sport, from television outlets to big name performers. As they expanded and devised novel ways to constrict opposition or tame unruly grapplers, the Alliance was met with harsh criticism, eventually drawing the attention of the U.S. Department of Justice.
Backed into a corner, NWA members relied on political connections to ease out of the bind, but signed a decree stating they would adhere to the rules of law. In the years that followed, the crafty promoters tested the will of the Justice Department, while Sam Muchnick, the NWA's staunchest supporter, tried his best to keep the coalition alive.
National Wrestling Alliance: The Untold Story of the Monopoly that Strangled Pro Wrestling examines the NWA's overwhelming success and looks at how members protected their territories for over 50 years. Breaking the façade of sports production, it shows how promoters actually twisted arms to edge out their opponents.
Tim Hornbaker documents the life of the NWA, from its humble beginnings in the Midwest after World War II, to its worldwide expansion. He chronicles the complete Department of Justice’s investigation, providing sports fans with a never-before-told side of wrestling’s legacy.
The most noteworthy exploits of the National Wrestling Alliance were behind locked doors. Now, the conspiracies of a century-old brand of entertainment will finally be revealed.
