NWA World Tag Team Championship (Minneapolis version)

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NWA World Tag Team Championship
(Minneapolis version)
Details
PromotionNWA Minneapolis Wrestling and Boxing Club[1][2]
Date establishedJanuary 8, 1957[1][2]
Date retiredAugust 1960[1][2]
Statistics
First champion(s)Tiny Mills and Al Mills[1][2]
Most reignsAs team: The Kalmikoffs (Ivan and Karol Kalmikoff) (4 times)[1][2]
Individual: Verne Gagne (4 times)[1][2]
Longest reignMurder Inc. (Stan Kowalski and Tiny Mills) (193 days)[1][2]
Shortest reignHerb and Seymour Freeman (7 days)[1][2]

From January 8, 1957, through August 1960 the NWA Minneapolis Wrestling and Boxing Club promoted the Minneapolis version of the NWA World Tag Team Championship as the main professional wrestling championship for tag teams on their shows held in and around Minneapolis.[1][2] The Minneapolis Wrestling and Boxing Club was a member of the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) from its formation in 1948, but left the group in 1960 to help form the American Wrestling Association (AWA).[3] The NWA Board of Directors allowed each member, referred to as a NWA territory, to create and control its own individual "NWA World Tag Team Championship" to be defended within its territory.[3] At one point in 1957, no less than 13 different versions of the NWA World Tag Team Championship were recognized across the United States.[Championships] As with all professional wrestling championships, this championship was not contested for in competitive matches, but in matches with predetermined outcomes to maintain the illusion that professional wrestling is a competitive sport.[4]

Records indicate that brothers Al and Tiny Mills were recognized as NWA World Tag Team Champions in Minnesota in June 1953, as they lost the championship to Tony Baillargeon and Pat O'Connor on June 20, 1953. The records did not indicate how the Mills brothers won the championship, nor is it clear what happened after Baillargeon and O'Connor won the championship.[1][2] Records of an active NWA World Tag Team Championship in the Minneapolis area do not indicate new champions until January 8, 1957, when The Kalmikoffs (Ivan and Karol Kalmikoff) defeated Fritz Von Erich and Karl Von Schober in the finals of a tournament to win the championship.[1][2] In 1960 the Minneapolis promotion left the NWA to found the AWA, which meant that the last holders of the NWA championship, Murder Inc. (Stan Kowalski and Tiny Mills), became the first AWA World Tag Team Champions as all NWA-branded championships were abandoned.[1][2][5]

The Kalmikoffs held the championship a total of four times, the record both for teams and for Ivan and Karol Kalmikoffs as individuals. Verne Gagne shares the record of four championship reigns, with three different partners: Leo Nomellini, Bronko Nagurski, and Butch Levy.[1][2] Due to lack of details surrounding various championship changes, it is uncertain which team had the shortest reign; Herb and Seymore Freeman's reign of seven days is the shortest confirmed reign, but the possibility exists that another team had a shorter reign.[1][2] The last reign was also the longest reign, as Murder Inc. held the championship for 193 days before being awarded the AWA World Tag Team Championship.[1][2]

Title history[edit]

Key
No. Overall reign number
Reign Reign number for the specific champion
Days Number of days held
No. Champion Championship change Reign statistics Notes Ref.
Date Event Location Reign Days
 1  Al Mills and Tiny  June 10, 1953  House show [Note 1]  1  [Note 2] Records are unclear on who they defeated to win the championship. [1][2]
 2  Pat O'Connor and Tony Baillargeon  June 20, 1953  House show Saint Paul, MN  1  [Note 3] [1][2]
Championship history is unrecorded from June 20, 1953 to January 8, 1957.
 3  The Kalmikoffs
(Ivan Kalmikoff and Karol Kalmikoff) 		 January 8, 1957  House show Minneapolis, MN  1  49 The Kalmikoffs defeated Fritz Von Erich and Karl Von Schober in a tournament final to win the vacant championship. [1][2]
 4  The Brunetti Brothers
(Guy Brunetti and Joe Brunetti) 		 February 26, 1957  House show Minneapolis, MN  1  100 [1][2][6]
 5  The Kalmikoffs
(Ivan Kalmikoff and Karol Kalmikoff) 		 June 6, 1957  House show Minneapolis, MN  2  68 [1][2]
 6  Kinji Shibuya and Mitsu Arakawa  August 13, 1957  House show Minneapolis, MN  1  105 [1][2]
 7  The Brunetti Brothers
(Guy Brunetti and Joe Brunetti) 		 November 26, 1957  House show Minneapolis, MN  2  14 [1][2]
 8  The Atomic Blonds
(Chet Wallick and Johnny Valentine) 		 December 10, 1957  House show Minneapolis, MN  1  16 [1][2]
 9  Bronko Nagurski and Verne Gagne  December 26, 1957  House show Minneapolis, MN  1  86 [1][2]
 10  The Gallagher Brothers
(Doc Gallagher and Mike Gallagher) 		 March 22, 1958  House show Saint Paul, MN  1  54 Hard Boiled Haggerty and Kinji Shibuya defeated the Gallaghers on April 22, 1958 but the championship was returned a week later due to questionable decisions by referee Ilio DiPaolo. [1][2]
 11  Leo Nomellini and Verne Gagne (2)  May 15, 1958  House show Minneapolis, MN  1  [Note 4] [1][2]
 12  The Gallagher Brothers
(Doc Gallagher and Mike Gallagher) 		 June 3, 1958  House show [Note 1]  2  [Note 5] [1][2]
 13  Fritz Von Erich and Hans Hermann  July 1, 1958  House show Minneapolis, MN  1  [Note 6] [1][2][7]
— Vacated  September 2, 1958 — — — — The championship was vacated for undocumented reasons. [1][2]
 14  The Lisowski Brothers
Reggie and Stan Lisowski 		 November 5, 1958  House show [Note 1]  1  [Note 7] The Lisowski Brothers won a tournament to win the vacant championship. [1][2]
 15  Herb Freeman and Seymour Freeman  January 15, 1959  House show Minneapolis, MN  1  7 [1][2][8]
 16  The Lisowski Brothers
Reggie and Stan Lisowski 		 January 22, 1959  House show Minneapolis, MN  2  42 [1][2]
 17  The Kalmikoffs
(Ivan Kalmikoff and Karol Kalmikoff) 		 March 5, 1959  House show Minneapolis, MN  3  36 In April 10, 1959 Ivan gave his half to Baron Gattoni after being injured. [1][2]
 18  Butch Levy and Verne Gagne (3)  April 28, 1959  House show Minneapolis, MN  1  [Note 8] [1][2]
 19  The Kalmikoffs
(Ivan Kalmikoff and Karol Kalmikoff) 		 June 3, 1959  House show [Note 1]  4  [Note 9] The Kalmikoffs were awarded the championship because Verne Gagne was on tour outside the territory. [1][2]
 20  Butch Levy (2) and Leo Nomellini (2)  July 14, 1959  House show Minneapolis, MN  1  [Note 10] [1][2]
— Vacated  September 2, 1959 — — — — The championship was vacated when Leo Nomellini returned to play for the San Francisco 49ers in 1959. [1][2]
 21  Murder Incorporated
(Stan Kowalski and Tiny Mills (2)) 		 March 5, 1960   N/A  1  193 Murder Incorporated claimed to be International Tag Team champions in 1959, awarded the world title on this date. The Minneapolis promotion withdraws from NWA and forms American Wrestling Association in May but initially recognize NWA champions. [1][2]
 22  Leo Nomellini (3) and Verne Gagne (4)  July 19, 1960  House show Minneapolis, MN  2  [Note 11] [1][2]
 23  Murder Incorporated
(Stan Kowalski and Tiny Mills (3)) 		 August 16, 1960  House show Minneapolis, MN  2  [Note 12] Murder Incorporated were awarded the championship when Leo Nomellini returned to the NFL. Became the first AWA World Tag Team Champions when AWA stopped recognizing NWA champions. [1][2]
— Deactivated  October 4, 1960 — — — — AWA stopped promoting the NWA Tag Team Championship.

Team reigns by combined length[edit]

Key

Symbol Meaning
¤ The exact length of at least one title reign is uncertain, so the shortest possible length is used.
Rank Team No. of reigns Combined days
1 Murder, Inc.
(Stan Kowalski and Tiny Mills)		 2 281¤[Note 12]
2 The Kalmikoffs
(Ivan and Karol Kalmikoff)		 4 174¤[Note 9]
3 Joe and Guy Brunetti 2 114
4 Mitsu Arakawa and Kinji Shibuya 1 105
5 Verne Gagne and Bronko Nagurski 1 86
6 Verne Gagne and Butch Levy 1 85¤[Note 8]
7 Gallagher Brothers
(Doc and Mike Gallagher)		 2 55¤[Note 4]
8 Atomic Blonds
(Johnny Valentine and Chet Wallick)		 1 16
9 Verne Gagne and Leo Nomellini 2 14¤[Note 11]
10 Herb and Seymour Freeman 1 7
11 Butch Levy and Leo Nomellini 1 1¤[Note 10]
12 Hans Hermann and Fritz Von Erich 1 1¤[Note 6]
13 Tiny and Al Mills 1 1¤[Note 2]
14 Tony Baillargeon and Pat O'Connor 1 1¤[Note 3]

Individual reigns by combined length[edit]

Key

Symbol Meaning
¤ The exact length of at least one title reign is uncertain, so the shortest possible length is used.
Rank Wrestler No. of reigns Combined days
1 Tiny Mills 3 282¤[Note 2][Note 12]
2 Stan Kowalski 2 281¤[Note 12]
3 Verne Gagne 4 185¤[Note 8][Note 11]
4 Ivan Kalmikoff 4 174¤[Note 9]
Karol Kalmikoff 4 174¤[Note 9]
6 Guy Brunetti 2 114
Joe Brunetti 2 114
8 Kinji Shibuya 1 105
Mitsu Arakawa 1 105
10 Bronko Nagurski 1 86
Butch Levy 2 86¤[Note 8][Note 10]
12 Doc Mike Gallagher 2 55¤[Note 4]
Mike Gallagher 2 55¤[Note 4]
14 Chet Wallick 1 16
Johnny Valentine 1 16
16 Leo Nomellini 3 15¤[Note 10][Note 11]
17 Herb Freeman 1 7
Seymour Freeman 1 7
19 Tony Baillargeon 1 1¤[Note 3]
Hans Hermann 1 1¤[Note 6]
Al Mills 1 1¤[Note 2]
Fritz Von Erich 1 1¤[Note 6]
Pat O'Connor 1 1¤[Note 3]

Footnotes[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d The location of the match was not captured as part of the championship documentation.
  2. ^ a b c d The date the championship was won and lost has not been documented which means the championship reign lasted anywhere between 1 day and 20 days.
  3. ^ a b c d The date the championship was lost has not been documented which means the championship reign lasted anywhere between 1 day and 1,297 days.
  4. ^ a b c d The date the championship was lost has not been documented which means the championship reign lasted anywhere between 1 day and −319 days.
  5. ^ The date the championship was won has not been documented which means the championship reign lasted anywhere between 1 day and 46 days.
  6. ^ a b c d The date the championship was vacated has not been documented which means the championship reign lasted anywhere between 1 day and 151 days.
  7. ^ The date the championship won lost has not been documented which means the championship reign lasted anywhere between 46 days and 75 days.
  8. ^ a b c d The date the championship was lost has not been documented which means the championship reign lasted anywhere between 85 days and 115 days.
  9. ^ a b c d The date the championship was won has not been documented which means the championship reign lasted anywhere between 4 days and 43 days.
  10. ^ a b c d The date the championship was vacated has not been documented which means the championship reign lasted anywhere between 1 day and 170 days.
  11. ^ a b c d The date the championship was lost has not been documented which means the championship reign lasted anywhere between 13 days and 43 days.
  12. ^ a b c d The exact date the AWA stopped promoting the NWA Tag Team Championship is unclear, leaving length of the reign too uncertain to calculate.

Concurrent championships[edit]

Sources for 13 simultaneous NWA World Tag Team Championships

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak al am an ao Duncan, Royal; Will, Gary (2000). "(Minneapolis) Minnesota: NWA World Tag Team Title [Karbo & Gagne]". Wrestling title histories: professional wrestling champions around the world from the 19th century to the present. Pennsylvania: Archeus Communications. ISBN 0-9698161-5-4.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak al am an ao "National Wrestling Alliance World Tag Team Title [Minneapolis]". Wrestling-Titles. Retrieved February 21, 2017.
  3. ^ a b Hornbaker, Tim (2007). "The Origins of a Wrestling Monopoly". National Wrestling Alliance, The Untold Story of the Monopoly that Strangled Pro Wrestling. ECW Press. ISBN 978-1-55022-741-3.
  4. ^ Mazer, Sharon (February 1, 1998). Professional Wrestling: Sport and Spectacle. University Press of Mississippi. pp. 18–19. ISBN 1-57806-021-4. Retrieved June 19, 2016.
  5. ^ Duncan, Royal; Will, Gary (2000). "United States: 19th century & widely defended titles – NWA, WWF, AWA, IWA, ECW, NWA: AWA World Tag Team Title". Wrestling title histories: Professional wrestling champions around the world from the 19th century to the present. Pennsylvania: Archeus Communications. p. 28. ISBN 0-9698161-5-4.
  6. ^ Hoops, Brian (February 26, 2017). "Daily pro wrestling history (02/26): Verne Gagne wins AWA title on his birthday". Wrestling Observer Figure Four Online. Retrieved February 27, 2017.
  7. ^ Hoops, Brian (July 1, 2015). "On this day in pro wrestling history (July 1): Ric Flair stripped of WCW title, Von Erich win WCCW Tag titles". Wrestling Observer Figure Four Online. Retrieved February 11, 2017.
  8. ^ Hoops, Brian (January 15, 2019). "Pro wrestling history (01/15): Big John Studd wins 1989 Royal Rumble". Wrestling Observer Figure Four Online. Retrieved January 18, 2019.
  9. ^ Duncan, Royal; Will, Gary (2000). "(Los Angeles) California: NWA World Tag Team Title [Nichols, Doyle & Eaton]". Wrestling title histories: professional wrestling champions around the world from the 19th century to the present. Pennsylvania: Archeus Communications. ISBN 0-9698161-5-4.
  10. ^ "National Wrestling Alliance World Tag Team Title [Los Angeles – 1950s". Wrestling-Titles. Retrieved February 21, 2017.
  11. ^ Duncan, Royal; Will, Gary (2000). "(San Francisco) California: NWA World Tag Team Title[Joe Malcewicz]". Wrestling title histories: professional wrestling champions around the world from the 19th century to the present. Pennsylvania: Archeus Communications. ISBN 0-9698161-5-4.
  12. ^ "National Wrestling Alliance World Tag Team Title [San Francisco 1950s]". Wrestling-Titles. Retrieved February 21, 2017.
  13. ^ Duncan, Royal; Will, Gary (2000). "(Kansas and Western Missouri) Kansas City: NWA World Tag Team Title [Karras & Geigel]". Wrestling title histories: professional wrestling champions around the world from the 19th century to the present. Pennsylvania: Archeus Communications. ISBN 0-9698161-5-4.
  14. ^ "NWA World Tag Team Title [Central States]". wrestling-titles.com. Retrieved March 24, 2015.
  15. ^ Duncan, Royal; Will, Gary (2000). "(Chicago) Illinois: NWA World Tag Team Title [Kohler]". Wrestling title histories: professional wrestling champions around the world from the 19th century to the present. Pennsylvania: Archeus Communications. ISBN 0-9698161-5-4.
  16. ^ "National Wrestling Alliance World Tag Team Title [Illinois & Wisconsin]". Wrestling-Titles. Retrieved February 21, 2017.
  17. ^ Duncan, Royal; Will, Gary (2000). "Ohio and Upstate New York: NWA World Tag Team Title [George & Bruins]". Wrestling title histories: professional wrestling champions around the world from the 19th century to the present. Pennsylvania: Archeus Communications. ISBN 0-9698161-5-4.
  18. ^ "NWA World Tag Team Title [Ohio / Northern New York]". Wrestling-Titles. Retrieved February 21, 2017.
  19. ^ Duncan, Royal; Will, Gary (2000). "Georgia: NWA World Tag Team Title [Gunkel & Barnett]". Wrestling title histories: professional wrestling champions around the world from the 19th century to the present. Pennsylvania: Archeus Communications. ISBN 0-9698161-5-4.
  20. ^ "National Wrestling Alliance World Tag Team Title [Georgia]". Wrestling-Titles. Retrieved February 21, 2017.
  21. ^ Duncan, Royal; Will, Gary (2000). "Iowa / Nebraska: NWA World Tag Team Title [George & Clayton]". Wrestling title histories: professional wrestling champions around the world from the 19th century to the present. Pennsylvania: Archeus Communications. ISBN 0-9698161-5-4.
  22. ^ "National Wrestling Alliance World Tag Team Title [Iowa/Nebraska]". Wrestling-Titles. Retrieved February 21, 2017.
  23. ^ Duncan, Royal; Will, Gary (2000). "(Indianapolis) Indiana: NWA World Tag Team Title [Kohler, Patton & Estes]". Wrestling title histories: professional wrestling champions around the world from the 19th century to the present. Pennsylvania: Archeus Communications. ISBN 0-9698161-5-4.
  24. ^ "National Wrestling Alliance World Tag Team Title [Indianapolis]". Wrestling-Titles. Retrieved February 21, 2017.
  25. ^ Duncan, Royal; Will, Gary (2000). "Idaho / Utah: NWA World Tag Team Title [Reynolds]". Wrestling title histories: professional wrestling champions around the world from the 19th century to the present. Pennsylvania: Archeus Communications. ISBN 0-9698161-5-4.
  26. ^ "World Tag Team Title [Northwest Tri-State]". Wrestling-Titles. Retrieved February 21, 2017.
  27. ^ Duncan, Royal; Will, Gary (2000). "(Amarillo) Texas: NWA World Tag Team Title [Sarpolis and Funk]". Wrestling title histories: professional wrestling champions around the world from the 19th century to the present. Pennsylvania: Archeus Communications. ISBN 0-9698161-5-4.
  28. ^ "National Wrestling Alliance World Tag Team Titles [W. Texas]". Wrestling-Titles. Retrieved February 21, 2017.
  29. ^ Duncan, Royal; Will, Gary (2000). "Texas: NWA World Tag Team Title [Siegel, Boesch and McLemore]". Wrestling title histories: professional wrestling champions around the world from the 19th century to the present. Pennsylvania: Archeus Communications. ISBN 0-9698161-5-4.
  30. ^ "National Wrestling Alliance World Tag Team Title [E. Texas]". Wrestling-Titles. Retrieved February 21, 2017.
  31. ^ Duncan, Royal; Will, Gary (2000). "(Memphis, Nashville) Tennessee: NWA World Tag Team Title [Gulas and Welsh]". Wrestling title histories: professional wrestling champions around the world from the 19th century to the present. Pennsylvania: Archeus Communications. ISBN 0-9698161-5-4.
  32. ^ "National Wrestling Alliance World Tag Team Title [Mid-America]". Wrestling-Titles. Retrieved February 21, 2017.
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