Universal Wrestling Federation (Mid-South) was a Territory pro wrestling promotion operating in the United States, based in Bixby, Oklahoma, USA.
The MSW promotion was founded on January 9, 1950 by Leroy McGuirk, and it ceased operations on December 26, 1987.
Universal Wrestling Federation (UWF) was a rebranding of Bill Watts' Mid-South Wrestling, launched in 1986 with ambitions to become a national rival to the World Wrestling Federation (WWF, now WWE). Despite these ambitions, the UWF's attempts at rapid expansion led to financial difficulties, and the promotion was sold to Jim Crockett Promotions in 1987.
Originally an NWA territory known as NWA Tri-State, founded by Leroy McGuirk in the 1950s, the promotion had operated in Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana, and Mississippi before transitioning to Mid-South and later the UWF. Due to Bill Watts' failure to trademark the "Universal Wrestling Federation" name, businessman Herb Abrams used it for a new, unrelated promotion starting in 1990.
Universal Wrestling Federation (Mid-South): Info
- Promotion TypeTerritory
- Continent
North & Central America - Date EstablishedJanuary 9, 1950
- Country
United States - LocationBixby, Oklahoma, USA
- Date RetiredDecember 26, 1987
- FounderLeroy McGuirk
- Owners
- Real NameJim Crockett Jr. (JCP) (April 9, 1987 - December 26, 1987)
- Real NameBill Watts (April 1, 1979 - April 10, 1987)
- Real NameLeroy McGuirk (January 9, 1950 - March 31, 1979)
-
Promotion Names
- Universal Wrestling Federation - UWF (March 16, 1986 - December 26, 1987)
- Mid-South Wrestling - MSW (January 1, 1983 - March 15, 1986)
- Mid-South Wrestling Association - MSWA (July 31, 1979 - January 1, 1983)
- NWA Tri-State - NWA TRI-STATE (January 9, 1950 - July 31, 1979)
- Logo History
- UWF LogoMarch 16, 1986December 26, 1987
MSW LogoJanuary 1, 1983March 15, 1986
MSWA LogoJuly 31, 1979January 1, 1983
- NWA Affiliation
- LocationOklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi (September 1, 1949 - August 1, 1979)