3.1. What is the story behind the forming of the WWF?
Description
This article is from the Pro-Wrestling FAQ, by macika@emunix.emich.edu (Dominic Macika) with numerous contributions by others.
3.1. What is the story behind the forming of the WWF?
As NWA champion, Buddy Rogers' bookings were controlled by Toots
Mondt, promoter in the Northeast. The other NWA promoters were
dissatisfied because Mondt rarely let Rogers defend the belt
outside the Northeast. Mondt and Vince McMahon Sr. wanted to keep
Rogers and the NWA title, but Rogers didn't want to lose his
$25,000 deposit on the belt. So Rogers lost the NWA title to Lou
Thesz in Toronto on January 24, 1963.
Rogers was not recognized as the first WWWF champion right after
losing to Thesz. Instead, Rogers was awarded the WWWF title in
mid-April 1963, with the explanation that he has won a
(fictitious) tournament in Rio de Janeiro. He lost the title to
Bruno Sammartino a month later on May 17, 1963. Rogers would have
likely had a longer reign as champion, but, he suffered a heart
attack shortly before the match with Bruno. This explains both
the brevity of the match (47 seconds) with Bruno and the
subsequent disappearance of Rogers from the ring. Some reports
have Rogers almost had to be wheeled into the ring, due to his
weakened condition. Rogers retired after this match, although he
did return to the ring in 1967.
Continue to:
My Books
