Super World of Sports
Wrestle Association R |
Super World of Sports, more commonly known as SWS, was a Japanese professional wrestling promotion from 1990 to 1992. Its motto was "Straight and Strong".
History
Formation
In April 1990, Genichiro Tenryu, one of the top stars of All Japan Pro Wrestling, left the company to become a spokesmodel for Megane Super, whom were one of the best-known makers of eyeglasses in Japan at the time. However, the company decided to instead used him as the launching pad for a new pro-wrestling circuit, which Megane Super executive Hachiro Tanaka named Super World of Sports.
With his backing, Megane Super began throwing money offers around to build up their roster.
Working relationship with the WWF
The SWS/WWF co-promotion produced several cards, including two shows at the
SWS's peak coincided with the general Japanese economic downturn of the early 1990s. As Megane Super began withdrawing its support, the company began running fewer cards, and in May 1992 Yatsu withdrew. On June 19 1992, SWS held its final card at Nagasaki International Gym. The promotion's talent split into the following federations: Yatsu's SPWF; Tenryu's new promotion, WAR, including Hara, Fuyuki, Kitahara; NOW, including Kendo Nagasaki, and PWC, including the Takano brothers and Takagi.
Wrestlers
Main roster
Unlike many wrestling promotions, SWS had a wrestling roster that was divided into three stables, reminiscent of the sumo heya system. Revolution was mostly AJPW alumni, Palaestra was mostly NJPW alumni, and Geki Dojo were neutrals led by a heel manager, KY Wakamatsu.
Revolution |
Geki Dojo |
Palaestra
|
Visiting wrestlers
SWS championships
SWS never had a Heavyweight Championship.
SWS Junior Heavyweight Championship
| 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 | Naoki Sano | December 12, 1991 | SWS/WWF SuperWrestle | Tokyo, Japan | 1 | 190 | Won a tournament to become the SWS/Japanese representative and then defeated WWF representative Rick Martel to become the inaugural champion.
|
[2] |
| — | Deactivated | June 19, 1992 | — | — | — | — | Title retired when SWS closed. | [2] |
SWS Tag Team Championship
| No. | Overall reign number |
|---|---|
| Reign | Reign number for the specific team—reign numbers for the individuals are in parentheses, if different |
| Days | Number of days held |
| No. | Champion | Championship change | Reign statistics | Notes | Ref. | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Date | Event | Location | Reign | Days | ||||
| 1 | King Haku
|
February 14, 1992 | Live event | Kyoto, Japan | 1 | 62 | Defeated Genichiro Tenryu and Ashura Hara in a tournament final to become the first champions. | [3] |
| 2 | George Takano and Shunji Takano | April 16, 1992 | Live event | Minamiashigara, Japan | 1 | 1 | [3] | |
| 3 | The Natural Disasters (Earthquake John Tenta and Typhoon) |
April 17, 1992 | Live event | Yokohama, Japan | 1 | 1 | [3][4] | |
| 4 | King Haku
|
April 18, 1992 | Live event | Tokyo, Japan | 2 | 62 | [3] | |
| — | Deactivated | June 19, 1992 | — | — | — | — | Title retired when SWS closed. | [3] |
See also
References
- ISBN 978-0-7566-4190-0.
- ^ a b "Super World Sports Junior Heavyweight Title". wrestling-titles.com. Retrieved December 28, 2022.
- ^ a b c d e "Super World Sports Tag Team Title". wrestling-titles.com. Retrieved December 28, 2022.
- ^ Hoops, Brian (April 17, 2020). "Daily pro wrestling (04/17): WCW Spring Stampede 1994". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Retrieved April 17, 2020.