World Association of Wrestling (WAW) is a British independent professional wrestling promotion founded by Ricky Knight, Sweet Saraya, and Jimmy Ocean in 1994 in Norwich, England. It is affiliated with the all-female promotion Bellatrix Female Warriors which is also owned by Saraya Knight. The promotion features British-style wrestling and uses British rules.[1][2]
 | |
| Acronym | WAW |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1994 |
| Style | Professional wrestling Sports entertainment |
| Headquarters | Norwich, Norfolk |
| Founder(s) | Ricky Knight Sweet Saraya Jimmy Ocean |
| Owner(s) | Ricky Knight Sweet Saraya Zak Knight[1] |
| Sister | Bellatrix Female Warriors |
| Website | https://wawuk.com/ |
History edit
Ricky Knight, Sweet Saraya, and Jimmy Ocean formed WAW in 1994 in Norwich.[2][3] Ocean left the business after approximately one year.[4] In 2005, Ricky Knight and Sweet Saraya formed the World Association of Women's Wrestling, although the name was later changed to Bellatrix Female Warriors.[5]
In 2014, WAW ran more than 100 shows.[5] In September 2016, WAW began airing on Mustard TV.[2] American wrestler Scott Hall was previously a backstage agent for the promotion, working behind the scenes at television tapings and appeared in an on-screen authority role as WAW Commissioner.[1]
The promotion was featured in the 2012 Channel 4 documentary The Wrestlers: Fighting with My Family about the Knight family.[1] It was featured in the film Fighting with My Family, which was based on the documentary.[1]
Former Norwich City striker Grant Holt and 2012 Olympics boxing bronze medallist Anthony Ogogo both began their wrestling careers with WAW.[6]
In 2020, WAW was featured in another documentary, this time on BBC Three. A four-part series, Step Into The Ring followed the lives of five young wrestlers battling against physical and mental health issues to pursue professional careers under the guidance of Zak Knight.[7]
WAW Academy edit
The promotion also includes a wrestling school, The WAW Academy, which trains in the British catch-as-catch-can wrestling style.[3][5] Trainees perform for both WAW and Bellatrix Female Warriors.[5] The academy trains wrestlers of all ages, including children.[5] Interest in the school increased after Ricky Knight and Sweet Saraya's daughter Saraya-Jade was signed by the WWE in 2011.[5] Zak Knight and Sweet Saraya are the head trainers at the academy, but they also bring in guest trainers, as well.[1] Past guest trainers have included Scott Hall, Dave Taylor, Mr. Anderson, Steve Grey, Mal Sanders, Marty Jones, Jonny Storm, Dean Allmark, and more.
Championships edit
Current edit
| Championship | Champion(s) | Previous | Date won | Days | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WAW World Heavyweight Championship | Roy Knight | PJ Knight | 2 April 2022 | 800+ | [8] |
| WAW World Tag Team Championship | The Norfolk Killers (RKJ and Brett Semtex) | The UK Hooligans (Zak Knight and Roy Knight) | 20 February 2022 | 841+ | [9] |
| WAW World Light Heavyweight Championship | Irn Dru Marshall | Jack Landers | 3 March 2024 | 926+ | [10] |
| WAW Open International Championship | Brody Steele | Aaron O'Malley | 22 September 2018 | 2,088+ | [11] |
| WAW European Heavyweight Championship | Zak Zodiac | Vacant | 28 May 2022 | 744+ | [12] |
| WAW British Heavyweight Championship | Brad Slayer | Nathan Cruz | 2 April 2022 | 800+ | [13] |
| WAW Television Championship | Ricky Knight Jr. | Alexander Young | 5 May 2018 | 2,228+ | [14] |
| WAW People's Championship | Tony Knight | Saraya Knight | 28 May 2022 | 744+ | [15] |
| WAW Under-23 Championship | Jaiden Docwra | Dillon Slade | 19 February 2022 | 842+ | [16] |
| WAW Academy Championship | Kobe Nitro | Oscar Hyde | 9 April 2022 | 793+ | [17] |
| WAW Academy Tag Team Championship | Heavy Thunder (Keegan and Rip Parker) | The Battlekats | 8 January 2022 | 884+ | [18] |
Retired edit
| Championship | Last champion(s) | Date won | Date retired | Previous champion(s) | First champion(s) | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RQW World Heavyweight Championship | Luke Hawx | 19 March 2016 | 14 May 2016 | Roy Knight | Robbie Brookside | [19] |
| RQW European Tag Team Championship | The UK Hooligans (Zak Knight and Roy Knight) | 1 May 2015 | 14 May 2016 | K4 (King Kendo and Karl Kramer) | Team Charming (Jack Storm and Dave Moralez) | [20] |
| RQW European Cruiserweight Championship | Mitchell Starr | 22 May 2016 | 5 June 2016 | Peter Nixon | Bubblegum | [21] |
