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42-555: The light heavyweight division which contested the championship had proved popular with fans, but its viability suffered as a result of WCW's creative decisions; in 1992, Bill Watts became the head booker , and implemented storyline changes in WCW's product which stymied the division's style. WCW would later introduce a similar title as the WCW Cruiserweight Championship ; the two titles are now considered to share

84-526: A body press from the top rope. Morton and Pillman contested the final round at the 1991 Halloween Havoc event, held in Chattanooga, Tennessee ; Pillman won the match and championship with another top rope body press. Pillman's reign as champion continued until December 1991, when he began to feud with masked Japanese wrestler Jushin Thunder Liger , who defeated Pillman for the championship at

126-454: A guard during his sophomore and junior years. However, his junior year was marred by a near fatal car accident involving him and his mother, resulting in him going into a coma. When he came out, he had lost a significant amount of weight, and had to put it back on, despite the coaches at the time preferring their players to be small and quick, which Watts had struggled with before the accident. Former Sooners teammate Wahoo McDaniel (then of

168-454: A guard during his sophomore and junior years. However, his junior year was marred by a near fatal car accident involving him and his mother, resulting in him going into a coma. When he came out, he had lost a significant amount of weight, and had to put it back on, despite the coaches at the time preferring their players to be small and quick, which Watts had struggled with before the accident. Former Sooners teammate Wahoo McDaniel (then of

210-810: A house show held in Atlanta, Georgia on December 25, 1991. Pillman reclaimed the title in a rematch at the SuperBrawl II pay-per-view event on February 29 the following year in Milwaukee, Wisconsin , becoming the only wrestler to hold the championship more than once. Pillman successfully defended the championship against Tom Zenk at the May 17 WrestleWar event in Jacksonville, Florida , before being defeated by Scotty Flamingo in Mobile, Alabama , during

252-434: A business, and you put money in it, why shouldn't you be able to discriminate? It's your business... That's why I went into business, so that I could discriminate... Who's killed more blacks than anyone? The fuckin' blacks." Watts claims that when he was hired by WCW, he had explained the situation to Turner president Bill Shaw , apparently to his satisfaction. However, a year later wrestling journalist Mark Madden brought

294-434: A business, and you put money in it, why shouldn't you be able to discriminate? It's your business... That's why I went into business, so that I could discriminate... Who's killed more blacks than anyone? The fuckin' blacks." Watts claims that when he was hired by WCW, he had explained the situation to Turner president Bill Shaw , apparently to his satisfaction. However, a year later wrestling journalist Mark Madden brought

336-470: A knee injury in a match with The Great Muta during a tour with New Japan Pro-Wrestling , and was unable to participate in a planned title match against Pillman at the event. Armstrong was formally stripped of the belt at Clash of the Champions, depicted as the result of him not defending it for thirty days, and another tournament to appoint a new champion was announced. However, Bill Watts had taken over

378-644: A lengthy interview on wrestling, Watts commented on Lester Maddox , a 1960s restaurant owner and segregationist Governor of Georgia ) who refused service to black customers. Watts supported the owner's position, illegal under the Civil Rights Act of 1964 , that he had a right do discriminate as did Watts in his business. Watts further expressed his view that slavery was beneficial for bringing slaves to America. He also made numerous other controversial statements pertaining to race and sexual orientation, including using numerous highly offensive slurs: "If you want

420-578: A lengthy interview on wrestling, Watts commented on Lester Maddox , a 1960s restaurant owner and segregationist Governor of Georgia ) who refused service to black customers. Watts supported the owner's position, illegal under the Civil Rights Act of 1964 , that he had a right do discriminate as did Watts in his business. Watts further expressed his view that slavery was beneficial for bringing slaves to America. He also made numerous other controversial statements pertaining to race and sexual orientation, including using numerous highly offensive slurs: "If you want

462-651: A promoter in the Mid-South United States, which grew to become the Universal Wrestling Federation (UWF). Watts also worked under the ring name Doctor Scarlett which was sometimes stylised as Dr. Scarlett . In 1992, Watts was the Executive Vice President of World Championship Wrestling (WCW) but after clashes with management over a number of issues, as well as feeling pressure from Hank Aaron over

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504-414: A promoter in the Mid-South United States, which grew to become the Universal Wrestling Federation (UWF). Watts also worked under the ring name Doctor Scarlett which was sometimes stylised as Dr. Scarlett . In 1992, Watts was the Executive Vice President of World Championship Wrestling (WCW) but after clashes with management over a number of issues, as well as feeling pressure from Hank Aaron over

546-699: A racially insensitive interview, he resigned. He was subsequently replaced by Ole Anderson . In 1995, Watts briefly worked as a booker for the World Wrestling Federation (WWF; now WWE). In 2009, he was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame . Watts played as a linebacker for his high school football team, the Putnam City Pirates . Bud Wilkinson recruited him to play for the Oklahoma Sooners , where he played as

588-429: A racially insensitive interview, he resigned. He was subsequently replaced by Ole Anderson . In 1995, Watts briefly worked as a booker for the World Wrestling Federation (WWF; now WWE). In 2009, he was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame . Watts played as a linebacker for his high school football team, the Putnam City Pirates . Bud Wilkinson recruited him to play for the Oklahoma Sooners , where he played as

630-699: A separate organization, Crockett sent his mid-card wrestlers to the UWF and had them quickly win their titles. Eventually, the UWF folded, and Crockett would be bought out by Ted Turner in 1988. In April 1989, after firing George Scott , WCW offered Watts the chance to book , but he declined the offer and WCW instead decided to go with a booking committee, which included Ric Flair and Kevin Sullivan . Watts became Executive Vice President of World Championship Wrestling (succeeding Kip Frey) in 1992. He took many of his old-school values with him, such as banning moves from

672-594: A separate organization, Crockett sent his mid-card wrestlers to the UWF and had them quickly win their titles. Eventually, the UWF folded, and Crockett would be bought out by Ted Turner in 1988. In April 1989, after firing George Scott , WCW offered Watts the chance to book , but he declined the offer and WCW instead decided to go with a booking committee, which included Ric Flair and Kevin Sullivan . Watts became Executive Vice President of World Championship Wrestling (succeeding Kip Frey) in 1992. He took many of his old-school values with him, such as banning moves from

714-588: A wrestler, then a promoter, along with events in his personal life. Watts served as co-host of a sports talk radio show on The Sports Animal in Tulsa, Oklahoma until late 2008. He was a longtime resident of Bixby , a Tulsa suburb. Bill Watts William F. Watts Jr. (born May 5, 1939), better known under the ring name Bill Watts , is a retired American professional wrestler , promoter and former American football player. Watts garnered fame under his "Cowboy" gimmick in his wrestling career, and then as

756-494: Is an outspoken critic on breaking kayfabe and "smart" wrestling fans . A Watts-run promotion always had face and heel wrestlers dress in different locker rooms and to have faces and heels not meet publicly. He has also been known to revamp his booking plans in order to protect the business from such fans. After losing over half a million dollars, Watts sold the UWF to NWA Mid-Atlantic's Jim Crockett Promotions , who kept many of their stars, such as Sting . Instead of having UWF as

798-494: Is an outspoken critic on breaking kayfabe and "smart" wrestling fans . A Watts-run promotion always had face and heel wrestlers dress in different locker rooms and to have faces and heels not meet publicly. He has also been known to revamp his booking plans in order to protect the business from such fans. After losing over half a million dollars, Watts sold the UWF to NWA Mid-Atlantic's Jim Crockett Promotions , who kept many of their stars, such as Sting . Instead of having UWF as

840-567: The Class of 2009 . Watts has five children. From his first marriage, he has a son, William III (nicknamed Biff), and from his second marriage, he has three sons, Joel, Erik , Micah and a daughter, Ene. In March 2006, Watts released his autobiography The Cowboy and the Cross: The Bill Watts Story: Rebellion, Wrestling and Redemption through ECW Press . The book chronicles his upbringing, his career as first

882-420: The Class of 2009 . Watts has five children. From his first marriage, he has a son, William III (nicknamed Biff), and from his second marriage, he has three sons, Joel, Erik , Micah and a daughter, Ene. In March 2006, Watts released his autobiography The Cowboy and the Cross: The Bill Watts Story: Rebellion, Wrestling and Redemption through ECW Press . The book chronicles his upbringing, his career as first

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924-652: The Houston Oilers of the AFL ), introduced him to professional wrestling for the first time, something McDaniel did in the off-season. Watts turned professional in 1961 and joined the Oilers, but did not last long there, and according to a shoot interview, he left after knocking out a coach. Through McDaniel's friendship with defensive coach Bob Griffin , Watts played for the Indianapolis Warriors of

966-416: The Houston Oilers of the AFL ), introduced him to professional wrestling for the first time, something McDaniel did in the off-season. Watts turned professional in 1961 and joined the Oilers, but did not last long there, and according to a shoot interview, he left after knocking out a coach. Through McDaniel's friendship with defensive coach Bob Griffin , Watts played for the Indianapolis Warriors of

1008-934: The NWA Tri-State / Mid South Wrestling before he became head promotor in the Oklahoma / Louisiana areas. Watts is perhaps even more famous for being a pioneering promoter in the Mid-South area of the United States, with his base of operation being in the Shreveport, Louisiana area. His promotion was known as Mid-South Wrestling. He is often credited with creating the current and popular "episodic" style of TV wrestling, building solid creative storylines week-on-week, with an emphasis on solid in-ring action with dependable wrestlers like "Dr. Death" Steve Williams , The Junkyard Dog , Ted DiBiase and Jim Duggan . He

1050-638: The NWA Tri-State / Mid South Wrestling before he became head promotor in the Oklahoma / Louisiana areas. Watts is perhaps even more famous for being a pioneering promoter in the Mid-South area of the United States, with his base of operation being in the Shreveport, Louisiana area. His promotion was known as Mid-South Wrestling. He is often credited with creating the current and popular "episodic" style of TV wrestling, building solid creative storylines week-on-week, with an emphasis on solid in-ring action with dependable wrestlers like "Dr. Death" Steve Williams , The Junkyard Dog , Ted DiBiase and Jim Duggan . He

1092-786: The United Football League , while also being able to wrestle for NWA Indianapolis. Watts then had a try-out with the Minnesota Vikings of the National Football League (NFL), but after a discussion with general manager Jim Finks , who wanted him to quit his wrestling career, Watts left the Vikings having decided he could make more money back in Oklahoma. As a professional wrestler, he famously feuded with WWWF Champion Bruno Sammartino , but

1134-458: The United Football League , while also being able to wrestle for NWA Indianapolis. Watts then had a try-out with the Minnesota Vikings of the National Football League (NFL), but after a discussion with general manager Jim Finks , who wanted him to quit his wrestling career, Watts left the Vikings having decided he could make more money back in Oklahoma. As a professional wrestler, he famously feuded with WWWF Champion Bruno Sammartino , but

1176-486: The June 20 Beach Blast pay-per-view. Flamingo's brief reign was ended by Brad Armstrong during a house show; the match was filmed out-of-sequence with several other televised championship matches, which meant Flamingo would tape a defense against Scott Sandlin despite having already lost the championship, while Armstrong recorded a match against Tracy Smothers that would air as a title defense despite being shot before his win

1218-598: The acquisition of WCW's assets by rival company WWE , both title lineages were considered to be related, and WWE refers to the holders of the Light Heavyweight Championship as former Cruiserweight Champions. Bill Watts William F. Watts Jr. (born May 5, 1939), better known under the ring name Bill Watts , is a retired American professional wrestler , promoter and former American football player. Watts garnered fame under his "Cowboy" gimmick in his wrestling career, and then as

1260-413: The fans. As a result, the planned tournament was never held and the light heavyweight division was ignored for the remainder of Watts' tenure. In 1996, WCW once again held a tournament to crown a champion for the weight class, this time under the title WCW Cruiserweight Championship . The first champion under this new lineage was Shinjiro Otani , who defeated Chris Benoit in the tournament final. After

1302-526: The interview to the attention of Hank Aaron , himself a vice president in the Turner organization with the Atlanta Braves , who then pushed for Watts' removal. While Madden takes credit for Watts getting fired, Watts himself disputes this account, saying he was not fired for the comments but quit his position out of frustration over "backstabbing" by Shaw and (unbeknownst to Shaw) had already resigned by

WCW Light Heavyweight Championship - Misplaced Pages Continue

1344-410: The interview to the attention of Hank Aaron , himself a vice president in the Turner organization with the Atlanta Braves , who then pushed for Watts' removal. While Madden takes credit for Watts getting fired, Watts himself disputes this account, saying he was not fired for the comments but quit his position out of frustration over "backstabbing" by Shaw and (unbeknownst to Shaw) had already resigned by

1386-617: The last quarter final, in which Mike Graham triumphed over another York Foundation member in Terrance Taylor . Both of the semi-final matches were held at September's Clash of the Champions XVI event in Augusta, Georgia ; Morton defeated Graham in a heel finish which depicted him using several illegal advantages to win. In the other leg of the tournament, Badstreet was defeated by the newly-entering Brian Pillman with

1428-459: The role of head booker for WCW and began to implement several changes in the work being produced. Among Watts' edicts was a new rule that would depict any maneuver performed from the top rope of the ring as illegal and resulting in disqualification; this effectively ended the viability of the light heavyweight style, which relied extensively on such moves, even though the matches involved in the championship picture had been considered "outstanding" by

1470-706: The same lineage by the wrestling promotion WWE , which purchased WCW's assets in 2001. The WCW Light Heavyweight Championship was created in 1991, with the inaugural champion decided though a single-elimination tournament held over several weeks. Seven wrestlers were used for the tournament—three quarter final matches, one of whom entered at the semi-final stages. The first two quarter finals were broadcast on WorldWide in August 1991, and saw The York Foundation 's Richard Morton defeat Johnny Rich , and Badstreet defeat Joey Maggs . The next month, WCW's Main Event featured

1512-400: The time Aaron got the newsletter. Watts was replaced by Ole Anderson . Watts later went on to a position of booking power in the World Wrestling Federation (WWF). His tenure there was short, as he stated in later interviews that he was only there on a three-month contract and had no interest in staying long-term. On April 4, 2009, Watts was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame as a part of

1554-400: The time Aaron got the newsletter. Watts was replaced by Ole Anderson . Watts later went on to a position of booking power in the World Wrestling Federation (WWF). His tenure there was short, as he stated in later interviews that he was only there on a three-month contract and had no interest in staying long-term. On April 4, 2009, Watts was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame as a part of

1596-597: The top rope and the babyfaces and heels separation. His tenure was not long, nor were his ideas overly embraced. According to his autobiography, Controversy Creates Ca$ h , Eric Bischoff (who worked under Watts at the time) felt Watts would intimidate anyone he was talking to and was only interested in taking the WCW product back to 1970s standards, with poorly lit arenas and house shows in remote rural towns. The circumstances of Watts' departure in 1993 are controversial. Prior to 1992, Watts had given an interview to Wade Keller for his newsletter, Pro Wrestling Torch. After

1638-597: The top rope and the babyfaces and heels separation. His tenure was not long, nor were his ideas overly embraced. According to his autobiography, Controversy Creates Ca$ h , Eric Bischoff (who worked under Watts at the time) felt Watts would intimidate anyone he was talking to and was only interested in taking the WCW product back to 1970s standards, with poorly lit arenas and house shows in remote rural towns. The circumstances of Watts' departure in 1993 are controversial. Prior to 1992, Watts had given an interview to Wade Keller for his newsletter, Pro Wrestling Torch. After

1680-577: Was officially acknowledged. Armstrong's reign saw the return of Liger as a challenger; they fought on several occasions, either with Armstrong winning or the match ending in a draw. Armstrong's last successful defense of the Light Heavyweight Championship was against Flamingo on August 14 in Fort Myers, Florida . As the September 1992 Clash of the Champions XX approached, Armstrong suffered

1722-539: Was unable to win the title. In the 1960s, he wrestled in many areas, such as San Francisco, Chicago, St. Louis, and even Japan for All Japan Pro Wrestling (AJPW). During these periods, Watts challenged for both the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) and American Wrestling Association (AWA) versions of the World Title . Watts also had a successful run winning tag belts with Buck Robley in

WCW Light Heavyweight Championship - Misplaced Pages Continue

1764-400: Was unable to win the title. In the 1960s, he wrestled in many areas, such as San Francisco, Chicago, St. Louis, and even Japan for All Japan Pro Wrestling (AJPW). During these periods, Watts challenged for both the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) and American Wrestling Association (AWA) versions of the World Title . Watts also had a successful run winning tag belts with Buck Robley in

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