In 1990, one of the worst wrestling companies to ever be televised was established. Just like Wrestling Society X, the Universal Wrestling Federation was given a shot at T.V., but neither company had entertaining shows. Unlike WSX though, Fury Hour, the UWF's show, lasted three years to the Society's one. The company's name was already in use by Bill Watts; however, he failed to trademark it. Herb Abrams was the founder of the company. He had one goal, and that goal was to bring wrestling back to its humble heritage which was strictly wrestling and no show. Fury Hour was aired on the cable network SportsChannel America weekly. The two announcers were former World Champion Bruno Sammartino and Herb Abrams, the founder who was rightfully voted Worst Announcer of 1990 by the Wrestling Observer. The company which featured Paul Orndorff, Steve Williams, Don Muraco, Bob Orton Jr, the Killer Bees, Ken Patera, Col. DeBeers, Sid Vicious, and Cactus Jack was planned to be a major success but it was turning into a failure. The announce team changed two years later when Craig DeGeorge and John Tolos took over. In 1991 the UWF received two more awards, the Worst Wrestling Promotion and the Worst Television Show. Fury Hour was a failure because of its format. The matches featured were usually squashes and rarely a quality match mainly because of lack of storylines. In 1991, UWF hosted Beach Brawl, a relatively unsuccessful pay-per-view. In 1994, Blackjack Brawl became the only live UWF event shown on SportsChannel America; it was voted Worst Major Wrestling Card by the Wrestling Observer. Zoogz Rift took over head booking in 1992, but the company would not gain fame. Abrams took over booking again briefly in 1994. After a six-year downhill run, Abrams committed suicide in 1996 ultimately ending the company. Soon after merchandise was liquidated and all traces of the company were wiped from history. Briefly before the company ended, ESPN 2 repackaged episodes and aired them in 1995. This month, ESPN Classic began airing those repackaged episodes at 1:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m. The UWF will always be remembered for....uh...using random free agents for squashes on their weekly show. Even though it may not be remembered, the UWF did exist.
4.24.2008
World's Worst Wrestling: Universal Wrestling Federation
In 1990, one of the worst wrestling companies to ever be televised was established. Just like Wrestling Society X, the Universal Wrestling Federation was given a shot at T.V., but neither company had entertaining shows. Unlike WSX though, Fury Hour, the UWF's show, lasted three years to the Society's one. The company's name was already in use by Bill Watts; however, he failed to trademark it. Herb Abrams was the founder of the company. He had one goal, and that goal was to bring wrestling back to its humble heritage which was strictly wrestling and no show. Fury Hour was aired on the cable network SportsChannel America weekly. The two announcers were former World Champion Bruno Sammartino and Herb Abrams, the founder who was rightfully voted Worst Announcer of 1990 by the Wrestling Observer. The company which featured Paul Orndorff, Steve Williams, Don Muraco, Bob Orton Jr, the Killer Bees, Ken Patera, Col. DeBeers, Sid Vicious, and Cactus Jack was planned to be a major success but it was turning into a failure. The announce team changed two years later when Craig DeGeorge and John Tolos took over. In 1991 the UWF received two more awards, the Worst Wrestling Promotion and the Worst Television Show. Fury Hour was a failure because of its format. The matches featured were usually squashes and rarely a quality match mainly because of lack of storylines. In 1991, UWF hosted Beach Brawl, a relatively unsuccessful pay-per-view. In 1994, Blackjack Brawl became the only live UWF event shown on SportsChannel America; it was voted Worst Major Wrestling Card by the Wrestling Observer. Zoogz Rift took over head booking in 1992, but the company would not gain fame. Abrams took over booking again briefly in 1994. After a six-year downhill run, Abrams committed suicide in 1996 ultimately ending the company. Soon after merchandise was liquidated and all traces of the company were wiped from history. Briefly before the company ended, ESPN 2 repackaged episodes and aired them in 1995. This month, ESPN Classic began airing those repackaged episodes at 1:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m. The UWF will always be remembered for....uh...using random free agents for squashes on their weekly show. Even though it may not be remembered, the UWF did exist.
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