The Globalization of the NWA

It wasn't long ago, when the influence of the National Wrestling Alliance only went as far as the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. With all the talk of how the NWA has grown leaps and bounds in the past few years, very little is spoken about the International Expansion of the NWA. Here's a break down of the growth of the NWA in the past 5 Years.

2003
NWA Mid-Atlantic used a mix of the their current roster and an expanded roster that included Dr. Death Steve Williams and Terry Taylor to promote a series of events in the People's Republic of China.

2005
NWA Mid-Atlantic made another expedition to Asia, this time to Korea. This show was packed with Superstars; Sting, Billy Gunn, Dusty Rhodes, Buff Bagwell, Terry Taylor, Raven, DDP, AJ Styles and then Worlds Champion Jeff Jarret.

2006
NWA Championship Wrestling From Florida begin to sanction Korea's World Wrestling Alliance, creating NWA South Korea.

NWA Pro Wrestling enter a partnership with Explosive Pro Wrestling in Perth and Adelaide. The partnership includes NWA Sanctioning of NWA Australia and a talent exchange.

2007
NWA Pro tours Australia with NWA Australia. Claudio Castagnoli, and Rocky Romero join the Australian roster to determine an Australian National Champion. Plus a World Tag Team defense of then champions, The Real American Heroes. And a main event that saw Sean Waltman wrestle Bryan Danielson.

2008
David Marquez, with Blue Demon Jr. announces the creation of a new NWA member in Mexico.
New Japan Pro Wrestling rejoins the National Wrestling Alliance.
NWA Pro announced its sanctioning of International Catch Wrestling Association as NWA France.
And just announced NWA Pro/Pro Wrestling Revolution will be touring Portugal, with El Hijo De Rey Misterio, Balls Mahoney, and Big Vito.

Independent Wrestling Zone canceled its plans to run in Lima Peru, however have announced that it has plans to run Internationally in the Dominican Republic. The dates announced are Sept. 26 in La Romana, Sept. 27 in Santiago, and Sept. 28 - Santo Domingo.

IZW Update...

I read some information off of the NWA Forums, in which David Marquez corrected me. IZW is not an official member of the NWA, however is co-promoting events with the NWA. When asked if the IWZ was a new affiliate or associate in Florida, David Marquez was quoted as saying "No. This is a co promotion with the NWA. Ed Chuman is the point person with this event."
Now this is only speculation, but with the IWZ not being an official member of the NWA, I reminded of the early days of Total Non-Stop Action. TNA was never an official member of the NWA, rather had a co-promoting deal with the NWA. And as David Marquez said this is a co-promotion. I take this to mean that IWZ will book some NWA talent and maybe even promote NWA title defenses on its program. Until April 5th, really anything about the IWZ is speculation unless heard from Bob Trobich, Chuman, or the IWZ.

Saturday April 5th, 2008 --IWZ Debut

While checking out the NWA Homepage to watch the Wrestling Showcase, I saw a link that lead me to the NWA/IWZ Commercial. At first I mis-read the title. I thought it was a link for NWA/IZW, which is based out of Arizona. I was delighted to know that another NWA member got a local television deal.
However, I was wrong. Indy Zone Wrestling, is based out of Southern Florida. IWZ will be promoting such names as Konnan, "Black Magic" Norman Smiley, Jon Heidenrich, and a plethora of talent from Puerto Rico and Florida. The commercial is well produced. Also while viewing the commercial I was surprised that IWZ will be sanctioned by the NWA.

IWZ will begin airing a half hour program beginning in late April or early May through out the South Dade area from Homestead to Kendall, the station will soon be expanding it's coverage to include parts of Florida from Key West to Palm Beach in the months to come.
Once all areas from Key West to Palm Beach are covered, we will then being producing a one hour program.
We've also struck a syndicating deal with the network who will be providing IWZ content to such countries as Jamaica, Santo Domingo, Mexico, Haiti, Bahamas, Costa Rica, Peru and many other countries, as well as US states.