UWF Tag Team Championship
The UWF Tag Team Championship, originally known as the Mid-South Tag Team Championship, was a professional wrestling world tag team title contested within the Mid-South Wrestling Association and later the Universal Wrestling Federation, both promoted by Bill Watts; it was established on September 28, 1979, in Shreveport, Louisiana, via a battle royal won by Mike George, who defeated Buck Robley in the final singles match and was awarded the titles for himself and his partner Bob Sweetan, and remained active until its deactivation in November 1987 following the UWF's sale to Jim Crockett Promotions.[1][2] The championship's lineage began under the Mid-South banner, where it quickly became a cornerstone of the promotion's territorial success in the American South, particularly Louisiana, Oklahoma, Texas, and Mississippi, featuring high-profile rivalries that helped elevate stars like the Fabulous Freebirds (Terry Gordy and Michael Hayes), who captured the title multiple times starting in late 1979, and the Junkyard Dog, who held it with various partners including Dick Murdoch during his dominant run in the early 1980s.[1] In 1984, the Rock 'n' Roll Express (Robert Gibson and Ricky Morton) emerged as fan favorites, securing several reigns amid intense feuds that drew significant crowds to Mid-South events.[1] The title transitioned seamlessly to the UWF World Tag Team Championship in March 1986, with Ted DiBiase and Steve Williams recognized as the first champions based on their prior Mid-South reign from December 1985, reflecting the promotion's rebranding to compete nationally against larger entities like the World Wrestling Federation and National Wrestling Alliance.[2][1] During its UWF phase, the championship showcased innovative and athletic tag team wrestling, highlighted by reigns from the Fantastics (Tommy Rogers and Bobby Fulton), who won the title twice in 1986, and the short but impactful partnership of Eddie Gilbert and Sting in mid-1986, which foreshadowed Sting's rise to superstardom.[2] The title saw periods of vacancy and hold-ups, such as in August 1986 after a controversial match and again in January 1987 following Jim Duggan's departure from the promotion, leading to a tournament finalized by Terry Taylor and Chris Adams in February 1987.[2] The Sheepherders (Luke Williams and Butch Miller), later known as the Bushwhackers in the WWF, claimed the final reign on October 16, 1987, before the belts were retired amid the UWF's absorption into the NWA's Jim Crockett Promotions, marking the end of an era for independent Southern wrestling.[2] Overall, the championship changed hands over 40 times across its eight-year history, embodying the gritty, storytelling-driven style that defined Bill Watts' territories and influenced modern tag team divisions.[1][2]Origins in Mid-South Wrestling
Establishment of the Title
The Mid-South Tag Team Championship was established on September 28, 1979, in Shreveport, Louisiana, by the Mid-South Wrestling Association, a regional promotion led by promoter Bill Watts.[1][3] Watts, who had taken control of the territory earlier that year, introduced the title to bolster the promotion's competitive structure following its rebranding from the Tri-State territory.[3] This move aligned with Watts' strategy to expand Mid-South Wrestling's appeal in the American South by creating prestigious divisions that could draw crowds and showcase talent.[4] The championship was created through a battle royal tournament featuring multiple tag teams, where elimination occurred when one member of a team was pinned or submitted, ultimately narrowing down to a final singles matchup.[3][1] Mike George and Bob Sweetan emerged as the inaugural champions after George defeated Buck Robley in the decisive bout, marking a controversial yet foundational moment for the title's legitimacy.[1][3] As the Mid-South Tag Team Championship, it was designed to complement the promotion's existing singles titles, such as the North American Heavyweight Championship, by providing a parallel platform for teamwork and rivalries.[3] The title's initial purpose extended beyond mere competition; it aimed to attract regional talent to Mid-South Wrestling by offering a high-profile opportunity for tag teams to gain recognition and build storylines that enhanced the overall card's prestige.[3][4] George and Sweetan's reign began immediately with defenses, including their first title match loss on November 9, 1979, to Bill Watts and Buck Robley in Shreveport, underscoring the championship's role in generating quick momentum for the division.[1] This early transition highlighted the title's viability in elevating Mid-South's tag team scene from the outset.[3]Early Champions and Defenses
The Fabulous Freebirds, consisting of Terry Gordy and Michael Hayes, captured the Mid-South Tag Team Championship on November 24, 1979, in Shreveport, Louisiana, marking one of the title's earliest prominent reigns.[1] Their initial run lasted until March 10, 1980, during which they engaged in multiple defenses across regional tours, showcasing a dynamic style blending high-flying maneuvers and intense brawling that drew strong crowd reactions in Mid-South territories.[5] The Freebirds regained the titles shortly after on March 19, 1980, in Shreveport, emphasizing their role in elevating the championship's visibility through aggressive, crowd-engaging matches.[1] Ted DiBiase and Paul Orndorff dethroned the Freebirds on March 10, 1980, in New Orleans, Louisiana, beginning a reign focused on technical wrestling prowess within Bill Watts' hard-hitting booking philosophy.[1][6] This 12-day tenure exemplified the promotion's emphasis on skilled, ground-based exchanges over spectacle. The titles were vacated for the first time on March 30, 1981, following a controversial match involving Junkyard Dog and Dick Murdoch, where promoter Bill Watts served as referee, leading to a dispute and stripping.[1] A tournament ensued on April 18, 1981, in New Orleans, crowning The Grapplers (Len Denton and Ron Sweeny, masked as The Grappler and Super Destroyer) as champions in the finals.[1] The Junkyard Dog achieved dominance in the tag division with eight individual reigns between 1980 and 1984, frequently partnering with wrestlers such as Buck Robley, Terry Orndorff, Killer Karl Kox, Dick Murdoch (twice), Mike George, and Mr. Olympia to secure the titles.[7] His first tag reign came on April 6, 1980, alongside Robley in Monroe, Louisiana, defeating the Freebirds, while subsequent victories, like the May 5, 1982, win with Mr. Olympia in Jackson, Mississippi, underscored his versatility and drawing power.[1] Defenses during these periods often pitted him against masked teams like The Grapplers, reinforcing storylines of resilience amid regional rivalries.[8] The early years saw over 30 title changes from 1979 to 1985, driven by the promotion's extensive touring schedule across Louisiana, Oklahoma, and Texas, which facilitated frequent house show defenses and rapid turnovers.[1] This pattern was amplified by narrative arcs involving betrayals, such as partners turning on each other or external interferences, which kept the championship central to ongoing feuds and maintained its prestige under Watts' philosophy of hot, competitive booking.[9]Transition to Universal Wrestling Federation
Renaming and Rebranding
In early 1986, the Mid-South Wrestling Association, under promoter Bill Watts, underwent a significant rebranding to become the Universal Wrestling Federation (UWF), aiming to expand beyond its regional base in the southern United States. This transition was part of Watts' broader vision to position the promotion as a national contender against the dominant World Wrestling Federation (WWF) and National Wrestling Alliance (NWA), leveraging syndicated television and a roster of established stars. On March 1, 1986, the Mid-South Tag Team Championship was officially renamed the UWF Tag Team Championship, aligning the title with the new federation's identity and emphasizing a hard-hitting, realistic wrestling style that Watts promoted as an authentic alternative to more theatrical national promotions.[2][4][10] As part of the seamless administrative shift, the reigning Mid-South Tag Team Champions, Ted DiBiase and Steve Williams—who had captured the title in their second reign on February 1, 1986—were immediately recognized as the inaugural UWF Tag Team Champions without the need for a tournament or match. This decision preserved continuity while integrating the title into UWF's promotional framework, allowing Watts to highlight the duo's credibility in showcasing the promotion's emphasis on legitimate athleticism and tag team dynamics. The rebranding elevated the championship's status, positioning it as a cornerstone for building UWF's national profile through high-profile defenses that underscored the federation's commitment to intense, no-nonsense competition.[2][4] The UWF's initial events further promoted the newly rebranded title, with its first defense occurring on March 16, 1986, in Oklahoma City, where The Sheepherders (Luke Williams and Butch Miller) defeated DiBiase and Williams to become the second champions. This match, held at the Myriad Center, served as an early showcase for UWF's aggressive booking style and helped generate buzz for the tag division amid the promotion's expansion efforts into new markets. By integrating the title into these key shows, Watts sought to differentiate UWF's product and attract audiences seeking a grittier alternative in the evolving landscape of professional wrestling.[2][4]Key Title Changes in UWF Era
The Universal Wrestling Federation's (UWF) tag team division saw several pivotal title changes during its brief 1986-1987 run, injecting excitement into the promotion's early storylines through high-profile alliances and rivalries. One of the inaugural highlights occurred on March 30, 1986, when The Fantastics—Tommy Rogers and Bobby Fulton—defeated the Sheepherders (Butch Miller and Luke Williams) to capture the UWF Tag Team Championship in Tulsa, Oklahoma, signaling the promotion's intent to showcase fast-paced, aerial tag team action that captivated audiences.[11][2] This victory marked an energetic start to the UWF era, as the high-flying duo's style contrasted with the more brawling-oriented predecessors from Mid-South Wrestling, helping to rebrand the titles under the new promotion.[12] A dramatic shift unfolded later that summer when Eddie Gilbert and Sting, an unlikely alliance blending Gilbert's cunning heel persona with Sting's rising star power, dethroned The Fantastics on July 20, 1986, also in Tulsa, to become the new champions.[13][12] Their reign emphasized intense defenses against the ousted Fantastics, culminating in a controversial match on August 17, 1986, that ended in a hold-up due to interference and chaos, leading to the titles being vacated temporarily.[2] Gilbert and Sting quickly reclaimed the belts in a rematch on August 31, 1986, solidifying their partnership amid ongoing feuds that highlighted the UWF's focus on personal rivalries and dramatic betrayals.[12][13] However, their second reign was short-lived, as The Fantastics captured the title for a second time on September 27, 1986, in Tulsa. The belts then changed hands to John Tatum and Jack Victory on October 26, 1986, in Tulsa, followed by Bill Irwin and Leroy Brown winning them on November 9, 1986, also in Tulsa. Terry Taylor and Jim Duggan then secured the championships on December 27, 1986, in Fort Worth, Texas, setting the stage for further developments in the division.[2] The titles faced another significant transition in early 1987 following Jim Duggan's abrupt departure from the promotion after losing a loser-leaves-town match on January 23, 1987, which vacated the championships previously held by Duggan and Terry Taylor.[14][15] This prompted a tournament to crown new champions, culminating on February 7, 1987, in Fort Worth, Texas, where Taylor teamed with Chris Adams in an impromptu pairing to defeat Sting and Rick Steiner in the finals, capturing the titles and injecting fresh tension into the division through their contrasting styles—Adams' technical prowess complementing Taylor's athleticism.[15][14] Emerging talents took center stage on April 12, 1987, in Atlanta, Georgia, as Sting and Rick Steiner upset the reigning champions Taylor and Adams to win the UWF Tag Team Championship, showcasing the promotion's emphasis on building future stars through powerhouse combinations.[16][17] The Lightning Express (Brad Armstrong and Tim Horner) then dethroned them on May 17, 1987, in Tulsa, Oklahoma, continuing the division's momentum with their high-energy style. This change highlighted Sting's versatility in tag team warfare alongside Steiner's raw intensity, setting up defenses that bridged the UWF's athletic aspirations with its narrative-driven feuds.[2][16] The final notable title transition came amid the UWF's mounting financial struggles, which foreshadowed its eventual sale to Jim Crockett Promotions. On October 16, 1987, in Kansas City, Missouri, The Sheepherders (Luke Williams and Butch Miller) defeated the Lightning Express (Brad Armstrong and Tim Horner) to claim the championships, becoming the last team to hold the belts before the titles were deactivated later that year.[18][2] This rugged victory underscored the promotion's closing chapter, with the Sheepherders' brutal style providing a gritty endpoint to the UWF tag team legacy.[18]Championship Details
Belt Design and Variations
The Mid-South Tag Team Championship belt followed the conventions of regional NWA-affiliated titles during the era, emphasizing ornate elements to evoke prestige. Upon the promotion's rebranding to the Universal Wrestling Federation in 1986, the title was renamed the UWF World Tag Team Championship, though details of any physical changes to the belt are not well-documented in historical records.[2] Each new reign typically involved updating the side plates to include the names of the reigning champions, a common practice for titles of the period.[1] Historical records contain limited visual documentation of the original belts, with few surviving photographs available. The design shared similarities with other Bill Watts-era titles, such as the Mid-South North American Heavyweight Championship.Rules for Title Matches
The UWF Tag Team Championship matches generally adhered to conventional professional wrestling tag team formats, requiring two competitors per team with only one legal wrestler active in the ring at any time, substitutions made exclusively via tags to the partner, and victories determined by pinfall, submission, or disqualification due to illegal maneuvers or interference. No weight restrictions or limitations on team compositions were imposed, permitting diverse partnerships such as the Junkyard Dog teaming with rotating allies like Bill Watts or Terry Taylor to challenge established duos. Under Bill Watts' promotion in Mid-South Wrestling and later the UWF, title defenses emphasized athleticism and storytelling, aligning with broader NWA territorial standards.[4] Interference was prohibited in standard defenses unless part of a storyline-driven exception, with championships required to be defended at key events like Superdome extravaganzas or weekly TV tapings to uphold territorial commitments.[4] Watts promoted a style focused on realistic, high-impact contests that rewarded resilience, though special stipulations such as no-disqualification matches or "loser leaves town" clauses were used for high-stakes encounters, as seen in Jim Duggan's 1987 tag team bout against the One Man Gang. Such regulations underscored Watts' vision of disciplined wrestling.[19]Complete Title History
Chronological List of Reigns
The UWF Tag Team Championship, originating as the Mid-South Tag Team Championship, saw 48 reigns between its creation and deactivation. The timeline below enumerates all title changes, including champion teams, win dates and locations, event types (primarily house shows unless noted), and notes on how the title was won or vacated.[20][1]| # | Champions | Date Won | Location | Event Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mike George & Bob Sweetan | September 28, 1979 | Shreveport, LA | House show | Inaugural champions; won battle royal. |
| 2 | Bill Watts & Buck Robley | November 12, 1979 | Shreveport, LA | House show | Defeated previous champions. |
| 3 | Fabulous Freebirds (Michael Hayes & Terry Gordy) | November 24, 1979 | Shreveport, LA | House show | Defeated previous champions. |
| 4 | Paul Orndorff & Ted DiBiase | March 17, 1980 | New Orleans, LA | House show | Defeated previous champions. |
| 5 | Fabulous Freebirds (Michael Hayes & Terry Gordy) (2) | March 19, 1980 | Shreveport, LA | House show | Defeated previous champions. |
| 6 | Buck Robley & Junkyard Dog | April 6, 1980 | Monroe, LA | House show | Defeated previous champions. |
| 7 | Fabulous Freebirds (Buddy Roberts & Terry Gordy) | June 9, 1980 | New Orleans, LA | House show | Defeated previous champions. |
| 8 | Junkyard Dog & Terry Orndorff | September 15, 1980 | Chalmette, LA | House show | Defeated previous champions. |
| 9 | Ernie Ladd & Leroy Brown | October 31, 1980 | Shreveport, LA | House show | Defeated previous champions. |
| 10 | Junkyard Dog & Killer Karl Kox | January 29, 1981 | Biloxi, MS | House show | Defeated previous champions. |
| 11 | Ernie Ladd & Leroy Brown (2) | February 1, 1981 | Lake Charles, LA | House show | Defeated previous champions. |
| 12 | Junkyard Dog & Dick Murdoch | March 30, 1981 | New Orleans, LA | House show | Defeated previous champions; vacated immediately due to controversial finish. |
| - | Vacant | March 30, 1981 | - | - | Vacated due to controversial match finish. |
| 13 | The Grappler & Super Destroyer | April 18, 1981 | New Orleans, LA | House show | Won tournament for vacant titles. |
| 14 | Junkyard Dog & Dick Murdoch (2) | April 27, 1981 | New Orleans, LA | House show | Defeated previous champions. |
| 15 | Samoans (Afa & Sika) | June 1981 | - | House show | Defeated previous champions. |
| 16 | Junkyard Dog & Dick Murdoch (3) | July 1981 | - | House show | Defeated previous champions. |
| 17 | Samoans (Afa & Sika) (2) | July 26, 1981 | Monroe, LA | House show | Defeated previous champions. |
| 18 | Mike George & Junkyard Dog | October 15, 1981 | Jackson, MS | House show | Defeated previous champions. |
| 19 | Samoans (Afa & Sika) (3) | February 3, 1982 | Shreveport, LA | House show | Defeated previous champions. |
| 20 | Junkyard Dog & Mr. Olympia | May 5, 1982 | Jackson, MS | House show | Defeated previous champions. |
| 21 | Matt Borne & Ted DiBiase | October 27, 1982 | Shreveport, LA | House show | Defeated previous champions. |
| 22 | Mr. Wrestling II & Tiger Conway Jr. | March 11, 1983 | Houston, TX | House show | Defeated previous champions. |
| 23 | Mr. Olympia & Ted DiBiase | April 13, 1983 | Shreveport, LA | House show | Defeated previous champions. |
| 24 | Jim Duggan & Magnum T.A. | July 24, 1983 | Tulsa, OK | House show | Defeated previous champions. |
| 25 | Butch Reed & Jim Neidhart | October 12, 1983 | Shreveport, LA | House show | Defeated previous champions. |
| 26 | Magnum T.A. & Mr. Wrestling II | December 25, 1983 | New Orleans, LA | House show | Defeated previous champions. |
| 27 | Midnight Express (Bobby Eaton & Dennis Condrey) | March 13, 1984 | Lafayette, LA | House show | Won after Mr. Wrestling II walked away (losing team stipulation: 10 lashes). |
| 28 | Rock 'n' Roll Express (Ricky Morton & Robert Gibson) | April 25, 1984 | Shreveport, LA | House show | Defeated previous champions. |
| 29 | Midnight Express (Bobby Eaton & Dennis Condrey) (2) | May 23, 1984 | Shreveport, LA | House show | Defeated previous champions. |
| 30 | Rock 'n' Roll Express (Ricky Morton & Robert Gibson) (2) | October 1, 1984 | New Orleans, LA | House show | Defeated previous champions. |
| 31 | Hercules Hernandez & Ted DiBiase | December 3, 1984 | New Orleans, LA | House show | Defeated previous champions. |
| 32 | Rock 'n' Roll Express (Ricky Morton & Robert Gibson) (3) | December 25, 1984 | New Orleans, LA | House show | Defeated previous champions. |
| 33 | Steve Williams & Ted DiBiase | May 3, 1985 | Houston, TX | House show | Defeated previous champions. |
| 34 | Al Perez & Wendell Cooley | August 28, 1985 | Shreveport, LA | House show | Defeated Steve Williams & Bob Sweetan (Ted DiBiase absent in Japan). |
| 35 | Eddie Gilbert & The Nightmare (Ken Wayne) | November 11, 1985 | New Orleans, LA | House show | Defeated previous champions. |
| 36 | Steve Williams & Ted DiBiase (2) | December 26, 1985 | Biloxi, MS | House show | Defeated Eddie Gilbert & Dick Murdoch (after Nightmare's departure); renamed UWF Tag Team Championship in March 1986. |
| 37 | Sheepherders (Butch Miller & Luke Williams) | March 16, 1986 | Oklahoma City, OK | House show | Defeated previous champions. |
| 38 | Fantastics (Bobby Fulton & Tommy Rogers) | March 30, 1986 | Tulsa, OK | House show | Defeated previous champions. |
| 39 | Eddie Gilbert & Sting | July 20, 1986 | Tulsa, OK | House show | Defeated previous champions. |
| - | Vacant | August 17, 1986 | Tulsa, OK | - | Held up after match vs. Fantastics. |
| 40 | Eddie Gilbert & Sting (2) | August 31, 1986 | Tulsa, OK | House show | Defeated Fantastics in rematch for vacant titles. |
| 41 | Fantastics (Bobby Fulton & Tommy Rogers) (2) | September 27, 1986 | Tulsa, OK | House show | Defeated previous champions. |
| 42 | Jack Victory & John Tatum | October 26, 1986 | Tulsa, OK | House show | Defeated previous champions. |
| 43 | Bill Irwin & Leroy Brown | November 9, 1986 | Tulsa, OK | House show | Defeated previous champions. |
| 44 | Jim Duggan & Terry Taylor | December 27, 1986 | Fort Worth, TX | House show | Defeated previous champions. |
| - | Vacant | January 23, 1987 | - | - | Vacated due to Jim Duggan's departure after losing a loser-leaves-UWF match to One Man Gang. |
| 45 | Chris Adams & Terry Taylor | February 7, 1987 | Fort Worth, TX | House show | Defeated Sting & Rick Steiner in tournament final for vacant titles. |
| 46 | Rick Steiner & Sting | April 12, 1987 | Atlanta, GA | House show | Defeated previous champions. |
| 47 | Lightning Express (Brad Armstrong & Tim Horner) | May 17, 1987 | Tulsa, OK | House show | Defeated previous champions. |
| 48 | Sheepherders (Butch Miller & Luke Williams) (2) | October 16, 1987 | Kansas City, MO | House show | Defeated previous champions. |
| - | Deactivated | December 1987 | - | - | Retired following UWF sale to Jim Crockett Promotions. |