Paul Alperstein, a promoter from Chicago, founded the AWF in 1994 and was on-air president of the company.
He intended to reintroduce rules as a significant part of professional wrestling. This was carried out by the use of timed rounds and judges in every match, which is similar to the rules of professional wrestling in Europe and as well as Boxing.
Each round was four minutes long with a one-minute rest period between rounds. Title bouts were scheduled for twelve rounds while all other fights were scheduled for three. One referee and two judges were assigned to each match. The winner of each round was decided by both the judges' scorecards and the referee's scorecard. If a match lasted the full amount of scheduled rounds, the winner was declared as whoever had the majority of points on each of the three scorecards.
Another rule implemented was that throwing opponents over the top rope resulted in an automatic disqualification.
Only a few wrestlers in this organization had experience in European wrestling, most notably England's Chris Adams and "Mr. Ambassador" Steve Casey (not to be confused with the World Class wrestler of the same name). Wrestlers such as Tito Santana, Bob Orton, Jr., Jim Powers, Koko. B Ware, Johnny Gunn and Greg Valentine, headlined AWF's events between the mid-1990s.
Tito Santana and Bob Orton, Jr. were seemingly considered the top wrestlers in the company, with Santana being the top babyface and Orton the top heel.
The AWF used tournaments for its titles, each wrestler would advance in the tournament by defeating the respective opponent, like in a normal match. Points scored in a card during a tournament.
Jim Brunzell was named AWF commissioner by Alperstein in hopes that he would make sure the above rules were enforced. Brunzell even refereed the first match for the AWF Championship in 1994, between Bob Orton, Jr. and Tito Santana.
The promotion held several house shows and was building towards a pay per view event, but closed in December 1996 for financial reasons.
Tito Santana defended the AWF Championship belt on a National Championship Wrestling event in York, Pennsylvania against former AWF wrestler Salvatore Sincere. The storyline was that Santana had dodged Sincere during their AWF days in the mid-1990s and Santana agreed to put the belt on the line against Sincere. Santana won the match for his last title defense, albeit unofficial.
In 1995, the company introduced a program called Warriors of Wrestling for syndication. The initial run consisted of footage shot from 1994 to 1995. The program resurfaced throughout the United States in late 1996 with new episodes. The announce team consisted of Mick Karch as announcer and Terry Taylor as color commentator. Taylor was replaced by Lord Alfred Hayes in 1996. Ken Resnick handled interview segments. Resnick was eventually replaced by Missy Hyatt in 1996.
In 2005, the entire run of 1995 episodes was released as a 4-disc DVD set by Highland Entertainment. It is unknown when or if a second volume will be released with the remaining episodes as there were many not in the DVD set.
As of January 2006, reruns can be seen on Europe's Clear Television via the cluster of Astra satellites at 19.2° east.
Tito Santana defeated Ultimate Destroyer in 2 roundsGreg Valentine (w/ Rico Suave) defeated Billy Joe Eaton in 1 roundTony Atlas defeated Sonny Rogers in 2 roundsRick Thunder defeated Nailz in 1 round via disqualificationSgt. Slaughter defeated Ken McGuire in 1 roundKoko B. Ware defeated Bob Bradley in 2 roundsRonnie Vegas vs. Johnny GunnThe Mighty Hercules vs. Jimmie VThe Texas Hangmen vs. Butler Stevens and Mike BrahamLightning Rod vs. Hurricane SmithMr. Hughes vs. Bob BradleyBob Orton Jr. vs. Trevor BlanchardChris Adams vs. Ron PowersChris Adams vs. Bob BradleyJohnny Gunn vs. Jimmie VGreg Valentine vs. Ronnie VegasBob Orton Jr. vs. Billy Joe EatonMr. Hughes vs. Hurricane SmithTony Atlas defeated Ken McGuire in 2 roundsNailz and Warlord defeated Billy Joe Eaton and Jim Powers in 2 roundsThe Mighty Hercules defeated Cody Hunter in 1 roundTony Ramone defeated Superfly in 1 round via disqualificationAWF President Paul Alperstein announces a 16-man tournament to crown the first AWF Heavyweight ChampionTommy Rich (w/ Rico Suave) defeated Sonny Rogers in 1 roundMichael Hayes defeated Trevor Blanchard in 1 roundMr. Hughes vs. SuperflySgt. Slaughter vs. Ultimate DestroyerTommy Rich vs. Tony AtlasNailz vs. Koko B. WareTito Santana vs. The Mighty HerculesTony Atlas vs. Ron PowersMichael Hayes vs. Bob BradleyChris Adams vs. WarlordBob Orton Jr. vs. Johnny GunnGreg Valentine vs. Jim PowersAWF Heavyweight Championship Tournament - Quarterfinals
Chris Adams defeated Greg Valentine by decision after 3 roundsBob Orton Jr. (w/ Oliver Humperdink) defeated Koko B. Ware in 1 roundTommy Rich defeated Sgt. Slaughter in 2 rounds via disqualificationTito Santana defeated Mr. Hughes (w/ General Adnan) in 1 roundTommy Rich vs. Tito SantanaNailz vs. Jimmie VThe Mighty Hercules vs. Lightning RodChris Adams vs. Bob Orton Jr.AWF Heavyweight Championship Tournament - Finals
AWF Heavyweight Championship: Tito Santana defeated Bob Orton Jr. in 9 rounds to win the vacant titleHighlights: Tito Santana defeated Bob Orton Jr. to win the vacant AWF Heavyweight ChampionshipKoko B. Ware defeated Trevor BlanchardMichael Hayes defeated Danny Boy HawkinsThe Texas Hangmen defeated Eric Freedom and Butler StevensTony Atlas defeated Cody HunterGreg Valentine and Tommy Rich defeated Pretty Boy Floyd and Firefighter SamSgt. Slaughter defeated T. RexJohnny Gunn and Jim Powers vs. Hubert Simpson and Ken McGuire from Dallas, Texas.Nailz vs. Nightrain Jackson from St.Louis, MissouriChris Adams vs. Sonny Rogers from Joplin, MissouriThe Mighty Hercules and Mr. Hughes vs. Rick Rocket and Billy Joe Eaton from Cape Town, Rhode Island.Tom Zenk vs. Hulk Elliot from Tulsa, Oklahoma.Chad Miller from Catoosa, Oklahoma defeated Bob Orton Jr. in round 1 with a pin.2 Cold Scorpio vs. Bob BradleyCharlie Norris vs. Tony RamoneJeff Gaylord and The Warlord vs. Pretty Boy Floyd and Firefighter JimKonnan 2000 vs. Ronnie VegasThe Samoan Swat Team (The Samoan Savage and Samu) vs. Terry Allen and Eric FreedomFidel Sierra vs. Trevor BlanchardTito Santana defeated The Bounty HunterThe Fabulous Freebirds (Michael Hayes and Jimmy Garvin) defeated Don Diamond and Hubert SimpsonJohnny Gunn defeated T. RexSteve Casey defeated Jon PaulTony Atlas and Koko B. Ware defeated The Texas HangmenMr. Hughes and The Mighty Hercules defeated Ronnie Vegas and Cody Hunter2 Cold Scorpio and Chris Adams defeated Billy Joe Eaton and Ken McGuireCharlie Norris defeated Chad MillerTom Zenk defeated The Bounty HunterGreg Valentine and Tommy Rich defeated Danny Boy Hawkins and Nightrain JacksonWarlord and Jeff Gaylord vs. Sonny Rogers and Bob BradleyTerry Allen vs. Steve CaseyJohnny Gunn and Jim Powers vs. Rick Rocket and Tony RamoneFidel Sierra vs. Firefighter JimThe Samoan Swat Team (The Samoan Savage and Samu) vs. Pretty Boy Floyd and Hubert SimpsonThe Texas Hangmen vs, Jon Paul and Chad MillerChris Adams vs. Trevor BlanchardTito Santana vs. Ronnie VegasGreg Valentine and Tommy Rich vs. Tony Atlas and Koko B. WareCharlie Norris and Tom Zenk defeated The Southern Posse in 2 roundsSuper Destroyer I defeated Vern HendersonRon Powers (w/ Fidel Sierra) defeated Manny FernandezMr. Hughes and The Mighty Hercules defeated Kenny Kendall and Butch LongAWF Tag-Team Championship Tournament - Brackets
Johnny Gunn and Jim Powers vs. The Texas HangmenMr. Hughes and The Mighty Hercules vs. The Renegades (Jeff Gaylord and Warlord)Koko B. Ware and Tony Atlas vs. The Super DestroyersChris Adams and Konnan 2000 vs. The Samoan Swat Team (The Samoan Savage and Samu)Bye - Charlie Norris and Tom ZenkBye - Tommy Rich and Greg ValentineBye - Fidel Sierra and Ron PowersBye - Nailz and The ExecutionerBob Orton Jr. defeated T. Rex in 1 roundSgt. Slaughter defeated The TerroristAWF Tag-Team Championship Tournament - Quarterfinals
Chris Adams and Konnan 2000 defeated The Samoan Swat Team (The Samoan Savage and Samu) in 2 roundsMr. Hughes and The Mighty Hercules fought The Renegades (Jeff Gaylord and Warlord) to a double disqualification in 3 roundsTommy Rich and Greg Valentine are awarded another byeThe Renegades (Jeff Gaylord and Warlord) defeated Jon Paul and Steve StormAWF Tag-Team Championship Tournament - Quarterfinals
Johnny Gunn and Jim Powers defeated The Texas HangmenKoko B. Ware and Tony Atlas defeated The Super DestroyersIntroduction: Sgt. SlaughterHighlights: Tito Santana defeated Bob Orton Jr. to win tournament for vacant AWF Heavyweight ChampionshipKoko B. Ware defeated Bob Bradley in 2 roundsAWF President Paul Alperstein names Jim Brunzell AWF commissionerThe Texas Hangmen (w/ Bugaloo Brown) defeated two jobbers in 1 roundBlacktop Bully (w/ Big Mama and Highway Honey) defeated a jobber in 1 roundKonnan 2000, Tom Zenk and Chris Adams defeated Fidel Sierra, Super Destroyer, and Mr. Hughes (w/ General Adnan) in 2 roundsIntroduction: Sgt. SlaughterRick Thunder defeated Nailz by disqualification in 1 roundGreg Valentine and Tommy Rich defeated Steve Doll and Tony Golden in 1 roundBob Orton Jr. (w/ General Adnan) defeated Pepe Prodo in 1 roundThe Mighty Hercules defeated Charlie Norris by decision after 3 roundsIntroduction: Sgt. SlaughterSgt. Slaughter defeated The Lebanese Assassin in 1 roundBlacktop Bully (w/ Big Mama and Highway Honey) defeated The Puerto Rican Punisher in 1 roundTony Atlas and Koko B. Ware defeated Bob Bradley and Nailz in 1 roundRonnie Twist defeated Super Destroyer in 2 roundsIntroduction: Sgt. SlaughterTom Zenk defeated The Terrorist in 1 roundThe Road Warriors defeated Rick Bane and Rage in 1 roundFidel Sierra defeated Steve Storm in 1 roundThe Mighty Hercules and Mr. Hughes fought Charlie Norris and Chris Adams to a double disqualification in 2 roundsIntroduction: Sgt. SlaughterKonnan 2000 defeated Rick Bane in 1 roundThe Texas Hangmen (w/ Bugaloo Brown) defeated Steve Storm and Rick Anderson in 1 roundBlacktop Bully (w/ Big Mama and Highway Honey) defeated Chris Nelson in 1 roundAWF Heavyweight Championship: Bob Orton Jr. (w/ General Adnan) defeated Tito Santana in 4 rounds to win the titleIntroduction: Sgt. SlaughterAWF commissioner Jim Brunzell declares the AWF Heavyweight Championship vacantSgt. Slaughter defeated The Terrorist in 1 roundCharlie Norris defeated Johnny Golden in 1 roundMr. Hughes (w/ General Adnan) defeated Ed Jackie in 1 roundAWF Tag Team Championship: Greg Valentine and Tommy Rich defeated Tony Atlas and Koko B. Ware in 3 rounds to win the titleIntroduction: Sgt. SlaughterHonky Tonk Man (w/ Angel Baby) defeated Pepe Prodo in 1 roundThe Road Warriors defeated The Terrorist and The Puerto Rican Punisher in 1 roundMissy Hyatt is introduced as the AWF's new interviewerRonnie Twist defeated Floyd in 1 roundAWF Heavyweight Championship: Tito Santana (w/ Sgt. Slaughter) defeated Bob Orton Jr. (w/ General Adnan) in 6 rounds to win the vacant titleMike Morcello defeated Fidel Sierra (w/ Kapitana Natasha) in 1 round via disqualificationChris Adams defeated Butch Long in 1 roundThe MVP defeated Billy The Kid in 1 roundIntroduction: Sgt. SlaughterSteve Doll defeated Bob Bradley in 2 roundsBlacktop Bully (w/ Big Mama and Highway Honey) defeated The Storm Trooper in 1 roundSgt. Slaughter defeated Nasty Ned in 1 roundCharlie Norris, Billy Two Eagles and Konnan 2000 defeated The Texas Hangmen and Super Destroyer in 3 roundsIntroduction: Sgt. SlaughterKoko B. Ware defeated Bill Payne in 2 roundsMr. Hughes and Manny Fernandez defeated Chris Nelson and Eddie Jackson in 1 roundThe Road Warriors defeated Generation X in 1 roundTony Atlas defeated Nailz in 2 rounds via disqualificationIntroduction: Sgt. SlaughterHonky Tonk Man (w/ Angel Baby) defeated Mike Marcello in 1 roundRonnie Twist defeated Lethal Weapon Slayer in 1 round, as Mr. Fuji observed Twist from ringsideOne Man Gang (w/ Bugaloo Brown) defeated JD Lessman in 1 roundChris Adams fought Fidel Sierra (w/ Kapitana Natasha) to a 3-round double disqualificationIntroduction: Sgt. SlaughterKonnan 2000 defeated Johnny Golden in 1 roundNailz and The Super Destroyer defeated Dalton and a jobber in 1 roundTito Santana defeated Terry TravisThe Texas Hangmen defeated Charlie Norris and Billy Two EaglesKoko B. Ware defeated Honky Tonk Man by decision after 3 roundsSgt. Slaughter defeated Buddy Rose in 2 roundsCharlie Norris and Tom Zenk defeated Bob Orton Jr. and Greg Valentine in 4 roundsEd Moretti defeated Nailz in 1 round via disqualificationAWF Heavyweight Championship: Tito Santana defeated Blacktop Bully in 6 rounds via disqualification to retain his titleBuddy Rose defeated Sumito in 3 roundsGreg Valentine defeated Ed Moretti in 3 roundsKoko B. Ware defeated Honky Tonk Man in 3 rounds after AWF President Paul Alperstein reversed the decisionTom Zenk defeated Nailz in 2 roundsCharlie Norris and Tito Santana defeated Bob Orton Jr. and Blacktop Bully in 6 roundsTom Zenk defeated Blacktop Bully in 3 roundsBuddy Wayne defeated The Bodyguard in 2 roundsCharlie Norris and Billy Two Eagles defeated Greg Valentine and Buddy Rose in 3 roundsTom Zenk defeated Nailz in 2 roundsNo Holds Barred: Koko B. Ware defeated Honky Tonk Man in 3 roundsBattle Royal: Bob Orton, Jr. defeated Nailz, The Bodyguard, Ed Moretti, Sumito, Buddy Wayne, Honky Tonk Man, Koko B. Ware, Greg Valentine, Tom Zenk, Blacktop Bully, Sgt. Slaughter, Billy Two Eagles, Charlie Norris and Buddy Rose to earn a title shotAWF Heavyweight Championship: Tito Santana defeated Bob Orton, Jr. to retain his title