The NWF World Champion
1984
In March of 1984, Crusher Crossen began as The Kids Quad Cities Pro Wrestling World Champion. It wasn’t until July 3rd, 1984 when Merciless Mike defeated him for the belt. Up to this point, Crossen was a heel however after the match, they both became partners resulting in Crossen’s babyface turn.
On August 13th, 1984 Jackknife Jacob defeated Merciless MIke in a heated fued, however his title reign was short lived when on August 27th, 1984 once again Crusher Crossen captured the belt becoming the two time champion. This was also the time when the league officially changed to the Twin Cities Wrestling Association aka TWA and a new belt was constructed which would be used all the way until June of 1985.
On September 17th, 1984 Killer Kampa upset Crossen to capture the title and bring the belt back to The Jacob Family and his stable of wrestlers. It was about a month later when Crusher Crossen pinned Killer Kampa to reclaim the World Title for the third time on October 20th, 1984.
Crusher Crossen would serve as the World Champion for the next 116 days into 1985. It’s interest to note that in 1984 alone, four different wrestlers ended up becoming World Champion, where in the next three years to follow, only three other wrestlers would do the same.
Crusher Crossen with the first and crude World Championship belt.
Merciless MIke becomes the 2nd ever World Champion in July of 1984.
Killer Kampa with the TWA World Title Belt along with his manager Jackknife Jacob.
Crusher Crossen holding the TWA World Title Belt in November of 1984.
1985
In January of 1985, the Twin Cities Wrestling Federation made it’s fourth and final name change to the National Wrestling Federation or NWF. And shortly thereafter on February 13th, 1985 Ace Andrew Karlsen pinned Crusher Crossen for the NWF World Championship in a shocking upset, as title matches were now “shoots”. Years later Crossen would reveal that he took a fall for Ace because he wanted to stir things up in the league.
Ace would go 182 days as World Champion having countless matches against Merciless Mike, Crusher Crossen, Kid USA Kelsey and Pretty Boy Taylor. In June of 1985, the NWF World Championship Belt was replaced with a new one that lasted for the next two years and became recognized as the famous “Blue Belt”.
It was on August 14th, 1985 when Ace lost the title to Kid USA Kelsey in another shocker “shoot” style match. Years later Kelsey revealed that Ace told him he would lose the belt to him that day. Kelsey would go on to defend his title to the likes of Fabulous One Brian Peterson and Killer Kampa just to name a few.
It wasn’t until November 16th, 1985 when Kid USA Kelsey would lose the belt to non other than Crusher Crossen in a heated “Shoot” title match. This match was so intense that it literally fractured the friendship between Crossen and Kelsey outside the ring and because of that, it was the last time title matches were done as “shoots”. This win for Crusher Crossen marks his 4th time winning the NWF World Championship belt.
Crossen would go on to hold the belt for a record 379 days well into 1986 before losing the belt, which was the longest reign of anyone that ever held the NWF World Championship.
Ace wins the NWF World Title defeating Crusher Crossen in early 1985.
Ace with the now famous “Blue Belt” NWF World Championship from June of 1985.
Kid USA Kelsey captures the NWF World Title from Ace in the Fall of 1985.
All hell breaks loose in the last “shoot” style World Title bout between Kid USA Kelsey and Crusher Crossen.
A raging Crusher Crossen after winning the NWF World Title for the 4th time.
1986
1986 was the year of Crusher Crossen, as he would start the year off as champion and end it as the 5 Time NWF World Champion. During this time he would successfully defend his NWF World Championship at the Anoka Armory three times.
During 1986, Crossen had several World Title defenses against the likes of Bulldog Butcher, Tokyo Terror, Rattlesnake Jake, Slick Steenerson, Thandar and Conan The Barbarians, Pretty Boy Taylor, Mr Macho and The Ice Dragon.
One of the biggest fueds of the year was several matches against Mr. X. On one of their matches on July 26th, 1986 at the Anoka Armory, Crossen and Mr. X wrestled to a 45 minute draw in a match that people still talk about to this very day.
But Crossen would eventually lose the World Title to Mr. X on November 30th, 1986 in a highly controversial match at the Champlin American Legion in a joint venture with Eddie Sharkey’s Pro Wrestling America.
Mr. X’s reign as World Champion would only last 19 days because on December 19th, 1986 in Brooklyn Park, MN at the Brooklyn Park Armory Crusher Crossen would regain the NWF World Championship from Mr. X for the 5th time in another steller match for the ages.
Crusher Crossen showing his coveted NWF World Championship Belt.
Mr. X with the NWF World Championship belt from December of 1986.
1987
1987 begins with Crossen making several TV Title defenses from the NWF Studios in Dayton, MN where Crossen had some great matches with Mr. Macho, Invader III and Block (Terry Block in a mask).
Crusher Crossen would headline the NWF’s dual Anoka Armory event with the NCWA where he faced Slick Steenerson in a special “No Slam - No Belt” match where Crusher Crossen had to bodyslam the Slickster in order to keep the title, which he did.
During the summer of 1987, Crossen would defend his NWF World Championship against the CWF Champion and the 1986 rookie of the year Terry Kosnapal (Invader IV) in what ended up being some really good matches.
But it was at Superstars Spectacular ‘87 at the Anoka Armory on August 23rd, 1987 where once friend and now enemy Kid “Hot Stuff” Kelsey would defeat Crossen to win the World Title in a very controversial match making Kid Kelsey the two time champion and the only other wrestler to ever capture the belt more than once besides Crossen.
Crossen would get a rematch with Kelsey in October at the Dri-Dock in Spring Lake Park, MN where Kelsey retained the title. But it was at this point in time when the NWF was purchased by Ernie Ellis and the future for the NWF would slowly change over time converting more from the “kids” to the “adults”. After the one appearance by Kelsey at the Dri-Dock, he would not return and the title was forfieted to the new league.
Crossen vs Steenerson - No Slam No Belt match from the Anoka Armory in 1987.
Crusher Crossen defending against up and comer Terry Kosnapal from 1987.
Kid “Hot Stuff” Kelsey with the new and final NWF World Title Belt design.