| Acronym | IWA |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1975 |
| Defunct | 1978 |
| Headquarters | Cleveland, Ohio |
| Founder(s) | Eddie Einhorn and Pedro Martinez |
| Parent | National Wrestling Federation |
The International Wrestling Association (IWA) was a professional wrestling promotion based in Cleveland, Ohio, in the 1970s. It was founded by Eddie Einhorn and Pedro Martinez in 1975. The company descended from the National Wrestling Federation.[1] It was originally intended to be the first national wrestling promotion, but stayed primarily in the Mid-Atlantic region. Einhorn offered his wrestlers more money and benefits than competing promotions, helping to lure big names such as Mil Mascaras (the company's heavyweight champion). Einhorn left the promotion later that year, and Johnny Powers took over as booker. The company scaled down and stayed in Virginia and North Carolina. After losing an antitrust lawsuit against the rival Jim Crockett Promotions, the IWA closed in 1978.