“They laughed at us. Called us ‘dead.’ Said no one would watch a gym show in a town with one gas station. Now? They’re the ones struggling to sell out a pay-per-view. We’re still packing ‘em in — one folding chair at a time.” — Jim Cornette
In a wrestling world rotting from the inside — poisoned by corporate suits, cinematic nonsense, and cosplay athletes — Smoky Mountain Wrestling didn’t just remain.
It rebelled.
Originally launched in 1991, SMW was a beloved promotion that honored the territory roots of pro wrestling: small towns, big characters, and real heat.
After it nearly folded in 1995, it somehow survived, eventually becoming something greater than anyone could ever imagine.
Now the number 1 promotion in the USA, it competes with WWF, WCW, and newcomer AEW. Twice a month, the rosters of SMW, WWF, WCW, and AEW collide for pay-per-view events, in which their talent crossover and compete with one another.