Nebraska Titles Question & World Tag Team Title Question

[Bushinyou]

The Crusher lost a loser-leaves-town match to AWA champion Verne Gagne on 09/05/1964, in St. Paul. The Crusher & Dick the Bruiser were the World Tag Team champions at the time. Were they stripped of the titles, as I don't see how a guy who had to "leave town" could be allowed to still hold the championship?

Also, were the Nebraska title and Nebraska Tag Team titles officially recognized by the AWA?

[clawmaster64]

Bruiser and Crusher were not stripped of the tag titles. They continued to hold them even though they did not defend them.

[Bushinyou]

Seems like they'd want to crown new champions. Thanks for the info.

[clawmaster64]

They did want to crown new tag champs in Larry Hennig & Harley Race and eventually when Bruiser's schedule permitted it, that's exactly what happened.

Crusher dropping the loser leaves town match to Gagne was the first step in turning Bruiser and Crusher baby faces in the AWA. Then Hennig & Race turned on Bruiser in a 6 man tag. Then Bruiser brought back Crusher.