Part 8/11:
As McMahon's WWF grew, many traditional territories saw their audiences diminish. The AWA, which once thrived on monthly house shows and regional TV, began to decline. Prominent wrestlers like Rick Martel and Stan Hansen struggled to find footing within the changing landscape. Martel, despite being talented, couldn't generate the same heat with the male demographic, and Hansen, despite his toughness, was hindered by poor listening skills and a refusal to adapt.
The changing wrestling business also saw the AWA shift toward a more arena-oriented, national TV approach with Kurt Hennig holding the heavyweight title during this period. However, the landscape was fractured—most territories were losing ground, and the national promotions dominated the scene.