Jun 18th 2026 04:28pm

Sign Up / Sign In|Help

 

An Unreleased NES Game from 1989 Featuring WCW Wrestlers Has Been Discovered

An Unreleased NES Game from 1989 Featuring WCW Wrestlers Has Been Discovered

Posted: Mar 7th 2019 By: Garrett Martin

We don’t normally keep you up-to-date with every cool bit of retro gaming news here at Paste, but last night a story broke that lands squarely within two different passions of mine. I’m talking, of course, about 1980s Southern wrestling, and particularly that weird window of time after Ted Turner bought Jim Crockett Promotions but before the term World Championship Wrestling (WCW) had come to replace the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) as the name the company was largely known as; and the Nintendo Entertainment System, aka the NES, Nintendo’s 8-bit console that almost single-handedly revived the videogame industry in America in the second half of the ‘80s.

Last night game collector and YouTuber Stephan “Archon 1981” Reese posted a video about a previously unknown NES game that he bought from a former Nintendo employee who tested the game as part of its certification process in 1989. The game didn’t just go unreleased—it was never even announced. It was simply unheard of, even by the most serious game historians and archivists, until Reese bought the test cartridge from that employee.

This would be a fascinating footnote regardless of what was on the cartridge, but it gets a lot more interesting for fans of NWA/WCW and wrestling games. On the title screen (which you can see in the video below, along with footage of the game in action) the game is called UWC, with a 1989 copyright and the logo of its developer, the now-shuttered Japanese company SETA. After the player picks between a single-player or two-player game, and decides which of three match types to play (singles, tag team or “elimination series”), they find a character select screen with eight of the top late ‘80s stars from Jim Crockett Promotions / WCW.

uwc character select.JPG

A handful of them should be immediately recognizable to any wrestling fan. In the top row you can see the Road Warriors—the tag team of Animal and Hawk—as well as Sting, who was quickly becoming the promotion’s top face the year this game was copyrighted. The bottom row is a little harder to figure out, as three of them are just a bunch of grimacing or grinning blond guys, but that’s unmistakably Ric Flair second from right.

Reese’s footage helps identify some of the other wrestlers. The bottom left corner is none other than Beautiful Bobby Eaton, one-half of the Midnight Express, perhaps the greatest tag team of all time. The top right slot looks a lot like Jimmy Garvin, and that’s because it is, as we see in the very first in-game footage from Reese’s video. Garvin’s wrestling Barry Windham in that footage, so we can scratch another one of those bottom row guys off.

uwc garvin.JPG

That leaves one unidentified wrestler. It wouldn’t be Dusty Rhodes, as he was fired by the company at the end of 1988. Based on the promotion and time period, it makes sense for Lex Luger to be in this game—he was one of the biggest stars in the company at the time, and other than a disastrous few years in WWF, spent almost all of his career as a top guy in JCP/WCW. But then it’d be really weird to have Bobby Eaton in this game in 1989 and not his tag team partner, Sweet Stan Lane. At this time Eaton was two years away from his only notable singles run in the company, and it would make sense to put a top heel tag team in the game as a counterpart to the Road Warriors. That makes me believe Stan Lane has to be the eighth character, no matter how weird it might be for Lex Luger to not make the cut. Perhaps Luger appeared in the game as the champion you had to defeat, like The Great Puma in Nintendo’s own Pro Wrestling, although in the real world Luger never held the World title until 1991.

As he says in the video, Reese has no idea why the game was never released. A WCW game was released for the NES in 1990 under the name WCW Wrestling; it was developed by Nichibitsu and published in America by FCI, Inc. As Reese speculates, perhaps SETA lost the license before UWC could be approved or published. We don’t know. When Turner bought Jim Crockett Promotions in Oct. 1988, the plan was to rename it the Universal Wrestling Corporation, but it was quickly altered to World Championship Wrestling; that probably dates the genesis of the SETA deal to October of 1988, which allows for enough time for Turner to part ways with SETA and hook up with FCI for the 1990 game. FCI’s WCW game featured a few of the same wrestlers—Sting, Flair, the Road Warriors—but otherwise had a vastly different lineup, one that definitely included Lex Luger. That game was also notable at the time for letting players pick a wrestler’s moveset from a small list of available moves, which at the time was a novelty for a NES wrestling game.

Hopefully UWC will become playable for the public at some point. Reese says the ROM will be released for public consumption, and Frank Cifaldi of the Video Game History Foundation has already been in touch with him about how to go about doing so. Any fan of ‘80s wrestling or NES wrestling games must be excited about eventually getting to play this one.

 

Printable version Email to a friend

Supplemental Information

Latest News

2
ROH World Tag title match taped at Arena Mexico to air as part of Global Wars Cincinnati

ROH World Tag title match taped at Arena Mexico to air as part of Global Wars Cincinnati

For the first time in more than three months, the Ring of Honor World Tag Team tit... Read More

All News

The Scoop

The Scoop

NEWS Title Run Toys has released the 1st official action figure of Mike McGuirk. They only made 500 and they are being sold for $39.99. You can order one... Read More

All Columns

1

Spotlight in History

  • 1964 Karl Kox def. Louie Tillet for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
  • 2004 Shane Morbid def. Dirty Harry Sanchez for the SRPW Hardcore Title
  • 2004 Codie Mullins def. Shane Morbid for the SRPW Hardcore Title
  • 2004 Dexter Hardaway def. Codie Mullins for the SRPW Hardcore Title
  • 2004 Pork Chop def. Dexter Hardaway for the SRPW Hardcore Title
  • 2004 Dexter Hardaway def. Pork Chop for the SRPW Hardcore Title
  • 2004 S.K. Fulton def. Dexter Hardaway for the SRPW Hardcore Title
  • 2004 Dirty Harry Sanchez def. S.K. Fulton for the SRPW Hardcore Title
  • 2006 Ryan Davidson def. Angel Williams for the MSWA Mid-South Heavyweight Title
  • 2011 Michael Barry def. Kenny Campbell for the IZW Impact Division Title
  • 2016 Spyder became the SRPW United States Champion
  • 2016 Skylar Slice became the IZW Womens Champion
  • 2021 Lady Sensacion became the FIW Women’s Champion
  • 2021 Rodeo (Chandler Hopkins & Malico) def. Cam Cole & Johnny Bedlam for the TexPro Tag Team Titles
  • 2022 Duke Cornell def. Blue Bolt for the WFC Prime Title
  • 2022 Maddox Jones def. Striker for the EPW Heavyweight Title
  • 2022 Mike Gunns def. Jake Danielsson for the NAW Heavyweight Title

Week of Sun 06-14 to Sat: 06-20

  • 06-14 1970 Fritz Von Erich def. Boris Malenko for the WCCW American Heavyweight Title
  • 06-14 1982 Fritz Von Erich def. King Kong Bundy for the WCCW American Heavyweight Title
  • 06-14 2004 Team Shenanigans (Tyler Bateman & Kenny Campbell) def. Li'l Joe & Al Farat (substituting for Se7en) for the ACW Tag Team Titles
  • 06-14 2008 Kenny Campbell became the IZW Impact Division Champion
  • 06-14 2008 Nathan Sensation & Striker def. The New Age Syndicate (Shawn Sanders & Scott Sanders) for the IZW Tag Team Titles
  • 06-14 2008 Anarchy [2nd] def. The Enforcer for the SECW Tri-State Title
  • 06-14 2008 Dane Griffin def. Mo'Body Gillespie for the 3DW Violent Division Title
  • 06-14 2009 El Super Colibri became the TAP Adrenaline Champion
  • 06-14 2009 Reckless def. The Canadian Red Devil for the TAP Heavyweight Title
  • 06-14 2009 Shane Morbid def. Jon Cross for the TAP Oklahoma Heritage Title
  • 06-14 2013 Clint Cox became the BPPW Heavyweight Champion
  • 06-14 2014 The Rising (Justin Riker & Abel) def. Psycho Sawyer & Diamond for the SRPW Tag Team Titles
  • 06-14 2014 Omega X (Brett Stopp & X-Static) def. The K. C. Wolves (Graham Bell & Luke Langley) for the UWE Tag Team Titles
  • 06-14 2025 Pastor Brent def. Dr. Corvus for the WAH Living Hope Title
  • 06-14 2025 Skylar Slice became the WAH Womens Champion
  • 06-14 2025 Military Express (Sgt. Todd & Sgt. Hartman) def. Speeding Bullet (Mike Gunnz & Stephen Nitro) for the NAW Tag Team Titles
  • 06-14 2025 Scotty Rose def. Floyd Maystorm for the WAH Hunger Dojo Title
  • 06-14 2025 Floyd Maystorm def. Scotty Rose for the WAH Hunger Dojo Title
  • 06-15 1982 King Kong Bundy became the WCCW American Heavyweight Champion
  • 06-15 2003 Tyler Bateman def. Jef Tiger for the ACW Hardcore Title
  • 06-15 2003 John O'Malley def. Tyler Bateman for the ACW Hardcore Title
  • 06-15 2008 El Culo Intruso def. Dane Griffin for the 3DW Violent Division Title
  • 06-15 2018 Sam Stackhouse def. Abyss for the BCW Buzzsaw Title
  • 06-15 2019 Double D became the WFC Heavyweight Champion
  • 06-15 2019 Prince Mahalli def. Damon Windsor for the WCR Revolutionary Title
  • 06-15 2024 Cade Fite became the TIW No Pressure Champion
  • 06-15 2024 Ozzy Hendrix & Adrian Vega def. The Voiceless Society (Tyler Watts & E-Bone) for the CAPW Tag Team Titles
  • 06-15 2024 The Gatekeeper def. Rick Russo for the EPW All-American Title
  • 06-15 2024 Trench Blythe became the EPW International Champion
  • 06-15 2024 Malachi def. Kevin James Sanchez for the EPW Heavyweight Title
  • 06-16 1959 The Zebra Kid def. The Golden Giant for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
  • 06-16 1970 Johnny Valentine def. Killer Kowalski for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
  • 06-16 1984 Terry Taylor def. Krusher Khrushchev for the MSW Television Title
  • 06-16 1986 Buzz Sawyer def. Chris Adams for the WCCW Television Title
  • 06-16 2006 Bobby Burns def. Shane Morbid for the SRPW Heavyweight Title
  • 06-16 2006 Beau Dalton became the SRPW X Division Champion
  • 06-16 2006 Ray Martinez became the SRPW X Division Champion
  • 06-16 2012 Big Business (Kevin Morgan & Damon Windsor) def. The Old School Suckas (Gary Tool & Randy Price) for the IZW Tag Team Titles
  • 06-16 2017 Saints of Pro Wrestling (Scott Sanders & Shawn Sanders & Chaz Sharpe) def. Cursed (Kuda & Blade [2nd]) for the MSWA Mid-South Tag Team Titles
  • 06-16 2017 Nytronis A'Teo def. Saints of Pro Wrestling (Scott Sanders, Shawn Sanders, & Chaz Sharpe) for the MSWA Mid-South Tag Team Titles
  • 06-16 2023 Jason Simon became the MajCW Native American Champion
  • 06-16 2023 Dan Webber def. Cappuccino Jones for the UWE Heavyweight Title
  • 06-17 1957 Billy Raborn became the TSW Oklahoma Junior Heavyweight Champion
  • 06-17 1958 Bull Curry def. Fritz Von Erich for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
  • 06-17 1983 Jimmy Garvin def. David Von Erich for the WCCW Texas Heavyweight Title
  • 06-17 1983 Kerry Von Erich & Bruiser Brody def. The Fabulous Freebirds (Terry Gordy & Michael Hayes) for the WCCW American Tag Team Titles
  • 06-17 2005 Kenny Campbell def. Shane Morbid for the SRPW X Division Title
  • 06-17 2006 The Party Express (Mitch Carter & Cade Sydal) def. Impact Inc. (John Zorthos & Bernie Donderwitz) for the IZW Tag Team Titles
  • 06-17 2008 Kunna Keyoh def. El Culo Intruso for the 3DW Violent Division Title
  • 06-17 2017 Prince Mahalli def. Paul Puertorico for the WFC Hometown Heroes Title
  • 06-17 2017 Michael Wolf def. Aaron Anders for the ComPro Oklahoma X Division Title
  • 06-17 2017 Randy Price def. Double D for the IZW Impact Division Title
  • 06-17 2023 Alex Royal def. Justin Lee for the WFC Hometown Heroes Title
  • 06-18 1964 Karl Kox def. Louie Tillet for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
  • 06-18 2004 Shane Morbid def. Dirty Harry Sanchez for the SRPW Hardcore Title
  • 06-18 2004 Codie Mullins def. Shane Morbid for the SRPW Hardcore Title
  • 06-18 2004 Dexter Hardaway def. Codie Mullins for the SRPW Hardcore Title
  • 06-18 2004 Pork Chop def. Dexter Hardaway for the SRPW Hardcore Title
  • 06-18 2004 Dexter Hardaway def. Pork Chop for the SRPW Hardcore Title
  • 06-18 2004 S.K. Fulton def. Dexter Hardaway for the SRPW Hardcore Title
  • 06-18 2004 Dirty Harry Sanchez def. S.K. Fulton for the SRPW Hardcore Title
  • 06-18 2006 Ryan Davidson def. Angel Williams for the MSWA Mid-South Heavyweight Title
  • 06-18 2011 Michael Barry def. Kenny Campbell for the IZW Impact Division Title
  • 06-18 2016 Spyder became the SRPW United States Champion
  • 06-18 2016 Skylar Slice became the IZW Womens Champion
  • 06-18 2021 Lady Sensacion became the FIW Women’s Champion
  • 06-18 2021 Rodeo (Chandler Hopkins & Malico) def. Cam Cole & Johnny Bedlam for the TexPro Tag Team Titles
  • 06-18 2022 Duke Cornell def. Blue Bolt for the WFC Prime Title
  • 06-18 2022 Maddox Jones def. Striker for the EPW Heavyweight Title
  • 06-18 2022 Mike Gunns def. Jake Danielsson for the NAW Heavyweight Title
  • 06-19 1977 Fritz Von Erich def. Bruiser Brody for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
  • 06-19 2010 Aaron Neil def. John O'Malley for the IZW Heavyweight Title
  • 06-19 2015 Bree Ann def. Claudia for the NWA-TXO Rose Title
  • 06-20 1972 The Continental Warriors (Bobby Hart & Lorenzo Parente) def. Tom Jones & Ivan Putski for the TSW United States Tag Team Titles
  • 06-20 1977 Bill Watts became the TSW North American Champion
  • 06-20 1987 Barry Windham became the UWF Western States Heritage Champion
  • 06-20 2004 X-Cal def. John O'Malley for the ACW Heavyweight Title
  • 06-20 2009 Dustin Heritage def. Dane Griffin for the IZW Impact Division Title
  • 06-20 2009 BLK-OUT (Montego Seeka & Jermaine Johnson) def. Impact, Inc, (Johnny Z & Bernie D) for the IZW Tag Team Titles
  • 06-20 2014 Bree Ann def. Miss Diss Lexia for the NWA-TXO Rose Title
  • 06-20 2021 DNR (Drake Gallows & Revan) def. Malik Mayfield & Maui Mike for the ASP Tag Team Titles
06-18
  • Abe Jacobs Jun 18th Today!
  • Cam the CODA Jun 18th Today!
  • Johnny Angel Jun 18th Today!
  • Andy Dalton Jun 18th Today!
  • Bruiser Brody Jun 18th Today!
  • Sashimi Deluxe Jun 18th Today!
  • Bad Boy Jun 18th Today!
  • Wahoo McDaniel Jun 19th
  • Billy the Kid Jun 19th
  • Kodi Ocean Jun 19th
  • Top Dollar Bill Jun 19th
  • Miguel Padilla Jun 19th
  • Mike Two Jun 19th
  • Canadian Red Devil Jun 19th
  • Professor Ito Jun 20th
  • Koko B. Ware Jun 20th
  • Jon Cross Jun 20th
  • David Kyzer Jun 20th
  • Jeff the Ref Jun 21st
  • Super Star Jun 21st
  • Milton Winkelman Jun 21st
  • Phantom Star Jun 21st
  • Rick Russo Jun 21st
  • Athena Jun 23rd
  • Juan Sebastian Jun 24th
  • Gabe Wilder Jun 24th
  • Don Kent Jun 24th
  • X-Storms Jun 25th
  • Kody Lane Jun 25th
  • Sylvia Richmond Jun 26th
  • D. K. Bradley Jun 26th
  • Paul Rodriguez Jun 26th
  • Jax Samuel Jun 26th
  • Jason Kirby Jun 27th
  • Reckless Jun 27th
  • Dan Barnhart Jun 27th
  • Ignition Jun 27th
  • Kuda Jun 27th
  • Claire Jun 28th
  • Doc Hearon Jun 28th
  • John Tidwell Jun 28th
  • J. J. Blake Jun 28th
  • Malico Jun 28th
  • Kenny Mack Jun 28th
  • Damian Kincaid Jun 28th
  • Boris Malenko Jun 28th
  • Bill Dromo Jun 28th
  • Voltio Santiago Jun 29th
  • Barbara Galento Jun 29th
  • Kenneth Caine Jun 30th
  • Terry Funk Jun 30th
  • Ed Lewis Jun 30th
  • Sung Yung Kang Jul 1st
  • Jake Hollister Jul 1st
  • Li'l Joe Jul 1st
  • Tim WarCloud Jul 1st

More Look Back In History

Card Results

1

Current Champions

All Star Pro

Malik Mayfield

Heavyweight Champion
Malik Mayfield

 
  • Tag Team Champions: Team Barricade
  • 5-Star Champion: Will Chambers
  • Livestream Champion: Mitch Onyx
  • WTF Champion: MLP