The Empire Wrestling Federation (EWF) is an independent wrestling promotion based in San Bernardino, California. It is owned and operated by Jesse Hernandez). The EWF is also tied to Hernandez's wrestling school, The School Of Hard Knocks. The EWF is the longest running promotion in Southern California, running continuously from 1996. The EWF is also an affiliate of the National Wrestling Alliance.
[edit] History
EWF was founded in 1996 by Bill Anderson and Jesse Hernandez. it saw its first show in May 1996 at the Boys and Girls Club of San Bernardino as Bobby Bradley defeated Tom "Zuma" Howard to become the first EWF Heavyweight Champion. In 1999 Bill Anderson left the EWF and formed his own promotion and wrestling school, the International Wrestling Council in Riverside, California. In June 1996 a tribute to "Superstar" Billy Graham was held.
Several EWF wrestlers from the past have gone on to national fame, including Rico Constantino, Awesome Kong, Louie Spicolli, Frankie Kazarian, Christopher Daniels, Shelly Martinez and Melina Perez. In 1997 Chris Jericho and Lee Marshall of World Championship Wrestling (WCW) mentioned EWF on WCW broadcasts and Marshall attended a show in Hemet, California. Other pro wrestling stars have made appearance at EWF shows including Mando Guerrero, Peter Maivia, Ludvig Borga, The Honky Tonk Man, Tony Atlas and Tom Brandi. Many EWF wrestlers appear as jobbers on World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) broadcasts, and at the 1999 Royal Rumble the orderlies sent to apprehend Kane were performed by the EWF roster, including then owners Bill Anderson and Jesse Hernandez.
[edit] School of Hard Knocks
The EWF School of Hard Knocks is owned and operated by Jesse Hernandez and is currently located at the American Sports University, 399 North "D" Street in San Bernardino, CA. The School of Hard Knocks became the Official Training Facility of the National Wrestling Alliance in 2007 and has trained countless students from such countries as Canada, France, Australia, India, Great Britain, Russia, Mexico and others, in addition to those students who come to the school from all regions of the United States. The EWF's School of Hard Knocks has sent several wrestlers to the WWE, TNA, NWA, ROH and other prominent promotions across the globe including Melina (WWE), Rico Constantino (WWE), Frankie Kazarian (TNA, WWE), Awesome Kong (TNA, AJW, WWE), Rocky Romero (NWA, ROH, NJPW, AAA, CMLL), Ricky Reyes (ROH), Alex Koslov (CMLL, AAA) and Shelly Martinez (WWE, TNA). The School of Hard Knocks also has served as the training area for Chris Jericho (WWE), Layla (WWE), Eve Torres (WWE), Rhaka Khan (TNA), Lena Yada (WWE) and others, who looked to brush up on their in-ring skills.
[edit] Empire Wrestling Live
Formerly the EWF had a weekly radio show which aired live on Saturday nights from December 2009 until February 2011 on KCAA 1050 AM. The show premiered on December 5, 2009. It was hosted by EWF Commentators, Lalo Gonzalez and Kelli Lee. The show covered EWF news, show recaps and interviews with EWF Superstars as well as internationally recognized superstars such as TNA Superstar Kurt Angle, Former WWE/WCW Superstar Diamond Dallas Page, ECW Superstar Jerry Lynn, WWE Hall of Famer Jimmy Hart and Former WWE Superstar Road Warrior Animal to name a few.
On August 11, 2011, the EWF returned to the air waves with Empire Wrestling Live with special guest, The Honky Tonk Man. The show is hosted by "Webmaster" Wade Needham and The DA, which airs live every Tuesday from the American Sports University in San Bernardino, CA, the home of the School of Hard Knocks.
[edit] Interviews / Guests
- The Honky Tonk Man - August 11, 2011
- "Handsome" Johnny Starr - August 17, 2011
- Commissioner: Frank Mott - August 31, 2011
- Bobby Roode - October 12, 2011
[edit] Current champions
[edit] Defunct Championships
The EWF Cruiserweight Championship was introduced in 2004 and was won by Liger Rivera in a 4-Way match. It was defended from 2004 until is was retired in 2011. It had been featured in the EWF's Match of the Year in both 2009 and 2010. Ray Rosas was the last EWF Crusierweight Champion.
[edit] Annual events
The Empire Wrestling Federation currently holds two annual events, the Great Goliath Memorial Battle Royal and the Inland Title Series. The Great Goliath Memorial Battle Royal, held in honor of the wrestler who trained Jesse Hernandez, the EWF's owner and promoter, has been held during the EWF's Anniversary Show in May since 2006. The winner is awarded a trophy or plaque and is granted a shot at the EWF Heavyweight Championship.
[edit] Great Goliath Battle Royal
| Won By: |
Year Won: |
Location: |
Notes: |
| Josh Dunbar/Shaun Ricker |
2011 |
Covina, CA |
Both men eliminated each other simultaneously, declared Co-Winners |
| Chris Kadillak |
2010 |
Covina, CA |
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| Devon Willis |
2009 |
Covina, CA |
Used his title shot at The Covina Classic, winning the match by countout against then champion, Brandon Gatson. Lost their rematch at Knockdown Dragout 3 |
| Ryan Taylor |
2008 |
Covina, CA |
Used his title shot at The Covina Classic, losing to then champion, Scorpio Sky. |
| Dan "The Man" Kobrick |
2007 |
Covina, CA |
Used his title shot at The Covina Classic, losing to then champion, Joey Harder. |
| Cincinnati Red |
2006 |
Covina, CA |
Gave the trophy to Great Goliath's daughter, Paloma, and forfeited his right to a title match. |
[edit] Inland Title Series/Inland Title Tournament
The Inland Title Series was a round robin style tournament, held at the end of the year. The winner of the ITS was granted a shot at the EWF Heavyweight Championship. In 2010, the format and name of the event was changed. It became the Inland Title Tournament and switched to an 8-Man, single elimination tournament. The winner will be granted a shot at the EWF Championship.
The Inland Title Series returns November 25, 2011 in the Knights of Columbus Hall in Covina, CA. Originally Chris Kadillak was advertised to face Ryan Taylor in the first round but was later replaced by "Project 56" Joshua Dunbar. This was also the first time Scorpio Sky was able to score a win over "Mega King" Tommy Wilson in a EWF ring.
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Final |
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Jeremy Jaeger |
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Mondo Vega |
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Jeremy Jaeger |
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Scorpio Sky |
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Scorpio Sky |
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"Mega King" Tommy Wilson |
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Jeremy Jaeger |
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Ryan Taylor |
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"Project 56" Joshua Dunbar |
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Ryan Taylor |
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Ryan Taylor |
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Willie Mack |
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Willie Mack |
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Robby Phoenix |
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Quarterfinals |
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Final |
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Hector Canales |
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Tommy Wilson |
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Tommy Wilson |
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Scorpio Sky |
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Scorpio Sky |
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Liger Rivera |
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Tommy Wilson |
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SoCal Crazy |
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SoCal Crazy |
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"Handsome" Johnny Starr |
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SoCal Crazy |
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"Brawlin" Bo Cooper |
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"Brawlin" Bo Cooper |
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"Project 56" Josh Dunbar |
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| Participant: |
Record: |
Notes: |
| SoCal Crazy |
3-0 |
Is the only wrestler in ITS history to finish undefeated |
| Terex |
2-1 |
| Freddy Bravo |
1-2 |
| Tim Lovato |
0-3 |
| Participant: |
Record: |
Notes: |
| Matt Jackson |
2-1-1 |
Finished tied for 1st. Chose to stay tied and compete for the EWF Tag Title |
| Nick Jackson |
2-1-1 |
Finished tied for 1st. Chose to stay tied and compete for the EWF Tag Title |
| Johnny Paradise |
1-2 |
| "Top Shelf" Jeremy Jaeger |
1-2 |
| Participant: |
Record: |
Notes: |
| Brandon "Nitro" Gatson |
3-1-0 |
Defeated Scorpio Sky in a tie breaker match to win the ITS. |
| Scorpio Sky |
2-2-0 |
Lost to Brandon "Nitro" Gatson in an ITS tie breaker match. |
| Ryan Taylor |
1-2-0 |
| JT Blackstar |
1-2-0 |
| Participant: |
Record: |
Notes: |
| Joey Harder |
3-0-1 |
Defeated T.J. Perkins in a tie breaker match to win the ITS. |
| TJ Perkins |
2-1-1 |
Lost to Joey Harder in an ITS tie breaker match. |
| Hook Bomberry |
1-2-0 |
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| Jason King |
0-3-0 |
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[edit] Officials
- Owner / Promoter: Jesse Hernandez
- Commissioner: Frank Mott
- Deputy Commissioner: Marty Elias
[edit] Referees
- Senior Official: Marty Elias
- Justin Borden
- Christopher Lee
| Commentators: |
Dates: |
| "Webmaster" Wade Needham and "The Expert" Matt Sinister |
October 14, 2011 – present |
| Kelli Lee and "The Expert" Matt Sinister |
July 2, 2011 – October 14, 2011 |
| Lalo Gonzalez, Kelli Lee, and "The Expert" Matt Sinister |
June 5, 2011 – July 2, 2011 |
| Lalo Gonzalez and Kelli Lee |
N/A – July 2, 2011 |
[edit] Ring Announcers
[edit] References
[edit] External links
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