World Xtreme Wrestling
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| Acronym | WXW |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1996-present |
| Style | professional wrestling |
| Headquarters | Allentown, Pennsylvania Minneola, Florida |
| Founder(s) | Afa Anoa'i |
| Owner(s) | Afa Anoa'i |
| Parent | Top Rope Productions (1996-1998) World Xtreme Wrestling (1998-current) |
| Website | WXWwrestling.com WXW Womens League |
World Xtreme Wrestling is a Northeastern-based independent professional wrestling promotion which has held events across the United States and have toured in Japan, the Middle East and South Pacific region including American Samoa and Guam.
Associated with Afa Anoa'i's Wild Samoan Pro Wrestling Training Center in Allentown, Pennsylvania, among its students who have competed for the promotion include current and former World Wrestling Entertainment competitors Batista, Chris Kanyon, Billy Kidman, Gene Snitsky and cousins Jamal (known as Umaga) [1] and Rosey [2] of Three Minute Warning. Court Bauer, a member of the WWE creative team, was formerly a booker for the promotion during the mid-1990s. [3]
The promotion features in the film The Wrestler, where Mickey Rourke's character "Randy 'The Ram' Robinson" wrestles Tommy Rotten (portrayed by WXW wrestler Tommy Suede).
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[edit] Early history
Originally formed in 1970 as the Trans World Wrestling Federation in association with the original Wild Samoan Pro Wrestling Training Center, the promotion's early history is unrecorded however Jules Strongbow and Yukon Jack have both been credited as former heavyweight champions. During the early 1990s, the promotion's roster included independent wrestlers such as Bam Bam Bigelow, Chief Dave Foxx, Billy Kidman, Chris Kanyon, Tony Stetson & Glen Osbourne. [4]
[edit] Top Rope Productions and World Xtreme Wrestling
Established in 1996 as a continuation of the Trans World Wrestling Federation, continued to be owned and operated by Afa Anoa'i.
In 1998, the promotion held its first live televised supercard Sportsfest '98 in Allentown, Pennsylvania which featured several wrestlers from the World Wrestling Federation including Rocky Maivia, Mankind, Owen Hart, D'Lo Brown as well as former WWF wrestlers Doink the Clown, King Kong Bundy and The Bushwackers. In later Sportsfest's, wrestlers which have appeared include Greg "the Hammer" Valentine, Don Muraco, Tito Santana, Nikolai Volkoff, Kamala, Virgil, Gangrel, Rikishi and Gillberg. Independent wrestlers including "Mr. USA" Tony Atlas, "Big" Dick Dudley and "Pitbull" Gary Wolfe have also made appearances at past Sportsfests.
Around this time, WXW held monthly shows at the American Legion Building in Hazleton, PA. Shows ceased shortly thereafter, as the WXW talent was known for abusing the building and ultimately the building was condemned and demolished. This was not just because of the WXW talent, but they certainly contribuited to the problems.
In addition, WXW changed from their former name because Afa was running shows without a license and was simply asking for donations at the door. The State Athletic Committee caught on after awhile.
Shortly after the close of Extreme Championship Wrestling, several former ECW wrestlers including Mikey Whipwreck, Devon Storm, Little Guido, The Sandman and Tommy Dreamer "invaded" Sportsfest 2001 with the Sandman and Tommy Dreamer being defeated by Samu and Mana in the main event.
During that year, the promotion established a women's division with Kattra becoming the first WXW Women's Champion however she would eventually be stripped of the title in March 2001 after failing to defend the championship. Although the title would be won by BellaDonna after defeating Jessica Dally on March 9, the title would again be vacated with the title remaining inactive for several months (the division would again be reactivated following the WXW Women's ELITE 8 Tournament in Danbury, Connecticut [5] on September 25, 2002 with Cindy Rogers winning the WXW Women's title in a battle royal at Sportsfest 2003).
Although the promotion had held live television tapings at past events, WXW began airing a weekly television program, WXW Rage TV, in January 2002 featuring a variety of WXW talent, including Afa, Afa, Jr., L.A. Smooth, Showtime Shane Black, Havoc, Nuissance and Supreme Lee Great as well as former WWE wrestlers such as Samu. Rage TV features a rotating commentary team that has included Doc Daniels, The Bald Guy, Ben Miller, Saul Steinberk, Gerry Strauss and Nate Stein. Other independent wrestlers who have appeared on Rage TV include Salvatore Bellomo, Lo-Ki, John Rambo and Slyk Wagner Brown.
In early 2002, WXW promoted its first tour overseas and appeared for U.S. troops stationed in the Middle East, including Afghanistan. In August 2002, the promotion held a second tour in Asia and the South Pacific appearing for one month in Japan, Okinawa, Korea, Guam and Hawaii.
In late 2004, WXW expanded and began holding events in Florida near the original Wild Samoan Pro Wrestling Training Center in Pensacola although the promotion later moved back to Allentown, Pennsylvania in January 2005.
WXW now holds all of its events in Florida, and a new branch of World Xtreme Wrestling, called WXW C4 has been created and promotes regular events in Allentown, Pennsylvania. World Xtreme Wrestling C4 is run by Afa's son Samu and Afa Jr. and has also taken the place of the old Rage TV slot with their weekly television show, Blast TV.
WXW events in Florida are primarily located in Minneola, and their RageTV broadcasts can be seen on their website WXWWrestling.com
[edit] Women's ELITE 8 Tournament
The Women's Elite 8 Torunament is a tournament formed by WXW promotion to offer a platform for top female wrestlers. There have been 8 annual WXW Women's ELITE 8 Tournaments starting September 27, 2002 in Danbury, CT. Traci Brooks won the first tournament.
1st Annual- September 27th, 2002 in Danbury, CT. Griffin pinned Jessica Dally. Mercedes Martinez beat Katarina Heiss. Valentina fought Traci Brooks to a draw and both advanced in tournament. Ariel pinned BellaDawna. Gail Kim pinned Nikki Roxx. Traci Brooks pinned Ariel. Griffin pinned Valentina. Gail Kim pinned April Hunter. Mercedes Martinez pinned Griffin. Traci Brooks pinned Gail Kim. Traci Brooks pinned Mercedes Martinez to become the first ever Elite 8 Winner. (Special Enforcer For Finals: Steve Wilkos)
2nd Annual- November 21st, 2003 - Sciota, PA Jessica Dally & Sarah Stock (Sarita) co-won a battle royal for entry into the tournament. Sarah Stock (Sarita) pinned Jessica Dally. April Hunter pinned Ariel. Angel Williams (Angelina Love) pinned Allison Danger. Beth Phoenix pinned Psycho Second round: April pinned Sarah (Sarita). Phoenix pinned Angel (Angelina Love). Finals of tournament. April Hunter beat Phoenix to win the Elite 8 Tournament.
3rd Annual- October 9th, 2004 - Sciota, PA First Round: Alere Little Feather pinned Amber O’Neal. Krissy Vaine pinned Cindy Rogers. Allison Danger pinned Simply Luscious. Mercedes Martinez beat Lacy by submission. Second Round: Alere Little Feather pinned Krissy Vaine. Mercedes Martinez beat Allison Danger by submission. Tournament Final: Alere Little Feather pinned Mercedes Martinez to win the third annual Women’s Elite 8.
4th Annual- October 23rd, 2005 - Allentown, PA Alicia pinned Ariel Phoenix pinned Nikki Roxx. Cindy Rogers beat Allison Danger by submission. Melissa Coates beat 21st Century Fox by submission. Alicia pinned Phoenix. Cindy Rogers pinned Melissa Coates. Tournament Final: Alicia pinned Cindy Rogers to win the Elite 8 Tournament
5th Annual- October 14th, 2006 - Allentown, PA Kacee Carlisle beat Jana (replacing Joy, who was attacked by ring announcer Meghan) Faith beat Lexi Lane. Hailey Hatred beat Cha Cha. Mercedes Martinez beat Amber. Kacee Carlisle beat Faith. Mercedes Martinez beat Hailey Hatred. Mercedes Martinez beat Kacee Carlisle to win the Elite 8 Tournament.
6th Annual- November 10, 2007 - Coplay, PA Mo'Nique -vs- Jana; Mo'Nique wins. Annie Social -vs- Jana; Annie wins. Hailey Hatred -vs- Alexa Thatcher; Hailey wins. Cindy Rogers -vs- Becky Bayless; Cindy wins. Mo'Nique -vs- Annie Social; Annie wins. Hailey Hatred -vs- Cindy Rogers -vs- Becky Bayless; Cindy wins Elite 8 Finals: Cindy Rogers -vs- Annie Social, Special Guest Referee was Sunny.
7th Annual- November 15, 2008- Leesburg, FL Rain defeated Becky Bayless, Lexie Fyfe beat Amber O'neal, Leva beat Betsy Ruth, Mercedes Martinez beat Ferrari, Mercedes Martinez beat Rain, Lexie Fyfe beat Leva, FINALS- Mercedes Martinez beat Lexie Fyfe
8th Annual- November 14, 2009- Minneola, FL Lace defeated Lorelei Lee, Sarona Snuka beat Rain, Betsy Ruth beat Josie (Sojournor Bolt), Kimberly beats Leva, Betsy Ruth beat Kimberly, Sarona Snuka beat Lace, FINALS- Betsy Ruth beat Sarona Snuka
[edit] Roster
[edit] Male Superstars
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[edit] Female Superstars
- Angel Rose
- Amy Love
- Kimberly
- Kristin Astara
- Leva
- Mercedes Martinez
[edit] Referees
- Aaron Landis
- Chris Russo
- Emilio Aubin
- Joe Hicks
- Kevin Grogan
- Scott Wheeler
[edit] Others
- Afa The Wild Samoan, owner
- High Profile Candilynn, manager
- Rico Moon, manager
[edit] Championships
| Championship | Current champion(s) | Date won | Won from |
|---|---|---|---|
| WXW Heavyweight Championship | Samoan Storm Afa Jr. | February 20, 2012 | Bryan Maddox |
| WXW Television Championship | Nick Nero | January 14, 2012 | CJ O'Doyle |
| WXW Tag Team Championship | Butch Long and Marc Mandrake | January 14, 2012 | Pablo Marquez and Reggie Rhythm |
| WXW Women's Championship | Mercedes Martinez | September 10, 2011 | Kimberly |
| WXW C4 Women's Championship | Gabby Gilbert | November 5, 2011 | Niya |
[edit] Defunct championships
| Championship | Final champion | Date won | Won from | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WXW Cruiserweight Championship | Sabian | April 12, 2000 | Sean Casey | Retired on March 1, 2011. |
| WXW Women's Tag Team Championship | The Big Unit(Cindy Rogers & Alicia) | April 12, 2000 | Flash Flanagan | Retired in 2001. |
| WXW Hardcore Championship | Bryan Maddox | Samu |
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ "Umaga". SLAM! Wrestling. 2006-04-25. http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/Bios/umaga.html. Retrieved 2007-04-12.
- ^ "Rosey". SLAM! Wrestling. 2005-10-23. http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/Bios/rosey.html. Retrieved 2007-04-12.
- ^ Powell, Jason (2003-40-27). "Powell interviews and profiles latest WWE creative team member, Court Bauer". Pro Wrestling Torch. Archived from the original on 2007-09-29. http://web.archive.org/web/20070929090822/http://www.pwtorch.com/artman/exec/view.cgi/24/13327. Retrieved 2007-04-12.
- ^ Shaffer, Eric. "Top Rope Productions Title Histories". http://www.wxwwrestling.homestead.com/HistoryTitles.html. Retrieved 2007-04-18.
- ^ "WXW Women's ELITE 8 Tournament". Wrestlers Female. 2009-06-11. http://www.wrestlersfemale.com/wxw-elite.html. Retrieved 2010-01-10.
[edit] Further reading
- "Wrestler Has Attack In Ring, Dies; Pro Wrestler Gary Albright Suffers A Heart Attack In Match With Bill Owen Of Wilkes-Barre During World Xtreme Wrestling Show In Hazleton". Wilkes-Barre Times Leader. 09 Jan 2000
- "Pro wrestler dies in the ring". Associated Press. 10 Jan 2000
- "Red Lake Falls' Tag Team - Hometown Boys Pin Hope On Pro Wrestling". Grand Forks Herald. 22 Sept 2002
- Duncan, Royal and Gary Will. Wrestling Title Histories, Revised 4th Edition. Waterloo, Ontario: Archeus Communications, 2000. ISBN 0-9698161-5-4
