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{{about|the American professional wrestling promotion run by [[Killer Kowalski]]|the international governing body for amateur wrestling|United World Wrestling}}
#REDIRECT [[United World Wrestling]]
{{Infobox Wrestling promotion
|name=International Wrestling Federation
|image=
|acronym=IWF
|established=1979<ref name="NEI">{{cite web |url=http://www.metrocast.net/~jjakan/features-graveyard.html#International%20Wrestling%20Federation |title= |author= |date= |website= |publisher= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |accessdate=}}</ref>
|folded=1996
|style=
|location=[[Reading, Massachusetts]]<br/>[[Burlington, Vermont]]<ref name="NEI"/>
|founder=[[Killer Kowalski]]<ref name="NEI"/>
|owner=Killer Kowalski (1979-1996)
|parent=
}}
The '''International Wrestling Federation''' ('''IWF''', also known as '''Killer Kowalski's All-Stars''') was a [[professional wrestling]] [[Professional wrestling promotion|promotion]] that held events in the [[Northeastern United States]] from 1979 to 1996, when it was run by [[Killer Kowalski]].<ref name="Kaelberer">{{cite book |last=Kaelberer |first=Angie Peterson |date=2010 |title=Edge Books: Triple H |url= |location= |publisher=Capstone |page=12 |isbn=1429639482 |access-date= }}</ref> The promotion was based in [[Reading, Massachusetts]], with offices in [[Burlington, Vermont]].<ref name="NEI"/> It operated in conjunction with Kowalski's famed wrestling school in [[Malden, Massachusetts]].

==History and overview==
===Formation===
The International Wrestling Federation was formed in 1979 by [[Killer Kowalski]] two years after starting his wrestling school, the Killer Kowalski Institute for Professional Wrestling, in [[Malden, Massachusetts]]. The first championship titles were introduced in 1982 with Kowalski and [[The Executioners (professional wrestling)|The Executioners]] being billed as the first IWF Heavyweight and Tag Team Champions respectively. That same year, the IWF began airing a Sunday morning show, ''Bedlam from Boston'', on the [[WFXT|WXNE-TV]].<ref name="NEI"/><ref name="SLAM-Kowalski">{{cite web |url=http://slam.canoe.com/Slam/Wrestling/Bios/pf-kowalski.html |title= |author= |date= |website=[[Canoe.ca|Canadian Online Explorer]] |publisher=SLAM! Sports |archiveurl= |archivedate= |accessdate=}}</ref> During this period, Kowalski partnered with [[Dominic DeNucci]] and [[Bruno Sammartino]]'s "International Wrestling" group based in [[Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania]].

===Territorial reach===
Kowalski initially promoted shows in the [[Greater Boston Area]] but eventually toured throughout the Northeastern United States.<ref name="Kaelberer"/><ref name="SLAM-Kowalski"/> IWF event tours also included high school gyms and fairs in cities throughout [[New England]]. Some of the promotion's regular towns included [[Andover, Massachusetts|Andover]], [[Bellingham, Massachusetts|Bellingham]], [[Billerica, Massachusetts]], [[Grafton, Massachusetts|Grafton]], [[Middleboro, Massachusetts|Middleboro]], [[Norwood, Massachusetts|Norwood]], [[Waltham, Massachusetts|Waltham]], and [[Westford, Massachusetts]]. The IWF relocated to [[Burlington, Vermont]] in the early-1990s<ref name="NEI"/> but returned to the Boston area by November 2001.<ref name="411mania">{{cite web |url=http://411mania.com/wrestling/411-tuesday-indy-report-results-iwf-maple-leaf-comeback/ |title= |author= |date= |website= |publisher= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |accessdate=}}</ref><ref name="BDS">{{cite news |author= |date= |title= |url=http://www.berlindailysun.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=32404:wrestling-champion-locates-to-paper-city&catid=107&Itemid=446 |work= |location= |publisher= |accessdate= }}</ref>

===Notable talent===
The IWF featured many former [[World Wide Wrestling Federation]] stars during its early years including, most notably, [[Dominic DeNucci]], [[Larry Zbyszko]], [[The Haiti Kid]] and [[The Valiant Brothers]] ([[Jerry Valiant]] and [[Johnny Valiant]]). [[Bull Curry]] was the main "heel" wrestling manager before his death.<ref name="SLAM-Kowalski"/> Zbyszko's infamous WWWF feud with [[Bruno Sammartino]] spilled over into the IWF as he battled his former mentor's real-life son [[David Sammartino|Bruno Sammartino Jr.]] in late-1982. Kowalski continued bringing in talent from the World Wrestling Federation when [[Vince McMahon|Vince McMahon Jr.]] took over his father's promotion in the 1980s.

The promotion showcased a number of wrestlers who were regulars in the northeast wrestling scene and was the birthplace of [[Triple H|Paul Levesque]] (then known as Terra Ryzing),<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cagesideseats.com/2009/10/26/1101886/triple-h-some-people-think-were |title= |author= |date= |website= |publisher= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |accessdate=}}</ref> [[Perry Saturn]] and [[Chyna]]. Levesque, who had graduated from Kowalski's school at the top of his class,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wrestlingmuseum.com/pages/wrestlers/hunterhelmsley2.html |title= |author= |date= |website= |publisher= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |accessdate=}}</ref> made his IWF debut in March 1992 defeating Tony Roy. Two months later, he won the organization's heavyweight title from Mad Dog Richard.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://slam.canoe.com/Slam/Wrestling/Bios/helmsley.html |title= |author= |date= |website=[[Canoe.ca|Canadian Online Explorer]] |publisher=SLAM! Sports |archiveurl= |archivedate= |accessdate=}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.legacyofwrestling.com/TripleH.html |title= |author= |date= |website= |publisher= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |accessdate=}}</ref> Saturn, billed as "The Iron Horseman", won the IWF North American and Light Heavyweight Championship during the early 1990s. He also won the IWF Tag Team Championship with Levesque.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://wrestlingredux.blogspot.com/2007/04/wcw-perry-saturn-part-1.html |title= |author= |date= |website= |publisher= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |accessdate=}}</ref> Saturn met his future tag team partner [[John Kronus]] while working for the IWF and helped enroll him Kowalski's wrestling school.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.lchr.org/a/45/75/Bio2.html |title= |author= |date= |website= |publisher= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |accessdate=}}</ref> Chyna (Joanie Lee) won the IWF Ladies Championship from The Violet Flame in the mid-1990s.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.glorywrestling.com/gg/VioletFlame/VF.asp |title= |author= |date= |website= |publisher= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |accessdate=}}</ref> [[Ron Reis|"Giant" Ron Reis]] and [[The Renegade (wrestler)|The Renegade]], as "Rio, Lord of the Jungle", found success in [[World Championship Wrestling]].<ref name="NEI"/>

===World Wrestling Federation===
Kowalski had a strong relationship with both [[Vince McMahon Sr.]] and his son [[Vince McMahon|Vince McMahon Jr.]]. His students (many of whom IWF stars) regularly appeared on World Wrestling Federation television as preliminary wrestlers during the 1980s and 90s.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/bios/c/chris-duffy/ |title= |author= |date= |website= |publisher= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |accessdate=}}</ref> His best known students - [[Triple H]], [[Chyna]] and [[Perry Saturn]] - had prominant roles in the company during the [[Attitude Era]].<ref name="NEI"/>

The IWF later featured former WWF stars [[Demolition Ax]], [[King Kong Bundy]], [[Hercules (wrestler)|Hercules]], [[The Honky Tonk Man]], [[The Mountie]], [[Jake Roberts|Jake "The Snake" Roberts]], [[Jimmy Snuka]], and [[Nikolai Volkoff]].<ref name="NEI"/> In December 1992, following his controversial departure from the WWF, [[The Ultimate Warrior]] (appearing under his old "Dingo Warrior" ring name) wrestled Hercules at an IWF show in Billerica, Massachusetts.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://411mania.com/wrestling/the-piledriver-report-04-12-14-goodbye-warrior/ |title= |author= |date= |website= |publisher= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |accessdate=}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gerweck.net/2014/04/15/wrestling-by-the-numbers-james-the-ultimate-warrior/ |title= |author= |date= |website= |publisher= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |accessdate=}}</ref> WWF stars, such as [[Adam Bomb]], [[Bob Backlund]], [[Doink the Clown]], [[King Kong Bundy]] and [[Hakushi]], occassionally appeared at IWF events in the mid-1990s.

===Demise===
The IWF stopped holding regular shows after 1996 though Kowalski continued promoting under the "Killer Kowalski's All-Stars" banner for a few more years.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.glorywrestling.com/WomensWrestlingNews/20040815_0948.asp |title= |author= |date= |website= |publisher= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |accessdate=}}</ref> In November 2001, the IWF took part in "Headlocks for Humanity", an [[American Red Cross]] benefit show for victims of the [[September 11th attacks]], with [[Slyk Wagner Brown]] (managed by [[April Hunter]]) and CueBall representing the promotion.<ref name="411mania"/> One of the IWF's last shows was held in [[Sutton, New Hampshire]] on November 2, 2002.<ref name="OWW-NOV2002">{{cite web |url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/other/2002-11.html |title= |author= |date= |website= |publisher= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |accessdate=}}</ref><ref name="BDS"/> Finally in 2003, health issues forced Kowalski to withdraw from both promoting and the wrestling school. Following his death in 2008, the Kowalski estate auctioned off IWF correspondence and other wrestling memorabilia from his career.<ref>{{cite news |author= |date= |title= |url=http://www.wickedlocal.com/article/20110809/News/308099854/?Start=2 |work= |location= |publisher= |accessdate= }}</ref>

==Alumni==

==Championships==
;Key
{| class="wikitable" width=50%
|-
|'''Reign'''
|The reign number for the specific set of wrestlers listed
|-
|'''Event'''
|The event promoted by the respective promotion in which the titles were won
|-
|N/A
|The specific information is not known
|-
| —
|Used for vacated reigns so as not to count it as an official reign
|-
|(n)
|Indicates that a title change took place "no later than" the date listed.<ref group=Note>Documentation of the specific date of a title change is not found but documentation of the champion holding the title on that date/in that period.</ref>
|-
|style="background: #aaaaaa;"|&nbsp;
|Indicates that there was a period where the lineage is undocumented due to the lack of written documentation
|-
|}

===IWF Heavyweight Championship===
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align: center" width=100%
!width=0 data-sort-type="number"|No.
!width=32%|Champion
!width=0 |Reign
!width=12%|Date
!width=0 data-sort-type="number"|Days held
!width=13%|Location
!width=15%|Event
!width=60% class="unsortable"|Notes
!width=0 class="unsortable"|Ref.
|-
!1
|{{sort|Kowalski|[[Killer Kowalski]]}}
|1
|{{sort|{{dts|1982|1|1}}|1982 (n)}}
|{{sort|—|N/A}}
|Unknown
|[[House show|Live event]]
|align=left|&nbsp;
|
|-
|style="background: #aaaaaa;"|{{sort|01.5|&nbsp;}}
|style="background: #aaaaaa;"|&nbsp;
|style="background: #aaaaaa;"|&nbsp;
|style="background: #aaaaaa;"|&nbsp;
|style="background: #aaaaaa;"|&nbsp;
|style="background: #aaaaaa;"|&nbsp;
|style="background: #aaaaaa;"|&nbsp;
|style="background: #aaaaaa;"|&nbsp;
|style="background: #aaaaaa;"|&nbsp;
|-
!2
|{{sort|Walsh|Bryan Walsh}}
|1
|{{sort|—|N/A}}
|{{sort|—|N/A}}
|Unknown
|[[House show|Live event]]
|align=left|&nbsp;
|&nbsp;
|-
!3
|{{sort|Duffy|Chris Duffy}}
|1
|{{sort|—|N/A}}
|{{sort|—|N/A}}
|Unknown
|[[House show|Live event]]
|align=left|&nbsp;
|&nbsp;
|-
!4
|{{sort|Dee|Ronnie Dee}}
|1
|{{sort|—|N/A}}
|{{sort|—|N/A}}
|Unknown
|[[House show|Live event]]
|align=left|&nbsp;
|&nbsp;
|-
!5
|{{sort|Richards|Mad Dog Richards}}
|1
|{{sort|{{dts|1991|6|1}}|June, 1991 (n)}}
|{{sort|—|N/A}}
|Unknown
|[[House show|Live event]]
|align=left|&nbsp;
|&nbsp;
|-
!6
|{{sort|Ryzing|[[Triple H|Terra Ryzing]]}}
|1
|{{dts|1992|7}}
|{{sort|—|N/A}}
|Unknown
|[[House show|Live event]]
|align=left|&nbsp;
|&nbsp;
|-style="background-color:#e3e3e3"
|{{sort|05.5|—}}
|[[wikt:Vacate|Vacated]]
|—
|{{dts|1994|3|12}}
|—
|{{sort|—|N/A}}
|{{sort|—|N/A}}
|align=left|Championship vacated for unknown reasons
|&nbsp;
|-
!7
|{{sort|Roy|Tony Roy}}
|1
|{{sort|{{dts|1994|10|1}}|October, 1994 (n)}}
|{{sort|—|N/A}}
|Unknown
|[[House show|Live event]]
|align=left|&nbsp;
|&nbsp;
|}

===IWF Tag Team Championship===
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align: center" width=100%
!width=0 data-sort-type="number"|No.
!width=32%|Champions
!width=0 |Reign
!width=12%|Date
!width=0 data-sort-type="number"|Days held
!width=13%|Location
!width=15%|Event
!width=60% class="unsortable"|Notes
!width=0 class="unsortable"|Ref.
|-
!1
|''{{sort|Executioners|[[The Executioners (professional wrestling)|The Executioners]]}}''<br>(Executioner #1 and Executioner #2)
|1
|{{sort|{{dts|1982|1|1}}|1982 (n)}}
|{{sort|—|N/A}}
|Unknown
|[[House show|Live event]]
|align=left|&nbsp;
|
|-
!2
|Richard Byrne and Dan Petty
|1
|{{sort|{{dts|1982|1|1}}|1982 (n)}}
|{{sort|—|N/A}}
|Unknown
|[[House show|Live event]]
|align=left|&nbsp;
|
|-
!3
|[[Killer Kowalski|Executioner #1]] and [[Johnny Valiant]]
|1
|{{sort|{{dts|1982|1|1}}|1982 (n)}}
|{{sort|—|N/A}}
|Unknown
|[[House show|Live event]]
|align=left|&nbsp;
|
|-
|style="background: #aaaaaa;"|{{sort|01.5|&nbsp;}}
|style="background: #aaaaaa;"|&nbsp;
|style="background: #aaaaaa;"|&nbsp;
|style="background: #aaaaaa;"|&nbsp;
|style="background: #aaaaaa;"|&nbsp;
|style="background: #aaaaaa;"|&nbsp;
|style="background: #aaaaaa;"|&nbsp;
|style="background: #aaaaaa;"|&nbsp;
|style="background: #aaaaaa;"|&nbsp;
|}

===IWF North American Championship===
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align: center" width=100%
!width=0 data-sort-type="number"|No.
!width=32%|Champion
!width=0 |Reign
!width=12%|Date
!width=0 data-sort-type="number"|Days held
!width=13%|Location
!width=15%|Event
!width=60% class="unsortable"|Notes
!width=0 class="unsortable"|Ref.
|-
!1
|{{sort|Iron Horseman|[[Perry Saturn|The Iron Horseman]]}}
|1
|{{sort|{{dts|1994|3|1}}|March, 1994 (n)}}
|{{sort|—|N/A}}
|Unknown
|[[House show|Live event]]
|align=left|&nbsp;
|
|-
|style="background: #aaaaaa;"|{{sort|01.5|&nbsp;}}
|style="background: #aaaaaa;"|&nbsp;
|style="background: #aaaaaa;"|&nbsp;
|style="background: #aaaaaa;"|&nbsp;
|style="background: #aaaaaa;"|&nbsp;
|style="background: #aaaaaa;"|&nbsp;
|style="background: #aaaaaa;"|&nbsp;
|style="background: #aaaaaa;"|&nbsp;
|style="background: #aaaaaa;"|&nbsp;
|-
!2
|{{sort|Roy|Tony Roy}}
|1
|{{sort|{{dts|1995|3|1}}|March, 1995 (n)}}
|{{sort|—|N/A}}
|Unknown
|[[House show|Live event]]
|align=left|&nbsp;
|&nbsp;
|}

===IWF Light Heavyweight Championship===
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align: center" width=100%
!width=0 data-sort-type="number"|No.
!width=32%|Champion
!width=0 |Reign
!width=12%|Date
!width=0 data-sort-type="number"|Days held
!width=13%|Location
!width=15%|Event
!width=60% class="unsortable"|Notes
!width=0 class="unsortable"|Ref.
|-
|style="background: #aaaaaa;"|{{sort|01.5|&nbsp;}}
|style="background: #aaaaaa;"|&nbsp;
|style="background: #aaaaaa;"|&nbsp;
|style="background: #aaaaaa;"|&nbsp;
|style="background: #aaaaaa;"|&nbsp;
|style="background: #aaaaaa;"|&nbsp;
|style="background: #aaaaaa;"|&nbsp;
|style="background: #aaaaaa;"|&nbsp;
|style="background: #aaaaaa;"|&nbsp;
|-
!1
|{{sort|Wilcox|Bill Wilcox}}
|1
|{{sort|{{dts|1991|12|1}}|December, 1991 (n)}}
|{{sort|—|N/A}}
|Unknown
|[[House show|Live event]]
|align=left|&nbsp;
|
|-
!2
|{{sort|Iron Horseman|[[Perry Saturn|The Iron Horseman]]}}
|1
|{{dts|1991|12|6}}
|{{sort|—|N/A}}
|[[Andover, Massachusetts]]
|[[House show|Live event]]
|align=left|&nbsp;
|
|-
!3
|{{sort|Ulysses|Tony Ulysses}}
|1
|{{sort|{{dts|1993|1|1}}|January, 1993 (n)}}
|{{sort|—|N/A}}
|Unknown
|[[House show|Live event]]
|align=left|&nbsp;
|
|-
!4
|{{sort|Iron Horseman|[[Perry Saturn|The Iron Horseman]]}}
|1
|{{dts|1993|1|8}}
|{{sort|—|N/A}}
|[[Billerica, Massachusetts]]
|[[House show|Live event]]
|align=left|&nbsp;
|
|}

===IWF Ladies Championship===
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align: center" width=100%
!width=0 data-sort-type="number"|No.
!width=32%|Champion
!width=0 |Reign
!width=12%|Date
!width=0 data-sort-type="number"|Days held
!width=13%|Location
!width=15%|Event
!width=60% class="unsortable"|Notes
!width=0 class="unsortable"|Ref.
|-
|style="background: #aaaaaa;"|{{sort|01.5|&nbsp;}}
|style="background: #aaaaaa;"|&nbsp;
|style="background: #aaaaaa;"|&nbsp;
|style="background: #aaaaaa;"|&nbsp;
|style="background: #aaaaaa;"|&nbsp;
|style="background: #aaaaaa;"|&nbsp;
|style="background: #aaaaaa;"|&nbsp;
|style="background: #aaaaaa;"|&nbsp;
|style="background: #aaaaaa;"|&nbsp;
|-
!1
|{{sort|Ryan|Nickie Ryan}}
|1
|{{sort|—|N/A}}
|{{sort|—|N/A}}
|Unknown
|[[House show|Live event]]
|align=left|&nbsp;
|
|-
!2
|{{sort|Simmes|[[Misty Blue Simmes]]}}
|1
|{{dts|1985|3|30}}
|{{sort|—|N/A}}
|{{sort|—|N/A}}
|[[House show|Live event]]
|align=left|&nbsp;
|
|-
!3
|{{sort|Brown|[[Brittany Brown]]}}
|1
|{{sort|{{dts|1992|1|1}}|1992 (n)}}
|{{sort|—|N/A}}
|Unknown
|[[House show|Live event]]
|align=left|&nbsp;
|
|-
|style="background: #aaaaaa;"|{{sort|03.5|&nbsp;}}
|style="background: #aaaaaa;"|&nbsp;
|style="background: #aaaaaa;"|&nbsp;
|style="background: #aaaaaa;"|&nbsp;
|style="background: #aaaaaa;"|&nbsp;
|style="background: #aaaaaa;"|&nbsp;
|style="background: #aaaaaa;"|&nbsp;
|style="background: #aaaaaa;"|&nbsp;
|style="background: #aaaaaa;"|&nbsp;
|-
!4
|{{sort|Violet|Violet Flame}}
|1
|{{sort|{{dts|1996|1|1}}|January, 1996 (n)}}
|{{sort|—|N/A}}
|Unknown
|[[House show|Live event]]
|align=left|&nbsp;
|
|-
!5
|{{sort|Lee|[[Chyna|Joanie Lee]]}}
|1
|{{dts|1996|9|28}}
|{{sort|—|N/A}}
|[[Salem, New Hampshire]]
|[[House show|Live event]]
|align=left|&nbsp;
|
|}

==Footnotes==
{{reflist|group=Note}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Further reading==
*{{cite book |author=[[Harvey Wippleman|Lauer, Bruno]] |date=2011 |title=Wrestling with the Truth |url=http://www.crowbarpress.com/cbp-books/06-db.html |location=Gallatin, Tennessee |publisher=Crowbar Press |page= |isbn=978-0-9745545-7-0 |author-link= }}

==External links==
*[http://www.cagematch.net/?id=8&nr=782 International Wrestling Federation at Cagematch.net]
*[http://wrestlingdata.com/index.php?befehl=ligen&liga=84 International Wrestling Federation at Wrestlingdata.com]

[[Category:1979 establishments in Massachusetts]]
[[Category:1996 disestablishments in the United States]]
[[Category:Independent professional wrestling promotions based in Massachusetts]]
[[Category:Companies disestablished in 1996]]
[[Category:Companies established in 1979]]
[[Category:Sports in Massachusetts]]

Revision as of 19:44, 14 May 2017

This article is about the American professional wrestling promotion run by Killer Kowalski. For the international governing body for amateur wrestling, see United World Wrestling.
International Wrestling Federation
AcronymIWF
Founded1979[1]
Defunct1996
HeadquartersReading, Massachusetts
Burlington, Vermont[1]
Founder(s)Killer Kowalski[1]
Owner(s)Killer Kowalski (1979-1996)

The International Wrestling Federation (IWF, also known as Killer Kowalski's All-Stars) was a professional wrestling promotion that held events in the Northeastern United States from 1979 to 1996, when it was run by Killer Kowalski.[2] The promotion was based in Reading, Massachusetts, with offices in Burlington, Vermont.[1] It operated in conjunction with Kowalski's famed wrestling school in Malden, Massachusetts.

History and overview

Formation

The International Wrestling Federation was formed in 1979 by Killer Kowalski two years after starting his wrestling school, the Killer Kowalski Institute for Professional Wrestling, in Malden, Massachusetts. The first championship titles were introduced in 1982 with Kowalski and The Executioners being billed as the first IWF Heavyweight and Tag Team Champions respectively. That same year, the IWF began airing a Sunday morning show, Bedlam from Boston, on the WXNE-TV.[1][3] During this period, Kowalski partnered with Dominic DeNucci and Bruno Sammartino's "International Wrestling" group based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Territorial reach

Kowalski initially promoted shows in the Greater Boston Area but eventually toured throughout the Northeastern United States.[2][3] IWF event tours also included high school gyms and fairs in cities throughout New England. Some of the promotion's regular towns included Andover, Bellingham, Billerica, Massachusetts, Grafton, Middleboro, Norwood, Waltham, and Westford, Massachusetts. The IWF relocated to Burlington, Vermont in the early-1990s[1] but returned to the Boston area by November 2001.[4][5]

Notable talent

The IWF featured many former World Wide Wrestling Federation stars during its early years including, most notably, Dominic DeNucci, Larry Zbyszko, The Haiti Kid and The Valiant Brothers (Jerry Valiant and Johnny Valiant). Bull Curry was the main "heel" wrestling manager before his death.[3] Zbyszko's infamous WWWF feud with Bruno Sammartino spilled over into the IWF as he battled his former mentor's real-life son Bruno Sammartino Jr. in late-1982. Kowalski continued bringing in talent from the World Wrestling Federation when Vince McMahon Jr. took over his father's promotion in the 1980s.

The promotion showcased a number of wrestlers who were regulars in the northeast wrestling scene and was the birthplace of Paul Levesque (then known as Terra Ryzing),[6] Perry Saturn and Chyna. Levesque, who had graduated from Kowalski's school at the top of his class,[7] made his IWF debut in March 1992 defeating Tony Roy. Two months later, he won the organization's heavyweight title from Mad Dog Richard.[8][9] Saturn, billed as "The Iron Horseman", won the IWF North American and Light Heavyweight Championship during the early 1990s. He also won the IWF Tag Team Championship with Levesque.[10] Saturn met his future tag team partner John Kronus while working for the IWF and helped enroll him Kowalski's wrestling school.[11] Chyna (Joanie Lee) won the IWF Ladies Championship from The Violet Flame in the mid-1990s.[12] "Giant" Ron Reis and The Renegade, as "Rio, Lord of the Jungle", found success in World Championship Wrestling.[1]

World Wrestling Federation

Kowalski had a strong relationship with both Vince McMahon Sr. and his son Vince McMahon Jr.. His students (many of whom IWF stars) regularly appeared on World Wrestling Federation television as preliminary wrestlers during the 1980s and 90s.[13] His best known students - Triple H, Chyna and Perry Saturn - had prominant roles in the company during the Attitude Era.[1]

The IWF later featured former WWF stars Demolition Ax, King Kong Bundy, Hercules, The Honky Tonk Man, The Mountie, Jake "The Snake" Roberts, Jimmy Snuka, and Nikolai Volkoff.[1] In December 1992, following his controversial departure from the WWF, The Ultimate Warrior (appearing under his old "Dingo Warrior" ring name) wrestled Hercules at an IWF show in Billerica, Massachusetts.[14][15] WWF stars, such as Adam Bomb, Bob Backlund, Doink the Clown, King Kong Bundy and Hakushi, occassionally appeared at IWF events in the mid-1990s.

Demise

The IWF stopped holding regular shows after 1996 though Kowalski continued promoting under the "Killer Kowalski's All-Stars" banner for a few more years.[16] In November 2001, the IWF took part in "Headlocks for Humanity", an American Red Cross benefit show for victims of the September 11th attacks, with Slyk Wagner Brown (managed by April Hunter) and CueBall representing the promotion.[4] One of the IWF's last shows was held in Sutton, New Hampshire on November 2, 2002.[17][5] Finally in 2003, health issues forced Kowalski to withdraw from both promoting and the wrestling school. Following his death in 2008, the Kowalski estate auctioned off IWF correspondence and other wrestling memorabilia from his career.[18]

Alumni

Championships

Key
Reign The reign number for the specific set of wrestlers listed
Event The event promoted by the respective promotion in which the titles were won
N/A The specific information is not known
— Used for vacated reigns so as not to count it as an official reign
(n) Indicates that a title change took place "no later than" the date listed.[Note 1]
  Indicates that there was a period where the lineage is undocumented due to the lack of written documentation

IWF Heavyweight Championship

No. Champion Reign Date Days held Location Event Notes Ref.
1 Killer Kowalski 1 1982 (n) N/A Unknown Live event  
                 
2 Bryan Walsh 1 N/A N/A Unknown Live event    
3 Chris Duffy 1 N/A N/A Unknown Live event    
4 Ronnie Dee 1 N/A N/A Unknown Live event    
5 Mad Dog Richards 1 June, 1991 (n) N/A Unknown Live event    
6 Terra Ryzing 1 July 1992 N/A Unknown Live event    
— Vacated — March 12, 1994 — N/A N/A Championship vacated for unknown reasons  
7 Tony Roy 1 October, 1994 (n) N/A Unknown Live event    

IWF Tag Team Championship

No. Champions Reign Date Days held Location Event Notes Ref.
1 The Executioners
(Executioner #1 and Executioner #2) 		1 1982 (n) N/A Unknown Live event  
2 Richard Byrne and Dan Petty 1 1982 (n) N/A Unknown Live event  
3 Executioner #1 and Johnny Valiant 1 1982 (n) N/A Unknown Live event  
                 

IWF North American Championship

No. Champion Reign Date Days held Location Event Notes Ref.
1 The Iron Horseman 1 March, 1994 (n) N/A Unknown Live event  
                 
2 Tony Roy 1 March, 1995 (n) N/A Unknown Live event    

IWF Light Heavyweight Championship

No. Champion Reign Date Days held Location Event Notes Ref.
                 
1 Bill Wilcox 1 December, 1991 (n) N/A Unknown Live event  
2 The Iron Horseman 1 December 6, 1991 N/A Andover, Massachusetts Live event  
3 Tony Ulysses 1 January, 1993 (n) N/A Unknown Live event  
4 The Iron Horseman 1 January 8, 1993 N/A Billerica, Massachusetts Live event  

IWF Ladies Championship

No. Champion Reign Date Days held Location Event Notes Ref.
                 
1 Nickie Ryan 1 N/A N/A Unknown Live event  
2 Misty Blue Simmes 1 March 30, 1985 N/A N/A Live event  
3 Brittany Brown 1 1992 (n) N/A Unknown Live event  
                 
4 Violet Flame 1 January, 1996 (n) N/A Unknown Live event  
5 Joanie Lee 1 September 28, 1996 N/A Salem, New Hampshire Live event  

Footnotes

  1. ^ Documentation of the specific date of a title change is not found but documentation of the champion holding the title on that date/in that period.

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i http://www.metrocast.net/~jjakan/features-graveyard.html#International%20Wrestling%20Federation. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  2. ^ a b Kaelberer, Angie Peterson (2010). Edge Books: Triple H. Capstone. p. 12. ISBN 1429639482.
  3. ^ a b c Canadian Online Explorer. SLAM! Sports http://slam.canoe.com/Slam/Wrestling/Bios/pf-kowalski.html. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  4. ^ a b http://411mania.com/wrestling/411-tuesday-indy-report-results-iwf-maple-leaf-comeback/. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  5. ^ a b http://www.berlindailysun.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=32404:wrestling-champion-locates-to-paper-city&catid=107&Itemid=446. {{cite news}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  6. ^ http://www.cagesideseats.com/2009/10/26/1101886/triple-h-some-people-think-were. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  7. ^ http://www.wrestlingmuseum.com/pages/wrestlers/hunterhelmsley2.html. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  8. ^ Canadian Online Explorer. SLAM! Sports http://slam.canoe.com/Slam/Wrestling/Bios/helmsley.html. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  9. ^ http://www.legacyofwrestling.com/TripleH.html. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  10. ^ http://wrestlingredux.blogspot.com/2007/04/wcw-perry-saturn-part-1.html. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  11. ^ http://www.lchr.org/a/45/75/Bio2.html. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  12. ^ http://www.glorywrestling.com/gg/VioletFlame/VF.asp. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  13. ^ http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/bios/c/chris-duffy/. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  14. ^ http://411mania.com/wrestling/the-piledriver-report-04-12-14-goodbye-warrior/. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  15. ^ http://www.gerweck.net/2014/04/15/wrestling-by-the-numbers-james-the-ultimate-warrior/. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  16. ^ http://www.glorywrestling.com/WomensWrestlingNews/20040815_0948.asp. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  17. ^ http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/other/2002-11.html. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  18. ^ http://www.wickedlocal.com/article/20110809/News/308099854/?Start=2. {{cite news}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)

Further reading

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