Ohio Valley Wrestling
Ohio Valley Wrestling logo | |
Acronym | OVW |
---|---|
Founded | 1997 |
Style | Sports Entertainment Professional wrestling |
Headquarters | Louisville, Kentucky |
Founder(s) | Nightmare Danny Davis |
Formerly | NWA Ohio Valley Championship Wrestling |
Ohio Valley Wrestling (OVW) is an American independent professional wrestling promotion based in Louisville, Kentucky.[1] OVW was initially a member promotion of the National Wrestling Alliance from its inception in 1997 until 2000, when it became the primary developmental territory for the World Wrestling Federation (now WWE). OVW remained in this role from 2000 until 2008.[2] The promotion was unaffiliated from February 7, 2008 until November 2011, and is run by owner Nightmare Danny Davis.
In 2012, OVW became the farm territory for Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA).[3] However, the relationship ended on November 2, 2013.[4][5] As of December 2011, over 100 OVW alumni have appeared in WWE.[6]
History
OVW was founded by Nightmare Danny Davis in 1997 as an NWA member. However, OVW separated from NWA in 2000. After, the company became the farm territory of World Wrestling Federation/ Entertainment. Jim Cornette was head booker of OVW and majority investor, but he was fired by WWE for slapping a student, Anthony Carelli.[7] He was replaced by Paul Heyman, who booked OVW until being called up to be the booker of the ECW brand. Greg Gagne was supposed to be booker after Heyman, but his knowledge of OVW was limited so the booking was extended to also include Al Snow and Danny Davis. Gagne was later released from the company, leaving booking to Snow and Davis.
In 2007, Cornette sold his share of the company back to Davis.[8] On February 7, 2008, WWE announced that it had ended its relationship with OVW as a developmental territory, moving all contracted talent to Florida Championship Wrestling.[2]
However, on September 23, 2009, OVW announced via a press release from WWE that Senior EVP John Laurinaitis visited and scouted OVW wrestlers and that WWE will take "a much more active role in recruiting OVW developed talent". OVW and WWE maintained a close relationship as throughout 2008 and 2009 WWE-contracted talent would make occasional appearances on OVW shows and OVW talent has remained a large part of WWE's recruiting classes with eight members of the roster being signed to the WWE since February 2008 and many more being used on WWE programming as extras or enhancement talent. On February 22 and 23, 2010 the WWE in conjunction with OVW held a two-day tryout camp for independent wrestlers. It was the first event of this nature held outside Florida Championship Wrestling since FCW became WWE's sole developmental territory.
On September 8, 2010, in what was dubbed the company's season premiere, Danny Davis, who himself was making his return for the first time in over a year, announced that Jim Cornette was returning to his role as head booker of the company.[9] Cornette, who is also executive producer of Ring of Honor's HDNet show, stated that Ring of Honor (ROH) talent as well as talent from other companies were going to work in OVW along with the current crop of stars and returning OVW stars in an effort to return the company to its previous reputation as the best independent wrestling company to get recruited from. A similar claim was made by Cornette during the announcement of the ROH HDNet program moving its tapings to the OVW/Davis arena.
On November 7, 2011, it was announced that OVW and Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA) had reached an agreement for OVW to become TNA's official training and developmental territory.[10] TNA's Director of Talent Relations Al Snow returned as booker of the company, replacing the outgoing Jim Cornette. The relationship lasted for two years, before ending on November 2, 2013 after TNA ordered all of their talent to report to Orlando.[4][11]
Television
Ohio Valley Wrestling | |
---|---|
Created by | Nightmare Danny Davis |
Country of origin | ![]() |
No. of episodes | 889 (as of September 3, 2016)[12] |
Production | |
Running time | 60 minutes |
Original release | |
Network | ![]() ![]() Online[12] |
Release | 1997–present |
OVW currently airs a 60-minute television program on Saturdays in the Louisville area on WBNA-21 at 9:00AM and replay at 10:00PM, and on WOBZ-LD in London, Kentucky at 9:00PM. OVW also has streaming video via their website, where new episodes are streamed on Thursdays following the previous Wednesday's television taping. The television shows originate from the Davis Arena in the Buechel neighborhood of Louisville.[6][12]
Current champions
Championship | Current Champion(s) | Held since | Days held | Previous champion(s) |
---|---|---|---|---|
OVW Heavyweight Championship | Rocco Bellagio | May 14, 2016 | 3035 | Big Jon |
OVW Television Championship | Robbie Walker | January 25, 2017 | 2779 | Tyler Matrix |
OVW Southern Tag Team Championship | Team Next Level (Devin Driscoll and Tony Gunn) | January 25, 2017 | 2779 | Big Smooth (Big Jon and Justin Smooth) |
OVW Women's Championship | Rebel | November 2, 2016 | 2863 | Maria James |
Defunct championships
Championship | Final champion | Date won | Won from | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
OVW Light Heavyweight Championship | Chris Michaels | April 12, 2000 | Sean Casey | Retired on March 1, 2001. |
OVW Hardcore Championship | Randy Orton | May 5, 2001 | Flash Flanagan | Retired on May 5, 2001. |
Roster
Male wrestlers
Ring name | Real name | Notes |
---|---|---|
Adam Revolver | Jared Pridgin | |
Adam Slade | Unknown | |
Benny Factor | Unknown | |
Big Jon | Jonathan Montgomery | |
Big Zo | Cowann D Owens | |
Billy O | Unknown | |
Bud Dwight | Dwight J. Coulter | |
Carlos Gabriel | Unknown | |
Ca$h Flo | Unknown | |
Colton Cage | Unknown | |
Chris Silvio | Unknown | |
Dapper Dan Van Zandt | Daniel Anderson | |
Devin Driscoll | Unknown | OVW Southern Tag Team Champion |
Elia Baratz | Unknown | |
Houdini | Unknown | |
Hy-Zaya | Unknown | |
Jade Dawson | Unknown | |
Justin Smooth | Unknown | |
Kenny Cannon | Unknown | |
Kevin Giza | Unknown | |
Little Damion | Unknown | |
Lucas Jacobs | Unknown | |
Mitch Huff | Mitchell Huff | |
Paredyse | James Long | |
Randy Royal | Unknown | |
Reverend Stuart Miles | Stuart Perry | |
Robbie Walker | Robbie Walker | OVW Television Champion |
Rocco Bellagio | Unknown | OVW Heavyweight Champion |
Rudy Switchblade | Eric Matlock | |
Ryan Howe | Ryan Howe | |
Shane Andrews | Shane Andrews | |
Shane Mercer | Shane Goode | |
Stephon Smith | Stephon Smith | |
Ted McNaler | Unknown | |
The Assassin | Unknown | |
The Blue Chippa | Unknown | |
The Metal Master | Unknown | |
The Mexicutioner | Unknown | |
The Ringmaster | David Lo | |
Tony Gunn | Anthony Gunn | OVW Southern Tag Team Champion |
Trevor Steele | Trevor Foy | |
Tyler Matrix | Kalieb Gibson | |
Ultimo Stingray | Unknown |
Female wrestlers
Ring name | Real name | Notes |
---|---|---|
Callie | Unknown | |
Madi Maxx | Unknown | |
Maria James | Maria James | |
Rebel | Tanea Brooks | OVW Women's Champion |
Scarlet | Shaneya Davidson | Valet of The Van Zandt Circus |
Others
Name | Role |
---|---|
Annie Steele | Valet of 'Diamond' Ryan Howe |
Gilbert Corsey | Play-by-play commentator Interviewer |
Jim Cornette | Director of Operations |
Josh Ashcraft | Manager of the 'Legacy of Brutality' |
Ron Hed | Color commentator Occasional ring announcer |
Shannon The Dude | Color commentator |
Referees
Name | Role |
---|---|
AJ Lucio | |
David Crow | |
David Banyan | |
Jamie Lynn | Female Referee |
Joe Wheeler | Senior Referee |
Jordan Barker |
Training staff
Name | Title |
---|---|
Dean Hill | Majority Owner of OVW |
Matt Cappotelli | Beginner Class |
Rip Rogers | Head Trainer/Advanced Class |
Notable alumni
WWE
- Alicia Fox (Raw)
- Batista
- The Boogeyman (Ambassador)
- Brock Lesnar (Raw)
- CM Punk (Retired)
- Dolph Ziggler (SmackDown)
- Heidi Lovelace (NXT)
- John Cena (SmackDown)
- Kofi Kingston (Raw)
- The Miz (SmackDown)
- Natalya (SmackDown)
- Randy Orton (SmackDown)
- René Duprée
- Ryback
- Santino Marella (Retired)
- Shelton Benjamin (SmackDown)
- Wade Barrett
- Zack Ryder (SmackDown)
- Tye Dillinger (NXT)
TNA
- Aron Rex
- Bobby Lashley
- Cody Rhodes
- Crimson
- D'Angelo Dinero/Elijah Burke
- Jessie Godderz
- Lei'D Tapa
- Rebel
- Rob Terry
- Rockstar Spud
- Taeler Hendrix
See also
- Sports in Louisville, Kentucky
- List of National Wrestling Alliance territories
- List of independent wrestling promotions in the United States
References
- ^ "About OVW | Ohio Valley Wrestling". Ovwrestling.com. Retrieved 2015-08-10.
- ^ a b "WWE to cease affiliation with Ohio Valley Wrestling". World Wrestling Entertainment. February 7, 2008. Archived from the original on February 10, 2008. Retrieved 2008-02-07.
- ^ "TNA Impact Wrestling and OVW Sign Developmental Deal | Ohio Valley Wrestling". Ovwrestling.com. 2011-11-07. Retrieved 2015-08-10.
- ^ a b "FRI. UPDATE: More TNA cost saving moves, Carters send e-mail to talent denying sale, Video game promotion, real story behind birth of one of greatest world title reigns, Legednary mafch, Classics on Demand, Weekend preview". F4wonline.com. 2013-11-01. Retrieved 2015-08-10.
- ^ "TNA-OVW RELATIONSHIP ENDING, IMPACT ON THE ROAD IN 2014 AND MORE TNA NEWS". PWInsider.com. 2013-11-05. Retrieved 2015-08-10.
- ^ a b Marshall, Anne (December 7, 2011). "Learning the ropes". Louisville Eccentric Observer. Retrieved December 12, 2011.
- ^ "Santino Marella". Online World of Wrestling. Retrieved 2009-04-14. "Anthony Carelli was the student that Jim Cornette slapped"
- ^ "TNA News: Jim Cornette says TNA needs a developmental program, criticizes WWE's developmental program". PWTorch.com. 2009-04-10. Retrieved 2015-08-10.
- ^ Caldwell, James (2010-09-09). "ROH/OVW News: Jim Cornette announced as new OVW matchmaker; "working relationship" announced between ROH & OVW". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved 2010-09-09.
- ^ Caldwell, James (2011-11-07). "TNA News: TNA announces official training program with WWE's former developmental territory". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved 2011-11-07.
- ^ "Big Update on Impact Road Tapings, More on TNA/OVW Relationship". Wrestlezone.com. 2013-11-05. Retrieved 2015-08-10.
- ^ a b c "Streaming Television Episodes". Ohio Valley Wrestling. Retrieved September 30, 2011.