World Xtreme Wrestling
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| Acronym | WXW |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1996 |
| Defunct | April 13, 2024 |
| Style | professional wrestling |
| Headquarters | Minneola, Florida Allentown, Pennsylvania |
| Founder(s) | Afa Anoa'i |
| Owner(s) | Afa Anoa'i (1996–February 2024) Afa Jr. (since April 2024) |
| Parent | Top Rope Productions (1996–98) World Xtreme Wrestling (1998–2024) |
| Website | WXWwrestling.com WXW Womens League |
World Xtreme Wrestling (WXW) was a Florida-based independent professional wrestling promotion which has held events across the United States and toured in Japan, the Middle East and South Pacific region including American Samoa and Guam.
The promotion is associated with Afa Anoa'i's Wild Samoan Pro Wrestling Training Center in Minneola, Florida, and students who have competed for the promotion include 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).
History
[edit]Trans World Wrestling Federation
[edit]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 and Glen Osbourne.[4]
World Xtreme Wrestling
[edit]World Xtreme Wrestling was established in 1996 as a continuation of the Trans World Wrestling Federation and 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 Bushwhackers.
Shortly after the close of Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW), several former ECW wrestlers including Mikey Whipwreck, Devon Storm, Little Guido, The Sandman and Tommy Dreamer "invaded" Sportsfest 2001. In the main event, The Sandman and Tommy Dreamer were defeated by Samu and Mana.
During that year, the promotion established a women's division with Kattra becoming the first WXW Women's Champion. She eventually was stripped of the title in March 2001 after failing to defend the championship. Although BellaDonna won the title after defeating Jessica Dally on March 9, the title was again vacated. The title remained inactive for several months, but the division was reactivated following the WXW Women's ELITE 8 Tournament in Danbury, Connecticut on September 25, 2002, with Cindy Rogers winning the WXW Women's title in a battle royal at Sportsfest 2003.[5]
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, Supreme Lee Great, and 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, Low 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. WXW began holding all of its events in Minneola, Florida, and broadcasting Rage TV on their website. A new branch of WXW, called WXW C4 was created and promotes regular events in Allentown, Pennsylvania. WXW C4 is run by Samu and Afa Jr. and has a weekly television show, Blast TV.
In February 2024, Afa Jr. announced the promotion will close on April 13.[6] However, on April 14, 2024, Afa Jr. confirmed via his social media that he will be taking full control of the promotion.
Women's ELITE 8 Tournament
[edit]The Women's Elite 8 Tournament is a tournament formed to offer a platform for top female wrestlers. There have been eight annual tournaments starting September 27, 2002 in Danbury, Connecticut. The last tournament was held in 2009.
2002
[edit]September 27, 2002 in Danbury, Connecticut
| No. | Results | Stipulations |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Griffin defeated Jessica Dally | Singles match |
| 2 | Mercedes Martinez defeated Katarina Heiss | Singles match |
| 3 | Valentina vs. Traci Brooks ended in a draw | Singles match As a result of the draw, both wrestlers advanced. |
| 4 | Ariel defeated BellaDawna | Singles match |
| 5 | Gail Kim defeated Nikki Roxx | Singles match |
| 6 | Traci Brooks defeated Ariel | Singles match |
| 7 | Griffin defeated Valentina | Singles match |
| 8 | Gail Kim defeated April Hunter | Singles match |
| 9 | Mercedes Martinez defeated Griffin | Singles match |
| 10 | Traci Brooks defeated Gail Kim | Singles match |
| 11 | Traci Brooks defeated Mercedes Martinez | Singles match with Steve Wilkos as the special enforcer |
2003
[edit]November 21, 2003 in Sciota, Pennsylvania
| First round | Quarterfinals | Semifinals | Finals | ||||||||||||
| Jessica Dally and Sarah Stock | [7] | ||||||||||||||
| [a] | Battle royal | Jessica Dally | [7] | ||||||||||||
| Sarah Stock | Pin | ||||||||||||||
| Sarah Stock | [7] | ||||||||||||||
| April Hunter | Pin | ||||||||||||||
| April Hunter | [7] | ||||||||||||||
| Ariel | Pin | ||||||||||||||
| April Hunter | [7] | ||||||||||||||
| Beth Phoenix | Pin | ||||||||||||||
| Allison Danger | [7] | ||||||||||||||
| Angel Williams | Pin | ||||||||||||||
| Angel Williams | [7] | ||||||||||||||
| Beth Phoenix | Pin | ||||||||||||||
| Beth Phoenix | [7] | ||||||||||||||
| Psycho Bitch | Pin | ||||||||||||||
- ^ Other competitors were Alere Little Feather, BellaDawna, Frankie V, Luscious Lily, ODB, and Tara Charisma
2004
[edit]October 9, 2004 in Sciota, Pennsylvania
2005
[edit]October 23, 2005 in Allentown, Pennsylvania
| Quarterfinals | Semifinals | Final | |||||||||||
| Alicia | [9] | ||||||||||||
| Ariel | Pin | ||||||||||||
| Alicia | [9] | ||||||||||||
| Phoenix | Pin | ||||||||||||
| Nikki Roxx | [9] | ||||||||||||
| Phoenix | Pin | ||||||||||||
| Alicia | [9] | ||||||||||||
| Cindy Rogers | Pin | ||||||||||||
| Allison Danger | [9] | ||||||||||||
| Cindy Rogers | Sub | ||||||||||||
| Cindy Rogers | [9] | ||||||||||||
| Melissa Coates | Pin | ||||||||||||
| Melissa Coates | [9] | ||||||||||||
| 21st Century Fox | Sub | ||||||||||||
2006
[edit]October 14, 2006 in Allentown, Pennsylvania
| Quarterfinals | Semifinals | Final | |||||||||||
| Jana | [10] | ||||||||||||
| Kacee Carlisle | Pin | ||||||||||||
| Kacee Carlisle | [10] | ||||||||||||
| Faith | Pin | ||||||||||||
| Faith | [10] | ||||||||||||
| Lexi Lane | Pin | ||||||||||||
| Kacee Carlisle | [10] | ||||||||||||
| Mercedes Martinez | Pin | ||||||||||||
| Cha Cha | [10] | ||||||||||||
| Hailey Hatred | Pin | ||||||||||||
| Hailey Hatred | [10] | ||||||||||||
| Mercedes Martinez | Pin | ||||||||||||
| Amber O'Neal | [10] | ||||||||||||
| Mercedes Martinez | Pin | ||||||||||||
2007
[edit]November 10, 2007 in Coplay, Pennsylvania with Sunny as the special guest referee for the finals
| Quarterfinals | Semifinals | Final | |||||||||||
| Jana | [11] | ||||||||||||
| Monique | Pin | ||||||||||||
| Monique | [11] | ||||||||||||
| Annie Social | Pin | ||||||||||||
| Annie Social | [11] | ||||||||||||
| Discord | Pin | ||||||||||||
| Annie Social | [11] | ||||||||||||
| Cindy Rogers | Pin | ||||||||||||
| Becky Bayless | [11] | ||||||||||||
| Cindy Rogers | Double pin | ||||||||||||
| Cindy Rogers | [11] | ||||||||||||
| Becky Bayless and Hailey Hatred | Pin | ||||||||||||
| Alexa Thatcher | [11] | ||||||||||||
| Hailey Hatred | Pin | ||||||||||||
2008
[edit]November 15, 2008 in Leesburg, Florida
| Quarterfinals | Semifinals | Final | |||||||||||
| Becky Bayless | [12] | ||||||||||||
| Rain | Pin | ||||||||||||
| Rain | [12] | ||||||||||||
| Mercedes Martinez | Pin | ||||||||||||
| Ferrari | [12] | ||||||||||||
| Mercedes Martinez | Pin | ||||||||||||
| Mercedes Martinez | [12] | ||||||||||||
| Lexie Fyfe | Pin | ||||||||||||
| Betsy Ruth | [12] | ||||||||||||
| Leva | Pin | ||||||||||||
| Leva | [12] | ||||||||||||
| Lexie Fyfe | Pin | ||||||||||||
| Amber O'Neal | [12] | ||||||||||||
| Lexie Fyfe | Pin | ||||||||||||
2009
[edit]November 14, 2009 in Minneola, Florida
| Quarterfinals | Semifinals | Final | |||||||||||
| Lace | [13] | ||||||||||||
| Lorelei Lee | Pin | ||||||||||||
| Lace | [13] | ||||||||||||
| Sarona Snuka | Pin | ||||||||||||
| Rain | [13] | ||||||||||||
| Sarona Snuka | Pin | ||||||||||||
| Sarona Snuka | [13] | ||||||||||||
| Betsy Ruth | Pin | ||||||||||||
| Betsy Ruth | [13] | ||||||||||||
| Josie | Pin | ||||||||||||
| Betsy Ruth | [13] | ||||||||||||
| Kimberly | Pin | ||||||||||||
| Kimberly | [13] | ||||||||||||
| Leva | Pin | ||||||||||||
Championships
[edit]Active championships
[edit]| Championship | Current champion(s) | Date won | Days held |
|---|---|---|---|
| WXW Heavyweight Championship | Chico Adams | December 21, 2019 | 1,825+ |
| WXW Television Championship | Chico Adams | September 12, 2020 | 1,559+ |
| WXW Cruiserweight Championship | Jorel Ganzy | October 26, 2019 | 1,881+ |
| WXW Tag Team Championship | Controversial Inc. (Mr. C & Salazar) | September 12, 2020 | 1,559+ |
| WXW Women's Championship | Marina Tucker | December 21, 2019 | 1,825+ |
| WXW Women's Tag Team Championship | Go Hard Life Twins (Laur and Linda) |
June 11, 2020 | 1,652+ |
| WXW Ultimate Heavyweight Championship | BLK Jeez | November 2, 2019 | 1,874+ |
| WXW Elite Tag Team Championship | South Philly's Finest (Jimmy Konway and Luca Brazzi) |
November 2, 2019 | 1,874+ |
| WXW Ultimate Hybrid Championship | Lance Anoa'i | June 5, 2021 | 1,293+ |
| WXW Diamond Division Championship | Karissa Rivera | May 29, 2019 | 2,031+ |
Former championships
[edit]| Championship | Last champion(s) | Date won |
|---|---|---|
| WXW Blast Television Championship | Bo Nekoda | May 30, 2014 |
| WXW Campeon Internacionale Championship | Eddie Guapo | June 6, 2009 |
| WXW Gulf Coast Tag Team Championship | Ron Fargo and Sinn | August 21, 2004 |
| WXW Hardcore Championship | Jayson | July 11, 2003 |
WXW Hall of Fame
[edit]There are currently 28 inductees in the hall of fame, from 2013 to 2016.[14]
Inductees
[edit]See also
[edit]- List of independent wrestling promotions in the United States
- Gary Albright Memorial Show
- Yokozuna Memorial Show
References
[edit]- ^ Milner, John M. and Richard Kamchen (2006-04-25). "Umaga". SLAM! Wrestling. Archived from the original on July 14, 2012. Retrieved 2007-04-12.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ Milner, John M. (2005-10-23). "Rosey". SLAM! Wrestling. Archived from the original on July 14, 2012. Retrieved 2007-04-12.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ Powell, Jason (2003-04-27). "Powell interviews and profiles latest WWE creative team member, Court Bauer". Pro Wrestling Torch. Archived from the original on 2007-09-29. Retrieved 2007-04-12.
- ^ Shaffer, Eric. "Top Rope Productions Title Histories". WXW Wrestling. Retrieved 2007-04-18.
- ^ "WXW Women's ELITE 8 Tournament". Wrestlers Female. 2009-06-11. Retrieved 2010-01-10.
- ^ "AFA JR. COMMENTS ON THE CLOSING OF WXW | PWInsider.com". www.pwinsider.com.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Kreikenbohm, Philip. "Matches « 2nd Annual Women's Elite 8 « Tournaments Database « CAGEMATCH - The Internet Wrestling Database". www.cagematch.net.
- ^ a b c d e f g Kreikenbohm, Philip. "Matches « 3rd Annual Women's Elite 8 « Tournaments Database « CAGEMATCH - The Internet Wrestling Database". www.cagematch.net.
- ^ a b c d e f g Kreikenbohm, Philip. "Matches « 4th Annual Women's Elite 8 « Tournaments Database « CAGEMATCH - The Internet Wrestling Database". www.cagematch.net.
- ^ a b c d e f g Kreikenbohm, Philip. "Matches « 5th Annual Women's Elite 8 « Tournaments Database « CAGEMATCH - The Internet Wrestling Database". www.cagematch.net.
- ^ a b c d e f g Kreikenbohm, Philip. "Matches « 6th Annual Women's Elite 8 « Tournaments Database « CAGEMATCH - The Internet Wrestling Database". www.cagematch.net.
- ^ a b c d e f g Kreikenbohm, Philip. "Matches « 7th Annual Women's Elite 8 « Tournaments Database « CAGEMATCH - The Internet Wrestling Database". www.cagematch.net.
- ^ a b c d e f g Kreikenbohm, Philip. "Matches « 8th Annual Women's Elite 8 « Tournaments Database « CAGEMATCH - The Internet Wrestling Database". www.cagematch.net.
- ^ "SUPERSTARS". World Xtreme Wrestling.
Further reading
[edit]- "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
