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.

World Xtreme Wrestling
AcronymWXW
Founded1996
DefunctApril 13, 2024
Styleprofessional wrestling
HeadquartersMinneola, Florida
Allentown, Pennsylvania
Founder(s)Afa Anoa'i
Owner(s)Afa Anoa'i (1996–February 2024)
Afa Jr. (since April 2024)
ParentTop Rope Productions
(1996–98)
World Xtreme Wrestling
(1998–2024)
WebsiteWXWwrestling.com
WXW Womens League

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

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Trans World Wrestling Federation

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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

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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

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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

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September 27, 2002 in Danbury, Connecticut

No.ResultsStipulations
1Griffin defeated Jessica DallySingles match
2Mercedes Martinez defeated Katarina HeissSingles match
3Valentina vs. Traci Brooks ended in a drawSingles match
As a result of the draw, both wrestlers advanced.
4Ariel defeated BellaDawnaSingles match
5Gail Kim defeated Nikki RoxxSingles match
6Traci Brooks defeated ArielSingles match
7Griffin defeated ValentinaSingles match
8Gail Kim defeated April HunterSingles match
9Mercedes Martinez defeated GriffinSingles match
10Traci Brooks defeated Gail KimSingles match
11Traci Brooks defeated Mercedes MartinezSingles match with Steve Wilkos as the special enforcer

2003

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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
  1. ^ Other competitors were Alere Little Feather, BellaDawna, Frankie V, Luscious Lily, ODB, and Tara Charisma

2004

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October 9, 2004 in Sciota, Pennsylvania

2005

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October 23, 2005 in Allentown, Pennsylvania

2006

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October 14, 2006 in Allentown, Pennsylvania

2007

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November 10, 2007 in Coplay, Pennsylvania with Sunny as the special guest referee for the finals

2008

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November 15, 2008 in Leesburg, Florida

2009

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November 14, 2009 in Minneola, Florida

Championships

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Active championships

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Championship Current champion(s) Date won Days held
WXW Heavyweight Championship Chico Adams December 21, 2019 1,790+
WXW Television Championship Chico Adams September 12, 2020 1,524+
WXW Cruiserweight Championship Jorel Ganzy October 26, 2019 1,846+
WXW Tag Team Championship Controversial Inc. (Mr. C & Salazar) September 12, 2020 1,524+
WXW Women's Championship Marina Tucker December 21, 2019 1,790+
WXW Women's Tag Team Championship Go Hard Life Twins
(Laur and Linda)
June 11, 2020 1,617+
WXW Ultimate Heavyweight Championship BLK Jeez November 2, 2019 1,839+
WXW Elite Tag Team Championship South Philly's Finest
(Jimmy Konway and Luca Brazzi)
November 2, 2019 1,839+
WXW Ultimate Hybrid Championship Lance Anoa'i June 5, 2021 1,258+
WXW Diamond Division Championship Karissa Rivera May 29, 2019 1,996+

Former championships

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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

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There are currently 28 inductees in the hall of fame, from 2013 to 2016.[14]

Inductees

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Year Ring name
2013 Dave Batista
Doc Daniels
Gene Snitsky
Kamala
Salvatore Bellomo
Samu
Sugaa
Traci Brooks
2014 Gangrel
Jimmy Snuka
L.A. Smooth
Mercedes Martinez
The Perfect Creation
(Richard J. Criado)
Scott Matthews
Tommy Suede
2015 Afa Anoaʻi Jr.
Eddie Guapo
Kattra
Kris Krude
Ricky Santana
Rikishi
2016 Bill Apter
The Bald Guy
Homicide
Jessica Dally
Ken Patera
Low Ki
Reno Anoa'i

See also

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References

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  1. ^ 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)
  2. ^ 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)
  3. ^ 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.
  4. ^ Shaffer, Eric. "Top Rope Productions Title Histories". WXW Wrestling. Retrieved 2007-04-18.
  5. ^ "WXW Women's ELITE 8 Tournament". Wrestlers Female. 2009-06-11. Retrieved 2010-01-10.
  6. ^ "AFA JR. COMMENTS ON THE CLOSING OF WXW | PWInsider.com". www.pwinsider.com.
  7. ^ 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.
  8. ^ 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.
  9. ^ 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.
  10. ^ 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.
  11. ^ 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.
  12. ^ 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.
  13. ^ 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.
  14. ^ "SUPERSTARS". World Xtreme Wrestling.

Further reading

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  • "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
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