Independent Wrestling Federation
Encyclopedia
The Independent Wrestling Federation (IWF) is a professional wrestling promotion
based in Woodland Park, New Jersey. The IWF features upcoming talent, in some cases, which have made it to the World Wrestling Entertainment
(WWE). Along with producing live events for the public, the IWF also gives youth clinics and acts as a wrestling school. The wrestling school trains teens and adults, and former WWE star Tito Santana
is among the instructors.
IWF events occur approximately once per month, on a weekend. The weekend includes a Saturday night show and a Sunday afternoon show. In most events, championship matches occur. Before each month's shows, the IWF website features their Eruption webcast which gives a preview of the upcoming show.
At February Fury in 2009, Kevin Knight was beat for his IWF Heavyweight Title by Chris Steeler. This not only marked the first time the Ross Family held every title (excluding Junior Heavyweight), but Steeler became the first GrandSlam winner (has held every IWF Championship). Kevin Knight was able to win a 16 man battle royal
to become number one contender for Steeler's title at March Madness. Steeler remained champion throughout the later events. The Heavyweight championships stayed on Steeler's waist for all of 2009 since winning the title in February. Chachi won the Tournament of Champions in December to win the vacant American Championship.
, John Bradshaw Layfield, Tito Santana
, Honky Tonk Man
, Steven Richards
, Nunzio, Ricky Steamboat
, Ken Shamrock
, Dawn Marie, Tom Brandi
(Sal Sincere), Steve Corino
, Jim Powers
, Bushwacker Luke and Simon Diamond have hosted clinics.
WWE NXT
graduate and current WWE Raw
performer Darren Young trained, graduated, and wrestled in the IWF. While wrestling for the IWF, he was known as "Bonecrusher" Fred Sampson. Other graduates of note include current Total Nonstop Action talent Rob Eckos (ring name Robbie E.), who is also mentioned in the Darren Aronofsky
film "The Wrestler", and "Pretty Boy" Moby Plinko, better known as music producer Keven Maroda
. Eckos and Maroda trained together under Kevin Knight in 2000.
|-
!Championship
!Champion
!Date Won
!Defeated
|-
|IWF Heavyweight Championship
|Chris Steeler
|June 26, 2010
|Fady the Arabian Bull
|-
|IWF American Championship
|Aaron Stride
|May 21, 2010
|Chachi
|-
|IWF Tag Team Championship
|Imperial Dictatorship
|September 25, 2010
|The First-Team
|-
Professional wrestling promotion
A professional wrestling promotion is a company or business that regularly performs shows involving professional wrestling. Promotion also describes a role which entails management, advertising and logistics of running a wrestling event...
based in Woodland Park, New Jersey. The IWF features upcoming talent, in some cases, which have made it to the World Wrestling Entertainment
World Wrestling Entertainment
World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. is an American publicly traded, privately controlled entertainment company dealing primarily in professional wrestling, with major revenue sources also coming from film, music, product licensing, and direct product sales...
(WWE). Along with producing live events for the public, the IWF also gives youth clinics and acts as a wrestling school. The wrestling school trains teens and adults, and former WWE star Tito Santana
Tito Santana
Merced Solis better known by his ring name Tito Santana, is an American professional wrestler whose heyday spanned from the late 1970s to the early 1990s, though he continues to appear on the independent circuit. He is best known from his time in the World Wrestling Federation...
is among the instructors.
IWF events occur approximately once per month, on a weekend. The weekend includes a Saturday night show and a Sunday afternoon show. In most events, championship matches occur. Before each month's shows, the IWF website features their Eruption webcast which gives a preview of the upcoming show.
History
The Independent Wrestling Federation began in 1998, as a road show. The IWF traveled to local high schools and venues to perform live events. In 1999, the IWF moved into its current home in Woodland Park, New Jersey, known as the IWF Centre. The IWF CustomMuscle Centre houses not only the wrestling events, but also wrestling clinics, a training facility, and serves as a wrestling school.At February Fury in 2009, Kevin Knight was beat for his IWF Heavyweight Title by Chris Steeler. This not only marked the first time the Ross Family held every title (excluding Junior Heavyweight), but Steeler became the first GrandSlam winner (has held every IWF Championship). Kevin Knight was able to win a 16 man battle royal
Battle royal (professional wrestling)
In professional wrestling, a battle royal is a multi-competitor match type in which wrestlers are eliminated until one is left and declared winner...
to become number one contender for Steeler's title at March Madness. Steeler remained champion throughout the later events. The Heavyweight championships stayed on Steeler's waist for all of 2009 since winning the title in February. Chachi won the Tournament of Champions in December to win the vacant American Championship.
Wrestling School
Established in 1999, IWF Wrestling School trains hundreds of wrestlers and managers from 16 states and six countries that perform in bouts around the globe. The IWF wrestling school has taught former many athletes, from former WWE wrestlers to teenagers. The wrestling school usually features clinics from former and current wrestling superstars. Tom PrichardTom Prichard
Thomas Prichard is an American professional wrestler currently signed to WWE, working in their developmental territory, Florida Championship Wrestling as a trainer using his ring name Tom Prichard...
, John Bradshaw Layfield, Tito Santana
Tito Santana
Merced Solis better known by his ring name Tito Santana, is an American professional wrestler whose heyday spanned from the late 1970s to the early 1990s, though he continues to appear on the independent circuit. He is best known from his time in the World Wrestling Federation...
, Honky Tonk Man
Honky Tonk Man
Honky Tonk Man may refer to:*The Honky Tonk Man, ring name of professional wrestler Roy Wayne Farris*Honkytonk Man, 1982 American film starring Clint Eastwood*Honky Tonk Man , 1975 album by country singer Steve Young...
, Steven Richards
Steven Richards
Steven Richards is a New Zealand racing driver, currently competing in the with the team. He previously raced in the V8 Supercar series for Ford Performance Racing....
, Nunzio, Ricky Steamboat
Ricky Steamboat
Richard Henry Blood , better known by his ring name Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat, is a retired American professional wrestler. He is currently signed to WWE working as a road agent. He was one of the few wrestlers who stayed a babyface throughout his career...
, Ken Shamrock
Ken Shamrock
Kenneth Wayne Shamrock is an American mixed martial arts fighter, UFC Hall of Famer and professional wrestler...
, Dawn Marie, Tom Brandi
Tom Brandi
Tom Brandi is a professional wrestler known for his work in World Wrestling Federation as Salvatore Sincere. He is also known for his current work as The Patriot, working for such companies as Pro-Wrestling WORLD-1, National Wrestling Superstars, and other independent promotions on the East...
(Sal Sincere), Steve Corino
Steve Corino
Steven Eugene "Steve" Corino is a Canadian professional wrestler, who currently works for Pro Wrestling Zero1, Ring of Honor and numerous other independent promotions. Corino is a former NWA World Heavyweight Champion and ECW World Heavyweight Champion.-Early years :Corino began wrestling in 1994...
, Jim Powers
Jim Powers
James Manley , better known by his ring name Jim Powers is a retired American professional wrestler. He most notably wrestled for the World Wrestling Federation in the mid-to-late 1980s and early 1990s...
, Bushwacker Luke and Simon Diamond have hosted clinics.
WWE NXT
NXT
NXT may refer to:* Lego Mindstorms NXT, a kit for building robots with Lego bricks* The ticker symbol for the NYSE Arca Tech 100 exchange-traded fund...
graduate and current WWE Raw
WWE RAW
WWE Raw ) is a sports entertainment television program for WWE that currently airs on the USA Network in the United States...
performer Darren Young trained, graduated, and wrestled in the IWF. While wrestling for the IWF, he was known as "Bonecrusher" Fred Sampson. Other graduates of note include current Total Nonstop Action talent Rob Eckos (ring name Robbie E.), who is also mentioned in the Darren Aronofsky
Darren Aronofsky
Darren Aronofsky is an American film director, screenwriter and film producer. He attended Harvard University to study film theory and the American Film Institute to study both live-action and animation filmmaking...
film "The Wrestler", and "Pretty Boy" Moby Plinko, better known as music producer Keven Maroda
Keven Maroda
Keven Maroda is a dance music DJ/Record producer whose first release "Sound Introspective Vol. 1" was released on in 2004. Since then he has gone to release remixes on , , and various other labels...
. Eckos and Maroda trained together under Kevin Knight in 2000.
Championships
{| class="wikitable" border="1"|-
!Championship
!Champion
!Date Won
!Defeated
|-
|IWF Heavyweight Championship
|Chris Steeler
|June 26, 2010
|Fady the Arabian Bull
|-
|IWF American Championship
|Aaron Stride
|May 21, 2010
|Chachi
|-
|IWF Tag Team Championship
|Imperial Dictatorship
|September 25, 2010
|The First-Team
|-