International Pro Wrestling: United Kingdom
Encyclopedia
International Pro Wrestling: United Kingdom (IPW:UK) is a British
professional wrestling promotion
. Daniel Edler is the majority owner
, chairman and founder of the company. The company was established in 2004 and since their foundation they have held monthly shows in Orpington
, Kent
. They now hold shows in Hampshire
, Hertfordshire
and Kent.
, Kent
. The show included an Iron Fist match between Jonny Storm
and Pro Wrestling Guerrilla
's Super Dragon
. Other memorable early shows for IPW:UK would include the Best of British series which would see matches to determine the best wrestlers in the UK of a certain class (High Flyers, and Heavyweights). The promotion would soon reach a deal with The Wrestling Channel
to broadcast a weekly one-hour television show.
In August, 2006, Frontier Wrestling Alliance
allowed IPW:UK to participate in its second Frontiers of Honor show which also involves American promotion Ring of Honor
. This working relationship with FWA would seem to take a turn for the worst when several incidents involving IPW:UK using FWA talent when the same talent were scheduled to appear in FWA events, and promoting FWA title defences without asking for permission from the FWA management team. However, these seemingly legit incidents were worked into an inter-promotional feud
that would see then IPW:UK Champion Martin Stone
be stripped of his FWA Tag Team Title
, siding with IPW:UK in preparation to face semi-retired FWA Star Alex Shane
in a Promotion vs. Promotion – Winner Takes All Match at Broxbourne
on March 16, 2007. This was later changed to The Orpington Halls, on March 25 - an event which IPW:UK won.
On November 18, 2006, IPW:UK held a historic tournament which featured wrestlers from several British promotions to crown the first British National Under 23s Champion; the event was won by Sam Slam. In Mid-2007, IPW:UK announced that from October, 2007 to September, 2008, they would be running a year-long, 64 person tournament entitled the "British National Championship
". In 2008, Real Quality Wrestling
announced a deal that saw them become a benchmark promotion under the company banner. With IPW:UK earning a Europe
television deal with a leading German
TV station and potential worldwide recognition through planned license deals. In mid-2007 IPW:UK were contacted by Channel 4
's Endemol
regarding working with Big Brother's Little Brother and former Big Brother
contestant Billi "Lightning" Bhatti. After successful training days, IPW:UK were featured heavily on the BBLB program and have continued to work with Billi ever since, featuring him on several of their live events.
IPW is booked by referee Andy Quildan, although he passed on his responsibilities to Sam Gardiner (Exodus / Blok Busta / Voodoo) in 2007. At this point IPW reached a creative low, and Quildan soon returned as IPW booker. During his absence running the shows, he still refereed.
event hosted by International Pro Wrestling: United Kingdom on November 18, 2006 at the Drill Hall, in Ware, Hertfordshire, to crown the first-ever British Under 23's Champion. The event showcased young talent from over 12 United Kingdom
promotions
and though the event was hosted by IPW:UK it ran under the British Wrestling United (BWU) banner with the intention for the belt to then be defended on various companies' shows around the country for the foreseeable future. Several "Guest Matches" from promotions took place on the afternoon card before the tournament in the evening, where competitors do not need to meet the Under 23 age qualifier.
1 Bubblegum won a 9-Man Elimination match to qualify as RQW’s entrant at RQW Summer Brawl 2006 on August 18, 2006.
2 Aviv Mayaan qualified in an FWA:A guest match against Ollie Burns during the afternoon show.
3 Robinson qualified as IPW:UK’s entrant after defeating Aviv Maayan at IPW:UK's 2nd Anniversary on September 24, 2006.
4 Stiro defeated Zack Sabre, Jr. to qualify as TXW’s entrant.
5 Match ends in a no contest after interference from Aviv Maayan and LT Summers with both men being taken out of the tournament.
6 Aviv Mayaan filled the empty semi final spot.
7 Sam Slam becomes the first British Under 23's Champion.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
professional wrestling promotion
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...
. Daniel Edler is the majority owner
Ownership
Ownership is the state or fact of exclusive rights and control over property, which may be an object, land/real estate or intellectual property. Ownership involves multiple rights, collectively referred to as title, which may be separated and held by different parties. The concept of ownership has...
, chairman and founder of the company. The company was established in 2004 and since their foundation they have held monthly shows in Orpington
Orpington
Orpington is a suburban town and electoral ward in the London Borough of Bromley. It forms the southeastern edge of London's urban sprawl and is identified in the London Plan as one of 35 major centres in Greater London.-History:...
, Kent
Kent
Kent is a county in southeast England, and is one of the home counties. It borders East Sussex, Surrey and Greater London and has a defined boundary with Essex in the middle of the Thames Estuary. The ceremonial county boundaries of Kent include the shire county of Kent and the unitary borough of...
. They now hold shows in Hampshire
Hampshire
Hampshire is a county on the southern coast of England in the United Kingdom. The county town of Hampshire is Winchester, a historic cathedral city that was once the capital of England. Hampshire is notable for housing the original birthplaces of the Royal Navy, British Army, and Royal Air Force...
, Hertfordshire
Hertfordshire
Hertfordshire is a ceremonial and non-metropolitan county in the East region of England. The county town is Hertford.The county is one of the Home Counties and lies inland, bordered by Greater London , Buckinghamshire , Bedfordshire , Cambridgeshire and...
and Kent.
Company history
The promotion made its debut in September, 2004 with a show called Extreme Measures at the Orpington Halls in OrpingtonOrpington
Orpington is a suburban town and electoral ward in the London Borough of Bromley. It forms the southeastern edge of London's urban sprawl and is identified in the London Plan as one of 35 major centres in Greater London.-History:...
, Kent
Kent
Kent is a county in southeast England, and is one of the home counties. It borders East Sussex, Surrey and Greater London and has a defined boundary with Essex in the middle of the Thames Estuary. The ceremonial county boundaries of Kent include the shire county of Kent and the unitary borough of...
. The show included an Iron Fist match between Jonny Storm
Jonny Storm
Jonathan Whitcombe is an English professional wrestler, better known by his ring name Jonny Storm. He has worked for many independent promotions across the United Kingdom, including the Frontier Wrestling Alliance, Real Quality Wrestling and One Pro Wrestling...
and Pro Wrestling Guerrilla
Pro Wrestling Guerrilla
Pro Wrestling Guerrilla is a professional wrestling promotion that is run by wrestlers themselves as it was created by Southern California wrestlers Disco Machine, Excalibur, Joey Ryan, Scott Lost, Super Dragon, and Top Gun Talwar...
's Super Dragon
Super Dragon
Daniel Lyon , better known by his ring name Super Dragon, is an American professional wrestler. Beginning his career in 1997, he has competed in companies such as All Pro Wrestling, Revolution Pro, Combat Zone Wrestling, All Japan Pro Wrestling and Ring of Honor...
. Other memorable early shows for IPW:UK would include the Best of British series which would see matches to determine the best wrestlers in the UK of a certain class (High Flyers, and Heavyweights). The promotion would soon reach a deal with The Wrestling Channel
TWC (The Wrestling Channel)
For the channel in Canada, see Fight NetworkThe Fight Network was a free-to-air digital satellite television sports channel in the United Kingdom and Ireland, devoted to airing programming related to boxing, mixed martial arts, pro-wrestling and other combat sports...
to broadcast a weekly one-hour television show.
In August, 2006, Frontier Wrestling Alliance
Frontier Wrestling Alliance
Frontier Wrestling Alliance is a British professional wrestling promotion. Established in 1993 as the Fratton Wrestling Association it soon became the Frontier Wrestling Alliance six years later and until 2007 when it lost a scripted inter-promotional feud with International Pro Wrestling: United...
allowed IPW:UK to participate in its second Frontiers of Honor show which also involves American promotion Ring of Honor
Ring of Honor
Ring of Honor ' is an American professional wrestling promotion, founded in 2002 by Rob Feinstein and Gabe Sapolsky. From 2004 to 2011, the promotion was under the ownership of Cary Silkin before being sold to the Sinclair Broadcast Group in May 2011...
. This working relationship with FWA would seem to take a turn for the worst when several incidents involving IPW:UK using FWA talent when the same talent were scheduled to appear in FWA events, and promoting FWA title defences without asking for permission from the FWA management team. However, these seemingly legit incidents were worked into an inter-promotional feud
Feud (professional wrestling)
A professional wrestling feud is a staged rivalry between multiple wrestlers or alliances of wrestlers. They are integrated into ongoing storylines, particularly in events which are televised...
that would see then IPW:UK Champion Martin Stone
Martin Stone (wrestler)
Martin Harris, better known by his ring name Martin Stone is a British professional wrestler. He is best known for wrestling under Frontier Wrestling Alliance , International Pro Wrestling: United Kingdom , Real Quality Wrestling and various other promotions throughout the United Kingdom,...
be stripped of his FWA Tag Team Title
FWA Tag Team Championship
The Frontier Wrestling Alliance Tag Team Championship was a professional wrestling championship contested for in the British Frontier Wrestling Alliance promotion. The title was only contestable by male tag teams and in tag team matches...
, siding with IPW:UK in preparation to face semi-retired FWA Star Alex Shane
Alex Shane
Alexander Daniel Spilling is a British professional wrestler who is best known by his ring name "The Ascension" Alex Shane. Spilling also works as a promoter and wrestling teacher.-Early career:...
in a Promotion vs. Promotion – Winner Takes All Match at Broxbourne
Broxbourne
Broxbourne is a commuter town in the Broxbourne borough of Hertfordshire in the East of England with a population of 13,298 in 2001.It is located 17.1 miles north north-east of Charing Cross in London and about a mile north of Wormley and south of Hoddesdon...
on March 16, 2007. This was later changed to The Orpington Halls, on March 25 - an event which IPW:UK won.
On November 18, 2006, IPW:UK held a historic tournament which featured wrestlers from several British promotions to crown the first British National Under 23s Champion; the event was won by Sam Slam. In Mid-2007, IPW:UK announced that from October, 2007 to September, 2008, they would be running a year-long, 64 person tournament entitled the "British National Championship
British National Championship
The British National Championship was a year long professional wrestling tournament, organised by International Pro Wrestling: United Kingdom, that started in September 2007, with the final being held at The Great Hall in Bromley on October 26, 2008....
". In 2008, Real Quality Wrestling
Real Quality Wrestling
Real Quality Wrestling is a British professional wrestling organisation. Len Davies is the Owner and chairman of the company and their sister company, Spectrum Multimedia. The company began as an independent promotion, but soon became an umbrella promotion in 2007 with the self-stated aim to...
announced a deal that saw them become a benchmark promotion under the company banner. With IPW:UK earning a Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
television deal with a leading German
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
TV station and potential worldwide recognition through planned license deals. In mid-2007 IPW:UK were contacted by Channel 4
Channel 4
Channel 4 is a British public-service television broadcaster which began working on 2 November 1982. Although largely commercially self-funded, it is ultimately publicly owned; originally a subsidiary of the Independent Broadcasting Authority , the station is now owned and operated by the Channel...
's Endemol
Endemol
Endemol is an international television production and distribution company based in the Netherlands, with subsidiaries and joint ventures in 23 countries, including the United Kingdom, the United States, France, Mexico, Spain, Italy, Germany, Brazil, Chile, Argentina, Dominican Republic, Poland,...
regarding working with Big Brother's Little Brother and former Big Brother
Big Brother 2007 (UK)
Big Brother 2007 was the eighth series of the United Kingdom reality television programme Big Brother, airing on Channel 4, with a number of closely associated programmes also airing on E4....
contestant Billi "Lightning" Bhatti. After successful training days, IPW:UK were featured heavily on the BBLB program and have continued to work with Billi ever since, featuring him on several of their live events.
IPW is booked by referee Andy Quildan, although he passed on his responsibilities to Sam Gardiner (Exodus / Blok Busta / Voodoo) in 2007. At this point IPW reached a creative low, and Quildan soon returned as IPW booker. During his absence running the shows, he still refereed.
Champions
| Championship | Current champion(s) | Date won | Location | Previous Champion |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IPW:UK British Unified Championship IPW:UK Championship The International Pro Wrestling: United Kingdom Unified British Championship is a professional wrestling championship owned and copyrighted by International Pro Wrestling: United Kingdom. The title was established in 2005 and is the highest ranked championship in the company... |
Sha Samuels | May 15, 2011 | Sittingbourne Sittingbourne Sittingbourne is an industrial town about eight miles east of Gillingham in England, beside the Roman Watling Street off a creek in the Swale, a channel separating the Isle of Sheppey from mainland Kent... , Kent Kent Kent is a county in southeast England, and is one of the home counties. It borders East Sussex, Surrey and Greater London and has a defined boundary with Essex in the middle of the Thames Estuary. The ceremonial county boundaries of Kent include the shire county of Kent and the unitary borough of... |
Dave Mastiff |
| British National Championship British National Championship The British National Championship was a year long professional wrestling tournament, organised by International Pro Wrestling: United Kingdom, that started in September 2007, with the final being held at The Great Hall in Bromley on October 26, 2008.... 3 |
Terry Frazier | October 26, 2008 | Bromley, Kent | First (defeated Johnny Moss) |
| National Under-23 Championship2 | Sam Slam | September 17, 2006 | Ware, Hertfordshire Hertfordshire Hertfordshire is a ceremonial and non-metropolitan county in the East region of England. The county town is Hertford.The county is one of the Home Counties and lies inland, bordered by Greater London , Buckinghamshire , Bedfordshire , Cambridgeshire and... |
First (defeated Paul Robinson) |
| British Tag Team Championship4 | The All Stars (Robby Dynamite and Mikey Whiplash) |
September 10, 2010 | Hoddelston, Essex | The Leaders The Leaders The Leaders is a jazz supergroup formed in 1985.The initial lineup of The Leaders was put together by trumpeter Lester Bowie, alto saxophonist Arthur Blythe, and tenor saxophonist Chico Freeman, along with a rhythm section of pianist Kirk Lightsey, bassist Cecil McBee, and drummer Famoudou Don... |
British Under 23's Championship
The 'National (British) Under 23's Championship was an inaugural professional wrestlingProfessional wrestling
Professional wrestling is a mode of spectacle, combining athletics and theatrical performance.Roland Barthes, "The World of Wrestling", Mythologies, 1957 It takes the form of events, held by touring companies, which mimic a title match combat sport...
event hosted by International Pro Wrestling: United Kingdom on November 18, 2006 at the Drill Hall, in Ware, Hertfordshire, to crown the first-ever British Under 23's Champion. The event showcased young talent from over 12 United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
promotions
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...
and though the event was hosted by IPW:UK it ran under the British Wrestling United (BWU) banner with the intention for the belt to then be defended on various companies' shows around the country for the foreseeable future. Several "Guest Matches" from promotions took place on the afternoon card before the tournament in the evening, where competitors do not need to meet the Under 23 age qualifier.
| # | Results | Stipulations | Times |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | William Grange (c) defeated Martin Kirby and Kid Richie | Triple Threat Guest match for the 3CW Young Lions Championship | n/a |
| 2 | David Sharp defeated Ashton Brown | 4FW Guest match | n/a |
| 3 | Jexodus (Jekkel and eXodus) defeated Jimmy Havoc and Zack Sabre Jr. | TXW Tag Team Guest match | n/a |
| 4 | Aviv Maayan Aviv Maayan Aviv Maayan is an Israeli-Welsh professional wrestler. Originally from Wales, Maayan is best known for competing in the Frontier Wrestling Alliance, Real Quality Wrestling, Varsity Pro Wrestling and other independent promotions in the United Kingdom.... defeated Ollie Burns |
FWA: Tournament Qualifier Guest match | n/a |
| 5 | LT Summers (subbing for injured champion Andy Simmonz Andrew Simmons Andrew Simmons , better known by his ring name Andy Boy Simmonz, is a British professional wrestler. He is currently working in the independent circuit in the United Kingdom for several promotions. Simmons' most high profile work in the UK came in the Frontier Wrestling Alliance under the face... ) defeated Tom Demorey |
Singles match for the IPW:UK Championship IPW:UK Championship The International Pro Wrestling: United Kingdom Unified British Championship is a professional wrestling championship owned and copyrighted by International Pro Wrestling: United Kingdom. The title was established in 2005 and is the highest ranked championship in the company... |
n/a |
| 6 | El Ligero El Ligero Simon Musk is a British professional wrestler better known by his ring name El Ligero. He has been regarded as one of the top wrestlers currently wrestling in Europe.-Professional wrestling career:... (4FW) defeated Charlie Rage (XS:W), Chris Recall (Celtic Wrestling) and Chris Stone (LPW) |
Four-Way Elimination #1 Contender match for the British Under 23's Championship. | n/a |
Tournament
Eight wrestlers, chosen or qualified from eight separate promotions around the country, will face off in a single-elimination one-night tournament, to ultimately crown the first National British Under 23 titleholder.1 Bubblegum won a 9-Man Elimination match to qualify as RQW’s entrant at RQW Summer Brawl 2006 on August 18, 2006.
2 Aviv Mayaan qualified in an FWA:A guest match against Ollie Burns during the afternoon show.
3 Robinson qualified as IPW:UK’s entrant after defeating Aviv Maayan at IPW:UK's 2nd Anniversary on September 24, 2006.
4 Stiro defeated Zack Sabre, Jr. to qualify as TXW’s entrant.
5 Match ends in a no contest after interference from Aviv Maayan and LT Summers with both men being taken out of the tournament.
6 Aviv Mayaan filled the empty semi final spot.
7 Sam Slam becomes the first British Under 23's Champion.