International Wrestling Association
Encyclopedia
The International Wrestling Association (IWA) is a wrestling promotion in Puerto Rico
, started in Japan in 1994 by promoter Victor Quiñones
. The Hispanic division was created in 1999. The company was a member of the National Wrestling Alliance
until 2001, but again became a member in 2007. IWA was also a WWE Developmental territory from 1999-2001.
The IWA is probably the fastest growing promotion in Puerto Rico of the past few years. In recent years, it has given the island's long-standing promotion World Wrestling Council
a tough competition, featuring younger local and international stars.
This promotion should not be confused with another IWA, which was started up by Eddie Einhorn
and operated in the mid 1970s. Einhorn's IWA was arguably the first concentrated effort to create a single, nationally-touring wrestling promotion, competing directly against the members of the National Wrestling Alliance
.
) roster showed up at the event on January 6, 2008. Universal Heavyweight Champion Biggie Size, Television Champion Ash Rubinsky, later renamed Damian, and heel group "Los Templarios", all appeared at the promotion's Three King's Day event. The main spot of the show had WWC Universal Heavyweight Champion Biggie Size, with title on hand, challenged IWA's Heavyweight Champion Blitz, for a unification bout. During the show WWC officials came out to retrieve the belt, under the criticism of IWA officials.
Two days after, the WWC and Carlos Colón
threatened to pursue legal action so IWA surrendered the belt.
In a big turn of events, IWA has lost part of its roster including, but not limited to, Ray González
and Los Aéreos (Carlitos & Hiram Tua) while several others are nowhere to be found. It was reported that they were running an angle in which they said former promoter Mario Savoldi stole property from the promotion and that several wrestlers had deserted them in their time of need. Oddly enough this could be seen as a reversal of roles as WWC (World Wrestling Council
) had lost a very big part of their roster years ago when they jumped to IWA.
Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico , officially the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico , is an unincorporated territory of the United States, located in the northeastern Caribbean, east of the Dominican Republic and west of both the United States Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands.Puerto Rico comprises an...
, started in Japan in 1994 by promoter Victor Quiñones
Victor Quiñones
Victor Quiñones was a Puerto Rican professional wrestling promoter, the founder and owner of International Wrestling Association. Quiñones was primarily a manager for The Headhunters and Mr...
. The Hispanic division was created in 1999. The company was a member of the National Wrestling Alliance
National Wrestling Alliance
The National Wrestling Alliance is a wrestling promotion company and sanctions various NWA championships in the United States. The NWA has been in operation since 1948...
until 2001, but again became a member in 2007. IWA was also a WWE Developmental territory from 1999-2001.
The IWA is probably the fastest growing promotion in Puerto Rico of the past few years. In recent years, it has given the island's long-standing promotion World Wrestling Council
World Wrestling Council
The World Wrestling Council is one of Puerto Rico's two main professional wrestling promotions, the other one being the International Wrestling Association....
a tough competition, featuring younger local and international stars.
This promotion should not be confused with another IWA, which was started up by Eddie Einhorn
Eddie Einhorn
Eddie Einhorn is minority owner and Vice Chairman of the Chicago White Sox.Einhorn produced the nationally syndicated radio broadcast of the NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship in 1958...
and operated in the mid 1970s. Einhorn's IWA was arguably the first concentrated effort to create a single, nationally-touring wrestling promotion, competing directly against the members of the National Wrestling Alliance
National Wrestling Alliance
The National Wrestling Alliance is a wrestling promotion company and sanctions various NWA championships in the United States. The NWA has been in operation since 1948...
.
TV Shows that the IWA produces every week
- IWA Impacto Total - Saturdays on WKAQ-TVWKAQ-TVWKAQ-TV is a full-power television station located in San Juan, Puerto Rico transmitting over digital 2.1. The station is owned and operated by NBCUniversal and is branded simply as Telemundo....
1:00pm–3:00pm AST - IWA Zona Caliente - Sundays on VideoMaxWRFBWRFB is a television station in Carolina, Puerto Rico broadcasting over analog channel 52, digital 51. The station is owned by R & F Broadcasting Incorporated, and its programming consists of music videos. The station is branded as VideoMax....
10:00am–10:30am AST - IWA Zona Impactante - Thursdays on VideoMaxWRFBWRFB is a television station in Carolina, Puerto Rico broadcasting over analog channel 52, digital 51. The station is owned by R & F Broadcasting Incorporated, and its programming consists of music videos. The station is branded as VideoMax....
8:00pm–9:00pm
2008
After what many have said to be the worst year of IWA's history, they have started 2008 with a big bang. This happened in the event "Histeria Boricua", when surprisingly, part of the rival WWC (World Wrestling CouncilWorld Wrestling Council
The World Wrestling Council is one of Puerto Rico's two main professional wrestling promotions, the other one being the International Wrestling Association....
) roster showed up at the event on January 6, 2008. Universal Heavyweight Champion Biggie Size, Television Champion Ash Rubinsky, later renamed Damian, and heel group "Los Templarios", all appeared at the promotion's Three King's Day event. The main spot of the show had WWC Universal Heavyweight Champion Biggie Size, with title on hand, challenged IWA's Heavyweight Champion Blitz, for a unification bout. During the show WWC officials came out to retrieve the belt, under the criticism of IWA officials.
Two days after, the WWC and Carlos Colón
Carlos Colón
Carlos Colón may refer to:*Carlos Colón, Sr., wrestler*Carly Colón, wrestler whose real name is Carlos Colón, son of the above*The Deadlines' lead guitarist, Carlos Colón...
threatened to pursue legal action so IWA surrendered the belt.
In a big turn of events, IWA has lost part of its roster including, but not limited to, Ray González
Ray Gonzalez
Ramón González Rivera, better know by his ring name Ray González, is a Puerto Rican professional wrestler who has wrestled in Mexico, Japan, as well as with the XWF in the United States, and the World Wrestling Council along with the International Wrestling Association of Puerto Rico...
and Los Aéreos (Carlitos & Hiram Tua) while several others are nowhere to be found. It was reported that they were running an angle in which they said former promoter Mario Savoldi stole property from the promotion and that several wrestlers had deserted them in their time of need. Oddly enough this could be seen as a reversal of roles as WWC (World Wrestling Council
World Wrestling Council
The World Wrestling Council is one of Puerto Rico's two main professional wrestling promotions, the other one being the International Wrestling Association....
) had lost a very big part of their roster years ago when they jumped to IWA.
IWA Yearly Events
- Histeria BoricuaIWA Histeria BoricuaIWA Histeria Boricua is a yearly event that the International Wrestling Association has to kick off the year every January since 2001.-Histeria Boricua 2000:*Luna Vachon over Sumie Sukai*Taka Michinoku and Funaki beat Pepe Padro and Andy Anderson...
(January) - Noche de Campeones (February)
- Juicio Final (April)
- José Miguel Pérez Memorial Cup (June)
- Summer Attitude (July)
- Armagedón (August)
- Golpe de Estado (September)
- Halloween Mahem (October)
- Hardcore Weekend (November)
- Christmas in P.R.IWA Christmas in Puerto RicoChristmas in Puerto Rico is a wrestling event promoted by the International Wrestling Association that is held every December and is their year ending show.-Christmas in Puerto Rico 1999:...
(December)
Males
- Átomo
- Bryan
- Barbie Boy
- Chris Angel
- Cruzz
- Damian
- Dennis Rivera
- Diabólico
- Empio
- Escobar
- Havok
- Hiram Tua
- Jamal
- Julián Jamrock
- Lash
- Miguel PérezMiguel Pérez, Jr.Miguel Perez, Jr. is a professional wrestler who competed as a member of the Los Boricuas stable led by Savio Vega from June 1997 to October 1998 in the World Wrestling Federation.-ECW and WWF:Pérez is the son of Miguel Pérez, Sr...
- Noel Rodríguez
- Phillips
- QT Marshall
- Ray Fenix
- Romeo
- Rick Stanley
- Savio VegaSavio VegaJuan Rivera is a professional wrestler best known under the name Savio Vega. During the mid-late 1990s, he was an active wrestler in the World Wrestling Federation...
- Sonico
- Starky
- Xix Xavant
Current IWA Champions
| Championship | Champion(s) | Previous champion(s) | Date Won | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IWA Undisputed World Unified Heavyweight Championship | Chris Angel | Hiram Tua | January 6, 2011 | Bayamón, Puerto Rico |
| IWA Intercontinental Heavyweight Championship IWA Intercontinental Heavyweight Championship The IWA Intercontinental Heavyweight Championship is a secondary professional wrestling title defended in the Puerto Rican International Wrestling Association.... |
Chris Angel | Diabólico | December 5, 2010 | Bayamón, Puerto Rico |
| IWA Caribbean Heavyweight Championship | Xix Xavant | Vacant | October 16, 2010 | Aguas Buenas, Puerto Rico |
| IWA Puerto Rico Heavyweight Championship | Noel Rodríguez | Vacant | December 5, 2010 | Bayamón, Puerto Rico |
| IWA World Tag Team Championship IWA World Tag Team Championship IWA World Tag Team Championship is a tag team titles being defending in the International Wrestling Association in Puerto Rico. It has been an active wrestling championship since January 6, 2000.-Title history:-References:*General... |
Atomo & Sonico | Rick Stanley & Dennis Rivera | November 20, 2010 | Bayamón, Puerto Rico |
| IWA World Women's Championship | Vacant | Genesis | July 7, 2010 | Bayamón, Puerto Rico |
| IWA Xtreme Combat Division Championship | Havok | Lash | October 16, 2010 | Bayamón, Puerto Rico |
Previous championships
| Championship | Final Champion(s) | Defeated | Date Won | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IWA World Cruiserweight Championship IWA World Cruiserweight Championship The IWA World Cruiserweight Championship is a title for wrestlers that weigh 225 pounds and under that was being defended in the International Wrestling Association in Puerto Rico. It replaced the IWA World Junior Heavyweight Championship on November 25, 2006 by GM Orlando Toledo.-Title History:... |
Noel Rodríguez | Onix | October 4, 2008 | |
| IWA Hardcore Championship IWA Hardcore Championship IWA Hardcore Championship is a title contested under Hardcore Wrestling rules in the International Wrestling Association in Puerto Rico. On October 4, 2008, the title was unified with the IWA Puerto Rican Heavyweight Championship.-Title history:... |
Noel Rodríguez | Niche | October 4, 2008 | |
| IWA World Junior Heavyweight Championship IWA World Junior Heavyweight Championship The IWA World Junior Heavyweight Championship was a title for wrestlers that weigh 225 pounds and under that was being defended in the International Wrestling Association in Puerto Rico.-Title history:... |
Bolo The Red Bulldog | Julio Franco | November 18, 2006 |