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) and Rosey of Three Minute Warning. Court Bauer, who would later become a member of the WWE creative team, was a booker for the promotion during the mid-1990s.
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 Trans World Wrestling Federation 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.
World Xtreme Wrestling 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.
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. However, on April 14, 2024, Afa Jr. confirmed via his social media that he will be taking full control of the promotion though the promotion has not held a single event since.
Women's ELITE 8 Tournament 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 September 27, 2002 in Danbury, Connecticut
2003 November 21, 2003 in Sciota, Pennsylvania
2004 October 9, 2004 in Sciota, Pennsylvania
2005 October 23, 2005 in Allentown, Pennsylvania
2006 October 14, 2006 in Allentown, Pennsylvania
2007 November 10, 2007 in Coplay, Pennsylvania with Sunny as the special guest referee for the finals
2008 November 15, 2008 in Leesburg, Florida
2009 November 14, 2009 in Minneola, Florida
Championships Active championships Championship Current champion(s) Date wonDays heldWXW Heavyweight ChampionshipChico AdamsDecember 21, 2019+WXW Television ChampionshipChico AdamsSeptember 12, 2020+WXW Cruiserweight ChampionshipJorel GanzyOctober 26, 2019+WXW Tag Team ChampionshipControversial Inc. (Mr. C & Salazar)September 12, 2020+WXW Women's ChampionshipMarina TuckerDecember 21, 2019+WXW Women's Tag Team ChampionshipGo Hard Life Twins June 11, 2020+WXW Ultimate Heavyweight ChampionshipBLK JeezNovember 2, 2019+WXW Elite Tag Team ChampionshipSouth Philly's Finest November 2, 2019+WXW Ultimate Hybrid ChampionshipLance Anoa'iJune 5, 2021+WXW Diamond Division ChampionshipKarissa RiveraMay 29, 2019+
Former championships Championship Last champion(s) Date wonWXW Blast Television ChampionshipBo NekodaMay 30, 2014WXW Campeon Internacionale ChampionshipEddie GuapoJune 6, 2009WXW Gulf Coast Tag Team ChampionshipRon Fargo and SinnAugust 21, 2004WXW Hardcore ChampionshipJaysonJuly 11, 2003
WXW Hall of Fame There are currently 28 inductees in the hall of fame, from 2013 to 2016.
Inductees YearRing name2013Dave BatistaDoc DanielsGene SnitskyKamalaSalvatore BellomoSamuSugaaTraci Brooks2014GangrelJimmy SnukaL.A. SmoothMercedes MartinezThe Perfect Creation(Richard J. Criado)Scott MatthewsTommy Suede2015Afa Anoaʻi Jr.Eddie GuapoKattraKris KrudeRicky SantanaRikishi2016Bill ApterThe Bald GuyHomicideJessica DallyKen PateraLow KiReno Anoa'i
See also List of independent wrestling promotions in the United States Gary Albright Memorial Show Yokozuna Memorial Show
References
Further reading "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", Times Leader, January 9, 2000 "Pro wrestler dies in the ring", Associated Press, January 10, 2000 "Red Lake Falls' Tag Team - Hometown Boys Pin Hope On Pro Wrestling", Grand Forks Herald September 22, 2002 Duncan, Royal and Gary Will. Wrestling Title Histories, Revised 4th Edition, Waterloo, Ontario: Archeus Communications, 2000
External links