The International Wrestling Federation (IWF, also known as Killer Kowalski's All-Stars) was a professional wrestling promotion that held events in the New England area of the United States from 1979 to 1996, when it was run by Killer Kowalski. The promotion was based in Reading, Massachusetts, with offices in Burlington, Vermont. It operated in conjunction with Kowalski's wrestling school in Malden, Massachusetts.
History and overview Formation The International Wrestling Federation was formed in 1979 by Killer Kowalski two years after starting his wrestling school, the Killer Kowalski Institute for Professional Wrestling, in Malden, Massachusetts. According to former student John Callahan, Kowalski decided to form his own group after an argument with Angelo Savoldi at the Boston Garden. The first championship titles were introduced in the early 1980s with Kowalski and The Executioners being billed as the first IWF Heavyweight and Tag Team Champions respectively. That same year, the IWF began airing a Sunday morning show, Bedlam from Boston, on the WXNE-TV. During this period, Kowalski partnered with Dominic DeNucci and Bruno Sammartino's "International Wrestling" group based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Territorial reach Kowalski initially promoted shows in the Greater Boston Area but eventually toured throughout the Northeastern United States. IWF event tours also included high school gyms and fairs in cities throughout New England. Some of the promotion's regular towns included Andover, Bellingham, Billerica, Grafton, Middleboro, Norwood, Waltham, and Westford, Massachusetts. Kowalsi was able to promote IWF shows via his weekly column, "Killer's Corner", for the Boston Sunday Herald. The IWF relocated to Burlington, Vermont in the early-1990s but returned to the Boston area by November 2001.
Notable talent The IWF featured many former World Wide Wrestling Federation stars during its early years including, most notably, Dominic DeNucci, Larry Zbyszko, The Haiti Kid and The Valiant Brothers (Jerry Valiant and Johnny Valiant). Bull Curry was the main "heel" wrestling manager before his death. Zbyszko's infamous WWWF feud with Bruno Sammartino spilled over into the IWF as he battled his former mentor's real-life son Bruno Sammartino Jr. in late 1982. Kowalski continued bringing in talent from the World Wrestling Federation when Vince McMahon Jr. took over his father's promotion in the 1980s.
The promotion showcased a number of wrestlers who were regulars in the northeast wrestling scene and was the birthplace of Paul Levesque (then known as Terra Ryzing), Perry Saturn and Chyna. Levesque, who had graduated from Kowalski's school at the top of his class, made his IWF debut in March 1992 defeating Tony Roy. Two months later, he won the organization's heavyweight title from Mad Dog Richard. Saturn, billed as "The Iron Horseman", won the IWF North American and Light Heavyweight Championship during the early 1990s. He also won the IWF Tag Team Championship with Levesque. Saturn met his future tag team partner John Kronus while working for the IWF and helped enroll him in Kowalski's wrestling school. Brittany Brown was the longest reigning Women's Champion (12 years), then Chyna (Joanie Lee) won the IWF Ladies Championship from Violet Flame in the very late 1990s. "Giant" Ron Reis and The Renegade, as "Rio, Lord of the Jungle", found success in World Championship Wrestling.
World Wrestling Federation Kowalski had a strong relationship with both Vince McMahon Sr. and his son Vince McMahon Jr. His students (many of whom IWF stars) regularly appeared on World Wrestling Federation television as preliminary wrestlers during the 1980s and 90s. His best known students - Triple H, Chyna and Perry Saturn - had prominent roles in the company during the Attitude Era.
The IWF later featured former WWF stars Demolition Ax, King Kong Bundy, Hercules, The Honky Tonk Man, The Mountie, Jake "The Snake" Roberts, Jimmy Snuka, and Nikolai Volkoff. In December 1992, following his controversial departure from the WWF, The Ultimate Warrior (appearing under his old "Dingo Warrior" ring name) wrestled Hercules at an IWF show in Billerica, Massachusetts. Then current WWF stars, such as Adam Bomb, Bob Backlund, Doink the Clown, King Kong Bundy and Hakushi, occasionally appeared at IWF events in the mid-1990s.
Demise The IWF stopped holding regular shows after 1996 though Kowalski continued promoting under the "Killer Kowalski's All-Stars" banner for a few more years. In November 2001, the IWF took part in "Headlocks for Humanity", an American Red Cross benefit show for victims of the September 11th attacks, with Slyk Wagner Brown (managed by April Hunter) and CueBall representing the promotion. One of the IWF's last shows was held in Sutton, New Hampshire on November 2, 2002. Finally in 2003, health issues forced Kowalski to withdraw from both promoting and the wrestling school. Following his death in 2008, the Kowalski estate auctioned off IWF correspondence and other wrestling memorabilia from his career.
Alumni Male wrestlers Birth name:Ring name(s):Tenure:NotesMichael DavisMike Davis1994Ted Arcidi1988Mike Kelly1982Pat Kelly1982Bob Backlund1995–1996Jojo Andrews1982Ed Bonzo1982Mad Dog Richard1990–1995Matt BloomThe Mongolian1998Steve Bolus1982Slyk Wagner Brown2002Nick Busick1982"Superstar" Richard Byrne / The Russian Mauler198219931995D.C. Dillinger2002The Eliminator / John Kronus1994–1995John Callahan1982Tony Ulysses199019931995El Mascarado1994Larry Winters1982Irish Mike McGee1982Adam Bomb1995Bad Billy Coleman1982Jeremy CotterThe Outpatient1994–1996Ricky Sexton1982Sean O'Reilly1985Dominic DeNucci1982Darren DiCensoSnooky Fink / Rain Drop1993–1996Ronnie Dee / The Star Warrior19901994–1995Kenn PhoenixChris Duffy1988-1996Jim Duggan1994Kevin SmythIrish Kevin Shaughnessy1979–1982Demolition Ax1993Eddie Edwards2002Billy Berger1982Robbie Ellis19881995Fatu1996Jerry Johnson / Jerry Fazio1982Hercules1993Wayne FarrisThe Honky Tonk Man1993Rudy Diamond1982Rick Fuller1995Scott Taylor19931995Steve Grabowski1982The Dingo Warrior1993The Bulldozer / Bull Dozer1993–1996Jerry Valiant1982Michael Hollow"All-American" Mike Hollow / Mike Harlow1994–1998Mr. Hughes1994Isaac Yankem, D.D.S.1996Rocky Jones1982Virgil1995Zoltan the Great1982Steven KingSteve King / Phoenix King / Steve Hart / Stephan Roy / Arctic Angel1993–1999Killer Kowalski19821993Terra Ryzing1992–1994Doink the Clown1995The Brooklyn Brawler / Doink the Clown1995–1996James McCarthyJames Cody / Jim Cote / Kid Delicious1995-1999Tim McNeany / Doink the Clown1993–1996Tim O'Reilly19851990Bushwhacker Butch1995Big John Studd1990Jim Neidhart1992Bob Orton, Jr.19881992Tom O'SullivanTom O'SullivanDan OuelleteFreight Train Dan / Freightrain1995–2002King Kong Bundy1995Nikolai Volkoff1994Man Mountain Rock1995Dan Petty19821985Lanny Poffo1994Tim Reid1982Jimmy Snuka1993"Giant" Ron Reis1994The Mountie1993Raymond RoyThe Stormtrooper1994–1995Antoine Roy / Tony Roy1990–1996Bruno Sammartino Jr.1982The Iron Horseman / Perry Saturn1992–1995Giant David1982The Candyman1992–1993Iron Mike Sharpe1990Bastion Booger1995Ron Shaw1982Hakushi1995Rob Van Winkle / Mark Lombardi19851988 1992Tito Santana1994–1995Johnny Valiant1982Concrete Cowboy1982The Warlord1994–1995Big Dan Vinal1985-2002Nailz1993Brian Walsh19851995–1996Whipper Watson Jr.1982Larry Zbyszko1982Bushwhacker Luke1995Rio, Lord of the Jungle1993The Beast1982Bill Wilcox1991UnknownBrian BugleBuddy Donovan1982Chief War Cloud1982Chris Grant1982Cueball2002Davey O'Hannon1982UnknownFreight Train Fulton1992Greg Winston1982Gypsy Rodriguez1982Hans Schroeder1982Jack Buford1982Jamie Pain2002UnknownJed Skreem1994Jeff Craney1982Jeff Roberts2002John Bonello1982John Sullivan2002Manuel Soto1982Mike Madison1982Dangerous Dave Star 1984-1989Mike "Jethro" Chambers1982Nemesis2002Richie RichRon Lee1982Rush2002The Smooth Operator / Tre, The Smooth Operating Gangsta1993–19962002Ultimate Hater2002
Female wrestlers Birth name:Ring name(s):Tenure:NotesViolet Flame / Rita Book1995Rosebud19901993April Hunter2002Linda Dallas1988Malia HosakaMalia Hosaka1995Joanie Lee1996Ramblin' Rose1990–1995Nikki Roxx2002Misty Blue Simmes19851988Debbie Combs1982Amanda StormBlackwidow2000–2001Alexa Starr1994Brittany Brown1990-2003Crystal Blue1994Donna Day1982Jamie West1992–1996Tammy West1994
Midget wrestlers Birth name:Ring name(s):Tenure:NotesThe Haiti Kid1982Irish Leprechaun198819961999Dana Carpenter19851988Little Boy Blue1982Tiny the Terrible1996Louis WaterhouseLittle Louie19851994–1998Mighty Doom1994Little Leopard1994
Stables and tag teams Tag team/Stable(s)MembersTenure(s)The Arc AngelsPhoenix King and Damon D'Arcangelo1998The BushwhackersBushwhacker Butch and Bushwhacker Luke1995The EliminatorsPerry Saturn and John Kronus1994–1995The Kelly TwinsMike Kelly and Pat Kelly1982The MutilatorsJamie Pain and Nemesis2002The Soul BrothersTony Ulysses and Chris GrantThe Valiant BrothersJerry Valiant and Johnny Valiant1982
Managers and valets Birth name:Ring name(s):Tenure:NotesBarry AtwoodThe Court Jester1992Dink1995Bull Curry1982The Bug19941996Mr. Ego-Trip Ian Foxx19901993Big John Studd1994John Rodeo1993–1998Professor Eugene Bickell1995–1996Vito Carlucci1995
Commentators and interviewers Birth name:Ring name(s):Tenure:NotesChris Claussen1982Bedlam from Boston announcerStephen Driscoll1982Ring announcerBedlam from Boston on-air talentMel Simons1982–1999Ring announcerBedlam from Boston on-air talent
Referees Birth name:Ring name(s):Tenure:NotesMatt CailRichard LannonRichard LannonGary McCarthyFred SpartaHead referee
Other personnel Birth name:Ring name(s):Tenure:NotesKiller Kowalski1979–1996PromoterDon LiableHead of publicityOfficial photographer
Company name to YearCompany name:Years:International Wrestling Federation1979–1996Killer Kowalski's All Stars2002Notes † Indicates they are deceased. ‡ Indicates they died while they were employed with . WWF Indicates they were part of a talent exchange with the World Wrestling Federation.
Championships Key ReignThe reign number for the specific set of wrestlers listedEventThe event promoted by the respective promotion in which the titles were wonN/AThe specific information is not known —Used for vacated reigns so as not to count it as an official reign(n)Indicates that a title change took place "no later than" the date listed.Documentation of the specific date of a title change is not found but documentation of the champion holding the title on that date/in that period. Indicates that there was a period where the lineage is undocumented due to the lack of written documentation
IWF Heavyweight Championship No.ChampionReignDateDays heldLocationEventNotesRef. 11UnknownLive event 21UnknownLive event 31UnknownLive event 42UnknownLive event 51UnknownLive event 61UnknownLive event 71Middleboro, MassachusettsLive event Vacated——Championship vacated upon signing a contract with World Championship Wrestling81UnknownLive event 92UnknownLive event
IWF Tag Team Championship No.ChampionsReignDateDays heldLocationEventNotesRef. 1(Executioner #1 and Executioner #2)1UnknownLive event 2David Byrne and Danny Pettiglio1UnknownLive event 3(Executioner #1 and Executioner #2)2UnknownLive event 4Richard Byrne and Dan Petty2UnknownLive event 5Executioner #1 and Johnny Valiant1UnknownLive event
IWF North American Championship No.ChampionReignDateDays heldLocationEventNotesRef. 11UnknownLive event 21UnknownLive event
IWF Light Heavyweight Championship No.ChampionReignDateDays heldLocationEventNotesRef. 11UnknownLive event 21Andover, MassachusettsLive event 31UnknownLive event 42Billerica, MassachusettsLive event
IWF Northeast Heavyweight Championship No.ChampionReignDateDays heldLocationEventNotesRef. 11Holyoke, MassachusettsLive event
IWF Ladies Championship