Championship Wrestling from Florida

This article is about the independent promotion from 1961-1987\. For the WWE's former developmental territory FCW, see Florida Championship Wrestling.

American professional wrestling promotion

Championship Wrestling from Florida

Acronym| CWF
Founded| 1949
Defunct| 1987
Headquarters| Tampa, Florida
Founder(s)| "Cowboy" Clarence P. Luttrall
Owner(s)| Eddie Graham
Hiro Matsuda
Duke Keomuka

Championship Wrestling from Florida (CWF) was the corporate and brand name of the Tampa, Florida wrestling office[1] existing from 1961, when Eddie Graham first bought into the promotion, until 1987, when it closed down. It is also referred to as Florida Championship Wrestling. When Mike Graham tried a return to promoting, the rights to the name had been acquired by an outside party, forcing him to use another name, Florida Championship Wrestling.

## History

[edit]

### Founding

[edit]

The original owner and promoter was "Cowboy" Clarence Preston Luttrall, a former journeyman heel wrestler who once fought a widely publicized boxing match, resulting from a wrestling angle, with a forty-something Jack Dempsey. It worked but Cowboy took a severe beating. Cowboy opened the office in 1949, and Eddie Graham bought into the promotion in 1961, then took over completely in 1971, because of health reasons with Cowboy.[2]

The office was a member of the National Wrestling Alliance during the entire CWF era, Eddie Graham serving two terms as NWA president, and loosely aligned before that, with other 'world' champions sometimes defending their titles. CWF became a staple in many Southern households in the 1970s and 1980s, with Dusty Rhodes arguably its most noted headliner,[2] his babyface turn beginning May 14, 1974 against former partner Pak Song.[3] The promotion competed against other syndicated shows on Saturday night like The Lawrence Welk Show and Solid Gold for years.

### Notable stars

[edit]

Johnny Valentine with the NWA Florida Heavyweight Championship

The promotion thrived with stars such as NWA champions Lou Thesz and Gene Kiniski, Graham, Bobby Shane, Robert Lee Schoenberger, Don Curtis, Sam Steamboat, The Magnificent Muraco (Don Muraco), the Great Malenko (Larry Simon), Johnny Valentine, Hiro Matsuda, Bob Orton Sr. and later Bob Orton Jr., Joe Scarpa (later known as Chief Jay Strongbow), Wahoo McDaniel, the Funks (Terry and Dory Jr.), the Briscos (Jack and Jerry), Buddy Colt (Ron Read), Dusty Rhodes, Blackjack Mulligan, Bruiser Brody, Kendall Windham, Barry Windham, Mike Rotunda, Lex Luger, Rick Rood (later Rick Rude), Harley Race, André the Giant, Jim Duggan, Butch Reed, Rick Steiner, The Freebirds, Cactus Jack, Scott Hall, Terry Allen (later more famous as Magnum T. A.), Percy Pringle (later more famous as Paul Bearer), Luna Vachon, Jimmy Garvin, Adrian Street, Héctor Guerrero, Chavo Guerrero Sr., Oliver Humperdink, One Man Gang, J. J. Dillon, Gary Hart (wrestler), Bob Roop, Mark Lewin, Dutch Mantel, Mike Graham (Eddie's son), The Sheepherders, Kevin Sullivan – whose cult-like Army of Darkness[2] got tremendous heat from the fans – and, in the words of the promotion's legendary commentator and a star in his own right Gordon Solie, 'a host of others'. Solie's deadpan interviewing style often buoyed the outlandish behavior and actions of Sullivan and his minions, bringing a legitimacy to the on-air segments no matter what depths Sullivan would descend to.[4]

Dusty Rhodes became a top star in the territory

Dusty Rhodes stands out among the noted performers because of the number of rivalries he had on air through most of CWF's broadcasting history. Well known heels, newcomers and babyfaces who turned heel during their tenure with CWF often sought out Rhodes to make their names in the territory. His rivals over the years included Superstar Billy Graham, Ray Stevens, Ernie Ladd, Ivan Koloff, Ox Baker, Ron Bass, Kamala, Abdullah the Butcher, Ric Flair, his old Texas Outlaws partner Dick Murdoch and of course, Kevin Sullivan.

Mike Moore served as a ring announcer.[5]

### After Eddie Graham's suicide

[edit]

When Eddie Graham committed suicide in January 1985, due to a combination of personal and business problems, responsibility for the office went to Hiro Matsuda and Duke Keomuka, both of whom bought in during the 1960s. The other remaining owners were Mike Graham, Eddie's brother Skip Gossett, Dusty Rhodes and Buddy Colt. The promotion continued losing money and merged with Jim Crockett Promotions in February 1987.[6] Most of the stars had gone to Jim Crockett Promotions or the WWF by that point. CWF continued operating as a JCP subsidiary until its last card on November 14, 1987, in Robarts Arena in Sarasota; in the main event, NWA Western States Heritage champion Barry Windham battled Dory Funk Jr. to a 20-minute time-limit draw.[7]

## Professional Wrestling Federation

[edit]

Mike Graham attempted to revive the territory after the death of his father

In late 1988 during the acquisition of Jim Crockett Promotions the duo of Mike Graham and Steve Keirn were attempting to revive the dormant CWF territory. Once Dusty departed from WCW they reached out to him, and ultimately partnered to launch the new Professional Wrestling Federation in February 1989.[8] Rhodes had larger visions for the fledgling regional territory, which included a name change from FCW to the non-regional PWF. The new startup promotion featured a raft of current and future stars, including Terry Funk, Dick Slater, Bam Bam Bigelow, Al Perez, The Nasty Boys, Scott Hall, Dustin Rhodes, Mike Awesome, Dallas Page and The Big Steel Man (who would become Tugboat in the WWF).

Dusty Rhodes made his debut for the company on March 4, 1989 at an event in Titusville, FL when he teamed with Steve Keirn to defeat the duo of The Big Steel Man and Dick Slaytor. A week later at the PWF Homecoming event in Tampa, FL he pinned Big Steel Man to become the first PWF Heavyweight Champion.[9] Later that spring as the PWF began to grow Rhodes received a surprise backstage visit from Bobby Heenan, who inquired on the state of the company's business. Shortly thereafter Vince McMahon reached out to Rhodes and made an offer to acquire the PWF as a developmental territory and to bring Rhodes into the WWF. He refused, as his desire was to grow the territory into a national brand that could compete with WCW and the WWF. However the Professional Wrestling Federation's backers did not have a desire to fund the company at a level necessary to enhance the territory further. In May he decided to part ways with the PWF and join the World Wrestling Federation as a wrestler.[10]

Before departing, Rhodes was defeated by The Big Steel Man on May 13, 1989 for the PWF title at an event in Sarasota, FL. His final match with the company was on May 20, where he wrestled Steel Man at an event in Fort Lauderdale.[9] The promotion closed shortly after holding its last show June 29, 1991, in Nassau, Bahamas, which saw Tyree Pride beat Steve Keirn for the PWF Florida Championship.[11]

## Television programs and tape library

[edit]

The building once known as the Tampa Sportatorium in 2020

CWF filmed and later taped its weekly TV wrestling show at the famed Sportatorium at 106 N. Albany in Tampa, Fla., which was in reality a small television studio with seating for a live audience of about 100 people (1/40th of the seating capacity of its Dallas counterpart), with the wrestling office and gym in the same building. Arena footage was always also used, and full arena show broadcasts began in the early '80s. CWF Spin-off shows were Championship Wrestling Superstars, Global Wrestling, North Florida Championship Wrestling, United States Class Wrestling, American Championship Wrestling and Southern Professional Wrestling.

In 1960, Gordon Solie became the lead announcer for CWF's Saturday morning television shows, a spot he would occupy for the next quarter-century.[12] In 1980, he hired singer Barbara Clary, who was bilingual to conduct interviews in both English and Spanish.[13][14] Solie was joined on commentary by Buddy Colt during the program's final years.[15]

On March 2, 2006, the CWF library was purchased by World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) for the DVD on Dusty Rhodes.

In 2007, World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) revived the promotion as a developmental territory under the name Florida Championship Wrestling (FCW).[16] In 2012, the promotion began operating under the NXT banner, dropping references to FCW. On June 28, 2013, the WWE formally shuttered the Florida Championship Wrestling Arena, moving all equipment and personnel to the WWE Performance Center in Orlando.

## Championships

[edit]

* NWA Brass Knuckles Championship (Florida version)
* NWA Florida Bahamian Championship
* NWA Florida Global Tag Team Championship
* NWA Florida Heavyweight Championship
* NWA Florida Junior Heavyweight Championship
* NWA Florida Television Championship
* NWA Florida Tag Team Championship
* NWA Florida Women's Championship
* NWA Southern Heavyweight Championship (Florida version)
* NWA Southern Tag Team Championship (Florida version)
* NWA Southern Women's Championship (Florida version)
* NWA North American Tag Team Championship (Florida version)
* NWA United States Tag Team Championship (Florida version)
* NWA World Tag Team Championship (Florida version)

## See also

[edit]

* List of National Wrestling Alliance territories
* List of independent wrestling promotions in the United States

## References

[edit]

General

* "Regional Territories: CWF". KayfabeMemories.com.
* Hornbaker, Tim (2007). National Wrestling Alliance: The Untold Story of the Monopoly That Strangled Professional Wrestling. Toronto: ECW Press. ISBN 978-1554902743.
* Hornbaker, Tim (2018). Death of the Territories: Expansion, Betrayal and the War that Changed Pro Wrestling Forever. Toronto: ECW Press. ISBN 978-1773052328.

Specific

1. ^ "WrestlingTerritories.png". Freakin' Awesome Network Forums :: Freakin' Awesome Wrestling Forum :: (w)Rest of Wrestling. Retrieved 25 March 2012.
2. ^ a b c Varsallone, Jim (June 2, 2017). "Honoring Cowboy Luttrall, Eddie Graham at CWF Fanfest". Miami Herald.
3. ^ Pope, Kristian (2005). Tuff Stuff Professional Wrestling Field Guide: Legend and Lore. Krause Publications. p. 417\. ISBN 0896892670.
4. ^ Napolitano, George (2011). Hot Shots and High Spots: George Napolitano's Amazing Pictorial History of Wrestling's Greatest Stars. Toronto: ECW Press. ISBN 9781770900646.
5. ^ Scheiber, Dave (September 23, 2007). "MINORS' QUIET MVP READY TO HANG SPIKES: As president, Mike Moore helped modernize the minor leagues and make them profitable". St. Petersburg Times. Retrieved February 4, 2022.
6. ^ N.W.A. Championship Wrestling from Florida
7. ^ Kreikenbohm, Philip (November 14, 1987). "CWF TV-Show". CAGEMATCH – The Internet Wrestling Database. Archived from the original on December 16, 2023. Retrieved August 27, 2024.
8. ^ Campbell, Jason. "About FCW / PWF". ProWrestlingHistory.com.
9. ^ a b Campbell, Jason. "1989". ProWrestlingHistory.com.
10. ^ "Dusty Rhodes – History of Wrestling". January 20, 2021. Archived from the original on November 13, 2021. Retrieved November 13, 2021.
11. ^ Campbell, Jason. "1991". ProWrestlingHistory.com.
12. ^ Incorporated, Florida Media (2004). Gordon Solie ... Something Left Behind. Florida Media, Inc. ISBN 978-0-9763062-1-4.
13. ^ Russo, Vic (August 4, 2000). "The Voice is Silent". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved 22 November 2023.
14. ^ "Goodbye Gordon Solie". PWWEW.net. Retrieved 22 November 2023.
15. ^ "Trivia Winner". July 14, 1994. Retrieved 22 November 2023.
16. ^ "Florida Championship Wrestling unveils new arena in Tampa, Fla". World Wrestling Entertainment. 2008-07-07. Retrieved 2008-07-08.

## External links

[edit]

* Florida Title Histories

* v
* t
* e

Championship Wrestling from Florida

Championships|

| World|

* NWA World Heavyweight Championship
* NWA World Junior Heavyweight Championship
* NWA World Tag Team Championship (Florida version)

|

National|

* NWA North American Tag Team Championship (Florida version)
* NWA United States Tag Team Championship (Florida version)

Regional|

* NWA Brass Knuckles Championship (Florida version)
* NWA Florida Bahamian Championship
* NWA Florida Global Tag Team Championship
* NWA Florida Heavyweight Championship
* NWA Florida Junior Heavyweight Championship
* NWA Florida Tag Team Championship
* NWA Florida Television Championship
* NWA Florida Women's Championship
* NWA Southern Heavyweight Championship (Florida version)
* NWA Southern Tag Team Championship (Florida version)
* NWA Southern Women's Championship (Florida version)

Personnel|

* Eddie Graham
* Mike Graham
* Duke Keomuka
* Hiro Matsuda
* Dusty Rhodes
* Gordon Solie

Home base|

* Tampa Sportatorium

* v
* t
* e

National Wrestling Alliance

Championships|

| World|

* World's Heavyweight (reigns)
* World Television (reigns)
* World Tag Team (reigns)
* World Junior Heavyweight (reigns)

|

National|

* National Heavyweight (reigns)
* Mid-America Heavyweight (reigns)
* United States Tag Team (reigns)

Women's|

* Women's (reigns)
* Women's Television (reigns)
* Women's Tag Team (reigns)

Programming|

| Current|

* Powerrr

|

Former|

* Primetime Live
* Shockwave
* USA

Pay-per-view and major events|

| Current pay-per-view events|

* Anniversary Show
* Crockett Cup
* 312
* EmPowerrr
* Hard Times
* Nuff Said
* Samhain

|

Pop-Up Events|

* New Years Clash
* By Any Means Necessary
* PowerrrTrip
* 1
* 2
* The World is a Vampire: NWA vs. AAA

Historical events|

* Alwayz Ready
* Back for the Attack
* Break the Barrier
* Into the Fire
* Superbowl of Wrestling
* When Our Shadows Fall
* World Wrestling Peace Festival
* Wrestling Summit
* Pay-per-view and closed circuit events (1983–1990)
* Pay-per-view events (2002–2004)

Home bases|

* GPB Studios

Notable acquisitions|

* Houston Wrestling (video library)

Partnerships|

* All Japan Pro Wrestling
* Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide
* Ohio Valley Wrestling

Current territories|

* NWA Exodus Pro Midwest
* NWA JCP Southeast
* NWA Kross Fire
* NWA Texas
* NWA World League Wrestling

Former partners|

* All Elite Wrestling
* Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre
* Global Force Wrestling
* Pro Wrestling USA
* American Wrestling Association
* National Wrestling Federation
* New Japan Pro-Wrestling
* Ring of Honor
* Total Nonstop Action Wrestling
* United Wrestling Network
* Championship Wrestling from Hollywood
* Combat Zone Wrestling
* World Championship Wrestling
* World Wrestling Federation

Related|

* All In
* Attendance records
* Billy Corgan
* Current champions
* Former territories
* Hall of Fame
* Hall of Heroes
* NWA All Access
* NWA (stable)
* Pinkie George
* Sam Muchnick
* Wrestling at the Chase

* v
* t
* e

Jim Crockett Promotions (Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling)

Championships|

| World|

* NWA World Heavyweight Championship
* NWA World Junior Heavyweight Championship
* NWA World Six-Man Tag Team Championship
* NWA World Tag Team Championship (Mid-Atlantic version)
* NWA World Television Championship

|

Regional|

* NWA Brass Knuckles Championship (Mid-Atlantic version)
* NWA Mid-Atlantic Heavyweight Championship
* NWA Mid-Atlantic Tag Team Championship
* NWA Mid-Atlantic Television Championship
* NWA United States Heavyweight Championship (Mid-Atlantic version)
* NWA United States Tag Team Championship (Mid-Atlantic version)
* NWA Western States Heritage Championship

Personnel|

* Jim Crockett
* Jim Crockett Jr.
* David Crockett
* Alumni

Programming|

| Syndicated|

* Learning the Ropes
* Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling
* World Wide Wrestling

|

Cable|

* Best of World Championship Wrestling
* Clash of the Champions
* NWA Main Event
* Superstars on the Superstation
* World Championship Wrestling

Other|

* Attendance records
* Closed-circuit and pay-per-view events
* Bunkhouse Stampede
* The Great American Bash
* Jim Crockett Sr. Memorial Cup Tag Team Tournament
* Starrcade
* Ric Flair's Last Match

Affiliated promotions|

| Partners|

* Maple Leaf Wrestling
* National Wrestling Alliance
* National Wrestling Alliance territories
* Pro Wrestling USA

|

Acquisitions|

* Championship Wrestling from Florida
* Georgia Championship Wrestling
* Heart of America Sports Attractions
* St. Louis Wrestling Club
* Universal Wrestling Federation

Successor|

* World Championship Wrestling

* v
* t
* e

Professional wrestling in the United States

Active promotions

National promotions|

* All Elite Wrestling
* Major League Wrestling
* National Wrestling Alliance
* Ring of Honor
* Total Nonstop Action Wrestling
* WWE

Women's:|

* Women of Wrestling

Independent promotions|

* AAW Wrestling
* All Pro Wrestling
* Beyond Wrestling
* Championship Wrestling
* Chaotic Wrestling
* Combat Zone Wrestling
* Coastal Championship Wrestling
* Deadlock Pro-Wrestling
* DEFY Wrestling
* East Coast Wrestling Association
* Empire Wrestling Federation
* Exodus Pro Wrestling
* Full Impact Pro
* Game Changer Wrestling
* Hoodslam
* House of Glory
* Independent Wrestling Federation
* Innovate Pro Wrestling
* Juggalo Championship Wrestling
* Kaiju Big Battel
* Keystone State Wrestling Alliance
* Main Event Championship Wrestling
* MCW Pro Wrestling
* Northeast Wrestling
* Ohio Valley Wrestling
* PCW Ultra
* Pro Wrestling Guerrilla
* Premiere Wrestling Xperience
* Reality of Wrestling
* Southern States Wrestling
* Ultra Championship Wrestling-Zero
* Warrior Wrestling
* World League Wrestling
* World Xtreme Wrestling
* Xtreme Pro Wrestling

Women's:|

* Shine Wrestling
* Sukeban
* Women Superstars United
* Women's Wrestling Army

Puerto Rican promotions|

* IWA Puerto Rico
* La Liga Wrestling
* World Wrestling Council

Governing bodies and interpromotional alliances|

* United Wrestling Network
* WWNLive

Notable TV programs|

* AEW Collision
* AEW Dynamite
* TNA Impact!
* WWE NXT
* WWE Raw
* WWE SmackDown

Notable streaming programs|

* NWA Powerrr
* Ring of Honor Wrestling
* TNA Xplosion
* WWE Evolve
* WWE Main Event
* WWE Speed

Defunct promotions

National promotions|

* American Wrestling Association
* Extreme Championship Wrestling
* Jim Crockett Promotions
* Universal Wrestling Federation (Bill Watts)
* Universal Wrestling Federation (Herb Abrams)
* World Championship Wrestling
* World Class Championship Wrestling

Independent promotions and regional territories|

* 50th State Big Time Wrestling
* American Wrestling Federation
* Assault Championship Wrestling
* Big Time Wrestling (Boston)
* Big Time Wrestling (Detroit)
* Big Time Wrestling (San Francisco)
* Capitol Wrestling Corporation
* Century Wrestling Alliance
* Championship Wrestling from Florida
* Chikara
* Continental Championship Wrestling
* Continental Wrestling Association
* CWF Mid-Atlantic
* Deep South Wrestling
* Dragon Gate USA
* Extreme Rising
* Evolve
* Family Wrestling Entertainment
* Florida Championship Wrestling
* Fred Kohler Enterprises
* Front Row Wrestling
* Future of Wrestling
* Georgia Championship Wrestling
* Global Force Wrestling
* Global Wrestling Federation
* Hardcore Homecoming
* Heart of America Sports Attractions
* Heartland Wrestling Association
* House of Hardcore
* Houston Wrestling
* Incredibly Strange Wrestling
* Independent Professional Wrestling Alliance
* International Championship Wrestling
* International World Class Championship Wrestling
* IWA Mid-South
* IWF Promotions
* Jersey All Pro Wrestling
* Mason-Dixon Wrestling
* Memphis Wrestling
* Memphis Championship Wrestling
* Metro Pro Wrestling
* Mid-Eastern Wrestling Federation
* Millennium Wrestling Federation
* National Wrestling Conference
* National Wrestling Federation
* New England Championship Wrestling
* NOVA Pro Wrestling
* NWA Mid-America
* NWA San Francisco
* NWA Wildside
* OMEGA Championship Wrestling
* Pacific Northwest Wrestling
* Phoenix Championship Wrestling
* Pro-Pain Pro Wrestling
* Pro Wrestling America
* Resistance Pro Wrestling
* Ring Warriors
* Smoky Mountain Wrestling
* South Atlantic Pro Wrestling
* Southern Championship Wrestling (Georgia)
* Southwest Championship Wrestling
* St. Louis Wrestling Club
* Steel City Wrestling
* Texas All-Star Wrestling
* Texas Wrestling Academy
* Top Rope Promotions
* Turnbuckle Championship Wrestling
* Ultimate Pro Wrestling
* United States Wrestling Association
* Warriors 4 Christ Wrestling
* West Coast Wrestling Connection
* Western States Sports
* Windy City Pro Wrestling
* World Wide Wrestling Alliance
* World Wrestling Alliance
* World Wrestling Association
* Worldwide Wrestling Associates
* World Wrestling Network
* Xcitement Wrestling Federation

Women's:|

* ChickFight
* Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling
* Ladies Major League Wrestling
* Ladies Professional Wrestling Association
* Naked Women's Wrestling League
* Professional Girl Wrestling Association
* Powerful Women of Wrestling
* Rise Wrestling
* Shimmer Women Athletes
* World Women's Wrestling
* Wrestlicious

Governing bodies and interpromotional alliances|

* American Wrestling Affiliates
* Global Professional Wrestling Alliance
* National Wrestling Association
* Pro Wrestling USA
* Wrestling Superstars Live

Notable programs|

* AEW Dark
* AEW Dark: Elevation
* AEW Rampage
* AWA All-Star Wrestling
* AWA Championship Wrestling
* Before the Impact
* ECW Hardcore TV
* ECW on TNN
* ECW on Syfy
* Lucha Libre USA: Masked Warriors
* Lucha Underground
* MLW Fusion
* MLW Underground Wrestling
* NWA USA
* Superstars of Wrestling
* UWF Fury Hour
* WCW Monday Nitro
* WCW Thunder
* WCW Saturday Night
* WCW WorldWide
* Wrestling at the Chase
* Wrestling Society X
* WWE 205 Live
* WWE Heat
* WWE NXT Level Up
* WWE NXT UK
* WWE Superstars
* WWE Velocity

* Attendance records
* Hall of Fame
* History

* v
* t
* e

Florida Championship Wrestling

Championships|

| Men's|

* Florida Heavyweight Championship
* Florida Tag Team Championship
* Jack Brisco 15 Championship
* Southern Heavyweight Championship

|

Women's|

* Queen of FCW
* Divas Championship

Television|

* FCW

Related|

* NXT TV show
* NXT brand
* Championship Wrestling from Florida

Portals:

* Television
* Florida

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