Independent Wrestling Federation

This article is about wrestling promotion based in New Jersey, USA. For the Russian wrestling promotion, see Independent Wrestling Federation (Russia).

1998 American TV series or program

Independent Wrestling Federation

Created by| Kevin Knight
Opening theme| "Live To Win" by Paul Stanley
Country of origin| United States
No. of episodes| 399
Production
Camera setup| Multicamera setup
Running time| Approximately 2 hours per event
Original release
Release| March 14, 1998 (1998-03-14) –
2017 (2017)

The Independent Wrestling Federation (IWF) is a professional wrestling promotion based in Nutley, New Jersey. The IWF features upcoming talent, in some cases, which have made it to the World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE). Along with producing live events for the public, the IWF also gives youth clinics and acts as a wrestling school. The wrestling school trains teens and adults, and former WWE star Tito Santana is among the instructors.[1]

IWF events occur weekly on Saturday nights. In most events, championship matches occur. Before each week's shows, the IWF website features their Eruption webcast which gives a preview of the upcoming show.[2]

## Wrestling School

[edit]

Established in 1999, IWF Wrestling School trains hundreds of wrestlers and managers from 16 states and six countries that perform in bouts around the globe. The IWF wrestling school has taught former many athletes, from former WWE wrestlers to teenagers. The wrestling school usually features clinics from former and current wrestling superstars. Tom Prichard,[3] John Bradshaw Layfield, Tito Santana, Honky Tonk Man, Steven Richards, Nunzio, Ricky Steamboat, Ken Shamrock, Dawn Marie, Tom Brandi (Sal Sincere), Steve Corino, Jim Powers,[4] Bushwhacker Luke and Simon Diamond have hosted clinics.

In addition to his role as an instructor, WWE Hall of Famer Tito Santana began wrestling with IFW in 2005. Santana, a two-time WWE Tag Team Champion, also held the IWF Tag Team Championship in the latter part of his career.[5]

NXT graduate and former Raw performer Darren Young trained, graduated, and wrestled in the IWF. While wrestling for the IWF, he was known as "Bonecrusher" Fred Sampson. Other graduates of note include current Total Nonstop Action talent Rob Eckos (ring name Robbie E.), who is also mentioned in the Darren Aronofsky film "The Wrestler", and "Pretty Boy" Moby Plinko, better known as music producer Keven Maroda. Eckos and Maroda trained together under Kevin Knight in 2000.

On April 30, 2014, the IWF Centre (Independent Wrestling Federation's school) relocated and opened in Nutley, NJ at a state-of-the-art 7,000 sq-ft facility with a new wrestling ring, padded amateur wrestling/MMA room, 3 dressing rooms, pro shop, nutrition store, and a private party room.[6]

On June 26, 2017, the IWF held its last training school session.

## History

[edit]

The Independent Wrestling Federation began in 1998, as a road show. The IWF traveled to local high schools and venues to perform live events. In 1999, the IWF moved into its current home in Nutley, New Jersey, known as the IWF Centre. The IWF CustomMuscle Centre houses not only the wrestling events, but also wrestling clinics, a training facility, and serves as a wrestling school.

At February Fury in 2009, Kevin Knight was beat for his IWF Heavyweight Title by Chris Steeler. This not only marked the first time the Ross Family held every title (excluding Junior Heavyweight), but Steeler became the first GrandSlam winner (has held every IWF Championship). Kevin Knight was able to win a 16-man battle royal to become number one contender for Steeler's title at March Madness. Steeler remained champion throughout the later events. The Heavyweight championships stayed on Steeler's waist for all of 2009 since winning the title in February. Chachi won the Tournament of Champions in December to win the vacant American Championship.

## Current champions

[edit]

Championship  | Current Champion(s)  | Date won  | Days  | Won from

|
|
|
|

IWF Heavyweight Champion  | Biggie Biggs  | April 14, 2018[7] | 2,484  | VACANT
IWF Junior Heavyweight Champion  | Weasel  | June 28, 2017[8] | 2,774  | "First Class" Justin Adams
IWF Tag Team Champions  | Robert Atkins and Brian Atkins (The Atkins Brothers)  | June 24, 2017[9] | 2,778  | Juan Vargas & Tony Graves
IWF American Champion  | "First-Class" Justin Adams  | June 24, 2017[10] | 2,778  | "Golden Boy" Michael Cammett

## Current roster

[edit]

Wrestler | Notes

|

Biggie Biggs  |
Benjamin T Asher  |
Brian Atkins  | IWF Tag Team Champion
Dark Oracle Sage  | IWF Heavyweight Champion
Dracko  |
Eloy Fiesta  |
Jason Hendrix  |
Jayden Stehle  |
Justin Bongiovi  |
Kareem West  |
Kevin Knight  |
KC Bonilla  |
Mad Dawg Jenkins  |
Robert Atkins  | IWF Tag Team Champion
Shane O'Brien  |
Tony Graves  |
Weasel  | IWF Junior Heavyweight Champion

## References

[edit]

1. ^ Indy Reporter (February 2, 2007). "INDY NEWS: Stevie Richards & Tito Santana Clinics @ IWF Wrestling School". Impact Wrestling. Retrieved 2009-02-26.[permanent dead link‍]
2. ^ "Independent Wrestling Federation Eruption TV Webcast January 2007 Edition: The Countdown to Winter Warfare Weekend on January 20–21 Begins!". UCW Entertainment Newswire. January 3, 2007. Archived from the original on November 18, 2008. Retrieved 2009-02-26.
3. ^ "Independent Wrestling Federation holding WWE tryouts with Dr. Tom Prichard". Indy Wrestling News. February 2, 2010. Retrieved 2010-02-22.
4. ^ "Jim Powers joins the Independent Wrestling Federation's roster & staff". Indy Wrestling News. December 31, 2009. Retrieved 2010-02-22.
5. ^ WWE Hall of Famer Tito Santana, IWF Wrestling. Retrieved July 20, 2019.
6. ^ "Independent Wrestling Federation School News". Independent Wrestling Federation. Archived from the original on May 2, 2014. Retrieved May 1, 2014.
7. ^ IWF Heavyweight Championship, Cagematch Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved July 20, 2019.
8. ^ Junior Heavyweight Title History, IWF Wrestling. Retrieved July 20, 2019.
9. ^ Tag Team Title History, IWF Wrestling. Retrieved July 20, 2019.
10. ^ American Title History, IWF Wrestling. Retrieved July 20, 2019.

## External links

[edit]

* Independent Wrestling Federation web site

* 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 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

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