CWF Mid-Atlantic

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Carolina Wrestling Federation Mid-Atlantic
Mid-Atlantic Sports, LLC
AcronymCWF Mid-Atlantic
Founded1996
StyleCanadian Wrestling
HeadquartersBurlington, North Carolina, United States
Founder(s)Jeff Rudd and Danny Wenkel
Owner(s)Jeff Rudd (1996-)
Danny Wenkel (1996-)
ParentAWA Superstars (2005-2007)
Frontier Wrestling Alliance (2001-2004)
SisterCWF Arena Chicks
FormerlyFWA-Carolinas (2001-2004)
Carolina Wrestling Federation (1996-2001)
WebsiteOfficial website

Carolina Wrestling Federation Mid-Atlantic (CWF Mid-Atlantic, formerly known as the Carolina Wrestling Federation and FWA-Carolinas) is an American

promotion founded by Jeff Rudd in 2000. The promotion is based in the southeastern United States, largely covering the Carolinas and Virginia, with its headquarters in Burlington, North Carolina. It is one of the oldest "indy" groups in North Carolina, succeeding Count Grog's Southern Championship Wrestling
as the state's top promotion shortly before its close in 2004.

CWF Mid-Atlantic was one of 32 territories affiliated with

Jodie Fleisch, Jonny Storm, Alex Shane, Flash Barker, Drew McDonald, British Women's Champion Sweet Saraya
, and FWA-UK Commissioner Victoria Demonfort.

The promotion enjoyed a long association with Mid-Atlantic wrestling legend

"Dr. Death" Steve Williams
.

CWF Mid-Atlantic is also an important organization for women's wrestling in the Southeast. Its women's division has included former WWF Women's Tag Team Champions Desiree Petersen and Leilani Kai, and younger wrestlers Brandi Alexander, Lexie Fyfe, Jazz, Alexis Laree, Lorelei Lee, MsChif, Amber O'Neal, and Special K (later known as Krissy Vaine).

On November 15, 2019, all future shows for the promotion were postponed, leaving the federation's future operation in doubt.[2] The federation did go forward with its Battlecade XX event on December 28, 2019.[3]

History

Formation and early years

Jeff Rudd, who wrestled under the name "The Gemini Kid", founded the Carolina Wrestling Federation in Burlington, North Carolina, in 1996. Rudd had previously wrestled in

Continental Wrestling Federation with Mike Howell, who also had some involvement in the Alabama-based organization, and named their new promotion the "Carolina Wrestling Federation" (CWF) to honor Gilbert (who had died the previous year). They began running shows in Durham and other parts of North Carolina off and on during the late 1990s, though the promotion was run on a part-time basis due to their work for OMEGA and other local independents.[4]

Following the close of OMEGA in 1999, with

The Dupps
(Bo Dupp and Stan Dupp), as the CWF Mid-Atlantic Heavyweight, Cruiserweight and Tag Team Champions, respectively.

Territorial reach

CWF Mid-Atlantic was initially based in Durham, North Carolina. It later moved to Burlington, where it established the Carolina Sports Arena (renamed the Mid-Atlantic Sportatorium

Greensboro Coliseum and Proehlific Sports Complex in Greensboro, North Carolina.[6]

Its weekly television series, "CWF Championship Wrestling", was carried by

benefit show in King, North Carolina, for an 11-year-old wrestling fan, Stephen Arrowood,[6] who was left paralyzed from the waist-down following emergency surgery to remove a cancerous tumor from his spinal cord.[12]

The following year CWF Mid Atlantic promoted a

Best 2 out of 3 Falls Trios match pitting Ultra Dragon, the Kamakazi Kid, and Brass Munkey against El Gemini, El Sucio, and Double K which lasted nearly an hour.[6] The promotion had appeared at last year's festival and the success of the lucha libre show led to CWF Mid Atlantic becoming a regular attraction.[13]

Notable talent

The promotion featured some of top wrestlers in the Southern independents and provided an environment for younger talent, including

"Dr. Death" Steve Williams have also made appearances for the promotion.[6][15] It later enhanced its roster through working agreements with the Frontier Wrestling Alliance[4] and AWA Superstars.[6]

NWA World Heavyweight Championship "The Nature Boy" Ric Flair, also wrestled for the promotion on occasion.[6]

Rusty Loudermilk was a CWF mainstay, occupying a number of roles including sports agent and manager (under his alter-ego Rusty James).[17]

Affiliation with other independent promotions

In February 2001, CWF Mid-Atlantic became an official affiliate promotion for the

Jodie Fleisch,[4] Jonny Storm, Alex Shane, Flash Barker, Drew McDonald, British Women's Champion Sweet Saraya, and FWA-UK Commissioner Victoria Demonfort were among the FWA stars to appear for the CWF during the next three years.[18]

It was around this time that state legislation which put professional wrestling under the jurisdiction of the state's boxing commission threatened to shut down many, if not all, of the independent promotions operating in North Carolina. The cost of promoters to put on a wrestling show was tripled due to state regulation and put severe financial burdens on an industry which was already in a recession in the years following the "Attitude Era". CWF Mid-Atlantic was heavily involved in the campaign to stop the H-232 bill. The promotion's website provided fans with up-to-date information and encouraged them to contact their representatives.[19] The efforts of Jeff Rudd in particular, through Senator Hugh Webster, helped eventually remove pro wrestling from the bill.[4]

Count Grog's Southern Championship Wrestling, widely regarded as the state's top indy promotion, closed down in 2004. Many other promotions were forced to cease operations during this period which were absorbed by CWF Mid-Atlantic to some extent. The same year that SCW closed, it jointly promoted the final shows for Alternative Championship Wrestling (January 31, 2004) and South Atlantic Wrestling (November 27, 2004) in which both promotions were formerly merged with CWF Mid-Atlantic.[6] East Coast Pro Wrestling, another closely associated promotion, was also incorporated into the CWF.[4]

AWA Superstars

The promotion had a three-year association with AWA Superstars (AWA), one of 32 territories across the continental United States, with CWF Mid-Atlantic officially representing the

world champions, among those including CWF's own wrestlers, made title defenses on CWF live events when touring the region. Their own titles were renamed "AWA Mid-Atlantic" with all their events sanctioned by the organization.[6]

Key moments in the AWA-CWF relationship included Ric Converse capturing the AWA World Heavyweight Championship from Takao Omori on June 14, 2006,[20] and his subsequent feud with Steve Corino over the title.[8][21] Both Xsiris and T.J. Mack held the AWA World Light Heavyweight Championship[22] and The New Generation Dynasty (Ric Converse and Xsiris) held the AWA World Tag Team Championship.[23] On December 2, 2006, CWF Mid Atlantic hosted a major AWA supercard at the Carolina Sports Arena with many of its fellow AWA affiliates AWA Apex Wrestling (West Virginia), AWA Slam (Chicago), AWA Brew City Wrestling (Wisconsin), AWA World Star Wrestling (Connecticut, Pennsylvania, and Ohio), AWA North Atlantic (Maine), and AWA Power Pro Wrestling (North Carolina). The semi-main event featured T.J. Mack interfering in a title unification ladder match between Kirby Mack and Xsiris to win the AWA World Light Heavyweight title, and Rob McBride and Tank Lawson defeating the Old School Blondes (Steve Corino and Ricky Landell) to win the AWA World Tag Team titles.[6][24]

While champions, Converse and Xsiris defended the belts in a four-way "title vs. career" match against AWA Mid-Atlantic Tag Team Champions Rob McBride and Tank Lawson, AWA Mid-Atlantic Heavyweight Champion Joey Silvia and AWA Mid-Atlantic Television Champion "Simply" Steve Greene, and Neon Lions (Chris Collins and Lee Valiant) at CWF's "Absolute Justice" on June 16, 2007.

World Wrestling Entertainment over the use of the AWA name. Many affiliate promotions were dropped by the organization in early-2007 with the AWA officially terminating the sanctioning rights with CWF Mid-Atlantic as of July 29, 2007.[6]

Recent years

After their departure from AWA Superstars, CWF Mid-Atlantic continued their interpromotional activities. Two months before leaving the AWA, on May 19, 2007, CWF Mid-Atlantic held three live events in three different states; a Carolina Sports Arena television taping in Burlington, NC, a joint show with South Atlantic Wrestling at Hooker Stadium in Martinsville, VA, and a house show in Sharon, SC.[21]

They also joined another international governing body, Pro Wrestling International, which included US-based promotions in Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, and Texas as well as in Australia, the Netherlands, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom. Like their previous arraignment with the AWA, all members shared talent and recognized the PWI Ultra J-Crown Championship which was defended at live events by all involved. In the CWF, it was defending at many shows including at least two supercards.[26][27] On November 14, 2009, a PWI event involving CWF Mid-Atlantic, Premier Wrestling Showcase, and Rider's Championship Wrestling was held at the Mid-Atlantic Sportatorium in Burlington, North Carolina.[6]

In January 2011, CWF Mid-Atlantic co-promoted a show with

Shane Helms at the Mid-Atlantic Sportatorium in Burlington, North Carolina.[29]

Postponement of all future events

On November 15, 2019, a post was made on the official website for CWF Mid-Atlantic announcing that all future events were postponed. The announcement suggested that "Our future is now going to be much different."[2] The federation did go forward with its Battlecade XX event on December 28, 2019.[3] No announcement or events have happened since, however, leaving the future of the federation in doubt.

Women's wrestling

CWF Mid-Atlantic is a major promotion in the Southeastern United States for

mixed tag team matches.[35]

In May 2010, the promotion formed a partnership with Amber O'Neal's Arena Chicks promotion.[36] With its assistance, Arena Chicks was able to produce its first DVD release, ArenaChicks, Volume 1, using matches held at the Mid-Atlantic Sportatorium including mixed tag matches with male CWF wrestlers.[37] On February 5, 2011, CWF Mid-Atlantic's “End of an Era, Part 1″ supercard at the Mid-Atlantic Sportatorium featured an interpromotional match between and Amber O’Neal and Jazz, the latter making her Arena Chicks debut. This match was included on the DVD release of ArenaChicks, Volume 2 that same year.[38]

Championships and programing

Championship Notes
CWF Mid-Atlantic Heavyweight Championship The
heavyweight title of CWF Mid-Atlantic. It was established in 2000 and remains the promotion's top single's title.[39][40]
CWF Mid-Atlantic Tag Team Championship The
title of CWF Mid-Atlantic. It was established in 2000 and remains the promotion's main tag team title.[41][42]
CWF Mid-Atlantic Television Championship The television title of CWF Mid-Atlantic. It was established as a
championship in 2000 and defended until 2004.[43] It was reactivated two years later.[44][45]
CWF Mid-Atlantic Rising Generation League Championship The title was established in 2002 under FWA-Carolinas and continues to be defended within CWF Mid-Atlantic.[46][47]
PWI International Heavyweight Championship

Johnny Weaver Memorial Tournament winners

CWF Mid-Atlantic has held an annual open invitational tournament in honor of Johnny Weaver since 2004. It is typically a standard 8 or 16-man single-elimination tournament held annually in early May or late July with the finals ending at the end of August. The event not only showcased many of the younger wrestlers on the Southern independent circuit but also featured guest appearances by stars from the old Mid-Atlantic wrestling territory. Weaver regularly attended these events and would traditionally present the winner with the "Johnny Weaver Cup".[1] Following his death in 2008, it was turned into a memorial tournament and an award ceremony for fellow Mid-Atlantic wrestling legends. At the 2009 Johnny Weaver Cup, brothers Don and Rocky Kernodle, Jimmy Valiant, and Rich Landrum were all honored at the event. Wendi Weaver, the daughter of Johnny Weaver, also attended the event to accept the award on her father's behalf. Their new home arena, the Mid-Atlantic Sportatorium, was dedicated to the memory of the late Johnny Weaver.[48]

Year Name Date Location Notes
2004 Corey Edsel July 31-August 28, 2004 Burlington and
Thomasville, North Carolina 		[49][50]
2005 Jesse Ortega June 25-August 27, 2005 Burlington, North Carolina [49][51]
2006 Gemini Kid May 13-August 26, 2006 Greensboro and
Burlington, North Carolina 		[49][52]
2007 Mitch Connor June 23-August 25, 2007 Greensboro and
Burlington, North Carolina 		Mitch Connor was also awarded a title shot for the CWF Mid-Atlantic Heavyweight Championship.[49][53]
2008 Brass Munkey June 21-August 16, 2008 Burlington, North Carolina The tournament final was a three-way match involving Marcellus King and Ric Converse.[49][54]
2009 Kamakazi Kid June 20-August 15, 2009 Oxford and
Burlington, North Carolina 		[49][55]
2010 Ric Converse August 20, 2010 Burlington, North Carolina [49][56]
2011 Arik Royal August 20, 2011 Burlington, North Carolina [49][57]
2012 Arik Royal August 25, 2012 Gibsonville, North Carolina
2013 Trevor Lee August 17, 2013 Gibsonville, North Carolina
2014 Brad Attitude August 23, 2014 Gibsonville, North Carolina
2015 Roy Wilkins August 29, 2015 Gibsonville, North Carolina

Programming

Programming Notes
CWF Championship Wrestling (2002–2005) Syndicated, also broadcast on
PAX Network
.
CWF Worldwide (2015–) broadcast every Wednesday at 9pm EST on YouTube.

References

  1. ^
    SLAM! Sports. Archived from the original on July 17, 2012. Retrieved December 3, 2011.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link
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  2. ^ a b Rudd, Jeff; Wenkel, Danny (November 15, 2019). "Thank You to Everyone that has been a part of CWF!". CWF247.com.
  3. ^ a b "DOORS ARE OPEN!!! Get to the Positive Attitude Youth Center in Burlington, NC so you don't miss this one!!!". Facebook. December 28, 2019.
  4. ^ a b c d e f Stutts, Brad (March 23, 2002). "The Gemini Kid Interview". Interview Archives. Hardcore Fan Club. Retrieved December 3, 2011.
  5. ^ Cutting, Devin (June 12, 2011). "Wrestling Events List 6/13/11 – 6/19/11". ProWrestlingDigest.com. Retrieved December 3, 2011.
  6. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l "CWF Mid-Atlantic". Results. OnlineWorldofWrestling.com. Retrieved December 3, 2011.
  7. ^ Tees, David (September 30, 2004). "CWF Mid-Atlantic & EWA News". KocoSports.com. Archived from the original on April 30, 2012. Retrieved December 3, 2011.
  8. ^ a b "Results From CWF Mid-Atlantic TV Taping Held On October 28th In Burlington, NC ." DeclarationofIndependents.net. Ed. Sean McCaffrey. N.p., Oct. 2006. Web. Oct. 5, 2011. <www.declarationofindependents.net/doi/pages/cwfawa1028.html>.
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  10. ^ "CWF Mid-Atlantic "A Date With Destiny" 10/20". Indy Results. OnlineWorldofWrestling.com. October 22, 2007. Archived from the original on September 7, 2012. Retrieved December 3, 2011.
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  17. SLAM! Sports. April 25, 2001. Archived from the original on July 21, 2012. Retrieved December 3, 2011.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link
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  22. ^ "AWA World Light Heavyweight Title (AWA Superstars of Wrestling)". The Great Hisa's Puroresu Dojo. Wrestling-Titles.com. 2003. Retrieved 2010-05-30.
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  28. ^ Shore, Chris (April 2, 2011). "Shore's Dragon Gate USA in Burlington, N.C. review: Stable Shootout between Ronin and Blood Warriors, Breakout Challenge, Shane Helms, Reby Sky, and Jonny Fairplay". MISC Live Events. ProWrestling.net. Retrieved December 3, 2011.
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  37. ^ Del Rey, Sara (April 21, 2011). "Now Available". SaraDelRey.com. Retrieved December 3, 2011.
  38. ^ Arena Chicks (February 2, 2011). "Jazz debuts February 5th!". News. ArenaChicks.com. Retrieved December 3, 2011.
  39. ^ "CWF Mid-Atlantic Heavyweight Title". The Great Hisa's Puroresu Dojo. Wrestling-Titles.com. 2003. Retrieved 2010-05-30.
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  42. ^ Sawyer, Grant (2011). "CWF Mid-Atlantic Tag Team Title History". Solie's Title Histories. Solie.org. Retrieved 2010-05-30.
  43. ^ Sawyer, Grant (2004). "CWF Mid-Atlantic Cruiserweight / Television Title". Solie's Title Histories. Solie.org. Retrieved 2010-05-30.
  44. ^ Tanabe, Hisaharu (2011). "CWF Mid-Atlantic Television Title". Solie's Title Histories. Solie.org. Retrieved 2010-05-30.
  45. ^ "CWF Mid-Atlantic Television Title". The Great Hisa's Puroresu Dojo. Wrestling-Titles.com. 2003. Retrieved 2010-05-30.
  46. ^ "CWF Mid-Atlantic Rising Generation League Title". The Great Hisa's Puroresu Dojo. Wrestling-Titles.com. 2003. Retrieved 2010-05-30.
  47. ^ Sawyer, Grant (2011). "CWF Mid-Atlantic Rising Generation League Title". Solie's Title Histories. Solie.org. Retrieved 2010-05-30.
  48. ^ "Burlington June 2009". Mid-Atlantic Gateway Photo Album: Reunions. MidAtlanticGateway.com. June 2009. Retrieved December 3, 2011.
  49. ^ a b c d e f g h "Tournament History". Johnny Weaver Cup Tournament. MidAtlanticGateway.com. 2011. Retrieved December 3, 2011.
  50. ^ "The 2004 Weaver Cup Finals". Johnny Weaver Cup Tournament. MidAtlanticGateway.com. 2004. Retrieved December 3, 2011.
  51. ^ "The 2005 Weaver Cup Finals". Johnny Weaver Cup Tournament. MidAtlanticGateway.com. 2005. Retrieved December 3, 2011.
  52. ^ "The 2006 Weaver Cup Finals". Johnny Weaver Cup Tournament. MidAtlanticGateway.com. 2006. Retrieved December 3, 2011.
  53. ^ "The 2007 Weaver Cup Finals". Johnny Weaver Cup Tournament. MidAtlanticGateway.com. 2007. Retrieved December 3, 2011.
  54. ^ "The 2008 Weaver Cup Finals". Johnny Weaver Cup Tournament. MidAtlanticGateway.com. 2008. Retrieved December 3, 2011.
  55. ^ "The 2009 Weaver Cup Finals". Johnny Weaver Cup Tournament. MidAtlanticGateway.com. 2009. Retrieved December 3, 2011.
  56. ^ "The 2010 Weaver Cup Finals". Johnny Weaver Cup Tournament. MidAtlanticGateway.com. 2010. Retrieved December 3, 2011.
  57. ^ "The 2011 Weaver Cup Finals". Johnny Weaver Cup Tournament. MidAtlanticGateway.com. 2011. Retrieved December 3, 2011.

Further reading

External links

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