Jersey All Pro Wrestling
This article needs additional citations for verification. (July 2007) |
Acronym | JAPW |
---|---|
Founded | April 19, 1997 |
Defunct | February 2018 |
Style | Professional wrestling |
Headquarters | New Jersey |
Founder(s) | Frank Iadeavia |
Owner(s) | Jeff Shapiro |
Formerly | NSWA |
Jersey All Pro Wrestling (JAPW) was an
History
1997
Jersey All Pro Wrestling was an independent wrestling promotion that was founded by "Fat" Frank Iadeavia and Angel Surita on April 19, 1997.[1] This promotion was born out of a dream of "Fat" Frank and Angel. They wanted to take the promotion in a different direction than others. "Fat" Frank and Angel took a group of misfit wrestlers who were not used in other promotion for various reasons and booked them in a show on that night under the promotion name.
During 1997, only two shows were run, Northern States Wrestling Alliance a precursor to JAPW, the wrestlers were friends who were not getting booked in other wrestling shows due to the politics in the New Jersey wrestling scene at that time. Also featured wrestlers like A-Train, and Alexander the Great who are better known as
During July 1997, "Fat" Frank searched for a venue to house the promotion. While looking for a venue, he met a local businessman by the name of Jeff Shapiro. Shapiro owned a local building called Charity Hall and was also a wrestling fan. Iadevaia and Shapiro agreed to a one-year lease of Charity Hall. On July 25, 1997, JAPW was born. During the early days of JAPW, they featured wrestlers who were established in the New Jersey independent wrestling scene looking for that big break. One of the first of the JAPW originals to take that opportunity and shine was Homicide who made his debut on September 12, 1997. Also during the early days of JAPW, their shows were bloody and violent. Hardcore wrestling during that time was due to the craze of ECW and JAPW was seen as an alternative. Not long after, several ECW stars started making appearances in JAPW due to Iadevaia's friendship with former ECW star Jason. The Pitbulls, 911, The Samoan Gangsta Party, and others made their debut for the promotion during 1997. Due to JAPW increasing popularity, it was considered the hottest ticket in Bayonne at the time, and fans craved blood and violence like their ECW counterparts. On December 5, 1997, JAPW closed out their first year with Night of Barb Wire #1. It saw the Blood Angels defeat Homicide and Don Montoya to win the vacant JAPW Tag Team Championship in what is considered one of the most brutal and bloody matches in JAPW history.
1998
In early 1998, JAPW flourished and attracted a larger fan base. Due to JAPW's continued growth, Jeff Shapiro saw the potential the promotion had and thus became an investor. Then on March 28, 1998, JAPW did something their critics and other New Jersey promoters never thought they would do: last a year and put on a their First Anniversary Show and Convention. The show and convention took place at the Sheraton Hotel in
The rest of 1998 included more growth for the young promotion. "We guarantee excitement" and "blood is better" quickly became two trademark slogans for the up-and-coming promotion. Charity Hall continued to sell out crowds for each and every show JAPW put on there. Along with the sell out crowd, JAPW brought in top talent and showcased local undiscovered talent that became stars. Also during that time, the shows became increasingly more violent in nature with more blood and weapons. Death matches became commonplace in JAPW with every show featuring such weapons as
2000
JAPW peaked in popularity around 2000. With this increased popularity, JAPW was all over the news. The promotion was even featured in every major New Jersey newspaper and on major television stations.
2001-2002
JAPW was allowed to return to Bayonne and Charity Hall but not without major changes. JAPW has to abide by strict Bayonne and New Jersey rules because it was under scrutiny from both the city and state. Plus, officials were sent to the shows to monitor the promotion. Thus ended the era "Blood is Better" on February 2, 2001. Frank Iadevaia, Jeff Shapiro, Pierre Pilger, and Angel Surita met with many of the promotions wrestlers to talk about the future of the promotion. If the company was going exist into the future, than change was crucial. So the company went into a new direction. In effect of this change "We are hard hitting" became the new slogan and rally cry for JAPW. Many stars were influential during this new era, but the leaders of the new era were Da Hit Squad, Homicide, and Low Ki. JAPW once again showed their innovative style when they were the first independent promotion to showcase the strong style in the United States on a regular basis.
It was also during 2001, that
On December 15, 2001, JAPW learned of Russ Haas's passing, which affected all in the JAPW locker room. Then on February 2, 2002, JAPW presented the Russ Haas Memorial Show. Over 600 fans attended the memorial event while over 50 professional wrestlers from around the United States showed up and donated their salary for that evening.[2] Even wrestlers from Florida flew up to the show as a show of respect for Haas to work the show. Charlie and the rest of the Haas family were also in attendance. The proceeds raised at the show went to the widow of Russ Haas. That night for the first time ever in JAPW history, a Triple Crown Champion was determined. The match was contested in a Triple Threat Match. JAPW Heavyweight Champion Homicide was challenged by JAPW Light Heavyweight Champion The Insane Dragon and JAPW New Jersey State Champion Dixie. Dixie won the match and became the Triple Crown Champion.
JAPW was in talks to do business with California based Xtreme Pro Wrestling when XPW was making its East Coast debut in 2002.
JAPW also made their debut in Seaside Heights in 2002 with several shows during the summer. They ended the year back in Bayonne. In December 2002, JAPW learned the fate of their existence at Charity Hall. Jeff Shapiro sold Charity Hall to a developer, and the promotion was forced to look for another venue to house the shows. A short term was in place until JAPW found another venue to house the monthly shows.
2003-present
JAPW held their events once a month in small venues such as the Rahway Rec Center, and the Golden Door Charter School in Jersey City. On May 22, 2010, Japanese legend
On September 23, 2015, JAPW founder and promoter Frank Iadevaia died in his sleep at 43.[4]
They have not promoted an event since February 2018.[6][7]
Notable alumni
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Championships
Current champions
Championship | Current Champion(s) | Previous | Date Won | Days | Location |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
JAPW Heavyweight Championship | Retired | BLK Jeez | February 25, 2018 | — | — |
JAPW Light Heavyweight Championship | Retired | Archadia | February 25, 2018 | — | — |
JAPW Women's Championship | Retired | LuFisto | February 25, 2018 | — | — |
Retired and inactive championships
Championship | Last Champion(s) | Previous | Date Won | Location |
---|---|---|---|---|
JAPW New Jersey State Championship | Brodie Lee |
Charlie Haas | May 22, 2010 | Rahway, NJ |
JAPW Tag Team Championship | Strong Style Thugz/Outlaws (Eddie Kingston and Homicide) |
vacant | April 14, 2012 | Rahway, NJ |
JAPW Fan's Championship | PJ | N/A | August 6, 1999 | Bayonne, NJ |
JAPW Student Championship |
Roach | Tony Lazaro | April 12, 2002 | Bayonne, NJ |
JAPW Suicidal Championship |
Jay Lover | Louie Ramos | August 19, 2000 | Sayreville, NJ |
JAPW Television Championship |
Eddie Thomas | Skinhead Ivan | December 13, 2003 | Rahway, NJ |
JAPW Students Tag Team Championship |
Team Thomas (Eddie & Miles Thomas) |
Just G & Johnny T | February 8, 2002 | Bayonne, NJ |
JAPW Student Championship
The JAPW Student Championship was a title in the Jersey All Pro Wrestling
Wrestler: | Times: | Date: | Location: | Notes: |
---|---|---|---|---|
Jay Lover | 1 | August 6, 1999 | Bayonne, New Jersey | Won a battle royal at JAPW First Student Show. |
Texas | 1 | October 8, 1999 | Bayonne, New Jersey | |
Eddie Barrio | 1 | March 31, 2000 | Bayonne, New Jersey | |
The Blue Dragon | 1 | August 19, 2000 | Bayonne, New Jersey | |
Tony Lazaro | 1 | December 12, 2001 | Bayonne, New Jersey | |
Roach (Corvis Fear) | 1 | April 12, 2002 | Bayonne, New Jersey |
JAPW Suicidal Championship
The JAPW Suicidal Championship was a title in the Jersey All Pro Wrestling
Wrestler: | Times: | Date: | Location: | Notes: |
---|---|---|---|---|
Jay Lover | 1 | August 29, 1999 | Secaucus, New Jersey | Defeated Lou Diamond, Kane D, Homicide and Louie Ramos in a steel cage at JAPW 2nd Anniversary Show. |
Louie Ramos | 1 | December 17, 1999 | Bayonne, New Jersey | |
Jay Lover | 2 | August 19, 2000 | Sayreville, New Jersey | |
Retired | 2000 | Title retired when the state of New Jersey banned death match/hardcore style wrestling. |
JAPW Television Championship
The JAPW Television Championship was a title in the Jersey All Pro Wrestling
Wrestler: | Times: | Date: | Location: | Notes: |
---|---|---|---|---|
Dixie | 1 | June 7, 2002 | Bayonne, NJ | Awarded as the first champion at JAPW Smarts Only. |
Ghost Shadow | 1 | June 7, 2002 | Bayonne, NJ | |
Jay Lethal | 1 | September 13, 2002 | Bayonne, NJ | |
Skinhead Ivan | 1 | August 2, 2003 | Bayonne, NJ | |
Eddie Thomas | 1 | December 13, 2003 | Bayonne, NJ | |
Retired | 2004 | Bayonne, NJ |
JAPW Students Tag Team Championship
The JAPW Students Tag Team Championship was a title in the Jersey All Pro Wrestling
Wrestlers: | Times: | Date: | Location: | Notes: |
---|---|---|---|---|
Just G and Johnny T | 1 | December 21, 2001 | Bayonne, New Jersey | Defeated Magic & Suba at JAPW Student Slaughter. |
Team Thomas (Eddie and Miles Thomas) |
1 | February 8, 2002 | Bayonne, New Jersey |
Notes
- ^ a b c d e Sager, Ray. "History of JAPW". JAPW.net. Archived from the original on September 25, 2008. Retrieved August 12, 2007.
- ^ "Russ Haas Memorial Show results". HaasofPain.com. Retrieved April 17, 2009.
- ^ "New Japan Pro Wrestling comes to the U.S." Wrestling Observer Newsletter. October 3, 2010. Retrieved February 6, 2011.
- ^ a b c "JAPW promoter Fat Frank Iadevaia passes away". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. September 24, 2015. Retrieved September 24, 2015.
- ^ "JAPW.net - 2012 Results". Archived from the original on May 13, 2012. Retrieved March 31, 2013.
- ^ Kreikenbohm, Philip. "Jersey All Pro Wrestling (JAPW) Events". CAGEMATCH – The Internet Wrestling Database. Archived from the original on March 1, 2023. Retrieved March 1, 2023.
- ^ "Event Results". Jersey All Pro Wrestling. Archived from the original on February 18, 2023. Retrieved March 1, 2023.