IWF Promotions was an independent professional wrestling company based in Denver, Colorado that was founded in 2001[1] by Tamera Halbeisen. IWF was the only known wrestling company in the United States that was owned by a Hispanic Woman. Showcasing two styles of professional wrestling including American professional wrestling and the Mexican style; Lucha Libre with over 25 high-impact live events yearly in the Denver, Colorado metropolitan area.
 | |
| Founded | 2001 |
|---|---|
| Style | Professional wrestling, lucha libre |
| Headquarters | Denver, Colorado |
| Founder(s) | Tamera Halbeisen, Larry Shelton, Alan Carnill |
| Owner(s) | Tamera Halbeisen |
| Website | IWFPromotions.com |
History edit
IWF Promotions was started July 14, 2001 by Tamera Halbeisen, Larry Shelton and Alan Carnill. Hosting shows with a Rock and Wrestling theme, booking local bands and independent professional wrestling at events held at the Gothic Theater in Denver, Colorado. Continuing to cross promote independent wrestling IWF joined with Knockout Events, a regional Toughman organization throughout 2002 and 2003 and then again in 2005.
Beginning in 2003 a series of semi-monthly events were held at the Sheridan Recreation Center, Sheridan, Colorado. Professional wrestlers involved in these events included The Honky Tonk Man, Superfly Jimmy Snuka, Beautiful Bobby Dean, Kato, Beetlejuice (Alan Carnill), breaking ground for many independent wrestlers such as Prodigee & Shocktherapy.
January 25, 2004 Co-Founder Alan Carnill was killed after he was thrown from a car in which he was a passenger. The car went out of control on an icy bridge before flipping over outside Hays, Kansas on his way back home to Colorado after working a wrestling show the night before in Hoisington, Kansas.[2] The other passengers in the car include Larry Shelton, Carrie Mathews, Joseph McDougal and Gerald Krueger.
IWF continued to run semi-monthly events in the Denver, Colorado metropolitan area, as well in the rocky mountain region including Gillette, Wyoming, Pueblo and Fairplay, Colorado until closing in January 2005.
After a year and a half hiatus IWF resumed operations as IWF Premier Pro Wrestling by booking monthly wrestling shows and opened The Butcher Shop, a professional wrestling training gym located in Commerce City, Colorado. IWF Promotions currently runs monthly wrestling shows under IWF Premier, IWF Lucha Libre & Primos Hardcore & Wrestling throughout the metro Denver, Colorado area.
In August 2011 IWF Promotions was sold to Joseph McDougal and he continues to run it exclusively under the Primos Hardcore & Wrestling name, Joseph also runs and has maintained the Butcher Shop Pro Wrestling Gym in the Denver metro area.
The Butcher Shop edit
The Butcher Shop trains both American or Sports Entertainment and Lucha Libre style wrestlers. Guest trainers have included Dennis Condrey, Jerry Lynn, Big Van Vader (Leon White), Mad Man Pondo (Kevin Canady), and Colt Cabana (Scott Colton).
Publicity edit
In 2008 the Butcher Shop was featured by the Westword[3] Newspaper.
The Greeley Tribune featured High Flying Wrestling action at the Fiesta[4]
IWF was featured in the Independent film Faces and Heels: A Real Look at Independent Wrestling by Daniel R. Beehler.[5]
Roster edit
| American Wrestlers | Lucha Libre | Managers | Referees |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adrian Grimm | La Bestia | Bigg Mike | Brian Marks |
| Arik Angel | Fuersa Chicana | Michael Titus | Jonathan Douglas |
| Beetlejuice (RIP 2004) | Pikachu | Perfect 10 | Scotty McLovin |
| Brandon Morris | Mathmatico | ||
| Bronx | Momia | ||
| Candyman | Huracancito Ramirez Jr. | ||
| Chris Wrath | |||
| Derek Stone | |||
| Jack Mecidal | |||
| Jason Noel | |||
| Jay Synn | |||
| Joey Terrofyin | |||
| Johnny Crash | |||
| Joseph A. Kincade | |||
| Juntsu | |||
| Mascara Mistica | |||
| Noah Terrella | |||
| Patrick McDaniels | |||
| Paul Stetich | |||
| Prodigee | |||
| Rob Ryzin | |||
| Robert Romero | |||
| Romeo | |||
| Ronin The Rock-n-Roll Vampire | |||
| Rose Thorn | |||
| Sensi Dalton | |||
| Shredder Con | |||
| Superstar | |||
| Synjin Tiger Smith | |||
| Trajan Ender | |||
| War Dog Damien Payne |
Champions edit
| IWF Championship |
|---|
| 05/15/2011 to Present Rob Ryzin |
| 01/2011 to 05/15/2011 Trajan Ender |
| 04/2010 to 01/2011 Adrian Grimm |
| 07/2009 to 04/2010 Hoodlum |
| 04/2009 to 7/2009 Bronx |
| 11/2008 to 4/2009 Vacant |
| 10/2008 to 11/2008 Matt Yaden |
| 05/2008 to 10/2009 Jesse Williams |
| 12/2009 to 05/2008 Jay Synn |
| 10/2007 to 12/2007 Justice |
| IWF Tag Team Champions |
|---|
| 6/12/11 to Present Jason Noel & Noah Terrella |
| 11/2010 to 6/12/11 Joseph A Kincade & Bronx |
| 10/2010 to 11/2010 Paul Stetich & Sensai Dalton |
| 4/2010 to 10/2010 Arik Angel & Paul Stetich |
| 8/2009 to 4/2010 Primal Chaos: Damien Payne & Tiger Smith |
| 01/2009 to 8/2009 The Horde: Adrian Grimm and Shredder Con |
| 09/2008 to 01/2009 The Firm: Bronx and Hoodlum |
| IWF Hardcore Championship |
|---|
| 04/2011 to Present Joseph A. Kincade |
| 03/2011 to 04/2011 Bud Doobie |
| 03/2010 to 03/2011 Juntsu |
| 03/2008 to 3/2010 Joey Terrofyn |
| 12/2007 to 3/2008 Shocktherapy |
| IWF Lucha Libre |
|---|
| 4/2010 to Present Vacant |
| 12/2009 to 4/2010 Quantum |
| 11/2008 to 12/2009 Vagabundo |
| 12/2007 to 11/2008 Quantum |
| 10/2007 to 12/2007 Hurricancito Ramirez Jr. |
| IWF Annual A3 Cup Holder |
|---|
| 2011 Prodigee |
| 2010 Chris Wrath |
Friends of IWF edit
- Jerry Lynn
- Big Van Vader (Leon White)
- Dennis Condrey
- Mad Man Pondo (Kevin Canady)
- Scot Summers
- Corporal Robinson (Steve Robinson)
- Tiki Tapu
- Violent J (Joseph Frank "Joe" Bruce)
- Bobby Lashley
- Hijo de Rey Misterio
- The Universal Heartthrob Don Juan
- Colt Cabana (Scott Colton)
See also edit
References edit
- ^ IWF Promotions
- ^ Online World of Wrestling
- ^ "Westword January 10, 2008". Archived from the original on 2008-08-29. Retrieved 2009-02-09.
- ^ "Greeley Tribune Newspaper". Archived from the original on 2011-07-18. Retrieved 2020-01-20.
- ^ Beehler, Daniel R. (February 21, 2009). "Faces and Heels". Denver Open Media. Retrieved February 19, 2023.