Empire Wrestling Federation

Pwcompanybox
name=Empire Wrestling Federation


acronym=EWF
established = 1996
style=
location=Southern California
founder=Bill Anderson and Jesse Hernandez
owner=Jesse Hernandez
parent=
sister=
formerly=
merged=|

The Empire Wrestling Federation (EWF) is an independent wrestling promotion based in San Bernardino, California. It is owned and operated by Jesse Lizarraga. The EWF is also tied to Hernandez's wrestling school, "The School Of Hard Knocks". The EWF is also an affiliate of the National Wrestling Alliance.

History

EWF was founded in 1996 by Bill Anderson and Hernandez. it saw its first show in May 1996 at the Boys and Girls Club of San Bernardino as Bobby Bradley defeated Tom "Zuma" Howard to become the first EWF Heavyweight Champion. In 1999 Bill Anderson left the EWF and formed his own promotion and wrestling school, the International Wrestling Council in Riverside, California. In June 1996 a tribute to "Superstar" Billy Graham was held.

Several EWF wrestlers from the past have gone on to national fame, including Rico Constantino, Louie Spicolli, Frankie Kazarian, Christopher Daniels, Shelly Martinez and Melina Perez. In 1997 Chris Jericho and Lee Marshall of WCW mentioned EWF on WCW broadcasts and Marshall attended a show in Hemet, California. Other pro wrestling stars have made appearance at EWF shows including Mando Guerrero, Peter Maivia, Ludvig Borga, The Honky Tonk Man, Tony Atlas and Tom Brandi. Many EWF wrestlers appear as jobbers on WWE broadcasts, and at the 1999 Royal Rumble the orderlies sent to aprehend Kane were performed by the EWF roster, including then owners Bill Anderson and Jesse Hernandez.

Current champions

2006

Roster

Wrestlers

* Karl "Machine Gun" Anderson
* Black Metal (La Ola Del Mal)
* Blackstar
* Hook Bomberry
* Jade Chung
* Coconut Joe
* Rockstar Cordova
* Country Bear
* Brandon Cutler
* Dave The Bruiser
* Espiritu Infernal
* Extreme Loco (La Ola Del Mal)
* Brandon "Nitro" Gatson
* Icarus Eagle
* "Mr. Instant Replay" Matt Jackson (The Young Bucks)
* "Slick" Nick Jackson (The Young Bucks)
* Carla Jade
* "Top Shelf" Jeremy Jaeger
* "Zero Gravity" Chris Kadillak
* Kid Karnage
* Dan "The Man" Kobrick
* Candice LeRae
* Liger Rivera (Famous for Fearless)
* "Marvelous" Max Martin
* Maximo
* Mecurio Jr.
* DK Murphy
* TJ Perkins (Famous for Fearless)
* Rocky Romero
* Ronin
* Joey Ryan
* Sonny Samson
* Scorpio Sky
* Ryan Taylor
* Terex
* "Mayhem" Mars Vaughn
* Kitana Vera
* Vizzion

Managers and Valets

* "Superstar" Shane Andrews
* Yyan Nakano
* Trinity Skye

Referees

* Mando Vega (Senior Official)
* Justin Borden
* Garrett Spears
* Christopher Lee

Commentators

* Larry Pena
* Lalo Gonzalez
* C. Edward Vander Pyle
* "Crazy" Joe Coyote

Ring Announcers

* Lalo Gonzalez

Agents

* Cincinnati Red

Trivia

* The record for the longest title reign in the EWF is held by Ryan Taylor. He held the EWF Cruiserweight Championship for 399 consecutive days.
* The EWF's School of Hard Knocks has sent several wrestlers to the WWE, TNA, NWA, ROH and other prominent promotions across the globe including Melina (WWE), Rico Constantino (WWE), Frankie Kazarian (TNA), Awesome Kong (TNA, AJW), Rocky Romero (NWA, ROH, NJPW), Ricky Reyes (ROH), Alex Koslov (CMLL) and Shelly Martinez (WWE, TNA).
* The EWF is the longest running promotion in Southern California, running continuously from 1996.

References

*1998 "Secrets of Pro Wrestling" Discovery Channel documentary that toured EWF facilities
* [http://www.ddtdigest.com/features/hangman/article1.htm Newspaper article on EWF]
* [http://www.msu.mcmaster.ca/sil/archives/000928/arts/wrestling.htm EWF newspaper article 2]
* [http://www.kptmovies.com/newsandpress/newsandpress_details.cfm?id=39 Nacho Libre presented by EWF and Krikorian Theatres]
* [http://www.pahrumpvalleytimes.com/2001/07/13/2084075.html EWF Newspaper article 3]
* [http://www.wrestlingnewsworld.com/articles/2005/128898454.php EWF & Walmart unite]
* [http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/search/imdb_index.jsp?page=/title/tt0800017/ EWF at HollywoodReporter.com] Empire Wrestling Federation / School of Hard Knocks as of January 2008 has moved to a new location:American Sports University http://www.americansportsuniversity.com399 North "D" StreetSan Bernardino, Ca. 92401(Gym located at N/W corner of Court and Arrowhead Ave.)

External links

* [http://www.empirewrestlingfederation.com Empire Wrestling Federation Official Website]
* http://www.miamiherald.com/675/story/469696.html