Kiwi Pro Wrestling

Kiwi Pro Wrestling (KPW) is a professional wrestling promotion based in Wellington, New Zealand.

Pwcompanybox
name=Kiwi Pro Wrestling


acronym=KPW
established=May 2006
location=Wellington, New Zealand
founder=Rip Morgan
website= [http://www.kiwiprowrestling.co.nz]

History

Started in May 2006 by veteran New Zealand wrestler Rip Morgan, KPW was formed with the express purpose of taking NZ wrestling from club level to professional level and groom local wrestling talent to compete on the world stage. CEO Rip Morgan and commissioner Butch Miller have many years experience as pro wrestlers on the international circuit and have extensive contacts in the international pro wrestling scene. KPW's talent pool includes returning veterans such as Rogue Trooper and Irishman Mike Ryan from 'On the Mat' days on NZ television, as well as upcoming wrestling talent.

Since its formation, KPW management has gone out of its way to actively involve former wrestlers, recognising that their invaluable experience and knowledge are essential for invigorating NZ pro wrestling. Wrestling legends such as Steve Rickard, John Da Silva and Robert Bruce, all former champions, have thrown their support behind the company and contribute to the New Zealand Legends profiles on the Kiwi Pro Wrestling web site. Butch Miller (one half of the world famous Bushwhackers), arguably the most successful wrestler from New Zealand, acts as KPW commissioner and regularly appears at KPW matches with his 'Bushwhacker Shack'. His partner, Luke Williams, is a wrestling promoter based in Puerto Rico.

KPW's first show, "Storm Warning", was held on June 23, 2006.

Media Appearances

Two of KPW's wrestlers, Jonnie Juice and Creed, wrestled briefly on Sunday morning children's television show What Now [ [http://www.nzpwi.co.nz/home/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2301&Itemid=36 New Zealand Pro Wrestling Informer: KPW promote "Storm Warning" on What Now] . May 28, 2006] .

KPW were also on TV ONE's Good Morning show on July 6, 2006, promoting their July 7 Ring Rampage show at the Taita Community Centre [ [http://www.nzpwi.co.nz/home/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2423&Itemid=36 New Zealand Pro Wrestling Informer: KPW To Feature on Good Morning this Thursday] . July 4, 2006] . There were interviews with CEO Rip Morgan and Butch Miller, as well as a tag team match featuring D-Money, Jonnie Juice, Creed and H-Flame.

KPW broadcast their December 2006 match 'Xmas Kracker' on Triangle TV during June 2007 and posted the promo on You Tube.

Kiwi Pro Wrestling brought wrestling back into central Wellington in March 2007 with the 'SlamTime City' and 'Kaos Theory' held at Wellington High School in April and July respectively. Like 'Xmas Kracker', these matches were filmed by Ocular Films (Wellington) for future broadcast. The company staged their 'Australian Invasion' match in August 2007, this being their first show, matching local against overseas talent. Four wrestlers from Melbourne appeared: Tank, Iron Horse, Grudge and the Sheik. In October 2007, KPW staged their Halloween Howl II match in Wellington, continuing in their series of matches staged around various themes. The company also started their "Wild 4 Wrestling" training school in March 2007 for aspiring professional wrestlers and referees.In February 2008 and again in May 2008, Kiwi Pro Wrestling champion H-Flame and Max (the Axe) Damage represented KPW in Hobart, Tasmania in successful matches against NAW opponents.On April 18 2008 Kiwi Pro Wrestling stages the 'Eve of Destruction' show in Wellington, New Zealand.

Several local and national newspapers have published articles about Kiwi Pro Wrestling being: City Life, Wellingtonian, Capital Times, The Dominion, National Business Review, Hutt News and New Zealand Herald. KPW's latest article covering the Hobart matches is in the Australian People magazine February 27 issue.

WWE Trials

There was a significant amount of controversy following KPW's, (more specifically, Rip Morgan's) announcement on 3rd June, 2008, of the wrestlers that would take part in the 2008 New Zealand WWE trials in Auckland. [http://www.nzpwi.co.nz/home/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=4230&Itemid=71 THE WWE NZ TRYOUT DEBACLE Jun 04, 2008]

KPW issued a press release to say that all wrestlers from New Zealand promotions (NZWPW, KPW, IPW) and Australia were invited to apply to tryout. [http://kiwiprowrestling.co.nz/News-Item.487.0.html?&tx_ttnews [cat] =3&tx_ttnews [pS] =1209556800&tx_ttnews [pL] =2678399&tx_ttnews [arc] =1&tx_ttnews [tt_news] =153&tx_ttnews [backPid] =545&cHash=6e5046f3ca Kiwi Pro Wrestling's Media Release 28.05.08]

Those named to audition for WWE were (promotion in brackets) [http://kiwiprowrestling.co.nz/News-Item.487.0.html?&tx_ttnews [pS] =1212454424&tx_ttnews [tt_news] =157&tx_ttnews [backPid] =488&cHash=5ce4b7176c CEO Rip Morgan announces WWE Try Outs selection 03.06.08] :
* The Ram (KPW)
* Hollie (KPW)
* Powerhouse Jade Diamond (KPW)
* H-Flame (KPW Champion)
* X-Rated (KPW)
* Tank (NAW, Australia)
* Terry The Golden Greek (KPW)
* Jason Steele (WWP, South Africa)
* Max (the Axe) Damage (KPW)

No wrestlers from New Zealand Wide Pro Wrestling (none applied) or Impact Pro Wrestling were invited to audition. The Try Outs went extremely well and comments from the wrestlers involved can be read under News on Kiwi Pro Wrestling's web site.

Heavyweight Title History

Roster

Wrestlers

*H-Flame (Current KPW Heavyweight Champion)
*Max "The Axe" Damage
*Dr Diablo
*Inferno
*El Condor
*Jonnie Juice & Team Pretty
*The Ram
*Irishman Mike Ryan
*Rogue Trooper
*Shane O'Rourke
*Kurt Hobman
*"Brute" J E O'Rourke
*"Powerhouse" Jade Diamond
*"Ice Wolf" Christopher Simons
*Purple Haze
*Kade (the Rage) Morgan
*Chris Delorean
*Lazarus Volt

Valets and Managers

*Terry the 'Golden Greek' (General Manager)
*Hollie (Team Pretty, managing Jonnie Juice)
*Charlie Roberts (Managing Inferno)
*Rebecca Black (Valet to Inferno)

Officials

*"Bushwhacker" Butch Miller (Commissioner)
*Rip Morgan (CEO)
*Terry the Golden Greek (General Manager)

Referees

*Blair "The Flair" Rhodes (Senior Official)
*Daniel Martins (Referee)
*Jim Corona (Referee)

Commentators

*Blair "The Flair" Rhodes
*"The Hype" Bobby Cool

External links

* [http://www.kiwiprowrestling.co.nz/ KPW official website]
* KPW Events and Reviews [http://www.kiwiprowrestling.co.nz/Events.480.0.html]

References