Hawai'i Championship Wrestling
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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| Details | |
|---|---|
| Acronym | HCW |
| Established | 2003 |
| Style | American Wrestling |
| Location | Honolulu, HI |
| Founder(s) | Don Muraco and Linda Bade |
| Owner(s) | Linda Bade |
Contents |
[edit] History
Hawai'i Championship Wrestling, is a American professional wrestling promotion founded in 2003. It is affiliated with the American Wrestling Association, and it was also an NWA member until September 23, 2006.
The promotion was founded by WWE Hall of Famer Don Muraco and television producer Linda Bade (after she split from NWA Hawaii).
Within just two years of their existence, they managed to attract talent from Japanese, U.S. independents, and former WWE and WCW talent such as Samoa Joe, Sting, Diamond Dallas Page, Edward Fatu (Umaga, WWE), Kensuke Sasaki, The Great Muta (Keiji Mutoh) and Masahiro Chono.
Hawai'i Championship Wrestling has had working agreements with All Japan Pro Wrestling, New Japan Pro Wrestling, and TNA.
Through such agreements, HCW has been the most covered Hawaiian promotion by the mainstream wrestling media in recent memory with several articles featured in Japanese wrestling magazines and US publications, (the short-lived Total Wrestling Magazine, and WWE RAW Magazine, which featured an article on former HCW Commissioner Don Muraco)
HCW merged again with NWA Hawaii in 2004 after NWA Hawaii was lacking in depth from a depleted roster and wrestlers Kris Kavanaugh, JT Wolfen, Sickdog, Cholo, and Ground Zero were additions to the HCW roster.
BATTLE HAWAII 2003 and 2004 were significant points in HCW's history as the promotion prepared to undertake serious business ventures in co-promoting itself with New Japan Pro-Wrestling in Battle Hawaii 2003 with the appearances of Masahiro Chono, Yuji Nagata, Jushin Thunder Liger, and Tiger Mask IV and with the mainstream wrestling audience with Battle Hawaii 2004 with the appearances of Sting, DDP, Rikishi, and The Great Muta.
While the attendance for both events were quite impressive (400+ for Battle Hawaii 2003 and over 1,000 for 2004) the expenses of putting on such events for a very new independent promotion were staggering.
HCW officials continued to work with outside talent from Japan eventually reaching a business relationship with Japanese puroresu icon Kensuke Sasaki and wife, Akira Hokuto. Kensuke Sasaki had just returned to Japanese wrestling scene and managed to capture the IWGP Heavyweight Title while still holding the HCW Heavyweight Championship after defeating 1st champion Lopaka.
In 2006 Don Muraco was released by HCW and longtime friend of HCW and pro wrestling journalist, Bill Apter was named as his replacement.
On September 23rd 2006, during a live event, HCW wrestlers Kaimana, Mr. Spa Fitness, Kaniela, Ahuna, Nightmare, and Big Daddy Frank announced in the ring that the partnership with NWA Hawaii was again over after a falling out after JT Wolfen, Kapu, Bushido X, Ricky Thunder, Jody Lopez, and NWA Referee Scott Stryker unprofessionally "no-showed" to the event.
Since JT Wolfen held the HCW Heavyweight Title and 939 Express held the HCW tag Titles and they all left with NWA Hawaii, Linda Bade declared the titles vacant. Kaimana was awarded the Heavyweight title after winning a triple threat match.
At this point in time HCW has entered into a bit of slump with suffering the loss of several wrestlers due to lack of commitment to either the Hawaii wrestling scene or the promotion itself.
Hawaii Championship Wrestling is in a bit of rebuilding phase to once again secure the top position as Hawaii's #1 promotion as they have opened their doors to several individuals from the island of Maui fronted by Hawaiian indy wrestling veteran Shin-Ku (who once wrestled former World Heavyweight Champion and current WWE Smackdown! Superstar Rey Mysterio) and some potential trainees from the Big Island as well.
[edit] Championships
[edit] Current champions
| Title Notes: | Current Champion(s) |
| HCW Kamehameha Heritage Championship | Kaimana |
| HCW Hawaiian Inter-Island Heavyweight Championship | Mr. Spa Fitness |
| HCW Kekaulike Heritage Tag Team Championship | Vacant |
