IWA Undisputed World Heavyweight Championship

IWA Undisputed World Heavyweight Championship
Details
Date established 2000
Date retired 2012
Promotion International Wrestling Association
Other name(s)
  • IWA World Heavyweight Championship (2000-2008)
  • IWA Undisputed World Unified Heavyweight Championship (2008)

The IWA Undisputed World Heavyweight Championship was a professional wrestling world heavyweight championship contested for in the Puerto Rican professional wrestling promotion, the International Wrestling Association. The championship was established in 2000, as the IWA World Heavyweight Championship.

History

Unification with the "Capitol World Heavyweight Championship"

On December 15, 2007, Scott Hall failed to attend a titular defense which led to the fictional local box and wrestling commission's decision to vacate the WWC Universal Heavyweight Championship and award it to the number one contender who at the moment was Miguel "Biggie Size" Maldonado.[1] On December 30, the Universal Heavyweight Championship was declared vacant following the events where he was declared the champion following Hall's absence to Lockout. The commission's decision was announced during the company's holiday recess and Maldonado retained the championship belt in custody.

Blitz holds the championships, with the "Capitol Heavyweight Championship" on the foreground

On January 6, 2008, Jack Meléndez who had been managing La Rabia, the stable where he performed abandoned the company citing differences with the company's personnel.[2] Following Meléndez's exit from the company the stable abandoned the company no-showing the a special event scheduled for January 6, 2008. On January 6, Maldonado appeared in the IWA's Histeria Boricua event, with the championship belt still in his possession and challenged Freddie "Blitz" Lozada, who was the IWA World Heavyweight Champion to a unification match.[3] The match took place later in the event with Lozada winning both belts.[4] Following this match WWC's merchandising manager, José Roberto Rodríguez, who had been allowed entry into the building, demanded that the belt was returned to him, but at the moment the IWA's personnel had replaced the belt with Revolution X-Treme Wrestling's championship belt (at the moment in Savio Vega's possession) and had transferred the Universal Heavyweight Championship to a secure location, which led to a discussion between personnel from both companies and Rodríguez's expulsion from the event.[3] After the event's conclusion police officers were deployed and the IWA retained physical possession of the championship.[5] Following this the belt was returned to WWC personnel following an ultimatum, which claimed that the company would take legal action if it wasn't returned within forty-eight hours.[6] However, both the International Wrestling Association and the National Wrestling Alliance recognized the unification match, and considered Lozada the first Undisputed World Heavyweight Champion in Puerto Rico.[7]

International exposure

Beginning in 2009, the IWA Undisputed World Unified Heavyweight Championship began becoming involved in several inter-promotional "champion vs. champion" contests. The first of these took place on January 6, 2009, where Carlos "Chicano" Cotto was booked to defend the title against Total Nonstop Action Wrestling's Legends Champion, Booker T.[8] The contest was part of an annual event titled "Histeria Boricua". The conclusion came when Cotto inverted a "Book End" attempt, scoring a pinfall victory.[8] On February 14, 2009, the promotion held a special event named "Noche de Campeónes". In this card, Cotto defended the championship against Samoa Joe.[9] During the final stages of the fight, Noel Rodríguez intervened, injuring the referee.[9] Both wrestlers continued performing, with Cotto scoring a pinfall victory after reverting a finisher and receiving the count from a substitute referee.[9] On April 18, 2009, Cotto was challenged to an unification contest by Joe Bravo, who held the DWE Dominican National Championship, the major title of Dominican Wrestling Entertainment based in the Dominican Republic. Bravo won with the help of a heel referee, becoming a dual champion.[10] The next titleholder to challenge for the belt was Jerry Lynn, Ring of Honor's World Champion, who unsuccessfully competed against Bravo and Chicano in a three-way match.[11] This was part of the "Juicio Final 2009" card. On May 29, 2009, Bravo defended the IWA and DWE championships in Panama, defeating El Cuervo as part of a Revolution X-Treme Wrestling card.[12] On November 1, 2009, Bravo and the incumbent WWC Universal Heavyweight Champion, Shane Sewell, performed in a DWE event, with the DWE Dominican National Championship being held up after the creative team booked a no contest. This marked the first instance that the two major champions worked together while holding full recognitions by both promotions.

IWA vs. EWO, Clash of the Titans

At Summer Attitude 2011, Chris Angel defeated Hiram Tua to become the first undefeated Undisputed World Champion. He went on to defeat all contenders, one of the them being Cotto, who was subsequently fired by Pérez after questioning his involvement in a match between both. This event launched a storyline between the IWA and the Extreme Wrestling Organization, the largest independent company and de facto third main promotion in Puerto Rico. On December 17, 2011, Cotto won the EWO Championship, only to be interrupted by Pérez.[13] This was in response to a previous confrontation between both, that occurred following an unrelated charity card. After defending the title at Tierra de Nadie 2012, Pérez once again reclaimed his contract. At Histeria Boricua, Angel was absent for a scheluded defense due to a storyline injury, which resulted in the title being stripped from him. The interim General Manager went on to proclaim himself champion, issuing an open challenge which was accepted by EWO's first contender, a masked wrestler known only as "Bonecrusher", who won it Ina squash match.[14] The confrontations between Cotto and Pérez continued in two of IWA's events expanding to include EWO's CEO, Richard Rondón, as well. On February 25, 2012, following more intervention from the IWA, Cotto issued a challenge to end the conflict, an unification match for the EWO Championship and IWA Undisputed World Heavyweight Championship.[15] On March 1, 2012, the challenge was accepted by Pérez and Rondón in a backstage segment. At Clash of the Titans, Bonecrusher defeated Cotto, becoming Unified Champion.[16] In 2012, IWA folded, so the title was vacated.

Title history

Wrestler: Times: Date: Days
held		 Place: Notes:
Glamour Boy Shane 1 October 28, 2000 105 Bayamón, Puerto Rico Tournament Final.[17]
Ricky Banderas 1 February 10, 2001 56 Bayamón, Puerto Rico [17]
Glamour Boy Shane 2 April 7, 2001 14 Bayamón, Puerto Rico [17]
Ricky Banderas 2 April 21, 2001 56 Gurabo, Puerto Rico [17]
Gran Apolo 1 June 16, 2001 105 Bayamón, Puerto Rico [17]
Pain 1 September 29, 2001 21 Bayamón, Puerto Rico [17]
Glamour Boy Shane 3 October 20, 2001 7 Carolina, Puerto Rico [17]
Gran Apolo 2 October 27, 2001 42 Bayamón, Puerto Rico [17]
Title held up December 8, 2001 84 Orocovis, Puerto Rico Stripped by the company's General Manager, Savio Vega.[17]
Primo Carnero 1 March 2, 2002 0 Bayamón, Puerto Rico [17]
Savio Vega 1 March 2, 2002 42 Bayamón, Puerto Rico [17]
Gran Apolo 3 April 13, 2002 14 Bayamón, Puerto Rico [17]
Primo Carnero 2 April 27, 2002 15 Levittown, Puerto Rico [17]
Gran Apolo 4 May 12, 2002 6 Bayamón, Puerto Rico [17]
Primo Carnero 3 May 18, 2002 28 Caguas, Puerto Rico [17]
Ricky Banderas 3 June 15, 2002 91 Bayamón, Puerto Rico [17]
Rey Fénix 1 September 14, 2002 56 Carolina, Puerto Rico [17]
Gran Apolo 5 November 9, 2002 58 Bayamón, Puerto Rico [17]
Ricky Banderas 4 January 6, 2003 89 Carolina, Puerto Rico [17]
Ray González 2 April 5, 2003 105 Carolina, Puerto Rico [17]
Gran Apolo 6 July 19, 2003 63 Bayamón, Puerto Rico [17]
Glamour Boy Shane 4 September 20, 2003 42 Bayamón, Puerto Rico [17]
Bison Smith 1 November 1, 2003 42 Bayamón, Puerto Rico [17]
Glamour Boy Shane 5 December 13, 2003 24 Bayamón, Puerto Rico [17]
Humongous 1 January 6, 2004 32 Bayamón, Puerto Rico [17]
Title held up February 7, 2004 0 Caguas, Puerto Rico [18]
Glamour Boy Shane 6 February 7, 2004 28 Bayamón, Puerto Rico [18]
Vacated March 6, 2004 0 [18]
Ray González 3 March 6, 2004 182 Carolina, Puerto Rico Won the title when Shane abandoned the promotion.[18]
Gran Apolo 7 September 4, 2004 84 Bayamón, Puerto Rico
    Ray González 4 November 27, 2004 21 Bayamón, Puerto Rico [18]
    Glamour Boy Shane 7 December 18, 2004 56 Bayamón, Puerto Rico [19]
    Ricky Banderas 5 February 12, 2005 7 Caguas, Puerto Rico Title was held-up and returned to Glamour Boy Shane.[18]
    Title held up February 19, 2005 0 Caguas, Puerto Rico [19]
    Glamour Boy Shane 8 February 19, 2005 55 Caguas, Puerto Rico [19]
    Vacated April 08, 2005 8
    Chicano 1 April 16, 2005 50 Caguas, Puerto Rico [19]
    Vacated May 28, 2005 14
    Chicano 2 June 11, 2005 70 Toa Baja, Puerto Rico
    Slash Venom 1 August 20, 2005 42 Aguas Buenas, Puerto Rico [19]
    Chicano 3 October 1, 2005 41 Carolina, Puerto Rico [19] Was A Fatal 4 Way TLC Match Involved Ricky Banderas,Apolo & Slash Venom, Chicano Wins By Pinfall on Apolo
    Savio Vega 2 November 11, 2005 154 Bayamón, Puerto Rico [18]
    Apolo 8 April 15, 2006 35 Caguas, Puerto Rico
    Savio Vega 3 May 20, 2006 28 Toa Baja, Puerto Rico
    Lightning 1 June 17, 2006 42 Bayamón, Puerto Rico [18]
    Mikael Judas 1 July 29, 2006 35 Bayamón, Puerto Rico [18]
    Ray González 5 September 2, 2006 7 Caguas, Puerto Rico [20]
    Title held up September 9, 2006 7 Caguas, Puerto Rico [21]
    Ray González 6 September 16, 2006 84 Cayey, Puerto Rico [22]
    Glamour Boy Shane 9 December 9, 2006 35 Bayamón, Puerto Rico Defeated Ray González & Lightning in a three way match to win the title.[23]
    Ray González 7 January 13, 2007 90 Cayey, Puerto Rico [24]
    Vacated April 13, 2007 15 González abandoned the promotion, entering a brief retirement from professional wrestling.
    Chicano 4 April 28, 2007 78 Cayey, Puerto Rico Defeated Joe Bravo in a match for the vacated title.[25]
    Bison Smith 2 July 15, 2007 77 Yabucoa, Puerto Rico [26]
    Blitz 1 September 30, 2007 139 Caguas, Puerto Rico On January 6, 2008, Blitz defeated Mr.Big (WWC Universal Champion) in a unification match. The title was renamed Undisputed World Unified Heavyweight Championship. However, WWC didn't recognized the unification.[27][28]
    Ricky Vega 1 February 16, 2008 49 Toa Baja, Puerto Rico [17]
    Vacated April 5, 2008 42
    Blitz 2 May 17, 2008 63 Bayamón, Puerto Rico [17]
    Joe Bravo 1 July 19, 2008 49 Bayamón, Puerto Rico [29]
    Blitz 3 September 6, 2008 28 Bayamón, Puerto Rico [17]
    Chicano 5 October 4, 2008 28 Bayamón, Puerto Rico [17]
    Dennis Rivera 1 November 1, 2008 14 Bayamón, Puerto Rico [17]
    Chicano 6 November 15, 2008 154 Bayamón, Puerto Rico [17]
    Joe Bravo 2 April 18, 2009 21 Bayamón, Puerto Rico Bravo became an international double champion also holding Dominican Wrestling Entertainment's Dominican National Championship.[30]
    Title held up May 9, 2009 7 Hatillo, Puerto Rico Stripped by the company's General Manager, Savio Vega.[31]
    Joe Bravo 3 May 16, 2009 63 Bayamón, Puerto Rico Defeated Jerry Lynn and Chicano in a three way match.[11]
    Vacated July 18, 2009 29
    Joe Bravo 4 August 16, 2009 13 Cataño, Puerto Rico
    Miguel Pérez, Jr. 1 August 29, 2009 42 Cataño, Puerto Rico [32]
    Joe Bravo 5 October 10, 2009 88 Bayamón, Puerto Rico Held along the IWA Intercontinental Heavyweight Championship.[33]
    Glamour Boy Shane 10 January 6, 2010 101 Bayamón, Puerto Rico [17]
    Ricky Cruzz 1 April 17, 2010 70 Bayamón, Puerto Rico [34]
    Rick Stanley 1 June 26, 2010 21 Bayamón, Puerto Rico [35]
    Ricky Cruzz 2 July 17, 2010 28 Bayamon, Puerto Rico
    Rick Stanley 2 August 14, 2010 63 Bayamon, Puerto Rico
    Dennis Rivera 2 October 16, 2010 82 Bayamón, Puerto Rico
    Escobar 1 January 6, 2011 86 Bayamón, Puerto Rico [36]
    Hiram Tua 1 April 2, 2011 119 Toa Baja, Puerto Rico [37]
    Chris Angel 1 July 30, 2011 183 Bayamón, Puerto Rico First wrestler to win the championship undefeated in singles competition within any of the major promotions. Held along the Intercontinental Heavyweight Championship.
    Title held up January 29, 2012 0 Toa Alta, Puerto Rico Stripped due to failure to defend. Still undefeated following event.
    Jay-Cobs 1 January 29, 2012 0 Toa Alta, Puerto Rico Interim General Manager in substitution of Vega. Self-appointed himself as champion.[14]
    Bonecrusher 1 January 29, 2012 118 Toa Alta, Puerto Rico On June 17, 2012, Bonecrusher defeated Chicano to win the EWO Championship. First unification recognized by at least two of the major promotions in Puerto Rico.[14][16]
    Spectro 1 May 26, 2012 Cataño, Puerto Rico
    Desactivated IWA closed.

    References

    1. ↑ "WWC: Rresultados Lockout Caguas 12/15". Puerto Rico Wrestling. 2007-12-15. Archived from the original on 2008-01-02. Retrieved 2008-01-07.
    2. ↑ Javier Gonzalez (2008-01-06). "WWC : Moody abandona la empresa". Lucha Libre Online. Retrieved 2008-01-07.
    3. 1 2 Americo Guzman (2008-01-06). "IWA : Nada es lo que parece". Lucha Libre Online. Archived from the original on January 10, 2008. Retrieved 2008-01-07.
    4. ↑ Raúl Álzaga Sánchez-Bretón (2008-01-07). "Bochinche en la lucha libre" (in Spanish). Primera Hora. Retrieved 2008-01-12.
    5. ↑ Juan Rosario (2008-01-07). "WWC: Situación con la correa Universal". Puerto Rico Wrestling. Archived from the original on 2008-01-10. Retrieved 2008-01-07.
    6. ↑ Raul Alzaga (2008-01-10). "WWC : Entregan Correa Universal". Lucha Libre Online. Retrieved 2008-01-15.
    7. ↑ David Ramos (2008-01-14). "EU : NWA: ¿Se aprueba unificacion en la empresa?". Lucha Libre Online. Retrieved 2008-01-15.
    8. 1 2 Luis Santiago (2009-02-07). "Resultados: Histeria Boricua – Bayamón 01/06/09" (in Spanish). International Wrestling Association. Retrieved 2009-02-19.
    9. 1 2 3 Luis Santiago (2009-02-15). "Resultados: Noche de Campeones – Bayamón 02/15/09" (in Spanish). International Wrestling Association. Retrieved 2009-02-19.
    10. ↑ El Jey (2009-04-19). "Resultados Bayamon 4/18/09". International Wrestling Association. Archived from the original on April 23, 2009. Retrieved 2009-04-19.
    11. 1 2 Jay Rivera (2009-05-17). "Resultados Juicio Final Bayamon" (in Spanish). International Wrestling Association. Archived from the original on May 20, 2009. Retrieved 2009-05-30.
    12. ↑ Albert Velarde (2009-05-30). "Bravo retiene en Panamá" (in Spanish). Puerto Rico Wrestling. Retrieved 2009-05-30.
    13. ↑ "Notas de la lucha libre boricua" (in Spanish). Puerto Rico Wrestling. 2011-12-18. Retrieved 2011-12-19.
    14. 1 2 3 "Resultados Histeria Boricua" (in Spanish). International Wrestling Association. 2012-01-31. Retrieved 2011-04-15.
    15. ↑ "IWA anuncia Campeón vs. Campeón" (in Spanish). Puerto Rico Wrestling. 2012-03-01. Retrieved 2012-03-02.
    16. 1 2 Luis Ernesto (2012-03-19). "IWA Resultados Clash of the Titans" (in Spanish). Noti-Lucha.com. Retrieved 2012-04-15.
    17. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 Manuel O. González, Luis Santiago. "Historia del Campeonato Mundial de los Pesos Pesados". International Wrestling Association. Archived from the original on 2008-01-18. Retrieved 2008-02-04.
    18. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 "International Wrestling Alliance World Heavyweight Title". wrestling-titles.com. Retrieved 2008-02-04.
    19. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "IWA Heavyweight Title History". Solie's Vintage Wrestling. Retrieved 2008-02-04.
    20. ↑ Luis Santiago (2006-09-06). "Resultados y Fotos: Golpe de Estado - Caguas 09/03/06". International Wrestling Association. Archived from the original on 2008-01-07. Retrieved 2008-02-04.
    21. ↑ Luis Santiago (2006-09-10). "Resultados: Caguas 09/09/06". International Wrestling Association. Archived from the original on 2008-01-07. Retrieved 2008-02-04.
    22. ↑ Luis Santiago (2006-09-17). "Resultados: Cayey 09/16/06". International Wrestling Association. Archived from the original on 2008-01-07. Retrieved 2008-02-04.
    23. ↑ Luis Santiago (2006-12-10). "Resultados: Bayamon 12/09/06". International Wrestling Association. Archived from the original on 2008-01-10. Retrieved 2008-02-04.
    24. ↑ Luis Santiago (2007-01-14). "Resultados: Cayey 01/13/07". International Wrestling Association. Archived from the original on 2007-12-13. Retrieved 2008-02-04.
    25. ↑ Luis Santiago (2007-04-29). "Resultados: Cayey 04/28/07". International Wrestling Association. Archived from the original on 2007-12-29. Retrieved 2008-02-04.
    26. ↑ Luis Santiago (2007-07-16). "Resultados: Yabucoa 07/15/07". International Wrestling Association. Archived from the original on 2007-12-13. Retrieved 2008-02-04.
    27. ↑ Luis Santiago (2008-01-11). "Historica Unificacion en la IWA". International Wrestling Association. Archived from the original on 2008-01-25. Retrieved 2008-02-04.
    28. ↑ J.G. (2007-10-03). "Resultados de "En Ruta Al Oro"". International Wrestling Association. Archived from the original on 2007-12-28. Retrieved 2008-02-04.
    29. ↑ Luis Santiago (2008-07-20). "Nuevo Campeon Mundial Indiscutible de los Pesos Pesados" (in Spanish). International Wrestling Association. Archived from the original on 2008-07-22. Retrieved 2008-07-24.
    30. ↑ Jay Rivera (2009-04-19). "Resultados Bayamon 4/18/09". International Wrestling Association. Retrieved 2009-04-22.
    31. ↑ Jay Rivera (2009-05-10). "Resutado Carrizales Hatillo 5/9/09". International Wrestling Association. Retrieved 2009-06-02.
    32. ↑ Alexis Suarez (2009-08-31). "Resultados IWA Cataño" (in Spanish). International Wrestling Association. Retrieved 2009-09-04.
    33. ↑ Alexis Suarez (2009-10-12). "Resultados IWA Bayamon" (in Spanish). International Wrestling Association. Retrieved 2009-10-19.
    34. ↑ "Resultados: Juicio Final - Bayamon 04/17/10". International Wrestling Association. 2010-04-18. Retrieved 2010-07-13.
    35. ↑ "Resultados: Bayamon 26 junio 2010" (in Spanish). International Wrestling Association. 2010-06-27. Retrieved 2010-07-13.
    36. ↑ "Resultads Oficiales de Histeria Boricua" (in Spanish). International Wrestling Association. 2011-01-08.
    37. ↑

    External links

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