International Wrestling Syndicate

International Wrestling Syndicate
Acronym IWS
Founded 1998
Style Pro Wrestling
Hardcore wrestling
Lucha libre
Headquarters Montreal, Canada
Founder(s) SeXXXy Eddy
Manny Eleftheriou
Nic Paterson
Owner(s) Manny Eleftheriou
Formerly Dawson Wrestling Federation
World Wrestling Syndicate
Internet Wrestling Syndicate
Website iwswrestling.com

International Wrestling Syndicate (IWS) is a professional wrestling promotion based out of Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Originating from the Dawson Wrestling Federation; it was formerly known as the Internet Wrestling Syndicate and before that as World Wrestling Syndicate.

IWS is renowned as being one of the continent's longest running promotions, and one of hardcore wrestling's staunchest standouts; while priding itself as the only truly innovative, sexually appealing, and realistically violent show in the country.[1][2]

History

Dawson Wrestling Federation

In April 1998 SeXXXy Eddy organized the Dawson Wrestling Federation to perform on the grounds of Dawson College in Montreal. He became the promotion’s first champion. After the show on April 23, 1999 wrestling was banned from being performed on Dawson College property.

World Wrestling Syndicate

Eddy joined with Manny Elefthriou and Nic Paterson to form the World Wrestling Syndicate. The WWS had their first show Blood, Sweat & Beers 1999 at Wally's on June 17, 1999. The last WWS show was Praise the Violence on April 8, 2000.

Internet Wrestling Syndicate

In 2000, Manny entered into a partnership with Wild Rose Productions, a Montreal-based Internet adult entertainment company owned by Carol Cox.[3] The company was renamed Internet Wrestling Syndicate. The first show was Change at the Just For Laughs Cabaret on November 10, 2000. In the main event, PCP Crazy F'N Manny wrestled Danny Dallas in the first of only three No-Rope Barbed Wire matches in IWS history.

IWS held its first seasonal Medley show, Praise the Violence on March 31, 2001 in Montreal. On May 25, 2001 the IWS also began promoting shows at Le Skratch in Laval, becoming its primary venue for the next two years. Two months later IWS held Un F'N Sanctioned, featuring the its first Fans Bring the Weapons Match, with the Hardcore Ninjaz facing PCP Crazy F'N Manny & Green Phantom. On November 10, 2001 at Born to Bleed, Justice Pain defeated Hardcore Ninja #1 and Hardcore Ninja #2, retaining his CZW World Heavyweight Championship in a Triple Threat Match.

In Spring 2002, IWS held the Extreme Dream Tag Team Tournament, inaugurating the IWS Tag Team Championship. The tournament was won by the unlikely team of Maxx Fury & Hardcore Ninja #1, on March 16, 2002 at Extreme Dream Part 2. On May 18, 2002 at Freedom To Fight, The Green Phantom won his first IWS Heavyweight Championship in a 4-Way Elimination Match defeating PCP Crazy F'N Manny, The Arsenal & former champion SeXXXy Eddy. On July 14, 2002 at Scarred For Life, "The Generic Luchador" El Generico made his wrestling debut in a count out victory.[4]

On August 16, 2003, Pierre Carl Ouellet and Kevin Steen made their IWS debuts at Born to Bleed. Pierre Carl Ouellet defeated El Generico and Kevin Steen at Blood, Sweat and Beers, in a Triple Threat Match on October 18, 2003. On November 15, 2003 at Payback's A Bitch, El Generico defeated Kevin Steen in their first-ever singles match against each other.[5][6] The last show of the first-run at Le Skratch was Season's Beatings held on December 13, 2003.

IWS held its 5th anniversary show "V" on June 15, 2004 at Le SPAG, where Sid Vicious made his in-ring return from having suffered his near career-ending injury in 2001 during a WCW pay-per-view, in a Four Corners match for the WCW Championship in Indianapolis.[7] During the event, El Generico defeated PCO in an IWS Title Match for his first IWS Heavyweight Championship, only to have Kevin Steen reclaim his #1 contendership won earlier that night against Excess 69. Kevin Steen defeated El Generico, also winning his first IWS Heavyweight Championship. On September 11, 2004 at CZW High Stakes II, SeXXXy Eddy defeated Kevin Steen, El Generico & Excess 69 in an IWS 4-Way Match, which was unofficially chosen as "CZW Match of the Year".[8][9]

Kevin Steen's first title reign in 2004, marked a pivotal milestone in the history of the promotion when he became the first IWS Heavyweight Champion to internationally defend the title, in defeating Roderick Strong on October 30th in Rahway, New Jersey for JAPW.[10] These events and various upcoming plans of expansion led the promotion to be renamed the International Wrestling Syndicate; which coincidentally acknowledges Montreal's professional wrestling territorial era with Lutte Internationale, which was broadcast on CFCF-DT during 1980s as International Wrestling.[11]

International Wrestling Syndicate

On February 5, 2005 the IWS Tag Team Championship was first contested internationally in a 4-Way Elimination Match, when The Flying Hurricanes successfully defended their title at CZW Only The Strong: Scarred 4 Life held in Pennsylvania.[12] At Un F'N Sanctioned on March 26, 2005, The Green Phantom defeated Chris Hero, while Beef Wellington beat Super Dragon. IWS performed Freedom to Fight at the Viking Hall, in Philadelphia on July 9, 2005. IWS held on July 23, 2005 the preliminary matches for Extreme Dream Tournament II, inaugurating the IWS Canadian Championship. On August 20, 2005 at Extreme Dream II, Chris Bishop defeated El Generico in the Extreme Dream Tournament Final Match, becoming the first IWS Canadian Champion.

On June 3, 2006 at Un F’N Sanctioned, Sabu worked his (then) last independent match teaming with PCO defeating The Green Phantom and Dru Onyx, 48 hours prior to debuting on WWE Raw.[13] On July 29, 2006 at Summer Slaughter, Max Boyer won the Extreme Dream Tournament Final in a 6-Way Elimination Match. On August 8, 2006 at Breakout, Viking defeated Excess in an IWS World Heavyweight Title vs. Career Match.

On March 24, 2007 at Un F'N Sanctioned, Christian Cage & Max Boyer defeated Pierre Carl Ouellet & Jake Matthews. On September 22, 2007 at Blood, Sweat & Beers, Kevin Steen defeated Jay Briscoe, and The Dudley Boyz (renouncing to being billed as Team 3D during the event) & Franky The Mobster beat Pierre Carl Ouellet, Paranoid Jake Matthews & Brick Crawford.[14] On November 3, 2007 at Freedom to Fight, Christopher Daniels defeated IWS Canadian Champion Max Boyer in a Non-Title Match.

On February 16, 2008 at Violent Valentine, El Generico defeated Kevin Steen for the IWS World Heavyweight Championship. On March 22, 2008 at Know Your Enemies, Kevin Steen regained the IWS World Heavyweight Championship by defeating Max Boyer & former champion El Generico in a 3-Way Match. On May 24, 2008 at Freedom to Fight, Kevin Steen became the first-ever to hold two IWS titles simultaneously when he defeated Max Boyer to win the IWS Canadian Championship in an IWS Championship Unification Match. On September 27, 2008 at Un F'N Sanctioned, Excess beat Shayne Hawke for the vacant IWS Canadian Championship in the Extreme Dream Tournament Final Match, while Kevin Steen retained the IWS World Heavyweight Championship against Joey Mercury. On November 7, 2008 at ROH The French Connection, Stupefied defeated The Green Phantom, Excess & Dan Paysan in an IWS 4-Way Dark Match.[15][16]

On January 10, 2009 at Seasons Beatings, The Green Phantom defeated "Big Rig" Brodie Lee in a Christmas Tree Deathmatch. IWS celebrated its 10th anniversary "X" on May 30, 2009 at the Medley in downtown Montreal, where Kevin Nash made his return to Montreal in a losing effort against Pierre Carl Ouellet in a Grudge Match, concluding a genuine rivalry originating from subsequent WWE matches in Montreal & Quebec City in 1995.[17]

IWS held its (then) final show on October 9, 2010. The main event featured SeXXXy Eddy, PCP Crazy FN' Manny, The Arsenal and The Green Phantom all battling for the IWS World Heavyweight Championship in a Fans Bring the Weapons Match. The result was that IWS World Heavyweight Champion, The Green Phantom retained.[3]

In early 2014, it was announced that IWS would make its return in May at the Plaza Theatre. IWS held Praise the Violence on May 10th, where The Green Phantom retained the IWS World Heavyweight Championship against "Dirty" Buxx Belmar in an IWS Deathmatch, and Shayne Hawke won the vacant IWS Canadian Championship in a 4-Way Match. On August 23rd, IWS celebrated its 15th anniversary with XV:15 FKN Years, which featured in the main event Tommy Dreamer. At Scarred 4 Life on September 20th 2014, "Speedball" Mike Bailey won the IWS World Heavyweight Championship against The Green Phantom in an IWS Title Match.

IWS announced on January 24, 2015 a promotional partnership with entertainment event promoter Evenko. Un F'N Sanctioned was held on March 28th at the Corona Theatre, where Mike Bailey defeated Hallowicked & Jesse Neal in a Triple Threat IWS Title Match. At Praise the Violence on May 22nd, Chris Dickinson became the first non-Canadian to win the IWS Canadian Championship. On July 4th, IWS announced a talent partnership with AAA and Lucha Underground.[18][19] At Scarred 4 Life on September 5th at the Corona Theatre, Vampiro returned to Montreal after 30 years since making his pro wrestling debut in Quebec, while Exess defeated Chris Dickinson for the IWS Canadian Championship and Mike Bailey retained the IWS World Heavyweight Championship against Jack Evans.[20] IWS clashed with CZW at Freedom to Fight on October 17th at Le Skratch, where the IWS Canadian Championship, CZW World Tag Team Championship and CZW World Heavyweight Championship titles were successfully defended. Since early December 2015, Mike Bailey holds the record as the longest consecutive IWS World Heavyweight Championship title holder at 530 days.[21]

On January 30, 2016 at First Blood, IWS inaugurated the IWS Arena in Dollard-des-Ormeaux.[22] IWS presented Un F'N Sanctioned on March 5th at the Métropolis, where Shayne Hawke became a third time IWS Canadian Champion and Black Dynamite won the IWS World Heavyweight Championship in a 4-Way IWS Title Match versus Rey Mysterio, Jack Evans & former champion Mike Bailey.[23] IWS announced that as of April 30th, it will present Bloodstream as a recurring event at the IWS Arena.[24] On May 28th at Bloodstream: Vol. 2, Scott Parker defeated Shayne Hawke for the IWS Canadian Championship, while the Hardcore Ninjaz won the Tag Team Invitational Gauntlet Match for the IWS World Tag Team Championship.[25][26] On August 13th at Bloodstream: Vol. 3, former two-time IWS Canadian Champion Max Boyer made his IWS in-ring return.[27]

IWS presents Freedom To Fight at Club Unity on February 4, 2017.

Shows

The promotion gained global exposure during the late '90s & early 2000s wrestling boom, by streaming video on demand on a monthly show entitled Bloodstream, and has been featured on Playboy TV, Fight Network & Viewer's Choice Canada on pay-per-view.[28][29][30]

IWS has run spot shows for outdoor events such as the Montreal Fringe Festival, Warped Tour & Heavy MONTRÉAL.[31]

Their shows are currently jointly promoted with entertainment event promoter Evenko and distributed through Smart Mark Video & RF Video.

Alumni

IWS has been home to many notable independent wrestlers, such as Kevin Steen, El Generico, Pierre Carl Ouellet, 2.0 (Scott "Jagged" Parker & Shane Matthews), "Speedball" Mike Bailey, Franky The Mobster, LuFisto, the Super Smash Brothers (Player Uno & Stupefied), Vanessa Kraven, Le Tabarnak De Team, Shayne Hawke, Beef Wellington, The Green Phantom, Max Boyer & SeXXXy Eddy.

Championships

Current champions

Championship: Champion(s): Previous: Date won: Days: Location:
IWS World Heavyweight Championship Black Dynamite "Speedball" Mike Bailey March 5, 2016 275 Montréal, Québec, Canada
IWS World Tag Team Championship Hardcore Ninjaz May 28, 2016 191 D.D.O., Québec, Canada
IWS Canadian Championship Scott "Jagged" Parker Shayne Hawke May 28, 2016 191 D.D.O., Québec, Canada

References

  1. ↑ Babinsack, Joe (2009-02-25) "Joe Babinsack looks at the IWS in Montreal", Wrestling Observer, Retrieved on February 25, 2009.
  2. ↑ Gollner, Adam Leith (2004-03-12) "Vive la Lutte Libre: Extreme wrestling and the theatre of Quebec nationalism", Maisonneuve, Retrieved on March 12, 2004.
  3. 1 2 Leroux, Yves; Laprade, Patric (2010-10-11). "Final IWS show filled with blood, nostalgia and great wrestling". Slam! Sports. Canadian Online Explorer. Retrieved 2010-10-11.
  4. ↑ Laprade, Patric (2013-01-30) "El Generico bound for NXT", SLAM! Wrestling, Retrieved on January 30, 2013.
  5. ↑ "Kevin Owens Matches", CAGEMATCH, Retrieved on August 31, 2016.
  6. ↑ "IWS Payback's A Bitch Results Press Release", Internet Wrestling Syndicate, Retrieved on August 31, 2016.
  7. ↑ Leroux, Yves. "Sid Vicious brings chaos to IWS anniversary", SLAM! Wrestling, June 14, 2004. Retrieved on June 14, 2004.
  8. ↑ "CZW High Stakes II: Night Show", CAGEMATCH, Retrieved on September 01, 2016.
  9. ↑ Ryan, Michael. (2008-11-08) "Great crowd basks in ROH's Montreal debut", SLAM! Wrestling, Retrieved on September 01, 2016.
  10. ↑ "Jersey All Pro Wrestling 2004 Results", JAPW, Retrieved on March 25, 2015.
  11. ↑ Laflamme, Steve. "International Wrestling", Kayfabe Memories, Retrieved on July 6, 2015.
  12. ↑ "CZW Only The Strong: Scarred 4 Life", CAGEMATCH, Retrieved on March 25, 2015.
  13. ↑ Keller, Wade. (2006-06-05) "Keller's WWE RAW Report 6/5", Pro Wrestling Torch, Retrieved on June 5, 2006.
  14. ↑ Laprade, Patric. (2007-09-23) "Dudleys deliver, Grenier surprises at IWS in Montreal", SLAM! Wrestling, Retrieved on September 23, 2007.
  15. ↑ "ROH The French Connection", CAGEMATCH, Retrieved on September 01, 2016.
  16. ↑ Ryan, Michael. (2008-11-08) "Great crowd basks in ROH's Montreal debut", SLAM! Wrestling, Retrieved on September 01, 2016.
  17. ↑ Laprade, Patric. "Ouellet makes Nash tap out in grudge match", SLAM! Wrestling, June 1, 2009. Retrieved on June 1, 2009.
  18. ↑ "IWS formed partnership with AAA wrestling and Lucha Underground", International Wrestling Syndicate, Retrieved on July 5, 2015.
  19. ↑ Laprade, Patric. (2016-03-07) "Mysterio at IWS latest in Montreal-Mexico exchange", SLAM! Wrestling, Retrieved on March 07, 2016.
  20. ↑ Laprade, Patric. (2015-09-04) "Montreal show brings Vampiro full circle", SLAM! Wrestling, Retrieved on September 04, 2015.
  21. ↑ "IWS World Heavyweight Championship", CAGEMATCH, Retrieved on March 25, 2015.
  22. ↑ "IWS Wrestling presents FIRST BLOOD", International Wrestling Syndicate, Retrieved on December 20, 2015.
  23. ↑ Laprade, Patric. (2016-03-07) "Mysterio at IWS latest in Montreal-Mexico exchange", SLAM! Wrestling, Retrieved on March 07, 2016.
  24. ↑ "IWS announces monthly Bloodstream at IWS Arena", International Wrestling Syndicate, Retrieved on March 28, 2016.
  25. ↑ "IWS World Tag Team Championship Gauntlet Match", International Wrestling Syndicate, Retrieved on May 21, 2016.
  26. ↑ "IWS Bloodstream: Vol.2 Official Results", International Wrestling Syndicate, Retrieved on May 30, 2016.
  27. ↑ "IWS Bloodstream: Vol.3 Official Results", International Wrestling Syndicate, Retrieved on August 15, 2016.
  28. ↑ Jaffer, Dave (2006-06-01) "Live underground extreme wrestling: Fight club", Hour, Retrieved on June 01, 2006.
  29. ↑ Baines, Tim (2006-05-07) "Clash of Styles ... wrestling not enough", SLAM! Wrestling, Retrieved on May 07, 2006.
  30. ↑ Leroux, Yves (2004-03-30) "IWS tapes PPV matches", SLAM! Wrestling, Retrieved on March 30, 2004.
  31. ↑ Patriquin, Martin. (2016-04-15) "Inside the crazy, rowdy world of pro wrestling in Montreal", Maclean's, Retrieved on September 02, 2016.

External links

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