Impact Pro Wrestling

Impact Pro Wrestling
Acronym IPW
Founded 2003
Headquarters Auckland, New Zealand
Founder(s) Cameron Bailey
Chuck Warner
Nick Fergusson
Owner(s) Cameron Bailey (2003–2011)
Chuck Warner (2003–2011)
Nick Fergusson (2003–2004)
Nathan Fenwick (2011–2013)
Daniel Burnell (2011–2013)
Dave Gerbault (2011–2013)
Parent Impact Entertainment Ltd.
Sister Impact Pro Wrestling Australia
Formerly Mania Pro Wrestling (2001–2003)
Website ImpactProWrestling.co.nz

Impact Pro Wrestling (IPW) is a New Zealand professional wrestling promotion. It has promoted regular events throughout the country and abroad in the last several years and is credited for being the first to bring live wrestling shows to cities, such as Hamilton and Whangarei, in over two decades.

A staple of Armageddon Expo since 2002, its annual "Armageddon Cup" supercard has been a major attraction at the event in subsequent years. IPW frequently visited Australia during the early 2000s, in conjunction with Peter Ball's Gold Coast-based Major Impact Wrestling, and the two companies merged to form a sister promotion, Impact Pro Wrestling Australia, in 2007.

That same year, the promotion signed a deal with Sky Network Television's ALT TV to broadcast a weekly television show, IPW Ignition, which aired throughout the country as the first wrestling program seen in New Zealand since Steve Rickard's On the Mat during the 1980s. It was later picked up by Canterbury Television and Triangle TV in late 2008, shortly before ALT TV's demise, and remains the longest-running wrestling series in New Zealand.

In 2011 IPW began a new weekly show entitled Mana Mamau which aired on Maori Television to replace Ignition. Mana Mamau aired its final episode in 2012.

A new show similar to IPW Ignition started in September 2015, called IPW Ignited. This is available online through Vimeo, and was briefly broadcast on CTV.

The promotion is home to several of New Zealand's top independent wrestlers including Jordan Invincible, Alfred Valentine, Pat Schisk, Dave O' Conner (Formerly; "Double D" Davey Deluxeo), Vinny Dunn and female wrestler Evie, all of whom having been featured in the New Zealand national media, as well as appearances from major American stars such as Christy Hemme, Rob Van Dam, Raven, Disco Inferno, The Sandman, "The Million Dollar Man" Ted DiBiase, and Jake "The Snake" Roberts.

History

Mania Pro Wrestling and the Armageddon Expo (2000–2003)

Former logo used from 2003 to 2013

IPW was first formed in 2000 by a group of aspiring independent wrestlers then training under the Steve Hodgson at Mania, an Auckland-based gym which specialised in training female martial artists and stunt actors, and began promoting events locally under the banner of Mania Pro Wrestling.[1] The following year, they held an exhibition show at the Aotea Centre for the 2002 Armageddon Expo. Their performance proved popular with the crowd and were invited back by promoters for the 2003 expo. IPW would eventually become a regular feature attraction at the pop culture event holding its annual "Armageddon Cup" every year since then.[2]

The beginning of 2003 saw a management change take place, as the company was rebranded MPW. At this time Peter Lane, a former New Zealand wrestling talent from the 'On the Mat' era, was introduced to the company as a new training figure. Peter's years of experience proved an invaluable asset to the maturing wrestling of the new breed of New Zealand Professional Wrestler.

Early years of Impact Pro Wrestling (2003–2004)

In 2003, a new promotion was formed by a core group of MPW wrestlers under Cameron "The Economist" Bailey, Chuck "The Machine" Warner and Nick "Daddy Kool" Fergusson who pooled their money to start Impact Pro Wrestling.[3] After a year's worth of fundraising, they were able to purchase a custom-built wrestling ring and a training facility where they began running monthly shows soon after.[1] That year, they held their first event outside Auckland appearing at the Michael Fowler Centre in Wellington for 2003 Armageddon Expo.[2] It was at this event that the promotion held its first-ever "Armageddon Cup" supercard with The Economist eliminating Joey Kinkade in an interpromotional battle royal between wrestlers from IPW and New Zealand Wide Pro Wrestling.

National expansion and IPW Ignition (2004–2007)

With the acquisition of a new ring and training facilities, IPW was prepared to achieve its first goal of running regular house shows in the Auckland area. Beginning with Genesis at Pt. Chevalier in May 2004, IPW began staging monthly shows in central Auckland. Within two years, IPW was holding regular shows not only in Auckland but throughout the country. They also had one of the largest rosters with approximately 25 wrestlers in Auckland and 35 in Wellington.[1] In May 2005, TVNZ's Hadyn Jones conducted an interview with The Economist and The Machine at their Auckland gym.[4]

Taking its show on the road, IPW hosted New Zealand Wide Pro Wrestling at Capital Punishment in Wellington in March 2006. Five months later, they participated in the 2006 NZPWI Invitational, a major interpromotional event promoted by NZPWI.co.nz founder Dion McCracken, which included New Zealand Wide Pro Wrestling, Kiwi Pro Wrestling and Australia's Major Impact Wrestling. Held on 12 August 2006, at the Lynfield YMCA, McCracken served as IPW's colour commentator at the event. A legitimate black belt in tae kwon do, he knocked out IPW wrestler "Handsome" Danny Jacobs with a superkick during the "Eliminator" battle royal. This incident was voted by NZPWI.co.nz visitors (22.9%) as the "Best Moment" for the New Zealand wrestling category.[5]

IPW enjoyed rousing success when it presented Coastal Assault in October 2006 at Stanmore Bay on the Hibiscus Coast, the North Auckland town which is home to "The One" Vinny Dunn. At the end of the year, IPW stars Alexander and Ricky DeVinal appeared in a television commercial for Primo, a brand of flavoured milk popular in New Zealand.[6] In January 2007, "Double D" Davey Deluxeo appeared with WWE World Heavyweight Champion Dave Batista in Auckland's Central Leader newspaper ahead of the 2007 WWE Road to WrestleMania 23 tour.[7] This marked an IPW wrestler's first official interaction with an active WWE superstar since MPW hosted former WWE Champion John "Bradshaw" Layfield for a morning in 2002.[8]

A month later, it was announced that IPW had achieved its first long-term goal by securing a television deal with Auckland's ALT TV.[1] The first episode of "IPW Ignition", which featured footage from its recent IPW New Year's Bash supercard, aired on 10 February 2007. Appearing nationwide on SKY Network Television, it was the first weekly wrestling series to be broadcast in the country since Steve Rickard's "On the Mat" in the 1980s.[2][9] It was later made available for a worldwide audience via the internet thanks to Alt TV's shift to live online streaming. A year later, it was also shown on Canterbury Television and Triangle TV; the first episode on CTV premiered on 5 October 2008. As of 2010, it remains the longest-running wrestling series in New Zealand.

On the same night "IPW Ignition" aired, IPW made its Whangarei debut staging IPW Collision at the Forum North venue to a sold out crowd.[10] Dion McCracken, who was instrumental in bringing IPW to Northland, made a guest appearance during the show as a referee, officiating in the match between "The Deal" Dal Knox and "Handsome" Danny Jacobs. It had been over 25 years since there had been a wrestling held there.[9][11] Notable New Zealand wrestler of yesteryear Jock Ruddock was present in the live audience. Bruno Bekkar, a one-time NWA New Zealand Heavyweight Champion, also made a guest appearance at a sold out show in Auckland on 15 March.[10] On 24 March, IPW made its first appearance in Hamilton in 25 years, at The Meteor, which hosted the event "IPW Breaking Point" in which featured a battle royal for the #1 Contendership match which was won by Roger Ventura. McCracken joined the promotion as a full-time colour commentator that year and assisted in arranging shows in various cities. Mema Maeli, the first women to become a ring announcer for Samoa's boxing association, also joined the promotion as IPW's sole female announcer.[12]

In October 2007, at the 2007 Armageddon Expo, Kid Liger won a 25-man battle royal to win the "Armageddon Cup". On the final day of the convention, at the Aotea Centre in Auckland, Raven made a surprise appearance by attacking Joseph Kinkade after his match against John Questions. Kinkade's manager Gary O. Davis had insulted him earlier in the show. Christy Hemme and Rob Van Dam also attended the show, Hemme being involved in a storyline with Danny Jacobs.[10] Later that month, IPW wrestlers "Double D" Davey Deluxeo, Vinny Dunn and Alfred Valentine were profiled by the New Zealand Herald.[3] Troy Rawhiti-Forbes, another New Zealand independent wrestler, was also interviewed and discussed both the early history of the promotion as well as professional wrestling in New Zealand itself.[1]

At the house show "Nightmare B4 Xmas" in December 2007, IPW also saw the rebirth of the women's division. Long Dormant since the Mania Pro Wrestling days in the early 2000s, the intergender tag match between Handsome Danny Jacobs and Britenay vs The Samoan Silverback Alexander and Evie saw the first two females competing within the revamped IPW.[13] The following year saw the return of two females that were involved with Mania, Just Plain Evil and Alita Capri.[14]

IPW also began expanding oversees as well and frequently visited Australia during the early 2000s. Closely associated with Peter Ball's Major Impact Wrestling in the Gold Coast, the two companies were involved in interpromotional events and talent exchanges for five years before eventually merging to form a sister promotion, Impact Pro Wrestling Australia, in the summer of 2007.[15] IPW would continue exchanging talent between New Zealand and Australia during the next few years.[2][16]

Recent years (2008–)

2008

On 19 April 2008, Raven and Disco Inferno attended the 2008 Armageddon Convention in Wellington. Disco Inferno won the Armageddon Cup in a battle royal[2][17] but lost the cup to Davey Deluxeo at the Christchurch convention a week later. He also wrestled a tag team match on 27 April 2008 at the same convention. His partner was IPW Champion "The Deal" Dal Knox.[18]

In May, Davey Deluxeo and Jordan Invincible were interviewed by the New Zealand Herald. The two wrestlers, referred by the publication as the "best tag team partnership since Kiwi tag team The Bushwhackers", talked about impressing WWE road agents when World Wrestling Entertainment when the organisation came to New Zealand for shows in Auckland and Christchurch the next month.[19] At IPW's Redemption, Jordan Invincible defeated Dal Knox to win the IPW New Zealand Heavyweight Championship for the first time. His victory was partially due to outside interference from Davey Deluxeo who used his Armageddon Cup as a weapon or foreign object against Knox.[20]

On 5 October 2008, the promotion took part in "Connecting Families Day" at the Ellerslie YMCA. Attended by an estimated 1,500 people, the four-hour event included demonstrations from IPW wrestlers as well as an appearance from New Zealand children's entertainer Linda Adamson as part of her upcoming DVD "Love to Sing".[21] Several IPW wrestlers were also featured on the 10 October edition Television New Zealand's IAM TV where the host took part in training sessions at their IPW facility in Auckland.[22]

The Sandman appeared at the 2008 Armageddon convention in Auckland, New Zealand, wrestling for Impact Pro Wrestling NZ between 25–27 October 2008. He defeated Joseph Kinkade in his first match[23] and The Machine in his second match, both with the White Russian Legsweep. He then teamed up with IPW New Zealand Heavyweight Championship holder "The Deal" Dal Knox in a tag match against Kinkade and The Machine, which saw Knox take the win with a Knox Out on Kinkade.[24]

Pro Wrestling Entertainment invasion (2008–09)

At "Breakdown" in May 2008 Justin Lane, founder of failed promotion Pro Wrestling Entertainment (PWE) turned up and cost Kommissioner Kool his match against Jon E. King. Afterwards Lane gave King a PWE T-shirt, which King gratefully accepted.[25] At "Redemption" in June King and Lane announced that they were taking over IPW, and on an "Ignition" taping they made threats that they would win their match against Kool and his chosen partner at "Unbreakable" in July, with the winning team getting the IPW Commissionership.[26] For the match at "Unbreakable" Kool chose The Machine as his partner; however, The Machine turned on Kool and joined PWE as an enforcer, giving King the IPW Commissionership in the process.[27] The trio recruited the tag team Saint Chaos (Brian Saint James and Curt Chaos) at "Unleashed" in September after helping them defeat Pirates And Ninjas Are Totally Awesome (Pirate Jason Burns and Ninja Liam Fury). The Machine executed the Machine Head on Ninja Liam Fury, Jon E. King grabbed the bell when the referee attempted to disqualify Saint Chaos and ordered the referee to count the pinfall.[28] Finally at "Rival Turf" in October King won the IPW South Pacific Championship.[29]

However, at "Nightmare B4 Xmas" in December, Team IPW (Link Van Haggard, Kid Liger, Pirate Jason Burns and Ninja Liam Fury) defeated Team PWE (Jon E. King, The Machine, Brian Saint James and Curt Chaos) in an 8-man match to cost King his IPW Commissionership,[30] at "Breaking Point" in March 2009 King lost the South Pacific Championship to Lil T (with help from guest referee "Te Tahi" Vinny Dunn)[31] and at IPW Genesis 2009 each member of PWE wrestled an IPW wrestler. Jordan Invincible defeated Curt Chaos, Brian Saint James defeated Les West (with help from Curt Chaos), Daddy Kool defeated Justin Lane (despite interference from the rest of PWE), Jon E. King defeated Vinny Dunn and "The Deal" Dal Knox defeated The Machine in a Lights Out Death Match. Due to IPW winning the series 3-2 the PWE faction was forced to disband immediately. All PWE paraphernalia were banned from IPW shows and the members were banned from teaming together as a fivesome for six months.[32]

2009

Joseph Kinkade at the Armageddon Expo 2009, holding the IPW New Zealand Heavyweight Championship belt.

On 4 April 2009, IPW returned to 2009 Armageddon Expo where the "Armageddon Cup" was decided in a 17-person battle royal which included female wrestler Just Plain Evil. She was the first women to ever compete in a battle royal in New Zealand. The winner, Les West, was to face the then IPW New Zealand Heavyweight Champion Dal Knox for the title.[33] Parts of the event were filmed for A Kiwi Century On The Mat, an upcoming historical documentary on professional wrestling in New Zealand, as well as conducted interviews[34] with colour commentator Dion McKracken and then IPW New Zealand Champion Dal Knox.[35] On 1 May, in celebration of Free Comic Book Day, IPW took part in a special fundraiser for the Onehunga Primary School library organized by Gotham Comics in Onehunga which raised nearly $500. The event was attended by over 800 people and an estimated 3,000 comic books were given away.[36]

On 20 July, 20/20 aired a special report on professional wrestling in New Zealand featuring IPW and its Wellington rivals Kiwi Pro Wrestling and New Zealand Wide Pro Wrestling. Dal Knox, then IPW Heavyweight Champion, was specifically profiled during the program.[37] Also that summer, the promotion was similarly profiled on the Māori Television sports show Hyundai Code.[38]

In September 2009, local Auckland band 'These Four Walls' released their music video Sweet December, starring IPW's very own Evie, Britenay, Liam Fury and Brian St James.[39]

In August 2009, Whangaparaoa wrestler "The One" Vinny Dunn was interviewed by Stuff.co.nz prior to his match at IPW's "Nightmare B4 Xmas" supercard at Westlake Boys High School where he would wrestle Joseph Kinkade, O Davis and Ivanoff for a chance at the IPW New Zealand Heavyweight Championship. He also discussed his claiming the Impact Pro Wrestling South Pacific Championship in Australia and recent victory over Jon E. King in a "brutal" best of five series to become top contender for the national title.[40] Alita Capri, one of IPW's five female wrestlers, was also interviewed for her upcoming match at the event and encouraged fans to bring items to the show that could be used as foreign objects. She expressed an interest in helping establish a serious women's division in the near future and hoped that more young women would become interested in following the sport.[41]

The annual NZPWI peoples choice awards for the years 2008[42] and 2009[43] saw IPW clean up all categories. The most recent peoples choice awards saw "The One" Vinny Dunn pick up 'Best Wrestler', Pirates and Ninjas are Totally Awesome (Pirate Burns, Ninja Fury) pick up 'Best Tag Team' and Evie for 'Best Female'. IPW also picked up the award for 'Best Promotion', with a majority vote of 61.2%.[43]

2010

"New Years Bash"[44] started off the year, with freshly crowned IPW champion "The One" Vinny Dunn to battle IPW Australia's South Pacific Champion "The future" Nick Burns. The match ended in a no-contest, after rampant interference from Gary O. Davis, and both men therefore retained each of their respective titles.

The following month at "Coastal Assault",[45] Vinny took on "The Professional" Joseph Kinkade. Under the guidance from his manager Gary O. Davis, Kinkade dominated for the most of the match with the help of tag team partner Mischa Ivanoff. Peter Lane managed to somewhat even the score by taking Ivanoff out of action to the outside, and Dunn hit his finisher to retain. Also during this show, The women's match between JPE and Evie saw the first pinfall over the dominant JPE by Evie since her debut the year prior.

"The One" Vinny Dunn and Jon E. King featured on Maori TV's Sports show, Hyundai Code. Here, Dunn and King wrestled in New Zealands first ever live match, and Dunn managed to retain over former IPW champion, Jon E. King.[46] Dunn and King also featured on the after-school programme, 'The Erin Simpson Show'.[47]

"Extreme Measures" in April saw the crowning of the first ever IPW tag team champions, via elimination match that all tag teams in IPW would compete.[48] "The Professional" Joseph Kinkade and Mischa Ivanoff were the last in the ring, squaring off against Pirate Burns and Ninja Fury. While Burns and Kinkade brawled to the outside, Fury hit a huge Shooting Star Press on Ivanoff. Pirates and Ninjas are Totally Awesome were then crowned the first ever tag team champions in IPW history.

IPW's Fallout saw Ninja Liam Fury team up with 'Wrestlings Most Wanted' in the absence of Pirate Burns, in order to defend the IPW Tag Team belts against Saint Chaos. Brian Saint James and Curt Chaos were crowned the new IPW Tag champs that night.[49]

The Era of The Deal & the Devil

2010's major storyline began in May at IPW Genesis, The main event at IPW's "Genesis" saw "The One" Vinny Dunn and The Samoan Silverback Alexander go head to head, but The Silverback failed to get the win. The end of the match was interrupted by Justin Lane, who stated that when Dunn put out an open challenge for the championship, Alexander wasn’t the only man to sign a contract for a title shot. He introduced that his 'monster' of a wrestler, Reuben De Jong, had responded to the challenge that would happen that night. The champion tried to retain, but the odds were against him and former heavyweight kickboxer and MMA fighter[50] De Jong delivered a powerful double-handed chokeslam to take the win, and to be crowned new IPW champion. This being the most shocking moment of 2010 so far, would start one of the most heated feuds in IPW history.[51]

Immediately after the show, Vinny Dunn's manager, Peter Lane advised the IPW Community that Vinny Dunn would cash in his rematch clause at IPW Breakdown; however, Justin Lane revealed that his client, the new IPW NZ Heavyweight Champion, Reuben De Jong, did not sign any contract for a rematch and was threatening legal action against IPW.[52][53] Three days later after the initial threat was made, IPW Commissioner Dion McCraken posted a video stating that he would postpone the show and that the rematch would take place at Manurewa Recreation Centre the following month.[54]

During NZWPW's Power Play show, "Te Tahi" Vinny Dunn and Jon E King invaded the show[55] after threats made by the Wellington promotion of turning up to IPW Genesis.[56] It was at this show that Dunn suffered an injury and at IPW Breakdown, the IPW Commissioner Dion McCracken revealed that Vinny Dunn had failed his fitness test and rescheduled the match for Reuben De Jong vs "The Samoan Silverback" Alexander in which De Jong retained. After the match [57]

At IPW Rival Turf, the anticipated re-match between "Te Tahi" Vinny Dunn and IPW Champion, Reuben De Jong took place with Vinny Dunn being crowned the new IPW Champion, after making the 6'3 giant tap out to the Ankle Lock after Reuben De Jong was accidentally hit in the head with a briefcase by his own manager, Justin Lane. However, the new reign was short-lived after a shock turn of events in the main event of that evening, involving IPW's Pro Wrestling Excellence and NZWPW saw the returning "The Deal" Dal Knox turn against his best friend and take the IPW New Zealand Heavyweight Championship from him with assistance from the IPW Commissioner, Dion McCracken much to the disgust and shock of the IPW fans and even the IPW roster and staff which has now been labelled "The Westlake Screwjob".[58]

At IPW Fallout, the IPW Commissioner, Dion McCracken revealed his master plan alongside his "perfect champion" "The Deal" Dal Knox, stating that he was responsible for instigating the match at IPW Genesis between Reuben De Jong and Vinny Dunn and that he did not fail his fitness test at IPW Breakdown and actually withdrew the rematch on purpose, he later on revealed that Dunn was in his eyes a "transitional champion" and was just waiting till Dal Knox was able to return which was at Rival Turf where he organised the alliance between NZWPW, Pure Wrestling Excellence, Knox and himself. McCracken also stated that Vinny Dunn would not receive a rematch that night and that if Vinny Dunn was to strike either himself or the Champion, he would be suspended indefinitely to which Dunn ignored and struck the Commissioner with a right hand.[59]

At IPW Unleashed, Vinny Dunn was suspended indefinitely due to the attack he made at the previous show and for not "apologizing" to the Commissioner and the Champion stating that "he would never toe the line", McCracken responded by removing his rematch clause and suspended the former champion indefinitely from all competition in Impact Pro Wrestling.

During IPW's annual show at the Armageddon Expo in Auckland "Te Tahi" Vinny Dunn was fired despite following Dion McCracken's orders to gather 500 people for the next session. In the last session the IPW Armageddon Cup was on the line, with the winner being able to wrestle for the IPW New Zealand Heavyweight title at any stage. Halo won the 20-person Gauntlet match and the chance to face the IPW New Zealand Heavyweight Champion. However, as the IPW Commissioner, Dion McCracken, presented the Cup to Halo, it was revealed that "Te Tahi" Vinny Dunn was under the mask and now with the Armageddon Cup in his possession he reclaimed his job and had the chance to face Dal Knox for the title which Dion McCracken wasn't happy about. Vinny Dunn presented Dion McCracken with a right hand much to the crowds delight.[60]

At IPW Ground Zero, "The Deal" Dal Knox faced "The Samoan Siverback" in the main event with the IPW Commissioner, Dion McCracken as special guest referee. During the match, it was announced that an enforcer would make sure that McCracken would be fair in calling the match, in which was revealed to be Reuben De Jong. At the end of the match, which saw Dal Knox retain, "Te Tahi" Vinny Dunn interrupted the post-match celebrations to reveal that he would be cashing in his opportunity to face Knox at Nightmare B4 Xmas 2010, stating that he would want Knox fresh and ready and would not "stoop to his level" to take the title off Knox much to the horror of the champion.

At IPW Nightmare B4 Xmas "Te Tahi" Vinny Dunn won the IPW New Zealand Heavyweight Championship of "The Deal" Dal Knox in a Fans Bring The Weapons Match, despite the interference of Tykade and The Five Star Revolution of NZWPW.[61]

2011

At IPW New Year's Bash, Dion McCracken went on a firing spree, (kayfabe) firing Jesse Astro, The Kiwi Express, Joseph Kinkade, Lil T, Miles, The New Zealand Dream, The Waipukurau Warrior, Les West, ring announcer Troy Rawhiti-Forbes and referee Matt Wolfe, disbanding Pirates And Ninjas Are Totally Awesome and making the Alita Capri versus Just Plain Evil match a Loser Gets Fired Match. McCracken also put the remaining roster on notice. Just Plain Evil defeated Capri resulting in Capri getting (kayfabe) fired. In the main event, Vinny Dunn defeated Dal Knox by submission to retain the IPW New Zealand Heavyweight Championship. Knox demanded another match against Dunn at IPW Coastal Assault. In response Dunn announced that the match would be a 30-minute Iron Man Match.[62]

In May 2011, It was announced that IPW had made a deal with Maori Television to film a new show. The show "Mana Mamau" was a weekly feature on Maori TV throughout 2011 and into 2012. Within the show's 40 episode run both the IPW Tag Team Championships changed hands as well as the IPW NZ Heavyweight championship.

2012

IPW returned to its roots in 2012 by going back to the live event structure that made it so popular. At the Genesis event in March Dave O'Connor and Dal Knox lost their IPW Tag titles to NEO Justice Double and Brian Saint James won the Eliminator giving him an IPW Championship match whenever he chooses.

The Road to Destiny

On 19 May 2012, during the live event, IPW Collision Course, in Hamilton, New Zealand, IPW Commissioner Dion McCracken announced a new championship was being commissioned for the growing women's division, sporting a red strap and mirroring the IPW New Zealand Heavyweight Championship he advised a tournament would determine the new Women's champion.

The first match was between Megan Kate and Britenay at IPW Collision Course, which was won by Britinay under dubious circumstances. Collision Course would also prove to be the turning point for then comical 'gangster' duo TNT as they would ambush IPW Tag-Team Champions, NEO Justice Double after they defeated Project Mayhem (NZWPW's Tag-Team Champions, Johnny Idol and IPW's James Shaw) in an inter-promotional champion versus champion match. Lil T and Brother T would hit their patented T Factor on both members of NJ2 before raising the Tag-Team Championships and signaling their intentions. Days later IPW posted a video featuring TNT justifying their actions, saying they 'would no longer be considered jokes' amongst the locker room. This would lead to an unsuccessful challenge to the Tag-Team Championships at IPW Unleashed.

The next match in the women's championship tournament was between Evie and Olivia Shaw (in her debut singles match) at IPW Unleashed in Evie's hometown of Pakuranga, Auckland which resulted in Evie advancing to the finals. However, an appeal by Megan Kate shortly after IPW Collision Course resulted in a re-match being made between Megan Kate and Britenay at IPW Taranaki Turmoil by the Commissioner.

That match was once again won by Britenay after she used the ropes as leverage to gain an advantage and take the pinfall, resulting in Evie vs Britenay for the IPW Women's Championship at IPW Destiny.

On 18 August 2012, after 3 months of tournament matches. Evie and Britenay squared off what was to be expected a streuous battle between the two stalwarts of the division. However, before the match officially got underway IPW Commissioner Dion McCracken added Megan Kate to the match making the match a triple threat match.

At the end of the bout, and after hitting her trademarked 'TTYL' (Fireman's Carry into Shin Kick) on her tag team partner, Megan Kate. Evie became the first ever IPW Women's Champion, much to the delight of the sold out audience.

Once again, TNT and NEO Justice would do battle, this time in an 828 Street Fight. It would seem this time the odds were tipped in the challengers favor. But as Link flew over the top rope to put Lil T through a table ringside, Kazuki finished Brother T with a Shiranui through a ladder to once again retain, at Destiny.

Roster

Wrestlers

  • Aaron Henry
  • Alexander
  • Alfred Valentine
  • Ben Keen
  • Britenay
  • Brodie Coast
  • Brook Duncan
  • Curt Chaos
  • Dal Knox
  • Dave O'Conner
  • Elias
  • Evie
  • Fury
  • Jakob Cross
  • James Shaw
  • JB Bennett
  • Johnny Idol
  • Kingi
  • Liger
  • Lil' T
  • Mason Daniels
  • The Mauler
  • Megan-Kate
  • Michael Richards
  • Mr. Burns
  • NoFace
  • Pat Schisk
  • Taylor Adams
  • Vinny Dunn

Tag teams and Stables

Others

Championships

Current champions

Championship Current champion(s) Date won Event Previous Champion Reference
IPW New Zealand Heavyweight Championship Curt Chaos March 9, 2016 Championship Carnage James Shaw [63][64][65]
IPW New Zealand Tag Team Championship The Fist August 29, 2015 The Pride [66][65]
IPW Women's Championship Britenay March 17, 2016 SPW Invercargill Live Megan-Kate [67][68][65]

IPW New Zealand Heavyweight Championship History

The IPW New Zealand Heavyweight Championship, was established in 2002. The first champion was The Machine.

Year Name Date Location Notes
2002 The Machine 9 March 2002 Mangere, Auckland
2002 Davey Deluxeo 7 December 2002 Pt. Chev, Auckland Defeated The Machine in "Fan's bring the weapons" match
2004 Roger Ventura 15 May 2004 Pt. Chev, Auckland Defeated Davey Deluxeo
2004 Mason Childs 14 August 2004 Pt. Chev, Auckland Defeated Roger Ventura, "NZ Vs. Australia"
2004 Davey Deluxeo (2) 14 August 2004 Pt. Chev, Auckland Mason Childs awarded the title to Davey Deluxeo
2004 The Machine (2) 18 December 2004 Pt. Chev, Auckland Defeated Davey Deluxeo in "Fan's Bring the Weapons" match
2005 The Economist 23 April 2005 Lynfeild, Auckland Defeated The Machine, Jon E. King, and Joey Kinkade
2005 "Heartless" Alfred Valentine 29 November 2005 Lynfeild, Auckland Defeated The Economist
2006 Jon E. King 25 March 2006 Lynfeild, Auckland Defeated "HAV" and The Economist
2006 "Heartless" Alfred Valentine (2) 15 April 2006 Lynfeild, Auckland Defeated Jon E. King
2006 Jon E. King (2) 17 June 2006 Lynfeild, Auckland Defeated "HAV" in a ladder match
2006 Davey Deluxeo (3) 27 August 2006 Lynfeild, Auckland Defeated Jon E. King
2006 Jon E. King (3) 25 November 2006 Lynfeild, Auckland Defeated Davey Deluxeo, Jordan Invincible, and Alexander
2007 Dal Knox 15 December 2007 Westlake, Auckland Defeated Jon E. King in "Fan's bring the Weapons" match
2008 Jordan Invincible 28 June 2008 Lynfeild, Auckland Defeated Dal Knox in a Street Fight
2008 Dal Knox (2) 4 October 2008 Lynfeild, Auckland Defeated Jordan Invincible
2009 Joseph Kinkade 5 September 2009 Lynfeild, Auckland Defeated Dal Knox
2009 Vinny Dunn 12 December 2009 Westlake, Auckland Defeated Joseph Kinkade in "Fan's Bring the Weapons" match
2010 Reuben De Jong 29 May 2010 Westlake, Auckland Defeated Vinny Dunn in an Open Challenge
2010 Vinny Dunn (2) 22 August 2010 Westlake, Auckland Defeated Reuben De Jong
2010 Dal Knox (3) 22 August 2010 Westlake, Auckland Defeated Vinny Dunn in an impromptu title match
2010 Vinny Dunn (3) 11 December 2010 Westlake, Auckland Defeated Dal Knox in "Fan's bring the weapons" match
2011 Dal Knox (4) 12 March 2011 Westlake, Auckland Defeated Vinny Dunn in a Last Man Standing match
2012 Alexander 19 January 2012 Westlake, Auckland Defeated Dal Knox, Dave O' Connor, and Kingi
2012 Kingi (4) 3 May 2012 Westlake, Auckland Defeated Alexander in a Lumberjack match
2013 Travis Banks 27 April 2013 Lynfeild, Auckland Defeated Kingi and Liam Fury
2013 Vinny Dunn (4) 27 July 2013 Mt. Albert, Auckland Defeated Kingi, Joseph Kinkade, and James Shaw to win vacant title
2014 Travis Banks (2) 1 February 2014 Lynfeild, Auckland Defeated Vinny Dunn
2014 Liam Fury 26 July 2014 Mt. Albert, Auckland Cashed in the Eliminator Contract to defeat Travis Banks
2015 James Shaw 18 April 2015 Mt. Albert, Auckland Defeated Liam Fury and Jakob Cross
2015 Jakob Cross 14 July 2015 Mt. Albert, Auckland Defeated James Shaw

[69]

Armageddon Cup

The Armageddon Cup is a trophy awarded at the Armageddon Conventions, a twice annual science fiction and comics convention, that runs alternately in Auckland, Christchurch and Wellington, New Zealand. The first Armageddon Cup winner was determined by way of an interpromotional battle royal between wrestlers from IPW and the then-fledgling New Zealand Wide Pro Wrestling promotion. On 22 September 2003, The Economist became the first Armageddon Cup champion by eliminating Joey Kinkade from the match.

At subsequent Armageddon events, the Armageddon Cup has been challenged for in a variety of ways, most often by way of a single elimination tournament which is held over the course of one or two days. On the first day of the Wellington 2006 Armageddon event, "The One" Vinny Dunn won a tournament to win his first Armageddon Cup championship. He was defeated in a singles match the very next day, losing the trophy to the luchador Halo.

The original Armageddon Cup trophy was destroyed by Jordan Invincible after he won it on 22 October 2006. It has since been replaced with a sturdier cup design. In recent years, a number of American Professional Wrestlers have attended the event including Christy Hemme, Rob Van Dam, with Raven, Disco Inferno and The Sandman also competing at the event. At the 2008 Armageddon Expo, Disco Inferno became the first non-IPW Wrestler to win the Armaggedon Cup winning it in a battle royal and before losing it to Davey Deluxeo a week later in Christchurch, New Zealand .[17]

Year Name Date Location Notes
2003 The Economist 22 September 2003 Wellington Won "IPW vs. NZWPW" battle royal by eliminating Joey Kinkade.
2004 Joey Kinkade 25 September 2004 Auckland Defeated Jordan Invincible in tournament final.
2005 Ricky DeVinal 17 April 2005 Wellington Defeated Joey Kinkade in a singles match.
2005 Dal Knox 24 October 2005 Auckland Defeated Link van Haggard in tournament final.
2006 Vinny Dunn 29 April 2006 Wellington Defeated Dal Knox in tournament final.
2006 Halo 30 April 2006 Wellington Defeated Vinny Dunn in a singles match.
2006 Jordan Invincible 22 October 2006 Auckland Defeated Kyote in tournament final.
2007 Kid Liger 21 October 2007 Auckland Won a 25-man battle royal for the right to face Jordan Invincible.
2008 Disco Inferno 19 April 2008 Wellington Won 18-man battle royal by eliminating Kid Liger.
2008 Davey Deluxeo 26 April 2008 Christchurch Defeated Disco Inferno in a singles match. Danny Jacobs was the special guest referee and his manager Paul Starr was the official time-keeper.
2009 Alexander 26 October 2008 Auckland Defeated Davey Deluxeo in singles match.
2009 Joseph Kinkade 29 March 2009 Christchurch Defeated Alexander in tournament final.
2009 Brian St. James 26 October 2009 Auckland Defeated A-Class in a tournament final.
2010 A-Class 3 April 2010 Wellington Defeated Brian St. James in tournament final.
2010 Vinny Dunn 24 October 2010 Auckland Won the Armageddon Cup in a tournament final disguised as Halo
2011 Liam Fury 2 April 2011 Wellington Defeated Brian St. James in tournament final.
2012 'Handsome' Danny Jacobs 15 April 2012 Hamilton Defeated Elias in tournament final.
2012 Travis Banks 22 April 2012 Wellington Defeated James Shaw in tournament final.
2012 Liger (2) 21 October 2012 Auckland Defeated Travis Banks in tournament final.
2012 Antonio 21 October 2012 Auckland Right Time Riot offered Liger a copy of Action Comics #1 in exchange for the Armageddon Cup, which he accepted.
2013 James Shaw 25 May 2013 Hamilton Defeated TK Cooper in tournament final.
2013 James Shaw (2) 1 June 2013 Wellington Defeated Jakob Cross in tournament final.
2013 Curt Chaos 26 October 2013 Auckland Defeated James Shaw in tournament final.
2014 Jakob Cross 24 May 2014 Hamilton Defeated James Shaw in tournament final.
2014 Jakob Cross (2) 31 May 2014 Wellington Defeated TK Cooper in tournament final.
2014 Pat Schisk 26 October 2014 Auckland Defeated Curt Chaos in tournament final.
2015 Johnny Idol 28 February 2015 Dunedin Defeated Curt Chaos in tournament final.

Video on demand

IPW Ignited is a video on demand series, available to purchase or rent through the Vimeo website. It was also briefly broadcast on CTV. The first episode was released on 16 September 2015.

IPW Ignited
Created by Impact Pro Wrestling
Starring IPW wrestlers and staff
Country of origin New Zealand
Production
Location(s) Auckland
Running time Approx. 20 mins per episode
Release
Original network Vimeo
Original release September 16, 2015
External links
Website

See also

References

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  2. 1 2 3 4 5 Livingston, Aaron (4 April 2009). "IPW Hits Armageddon". BleacherReport.com. Retrieved 8 July 2010.
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