The Jeff Peterson Memorial Cup was an annual
professional wrestling
Professional wrestling is a form of theater that revolves around staged wrestling matches. The mock combat is performed in a ring similar to the kind used in boxing, and the dramatic aspects of pro wrestling may be performed both in the ring o ...
memorial show produced by
Full Impact Pro
Full Impact Pro (FIP) is an American professional wrestling promotion. It is currently part of the World Wrestling Network (WWN) along with Shine Wrestling. Sal Hamaoui founded the company and serves as the President while Trevin Adams is the ...
(FIP) promotion, typically between October and December. The event was established to honor the memory of independent wrestler "All American"
Jeff Peterson who died at age 21 after a two-year battle with
leukemia
Leukemia ( also spelled leukaemia and pronounced ) is a group of blood cancers that usually begin in the bone marrow and result in high numbers of abnormal blood cells. These blood cells are not fully developed and are called ''blasts'' or ' ...
.
A rising star in the
National Wrestling Alliance
The National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) is an American professional wrestling professional wrestling promotion, promotion and former professional wrestling governing body operated by its parent company Lightning One, Inc.
Founded in 1948, the NWA ...
at the time of his death, his home promotion
NWA Florida
Championship Wrestling from Florida (CWF) was the corporate and brand name of the Tampa, Florida wrestling office existing from 1961, when Eddie Graham first bought into the promotion, until 1987, when it closed down. It is also referred to as ...
held a memorial tournament, co-hosted by IPW Hardcore, presented by his friends and fellow Florida wrestlers.
The first show was held on May 16–17, 2003, at the Florida WrestlePlex in
St. Petersburg, Florida
St. Petersburg is a city in Pinellas County, Florida, United States. As of the 2020 census, the population was 258,308, making it the fifth-most populous city in Florida and the second-largest city in the Tampa Bay Area, after Tampa. It is the ...
.
It is the longest-running tournament in the Southeastern United States followed by
CWF Mid-Atlantic
Carolina Wrestling Federation Mid-Atlantic (CWF Mid-Atlantic, formerly known as the Carolina Wrestling Federation and FWA-Carolinas) is an American independent professional wrestling promotion founded by Jeff Rudd in 2000. The promotion is based i ...
's
Johnny Weaver Memorial Tournament.
It was a standard 16-man single-elimination tournament intended to showcase the top
junior heavyweight wrestlers from
independent promotions
In professional wrestling, the independent circuit or indie circuit is the collective name of independent professional wrestling promotions which are smaller than major televised promotions. It is roughly analogous to a minor league for pro wres ...
throughout the United States
and Japan. Many top "indy" wrestlers have participated in the event
with former winners including
Reckless Youth
Thomas Carter (born September 18, 1974) is an American professional wrestler, better known by his ring name Reckless Youth. He has competed in numerous North American independent promotions including the East Coast Wrestling Association, Comba ...
(2003), Justice(2004),
Chris Sabin
Joshua Harter (born February 4, 1982), better known by his ring name Chris Sabin, is an American professional wrestler. He is currently signed to Impact Wrestling, and is also known for his work in Ring of Honor.
After being trained by Scott D ...
(2005),
Milano Collection AT
, is a Japanese color commentator and retired professional wrestler, better known by his ring name . As Milano, Sawafuji adopted the gimmick of an Italian fashion aficionado/supermodel, reflected in his ring attire. Milano is also known for walkin ...
(2006), and
Chris Hero
Chris Spradlin (born December 24, 1979), better known by his ring name Chris Hero, is an American professional wrestler and trainer. He is currently signed to Ring of Honor as a producer. Hero has worked for a number of independent wrestling pr ...
(2007),
Erick Stevens
Eric Koenreich (born March 12, 1982) is an American professional wrestler. He is known by his ring name Erick Stevens and for his time in Ring of Honor.
Career
NWA Florida (2003–2004)
Stevens debuted in May 2003 after completing his training ...
(2008),
Davey Richards
Wesley David Richards (born March 1, 1983) is an American professional wrestler. He is currently signed to Major League Wrestling (MLW), under the ring name Davey Richards, and is the current MLW National Openweight Champion in his first reign. ...
(2009), and
Sami Callihan
Samuel Alton Johnston (born September 1, 1987) is an American professional wrestler and promoter, better known by the ring name Sami Callihan, currently signed with Impact Wrestling and is a former Impact World Champion. He also wrestled for Luch ...
(2010). The tournament was originally held by
NWA Florida
Championship Wrestling from Florida (CWF) was the corporate and brand name of the Tampa, Florida wrestling office existing from 1961, when Eddie Graham first bought into the promotion, until 1987, when it closed down. It is also referred to as ...
from 2003 to 2005,
["Night 2 of the JPC 2005 has been moved to the Brandon All Stars!." ''DeclarationofIndependents.net.'' Ed. Sean McCaffrey. N.p., Sept. 2004. Web. October 5, 2011. .] when it closed, and was continued by
Full Impact Pro
Full Impact Pro (FIP) is an American professional wrestling promotion. It is currently part of the World Wrestling Network (WWN) along with Shine Wrestling. Sal Hamaoui founded the company and serves as the President while Trevin Adams is the ...
the following year. Both promotions held a combined 9 Memorial Cup tournaments. The tenth tournament on December 14 and 15, 2012, was billed as the last ever Jeff Peterson Memorial Cup and was an independent internet
pay-per-view
Pay-per-view (PPV) is a type of pay television or webcast service that enables a viewer to pay to watch individual events via private telecast.
Events can be purchased through a multichannel television platform using their electronic program guid ...
not officially held by any promotion.
[ No wrestler has ever won the tournament twice, but multiple wrestlers have participated in the event more than once.]
The event has also featured other wrestling personalities. The 2007 and 2008 editions were hosted by Lenny Leonard and Scott Hudson, former commentators for Ring of Honor
Ring of Honor (ROH) is an American professional wrestling promotion based in Jacksonville, Florida. The promotion was founded by Rob Feinstein on February 23, 2002, and was operated by Cary Silkin from 2004 until 2011, when the promotion was so ...
and World Championship Wrestling
World Championship Wrestling, Inc. (WCW) was an American professional wrestling promotion founded by Ted Turner in 1988, after Turner Broadcasting System, through a subsidiary named Universal Wrestling Corporation, purchased the assets of Nation ...
respectively.["Jeff Peterson Memorial Cup 2007 – 2 Nights of Action – Friday July 13th in Orlando and Saturday July 14th in Port Richey, Florida." ''DeclarationofIndependents.net.'' Ed. Sean McCaffrey. N.p., Oct. 2004. Web. October 5, 2011. .] In 2009, "Outlaw" Ron Bass came out of retirement to wrestle Sean Davis (with Amy Vitale and Phil Davis) in a Texas Bullrope match
Many types of wrestling matches, sometimes called "concept" or " gimmick matches" in the jargon of the business, are performed in professional wrestling. Some gimmick matches are more common than others and are often used to advance or conclude a ...
. Gabe Sapolsky
Gabriel Sapolsky (born September 26, 1972) is an American professional wrestling promoter, creative writer, and booker who currently works for WWE. Sapolsky has also held various creative and marketing positions in the professional wrestling indu ...
claimed that he used the 2009 tournament to scout
Scout may refer to:
Youth movement
*Scout (Scouting), a child, usually 10–18 years of age, participating in the worldwide Scouting movement
**Scouts (The Scout Association), section for 10-14 year olds in the United Kingdom
**Scouts BSA, sectio ...
talent prior to starting EVOLVE two months later. The following year, five champions took part in the 2010 Jeff Peterson Memorial Cup; FIP World Heavyweight Champion Jon Moxley
Jonathan David Good (born December 7, 1985) is an American professional wrestler and actor. He is currently signed to All Elite Wrestling (AEW), where he performs under the ring name Jon Moxley. He also makes appearances for New Japan Pro-Wr ...
, FIP Florida Heritage Champion Jake Manning, NWA World Junior Heavyweight Champion Craig Classic
Craig Cohn (born May 1, 1983) is an American professional wrestler, better known by the ring name Craig Classic. Cohn was initially trained at the Big Japan Pro Wrestling (BJW) dojo by Daisuke Sekimoto and has spent most of his career working in ...
, PWR Heavyweight Champion Bruce Santee, and PWR Tag Team Champion Milo Beasley. Aaron Epic, Peterson's last opponent before his death, also competed in the 2011 tournament. It was his first appearance with the company in several years and, though he was eliminated by Jerrelle Clark in the opening round, he praised the event commenting in a later interview for 411mania.com that "there has not been a lot of things that people remember from Florida wrestling but people always remember JPC and to be part of it was an honor".
Since its beginning in 2003, the Jeff Peterson Memorial Cup has been specifically used to raise money for various charities in the state of Florida. The recipient for the 2008 edition, for example, was a two-year-old child diagnosed with a rare form of cancer while proceeds from the 2009 edition went to St. Petersburg's All Children's Hospital
Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital, formerly All Children's Hospital, is a pediatric acute care children's hospital located in St. Petersburg, Florida. The hospital has 259 beds and is affiliated with the USF Morsani College of Medicine and ...
.
Tournament winners
Jeff Peterson Memorial Cup (2003)
Jeff Peterson Memorial Cup, Night 1
May 16, 2003 in St. Petersburg, Florida
St. Petersburg is a city in Pinellas County, Florida, United States. As of the 2020 census, the population was 258,308, making it the fifth-most populous city in Florida and the second-largest city in the Tampa Bay Area, after Tampa. It is the ...
(Florida WrestlePlex)
Jeff Peterson Memorial Cup, Night 2
May 17, 2003 in St. Petersburg, Florida
St. Petersburg is a city in Pinellas County, Florida, United States. As of the 2020 census, the population was 258,308, making it the fifth-most populous city in Florida and the second-largest city in the Tampa Bay Area, after Tampa. It is the ...
(Florida WrestlePlex)
Tournament bracket
The tournament took place from May 16–17, 2003. The tournament brackets were:
Pin-Pinfall; Sub-Submission; CO-Countout; DCO-Double countout; DQ-Disqualification; Ref-Referee's decision
Jeff Peterson Memorial Cup (2004)
Jeff Peterson Memorial Cup, Night 1
June 4, 2004 in Brandon, Florida
Brandon is an unincorporated community and census-designated place (CDP) in Hillsborough County, Florida, United States. It is part of the Tampa–St. Petersburg–Clearwater Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 114,626 at the 2020 ...
(Brandon Allstars)
Jeff Peterson Memorial Cup, Night 2 (Afternoon)
June 5, 2004 in St. Petersburg, Florida
St. Petersburg is a city in Pinellas County, Florida, United States. As of the 2020 census, the population was 258,308, making it the fifth-most populous city in Florida and the second-largest city in the Tampa Bay Area, after Tampa. It is the ...
(National Guard Armory)
Jeff Peterson Memorial Cup, Night 2 (Evening)
June 5, 2004 in St. Petersburg, Florida
St. Petersburg is a city in Pinellas County, Florida, United States. As of the 2020 census, the population was 258,308, making it the fifth-most populous city in Florida and the second-largest city in the Tampa Bay Area, after Tampa. It is the ...
(National Guard Armory)
Tournament brackets
The tournament took place from June 4–5, 2004. The tournament brackets were:
Pin-Pinfall; Sub-Submission; CO-Countout; DCO-Double countout; DQ-Disqualification; Ref-Referee's decision
Finals
1. A fourth semi-final match was held between Teddy Hart and Mikey Tenderfoot, which Hart won. He suffered a knee injury during the bout, however, and was forced to leave the tournament. Chris Hero had also received a bye for his semi-final match against Homicide and officials ordered the tournament to be decided among the three remaining participants in a final three-way elimination match.
Jeff Peterson Memorial Cup (2005)
Jeff Peterson Memorial Cup, Night 1
June 10, 2005 in Brandon, Florida
Brandon is an unincorporated community and census-designated place (CDP) in Hillsborough County, Florida, United States. It is part of the Tampa–St. Petersburg–Clearwater Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 114,626 at the 2020 ...
(Brandon All Stars)
Jeff Peterson Memorial Cup, Night 2
June 11, 2005 in Brandon, Florida
Brandon is an unincorporated community and census-designated place (CDP) in Hillsborough County, Florida, United States. It is part of the Tampa–St. Petersburg–Clearwater Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 114,626 at the 2020 ...
(Brandon All Stars)
Tournament bracket
The tournament took place from June 10–11, 2005. The tournament brackets were:
Pin-Pinfall; Sub-Submission; CO-Countout; DCO-Double countout; DQ-Disqualification; Ref-Referee's decision
Jeff Peterson Memorial Cup (2006)
Jeff Peterson Memorial Cup, Night 1
June 16, 2006 in Sanford, Florida
Sanford is a city in the central region of the U.S. state of Florida and the county seat of Seminole County. As of the 2020 census, its population was 61,051.
Known as the "Historic Waterfront Gateway City", Sanford sits on the southern shore ...
(Sanford Civic Center)
Jeff Peterson Memorial Cup, Night 2
June 17, 2006 in Pinellas Park, Florida
Pinellas Park is a city located in central Pinellas County, Florida, United States. The population was 53,093 at the 2020 census. Originally home to northern transplants and vacationers, the hundred year old city has grown into the fourth largest ...
(The Boys and Girls Club)
Tournament bracket
The tournament took place from June 16–17, 2006. The tournament brackets were:
Pin-Pinfall; Sub-Submission; CO-Countout; DCO-Double countout; DQ-Disqualification; Ref-Referee's decision
1. Reckless Youth had to leave the event for unspecified reasons. Instead of his opponent receiving a bye to the semi-finals, a six-way match was held among the already eliminated participants to replace Youth in the tournament which was won by TJ Wilson.
Jeff Peterson Memorial Cup (2007)
Jeff Peterson Memorial Cup, Night 1
July 13, 2007 in Orlando, Florida
Orlando () is a city in the U.S. state of Florida and is the county seat of Orange County, Florida, Orange County. In Central Florida, it is the center of the Greater Orlando, Orlando metropolitan area, which had a population of 2,509,831, acco ...
(Downtown Orlando Recreation Center)
Jeff Peterson Memorial Cup, Night 2
July 14, 2007 in Port Richey, Florida
Port Richey is a city in Pasco County, Florida, United States. It is a suburban city included in the Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area.
History
In 1883, Aaron M. Richey arrived from St. Joseph, Missouri, and ...
(Jewish Community Center)
Tournament bracket
The tournament took place from July 13–14, 2007. The tournament brackets were:
Pin-Pinfall; Sub-Submission; CO-Countout; DCO-Double countout; DQ-Disqualification; Ref-Referee's decision
Jeff Peterson Memorial Cup (2008)
Jeff Peterson Memorial Cup, Night 1
September 26, 2008 in Port Richey, Florida
Port Richey is a city in Pasco County, Florida, United States. It is a suburban city included in the Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area.
History
In 1883, Aaron M. Richey arrived from St. Joseph, Missouri, and ...
(New Lakes in Regency Park Civic Center)
Jeff Peterson Memorial Cup, Night 2
September 27, 2008 in Brooksville, Florida
Brooksville is a city in western Florida and the county seat of Hernando County, Florida, United States. As of the 2010 census it had a population of 7,719, up from 7,264 at the 2000 census. Brooksville is home to historic buildings and residence ...
(National Guard Armory)
Tournament bracket
The tournament took place from September 26–27, 2008. The tournament brackets were:
Pin-Pinfall; Sub-Submission; CO-Countout; DCO-Double countout; DQ-Disqualification; Ref-Referee's decision
Jeff Peterson Memorial Cup (2009)
Jeff Peterson Memorial Cup, Night 1
November 20, 2009 in Brooksville, Florida
Brooksville is a city in western Florida and the county seat of Hernando County, Florida, United States. As of the 2010 census it had a population of 7,719, up from 7,264 at the 2000 census. Brooksville is home to historic buildings and residence ...
(National Guard Armory)
Jeff Peterson Memorial Cup, Night 2
November 21, 2009 in Crystal River, Florida
Crystal River is a city in Citrus County, Florida, United States. The population was 3,108 in the 2010 census. According to the U.S. Census estimates of 2018, the city had a population of 3,162. The city was incorporated in 1903 and is the self p ...
(National Guard Armory)
Tournament bracket
The tournament took place from November 20–21, 2009. The tournament brackets were:
Pin-Pinfall; Sub-Submission; CO-Countout; DCO-Double countout; DQ-Disqualification; Ref-Referee's decision
Jeff Peterson Memorial Cup (2010)
Jeff Peterson Memorial Cup, Night 1
December 3, 2010 in Brooksville, Florida
Brooksville is a city in western Florida and the county seat of Hernando County, Florida, United States. As of the 2010 census it had a population of 7,719, up from 7,264 at the 2000 census. Brooksville is home to historic buildings and residence ...
(National Guard Armory)
Jeff Peterson Memorial Cup, Night 2
December 4, 2010 in Crystal River, Florida
Crystal River is a city in Citrus County, Florida, United States. The population was 3,108 in the 2010 census. According to the U.S. Census estimates of 2018, the city had a population of 3,162. The city was incorporated in 1903 and is the self p ...
(National Guard Armory)
Tournament bracket
The tournament took place from December 3–4, 2010. The tournament brackets were:
Pin-Pinfall; Sub-Submission; CO-Countout; DCO-Double countout; DQ-Disqualification; Ref-Referee's decision
Jeff Peterson Memorial Cup (2011)
Jeff Peterson Memorial Cup, Night 1
October 28, 2011 in Brooksville, Florida
Brooksville is a city in western Florida and the county seat of Hernando County, Florida, United States. As of the 2010 census it had a population of 7,719, up from 7,264 at the 2000 census. Brooksville is home to historic buildings and residence ...
(National Guard Armory): Ring Announcer- Sean LaFlash
Jeff Peterson Memorial Cup, Night 2
October 29, 2011 in Crystal River, Florida
Crystal River is a city in Citrus County, Florida, United States. The population was 3,108 in the 2010 census. According to the U.S. Census estimates of 2018, the city had a population of 3,162. The city was incorporated in 1903 and is the self p ...
(National Guard Armory): Ring Announcer- Sean LaFlash
Tournament bracket
The tournament took place on October 28–29, 2011. The tournament brackets were:
Pin-Pinfall; Sub-Submission; CO-Countout; DCO-Double countout; DQ-Disqualification; Ref-Referee's decision
1. Lince Dorado had to leave the event due to a family emergency. Instead of his opponent receiving a bye to the semi-finals, a six-way match was held among the already eliminated participants to replace Dorado in the tournament, which was won by Jonathan Gresham.
Jeff Peterson Memorial Cup (2012)
Jeff Peterson Memorial Cup, Night 1
December 14, 2012 in Ybor City
Ybor City ( ) is a historic neighborhood just northeast of downtown Tampa, downtown Tampa, Florida, United States. It was founded in the 1880s by Vicente Martinez-Ybor and other cigar manufacturers and populated by thousands of immigrants, mainly ...
, Tampa, Florida
Tampa () is a city on the Gulf Coast of the United States, Gulf Coast of the U.S. state of Florida. The city's borders include the north shore of Tampa Bay and the east shore of Old Tampa Bay. Tampa is the largest city in the Tampa Bay area and ...
Jeff Peterson Memorial Cup, Night 2
December 15, 2012 in Ybor City
Ybor City ( ) is a historic neighborhood just northeast of downtown Tampa, downtown Tampa, Florida, United States. It was founded in the 1880s by Vicente Martinez-Ybor and other cigar manufacturers and populated by thousands of immigrants, mainly ...
, Tampa, Florida
Tampa () is a city on the Gulf Coast of the United States, Gulf Coast of the U.S. state of Florida. The city's borders include the north shore of Tampa Bay and the east shore of Old Tampa Bay. Tampa is the largest city in the Tampa Bay area and ...
Tournament bracket
The tournament took place on December 14–15, 2012. The tournament brackets were:
Pin-Pinfall; Sub-Submission; CO-Countout; DCO-Double countout; DQ-Disqualification; Ref-Referee's decision
References
;Notes
Further reading
*
*
External links
Jeff Peterson Memorial Cup
on Myspace
JPC2009.com
JPC2008.com
2004 Jeff Peterson Memorial Cup
at NWA Florida.com
{{DEFAULTSORT:Jeff Peterson Memorial Cup
Professional wrestling memorial shows
Professional wrestling tournaments
Professional wrestling in Florida
2003 in professional wrestling
2004 in professional wrestling
2005 in professional wrestling
2006 in professional wrestling
2007 in professional wrestling
2008 in professional wrestling
2009 in professional wrestling
2010 in professional wrestling
2011 in professional wrestling
2003 establishments in Florida
2011 disestablishments in Florida