XPW

Xtreme Pro Wrestling (XPW) is an American independent professional wrestling promotion owned by Rob Zicari.

Zicari originally ran the promotion out of Los Angeles from 1999 to 2003. He appeared on shows as the on-camera owner under the name Rob Black alongside his wife Lizzy Borden. The promotion focused on hardcore wrestling and had connections to the Los Angeles porn industry, as Zicari was the real life owner of '' Extreme Associates.'' From 2000 to 2002, XPW held an annual deathmatch tournament called ''Baptized in Blood''.

In 2002, Shane Douglas returned to XPW, and the "All-New XPW" was relocated to Pennsylvania. Thanks to promotional efforts on the part of Shane Douglas and Cody Michaels, the East Coast invasion featured XPW garnering some success in cities like Philadelphia and Pittsburgh before closing in 2003. Big Vision Entertainment held two XPW reunion shows, ''Cold Day In Hell'' in May 2008 and ''XPW X'' in August 2009.

Zicari relaunched the promotion out of Rochester in 2021 after it was featured that same year on ''Dark Side of the Ring''.

History

Original West Coast version (1999–2002)

XPW was founded in the summer of 1999 on the West Coast, particularly Los Angeles, California. The promotion based its style around hardcore wrestling, featuring many very violent matches. In addition, XPW kept a huge focus on the soap opera aspect of wrestling, as the storylines involved porn stars, alternative lifestyles, profanity, and sadistic violence. The first show was on July 31, 1999 at Reseda Country Club. The announce team for XPW consisted of Kris Kloss and Larry Rivera, with Kloss doing the play-by-play and Rivera taking on the role as a heel color commentator. Kloss's trademark was screaming expletives or shrieking a high pitched scream when something shocking occurred in a match. Rivera often sided with Rob Black, calling him the Donald Trump of the pro wrestling business, and his trademark announcing consisted of referring to Kloss as "chico", using "chico" in nearly all of his sentences, and occasional wandering into Spanish announcing. In this period, the promotion's main stars were homegrown wrestlers, but many former stars of Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW) passed through XPW following the fall of that promotion.

In 2000, Rob Black purchased six front row tickets for ECW's Heat Wave pay-per-view in 2000. The tickets for the show were given to a cadre of XPW talent, as their mission was to make it clear that ECW was on enemy turf. At the beginning of the main event, the XPW contingent ( The Messiah, Kid Kaos, Supreme, Kristi Myst. Security ejected the XPW group. A brawl in the parking lot then broke out between the XPW ring crew and the ECW locker room, but the XPW wrestlers were not involved. In the parking lot, several of the ECW wrestlers brutalized the XPW ring crew in a street fight until several of the ring crew members were left bloodied. Initial reports claimed that Kristi Myst somehow touched Francine and that prompted the incident, but Francine herself has since gone on record as saying that she was never grabbed or in any other way touched by any of the XPW crew, and other eyewitnesses support the story that Francine never had a hand laid on her. Although fans did throw up the XPW arm signature, XPW was not officially acknowledged on the telecast. On screen Joey Styles, ECW's color commentator, stated during the incident "apparently The Sandman has shared a few too many beers with the fans at ringside" and "apparently a drunken fan at ringside put his hands on Francine." Also you can see Francine angry on camera due to being touched by XPW member, even though years later it was revealed that none of the XPW crew touched Francine.

Shortly after the ECW Incident, XPW would have their one-year anniversary show "Go Funk Yourself" at the Los Angeles Sports Arena on July 22, 2000. The main event being XPW World Heavyweight Champion Sabu facing off against Terry Funk. The event was considered by many a high point for XPW. Unfortunately, it would be four more months until XPW would put on another show. During that time period, an attempt to bring in Japanese Deathmatch Pioneer Atsushi Onita for an exploding ring match failed.

One of the main storylines for most of 2001 concerned the heel stable known as the "Black Army". The Black Army was run by Rob Black, assisted by his wife (porn star Lizzy Borden), with their top star The Messiah and his feud with Sabu. Also, throughout most of 2001, another heel stable called the "Enterprise" emerged to eventually feud with the ''Black Army'' the following year. Originally consisting of former "Black Army" henchmen Steve Rizzono, Motivational Speaker TJ Rush, porn star Veronica Caine and G. Q. Money, the stable was completed at the Damage Inc. show when Kid Kaos won the brand new XPW Television Championship, turned his back on his uncle, Supreme, and aligned himself with the Enterprise. After this surprise heel turn, Kid Kaos dropped the "Kid" from his name and nicknamed himself "The Rock Superstar" Kaos.

For a year, April 2001 to April 2002, XPW would run shows at the legendary Los Angeles venue Grand Olympic Auditorium. Such notable events were their two-year anniversary show "Damage Inc.", a double ringed War Games style cage match "Genocide", and the infamous 40 foot scaffold match between Vic Grimes and New Jack at "Free Fall". Also many big names debuted in XPW at the time, such as The Sandman, Vampiro, Konnan, Insane Clown Posse, and Psicosis.

At XPW's three year anniversary show, "Night of Champions" in July 2002, Shane Douglas made his return to XPW as the mystery opponent of Johnny Webb, winning the XPW title. Following the match, the revelation that Douglas and Lizzy Borden were allies emerged, which would crush Rob Black to the point that Borden inherited the power of XPW. The organization then based its operations to the East Coast in Philadelphia, PA at the New Alhambra Arena. The event also saw the Third King of the Deathmatch Tournament, which got released on home video as Baptized In Blood III.

East Coast Invasion (2002–2003)

XPW debuted at the former ECW Arena on August 31, 2002, at the ''Hostile Takeover'' event, and Shane Douglas was the promotion's focal point for the rest of the year. Controversy arose when XPW signed an exclusive lease with the New Alhambra Arena, preventing other independent promotions from holding shows at the venue. As XPW continued to run on the East Coast, the risque storylines were quickly phased out, and a majority of XPW's West Coast employees were not a part of the "All-New XPW." The relocation to the East Coast also resulted in many former ECW stars passing through XPW, whether it be on a regular basis or one-night appearances.

They would eventually return to their home of Los Angeles for a few shows in early 2003. On March 8, 2003, they did a show in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, which had 1,500 in attendance, mainly due to Pittsburgh being Shane Douglas's hometown. This would be XPW's very last show. There were scheduled shows in April 2003 on The East Coast. Tickets were said to be selling very poorly prior to the event, and XPW announced they were canceling the event due to a big storm (that was in reality not, however, anywhere as big as XPW claimed it to be on their website).

In April 2003, Rob Black and Lizzy Borden were indicted on obscenity charges due to pornographic material produced by XPW's parent company, Extreme Associates. Federal agents in Pittsburgh had purchased the offending material, which depicted scenes of rape, urination, and murder. The stress of the trial took a toll on the owners of the company, and XPW could no longer be subsidized financially. In January 2005, the charges were dropped but on December 8, 2005, an appeals court revived the charges (See ''United States v. Extreme Associates''). Xtreme Entertainment Group (which later split into XEG and Big Vision Entertainment, the company of which XPW employee Kevin Kleinrock would later become Executive Vice President) purchased the XPW name and video library in 2004. Black stated "If I never got indicted I would have definitely kept the wrestling thing going."

The only XPW pay-per-view was "The Best of XPW", a compilation of highlights which aired in the Summer of 2003.

Reunions

Cold Day in Hell (2008)

An XPW reunion show called ''Cold Day in Hell'' took place on May 24, 2008, at Aviation Park in Redondo Beach, California. The event was originally going to be called Hell Freezes Over, before changing it to Cold Day in Hell.

In June 2007, the XPW rights owners, Big Vision Entertainment, worked on Wrestling Society X which featured many XPW alumni. While working on the project they came up with the idea to create a reunion show. The event was produced by Kevin Kleinrock, Mike Hartsfield and Kris Kloss. Vic Grimes was originally scheduled to be part of the event, however he later needed to drop out due to injury.

Big Vision Entertainment released it on DVD and Blu-ray in January 2009. The DVD includes the entire main event and a 45-minute pre-show.

;Preliminary matches
The show started with the first ever ''Dynamite D Tribute Battle Royal''. Carnage eventually lit the tape on his hand on fire and eliminated the final remaining competitors with a flaming clothesline. Carnage, after receiving the D Cup, gave it to Dynamite D's mother.

Prior to the second match, XPW hosted the Miss Extreme Competition, hosted by Joey Ryan. Women were competing based on skills like lap dances and beer chugging. When women began getting spanked with a barbed wire glove, Nicky, "The New York Knockout", beat up the other contestants. No official winner was declared.

Kaos and Vampiro wrestled next, which included Kaos being bodyslammed onto a fluorescent light tube. Kaos ultimately won the match, with both wrestlers backs cut and bleeding from the glass.

Prior to Angel, "The Hardcore Homo"'s match, he was presented with a birthday cake and presents for his 19th birthday. G. Q. Money was hiding among the gifts who attacked Angel with the help of Bo Cooper. Angel performed the Bronco Buster with his assless tights and then poured a bag of condoms and sex toys out. Money shot a fireball at Angel pick up the victory. Following the match, Pratt came out to help Angel.

Following the Angel/Money match, J. Love forced Leroy the Ring Crew Guy to clean up the remaining glass from the Kaos/Vampiro match. Pogo the Clown came out with a shovel and beat up both Leroy and J. Love, before being stopped by The Sandman and a Singapore cane. Sandman eventually picked up the victory after J. Love hit Pogo with a kendo stick, which distracted him enough to allow for Sandman to gain control.

Terry Funk, the special referee for the "White Trash" Johnny Webb & Raven vs. Homeless Jimmy & Concussion, announced that Sabu, who was originally in the match could not compete due to a broken vertebra in his neck. Sabu however came to the ring during the match and although was removed by security distracted Funk enough that Funk got knocked out. Raven and Webb ultimately picked up the victory after Webb gave Jimmy a DDT on top of a chair.

The Team Rev Pro vs Team XPW match was scheduled to be Team Rev Pro (Ron Rivera, Disco Machine and Joey Ryan) (with Mr. McPhenom and CW Anderson) vs. Team XPW (Jardi Frantz, Vinnie Massaro and a mystery partner). Just prior to the match, X-Pac was revealed to be the mystery partner. Team XPW ultimately lost the when Disco pinning Franz. Following the match X Pac hit the Bronco Buster on both Mr. McPhenom and Anderson.

The follow 3-way match featured Luke Hawx vs. Jack Evans vs. Scorpio Sky. Hawx ultimately picked up with victory by submission with a front face lock on Scorpio.

;Main event matches
In the first of two main event matches, The Gangstas (New Jack & Mustafa) were scheduled to take on The Westside NGZ (Chronic & B.G. Rott). B.C. Killer and Mr. California came out instead of The Gangstas, and began beating up The Westside NGZ. The Gangstas eventually came out with tons of weapons and scored a victory over The Westside NGZ. Following the match, New Jack announced that this would be his retirement match.

The final match of the meeting featured Necro Butcher (with J.R. Benson) facing Supreme for the return of the XPW King of the Deathmatch Championship. Supreme ultimately won the match and the championship after delivering back body drop to Butcher on to a fluorescent light tube.

;Results

Ten Year Anniversary Spectacular (2009)

A second XPW reunion show called ''Ten Year Anniversary Spectacular!'' nicknamed ''XPW X'' took place on August 22, 2009, in Los Angeles, at the Arena Night Club. The event took place on the same weekend as SummerSlam took place in Los Angeles. The main event featured a XPW King of the Deathmatch Championship match in which Supreme beat Angel.

;Pre-show
During the pre-show, Joey Dynamite, Ray Rosas & Oso Loco beat Clay Motley, The Rookie 88, & Lucha Machine. Then in a 6-way match Marcus Riot beat Damien Arsenick, Willie Mac, LTP, Famous B, and Chimera. Then The Stepfather and The Red-Headed Stepchild called out Sexy Chino, who was sitting ringside, before beating him up in the ring Tool ran down to make the save.

;Preliminary matches
Damien Steele, at the beginning of the show, was announced as the organization's new commissioner. When Steele entered the ring, accompanied by Nikki Jameson and Baby Slim (carrying the old XPW championship). Steele announced a tournament to crown the next champion. While Steele was announcing the matches Homeless Jimmy came down demanding a match in the tournament. Baby Slim attacked Jimmy from behind, however Jimmy ultimately won the match, by hitting a schoolboy out of the corner, and advancing in the tournament.

During the eight-person mixed tag match Team XPW (Matt Classic, White Trash Johhny Webb, Cast Iron Cothern and The Fabulous Thunderkitty) taking on Team SPW (Sacramento based promotion Supreme Pro Wrestling) (Dante, "The British Messiah" Timothy Thatcher, El Chupacabra, Dante and Christina von Eerie). Team SPW won following Dante's 450 frog splash.

Mr. McPhenom, (a character based on Vince McMahon) announced his plans to takeover XPW. McPhenom stated he would make XPW to more family friendly and sports-entertainment based. G. Q. Money was introduced as the financial-adviser to Mr. McPhenom. McPhenom told Money to bring the green, however when McPhenom realized what Money brought wasn't money but marijuana, McPhenom attacked Monday and set up a match for that in the evening. The match occurred after the iron man match, in which Money won.

Joey Ryan and Lizzy "J Love" Valentine against Monica and Vinnie Massaro met next in a 10-minute "strip iron man match" where the wrestler pinned had to remove an article of clothing. Each wrestler was pinned once, then Valentine was pinned two more times. Valentine refused to remove her top and instead brought out a body double, how removed her bra to reveal both breasts covered with a black x.

Scorpio Sky and "M-Dogg 20" Matt Cross match ended abruptly and it was announced as a time limit draw.

Luke Hawx next challenged Cross (half of the final XPW World Tag Team Championship) and Sky to a tag title match. After Sky and Cross accepted, Hawx revealed his partner to be Sky was really his partner, however after double-teaming Cross, Tool entered as Cross' new partner. Cross tapped to a guillotine choke and Hawx and Sky were declared the new XPW World Tag Team Championship.

Leroy the Ring Crew Guy was then beaten by Pogo The Clown.

;Main event matches
Carnage and Youth Suicide (accompanied by Vic Grimes) then fought in a "Burned in Hell Grudge Match" (aka a death match). Weapons were used such as a barbed-wire bat, light bulbs, a shower door, and a staple gun. Grimes eventually lit pizza cutter on fire, and using it to attack Carnage. Carnage eventually won after throwing lit flash paper at Youth Suicide.

Supreme then defended the XPW King of the Deathmatch Championship, against Angel the Hardcore Homo. Supreme dedicated the match to his father, who had died earlier that week. Angel (with Kraq and BFF Amanda), announced he would give up the "Hardcore Homo" if he didn't win. Despite the majority of the match turning into a 3-on-1 attack, with included barb wire covered tables, Supreme won the match to retain the title.

;Results

XPW/Perros del Mal show (2011)

On August 20, 2011, XPW did a joint show with Perros del Mal in Tultitlan, Mexico. The event took place at Central de Refacciones, a local junk yard.

During the show, Lolita beat Sexy Star in a stripping match. Each fall the loser must remove an article of clothing. Lolita won 2 falls to 1, and at the end Sexy Star lost her top, although she tried to cover herself up.

During the final match of the evening Damián 666, Bestia 666, Halloween, & X-Fly beat Carnage, Johnny Webb, Kaos, & Supreme. Damián got the pinfall after powerbombing Supreme onto light tubes. After the match, Damián stated that Supreme had not defended the XPW King of the Deathmatch Championship. Damián stated he was ready to retire, however he wanted one last match against Supreme, in an electrified cage match for the championship, and would then retire.

Revival (2021–present)

During the summer of 2021, Zicari announced on Instagram and Twitter he was going to relaunch XPW.

The ''XPW Rebirth'' pay-per-view streamed on FITE TV from the Main Street Armory in Rochester, New York on November 7, 2021. Eight wrestlers competed that night in a traditional single-elimination tournament for the then-vacated XPW World Heavyweight Championship, which was won by Brian Cage.

''XPW Killifornia'' took place at the Derby Room in Pomona CA on April 9, 2022 and aired live on FITE TV. In this event, sixteen wrestlers competed in Baptized in Blood, XPW's signature deathmatch tournament, for the XPW King of the Deathmatch Championship. The tournament was won by Shlak.

''XPW Beautiful Disaster'' took place on June 25, 2022 and aired live on FITE TV. An eight woman tournament was held to determine the first XPW Women's Champion. In the tournament final, Taya Valkyrie defeated Kamille Brickhouse, Ludark Shaitan and Sage Sin Supreme in a ladder match to win the title.

TV series (2000–2003, 2021–present)

From April 2000 until March 2003, XPW ran a locally televised TV show, simply known as ''XPW TV''. The show original aired on KODC-TV in Los Angeles, California, but later switched to WBGN-TV in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, with the company moving there. XPW TV would then be referred to as ''XPW Monday Nightmare'', with the television series airing on the Monday after the original air date, which was Saturday.

Toward November 2002, Kris Kloss was dropped from the announcing booth and replaced with former ECW commentator Joey Styles. Styles, however, left the company, about one month later, in December 2002.

As of 2009, the first three seasons of XPW TV have been released on DVD by Big Vision Entertainment. XPW matches have also been extras on several other Big Vision wrestling DVDs, including Forever Hardcore and the Hardcore Homecoming series. Several XPW alumni worked for Wrestling Society X, which was produced by Big Vision Entertainment.

The series was revived in 2021 with weekly episodes currently airing on FITE TV.

Championships

As of , ,
Complete championship histories are available by clicking the links in the Championship column in the table below.

* XPW World Tag Team Championship (2002–2003, 2009)
* XPW Television Championship (2001–2003)
* XPW European Championship (2003–2005)

References

External links

Official website
*

{{Professional wrestling in the United States

Independent professional wrestling promotions based in California
American independent professional wrestling promotions based in Pennsylvania
Entertainment companies established in 1999
1999 establishments in the United States