World Wrestling Council
 | |
| Headquarters | Puerto Rico |
|---|---|
| Founder(s) |
Carlos Colón, Sr. Victor Jovica Gorilla Monsoon |
| Owner(s) |
Victor Jovica Carlos Colón, Sr. |
| Formerly | Capitol Sports Promotions |
The World Wrestling Council (WWC) is Puerto Rico's main professional wrestling promotion.
History
Capitol Sports Promotions
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Capitol Sports Promotions, with Carlos Colón, Victor Jovica and Gorilla Monsoon as promoters/co-owners of the organization, was a member of the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) until late 1988, when Gorilla Monsoon left. The company then went bankrupt (as confirmed by Victor Quiñones in an interview with prwrestling.com). Following this, Thomas Collado became the owner in 1976, before Carlos Colon and Victor Jovica.
Capitol Sports Promotions gained fame in Puerto Rican homes soon after their TV show, Super Estrellas de la Lucha Libre, went on-air every weekend on channel 4, WAPA-TV. The taped show is still aired on weekends (both Saturday and Sunday for two hours until March 2008 when it was reduced to one hour on both Saturdays and Sundays due to declining ratings). From 1973 to 1980 it aired on channel 11 ( "Telecadena Perez Perry", then on "Teleonce" after the before mentioned went off the air), on channel 7 on Sunday evenings at 6pm and on "Telemundo" on Saturday mornings at 10am.
Capitol Sports Promotions began touring all over the island, and with the golden era of boxing in Puerto Rico limited only to Ponce and the metropolitan area of Puerto Rico, Capitol Sports Promotions took their shows to many, inner country towns where people were not used to seeing live in-ring sports events. As a result, Capitol's shows usually filled the smaller town arenas.
Early stars, apart from Colon, included Barrabas, El Tigre Perez, Hugo Savinovich, Gorilla Monsoon, Huracan Castillo and others. Famous wrestling tag-teams included Los Super Medicos, Los Invaders and others.
Many American stars came to Puerto Rico to wrestle for Capitol Sports Promotions during the late 1970s and early 1980s. Such were the cases of Randy Savage, Ric Flair, Bruiser Brody, Dory Funk, Jr., Dutch Mantell and others.
In 1983, Rickin Sanchez had taken over as Capitol's main promoter, as well as becoming one of the organization's broadcasters on the television shows. He was joined by the already retired Savinovich, to form one of Puerto Rico's most famous broadcasting duos in history, which complemented the narrations of the matches by Joaquin Padin JR. Some time later, Rickin Sanchez (and his production company R & F Television) left the production of "Super Estrellas" due to some disagreements with the ownership of WWC after these events Hugo Savinovich became the main host of the programs.
World Wrestling Council
By the mid 1990s, the organization changed its official name to World Wrestling Council. Women also began to have an ever increasing presence in the organization during that decade.
With the turn of the century came some changes that almost destroyed the franchise. A small promotion called International Wrestling Association, promoted by Victor Quinones, became WWC's biggest competitor when it made an alliance with wrestling giant WWF which in turn brought American superstars to IWA.Ray Gonzales resigned because he hadn't been paid for 6 months which resulted in him joining rival IWA.
Since then Puerto Rican wrestling talent has jumped from the WWC to the IWA and vice versa. During the summer of 2003, Carly Colón ("Carlito") signed with WWE.
In an interview, Quiñones said that from 2002-2005 the almost bankrupt WWC borrowed money from him to help pay debts.
2007
On June 24, WWC held an event called Noche de Campeones (Night of Champions) on which WWC former Tag Team Champions Thunder and Lightning made a comeback. They feuded La Amenaza de la Destrucción (Menace of Destruction), formed by La Amenaza Bryan and Black Pain, both of them former Universal Heavyweight Champions. IWA official booker and TNA Spanish commentator Hector Melendez signed a contract with WWC to perform similar tasks.
On July 13 the company celebrated their 34th Anniversary, taking place in Coliseo de Puerto Rico. The main event was Carlito Caribbean Cool vs Scott Hall, because Scott Hall had said in interviews that Carlito is just a "Mini Razor". This event also included the Bruiser Brody Cup, whose winner would win the cup and get a shot for any title. The winners were Cuban Connection Ricky Santana and Fidel Sierra but a new tag team called Legion of Armageddon appeared and won the match and a shot for the Tag Team Championships. El Profe made his comeback to WWC and became the manager of this tag team.
Following Aniversario, several wrestlers debuted in WWC and formed a stable of masked wrestlers called Encapuchados, formed by Biggie, Jeffrey and later joined by Stefano and Niche. Joe Bravo also signed with WWC and appeared on an event called Guerra en el Norte (War in North) celebrated at Vega Baja. At this moment, WWC has good relationships with wrestling companies in Japan and the United States. Carlos Colon was in conversations with WWE executives in order to evaluate the possibility of WWC once again becoming a WWE developmental territory.
2008
During the holiday recess a group of personnel were either released or renounced, among them several wrestlers that were holding championships. Among them are Biggie Size, Television Champion "Superstar" Ash Rubinsky, booker and announcer Moody Melendez (he quit, and after February 17, 2008 will work for AAA), Jumpin' Jeff Jeffrey and Xtefy, La Morena, Amazona and heel group " Los Templarios", on January 6, 2008. WWC also held an event called Euphoria on the José Miguel Agrelot Coliseum on the same date. None of the wrestlers showed up on the WWC event, but later some of them showed up at IWA's event, seeing the Universal Champion come out to challenge IWA's Champion at the time, Blitz, for a "unification bout" (this "unification bout" was not recognized by WWC, But the NWA recognized the unification). On one instance during the show, the now former Universal Champion came out to the public with the belt until representatives from WWC came out to retrieve the belt in the middle of the show, under the criticism of IWA officials.
The day after, Carlos Colon spoke in an interview with local newspaper Primera Hora about the situation with the Universal Championship belt. He challenged IWA officials to surrender the belt or face legal action. This threat vanished as IWA surrendered the belt the following day.
In February, on an event called "La Hora De La Verdad", a tournament to choose two new contenders began, that would wrestle in Aniversario 2008 to crown a new Universal Heavyweight Champion. In April 2008, Ray Gonzalez, who was wrestling in IWA returned to WWC under a mask, naming himself "El Cóndor". Gonzalez asked for a chance to compete in the tournament, eventually receiving permission.
On July 19, at Aniversario 2008, the final of the tournament to determine a new Universal champion was won by Noriega. After 36 days with the title, he left the company while still the champion, signing a contract with a promotion named EWO.[1]
On September 20, in the event Septiembre Negro, Ray Gonzalez beat Shane Sewell to win the vacant WWC Universal Heavyweight Championship.
2009
On February 7, Steve Corino beat Ray Gonzalez to become the new Universal Champion in Naguabo, Puerto Rico.
On March 7 in Bayamón, Puerto Rico WWC make the event "La Hora de la Verdad" (The Hour of the Truth) and in that event 3 championships change hands. One of the championships was the reinstated WWC World Junior Heavyweight Championship and it was wrestled in a X natch where the competitors were Ricky Reyes, Los aerios Carlitos and Hiram Tua, Johnny Styles, Angel and Tommy Diablo. Ricky Reyes won the match in a controversial way when the referee was knocked out and Hiram Tua took the belt to become champion. Reyes knocked Tua out and he go with the belt to the referee and he declared him the winner and New Champion.[2]
Currently The Universal Heavyweight Championship was declared vacant because in the event summer madness in the match of BJ and Noriega in a match that would unified both old and new WWC Universal Championships because of many confrontations in the match, they striped both belts from Noriega and BJ. On September 26, in Bayamón, Puerto Rico Noriega Beat BJ to become the first ever WWC Unified Universal Heavyweight Champion. His championship reign lasted 1 day because on September 27, in Aguadilla, Puerto Rico Noriega lost the belt in a four way dance to Shane Sewell. In the four way match the participants where: BJ, Noriega, Shane Sewell and Orlando Colon.
2010
On January 16, Ray Gonzalez Defeated Ricky Banderas and Carlito in a triple threat match to win the cup of the decade in a controversial way. Banderas challenges Gonzalez for a match for the cup the week after and Ricky Banderas defeated Ray Gonzalez to officially win the cup of the decade.[3][4]
On April 3, Hugo Savinovich announce the first match for this year's Anniversary and it's Ricky Banderas vs Carlito.[5]
Several weeks later, this match was suspended due to Carlito's release from WWE and an injury suffered by Ricky Banderas in Mexico. WWC Anniversary Main Event was a "Three Faces of Death Match" in which Carlito would fight three unknown wrestlers in the same night. Those wrestlers were Orlando Colon (defeated by DQ), then Booker T lost to Carlito due to Ricky Banderas appearance betraying Carlito and becoming the "mysterious third man". Hugo Savinovich was booked to be part of this match supporting Carlito, receiving an impact by chair from Ricky Banderas.
2011
On January 8, 2011, Ricky Banderas defeated Carlito for the Universal Heavyweight Championship.[6] Later that same month Thunder and Lightning jumped back to IWA.[7]
Roster
Heavyweight wrestlers
| Ring name | Notes |
|---|---|
| Angel Fashion | WWC Puerto Rico Heavyweight Champion |
| Apollo | |
| Carlito Carribean Cool | WWC Universal Heavyweight Champion |
| Chicano | |
| Diabolico | |
| Joe Bravo | |
| La Revolución | A masked trio whose members are not identified. |
| Los Espantos | a masked tag team whose members are not identified |
| Mike Mendoza | WWC World Tag Team Champion |
| Mighty Ursus | |
| Thunder & Lightning | Tag Team |
| Miguel Perez | |
| Mr. 450 | |
| Ray González | Occasional wrestler, semi-retired |
| Xix Xavant | |
Junior Heavyweight wrestlers
| Ring name | Notes |
|---|---|
| Angel Cotto | WWC Junior Heavyweight Champion |
| Apollo, Jr | |
| JC Navarro | Occasional wrestler |
| Kriz The Chosen | |
| Mr Revolution Morgan | |
| OT Fernandez | Occasional wrestler |
| Peter The Bad Romance | |
| Rey Gonzalez Jr | |
| Rikochet | |
| Tommy Diablo |
Females
| Ring name | Notes |
|---|---|
| Amazona | |
| Black Rose | Occasional wrestler |
| Havana | Apollo occasional vallet/manager |
| La Capitana | |
| Roxy | |
| Vanilla Vargas | Angel Fashion Vallet/Manager/ Occasional wrestler |
Others
| Ring name | Notes |
|---|---|
| Chicky Starr | Occasional wrestler / Manager |
| El Bronco | Occasional wrestler |
| El Wizard | Color commentator |
| Juan Manuel Ortega | Manager Of Mighty Ursus & Wiliam De La Vega |
| Noriega | Occasional wrestler. |
| Orlando Toledo | Manager of "La Revolucion" |
| Primo | Occasional wrestler Now under contract to WWE |
| Ricardo Rodriguez | Occasional wrestler |
| Epico | Occasional wrestler Now under contract to WWE |
| Willie Urbina | Top commentator |
Referees
| Ring name | Notes |
|---|---|
| Cesar Artache | |
| Javier Torres | |
| Pelayito Vazquez | Also occasional wrestler |
| Francisco |
Annual events
| Event name | Last held |
|---|---|
| Euphoria | January 9, 2016[8] |
| La Hora de la Verdad | February 27, 2016[9] |
| Camino a la Gloria | March 26, 2016[10] |
| Summer Madness | June 27, 2015[11] |
| Noche de Campeones | August 1, 2015[12] |
| El Gran Conflicto | August 15, 2015[13] |
| Aniversario | September 26, 2015[14] |
| Lockout | December 5, 2015 |
Championships
Current
| Championship: | Current champion(s): | Held since: |
|---|---|---|
| WWC Universal Heavyweight Championship | Carlito | March 6, 2016 |
| WWC Puerto Rico Championship | Angel Fashion | January 23, 2016 |
| WWC World Tag Team Championship | El Cuervo & Mike Mendoza | March 6, 2016 |
| WWC Junior Heavyweight Championship | Angel Cotto | March 6, 2016 |
Defunct and inactive
| Championship: | Final champion(s): | Date won: | Notes: |
|---|---|---|---|
| WWC Caribbean Tag Team Championship | The Latin Connection (Ray Gonzalez and Ricky Santana) |
September 28, 1991 | Abandoned December 2, 1991 |
| WWC Dominican Republic Heavyweight Championship | El Bronco | September 22, 2001 | Abandoned on 2001 |
| WWC Hardcore Championship | Sabu | December 2003 | Abandoned on 2003 |
| WWC Intercontinental Heavyweight Championship | Pierroth, Jr. | April 3, 1999 | Abandoned December 13, 1999 |
| WWC North American Heavyweight Championship | Manny Fernandez | September 1991 | Abandoned on october 1991 |
| NWA North American Tag Team Championship (Puerto Rico/WWC version) | The Hunters (Bob Brown and Dale Veasey) |
June 20, 1987 | Abandoned on November 1987 |
| Trinidad & Tobago Heavyweight Championship | Ray Apollon | December 1981 | Abandoned on 1982 (When TTWA breaks affiliation with WWC)[15] |
| Trinidad & Tobago Tag Team Championship | Gama Singh & Victor Jovica | May 1982 | Abandoned on 1982 (When TTWA breaks affiliation with WWC)[16] |
| WWC Latin American Heavyweight Championship | El Bronco | February 1990 | Abandoned on June 1990 (This title was created for a interpromotional show on Dominican Republic with DWF vs WWC was billed to Huracan Castillo and then lost against Bronco on DR)[17] |
| WWC Television Championship | Chris Joel | May 10, 2008 | Abandoned on July 11, 2008 |
| WWC Women's Championship | La Morena | February 5, 2011 | Abandoned on february 25, 2011 |
| WWC Caribbean Heavyweight Championship | El Sensacional Carlitos | March 17, 2012 | Abandoned on May 1, 2012 |
See also
References
- ↑ "Oficial la "Rebeldia"" (in Spanish). Wrestleevent Entertainment. 2008-08-27. Retrieved 2008-08-27.
- ↑ http://www.forowwc.com/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=5448&sid=3709ae705e30c4942babe2dcf87339ea
- ↑ http://superluchas.net/2010/01/16/resultados-euphoria-2010-ray-gonzalez-gana-la-copa-luchador-de-la-decada-chicano-bryan-se-coronan-campeones-de-pareja-orlando-colon-vence-a-primo-colon-%E2%80%9Cel-fenomeno%E2%80%9D-se-coron/
- ↑ http://www.superestrellaswwc.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=138:wwc&catid=15:anuncios&Itemid=80
- ↑ http://www.forowwc.com/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=6762
- ↑ Piñeiro, Anthony (2011-01-09). "Resultados: Euphoria 2011 – Mesías se corona Campeón Universal- Mascarita Dorada vence a Pierrothito- MVP en Puerto Rico – Shane the Glamour Boy regresa a WWC…" (in Spanish). SuperLuchas Magazine. Retrieved 2011-01-23.
- ↑ Meltzer, Dave (2011-01-22). "Sat. update: Angle rushed home from European tour, fiance labor induced, Team RKO put back together". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Retrieved 2011-01-23.
- ↑ "WWC se complace en presentar el súper... - WWC (Página oficial). | Facebook". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 2016-03-25.
- ↑ "Compartelo con tus 'friends'. WWC se... - WWC (Página oficial). | Facebook". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 2016-03-25.
- ↑ "'Dale share'. WWC se complace en... - WWC (Página oficial). | Facebook". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 2016-03-25.
- ↑ "RESULTADOS SUMMER MADNESS CAGUAS 6/27". prwrestling.com. Retrieved 2015-08-22.
- ↑ "RESULTADOS WWC NOCHE DE CAMPEONES 8/1". prwrestling.com. Retrieved 2015-08-22.
- ↑ "RESULTADOS WWC EL GRAN CONFLICTO EN BAYAMON 8/15". prwrestling.com. Retrieved 2015-08-22.
- ↑ "WWC (Página oficial). | Facebook". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 2015-08-22.
- ↑ http://www.wrestling-titles.com/tri/tri-h.html
- ↑ http://www.wrestling-titles.com/tri/tri-t.html
- ↑ Ramón Álvarez (wrestler)
Interview in Spanish http://www.prwrestling.com/entrevistas/vq.html