Florida Championship Wrestling

Last updated

Florida Championship Wrestling
Company type Private
Industry Professional wrestling
FoundedJune 26, 2007
Founder Steve Keirn
DefunctAugust 14, 2012
FateRelaunched into NXT
Successor NXT (WWE brand)
Headquarters Tampa, Florida, U.S.
Owner Steve Keirn

Florida Championship Wrestling (FCW) was a professional wrestling promotion based on the former National Wrestling Alliance member promotion, Championship Wrestling from Florida, which operated from 1961 until 1987. [1] From October 2007 [2] [3] to August 2012, [4] the promotion served as the official developmental territory for WWE. In August 2012, WWE re-branded Florida Championship Wrestling into NXT for their developmental territory, with storylines and championships being discontinued. [5]

Contents

In March 2020 a documentary was released on WWE Network titled A Future WWE: The FCW Story, about the professional wrestlers that came up through the FCW system. [6]

History

The promotion was started by Steve Keirn in 2007 [7] and became WWE's second developmental territory when they ended their relationship with the Georgia-based Deep South Wrestling in April 2007. [8] It became their sole developmental territory in early 2008 when they ceased affiliation with Ohio Valley Wrestling. [3]

FCW's first logo (2007-2008) FCWLogo.jpg
FCW's first logo (2007–2008)

FCW's debut show was on June 26, 2007 at Tampa, Florida's Dallas Bull. A 21-man Battle Royal was held during the show, to crown the first ever FCW Southern Heavyweight Champion. [9] The next year, the Florida Heavyweight Championship was introduced, [10] with Jake Hager becoming the first champion at a February 15 show after surviving a Battle Royal and defeating Ted DiBiase, Jr. [11] The Florida Tag Team Championship was also introduced in February, with the Puerto Rican Nightmares (Eddie Colón and Eric Pérez) beating Steven Lewington and Heath Miller to win it in the finals of a one night tournament. [12] The singles titles were later unified, keeping the "Florida Heavyweight" name and championship. [13]

On July 7, 2008, WWE confirmed that FCW was based on the original independent Championship Wrestling from Florida promotion, which operated from 1961 until 1987. [1] The program's ending consisted of various clips from the ending of CWF's programs, featuring Gordon Solie's classic sign-off line "So long from the Sunshine State", accompanied by Solie winking one of his eyes and waving two fingers upward.

On July 17, 2008, the FCW Arena was officially opened, [14] and included a taping of the debut episode of FCW TV . [15]

On March 20, 2012, it was reported that WWE would cease operation at Florida Championship Wrestling; however, this statement was later refuted after Steve Keirn denied the claim. [16] WWE Executive Vice President of Talent and Live Events, Triple H, stated WWE will be ramping up their development system, not shutting it down. [17]

In August 2012, WWE dropped the FCW name, deactivated the titles, and began running all of its developmental events and operations under the "NXT Wrestling" banner. WWE had been using the NXT name for a television program featuring rookies from FCW competing to become WWE main roster wrestlers, though the reality television aspects of the show had been dropped earlier in 2012; WWE NXT now serves as the primary television program for the NXT Wrestling promotion. [5]

Championships and accomplishments

FCW
ChampionshipNotes
FCW Florida Heavyweight Championship Contested for in their heavyweight division
FCW Southern Heavyweight Championship Retired after being unified with the FCW Florida Heavyweight Championship
FCW Jack Brisco 15 Championship Contested in 15-minute Iron Man matches
FCW Florida Tag Team Championship Contested for in the tag team division
FCW Divas Championship Contested for in the women's division
Queen of FCW A crown was held by the title holder, rather than a championship belt that is primarily used in professional wrestling.

Notable alumni

Alberto Del Rio Alberto Del Rio 2010 Tribute to the Troops.jpg
Alberto Del Rio
Dean Ambrose Dean Ambrose NXT.JPG
Dean Ambrose
Kofi Kingston Kofi Kingston Rosemont IL 031108.jpg
Kofi Kingston
Sheamus *Sheamus Tribute to the Troops 2010 (1).jpg
Sheamus
Wade Barrett Wade Barrett 2010 Tribute to the Troops.jpg
Wade Barrett

The following is a list of notable FCW alumni that were called to the main roster of WWE.

Ring nameReal name
AJ Lee April Mendez [18]
Aksana Živilė Raudonienė [19]
Alberto Del Rio José Rodríguez [20]
Alex Riley Kevin Kiley Jr. [21]
Alicia Fox Victoria Crawford [22]
Brad Maddox Tyler Kluttz [23]
Bray Wyatt Windham Rotunda [24]
Brie Bella Brianna Danielson [25]
Brodus Clay George Murdoch [26]
Big E Ettore Ewen [27]
Cameron Ariane Andrew [28]
Cesaro Claudio Castagnoli [29]
Curt Hawkins Brian Myers [30]
Curtis Axel Joseph Hennig [31]
Damien Sandow Aron Haddad [32]
Daniel Bryan Bryan Danielson [33]
Darren Young Frederick Rosser III [34]
David Otunga David Otunga Sr. [35]
Dean Ambrose Jonathan Good [36]
Dolph Ziggler Nicholas Nemeth [37]
Drew McIntyre Andrew Galloway [38]
Epico Orlando Colón [39]
Evan Bourne Matthew Korklan [40]
Ezekiel Jackson Rycklon Stephens [41]
Fandango Curtis Hussey [42]
Heath Slater Heath Miller [43]
Jack Swagger Donald Hager Jr. [44]
Jason Jordan Nathan Everhart
Jey Uso Joshua Fatu [45]
Jimmy Uso Jonathan Fatu [46]
Jinder Mahal Yuvraj Dhesi [47]
Justin Gabriel Paul Lloyd Jr. [48]
Kaitlyn Celeste Bonin [49]
Kofi Kingston Kofi Sarkodie-Mensah [50]
Maryse Maryse Ouellet
Michael Tarver Tyrone Evans
Naomi Trinity Fatu [51]
Natalya Natalie Neidhart [52]
Nikki Bella Stephanie Garcia-Colace [53]
Paige Saraya-Jade Bevis [54]
Primo Colón Edwin Colón [55]
Ricardo Rodriguez Jesús Rodríguez [56]
Richie Steamboat Richard Blood Jr. [57]
Roman Reigns Leati Anoaʻi [58]
Rosa Mendes Milena Roucka [59]
Rusev Miroslav Barnyashev
Ryback Ryback Reeves [60]
Serena Deeb Serena Deeb
Seth Rollins Colby Lopez [61]
Sin Cara Jorge Arias [62]
Sheamus Stephen Farrelly [63]
Summer Rae Danielle Moinet
Tamina Snuka Sarona Snuka-Polamalu [64]
Ted DiBiase Jr. Theodore DiBiase Jr. [65]
Titus O'Neil Thaddeus Bullard Sr. [66]
Tiffany Taryn Terrell
Tonga Loa Tevita Fifita [67]
Tyler Reks Gabbi Tuft [68]
Tyler Breeze Mattias Clement
Tyson Kidd Theodore Wilson [69]
Wade Barrett Stuart Bennett [70]
Yoshi Tatsu Naofumi Yamamoto [71]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Caylen Croft</span> American retired professional wrestler

Kris Pavone is an American retired professional wrestler. He is best known for his time in World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), where he wrestled under the ring name Caylen Croft. He was one half of the DudeBusters tag team with Trent Barreta.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Championship Wrestling from Florida</span> American professional wrestling promotion

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 Florida Championship Wrestling. When Mike Graham tried a return to promoting, the rights to the name had been acquired by an outside party, forcing him to use another name, Florida Championship Wrestling.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Steve Keirn</span> American professional wrestler

Stephen Paul Keirn is an American retired professional wrestler. He is best known for his appearances in multiple National Wrestling Alliance territories as Steve Keirn as one-half of the tag team The Fabulous Ones, as well as his appearances with the World Wrestling Federation under the ring name Skinner.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Joel Redman</span> English professional wrestler (born 1987)

Joel Pettyfer, is an English professional wrestler, better known by his ring name Joel Redman. Pettyfer is best known for his work on the independent circuit in the United Kingdom, where he is a former Unified British Tag Team Champion alongside Mark Haskins in International Pro Wrestling: United Kingdom and Real Quality Wrestling and was a regular competitor in the Frontier Wrestling Alliance. He is also known for working in WWE's developmental territory NXT under the ring name Oliver Grey, where he was one half of the inaugural NXT Tag Team Champions along with Adrian Neville, often collectively known as British Ambition.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">FCW Florida Heavyweight Championship</span> Professional wrestling championship

The FCW Florida Heavyweight Championship was a professional wrestling heavyweight championship owned and promoted by Florida Championship Wrestling (FCW), a former developmental territory of WWE. It is contested for in their heavyweight division. The championship was created and debuted on February 15, 2008, at a FCW house show.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">FCW Florida Tag Team Championship</span> Professional wrestling tag team championship

The FCW Florida Tag Team Championship was a professional wrestling tag team championship owned and promoted by Florida Championship Wrestling, (FCW), a former developmental territory of WWE. It was contested for in their tag team division. The championship was created and debuted on February 23, 2008 at a FCW house show.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Konnor (wrestler)</span> American professional wrestler

Ryan Parmeter is an American professional wrestler, currently appearing for Total Nonstop Action (TNA) Wrestling, where he performs under the ring name Kon. He is best known for his work in WWE, where he wrestled under the ring name Konnor. He was part of the fourth season of NXT, and earned fourth place on the show's fifth season, NXT Redemption.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gabbi Tuft</span> American professional wrestler

Gabbi Alon Tuft is an American TikToker and retired professional wrestler. Tuft is best known for her time with WWE under the ring name Tyler Reks. Tuft also competed in WWE's developmental territory Florida Championship Wrestling (FCW), where she won the FCW Florida Heavyweight Championship once and the FCW Florida Tag Team Championship twice, once with Joe Hennig and once with Johnny Curtis.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bo Dallas</span> American professional wrestler (born 1990)

Taylor Michael Rotunda is an American professional wrestler. As of December 2022, he is signed to WWE where he currently performs on the Raw brand under the ring names Bo Dallas and his alter ego Uncle Howdy and is the leader of The Wyatt Sicks faction. Rotunda is a third-generation professional wrestler; his grandfather Blackjack Mulligan, his father Mike Rotunda, his uncles Barry and Kendall Windham, and his brother Windham were professional wrestlers.

Stephen Philip Favata is an American professional wrestler, known by his ringname "Modern Miracle" Steve Madison, who competes in Southeastern independent promotions including AWA World-1 South, Full Impact Pro, Future of Wrestling, NWA Florida and Dusty Rhodes' Turnbuckle Championship Wrestling. While in NWA Florida, he was part of the heel stable 911 Incorporated with Ron Niemi, Rod Steel, Eric Loy and The Shane Twins. He was also a member of The Young, Rich & Ready with Chasyn Rance and Kenny King.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Viktor (wrestler)</span> Canadian professional wrestler

Eric Thompson is a Canadian professional wrestler currently making appearances for the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA), under the ring name Zyon. He is best known for his time with WWE under the ring name Viktor.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lucky Cannon</span> American professional wrestler

Jonathon David Emminger is an American retired professional wrestler, better known by his ring names Johnny Prime and Lucky Cannon. He is best known for his appearances for WWE, where he performed on the second and fifth seasons of NXT, while also working in the promotion's developmental territory Florida Championship Wrestling (FCW), where he held the FCW Florida Heavyweight Championship.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mason Ryan</span> Welsh actor and former professional wrestler

Barri Griffiths is a Welsh stunt performer, actor, and former professional wrestler. He is best known for his time with WWE, where he performed under the ring name Mason Ryan from 2009 to 2014. He joined Cirque du Soleil in 2016.

Christina Crawford is an American cheerleader, dancer, and retired ring announcer and professional wrestler. She is best known for time in WWE, under the ring name Caylee Turner. She is the younger sister of professional wrestler Alicia Fox.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shaul Guerrero</span> American professional wrestler

Shaul Marie Guerrero is an American burlesque performer and retired professional wrestler and ring announcer. She is best known for her time with World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), where she performed under the ring name Raquel Diaz. As a burlesque dancer she often performs under the stage name Miss Nyxon.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Richie Steamboat</span> American professional wrestler

Richard Henry Blood Jr. is an American retired professional wrestler, better known by his ring name Richie Steamboat. He is known for wrestling in WWE's developmental territories Florida Championship Wrestling and NXT, and was the second FCW Grand Slam Champion having won the Florida Heavyweight Championship, Florida Tag Team Championship, and Jack Brisco 15 Championship.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Adam Rose</span> South African professional wrestler

Raymond John Leppan is a South African retired professional wrestler. He is best known for his time in WWE under the ring name Adam Rose.

Jesse Allen White is an American retired professional wrestler and former football player. During his time in WWE's developmental territories, he wrestled as Jake Carter. He is a second generation professional wrestler; his father, Leon White, competed in professional wrestling as Big Van Vader. He is also a former college football player, having played college football for the University of Oklahoma before retiring due to injuries.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Audrey Marie</span> American professional wrestler

Ashley Nicole Miller is an American retired professional wrestler and model. She is best known for her time with WWE in their developmental territory NXT under the ring name Audrey Marie.

FCW was a professional wrestling television program for Florida Championship Wrestling, WWE's developmental territory. It debuted on October 5, 2008 on Bright House Sports Network in Tampa Bay and Central Florida and ran for close to four years until it aired its final episode on July 15, 2012. Its concept was merged with WWE NXT, where developmental wrestlers were previously appearing, in its sixth season.

References

  1. 1 2 "Florida Championship Wrestling unveils new arena in Tampa, Fla". WWE. July 7, 2008. Retrieved July 8, 2008. From the birth of the promotion in the 1960s, until 1987, "Florida Championship Wrestling" was regarded as one of the premier wrestling territories in the country...Florida Championship Wrestling is now an official developmental territory of World Wrestling Entertainment. FCW and the WWE are proud to bring back Florida Championship Wrestling.
  2. ↑ "About page". Florida Championship Wrestling. Archived from the original on October 13, 2007. Retrieved October 24, 2007.
  3. 1 2 "WWE Ceases affiliation with Ohio Valley Wrestling". WWE. February 6, 2008. Archived from the original on February 10, 2008. Retrieved February 6, 2008.
  4. ↑ "About Us". Florida Championship Wrestling. Archived from the original on August 5, 2012. Retrieved April 11, 2011.
  5. 1 2 "WWE News: FCW name being phased out". Wrestling Observer. Retrieved August 14, 2012.
  6. ↑ "411MANIA". 411’s A Future WWE: The FCW Story Report. Retrieved March 13, 2020.
  7. ↑ Fox, Geoff (September 8, 2007). "Area Wrestling Will Continue Under A New State Banner". The Tampa Tribune . Archived from the original on December 20, 2008. Retrieved April 2, 2018.
  8. ↑ "WWE ends relationship with DSW". WWE. Retrieved October 24, 2007.
  9. ↑ "FCW 2007 results". Online World of Wrestling. Retrieved October 24, 2007.
  10. ↑ Wojcik, Alan J. "Results from Florida on 2/5". Online World of Wrestling. Archived from the original on December 21, 2008. Retrieved April 6, 2008.
  11. ↑ Wojcik, Alan J. "Results from Tampa on 2/15". Online World of Wrestling. Archived from the original on December 21, 2008. Retrieved April 6, 2008.
  12. ↑ Wojcik, Alan J. "Results from Florida on 2/23". Online World of Wrestling. Archived from the original on May 28, 2009. Retrieved April 6, 2008.
  13. ↑ "FCW Southern Heavyweight Title". Wrestling-Titles. Archived from the original on February 26, 2008. Retrieved April 6, 2008.
  14. ↑ "FCW New Arena Debut Photo Gallery: July 17, 2008". WWE. Retrieved May 29, 2019.
  15. ↑ "Florida Championship Wrestling debuts new arena, Web site & TV studio". WWE. Retrieved May 29, 2019.
  16. ↑ Gray, Richard. "Breaking News – Steve Keirn Says There Is "No Truth" To FCW Shutting Down Rumor". Wrestling World News. Retrieved March 20, 2012.
  17. ↑ "WWE EVP Triple H refutes false reports of FCW's closing". WWE. Retrieved May 29, 2019.
  18. ↑ "April Jeanette". IMDB. Retrieved March 21, 2011.
  19. ↑ "Živilė Raudonienė". Genickbruch.com. Retrieved March 21, 2010.
  20. ↑ "Alberto Rodríguez". Gerweck.net. Retrieved October 4, 2010.
  21. ↑ "Kevin Kiley". gerweck.net. Retrieved June 26, 2013.
  22. ↑ "Victoria Crawford". gerweck.net. Retrieved June 26, 2013.
  23. ↑ "Brad Maddox". Gerweck.net. Retrieved June 26, 2013.
  24. ↑ "Bray Wyatt". Gerweck.net. Retrieved August 22, 2021.
  25. ↑ "Brie Bella". Gerweck.net. Retrieved June 26, 2013.
  26. ↑ "George Murdoch". Gerweck.net. Retrieved June 26, 2013.
  27. ↑ "Big E. Langston". Gerweck.net. Retrieved June 26, 2013.
  28. ↑ "Ariane Andrew". Genickbruch.com. Retrieved May 7, 2012.
  29. ↑ "Antonio Cesaro". gerweck.net. Retrieved June 26, 2013.
  30. ↑ "Bryan Myers". gerweck.net. Retrieved June 26, 2013.
  31. ↑ "Joseph Hennig". gerweck.net. Retrieved June 26, 2013.
  32. ↑ "Aaron Haddad". gerweck.net. Retrieved June 26, 2013.
  33. ↑ "Bryan Danielson". gerweck.net. Retrieved June 26, 2013.
  34. ↑ "Darren Young". Gerweck.net. Retrieved June 26, 2013.
  35. ↑ "David Otunga". gerweck.net. Retrieved June 26, 2013.
  36. ↑ "Jon Moxley". Gerweck.net. Retrieved June 26, 2013.
  37. ↑ "Nicholas Nemeth". gerweck.net. Retrieved June 26, 2013.
  38. ↑ "Drew Galloway". gerweck.net. Retrieved June 26, 2013.
  39. ↑ "Orlando Colón". gerweck.net. Retrieved June 26, 2013.
  40. ↑ "Matthew Korklan". gerweck.net. Retrieved June 26, 2013.
  41. ↑ "Ryklon Stephens". gerweck.net. Retrieved June 26, 2013.
  42. ↑ "Fandango". Gerweck.net. Retrieved June 26, 2013.
  43. ↑ "Heath Miller". gerweck.net. Retrieved June 26, 2013.
  44. ↑ "Jacob Hager". gerweck.net. Retrieved June 26, 2013.
  45. ↑ "Joshua Fatu". gerweck.net. Retrieved June 26, 2013.
  46. ↑ "Jonathon Fatu". gerweck.net. Retrieved June 26, 2013.
  47. ↑ "Yuvraj Dhesi". gerweck.net. Retrieved June 26, 2013.
  48. ↑ "Paul Lloyd, Jr". gerweck.net. Retrieved June 26, 2013.
  49. ↑ "Celeste Bonin". Gerweck.net. Retrieved September 9, 2010.
  50. ↑ "Kofi Sarkodie-Mensah". gerweck.net. Retrieved June 26, 2013.
  51. ↑ "Trinity McCray". Online World of Wrestling. Retrieved March 21, 2010.
  52. ↑ "Natalie Neidhart". gerweck.net. Retrieved June 26, 2013.
  53. ↑ Cruickshank, Jamie (November 1, 2016). "Nikki Bella". Gerweck.net. Archived from the original on November 23, 2022. Retrieved June 26, 2013.
  54. ↑ "Saraya-Jade Bevis". gerweck.net. Retrieved April 21, 2014.
  55. ↑ "Edwin Colón". gerweck.net. Retrieved June 26, 2013.
  56. ↑ "Jesús Rodríguez". Genickbruch.com. Retrieved August 31, 2010.
  57. ↑ "Richard Blood Jr". Onlineworldofwrestling.com. Retrieved March 16, 2015.
  58. ↑ Cruickshank, Jamie (January 12, 2013). "Roman Reigns". Gerweck.net. Archived from the original on May 23, 2022. Retrieved June 26, 2013.
  59. ↑ "Milena Roucka". gerweck.net. Retrieved June 26, 2013.
  60. ↑ "Ryan Reeves". gerweck.net. Retrieved June 26, 2013.
  61. ↑ "Tyler Black". Gerweck.net. Retrieved June 26, 2013.
  62. ↑ "Jorge Arias". gerweck.net. Retrieved June 26, 2013.
  63. ↑ "Stephen Farrelly". gerweck.net. Retrieved June 26, 2013.
  64. ↑ "Sarona Reiher". gerweck.net. Retrieved June 26, 2013.
  65. ↑ "Theodore DiBiase, Jr". gerweck.net. Retrieved June 26, 2013.
  66. ↑ "Thaddeus Bullard". gerweck.net. Retrieved June 26, 2013.
  67. ↑ "Camacho". Gerweck.net. Retrieved June 26, 2013.
  68. ↑ "Gabriel Tuft". gerweck.net. Retrieved June 26, 2013.
  69. ↑ "Theodore Wilson". Gerweck.net. Retrieved April 27, 2012.
  70. ↑ "Stuart Bennett". Gerweck.net. Retrieved March 21, 2012.
  71. ↑ "Naofumi Yamamoto". gerweck.net. Retrieved June 26, 2013.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.