International Wrestling Federation

Last updated
International Wrestling Federation
AcronymIWF
Founded1979 [1]
Defunct1996
Headquarters Reading, Massachusetts
Burlington, Vermont [1]
Founder(s) Killer Kowalski [1]
Owner(s)Killer Kowalski (1979–1996)

The International Wrestling Federation (IWF, also known as Killer Kowalski's All-Stars) was a professional wrestling promotion that held events in the New England area of the United States from 1979 to 1996, when it was run by Killer Kowalski. [2] [3] The promotion was based in Reading, Massachusetts, with offices in Burlington, Vermont. [1] It operated in conjunction with Kowalski's wrestling school in Malden, Massachusetts. [4]

Contents

History and overview

Formation

The International Wrestling Federation was formed in 1979 by Killer Kowalski two years after starting his wrestling school, the Killer Kowalski Institute for Professional Wrestling, in Malden, Massachusetts. According to former student John Callahan, Kowalski decided to form his own group after an argument with Angelo Savoldi at the Boston Garden. [5] The first championship titles were introduced in the early 1980s with Kowalski and The Executioners being billed as the first IWF Heavyweight and Tag Team Champions respectively. That same year, the IWF began airing a Sunday morning show, Bedlam from Boston, on the WXNE-TV. [1] [6] During this period, Kowalski partnered with Dominic DeNucci and Bruno Sammartino's "International Wrestling" group based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. [5] [7]

Territorial reach

Kowalski initially promoted shows in the Greater Boston Area but eventually toured throughout the Northeastern United States. [2] [6] IWF event tours also included high school gyms and fairs in cities throughout New England. [8] Some of the promotion's regular towns included Andover, Bellingham, Billerica, Grafton, Middleboro, Norwood, Waltham, and Westford, Massachusetts. Kowalsi was able to promote IWF shows via his weekly column, "Killer's Corner", for the Boston Sunday Herald . [9] [10] The IWF relocated to Burlington, Vermont in the early-1990s [1] but returned to the Boston area by November 2001. [11] [12]

Notable talent

The IWF featured many former World Wide Wrestling Federation stars during its early years including, most notably, Dominic DeNucci, Larry Zbyszko, The Haiti Kid and The Valiant Brothers (Jerry Valiant and Johnny Valiant). Bull Curry was the main "heel" wrestling manager before his death. [6] Zbyszko's infamous WWWF feud with Bruno Sammartino spilled over into the IWF as he battled his former mentor's real-life son Bruno Sammartino Jr. in late 1982. Kowalski continued bringing in talent from the World Wrestling Federation when Vince McMahon Jr. took over his father's promotion in the 1980s.

The promotion showcased a number of wrestlers who were regulars in the northeast wrestling scene and was the birthplace of Paul Levesque (then known as Terra Ryzing), [4] [13] Perry Saturn [14] and Chyna. [15] Levesque, who had graduated from Kowalski's school at the top of his class, [16] made his IWF debut in March 1992 defeating Tony Roy. Two months later, he won the organization's heavyweight title from Mad Dog Richard. [17] [18] Saturn, billed as "The Iron Horseman", [14] won the IWF North American and Light Heavyweight Championship during the early 1990s. He also won the IWF Tag Team Championship with Levesque. [19] Saturn met his future tag team partner John Kronus while working for the IWF and helped enroll him in Kowalski's wrestling school. [20] Brittany Brown was the longest reigning Women's Champion (12 years), then Chyna (Joanie Lee) won the IWF Ladies Championship from Violet Flame in the very late 1990s. [3] [21] "Giant" Ron Reis [9] and The Renegade, as "Rio, Lord of the Jungle", found success in World Championship Wrestling. [1]

World Wrestling Federation

Kowalski had a strong relationship with both Vince McMahon Sr. and his son Vince McMahon Jr. His students (many of whom IWF stars) regularly appeared on World Wrestling Federation television as preliminary wrestlers during the 1980s and 90s. [8] [22] His best known students - Triple H, Chyna and Perry Saturn - had prominent roles in the company during the Attitude Era. [1] [3] [15]

The IWF later featured former WWF stars Demolition Ax, King Kong Bundy, Hercules, The Honky Tonk Man, The Mountie, Jake "The Snake" Roberts, Jimmy Snuka, and Nikolai Volkoff. [1] In December 1992, following his controversial departure from the WWF, The Ultimate Warrior (appearing under his old "Dingo Warrior" ring name) wrestled Hercules at an IWF show in Billerica, Massachusetts. [23] [24] Then current WWF stars, such as Adam Bomb, Bob Backlund, Doink the Clown, King Kong Bundy and Hakushi, occasionally appeared at IWF events in the mid-1990s. [8] [25] [26] [27]

Demise

The IWF stopped holding regular shows after 1996 though Kowalski continued promoting under the "Killer Kowalski's All-Stars" banner for a few more years. [28] In November 2001, the IWF took part in "Headlocks for Humanity", an American Red Cross benefit show for victims of the September 11th attacks, with Slyk Wagner Brown (managed by April Hunter) and CueBall representing the promotion. [11] One of the IWF's last shows was held in Sutton, New Hampshire on November 2, 2002. [29] Finally in 2003, health issues forced Kowalski to withdraw from both promoting and the wrestling school. Following his death in 2008, the Kowalski estate auctioned off IWF correspondence and other wrestling memorabilia from his career. [30]

Alumni

Male wrestlers
Birth name: Ring name(s):Tenure:Notes
Michael DavisMike Davis1994
Theodore Arcidi Ted Arcidi1988
Victor ArkoMike Kelly1982 [5]
William ArkoPat Kelly1982 [5]
Robert Backlund Bob Backlund1995–1996 WWF [26] [10] [27]
Jimmie Banks Jojo Andrews1982
Edward Bazzaza Ed Bonzo1982
Richard Beauchamp Mad Dog Richard1990–1995
Matt Bloom The Mongolian1998
Steve Bolus Steve Bolus1982
Wagner Brown Slyk Wagner Brown2002 [29]
Nick Busick Nick Busick1982
Richard Byrne "Superstar" Richard Byrne / The Russian Mauler1982
1993
1995
[5]
David Cahill D.C. Dillinger2002 [29]
George Caiazzo The Eliminator / John Kronus1994–1995 [25] [9]
John Callahan John Callahan1982 [5]
Preston CarringtonTony Ulysses1990
1993
1995
[5]
Bert CentenoEl Mascarado1994
John Charyszyn Larry Winters1982
Michael Chrosniak Irish Mike McGee1982
Bryan Clark Adam Bomb1995 WWF [8] [25] [9]
William Coleman Bad Billy Coleman1982
Jeremy CotterThe Outpatient1994–1996 [9] [10]
Richard CreasiaRicky Sexton1982 [5]
William DeCoffSean O'Reilly1985
Dominic DeNucci Dominic DeNucci1982 [5]
Darren DiCensoSnooky Fink / Rain Drop1993–1996 [31] [10] [27]
Ron DiMaria Ronnie Dee / The Star Warrior1990
1994–1995
Kenneth Doane Jr. Kenn Phoenix [32]
Christopher Duffy Chris Duffy1988-
1996
[8] [22] [25] [27]
James Duggan Jr. Jim Duggan1994
Kevin SmythIrish Kevin Shaughnessy1979–1982
Bill Eadie Demolition Ax1993
Eric Maher Eddie Edwards2002 [29]
William Eichenberger Billy Berger1982
Robert Elowitch Robbie Ellis1988
1995
[25]
Solofa Fatu, Jr. Fatu1996 WWF [27]
Gerard FazioJerry Johnson / Jerry Fazio1982
Raymond Fernandez Hercules1993
Wayne Farris The Honky Tonk Man1993
Rudolph FreedRudy Diamond1982
Richard Fuller Rick Fuller1995 [26]
Scott Garland Scott Taylor1993
1995
Steven GrabowskiSteve Grabowski1982
James Hellwig The Dingo Warrior1993
Derek HigbeeThe Bulldozer / Bull Dozer1993–1996 [25] [26] [27]
John Hill Jerry Valiant1982
Michael Hollow"All-American" Mike Hollow / Mike Harlow1994–1998 [25] [26] [27]
Curtis Hughes Mr. Hughes1994
Glenn Jacobs Isaac Yankem, D.D.S.1996 WWF [27]
Michael JonesRocky Jones1982
Michael Jones Virgil1995
Ken Jugan Zoltan the Great1982
Steven KingSteve King / Phoenix King / Steve Hart / Stephan Roy / Arctic Angel1993–1999
Walter Kowalski Killer Kowalski1982
1993
[3]
Paul Levesque Terra Ryzing1992–1994 [3] [4] [15]
Ray Licameli Doink the Clown1995 WWF [26]
Steve Lombardi The Brooklyn Brawler / Doink the Clown 1995–1996 WWF [27]
James McCarthyJames Cody / Jim Cote / Kid Delicious1995-1999 [27]
Timothy McNeanyTim McNeany / Doink the Clown1993–1996 [8] [25] [26] [27]
Joe MeagherTim O'Reilly1985
1990
Robert Miller Bushwhacker Butch1995 [10]
John Minton Big John Studd1990
James Neidhart Jim Neidhart1992
Robert Orton Jr. Bob Orton, Jr.1988
1992
Tom O'SullivanTom O'Sullivan
Dan OuelleteFreight Train Dan / Freightrain1995–2002 [29]
Christoper Pallies King Kong Bundy1995 WWF [8] [25] [9]
Josip Peruzovic Nikolai Volkoff1994 WWF
Darryl Peterson Man Mountain Rock1995 WWF
Dan PettiglioDan Petty1982
1985
[5]
Lanny Poffo Lanny Poffo1994
Timothy ReidTim Reid1982 [5]
James Reiher Jimmy Snuka1993
Ron Reis "Giant" Ron Reis1994 [9]
Jacques Rougeau Jr. The Mountie1993
Raymond RoyThe Stormtrooper1994–1995 [25]
Tony RoyAntoine Roy / Tony Roy1990–1996 [8] [9] [10] [27]
David Sammartino Bruno Sammartino Jr.1982 [5]
Perry Satullo The Iron Horseman / Perry Saturn1992–1995 [25] [9]
Scott L. Schwartz Giant David1982 [5]
Jerry SeaveyThe Candyman1992–1993
Michael Sharpe Jr. Iron Mike Sharpe1990
Michael Shaw Bastion Booger1995 [10]
Ronald ShawRon Shaw1982
Kensuke Shinzaki Hakushi1995 WWF [8]
Robert Shoup Rob Van Winkle / Mark Lombardi1985
1988

1992

Merced Solis Tito Santana1994–1995
John Sullivan Johnny Valiant1982 [5]
Paul SwangerConcrete Cowboy1982
Terry Szopinski The Warlord1994–1995
Dan VinalBig Dan Vinal1985-2002 [12]
Kevin Wacholz Nailz1993
Brian WalshBrian Walsh1985
1995–1996
[8] [27]
Phil WatsonWhipper Watson Jr.1982
Lawrence Whistler Larry Zbyszko1982 [5]
Brian Wickens Bushwhacker Luke1995 [10]
Richard Williams Rio, Lord of the Jungle1993
UnknownThe Beast1982
UnknownBill Wilcox1991
UnknownBrian Bugle
UnknownBuddy Donovan1982
Unknown Chief War Cloud1982
UnknownChris Grant1982 [5]
UnknownCueball2002 [29]
UnknownDavey O'Hannon1982
UnknownFreight Train Fulton1992
UnknownGreg Winston1982
UnknownGypsy Rodriguez1982
UnknownHans Schroeder1982 [5]
UnknownJack Buford1982
UnknownJamie Pain2002 [29]
UnknownJed Skreem1994 [33]
UnknownJeff Craney1982
UnknownJeff Roberts2002 [29]
Unknown John Bonello 1982
UnknownJohn Sullivan2002 [29]
UnknownManuel Soto1982
UnknownMike Madison1982 [5]
UnknownDangerous Dave Star1984-1989
UnknownMike "Jethro" Chambers1982 [5]
UnknownNemesis2002 [29]
UnknownRichie Rich [34]
UnknownRon Lee1982
UnknownRush2002 [29]
UnknownThe Smooth Operator / Tre, The Smooth Operating Gangsta1993–1996
2002
[8] [25] [9] [27]
UnknownUltimate Hater2002 [29]
Female wrestlers
Birth name: Ring name(s):Tenure:Notes
Theresa BestViolet Flame / Rita Book1995 [25] [26] [9] [10]
Dawn FrancisRosebud1990
1993
April Hunter April Hunter2002 [29]
Linda JoaquinLinda Dallas1988
Malia Hosaka Malia Hosaka1995
Joan Laurer Joanie Lee1996 [3] [1] [15] [31]
Amy NicolettiRamblin' Rose1990–1995 [25] [26] [10] [35]
Nicole Raczynski Nikki Roxx2002 [29]
Diane Syms Misty Blue Simmes1985
1988
Debbie Szostecki Debbie Combs1982
Alexandra WhitneyAmanda Storm
Blackwidow
2000–2001
UnknownAlexa Starr1994
Unknown Brittany Brown 1990-2003
UnknownCrystal Blue1994
UnknownDonna Day1982
UnknownJamie West1992–1996 [27]
UnknownTammy West1994
Midget wrestlers
Birth name: Ring name(s):Tenure:Notes
Raymond Kessler The Haiti Kid1982
Jeffrey LudyIrish Leprechaun1988
1996
1999
Dana Magazu Dana Carpenter1985
1988
Roger Tomlin Little Boy Blue1982
Douglas Tunstall Jr. Tiny the Terrible1996
Louis WaterhouseLittle Louie1985
1994–1998
UnknownMighty Doom1994
UnknownLittle Leopard1994
Stables and tag teams
Tag team/Stable(s) MembersTenure(s)
The Arc AngelsPhoenix King and Damon D'Arcangelo1998
The Bushwhackers Bushwhacker Butch and Bushwhacker Luke 1995
The Eliminators Perry Saturn and John Kronus 1994–1995
The Kelly TwinsMike Kelly and Pat Kelly1982
The MutilatorsJamie Pain and Nemesis2002
The Soul BrothersTony Ulysses and Chris Grant
The Valiant Brothers Jerry Valiant and Johnny Valiant 1982
Managers and valets
Birth name: Ring name(s):Tenure:Notes
Barry AtwoodThe Court Jester1992
Claude Giroux Dink1995 [26]
Fred Koury Sr. Bull Curry1982
Don LiableThe Bug1994
1996
[31] [27]
Kevin SmythMr. Ego-Trip Ian Foxx1990
1993
John Minton Big John Studd1994 [9]
UnknownJohn Rodeo1993–1998 [9] [27]
UnknownProfessor Eugene Bickell1995–1996 [26] [27]
UnknownVito Carlucci1995 [9]
Commentators and interviewers
Birth name: Ring name(s):Tenure:Notes
Chris ClaussenChris Claussen1982Bedlam from Boston announcer
Stephen DriscollStephen Driscoll1982Ring announcer
Bedlam from Boston on-air talent [36]
Mel SimonsMel Simons1982–1999Ring announcer [27]
Bedlam from Boston on-air talent [37]
Referees
Birth name: Ring name(s):Tenure:Notes
Matt CailMatt Cail
Richard LannonRichard Lannon
Gary McCarthyGary McCarthy
Fred SpartaFred SpartaHead referee [9]
Other personnel
Birth name: Ring name(s):Tenure:Notes
Walter Kowalski Killer Kowalski1979–1996Promoter
Don LiableDon LiableHead of publicity
Official photographer [31]
Company name to Year
Company name:Years:
International Wrestling Federation1979–1996
Killer Kowalski's All Stars2002
Notes
^ Indicates they are deceased.
^ Indicates they died while they were employed with .
WWF ^ Indicates they were part of a talent exchange with the World Wrestling Federation.

Championships

Key
ReignThe reign number for the specific set of wrestlers listed
EventThe event promoted by the respective promotion in which the titles were won
N/AThe specific information is not known
Used for vacated reigns so as not to count it as an official reign
(n)Indicates that a title change took place "no later than" the date listed. [Note 1]
 Indicates that there was a period where the lineage is undocumented due to the lack of written documentation

IWF Heavyweight Championship

No.ChampionReignDateDays heldLocationEventNotesRef.
1 Killer Kowalski 11982 (n)N/AUnknown Live event  
         
2Bryan Walsh1N/AN/AUnknown Live event   
3Chris Duffy11986N/AUnknown Live event   [38]
         
4Chris Duffy21987N/AUnknown Live event   [38]
5 Ronnie Dee 1N/AN/AUnknown Live event   
6Mad Dog Richard1June, 1991 (n)N/AUnknown Live event   
7 Terra Ryzing 1March 27, 1993N/A Middleboro, Massachusetts Live event   [39]
Vacated March 12, 1994N/AN/AChampionship vacated upon signing a contract with World Championship Wrestling [40]
8Tony Roy1October, 1994 (n)N/AUnknown Live event   
         
9Big Dan Vinal2November 2002N/AUnknown Live event   [12]

IWF Tag Team Championship

No.ChampionsReignDateDays heldLocationEventNotesRef.
1 The Executioners
(Executioner #1 and Executioner #2)
11981 (n)N/AUnknown Live event  
2David Byrne and Danny Pettiglio1March, 1981 (n)N/AUnknown Live event   [41]
3 The Executioners
(Executioner #1 and Executioner #2)
21982 (n)N/AUnknown Live event  
4Richard Byrne and Dan Petty21982 (n)N/AUnknown Live event  
5 Executioner #1 and Johnny Valiant 11982 (n)N/AUnknown Live event  
         

IWF North American Championship

No.ChampionReignDateDays heldLocationEventNotesRef.
1 The Iron Horseman 1March, 1994 (n)N/AUnknown Live event  
         
2Tony Roy1March, 1995 (n)N/AUnknown Live event   

IWF Light Heavyweight Championship

No.ChampionReignDateDays heldLocationEventNotesRef.
         
1Bill Wilcox1December, 1991 (n)N/AUnknown Live event  
2 The Iron Horseman 1December 6, 1991N/A Andover, Massachusetts Live event  
3Tony Ulysses1January, 1993 (n)N/AUnknown Live event  
4The Iron Horseman2January 8, 1993N/A Billerica, Massachusetts Live event  

IWF Northeast Heavyweight Championship

No.ChampionReignDateDays heldLocationEventNotesRef.
1Kevin Shaughnessy (Kevin Smyth)1June, 1984 (n)Retired Title 1985Holyoke, Massachusetts Live event  
         

IWF Ladies Championship

No.ChampionReignDateDays heldLocationEventNotesRef.
         
1Nickie Ryan1N/AN/AUnknown Live event  
2Linda Dallas1February 28, 198530Boston, MassachusettsLive event
3 Misty Blue Simmes 1March 30, 1985N/AN/A Live event  
4Kat Leroux11987N/AN/ALive event
5Misty Blue Simmes21987N/AN/ALive eventAlso holds the NWA United States Women's Championship
6Babyface Nellie1December 17, 1991N/AN/ALive event
7 Brittany Brown 1January 17, 1992N/AHanover, Massachusetts Live event  
8Violet Flame1January, 1996 (n)N/AUnknown Live event  
9 Joanie Lee 1September 28, 1996N/A Salem, New Hampshire Live event  
         
10 Blakwidow 1June, 2001 (n)N/AN/A Live event   [42]

Footnotes

  1. Documentation of the specific date of a title change is not found but documentation of the champion holding the title on that date/in that period.

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Further reading