Manila Wrestling Federation

Last updated

Manila Wrestling Federation
AcronymMWF
Founded2014
Defunct2024
Style Professional wrestling
Headquarters Quezon City, Philippines
Founder(s)
  • Fabio Makisig
  • Mr. Lucha
  • Robin Sane
  • Tarek El Tayech
  • Veronica Shannon
  • William Manzano
Website manilawrestling.com

Manila Wrestling Federation (MWF) was an independent professional wrestling promotion based in the Philippines. MWF was founded in late 2014, and relaunched in 2018. It shut down on May 25, 2024.

Contents

MWF promotes itself as the home of "Aksyonovela" – a portmanteau of the Filipino word for "action" and the suffix of telenovela – representing the mix of athletic wrestling action and timely, relatable storytelling that the promotion presents. [1]

History

MWF's beginnings came on the heels of another Philippine pro wrestling promotion, Philippine Wrestling Revolution (PWR). Some of MWF's founders – like Mike Shannon, Robin Sane, Mr. Lucha, Tarek El Tayech, and William Elvin – had worked with PWR, but internal issues led to their departure from that company in late 2014. [2] They then started laying the foundations of MWF along with co-founder Tala Haliya, recruited wrestlers and talents, and started wrestling training. [3] [4]

MWF informally launched at History Channel's HistoryCon event in August 2016, staging wrestling matches across three days of the convention. MWF wrestlers were joined by wrestlers from Singapore Pro Wrestling (SPW), like The Eurasian Dragon, "The Statement" Andruew Tang, Alexis Lee, and The Thaibarrian. [5]

In April 2017, MWF produced its debut show, MWF Live, at the Makati Square Arena. [6] [7] After 4 more shows, MWF did a relaunch of its product in February 2018 at MWF Open House: Level UP, at the University of the Philippines Diliman. [8] [9]

Starting MWF 1: Kasaysayan, all of MWF's shows are numbered sequentially. [10] [11] [12] [13] [14]

MWF also produces an online weekly wrestling show, Aksyonovela TV, on its YouTube channel. Its first episode aired on October 23, 2019. In November 2019, MWF started to tape episodes in front of a live audience. [15]

On May 25, 2024, on a Facebook post, Manila Wrestling Federation announced its abrupt closure.

On June 27, 2024, one month after the closure of MWF, PUSO Wrestling was on the soft launch featuring most of the MWF wrestlers as its current roster. It will be officially launched in August 2024.

Championships

ChampionshipLast champion(s)ReignDate wonDays
held
Notes
MWF ChampionshipJake De Leon2December 3, 2023277+Oro Plata Mata defeated MWF All-Stars; thus Fabio Makisig no longer being the champion. JDL Defeated Main Maxx in a Matira Matibay Rules at MWF: Noche Buena

MWF Championship

Established in 2018. Redesigned in 2019 and is now known as the “Jeepney belt”, which contains Filipino themed symbols like perlas "pearls", araw "sun", tambo "reed/bulrush", manok "chicken", pula at bughaw na strap "red and blue strap", and Jeepney main plate. [16]

Key
No.Overall reign number
ReignReign number for the specific champion
DaysNumber of days held
No.ChampionChampionship changeReign statisticsNotesRef.
DateEventLocationReignDays
1Robin SaneDecember 1, 2018MWF Noche BuenaQuezon City1237Defeated Fabio Makisig to become the inaugural champion. [17]
2 Ho Ho Lun July 27, 2019MWF 10: RepublikaManila11,081
Vacated July 12, 2022n/an/aThe championship was vacated due to inactivity per pandemic. Initially, it wasn't supposed to be vacated as MWF Commissioner Sonny Go declared that Ho Ho Lun was still the champion, and the MWF wrestlers would compete in a series of matches and face Ho Ho Lun in the future. The title was quietly vacated, and the wrestlers who topped the rankings will fight for the MWF Championship.
3 Jake de Leon September 11, 2022MWF: Road To Fate 2022Quezon City191Won the vacant MWF Championship in a 3-Way Elimination match involving Nigel San Jose, and Fabio Makisig.
4Fabio MakisigDecember 11, 2022MWF: Noche Buena 2022Quezon City1357Defeated Jake De Leon in a Main Event Manila Rules Match to become MWF Champion.
5 Jake de Leon December 3, 2023MWF: Noche Buena 2023Makati City2277Oro Plata Mata defeated MWF All-Stars; thus Fabio Makisig no longer being the champion. JDL Defeated Main Maxx in a Matira Matibay Rules at MWF: Noche Buena
DeactivatedMay 25, 2024n/an/aThe championship was deactivated due to MWF closing.

Combined reigns

RankWrestlerNo. of
reigns
Combined days
1 Ho Ho Lun 11,081
2Fabio Makisig1357
3 Jake de Leon 2265
4Robin Sane1237

Roster

Male wrestlers

"The Senyorito" Jake de Leon PWR JakeDeLeon2.jpg
"The Senyorito" Jake de Leon
Ring NameNotes
Aaron LiwanagLeader of Bahay ng Liwanag
Bienvenido "Bro. Benny" SorianoMember of Bahay ng Liwanag
Black ShirtMWF Aspirant
Blue ShirtMWF Aspirant

Inactive; has not wrestled since March 2023

Serafin LiwanagFormer member of Brgy. Bagsakan (as CJ Serafin). Current member of Bahay ng Liwanag
"Godkiller" Dabid RavenaMember of Oro Plata Mata
Danny Zamora
El KatipuneroMember of Super Friends
Fabio MakisigLeader of HSSL
Gray Shirt/DiakonoMWF Aspirant

Member of Bahay ng Liwanag

Isaiah ValenciaMember of Brgy. Bagsakan
Jake de Leon Current MWF Pinoy Wrestling Champion

Leader of Oro Plata Mata

Joey RosasMember of HSSL

Winner of Hong Kong-Philippine Alliance Cup

JomarFormer leader of Bahay ng Liwanag.
Kanto "Kilabot" Terror
Ken CiferWorld Underground Wrestling - PH

Winner of the Chilly Willy Wrestling Cup Tournament 2023

WUW International Tag Team Champion

Khayl SisonMember of HSSL

Inactive; has not wrestled since March 2023

Kurt JimenezMember of Oro Plata Mata
Main MaxxFormer member of Oro Plata Mata
Migs ValdezInactive; has not wrestled since August 2023
Nigel San JoseLeader of Brgy. Bagsakan
Orange ShirtMWF Aspirant
Pablo SalvacionInactive; has not wrestled since March 2023
RazaelWorld Underground Wrestling - PH
Red ShirtMWF Aspirant
"Danger" Rex Lawin
Robin SaneWorld Underground Wrestling - PH
Saint John MartinWorld Underground Wrestling - PH

WUW International Tag Team Champion

Female wrestlers

Crystal PWR Crystal.jpg
Crystal
Ring NameNotes
Chelsea MarieMember of Brgy. Bagsakan
CrystalInactive; hiatus
Jorelle LiwanagMember of Bahay ng Liwanag
JoyaMember of HSSL
Patricia LigaiaMWF's Backstage Chismosa
Super PMember of Super Friends

Other personnel

Mr. Sy PWR MrSy2.jpg
Mr. Sy
Ring NameNotes
Chuck LopezMWF Referee
Dante GuinooMWF Referee; occasional wrestler

"Ang Official na Wrestler"

Eduardo JuanMWF Referee
Romeo MoranMWF Commentator
Sig PechoMWF Ring Announcer
Sonny GoMWF Commissioner, Commentator, and Ring announcer (Main Event championship matches only)
Mr. SyManager of Oro Plata Mata
Tarek El TayechSenior analyst

Manager of Kanto "Kilabot" Terror

Veronica ShannonMWF President
William ElvinCreative Director, occasional commentator

MWF Alumni

Visiting international wrestlers

2013 Singapore. Ho Ho Lun against a wrestler called Bit Man, operating an arm bar on his opponent. Ho Ho Lun Wrestling 2013.jpg
2013 Singapore. Ho Ho Lun against a wrestler called Bit Man, operating an arm bar on his opponent.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jeepney</span> Means of public transportation in the Philippines

A jeepney, or simply a jeep, is a type of public utility vehicle (PUV) that serves as the most popular means of public transportation in the Philippines. It is known for its crowded seating and kitsch decorations, which have become a widespread symbol of Philippine culture and art. At the 1964 New York World's Fair, a Sarao jeepney was exhibited in the Philippine pavilion as a national symbol for Filipinos.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sarah Geronimo</span> Filipino singer and actress (born 1988)

Sarah Asher Tua Geronimo is a Filipino singer and actress. Her accolades include an MTV Europe Music Award, a World Music Award, 10 Star Awards for Music and 28 Myx Music Awards. Tatler magazine named her one of the most influential people in Asia in 2021.

Jericho Vibar Rosales, also known as Echo, is a Filipino actor, singer, songwriter and film producer. Known primarily for his leading man roles in romantic drama, he has starred in some of the most distributed Philippine series around the world. His accolades include a Guam International Film Festival Award, two Newport Beach Film Festival Award, a Gawad Urian Award, two Metro Manila Film Festival Awards and four Star Awards for Movies, including nominations for an ASEAN International Film Festival and Awards, six FAMAS Awards and four Luna Awards.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Transportation in Metro Manila</span> Overview of Metro Manilas transportation system

The transportation system in Metro Manila covers the road network, rail network, ferries, ports and airports located within the metropolitan Manila area. Road transportation in Metro Manila is diverse, composed of many types of private and public transport vehicles. These include taxis, buses, jeepneys, tricycles and pedicabs. In some areas, especially in Divisoria and large public markets, two-stroke motors are fitted in the pedicabs and are used for goods transport. Regardless of modernity, horse-drawn kalesas are still used in the streets of Binondo and Intramuros. Ridesharing services such as Grab also operate within Metro Manila.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mocha Uson</span> Filipino singer, dancer, model, blogger, and government official

Esther Margaux Justiniano Uson, better known as Mocha Uson, is a controversial Filipino singer, actress, dancer, model, political blogger, and public official widely known for spreading fake news and disinformation. She is also a co-founder of the group Mocha Girls.

Billy Suede is a professional wrestler based out of Western Canada. He is best known for working for NWA: Extreme Canadian Championship Wrestling, but has competed for independent promotions in Canada and the United States, as well as in the Philippines.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rappler</span> News website company in the Philippines

Rappler is a Filipino online news website based in Pasig, Metro Manila, the Philippines. It was founded by 2021 Nobel Peace Prize laureate Maria Ressa along with a group of fellow Filipino journalists as well as technopreneurs. It started as a Facebook page named MovePH in August 2011 and evolved into a website on January 1, 2012.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Philippine Wrestling Revolution</span> Professional wrestling promotion in the Philippines

Philippine Wrestling Revolution (PWR) was an independent professional wrestling promotion based in the Philippines. PWR was founded in December 2013, and closed on September 14, 2022.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ho Ho Lun</span>

Wong Yuk Lun, better known by his ring name Ho Ho Lun, is a Hong Kong professional wrestler. He is best known for his time with WWE, where he competed in their Cruiserweight Classic tournament and in their developmental territory NXT. He is the founder of the Hong Kong Pro-Wrestling Federation, Hong Kong's first professional wrestling promotion. Ho has also competed in various independent promotions in Japan, mainland China, Taiwan, Singapore, and Europe. In Chinese surname order, his surname is actually Ho but in English world some people misunderstood his surname as Lun.

The 2017–2019 Philippine jeepney drivers' strike was a series of protest and strike action staged by jeepney drivers in the Philippines to oppose the government's plan to phase out jeepneys over 15 years old. The strike, which started on February 6, caused hundreds of passengers to be stranded and prompted universities, cities, and towns to suspend classes. Part of the protest is to forward an alternative on modernization based upon national industrialization and not corporate takeover.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jake de Leon</span> Filipino professional wrestler

Mark Gabriel G. Javellana, better known by his ring name "The Senyorito" Jake de Leon, is a Filipino professional wrestler most commonly known for his time with Philippine Wrestling Revolution. He is the current MWF Champion in his second reign.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Protests against Rodrigo Duterte</span> Political protests against former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte

Protests against Former President Rodrigo Duterte escalated on November 18, 2016, following Duterte's support of the burial of the late president Ferdinand Marcos. These series of protests are mostly conducted by progressive groups and other opposing figures mainly due to the ongoing war on drugs, the declaration of martial law in Mindanao, and employment issues such as contractual terms being applied by companies and inflation which occurred due to the passage of the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion Law. Other causes of the protests include the government's response to the COVID-19 pandemic in the country, the passage of the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020, and the shutdown and franchise denial of ABS-CBN.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program</span> Type of utility vehicle in the Philippines

The Public Transport Modernization Program (PTMP), formerly and still commonly referred to as the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP), is a program made by the Department of Transportation (DOTr) of the Philippines in 2017, with the goal of making the country's public transportation system efficient and environmentally friendly by 2020. The program calls for the phasing-out of jeepneys, buses, and other public utility vehicles (PUVs) that are at least 15 years old and replacing them with safer, more comfortable and more environmentally-friendly alternatives over the next three years. Currently, there are 220,000 jeepney units operating throughout the country.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Timeline of protests against Rodrigo Duterte</span>

The following is a timeline of protests against Rodrigo Duterte, the 16th President of the Philippines, and his policies. Issues were addressed in the protests including the war on drugs, employment issues, anti-terror law, and the government's response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Singapore Pro Wrestling</span> Pro wrestling promotion in Singapore

Singapore Pro Wrestling, commonly shortened to SPW, is a professional wrestling promotion based in Singapore. It was the first modern professional wrestling promotion in Southeast Asia, and was founded by Andruew Tang, the first Singaporean professional wrestler, and Vadim Koryagin, in February 2012. The promotion also has a wrestling school, in which Andruew Tang is the head coach, and SPW wrestlers, Aiden Rex, Dr. Gore, Alexis Lee and Da Butcherman work as assistant coaches. SPW is best known for producing Dante Chen, the first wrestler from Southeast Asia to sign with WWE, making his debut on WWE NXT, on 22 September 2021.

Antonio "Tony" Ocampo Mabesa was a Filipino stage director, film and television actor, and professor. With a career spanning over 70 years, he was a founding father of Philippine university theater and one of the most prominent theater directors in the country. For his work, he was known as a "Lion of the Theater".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ivan Markov (wrestler)</span> Russian professional wrestler (born 1984)

Ivan Markov is a Russian professional wrestler. Markov is known for his work at Independent Wrestling Federation (IWF) and the European and Asian promotions. He was the inaugural Union Pro Max Champion in Dramatic Dream Team.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">TAP Sports</span> Television channel

TAP Sports is a Philippine pay television network of sports channels owned by TAP Digital Media Ventures Corporation. It was launched on April 14, 2019, under two separate channels carried by Sky Cable, and was later relaunched the following year.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Andruew Tang</span> Singaporean professional wrestler

Andruew Tang You Liang is a Singaporean professional wrestler. He is the co-founder and head coach of Singapore Pro Wrestling, where he also performs as a wrestler under the ring name "The Statement" Andruew Tang. He is the first Singaporean professional wrestler and the current SPW Southeast Asian Champion. Tang is a record five-time SPW SEA Champion and is also the championship's longest reigning with a record of 862 days in his fourth reign. Tang frequents the Japanese wrestling scene, and has primarily performed for Gatoh Move Pro Wrestling while also appearing on multiple promotions including NJPW, Dragon Gate and Gleat.

References

  1. "Rappler Talk Sports: Manila Wrestling Federation". Rappler. July 19, 2019.
  2. "PWR 2014: From My Side of the Fence [No Curtains Needed #3]". MWF Insider Blog. March 21, 2018.
  3. "Manila Wrestling Federation". The Philippine Star. August 17, 2019.
  4. "Musings from the Tech Booth – Part 2, and Your Questions Answered [No Curtains Needed]". MWF Insider Blog. June 17, 2018.
  5. "3 Things We Learned From The Manila Wrestling Federation's Debut". Smark Henry. August 31, 2016.
  6. "[FULL RESULTS] MWF Live: MWF x MCS". Smark Henry. April 8, 2017.
  7. "The Arena (Rune Stones & Voodoo, Who Do #6)". MWF Insider Blog. April 16, 2018.
  8. "Here's What Went Down At The 2018 Relaunch of the Manila Wrestling Federation". Smark Henry. February 25, 2018.
  9. "New and improved MWF at 'Open House: Level UP'". Rappler. February 26, 2018.
  10. "MWF 1: Kasaysay makes history". Manila Bulletin. April 10, 2018.
  11. "Manila Wrestling Federation makes history in Quezon City". Fox Sports Philippines. April 9, 2018.
  12. "Event Results". MWF Insider Blog. February 25, 2018.
  13. "MWF 6: Noche Buena Delivers One Strong Ending to 2018". When in Manila. December 4, 2018.
  14. "Fabio Makisig and local wrestlers strike back vs 'Foreign Invasion' at MWF 11: Road to Fate". BusinessWorld. September 24, 2019.
  15. "MWF tapes episodes for 'Aksyonovela TV' weekly online wrestling show". Rappler. November 15, 2019.
  16. "BAKIT GANYAN ANG MWF BELT?". Manila Wrestling Federation. September 2, 2022.
  17. "Robin Sane becomes inaugural MWF champ". Manila Bulletin. December 3, 2018.
  18. "Ex-WWE superstar Tajiri claims he's the 'mother' of Philippine wrestling". Spin.ph. May 21, 2019.