Power Pro Wrestling

Last updated
Power Pro Wrestling
AcronymPPW
FoundedApril 18, 1998
DefunctApril 14, 2001
Headquarters Memphis, Tennessee
Founder(s)Randy Hales
Owner(s)Randy Hales
Predecessor United States Wrestling Association

Memphis Power Pro Wrestling (Power Pro Wrestling) was a Memphis, Tennessee based professional wrestling promotion that was founded by Randy Hales. It was affiliated with Memphis Championship Wrestling and World Wrestling Federation. It was the first developmental territory for the World Wrestling Federation. [1] The roster featured WWF-contracted wrestlers sent for training and experience like Kurt Angle and Matt Bloom (Tensai/Albert), Daniel Bryan and Memphis wrestling legends Bill Dundee and Jerry Lawler, Brian Christopher and many others.

Contents

It operated from April 1998 to April 2001. The promotion was booked by Randy Hales and Brandon Baxter.

Alumni

Male wrestlers

Birth name: Ring name(s):Tenure:Notes
Kurt Angle Kurt Angle1999 [2] [3] [4] [5]
Matthew Anoa'i † Matt E. Smalls1999
Darrell Anthony Dirty White Boy1999
Steve Bisson † Steve Bradley1999–2000 [3] [6]
Numa BlanchardBlade Boudreaux1999–2000
Matthew Bloom Baldo1998–1999 [4] [7]
Larry Booker † Moondog Spot1998, 2000
Thomas Boric Paul Diamond / Venom1998–1999 [8]
Ruben Cain Robert Gibson1998, 2000
Mark Canterbury Henry O. Godwinn1998 WWF
Americo Costantino Rico Constantino1999–2000 [6]
Thomas Couch † Tommy Rogers2000
William Crookshanks Bill Dundee1998–1999 [8] [9]
Harry Del Rios Spellbinder / Streak1998–1999 [8] [9] [10]
Robert Dicks Jr.Robbie D / Slick Robbie D1999–2000
Nicholas Dinsmore Nick Dinsmore1999–2000
Sidney Eudy Sid Vicious1998 WWF
James Fanning Jimmy Valiant1998, 2000
Edward Fatu † OG Ekmo1999
Solofa Fatu Jr. JR Smooth1999
Anthony Felker Tony Falk / 2 Falk 4 Sure1998–2000 [8]
Kevin Fertig Seven1999–2000
Nelson Frazier Jr. † King Mabel1998 WWF [9]
Scott Garland Scott Taylor1999
Doug Gilbert Doug Gilbert1999 [4] [10]
Terry Gordy † Terry Gordy1999
Terry Gordy Jr. Ray Gordy1999
Bob GovoniBobby Doll1998–1999
Byron Greene † Johnny Rotten1998
Vic Grimes Vic Grimes1998–1999
Michael Hegstrand † Road Warrior Hawk1998
Mark Henry Mark Henry1999
Daniel Hollie Damaja2000
Robert Horne BJ Awesome / Rob Harlem / Sir Mo1998, 2000 [8] [9]
Tim Horner White Lightning2000
Robert Howard Bombastic Bob1998 WWF
Glenn Jacobs Kane1998 WWF [9]
Jay JailletJay Jaillet1999
Brian James Jesse James / Road Dog1998 WWF [9]
Jeffrey Jarrett Jeff Jarrett1998 WWF
Dwayne Johnson Rocky Maivia1998 WWF [9]
Steve Keirn Steve Keirn1999
Hiram Keller † Heinrich Franz Keller / Trae Keller1998–1999
James KimbleKing Cobra1998–1999
Christopher KindredFlash Flanagan1999–2000
Dennis Knight Phineas I. Godwinn1998 WWF
Glen Kulka Glen Kulka1999
Alan LambAlan Steel1999–2000
Wallace Lane Stan Lane1999
Brian Lawler † Brian Christopher1998–1999 [4] [8] [9] [10]
Jerry Lawler Jerry Lawler1998–1999, 2001 [7] [8] [9] [11]
Kevin LawlerKevin Christian / The Yellow Jacket1998–1999 [9]
James LehmanJagger2000
Michael Lockwood † Erin O'Grady1998–1999
Paul J. McknightMoondog Rover1998
Lance McNaught † Lance Cade / Lance Jade1999
Gary Mize † Billy Joe Travis / Billy Travis1998–1999 [8]
Richard Morton Ricky Morton1998–1999
Scott OberholzerScotty Sabre1999–2000
Carl Ouellet Kris Kannonball1999
Russell Payne Jr.BJ Payne1999–2000
Alex PliakisAlex Arion1999
Bill Pierce Chris Michaels2000
Mike Polchlopek Bodacious Bart / Bart Gunn1998 WWF
Tom Prichard Tom Prichard1998–1999
Scott RainesBulldog Raines1998–2000
Kenneth RaperKen Raper1999
Thomas Richardson Tommy Rich1999 [10]
Michael Seitz Michael "P.S." Hayes1999
Steve SharpeAli Stevens1999–2000
Paulo César da SilvaGiant Silva1998–1999
Timothy SmithRex King1998
Tracy Smothers Tracy Smothers / The Assassin1998–2000 [8]
Shawn Stipich Meat / Shawn Stasiak1998–1999 WWF [4]
Mike WaldenCash Flo1999
Reginald Walt Master B / Reggie B. Fine1998–1999 [8] [9]
James Ware Koko B. Ware1998–1999 [9]
Anthony WilliamsKid Wikkid / Tony Williams1998–1999 [8] [9]
Frank WilliamsTrailer Park Trash1999–2000
Kelly Wolfe Wolfie D1999–2000 [2]
Steve Williams † Steve Williams1999
UnknownAshley Hudson / Australian Sensation1998 [8] [9]
UnknownBeau James / The Bodyguard1998 [8]
UnknownBobby Bronz / Bobby Brawnz1998 [9]
UnknownCB Wyatt1999
UnknownThe Cremator1999
UnknownDeon Harlem2000
Derrick TaylorDerrick King / Tay Hi1998–2000 [8] [9]
UnknownDynamite D1999
UnknownFirecracker1999
UnknownFreddy Krueger / Mr. Wrestling1998 [8]
UnknownJason Gibson1998
UnknownJason Lee1998–2000
Cory RadfordJD Hall1999-2001
UnknownJebediah1999
UnknownKip Morris1999
UnknownLance Jade1998–2000 [8] [9]
UnknownLoose Cannon1999
UnknownMick Tierney1998–1999
Charles WhiteRic Havoc2000
UnknownRon McClarity1998–1999
UnknownScotty McKeever1998
UnknownSwole1998 [9]
UnknownTony DeNucci1998
UnknownUgly Ed Johnson1999
UnknownYoungblood2000

Female wrestlers

Birth name: Ring name(s):Tenure:Notes
Nicole Bass † Nicole Bass1999
Stacy Carter Lovely Stacy / Stacy Carter1998–1999
Jacqueline Moore Jackie / Jacqueline1998 [8] [9]
Johnnie Mae Young † Mrs. Stasiak1999
UnknownBrianna Starr1999
UnknownDanna Shepherd1998 [8]
UnknownPaula Bunyan1998 [8]
UnknownSamantha1998 [9]
UnknownVicious Vicki1998

Stables and tag teams

Tag team/Stable(s) MembersTenure(s)
The Fabulous Ones Stan Lane and Steve Keirn 1999
The Fabulous Freebirds Michael Hayes and Terry Gordy 1999
The Godwinns Henry O. Godwinn and Phineas I. Godwinn 1998
Kings Jerry Lawler and Bill Dundee 1998–1999
The Masked ThugsMasked Thug #1 and Masked Thug #21998
The Midnight Express Bombastic Bob and Bodacious Bart 1998
The RegulatorsDeon Harlem and Rob Harlem 2000
The Rock 'n' Roll Express Ricky Morton and Robert Gibson 1998
Suicide BlondesJason Lee and Derrick King1999–2000
Too Much Scott Taylor and Brian Christopher 1999

Managers and valets

Birth name: Ring name(s):Tenure:Notes
Brandon BaxterBrandon Baxter1998–2001 [8] [9]
Jim Cornette Jim Cornette1998–2000 [9]
Randy HalesRandy Hales1998–2000
Bruno Lauer Downtown Bruno1998–1999
Bruce Prichard Bruce Prichard1999
UnknownMiss Veronica1998 [9]

Commentators and interviewers

Birth name: Ring name(s):Tenure:Notes
Dave Brown Dave Brown1998-2001 [9] [10]
Corey Maclin † Corey Maclin1998-2001 [9]

Other personnel

Birth name: Ring name(s):Tenure:Notes
Brandon BaxterBrandon Baxter1998–2001Booker
Randy HalesRandy Hales1998–2001Promoter and Booker

Buddy Wayne. Live Event Promoter

Tony Falk. Producer and Agent [4] [12] [13]

Notes
† ^ Indicates they are deceased.
‡ ^ Indicates they died while they were employed with Power Pro Wrestling.
WWF ^ Indicates they were part of a talent exchange with the World Wrestling Federation.

Championships

Power Pro Wrestling Heavyweight Championship

The PPW Heavyweight Championship was the top title contested for in the Power Pro Wrestling (later Memphis Power Pro Wrestling). [14]

Champion#DateLocationNotes
Baldo 1January 29, 1999 Memphis, Tennessee Beat Jerry Lawler in a tournament final to become the first champion.
Michael Hayes 1March 7, 1999 Jonesboro, Arkansas Won the title by pinning Baldo in a tag team match, with Hayes teaming with Brandon Baxter against Randy Hales & Baldo.
J.R. Smooth 1May 8, 1999 Memphis, Tennessee
Kurt Angle 1July 24, 1999 Memphis, Tennessee
Steve Bradley 1August 7, 1999 Memphis, Tennessee
Vic Grimes 1September 18, 1999 Memphis, Tennessee
Steve Bradley 2September 25, 1999 Memphis, Tennessee
Rico Constantino 1December 4, 1999 Memphis, Tennessee
Steve Bradley 3January 15, 2000 Memphis, Tennessee
Ali1January 19, 2000 Memphis, Tennessee
Wolfie D 1April 8, 2000 Memphis, Tennessee
VacantMay 27, 2000 Wolfie D was stripped because he couldn't defend the title.
Wolfie D 2May 27, 2000 Memphis, Tennessee Beat Ali for the vacant title.
Spellbinder 1July 2, 2000 Memphis, Tennessee
Steven Bradley 4January 13, 2001 Corinth, MS Also holds the Memphis Championship Wrestling Southern Heavyweight Championship.
Pete GasMarch 17, 2001 Pete Gas was stripped when Power Pro Wrestling ends its affiliation with World Wrestling Federation because Gas is under contract to WWF.
Promotion closes in April 2001

Power Pro Wrestling Tag Team Championship

The PPW Tag Team Championship was a title contended for in the Power Pro Wrestling later Memphis Power Pro Wrestling promotion. [15]

Team#DateLocationNotes
Billy Travis & Bulldog Raines1July 21, 1998 Memphis, Tennessee Beat The Rock 'n' Roll Express (Ricky Morton & Robert Gibson) in a tournament final to become champions.
VacantTitle vacant in early 1999
Kid Wikkid & Derrick King1March 7, 1999 Jonesboro, Arkansas Won a tournament for the vacant title.
VacantMarch 19, 1999 Memphis, Tennessee Vacant after a match between Wikkid & King and Erin O'Grady & Vic Grimes.
Erin O'Grady & Vic Grimes 1March 20, 1999 Memphis, Tennessee Defeated Kid Wikkid & Derrick King in a rematch.
Kid Wikkid & Derrick King2April 3, 1999 Jonesboro, Arkansas
Jerry Lawler & Bill Dundee 1April 17, 1999 Memphis, Tennessee Lawler won the belts in a handicap match when Dundee no showed. [16]
Glenn Kulka & Mic Tierney1October 2, 1999This was a phantom title change. The title became vacant after Bill Dundee left the company.
VacantTitles became vacant in November 1999 when Kulka left the promotion.
Derrick King (3) & Jason Lee1January 22, 2000 Memphis, Tennessee Beat Tony Falk & Blade and Bulldog Raines & Robbie D in a triple threat match tournament final.
Wolfie D 1January 29, 2000 Memphis, Tennessee Wins handicap match.
Derrick King (4) & Moondog Spot 1March 18, 2000 Memphis, Tennessee
The Regulators (Deon & Rob Harlem)1April 8, 2000 Memphis, Tennessee Beat Derrick King in a handicap match.
Deactivated March 17, 2001The Regulators is stripped of the titles because the promotion closed.

Power Pro Wrestling Television Championship

The PPW Television title was a secondary championship contested for in Power Pro Wrestling/Memphis Power Pro Wrestling. [17]

Champion#DateLocationNotes
Blade1March 25, 2000 Memphis, Tennessee Won a Battle royal to become the first champion.
Khan 1June 24, 2000 Memphis, Tennessee
Bulldog Raines1December 2, 2000 Memphis, Tennessee
RodRageous 1January 27, 2001 Memphis, Tennessee
Grandmaster Sexay 1February 21, 2001 Jonesboro, Arkansas This was a joint MCW/PPW/WWF event. Sexay substituted for K-Kwik.
RodRageous 2February 24, 2001 Memphis, Tennessee
VacantMarch 17, 2001PPW ends relationship with WWF. RodRageous is stripped because he is under contract with WWF.

Power Pro Wrestling Young Guns Championship

The PPW Young Guns title was a secondary championship contested for in Power Pro Wrestling/Memphis Power Pro Wrestling. [18]

Power Pro Wrestling Hardcore Championship

The PPW Hardcore title was a secondary championship contested for in Power Pro Wrestling/Memphis Power Pro Wrestling. [19]

See also

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References

  1. ↑ K8 News (February 13, 2016). TV News story on WWF Power Pro Wrestling. YouTube . Retrieved July 20, 2016.
  2. 1 2 Rouvalis, Cristina (November 14, 1999). "Kurt Angle: WWF's Golden Boy". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette .
  3. 1 2 Mooneyham, Mike (December 7, 2008). "Matt Hardy enjoying run as ECW champ". The Post and Courier .
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Beougher, Wyatt (May 18, 2014). "WWE Developmental Through the Ages". 411mania.com.
  5. ↑ Hornbaker, Tim. "Kurt Angle Wrestling History". Legacyofwrestling.com.
  6. 1 2 Woodward, Buck (December 4, 2010). "THIS DAY IN HISTORY: PAUL HEYMAN EXITS WORLD WRESTLING ENTERTAINMENT". PWInsider.com.
  7. 1 2 "This Day In Wrestling History – January 29th". Gerweck.net. January 29, 2014. Archived from the original on March 6, 2014.
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 Powell, Jason (June 14, 2003). "Where were today's stars before they were stars? - 5 Yrs Ago". PWTorch.com. Pro Wrestling Torch.
  9. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 Powell, Jason (July 4, 2003). "Memphis TV: Lawler, Koko B. Ware, Mabel, Sir Mo - 5 Yrs Ago". PWTorch.com. Pro Wrestling Torch.
  10. 1 2 3 4 5 Shoemaker, David (June 7, 2013). "Wrestling's Greatest Shoots, Volume 2: Doug Gilbert vs. Jerry Lawler". Grantland .
  11. ↑ Scherer, Dave (March 31, 2001). "WWF IN MERGER-MANIA". New York Daily News .
  12. ↑ Dills, Tim (2004). "Regional Territories: Memphis/CWA #22". KayfabeMemories.com.
  13. ↑ Brashear, David (January 6, 2010). "One Year in Memphis – Wrapping up 1986". InsidePulse.com. Inside Pulse Wrestling.
  14. ↑ "PPW Heavyweight Title (Tennessee)". Wrestling-Titles.com.
  15. ↑ "PPW Tag Team Title (Tennessee)". Wrestling-Titles.com.
  16. ↑ Hoops, Brian (April 17, 2020). "Daily pro wrestling (04/17): WCW Spring Stampede 1994". Wrestling Observer Newsletter . Retrieved April 17, 2020.
  17. ↑ "PPW Television Title (Tennessee)". Wrestling-Titles.com.
  18. ↑ "PPW Young Guns Title (Tennessee)". Wrestling-Titles.com.
  19. ↑ "PPW Hardcore Title (Tennessee)". Wrestling-Titles.com.
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