Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Countdown to Battle of the Belts: Final match signed

Fort Lauderdale, FL – NWA Ring Warriors announced today that the ninth and final match for the March 29th “Battle of the Belts” event which kicks off WrestleMania 28 weekend in South Florida at the Fort Lauderdale National Guard Armory, 400 State Road 84, will be the self-proclaimed “King of Florida” Francisco Ciatso taking on Wes Brisco, son of WWE Hall of Famer Gerald Brisco.

Ciatso, a staple of the Florida wrestling scene for more than a dozen years and who has at one time held a championship for nearly every Indie promotion across the Sunshine State, has experienced something he is not used to: two consecutive losses. On December 14th Ciatso lost to “The VIP” Cassidy Riley in an opening round match in the NWA Ring Warriors Grand Championship Tournament, and on January 18th he was upended by Pablo Marquez, a former WWE contracted performer.

Recorded prior to having his opponent announced, Ciatso claimed in a promotional video that it didn’t matter who he would be pitted against on March 29th for they would draw “the short straw.” The promotional video can be seen below:




Brisco, meanwhile, returns to NWA Ring Warriors following a December 14th first round loss to Steve “the Moose” Madison in the same tournament that will crown its initial champion on March 29th. Brisco, who had been under a World Wrestling Entertainment developmental contract at Florida Championship Wrestling, where he and Xavier Woods had captured the FCW tag team titles, was a professional wakeboarder before transitioning to the pro mat wars in 2009 under the tutelage of wrestlers/teachers Steve Keirn, Dusty Rhodes, Norman Smiley and Dr. Tom Prichard. In recent months Brisco has been eyed by both TNA Impact and Ring of Honor as potentially joining their rosters.

In addition to the Brisco-Ciatso pairing at “Battle of the Belts,” other matches on March 29th include:

NWA World Heavyweight Champion "Scrap Iron" Adam Pearce defending his title against a hand-picked challenger from Ring of Honor by legendary NWA manager and current ROH executive James E. Cornette;

NWA World Tag Team Champions The Dark City Fight Club (Jon Davis & Kory Chavis) facing former WWE and NWA World Tag Team Champs the Headbangers (Mosh & Thrasher) and The Red Devil Fight Team (Mikhail Ivanov & Aleksander Chekov) with manager Brett Adams and "The Russian Bear" Ivan Koloff, in a three-way dance;

NWA National Heavyweight Champion "The Dark Child" Chance Prophet meeting The Tokyo Monster Kahagas in a Steel Cage Match with the New Heavenly Bodies (“Casanova” Chris Nelson “Vivacious” Vito DeNucci) as special enforcement officials;

The 7-foot 315-pound Giant Titan squaring off with "The Marquee" Bruce Santee in the finale of the NWA Ring Warriors Grand Championship Tournament;

The current TNA World TV Champion Robbie E. meeting the ECW Original, Stevie Richards, in a Non-Title Match;

DX’s “Bad Ass” Billy Gunn taking on Vordell Walker in a Grudge Match;

“The Prince of Darkness” Kevin Sullivan & The Vampire Warrior Gangrel (accompanied by Snakemaster Abudadein and the Army of Darkness) versus “The VIP” Cassidy Riley & Steve “the Moose” Madison; and former TNA stars Jesse Neal & "the Toxic Knockout" Christina Von Eerie versus Chasyn Rance & Santana Garrett in a Mixed Tag Team Match with WWE Hall of Famer Tammy "Sunny" Sytch as a Special Guest Referee.

There will also be a special appearance by former AWA World Heavyweight Champion “The Living Legend” Larry Zbyszko, who along with Koloff, will be on hand for autograph and photo opportunities.

Priced at just $20 and $25, tickets to the “Battle of the Belts” card, featuring more than 30 Superstars, Rising Stars and Legends, a portion of which will go to benefit the Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital Foundation, can be purchased online at http://www.nwaringwarriors.com.

Sunday, February 19, 2012

Countdown to Battle of the Belts: The Prince of Darkness Rises Again while a Lost Boy Returns

Fort Lauderdale, FL – NWA Ring Warriors officially announced today that Florida wrestling legend "The Prince of Darkness" Kevin Sullivan and former WWE star "The Vampire Warrior" Gangrel will appear together as a tag team on March 29th at the Fort Lauderdale National Guard Armory, 400 State Road 84, against former TNA star "The VIP" Cassidy Riley and former NWA Florida champion Steve "Moose" Madison at "Battle of the Belts."

While many might remember Sullivan as "The Taskmaster" during the waning days of World Championship Wrestling, the Boston native was best known across the Sunshine State as "The Prince of Darkness," when he and his cohorts (collectively known as the Army of Darkness) were embroiled in legendary feuds with the likes of "The American Dream" Dusty Rhodes, Blackjack Mulligan, Barry Windham and the Grahams (Eddie and Mike). The AOD will once again be by Sullivan's side as longtime associate SnakeMaster Abudadein and The Beast will accompany him to the ring.

For "The Vampire Warrior" Gangrel, the match marks his first Florida appearance in five years and the first time ever he and Sullivan will team together. Gangrel's former wife, the late Luna Vachon, was a longtime associate of Sullivan's and an original member of the AOD along with Abudadein, The Fallen Angel (the late Nancy Benoit), Lock, Maha Singh (Bob Roop) and The Purple Haze (Mark Lewin).

Their opponents at "Battle of the Belts" are comprised of former NWA Florida champion Steve "Moose" Madison and former TNA star and a member of the Hotshots "The VIP" Cassidy Riley. Coming off hard fought losses to the Giant Titan and "The Marquee" Bruce Marquee, respectively – both of whom advanced to the NWA Ring Warriors Grand Championship Tournament Finals – Madison and Riley each want to get back on the winning track and be in position for a future title shot.

In addition to the Sullivan/Gangrel-Madison/Riley tag team match, also appearing on the card will be: NWA World Heavyweight Champion "Scrap Iron" Adam Pearce, legendary NWA manager James E. Cornette who will be on hand to accompany his handpicked Ring of Honor Challenger for Pearce's title, NWA World Tag Team Champions The Dark City Fight Club (Jon Davis & Kory Chavis), former WWE and NWA World Tag Team Champs the Headbangers (Mosh & Thrasher), The Red Devil Fight Team (Mikhail Ivanov & Aleksander Chekov) with manager Brett Adams and "The Russian Bear" Ivan Koloff, The Tokyo Monster Kahagas, NWA National Heavyweight Champion "The Dark Child" Chance Prophet, the 7-foot 315-pound Giant Titan, "The Marquee" Bruce Santee, former TNA stars Jesse Neal & "the Toxic Knockout" Christina Von Eerie, Chasyn Rance, Santana Garrett, WWE Hall of Famer Tammy "Sunny" Sytch, ECW original Stevie Richards, current TNA World Television Champion Robbie E., Vordell Walker and DX’s "Bad Ass" Billy Gunn. Former AWA champ "The Living Legend" Larry Zbyszko will also be on hand signing autographs.

For tickets to the "Battle of the Belts" card featuring more than 30 superstars, a portion of which all profits will go to benefit the Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital Foundation, visit click here or connect with them on facebook at this link.

Friday, February 17, 2012

Countdown to Battle of the Belts: A Living Legend to Appear

Fort Lauderdale, FL – NWA Ring Warriors announced today that "The Living Legend" Larry Zbyszko, will make a special appearance on March 29th at the Fort Lauderdale National Guard Armory, 400 State Road 84, for their "Battle of the Belts" event which kicks off WrestleMania 28 weekend in South Florida.

Zbyszko, who will be posing for photos and signing autographs for fans, is a former NWA Western States Heritage Champion, an NWA National Heavyweight Champion and a co-holder of the WWWF Tag Team titles (with Tony Garea). But perhaps Zbyszko is best known for his two stints as World Champion of the now defunct AWA and his historic feud with the "other" Living Legend, former WWWF Champion Bruno Sammartino, which resulted in a steel cage match at Shea Stadium in Flushing, New York before nearly 37,000 fans.

In addition to the former American Wrestling Association champion being on hand, two local favorites have been added to the all-star lineup: South Florida’s own Tommy Vandal (pictured), who has had two impressive victories in each of his previous NWA Ring Warriors appearances, and former WWE competitor Pablo Marquez, who scored an exciting win over Francisco Ciatso on the January 18th NWA Ring Warriors card.

Also appearing at "Battle of the Belts" will be:

NWA World Heavyweight Champion "Scrap Iron" Adam Pearce, legendary NWA manager James E. Cornette who will be on hand to accompany his handpicked Ring of Honor Challenger for Pearce’s title, NWA World Tag Team Champions The Dark City Fight Club (Jon Davis & Kory Chavis), former WWE and NWA World Tag Team Champs the Headbangers (Mosh & Thrasher), The Red Devil Fight Team (Mikhail Ivanov & Aleksander Chekov) with manager Brett Adams and "The Russian Bear" Ivan Koloff, The Tokyo Monster Kahagas, NWA National Heavyweight Champion "The Dark Child" Chance Prophet, the 7-foot 315-pound Giant Titan, "The Marquee" Bruce Santee, former TNA stars Jesse Neal & "the Toxic Knockout" Christina Von Eerie, Chasyn Rance, Santana Garrett, WWE Hall of Famer Tammy "Sunny" Sytch, Vordell Walker and "Bad Ass" Billy Gunn.

For tickets to the “Battle of the Belts” card featuring more than 30 superstars, a portion of which all profits will go to benefit the Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital Foundation, Click Here.

Wednesday, February 15, 2012

Countdown to Battle of the Belts: An ECW Original to Appear


Fort Lauderdale, FL – NWA Ring Warriors announced today that Stevie Richards, an original ECW competitor, will appear on the March 29th "Battle of the Belts" card in Fort Lauderdale, which kicks off Mania weekend.

The crafty veteran, who made a name for himself competing for Extreme Championship Wrestling during its heyday, and who actually wrestled in the first ever ECW match back in 1992, will face current TNA World Television Champion Robbie E. in what is being billed as a non-title match.

Richards was part of ECW's popular Blue World Order (bWo) - a parody of World Championship Wrestling's New World Order - and had successful runs with both WCW (as part of Raven's Flock) and WWE (as part of Right to Censor, Stevie Night Heat and other groups). Richards appeared on international television as recently as late 2011 when he was part of TNA Impact.

The Stevie Richards/Robbie E. match will be part of a nine match all-star card that includes:

NWA World Heavyweight Champion "Scrap Iron" Adam Pearce defending the title against a handpicked Ring of Honor Challenger by Jim Cornette, who will be on hand.

The Dark City Fight Club (Jon Davis & Kory Chavis) putting the NWA World Tag Team Titles on the line in a three-way dance against former WWE and NWA World Tag Team Champs the Headbangers (Mosh & Thrasher) and The Red Devil Fight Team (Mikhail Ivanov & Aleksander Chekov), managed by Brett Adams and accompanied by "The Russian Bear" Ivan Koloff.

The Tokyo Monster Kahagas taking on the NWA National Heavyweight Champion "The Dark Child" Chance Prophet inside a steel cage.

The 7-foot 315-pound Giant Titan squaring off with "The Marquee" Bruce Santee in the final round of the NWA Ring Warriors Grand Championship Tournament.

Former TNA stars Jesse Neal & "the Toxic Knockout" Christina Von Eerie meeting Chasyn Rance & Santana Garrett in a mixed tag team match with WWE Hall of Famer Tammy "Sunny" Sytch as a special referee.

And "Bad Ass" Billy Gunn taking on Vordell Walker in a Grudge Match.

There will be four title matches on the card and more than 30 superstars participating. "Battle of the Belts" takes place at the National Guard Armory, 400 State Road 84, Fort Lauderdale.

For tickets click here.

Monday, February 13, 2012

Countdown to Battle of the Belts: It's A Shore Thing


Fresh off a PPV victory at "Against All Odds," current TNA World Television Champion Robbie E. will appear at "Battle of the Belts" for NWA Ring Warriors on March 29th at the Fort Lauderdale National Guard Armory, 400 State Road 84.

Although his opponent has not yet been announced, despite the theme of the show and the fact he currently holds a major belt, E. will be participating in a non-title match.

Robbie E. joins an all-star lineup that includes:

"Scrap Iron" Adam Pearce defending the NWA World Heavyweight Title against a handpicked Ring of Honor Challenger by ROH executive Jim Cornette.

The Dark City Fight Club (Jon Davis & Kory Chavis) defending the NWA World Tag Team Titles in a three-way dance against former WWE and NWA World Tag Team Champs the Headbangers (Mosh & Thrasher) and The Red Devil Fight Team (Mikhail Ivanov & Aleksander Chekov) managed by Brett Adams and accompanied by "The Russian Bear" Ivan Koloff.

NWA National Heavyweight Champion "The Dark Child" Chance Prophet facing the Tokyo Monster Kahagas in a steel cage.

"The Marquee" Bruce Santee squaring off with the 7-foot 315-pound Giant Titan in the finals of the NWA Ring Warriors Grand Championship Tournament.

Former TNA stars Jesse Neal & "the Toxic Knockout" Christina Von Eerie meeting Chasyn Rance & Santana Garrett in a mixed tag team match with WWE Hall of Famer Tammy "Sunny" Sytch as a special referee.

"Bad Ass" Billy Gunn taking on Vordell Walker in a Grudge Match.

There will be a total of nine matches on the card, four titles on the line and more than 30 superstars participating in this highly anticipated show.

For tickets click here.

Friday, February 10, 2012

NWA Champ Makes Statement About His ROH Challenger at Battle of the Belts

The one and only NWA World Heavyweight Champion, Adam Pearce, talks about Jim Cornette's handpicked Ring of Honor Challenger for March 29th at "Battle of the Belts" in Fort Lauderdale.



For ticket information on what is developing into one of the highest profile NWA shows in years, click here.

Tuesday, February 7, 2012

Countdown to NWA Ring Warriors’ Battle of the Belts: The Russian Bear to Appear


Fort Lauderdale, FL – NWA Ring Warriors announced this morning that “The Russian Bear” Ivan Koloff, will make a special appearance on March 29th at the Fort Lauderdale National Guard Armory, 400 State Road 84, for their “Battle of the Belts” event.

Koloff, who will be posing for photos and signing autographs for fans, is a former WWWF Heavyweight Champion who defeated “The Living Legend” Bruno Sammartino in a historic 1971 match and was also a five-time NWA World Tag Team Title co-holder with partners Ray Stevens, Don Kernodle, “Raging Bull” Manny Fernandez, Krusher Kruschev and “nephew” Nikita Koloff.

“The Russian Bear” will be paired with The Red Devil Fight Team (Mikhail Ivanov, Aleksander Chekov and manager Brett Adams) who will challenge former WWE and NWA World Tag Team Champs the Headbangers (Mosh & Thrasher) and current NWA World Tag Team Champs The Dark City Fight Club (Jon Davis & Kory Chavis) in a three-way dance for the NWA World Tag Team Titles.

In addition to three-way tag team title match, the show will feature NWA World Heavyweight Champion “Scrap Iron” Adam Pearce, Ring of Honor’s Jim Cornette and an ROH competitor, NWA National Heavyweight Champion Chance Prophet in a cage match with the Tokyo Monster Kahagas, “Bad Ass” Billy Gunn, Tammy Sytch, Jesse Neal and Christina Von Eerie, Vordell Walker, The Giant Titan, Santana Garrett and Chasyn Rance, “The Marquee” Bruce Santee and many others.

For tickets and details, click here.

Sunday, February 5, 2012

Countdown to NWA Ring Warriors’ ‘Battle of the Belts’: A look at Chance Prophet vs. the Tokyo Monster Kahagas in a Steel Cage


Prior to December 14th, 2011 Chance Prophet and the Tokyo Monster Kahagas had never met in the ring before. As a matter of fact they had never even wrestled on the same card before.

But sometimes all it takes is an unusual idea to create magic. For the NWA National Heavyweight Champion and his newest nemesis, all it took was one match to ignite a new feud and spark interest in a brand that in the Sunshine State had seen better times.

The Prophet-Kahagas pairing was the brainchild of matchmaker Larry Brannon (aka Vito DeNucci of New Heavenly Body fame and a three-time former NWA World Tag Team Champion), who thought having two wrestlers in face paint and presented as bad guys, would be an interesting matchup for the fans; a throwback to the classic heel versus heel battles. And even though Brannon has shown a creative prowess for visionary concepts as far back as 2001 when he was the first person to ever book Christopher Daniels and AJ Styles in a match together, he knew the Prophet-Kahagas match was a gamble as the outcome could’ve gone either way. Like the Daniels-Styles combination, the risk paid off.

Not since the days of Abdullah the Butcher and the Original Sheik Ed Farhat had fans seen such brutality from two competitors in what could best be described as an old school environment. The building itself that hosted the historic first meeting between Prophet and Kahagas was once a Mecca of sorts for Florida wrestling fans. The National Guard Armory in Fort Lauderdale, although not as famous as its Tampa cousin, the Fort Homer W. Hesterly Armory, had seen its fair share of historic confrontations as the Briscos (Jack and Gerry), the Funks (Dory Jr. and Terry), “The American Dream” Dusty Rhodes, “The Prince of Darkness” Kevin Sullivan, Bob Roop, Barry Windham, Blackjack Mulligan and a host of others have all called the building “Home” when in South Florida. So when Prophet and Kahagas took their battle out of the ring and into the crowd, it was as if they were tapping into the energy of the legends that had come before them – and the result was an old-school knock-down, drag-out, brawl.

Simply put it was that match, which ended in a wild double disqualification that took three referees and half the locker room to get under control, that got Florida wrestling fans talking again about the NWA – what it once was, and more importantly, under the Ring Warriors banner, what it could potentially be again.

Because of the amazing buzz the match produced on top of a card that easily qualified for Indie card of the year, NWA Ring Warriors immediately brought the match back for January 18th, this time with the stipulation of lumberjacks surrounding the ring to keep Prophet and Kahagas in check. But in the end all the lumberjacks did was add to the chaos and mayhem, creating another double disqualification scenario as veteran referee Bruce Michaels was left bleeding after accidentally being struck with a metal chair.

It was at that point that Brannon decided to put the pair inside a steel cage with the only way to win being to climb over the top. With the new scenario, there would be no count outs, no disqualifications, no referee stoppages or for that matter, no pins. To quote the old axiom, two men will enter, but only one will exit victorious – and to the winner will go the spoils.

Prophet recently had this to say about the upcoming match:



The Prophet-Kahagas Cage Match for the NWA National Heavyweight Championship is part of a nine-match card that will take place on Thursday, March 29, at the Fort Lauderdale National Guard Armory.

In addition to Prophet and Kahagas, the show will feature NWA World Heavyweight Champion “Scrap Iron” Adam Pearce, Ring of Honor’s Jim Cornette and an ROH competitor, NWA World Tag Team Champions The Dark City Fight Club (Jon Davis & Kory Chavis), “Bad Ass” Billy Gunn, The Headbangers, Tammy Sytch, Jesse Neal and Christina Von Eerie, The Red Devil Fight Team, Vordell Walker, The Giant Titan, Santana Garrett and Chasyn Rance, “The Marquee” Bruce Santee and many others.

For tickets and details, click here