Hawai'i Championship Wrestling
| Hawai'i Championship Wrestling logo | |
| Acronym | HCW |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2003 |
| Defunct | 2008 |
| Style | Old School / Sports Entertainment /Strong Style Mix |
| Headquarters | Honolulu, HI |
| Founder(s) | Don Muraco and Linda Bade |
Hawai'i Championship Wrestling (HCW), was an American professional wrestling promotion founded in 2003. It had been associated with both AWA Superstars, and also, the NWA. The company folded in July 2008.
History[edit]
The promotion was founded by television producer Linda Bade and Don Muraco, in February 2003 with the inaugural show held in March. A "blessing" of the belts was held in June on the Big Island of Hawai'i. Those who attended the private belt blessing ceremony included several wrestlers of native Hawaiian descent, as well as "guests" belt maker Reggie Parks, Ed Chuman (NWA Midwest), Bill Apter (pro wrestling journalist and current HCW Commissioner), Teruo Kawana and Masahiro Chono (NWA Japan and NJPW). HCW's first champion, Lopaka, was involved in the honors of the blessing with the Royal Order of Kamehameha. The "honor" was documented by Ka Maka O' Ka A'ina and WWE's photographer.[1][2][3][4]
They paid a huge amount of money for talent from Japan, U.S. independents, and former WWE and WCW talent such as Sting, Diamond Dallas Page, Eddie Fatu (Umaga, WWE), Kensuke Sasaki, The Great Muta (Keiji Mutoh) and Masahiro Chono.
Battle Hawaii 2003 and 2004[edit]
Battle Hawaii 2003 and 2004 were significant points in HCW's history as the promotion undertook some brave business ventures in cross-promoting itself with New Japan Pro-Wrestling in Battle Hawaii 2003 with the appearances of Masahiro Chono, Yuji Nagata, Jushin Thunder Liger, and Tiger Mask IV and with Battle Hawaii 2004 with the appearances of Sting, DDP, Rikishi, and The Great Muta. According to Japan's Weekly Gong Magazine and Shuukan Puroresu, they reported 400+ fans attended Battle Hawaii 2003 and over 1,000 attended 2004. The number was inflated because Japanese officials were ashamed of the low draw (200 for Battle Hawaii 2003 and 117 at Battle Hawaii 2004) and told HCW that just like in Japan you must exaggerate numbers to do better business [5][6]
HCW officials continued to work with outside talent from Japan eventually reaching a business relationship with Japanese puroresu icon Kensuke Sasaki and wife, Akira Hokuto. Kensuke Sasaki had just returned to Japanese wrestling scene and managed to capture the IWGP Heavyweight Title while still holding the HCW Heavyweight Championship after defeating 1st champion Lopaka.
2003-2008[edit]
HCW also entertained the US military troops, and communities through support by the contracting offices of the MWR. Some military installations they were contracted for are: MCBH - Bay Fest / Kaneohe Marine Corps Base - E Club, Pearl Harbor US Navy Base, and Schofield Barracks US Army Base. In May 2006, TNA provided HCW with the appearance of then TNA's X Division Champion, Samoa Joe to HCW's special Friday Nite Slam! event, on Schofield Barracks, sponsored by the MWR. In late 2006, Don Muraco was released by HCW and longtime friend of HCW and pro wrestling journalist. Bill Apter was named as his replacement for the second time.
In late November 2006, the MWR awarded HCW with a newly signed 2007 contract for their Saturday Nite Slam! monthly series from Schofield Barracks US Army Base. HCW continues to entertain both the military troops and the public as they have since 2003, adding their own uniqueness to wrestling, with Polynesian cultural elements into their shows, such as Samoan fire knife presentations with live drums, and other Polynesian dance and chant forms. Recently, HCW added a new Women's Division, featuring former WWE DIVA Tracy Taylor, veteran, Malia Hosaka, former Japan's J'D Star wrestler Tsunami, along with Japan's Hikaru, and Saki Maemura.
Aside from the HCW regulars, Kaimana, Micah, "Superfly" Ete. "Samoan Stallion" Ativalu, Big Daddy Frank, Ahuna, Tilo Vasaga, Sean Chrstain, and more,HCW had opened their doors to several individuals from the island of Maui fronted by Hawaiian indy wrestling veteran Shin-Ku (who once wrestled former World Heavyweight Champion and current WWE Smackdown! Superstar Rey Mysterio). Maui wrestlers such as Da Crusher, Kamu, Carma, and Ma Hu Wong were added onto the HCW roster, (with some potential trainees from the Big Island) as well as the mainland US. Seattle, and Chicago wrestling veterans Matthew Farmer, and Chris Del Sol (The Suicide Kings), also became HCW regulars. HCW presently networks with the INOKI L.A. Dojo, First On Stage/ ZERO1-MAX/ SUN/ EWA/ HUSTLE of Japan.[7] HCW has also included former ECW, NWA, AWA World Heavyweight Champion, Steve Corino involvement established in January 2007.
HCW has also brought in NWA Hall Of Famer, Mr. Wrestling II (aka Johnny Walker) http://www.georgiawrestlinghistory.com/host/johnnywalker/home.html as their training coach, and on-camera "God Father" of the promotion. In October 2007, HCW introduced Mr. Wrestling 3, who was chosen as Mr. Wrestling ll's official successor. http://www.MrWrestling3.com
HCW ran its last live show on June 14, 2008 with help from AZW Hawaii who helped HCW with their last two shows since HCW was low on talent.Shortly after that last event Linda privately announced to the remaining handful of wrestlers she had left that HCW was going on "hiatus". HCW folded shortly after when the two top remaining stars Kaimana and Ativalu officially joined AZW.
Championships[edit]
Final champions[edit]
| Title Notes: | Final Champion(s) |
| HCW Kamehameha Heritage Championship | Micah |
| HCW Inter-Island Ali'i O Kalina Championship | Ativalu |
| HCW Kekaulike Heritage Tag Team Championship | Toa Samoa |
| HCW World Women's Championship | Hikaru |
References[edit]
External links[edit]
- Official Site
- HCW Results Archive (Online World of Wrestling)
- HCW Title Histories
- http://www.zerooneusa.com
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