World Wrestling League

World Wrestling League
Private, Limited liability company
Industry Professional wrestling, sports entertainment
Founded December 19, 2012
Founder Richard Negrín
Headquarters San Juan, Puerto Rico
Area served
 Worldwide
Key people
 Savio Vega
(President)
Dennis Rivera
(General Manager)
Richard Negrín
(Former President)
Owner Richard Negrín
Website Official website

The World Wrestling League (WWL) or Liga Mundial de Lucha Libre is a wrestling promotion based out of San Juan, Puerto Rico. Founded in 2012 by businessman Richard Negrín with the cooperation of established wrestling figures such as Hugo Savinovich, the company has developed a global scope, establishing alliances with over a dozen international promotions and holding shows throughout the Americas. In line with the traditional model of professional wrestling, WWL's shows do not feature legitimate sporting contests. Instead, its programs feature storyline-driven combat sport matches with predetermined outcomes and acrobatic and grappling maneuvers that are worked, which are publicly promoted as legitimate bouts to accentuate the entertainment. The promotion features a similar business model to other companies targeting a global audience, including a system of income that relies on licensed merchandise and an intricate developmental system employed to nurture its main roster. However, unlike the brand and contract based approach of promotions like World Wrestling Entertainment, WWL focuses on the organization of cooperative events, allowing the free flow of its talents to associated companies in a system that serves as a Latin American counterpart to the North American National Wrestling Alliance.[1]

History

Presided by Richard Negrin and produced by Hugo Savinovich, the World Wrestling League was founded in late 2012 and began its media exposition on January 21, 2013. The promotion was officially launched in a press conference held at the Water Club hotel in San Juan.[2] In this event, WWL announced the signing of several high-profile Puerto Rican wrestlers, including former champions of the International Wrestling Association and World Wrestling Council Eric Pérez, Roberto Rubio and José "Monster Pain" Torres.[2] The company also presented its business plan, noting that it intended to have an international scope instead of directly competing with other promotions in Puerto Rico.[2] A series of alliances were made with several international promotions including Wrestling Alliance Revolution (WAR) in Ecuador, Leader Wrestling Assotiation (LWE) in Peru, Dominican Wrestling Entertainment (DWE) in the Dominican Republic and Total Nonstop Action Wrestling in the United States.[2] During the following months, the promotion focused on creating its final roster and production team, which saw the exclusion of Víctor Siebens, owner of the Puerto Rico Wrestling Association, who had served as producer during the first months and the inclusion of Allied Independent Wrestling Federation's (A.I.W.F) Lucha Chicago All Pro and NWA Lucha Chicago's former promoter Danny Nieves Gerena to fill the role.[3] In February, two of the IWA's and WWC's main producers in the past, Héctor Moyano, Sr. and his eponymous son joined to work on the production of the television show, "Campeones del Ring", which was launched on Tele Isla and CW Puerto Rico the following week.[4] Axel Cruz was contracted to serve as the promotions main announcer along Moyano, with Joe Don Smith and Harold Santy serving as counterparts for the English announce table.[5] However, the announcing staff was changed due to the death of Moyano due to illness, with José Laureano joining it before his demise. In mid-February the WWL announced the inclusion of then NWA World Champion Kahagas and WXW World Champion Joe "Hercules" Gómez to the roster of its first show.[6] This was followed by alliances with Asistencia Asesoría y Administración in Mexico and Pro Wrestling Revolution (PWR) in California, with both of these companies agreeing for their champions to expose the titles outside of their territories.[7][8] On February 16, the José Miguel Agrelot Coliseum was selected to host WWL's first show, "Idols of Wrestling".[9]

The stage used by WWL was based on Castillo San Felipe del Morro.

Afterwards, an alliance with Lucha Xtrema Nacional of Panama was established, leading to the inclusion of its champion, Panama Jack Daniels #10, who was quickly teamed with WAR World Champion Mega Star in a team known as Los Mega 10. On February 25, 2013, Ricky Banderas was announced as the challenger for the AAA Mega Championship against El Texano, Jr. in what would be the main event of the debut show.[10] A defense of the NWA World Championship was negotiated, but was abandoned once Kahagas dropped the title. However, PWR confirmed that both its Heavyweight and Women's championships would be exposed at Idols of Wrestling. Dominican Wrestling Entertainment did the same, with the addition of DWE Heavyweight Champion Rico Casanova to the event. In the weeks leading to Idols of Wrestling, AAA vice-president Dorian Roldán confirmed his presence for the card.[11] On March 13, 2013, TNA talent was included in the card, an occurrence that was highlighted on Impact Wrestling's Spanish broadcast.[12] WWL went on to announce the production of an iPPV for the international public.[13] Pro Wrestling Zero1 became the first Japanese promotion to enter an alliance with WWL, directly working with them through Pro Wrestling Mexico Zero1 and leading to the addition of its titleholder Psicodelico, Junior.[14] In the final month before the event, WWL joined Gladiadores Aztecas de Lucha Libre Internacional (GALLI) and presented its World Heavyweight and Tag Team title belts.[15][16] On April 9, 2013, another foreign title defense was added, with Mid West USA champion Ricky Cruzz. Idols of Wrestling went ahead without chances in the announced card, featuring six title defenses. During the course of the event, new PWR champions were crowned in the figures of Ivelisse Vélez and Blue Demon, Jr., while Monster Pain won a tournament to crown the first WWL World Heavyweight Champion by defeating Bobby Lashley in the final draw.[17]

Immediately following its first show, WWL began to work on merchandising its brand, producing its first DVD and placing licensed apparel on the market. On April 26, 2013, the promotion released its rankings for the heavyweight, cruiserweight, tag team and women's divisions. The event gathered attention from mainstream media outlets, including Primera Hora, Univision Puerto Rico, America TeVé and Telemundo's Punto2 as well as specialized publications such as Súper Luchas. On April 30, 2013, the promotion announced an extension of Campeones del Ring to Panamian television. WWL's next appearance was at PWR's anniversary show, where members of its roster headed by Vélez performed. During early May, WWL negotiated with AAA in order to include some of its talents in Triplemanía XXI. In exchange, AAA talents joined for futures events, including some maineventerss such as Dr. Wagner, Jr.. This led to the inclusion of the WWL Heavyweight Champion Monster Pain on that card, as well as the team of Pérez and Rubio in a contest for the AAA World Tag Team Championship. Pain joined Jeff Jarrett and Matt Morgan to defeat the AAA World Trios Champions, Los Psycho Circus.[18] On May 13, 2013, WWL launched its first international tour, establishing dates for Monterrey México, San Antonio, California, Eagle Pass, Chicago, Pennsylvania, New York, the Dominican Republic and its second show in Puerto Rico.[19] As part of this effort, an alliance was created with Fighting Spirit Wrestling (FSW) and international wrestlers including John Henningan, Mil Máscaras and Terry Funk were signed.[19] On May 17, 2013, WWL announced that they had signed Carly Colón for their shows.[19] This was regarded as an unexpected event, due to the fact that Colón is a main eventer in the World Wrestling Council, and that promotion's press manager, José Roberto Rodríguez, had used its official webpage to directly criticize WWL.[19] The first talents to be contracted in June were Heddi Karaoui of All Star Wrestling U.K. and Zumbi of the Brazilian Wrestling Federation.[20]

On July 7, 2013, the promotion crowned their first World Tag Team Champions, when Los Mamitos (Mr. E & Sexy B) defeated the teams of Eita & Tomahawk, El Hijo de Kato Kung Lee & Vengador Radioactivo, and Heddi Karaoui & Zumbi in a four way match. On July 28, 2013, WWL reached an association agreement with the National Wrestling Alliance. Three days later, the promotion closed a deal with New Xtreme Order of Bolivia.[21] In September WWL held two shows in Mexico, which were highlighted by several local wrestlers gaining victories over foreign champions. Among these were Los Mamitos who defeated the AAA World Tag Team Champions "The Mexican Powers" (Joe Líder and Crazy Boy) and Los Boricuas who reunited to score a win over the Los Psycho Circus, the team that still held the AAA World Trios Championship.[22] Colón debuted by winning a three-way match over AAA Latin American Champion Blue Demon, Jr. and La Parka II.[22] In the final title match of the 2013 season, Pain successfully defended the WWL World Heavyweight Championship against John Morrison.[23] During the offseason, an alliance with Desastre Total Ultraviolento (DTU) and the incorporation of masked female wrestler Zeuxis were made official.[24] On January 4, 2014, the promotion announced the second season of the Dream Matches Tour, which opens with three shows between March 7– 9.[24] WWL made further moves to promote these events, also exploiting the publicity generated by Luis Urive's release from WWE by immediately recruiting the original Sin Cara.[25]

This stage opened with a series headlined by a successful defense of Los Mamitos over La Dinastía Máscaras (Sicodelico, Jr. and Hijo de Dos Caras).[26] Monster Pain won a triple threat match and wrestled Mil Máscaras to a no contest to remain the WWL World Wrestling Champion.[26] On June 15, 2014, WWL announced a restructuration of its programming, introducing two new shows that debuted in the Puerto Rico subsidiary of The CW, "Hablando de Lucha" and "WWL Presenta" airing Saturdays and Sundays respectively.

On March 23, 2015, WWL founder and president Richard Negín announced his retirement from wrestling, closing the WWL.[27]

However, on April 11, 2015 WWL founder and president Richard Negrin announced that WWL once again is open for business and will debut on new network Mega TV (United States) Puerto Rico subsidiary WVOZ-TV Channel 32.1 with a new show named "High Voltage" debut on March 25, 2015 and creating The Saturday War competing that day's schedule 12:00 - 1:00pm with WWC the Extreme Wrestling Organization (EWO).[28] On June 22, 2015 WWL President Richard Negrin announced that World Wrestling League would start their TV Tapings at Teatro Ambassador in Santurce, Puerto Rico and also he was going to reveal their "Biggest Signing of Wrestling" and later was revealed that the sign was Invader#1.[29] On October 28, 2015, Negrín announced that the promotion would cease holding cards, citing that a diabetes condition was preventing him from running the organization.

Months later, WWL began airing a number of skits in its social media pages, eventually leading to a formal announcement that it would resume operations on March 13, 2016. A new element introduced was a new World Heavyweight Championship belt, which was forged but never debuted during 2015. Some days later, they announced their new Television Home was going to be "America Tevé" with their program "High Voltage" to debut on April 4, 2016.[30] Then held the first TV Taping of the third season at Maxx FC Gym in Bayamon on April 30, 2016,[31] the second and third TV Tapings at The Outlet in Canovanas on June 18, 2016[32] and July 16, 2016.[33] The first Live event of 2016 in this new season was "Summer Blast" which took place on August 13, 2016 in Arecibo.[34] The second live event Started a series of live events called "WWL High Voltage Live" and it took place on September 17, 2016 at "WWL Arena" in Carolina, Puerto Rico.[35] On September 26, 2016, it was announced by General Manager "Dennis Rivera" that WWL stopped their TV Broadcast on America TV and now they are focused on Social Media.[36] The third season of "High Voltage" ended on October 23, 2016 with 28 Episodes[37] meanwhile fourth season started on November 4, 2016 and the first live event was Implosion that took place on November 5, 2016 on Cataño, Puerto Rico,[38] the second live event was WWL High Voltage Live on November 13, 2016 again on Cataño.[39]

Developmental territories

Logo of New Borinquen Pro Wrestling.

On March 30, 2013, WWL confirmed that it would open a developmental territory, New Borinquen Pro Wrestling, which had been originally envisioned by Nieves-Gerena a year before as a strong-style promotion based on the Japanese tradition.[40] On April 28. 2013, WWL presented NBPW's redesigned logo and improved graphics. On May 21, 2013, NBPW announced the date of its debut show setting it for June 29. The territory began its own series of signings from the Puerto Rican independent circuit, including talent with experience in the now inactive International Wrestling Association via open tryouts. A developmental expansion followed, when WWL's alliance with GALLI evolved so that the former could become a territory based on a city with heavy Puerto Rican population. Locally, independent promotion New Revolution Wrestling briefly became a territory operating in Puerto Rico's west coast. In 2015, NBPW broke ties with the WWL.

Working relationships

Here is listed the working relationship of World Wrestling League with others wrestling promotions around the world.

Former associates

Former Deveploment territory

Main Wrestling Events

Each year WWL promotes a number of signature events: some shown as pay-per-view events and others presented as iPPV's. The annual shows, shown in order of occurrence during each year, include:

Event Last Held Notes
Guerra de Reyes January 6, 2015 A show held traditionally in the early part of the year.
Rebelión en el Sur February 21, 2015 A event held usually in South Puerto Rico
International Cup March 21, 2015 A tournament called International Cup, with participation of national and international wrestlers.
Sin Piedad August 15, 2015 Event was held for first time at Coliseo Antonio R. Barcelo In Toa Baja.[41]
Summer Blast August 16, 2016 First event of 2016 and High Voltage Season 3[42]
High Voltage Live September 17, 2016 Second event of 2016 to be done on WWL Arena on Carolina, Pr
WrestleFest September 19, 2015 Their biggest event of the year that will held for first time ever in Mayagüez.[43]
Insurrection October 10, 2015 A show held usually in October.
Navidad Corporativa December 13, 2014 WWL's end-of-year show, usually in December

Championships and accomplishments

Shane Sewell as the WWL World Heavyweight Champion.

Championships

ChampionshipCurrent champion(s)Date wonEvent
WWL World Heavyweight Championship Ash November 13, 2016 High Voltage Live!
WWL Americas Championship "Big Daddy" Montes August 13, 2016 Summer Blast
WWL World Tag Team Championship Khaos & Abbado November 5, 2016 Implosion
WWL World Trios Championship Vacant August 13, 2016 Summer Blast
WWL Television Championship Vacant August 4, 2016 High Voltage
WWL Extreme Championship Vacant October 28, 2015 -
WWL Super Cruiserweight Championship Niche June 18, 2016 High Voltage
WWL Goddess Championship Vacant August 13, 2016 Summer Blast

Other accomplishments

AccomplishmentLatest winnerDate won
WWL International Cup Escobar March 21, 2015
Rising Stars Battle Royal Prince Xander October 18, 2014

Salón de los Inmortales

The Salón de los Inmortales (Spanish for Hall of Immortals) is the WWL Hall of Fame. It was created in 2015.

Year Image Ring name
(Birth name)		 Accolades
2015 Invader #1
(José Huertas González)		 WWL's Corporative Director. Won over 30 championships between Puerto Rico and United States.
2015 Invader #3
(Johnny Rivera)
2015 El Profe
(Ángel Pantoja)
2015 Super Médico #1
(José Estrada Sr.)		 Won over 20 championships between Puerto Rico and United States.
2016 Jose Luis Rivera

(Marcelino Rivera Alicea)

 He was part of "Los Conquistadores" Tag team in WWF[44]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "La World Wrestling League busca revolucionar la lucha libre profesional" (in Spanish). Primera Hora. 2013-01-22. Retrieved 2014-01-17.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Hermes Ayala (2013-01-21). "Hugo Savinovich presenta su nueva propuesta de lucha" (in Spanish). NotiCel.com. Retrieved 2014-01-14.
  3. ↑ Francisco "McGyver" Gaztambide (2013-02-20). "¿Cambios en la WWL?" (in Spanish). Puerto Rico Wrestling. Retrieved 2014-01-14.
  4. ↑ José Pérez (2013-05-31). "Isle of Puerto Rico: Hector Moyano Sr. Passes Away, More Details about WWL: "Dream Matches Tour"". PWInsider.com. Retrieved 2014-01-14.
  5. ↑ Josián Vázquez (2013-02-14). "WWL: El Rudo de los Rudos se Une a WWL". WrestlingDOM. Retrieved 2014-01-14.
  6. ↑ "WWL: Rico Casanova y 'Tokyo Monster' Kahagas ingresan a la WWL". WrestlingDOM.com. Retrieved 2014-01-14.
  7. ↑ "WWL Talent At AAA's Triple-Mania, More Partnerships For WWL". Caribseel News. 2013-02-07. Retrieved 2014-01-17.
  8. ↑ "Pro Wrestling Revolution y World Wrestling League juntas en el mes de agosto" (in Spanish). Súper Luchas. Retrieved 2014-01-17.
  9. ↑ "Nace una nueva liga en la lucha" (in Spanish). Primera Hora. 2013-04-15. Retrieved 2014-01-14.
  10. ↑ "WWL Anuncia Evento Estelar de su Primera Cartelera" (in Spanish). El Mundo (Puerto Rico). 2013-02-27. Retrieved 2014-01-17.
  11. ↑ ""Ya por fin en Puerto Rico...": Lic. Dorian Roldán" (in Spanish). Súper Luchas. 2013-04-20. Retrieved 2014-01-17.
  12. ↑ José Pérez (2013-03-14). "TNA announces new working relationship". PWInsider.com. Retrieved 2013-05-29.
  13. ↑ Mike Johnson (2013-03-18). "WWL debut event in Puerto Rico to be iPPV, official card released, loaded with American and Mexican stars & more". Pro Wrestling Insider. Retrieved 2013-05-29.
  14. ↑ "¡@WWLMundial en la Arena Coliseo de Monterrey! - ¿Sabu presente este 16/Jun/13?" (in Spanish). Super Luchas. 2013-05-13. Retrieved 2014-01-17.
  15. ↑ "WWL anuncia Alianza con GALLI Lucha Libre Chicago" (in Spanish). El Mundo (Puerto Rico). 2013-03-23. Retrieved 2014-01-17.
  16. ↑ José Pérez (2013-04-05). "WWL updated debut card & title belts presented". PWInsider.com. Retrieved 2013-05-29.
  17. ↑ Fransico "McGyver" Gatzambide (2013-04-21). "Resultados WWL 'Idols of Wrestling'" (in Spanish). Puerto Rico Wrestling. Retrieved 2013-05-29.
  18. ↑ Eduardo Cano (2013-06-17). "Jeff Jarrett, Matt Morgan y Monster Pain vencen a psycho Circus en #Triplemania XXI" (in Spanish). Super Luchas. Retrieved 2014-01-17.
  19. 1 2 3 4 José Pérez (2013-05-18). "Isle of Puerto Rico: Carlito in WWL". PWInsider.com. Retrieved 2014-01-17.
  20. ↑ William Beltrán (2013-06-03). "WWL: @ZUMBIBRASIL y Heddi Karaoui el 7 de Julio en Monterrey" (in Spanish). Súper Luchas. Retrieved 2014-01-17.
  21. ↑ "XWO de Bolivia se une a WWL". Diario Oaxaca. 2013-07-31. Retrieved 2014-01-17.
  22. 1 2 "Los Boricuas se reunen en México" (in Spanish). Puerto Rico Wrestling. 2013-09-07. Retrieved 2014-01-14.
  23. ↑ "Resultados WWL – "WWL Dream Matches Tour" – Arena Coliseo Monterrey – Dom 08 Sept. 2013" (in Spanish). Luchamanía Monterrey. 2013-09-10. Retrieved 2014-01-14.
  24. 1 2 Juan Rosario (2014-01-04). "Mucha variedad en el inicio de la lucha libre en el 2014" (in Spanish). Primera Hora. Retrieved 2014-01-17.
  25. ↑ Caldwell, James (2014-01-31). "Newswire: Original Sin Cara joins new promotion, new DDP video for "FTB" tour, Punk in WWE newspaper ad, Cartoon Network/WWE, Orton inspires comic book cover?". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved 2014-01-31.
  26. 1 2 "Notas de WWL en Veracruz, MX 8/7" (in Spanish). Puerto Rico Wrestling. 2014-04-08. Retrieved 2014-03-09.
  27. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0MBROwlOrbI&t=26&app=desktop
  28. ↑ http://prwrestling.com/nw/?p=3627
  29. ↑ "WWL vuelve al Teatro Ambassador". Retrieved 2015-08-16.
  30. ↑ "Regresa en grande la WWL". Primera Hora. Retrieved 2016-03-25.
  31. ↑ "WWL High Voltage - Timeline | Facebook". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 2016-09-02.
  32. ↑ "WWL Mundial - Timeline | Facebook". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 2016-09-02.
  33. ↑ "WWL Mundial - Timeline | Facebook". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 2016-09-02.
  34. ↑ "WWL Mundial - Timeline | Facebook". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 2016-09-02.
  35. ↑ "WWL Mundial - Lo que nos lleva a nuestro evento en vivo... | Facebook". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 2016-11-18.
  36. ↑ "WWL Mundial - ULTIMA HORA - Una sorpresa para Savio Vega... | Facebook". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 2016-11-18.
  37. ↑ "WWL Mundial - Y AQUÍ ESTAMOS! ESTO ES HIGH VOLTAGE #28... | Facebook". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 2016-11-18.
  38. ↑ "WWL Presenta: Implosión!". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 2016-11-18.
  39. ↑ "WWL Mundial - ¡TU COMPROMISO ES ESTE DOMINGO CON HIGH... | Facebook". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 2016-11-18.
  40. ↑ Jose Perez (2013-03-30). "Lashley, Kazarian & Pearce added to WWL's debut event; Developmental territory for WWL; WWC's Camino a la Gloria and more news: Isle of Puerto Rico". Pro Wrestling Insider. Retrieved 2013-05-29.
  41. ↑ "WWL: High Voltage #11La llegada de la Gran Firma y alguien del Consejo invade WWL – Sin Piedad es el próximo evento de la Liga Mundial de Lucha Libre #WWL". Superluchas. Retrieved 2015-07-18.
  42. ↑ "WWL High Voltage - Timeline | Facebook". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 2016-07-17.
  43. ↑ "WWL da su primer paso para regresar en grande". Retrieved 2015-08-17.
  44. ↑ "WWL High Voltage #12 - Third Season". YouTube. Retrieved 2016-07-06.
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