Puerto Rican News Special Edition: IWA Puerto Rico's 25 Years of History

From Alfred Feliciano:

In the beginning...

1999, the Puerto Rican wrestling scene was about to be changed forever, at a time when the oldest promotion on the Island, the World Wrestling Council was dominating the ratings on local television and massive fan base through their regular and big live events, especially with their Anniversary Shows over the years, a new promotion was on the rise during that time at the height of the Monday Night Wars as a moot point for every promotion all across America and Worldwide, International Wrestling Association Puerto Rico was born and created and founded by the late Victor Quiniones, former WWE Spanish Announcer: Hugo Savinovich, and Los Boricuas members: Savio Vega, "El Malcriado" Miguel Perez, Jr., and the now-retired " El Macaracachimba" Hurricane Castillo, Jr. (all of them during that time were a part of the WWE's Attitude Era.) when WWE Superastros aired their final episodes on Univision, Vega and the rest of Los Boricuas were let go. however, the Genesis of IWA Puerto Rico had just begun. in the first two years of their original run, IWA Puerto Rico was a member of the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) under the helm of then president, the late Howard Brody, and just like another former NWA member, Lousiville, Kentucky's Ohio Valley Wrestling, it was also a WWE Development Territory where they send the Attitude Era's best stars come to the Island at the same time wrestlers from IWA Puerto Rico come Stateside to be used in Dark Matches for Raw and SmackDown! TV tapings, almost putting the oldest wrestling promotion on the Island, WWC out of business. started with the two-night tournament to crown the first IWA Puerto Rico World Junior Heavyweight Champion from May 20- 21, 1999 at the Guillermo Angulo Volleyball Arena in Carolina. retired Mexican luchador, Mr.Aguila (fka Essa Rios.) became the first champion. In that two-night weekend, former WWE and NWA member promotion superstars were a part of the event, then on October 28th,2000 from the historic Jose Pepin Cestero Arena in Bayamon, Shane Sewell, became the very first IWA Puerto Rico World Heavyweight Champion beating Apolo, Perez, Jr, even a young Ricky Banderas in a Fatal Four-way match in the finals of the Tournament. On that night NWA and WWE officials were in attendance, and who would ever forget the night of the WCW Invasion on Raw from Madison Square Garden in New York City on Monday, May 28th,2001, when "El Leon" Apolo, representing IWA Puerto Rico defeated former WCW New Blood member: Crowbar in that particular Dark Match. from 1999 through 2001, fans were packing every coliseum throughout the Island even with sponsoring from the old WWF Metal episodes every Saturday at 1:00 PM after their Impacto Total show from 2000 up to the weekend before the tragic events of 9/11 in 2001 on the Telemundo network all over the Island. weeks after, Impacto Total is a two-hour show Every Saturday from 12:00 -2:00 PM. IWA Puerto Rico made changes just weeks in the Fall of 2001 after no longer being an NWA member and a WWE Development Territory due to Japan's Zero-One becoming the newest NWA member promotion, Brody stepping down no longer the president of the NWA, and Vince McMahon's purchase of WCW and ECW, with the Alliance Invasion angle was on its last legs leading to their Pre Thanksgiving event Survivor Series on November 18, 2001 from the Greensboro Coliseum in the historic NWA Mid-Atlantic city, Greensboro, North Carolina. in their Main event, WWE came out on top in the Winner Take All match pitting the final nail to the coffin on the WCW/ECW Alliance forever.

Growth, Working Relationships, and Fall of the Original Run

In 2002, with the introduction of the promotion's newly created Intercontinental Championship, the very first Ring of Honor event took place in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania where ECW Original "The Insane Luchador" Super Crazy became the inaugural IWA Puerto Rico Intercontinental Champion beating the late, great WWE Guerrero. "Mr.Raytings" Ray Gonzales left WWC during their XWF Invasion angle and joined IWA Puerto Rico as Rey Fenix (not to be confused with the Mexican luchador) lead to the match at Golpe De Estado of that year where Fenix became the new IWA Puerto Rico World Champion. With the promotion's growth in popularity, fans all over the Island were watching IWA every weekend on Telemundo and going to live events. IWA had a TV show in English available on networks stateside featuring commentary with Mario Savoldi and "Dirty" Dutch Mantell. IWA Puerto Rico's working relationship over the years throughout their original run was with TNA, Ring of Honor, and WWE (a few years later in 2004-2005, though still no longer a territory) and even a short return as an NWA member throughout the NWA World Championship Tournament from 2007 until 2009. with local promotions on the Island, PRWA (in their original run), Ponce's NWG (last November, they had their reunion show.), NWS owned by Cesar Vargas and New Revolution Wrestling in Mayaguez owned by Evelyn Crespo, which in 2006 became IWA Puerto Rico's development territory on the West Coast of the Island. IWA also had alliances with two of Latin America's top lucha promotions, Panama's now-defunct Revolution Xtreme Wrestling (where Vega was that promotion's World Champion) and Ecuador's Wrestling Alliance Revolution. Along with their growth in popularity, IWA Puerto Rico had suffered losses and controversies. Victor Rodriguez passed away in 2004, founder Victor Quiniones passed away on April 2nd, 2006, and Omar Perez Barreto (Mephisto Lophanto) passed on in 2007. Due to controve rsies after Quiniones' passing, economic hardships, lawsuits, and Telemundo Puerto Rico network severing ties with the promotion, attendance dwindled. Despite their best in making a comeback. all these issues led to their closure in July 2012. At that time, IWA Puerto Rico had an angle against San Juan's Entertainment Wrestling Organization promotion. Unfortunately, their events were postponed and canceled, the promotion itself closed its doors , leaving longtime, leaving fans all over the Island and stateside upset. Almost seven years later, IWA Puerto Rico returned.

Mysteriomania, Reaching New Heights and Forming New Partnerships

Thursday, November 29th (Thanksgiving Weekend) 2018, Wrestling Superstar and Lucha Libre Online presented their Mysteriomania event Dedicated to Bayamon native, "El Mesias" Ricky Banderas. "El Boricua Mayor" Savio Vega alongside Hugo Savinovich, who was no longer a part of WWE, announced the relaunch of IWA Puerto Rico. after almost seven years of being closed down, folded, and dormant. the longtime fans were jumping for joy that it returned. In 2019, IWA Puerto Rico started the year with a bang with their Impacto Total three-night tour in Quebradillas, Manati, and Guaynabo. Dedicated to Mark and his late brother, Chris Youngblood. With the record-breaking fan attendance in those three nights, IWA Puerto Rico returned for good, Since its return these past five years, even throughout their inactivity due to the "COVID" Crisis. the promotion tried to have a partnership with rival WWC, that didn't work locally. but their partnerships with Major League Wrestling (MLW) and the returned IWA Florida are still active and going strong, even throughout the IWA Puerto Rico against the IWE angle leading to a Winner Take All event almost two years ago unifying both IWA and IWE championships as one, even as LAWE was already closed down, Pedro Portillo came to IWA Puerto Rico with the now-defunct LAWE World Title in a bag,(the same thing where Noriega, left WWC in 2008 with that year's version of the Universal Championship to there (IWA Puerto Rico's original run) only to return at WWC's 36th Anniversary Show in 2009.) including new partnership in Histeria Boricua earlier This month with United Wrestling Network, where Danny Limelight returned to defend the UWN World Championship. all leading to their upcoming 25th Anniversary Show.

The Stars Who Came and Left Their Mark

During IWA Puerto Rico's 25 Years, it created future stars to be prepared for any promotion on the Island, in America, and Worldwide. alongside, "El Leon" Apolo, Banderas, "El Ilegal" Chicano, "El Hombre de los Kilates" Abbad, "The King of Chaos" Ricky Cruz, Anarchy, current IWA Puerto Rico Women's World Champion: "The Original Poison Ivy" Evie De La Rosa, Sensational Star Roger, "El Hombre de la Revolucion" Zcion RT1, "El Escorpion" Mike Mendoza, Carlos Controversial from Controversial, Inc., "La Guerrera" Amazona, La Morena, La Revolucion Dominicana (El Bakano, "El Latino Dorado" Joe Bravo, and Spanky Balbuena), The Academy (Chris Angel, Riddix, Clemente, and Jay Cobbs), El Diabolico, retired stars: Zexxus, Dennis Rivera, Golden Boy, and Ryan Bisbal (Super Mark.) Wel Gomez, Lash, "El Rabioso" Blitz, Mr. Big, Stefano, Hiram Tua, "Jumping" Jeff Jeffrey, "Los Fugitivos de la Calle" Niche and Lynx, current EWA president: Richard Rondon, "El Veneno de la Cobra" Romeo, Noel Rodriguez, El Cuervo de Puerto Rico, Tommy Diablo,"La Amenaza" Bryan, Eric Perez,Super Atomo,Mecha Wolf 450, Ivelisse Velez, The Puerto Rican Hound Dogg,Cyrus, Alex Raided,Xix Xavant, "El Hombre que no es facil" Gilbert, among others who began and cut their teeth in IWA Puerto Rico's original run became more famous and popular over the years, stars who came since its return: "El Macho Alpha" Manny Ferno, Leinord White, Nick Mercer, "The Chosen" Khriz Diaz, JC Navarro, "La Nueva Cara" Electro,"La Potra" Waykiria, former EWO and WWC World Tag Team Champions: "La Ola de La Violencia" The Doom Patrol (Cold and Death Warrant, w. "La Peligrosa" Krystal), students from Mike Mendoza's Espiritu Pro Wrestling Dojo: 2 Hot 4 U, El Hijo de Enigma, "El Atleta" Manu, "La Brava Pelirroja" Yaide, Gema, Nathalya Perez (Daughter of "El Malcriado" Miguel Perez, Jr.), and Nahir Robles, "The Man" John Hawking, along with stars from the now-defunct LAWE promotion from Pedro Portillo, and Justin Cotto, Azazel, Aiden Andre, and more. well-known wrestling superstars who came to IWA Puerto Rico from its original run and since their return varies from current and former stars be it from WWE, or TNA. Ring of Honor. MLW, Worldwide, etc. Mexico's Mr, Aguila, Oziel Toscano, Jesus Cristobal,Super Crazy,Juventud Guerrera, Psychosis, and Antifaz Del Norte. Tiger Mask, The Great Sasuke, Alex Otsuka, Dragon Makabe, Tojo Sensei, Fujita, and the rest of the Dragon Clan from Japan, Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, Team 3D, Adam Copeland (fka Edge), Gangrel, D-Generation X (X-Pac, Road Dogg, and "Bad Ass" Billy Gunn), Chris Jericho, Diamond Dallas Paige, The Naturals (Chase Stevens and Andy Douglass), Pierre Carl Oullette, Hannibal (Devon Nicholls), Fidel Sierra, Ricky Santana, Val Venis, Shawn Stasiak, DLo Brown, Chazz (Mosh of the Headbangers), Pete Gas of the Mean Street Posse, Vassago( Brett Sanders), "El Lobo" Andy Anderson, Ozzie (Ashley Hudson), Slash Venom (Flash Flannagan), Jon Moxley (fka Dean Ambrose), Rikishi, Scottie 2 Hottie, Russ Mccullough, Oz and Eddie Craven, Assad (MVP on WWE Raw), "Notorious 187" Homicide, Dan Maff, and BJ Whitmer part of the ROH Invasion, Tiger Ali Singh, Eric Young, Bobby Roode, The Beautiful People (Angelina Love and Velvet Sky), Sinn Boddhi, Hade Vansen, Bad Boy Bradley, Mitch Paradise, David Flair (Ric Flair's son), Hangman Hughes, Big Vito, Ricky Vega, The Heartbreak Express (Sean and Phil Davis), Josef Samael (The Sheik), Justin Credible, Tommy Dreamer, The Tonga Kid, Richard Holliday, "The Samoan Werewolf" Jacob Fatu, Lance Anoai, Konnan, R-Truth, Billy Kidman, Slice Boogie, America's Most Wanted ("Cowboy" James Storm and "Wildcat" Chris Harris), Necro Butcher, Jerry Lynn (appeared in IWA Puerto Rico twice),Mike Donovan and Mike Modest, The Power Twins, Nailz,Rick Steiner,Mad Man Pondo, Slick Wagner Brown, April Hunter, ECW world Champion: Steve Corino,Bull Buchannon,The Disciples of Apocalypse members: Chainz, Skull, and 8-Ball, The Pitbulls, Mikael Judas,Matt and Jeff Hardy, Hernandez, David Young, "Wildfire" Kasey James, Aaron Stevens, Deuce Snuka, Nick Dinsmore(fka Euguene), Kane,Abyss,Samoa Joe,and so many more. even those who are no longer with us locally and well-known, from Steve Bradley, WWE Hall of Famers: Road Warrior Hawk, Scott Hall, Eddie Guerrero. and Terry Funk, "Bison" Mark Smith, Tim Arson, ECW Originals: Balls Mahoney, Hack Myers, and New Jack, Gustavo the ring crew member, Malice of WCW, and the first IWA Puerto Rico women's World Champion: "La Chica del Alto Voltaje" Genesis. all of those left their mark and memories throughout the promotions' 25-year history.

Note: Jeff Jarrett and Jerry Lynn, came to IWA Puerto Rico twice, as a WWE development territory, then in 2003 through 2005, Jarrett was the NWA World Heavyweight Champion. meanwhile, in 2009, Lynn was the Ring of Honor World Champion.

The Championships

IWA Puerto Rico has had championships from its inception and original run and since its return, it is still active among the World, World Tag Team, Intercontinental, and the return of the IWA Puerto Rico's Puerto Rican and Women's Championship. The titles that were a part of the original run that have been defunct ranges from IWA Puerto Rico's World Junior, Cruiserweight, and Hardcore.

Jose Pepin Cestero Arena, Bayamon, Puerto Rico: The Place for IWA Puerto Rico's 25th Anniversary Show.

Like Mexico's Arena Mexico, New York City's Madison Square Garden, and Cornelia, Georgia's Landmark Arena, now closed and abandoned. the historical, Jose Pepin Cestero Arena, Bayamon has hosted great wrestling events for many years from WWC's Televised tapings as a former NWA member from 1984-1985, the year when WWC had a working relationship with another former NWA member from the Northeastern, US. Mario Savoldi's ICW, and most of all for IWA Puerto Rico's events as TV tapings for their shows in Telemundo on their original run for Thirteen years from its beginnings in 1999 until their closing in 2012. with its greatest moments, no fan be it from all over the Island and all over America will never forget. now, just a few years after Hurricane Maria and the "COVID" Crisis, the Arena was renovated took a few years of fixing and bringing back together fans for almost two years, it is the site for IWA Puerto Rico's 25th Anniversary Show on Saturday, February 3rd. Here is their promo and the entire Anniversary Show card to watch.

Ending this Special Edition are the moments of IWA Puerto Rico's 25 Years of History as well as the recent episodes and This weekend's episode. plus episodes of the affiliate IWA Florida since their return a few years ago.