Hawai'i Championship Wrestling
Encyclopedia
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.
(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.
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
.
, 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
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.
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. 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.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
professional wrestling promotion
Professional wrestling promotion
A professional wrestling promotion is a company or business that regularly performs shows involving professional wrestling. Promotion also describes a role which entails management, advertising and logistics of running a wrestling event...
founded in 2003. It had been associated with both AWA Superstars, and also, the NWA
National Wrestling Alliance
The National Wrestling Alliance is a wrestling promotion company and sanctions various NWA championships in the United States. The NWA has been in operation since 1948...
. The company folded in July 2008.
History
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 decent, as well as "guests" belt maker Reggie Parks, Ed Chuman (NWA Midwest), Bill ApterBill Apter
Bill Apter is a journalist specializing in professional wrestling and best known for the kayfabe or so-called "mark" magazines for which he edited and photographed matches from the 1970s to the present. The magazine he became most prominently known for was Pro Wrestling Illustrated...
(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.
They paid a huge amount of money for talent from Japan, U.S. independents, and former WWE and WCW talent such as Sting
Sting (wrestler)
Steven James "Steve" Borden , better known by his ring name Sting, is an American semi-retired professional wrestler, currently signed to Total Nonstop Action Wrestling...
, Diamond Dallas Page
Diamond Dallas Page
Dallas Page , better known by his ring name "Diamond" Dallas Page , is an American retired professional wrestler, fitness instructor and actor...
, Eddie Fatu
Eddie Fatu
Edward Smith "Eki" Fatu was a Samoan-American professional wrestler better known by his ring name Umaga...
(Umaga, WWE), Kensuke Sasaki
Kensuke Sasaki
is a Japanese professional wrestler who currently wrestles for various promotions through his own agency, Kensuke Office. He is the first of two men ever to hold all 3 of puroresu's major heavyweight titles , the other being Yoshihiro Takayama.-Early years :Kensuke Sasaki...
, The Great Muta (Keiji Mutoh
Keiji Mutoh
is a Japanese professional wrestler who first gained international fame in the National Wrestling Alliance. He is mostly known for his work as The Great Muta in New Japan Pro Wrestling during the 1990s, but he has also competed in United States, Puerto Rico, Mexico, and Taiwan...
) and Masahiro Chono
Masahiro Chono
, is a Japanese professional wrestler. He primarily wrestles for New Japan Pro Wrestling , but has also made appearances for the now defunct World Championship Wrestling, as a member of the New World Order. Chono was also known as Mister Black Jack when he first started as a villain. He is a...
.
Battle Hawaii 2003 and 2004
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 NagataYuji Nagata
is a Japanese professional wrestler. He was known for his perennial tweener status, currently a solid fan favorite, and his stiff, shoot style wrestling technique....
, Jushin "Thunder" Liger, and Tiger Mask IV and with Battle Hawaii 2004 with the appearances of Sting, DDP, Rikishi
Solofa Fatu
Solofa F. Fatu, Jr. is an American professional wrestler, best known under the ring name Rikishi.-The Samoan Swat Team:...
, 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
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-current events
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. HCW has also included former ECW, NWA, AWA World Heavyweight Champion, Steve Corino
Steve Corino
Steven Eugene "Steve" Corino is a Canadian professional wrestler, who currently works for Pro Wrestling Zero1, Ring of Honor and numerous other independent promotions. Corino is a former NWA World Heavyweight Champion and ECW World Heavyweight Champion.-Early years :Corino began wrestling in 1994...
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.
Final champions
| Title Notes: | Final Champion(s) |
| HCW Kamehameha Heritage Championship HCW Kamehameha Heritage Championship The HCW Kamehameha Heritage World Heavyweight Championship is the most prestigious championship in the American professional wrestling promotion Hawai'i Championship Wrestling.-Title history:-External links:**... |
Micah |
| HCW Inter-Island Ali'i O Kalina Championship HCW Inter-Island Ali'i O Kalina Championship The HCW Inter-Island Ali'i O Kalina Championship is a secondary championship in the American professional wrestling promotion Hawai'i Championship Wrestling.-Title history:-External links:**... |
Ativalu |
| HCW Kekaulike Heritage Tag Team Championship HCW Kekaulike Heritage Tag Team Championship The HCW Kekaulike World Tag Team Championship is the championship for tag teams in the Hawai'i Championship Wrestling professional wrestling promotion.-Title history:... |
Toa Samoa |
| HCW World Women's Championship HCW World Women's Championship The HCW World Women's Title is the only Women's championship in the American professional wrestling promotion Hawai'i Championship Wrestling. It began as the AWA Japan Women's title.-Title history:-List of reigns by length:As of August 3, 2009.... |
Hikaru |
External links
- Official Site
- HCW Results Archive (Online World of Wrestling)
- HCW Title Histories
- http://www.zerooneusa.com