Ohio Valley Wrestling
Encyclopedia
Ohio Valley Wrestling (OVW) is an American
independent
professional wrestling promotion
based in Louisville, Kentucky
. OVW is run by owner Danny Davis and was a member of the National Wrestling Alliance
(as NWA Ohio Valley Championship Wrestling) from 1997 until 2000. In 2000, OVW became part of the World Wrestling Entertainment
(WWE) developmental program, of which it was a member until February 7, 2008. Since November 2011, OVW serves as the official developmental territory for Total Nonstop Action Wrestling
(TNA).
was head booker of OVW for a period before being fired by WWE for slapping a student, Anthony Carelli
. He was replaced by Paul Heyman
who booked OVW until being called up to be the booker of the ECW brand. Greg Gagne
was supposed to be booker after Heyman, but his knowledge of OVW was limited so the booking was extended to also include Al Snow
and Danny Davis
. Gagne was later released from the company, leaving booking to Snow and Davis.
On February 7, 2008, WWE announced that it had ended its relationship with OVW as a developmental territory, moving all contracted talent to Florida Championship Wrestling
. However, on September 23, 2009, OVW announced via a press release from WWE that Senior EVP John Laurinaitis
visited and scouted OVW wrestlers and that WWE will take "a much more active role in recruiting OVW developed talent". OVW and WWE maintained a close relationship as throughout 2008 and 2009 WWE-contracted talent would make occasional appearances on OVW shows and OVW talent has remained a large part of WWE's recruiting classes with eight members of the roster being signed to the WWE since February 2008 and many more being used on WWE programming as extras or enhancement talent. On February 22 and 23, 2010 the WWE in conjunction with OVW held a two-day tryout camp for independent wrestlers. It was the first event of this nature held outside Florida Championship Wrestling
since FCW became WWE's sole developmental territory.
On September 8, 2010, in what was dubbed the company's season premiere, Danny Davis
, who himself was making his return for the first time in over a year, announced that Jim Cornette was returning to his role as head booker of the company. Cornette, who is also executive producer of Ring of Honors HD Net show, stated that Ring of Honor talent as well as talent from other companies were going to compete in OVW along with the current crop of stars and returning OVW stars in an effort to return the company to its previous reputation as the best independent wrestling company to get recruited from. A similar claim was made by Cornette during the announcement of Ring of Honor HDnet program moving its tapings to the OVW/Davis arena.
On November 7, 2011, it was announced that OVW and Total Nonstop Action Wrestling
(TNA) had reached an agreement for OVW to become TNA's official training and developmental territory.
in London, Kentucky
at 9:00 p.m., and in the Louisville area on WKYI at 1:00 p.m. OVW also has streaming video via their website ovwrestling.com, where new episodes are streamed every Monday following the previous Wednesday's television taping. The television shows originate from the Davis Arena in Louisville.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
independent
Independent circuit
In professional wrestling, the independent circuit or indy circuit refers to the many independent promotions which are much smaller than major televised promotions. They are roughly analagous to a minor league for pro wrestling, or community or regional theatre.Specific promotions on the...
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...
based in Louisville, Kentucky
Louisville, Kentucky
Louisville is the largest city in the U.S. state of Kentucky, and the county seat of Jefferson County. Since 2003, the city's borders have been coterminous with those of the county because of a city-county merger. The city's population at the 2010 census was 741,096...
. OVW is run by owner Danny Davis and was a member of the National Wrestling Alliance
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...
(as NWA Ohio Valley Championship Wrestling) from 1997 until 2000. In 2000, OVW became part of the World Wrestling Entertainment
World Wrestling Entertainment
World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. is an American publicly traded, privately controlled entertainment company dealing primarily in professional wrestling, with major revenue sources also coming from film, music, product licensing, and direct product sales...
(WWE) developmental program, of which it was a member until February 7, 2008. Since November 2011, OVW serves as the official developmental territory for Total Nonstop Action Wrestling
Total Nonstop Action Wrestling
Total Nonstop Action Wrestling is a privately held professional wrestling promotion founded by Jeff Jarrett and Jerry Jarrett. The company broadcasts its events on television and the Internet fifty two weeks a year with over a million weekly viewers on its primary television program, Impact...
(TNA).
History
Jim CornetteJim Cornette
James Mark "Jim" Cornette is an American professional wrestling manager, commentator, promoter, and booker. As a manager, he has worked for Jim Crockett Promotions, World Championship Wrestling and World Wrestling Federation and from 1991 to 1995, was the owner of Smoky Mountain Wrestling...
was head booker of OVW for a period before being fired by WWE for slapping a student, Anthony Carelli
Anthony Carelli
Anthony Carelli is an Italian-Canadian professional wrestler, mixed martial artist and judoka better known by his ring name Santino Marella. He is currently signed to WWE, competing on its Raw Brand...
. He was replaced by Paul Heyman
Paul Heyman
Paul Heyman is an American entertainment producer, best known for his career in professional wrestling as a promoter, manager, commentator and journalist. He is also an occasional actor in film....
who booked OVW until being called up to be the booker of the ECW brand. Greg Gagne
Greg Gagne (wrestler)
Gregory Alan "Greg" Gagne is a former professional wrestler and the son of Verne Gagne. In the late 1970s and early 1980s, he achieved his biggest success as one half of the tag team The High Flyers with Jim Brunzell...
was supposed to be booker after Heyman, but his knowledge of OVW was limited so the booking was extended to also include Al Snow
Al Snow
Allen Ray Sarven is an American professional wrestler and actor better known by his ring name of Al Snow. He is best known for his work in Extreme Championship Wrestling and World Wrestling Entertainment and currently works for Total Nonstop Action Wrestling as a road agent.-Early career:Sarven...
and Danny Davis
Daniel Burile
The Tyger ProUniversal Wrestling Champion.Daniel Briley is a former professional wrestler who worked under the stage name Danny Davis. Briley is now the owner of Ohio Valley Wrestling.-Career:...
. Gagne was later released from the company, leaving booking to Snow and Davis.
On February 7, 2008, WWE announced that it had ended its relationship with OVW as a developmental territory, moving all contracted talent to Florida Championship Wrestling
Florida Championship Wrestling
Championship Wrestling from Florida was the corporate and brand name of the Tampa, Florida wrestling office existing from 1961, when Eddie Graham first bought into the promotion, until 1987, when it closed down. It is also referred to as Florida Championship Wrestling...
. However, on September 23, 2009, OVW announced via a press release from WWE that Senior EVP John Laurinaitis
John Laurinaitis
John Joseph Laurinaitis is the Executive Vice President of Talent Relations for WWE and appears on WWE's Raw Brand as interim General Manager. He was previously a professional wrestler under the ring name Johnny Ace, and wrestled for such promotions as the National Wrestling Alliance and All...
visited and scouted OVW wrestlers and that WWE will take "a much more active role in recruiting OVW developed talent". OVW and WWE maintained a close relationship as throughout 2008 and 2009 WWE-contracted talent would make occasional appearances on OVW shows and OVW talent has remained a large part of WWE's recruiting classes with eight members of the roster being signed to the WWE since February 2008 and many more being used on WWE programming as extras or enhancement talent. On February 22 and 23, 2010 the WWE in conjunction with OVW held a two-day tryout camp for independent wrestlers. It was the first event of this nature held outside Florida Championship Wrestling
Florida Championship Wrestling
Championship Wrestling from Florida was the corporate and brand name of the Tampa, Florida wrestling office existing from 1961, when Eddie Graham first bought into the promotion, until 1987, when it closed down. It is also referred to as Florida Championship Wrestling...
since FCW became WWE's sole developmental territory.
On September 8, 2010, in what was dubbed the company's season premiere, Danny Davis
Daniel Burile
The Tyger ProUniversal Wrestling Champion.Daniel Briley is a former professional wrestler who worked under the stage name Danny Davis. Briley is now the owner of Ohio Valley Wrestling.-Career:...
, who himself was making his return for the first time in over a year, announced that Jim Cornette was returning to his role as head booker of the company. Cornette, who is also executive producer of Ring of Honors HD Net show, stated that Ring of Honor talent as well as talent from other companies were going to compete in OVW along with the current crop of stars and returning OVW stars in an effort to return the company to its previous reputation as the best independent wrestling company to get recruited from. A similar claim was made by Cornette during the announcement of Ring of Honor HDnet program moving its tapings to the OVW/Davis arena.
On November 7, 2011, it was announced that OVW and Total Nonstop Action Wrestling
Total Nonstop Action Wrestling
Total Nonstop Action Wrestling is a privately held professional wrestling promotion founded by Jeff Jarrett and Jerry Jarrett. The company broadcasts its events on television and the Internet fifty two weeks a year with over a million weekly viewers on its primary television program, Impact...
(TNA) had reached an agreement for OVW to become TNA's official training and developmental territory.
Television
OVW currently airs a 60-minute television program Saturdays on WOBZ-LPWOBZ-LP
WOBZ-LD is a digital low power television station in East Bernstadt, Kentucky, broadcasting on Channel 9. Licensed in 1991 as W09BZ, the station now goes by WOBZ-TV 9, a simple rearrangement of the original calls...
in London, Kentucky
London, Kentucky
-Education:All of the following schools are administered by the Laurel County School District.-Primary schools:* * * * * * * * * * * * -High schools:* * -Colleges:* Laurel Technical College* * -Notable natives:...
at 9:00 p.m., and in the Louisville area on WKYI at 1:00 p.m. OVW also has streaming video via their website ovwrestling.com, where new episodes are streamed every Monday following the previous Wednesday's television taping. The television shows originate from the Davis Arena in Louisville.
Current champions
| Championship | Current champion(s) | Date won | Won from |
|---|---|---|---|
| OVW Heavyweight Championship OVW Heavyweight Championship The OVW Heavyweight Championship is a professional wrestling heavyweight championship owned by the Ohio Valley Wrestling promotion. The title was introduced on August 17, 1997 at an OVW live event, then known as the NWA-OVW Heavyweight Championship due to OVW's relationship with the National... |
Rudy Switchblade | November 2, 2011 | Nick Dinsmore Nick Dinsmore Nicholas "Nick" Dinsmore , better known by his ring names Eugene and U-Gene, is an American professional wrestler... |
| OVW Television Championship OVW Television Championship The OVW Television Championship is the secondary championship of Ohio Valley Wrestling started on January 5, 2005. When the title was originally conceived, the champion defended against randomly selected opponents, with the winner receiving a check for $1000... |
Adam Revolver | November 16, 2011 | Alex Silva |
| OVW Southern Tag Team Championship OVW Southern Tag Team Championship The OVW Southern Tag Team Championship is the tag team titles of Ohio Valley Wrestling. Created in 1997, the first champions were Nick Dinsmore and Flash Flanagan. As of 2011, the current champions are Ted McNaler and Adam Revolver, known as The Elite in their fourth reign... |
The Elite |
September 3, 2011 | The Fat and The Furious |
| OVW Women's Championship OVW Women's Championship The OVW Women's Championship is a championship in Ohio Valley Wrestling . The first holder of the title was ODB, who declared herself champion in August 2006. The belt was defended as any other championship in professional wrestling until Serena Deeb declared she would defend the belt under 24/7... |
Taeler Hendrix Taeler Hendrix Taeler Conrad is an American professional wrestler and model better known by her ring name of Taeler Hendrix.-Other promotions :... |
November 12, 2011 | Lady JoJo |
Defunct championships
| Championship | Final champion | Date won | Won from | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| OVW Light Heavyweight Championship | Chris Michaels Chris Michaels Bill Pierce, better known by the ring name Chris Michaels is a former American professional wrestler who wrestles in the southeast independent circuit.-Career:Michaels wrestled in both Smokey Mountain Wrestling and United States Wrestling Association.... |
April 12, 2000 | Sean Casey | |
| OVW Hardcore Championship OVW Hardcore Championship The OVW Hardcore Championship was a short-lived hardcore wrestling title in World Wrestling Entertainment's former developmental territory, Ohio Valley Wrestling. The title was created in 2000 and was deactivated in 2001... |
Randy Orton Randy Orton Randal Keith "Randy" Orton is an American professional wrestler and actor. He is signed to WWE wrestling on its SmackDown brand... |
May 5, 2001 | Flash Flanagan |
Male wrestlers
| Ring name | Real name | Notes | Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adam Revolver | Jared Pridgin | OVW Southern Tag Team Champion OVW Southern Tag Team Championship The OVW Southern Tag Team Championship is the tag team titles of Ohio Valley Wrestling. Created in 1997, the first champions were Nick Dinsmore and Flash Flanagan. As of 2011, the current champions are Ted McNaler and Adam Revolver, known as The Elite in their fourth reign... , OVW Television Champion OVW Television Championship The OVW Television Championship is the secondary championship of Ohio Valley Wrestling started on January 5, 2005. When the title was originally conceived, the champion defended against randomly selected opponents, with the winner receiving a check for $1000... |
Face |
| Alex Silva | Alex Silva Alex Silva (wrestler) Alex Silva is an Canadian professional wrestler, who is currently signed by Ohio Valley Wrestling .-:Silva made his debut for the Awesome Wrestling Entertainment promotion on February 5, in a lossing effort to Jimmy Wang Yang... |
Face | |
| Andreas Rossi | Andy Baker | Heel | |
| Asher Knight | Adam Atherton | Face | |
| Benjamin Bray | Ben Mitchell | Face | |
| Brandon Espinosa | Brandon Espinosa | Heel | |
| Christopher Silvio | Heel | ||
| Cliff Compton | Cliff Compton Cliff Compton Clifford "Cliff" Compton is an American professional wrestler, better known by his ring name Domino. He is signed with Ohio Valley Wrestling , where he is a former two–time OVW Heavyweight Champion... |
Face | |
| Elvis Pridemoore | Elvis Moore | Face | |
| James Thomas | Tom Wabs | Heel | |
| James Onno | Jimbo Onno | Heel | |
| Jamin Olivencia | Jamin Olivencia | Face | |
| Jason Wayne | Jason Light Wayne | Face | |
| John Brooks | John Brooks | Inactive due to torn pectoral muscle | Face |
| Lennox Norris | Comanorris Lane | Heel | |
| The Great Malaki | Zeus Espinoza | Face | |
| Michael Hayes | Michael Hayes | Face | |
| Mike Mondo | Michael Brendli | Face | |
| Mohammad Ali Vaez | Ali Vaez | Heel | |
| Mr. Black | Jack McCubbins | Face | |
| Nick Dinsmore | Nick Dinsmore Nick Dinsmore Nicholas "Nick" Dinsmore , better known by his ring names Eugene and U-Gene, is an American professional wrestler... |
Heel | |
| Paredyse | James Long | Face | |
| Randy Terrez | Randy Gutierrez | Face | |
| Raphael Constantine | Clint Garner | Heel | |
| Raul LaMotta | Aaron LaMotta | Face | |
| Rocco Bellagio | Rocco Bellagio | Heel | |
| Rudy Switchblade | Eric Matlock | OVW Heavyweight Champion OVW Heavyweight Championship The OVW Heavyweight Championship is a professional wrestling heavyweight championship owned by the Ohio Valley Wrestling promotion. The title was introduced on August 17, 1997 at an OVW live event, then known as the NWA-OVW Heavyweight Championship due to OVW's relationship with the National... |
Heel |
| Shiloh Jonze | Shiloh Jonze | Face | |
| Ted McNaler | Nick Beckham | OVW Southern Tag Team Champion OVW Southern Tag Team Championship The OVW Southern Tag Team Championship is the tag team titles of Ohio Valley Wrestling. Created in 1997, the first champions were Nick Dinsmore and Flash Flanagan. As of 2011, the current champions are Ted McNaler and Adam Revolver, known as The Elite in their fourth reign... |
Face |
| Tony Gunn | Heel | ||
| Trailer Park Trash | Frank Miller | Face |
Femme Fatales
| Ring name | Real name | Notes | Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| Epiphany | Devorah Frost Devorah Frost Devorah Simone Frost is an American professional wrestler better known as "Epiphany". She is currently working in Ohio Valley Wrestling, where she is a former OVW Women's Champion.-Debut :... |
Heel | |
| Hannah Blossom | Lucy Knott The Blossom Twins Lucy Knott and Kelly Knott , are English twin professional wrestlers. The twins are a professional wrestling tag team under the ring names Hannah Blossom and Holly Blossom, collectively referred to as The Blossom Twins, and work for Ohio Valley Wrestling... |
Face | |
| Holly Blossom | Kelly Knott The Blossom Twins Lucy Knott and Kelly Knott , are English twin professional wrestlers. The twins are a professional wrestling tag team under the ring names Hannah Blossom and Holly Blossom, collectively referred to as The Blossom Twins, and work for Ohio Valley Wrestling... |
Face | |
| Izza Belle Smothers | Mickie Knuckles Mickie Knuckles Mickie Lee Knuckles is an American professional wrestler who has worked for a number of major independent promotions, including Independent Wrestling Association Mid-South, Chikara and Combat Zone Wrestling. She also worked for Total Nonstop Action Wrestling under the name Moose... |
Face | |
| Jessie Belle Smothers | Jessie Belle Smothers | Face | |
| Lady JoJo | Josette Bynum | Heel | |
| Solo Darling | Christina Darling | Heel | |
| Taeler Hendrix | Taeler Conrad Taeler Hendrix Taeler Conrad is an American professional wrestler and model better known by her ring name of Taeler Hendrix.-Other promotions :... |
OVW Women's Champion OVW Women's Championship The OVW Women's Championship is a championship in Ohio Valley Wrestling . The first holder of the title was ODB, who declared herself champion in August 2006. The belt was defended as any other championship in professional wrestling until Serena Deeb declared she would defend the belt under 24/7... |
Face |
| Taryn Shay | Tiffany Souder | Heel | |
Tag Teams
| Team | Members | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| The Elite | Ted McNaler and Adam Revolver | OVW Southern Tag Team Champions OVW Southern Tag Team Championship The OVW Southern Tag Team Championship is the tag team titles of Ohio Valley Wrestling. Created in 1997, the first champions were Nick Dinsmore and Flash Flanagan. As of 2011, the current champions are Ted McNaler and Adam Revolver, known as The Elite in their fourth reign... |
| The Fat and The Furious | Jack Black and Trailer Park Trash | |
| Smothers Twisted Daughters | Izza Belle and Jessie Belle Smothers | |
| The Blossom Twins | Hannah and Holly Blossom The Blossom Twins Lucy Knott and Kelly Knott , are English twin professional wrestlers. The twins are a professional wrestling tag team under the ring names Hannah Blossom and Holly Blossom, collectively referred to as The Blossom Twins, and work for Ohio Valley Wrestling... |
|
Other on-air staff
| Name | Role |
|---|---|
| Bill Clark | Referee |
| Brittany DeVore | Backstage Interviewer |
| Chris Bolin | Manager of Bolin Services 2.0 |
| Chris "The Package" Sharpe | Referee |
| Christian Mascagni | Manager of Rudy Switchblade |
| Dean Hill | Commentator |
| Gilbert Corsey | Commentator |
| Joe Wheeler | Referee |
| Jordan Barker | Referee |
| Kenny Bolin Kenny Bolin Kenny Bolin is a professional wrestling manager, best known as the lead villainous manager in Ohio Valley Wrestling as the manager of Bolin Services. Hit podcast Radio show called "The Bolin Alley" he does with his son Chris... |
Commentator |
| Mo Green | Manager of Christopher Silvio |
| Ron Hed | Ring announcer |
Training Staff
| Name | Title |
|---|---|
| Al Snow Al Snow Allen Ray Sarven is an American professional wrestler and actor better known by his ring name of Al Snow. He is best known for his work in Extreme Championship Wrestling and World Wrestling Entertainment and currently works for Total Nonstop Action Wrestling as a road agent.-Early career:Sarven... |
Psychology/Advanced Methodology also appears in TNA as a Road Agent |
| Nick Dinsmore Nick Dinsmore Nicholas "Nick" Dinsmore , better known by his ring names Eugene and U-Gene, is an American professional wrestler... |
Beginners Class |
| Rip Rogers Rip Rogers Mark Sciarra whose professional name is Rip Rogers is a former professional wrestler and trainer for Ohio Valley Wrestling. He is currently a trainer for Derby City Wrestling in Louisville, Kentucky.-Career:... |
Head Trainer/Advanced Class |