An early PWX banner with the promotion's original logo.
Pro Wrestling eXpress was established by Jim Miller and Sean "Shocker" Evans in 1994.[1][2] A wrestling school, the PWX Academy, was subsequently opened at the Eastland Mall with B.A. Briggs and Jimmy Valiant as head trainers.[3] PWX also had a weekly late-night television show that aired on WPTT.[4] The first events were held in October and November 1995. The first PWX Heavyweight Champion, B.A. Briggs, won the championship in a tournament held on October 21, 1995, in North Versailles, Pennsylvania. The first PWX Tag Team Champions were crowned in a tournament final on January 8, 1996, in North Versailles, when Sean Evans and Vince Charming defeated Brian Anthony and Paul Atlas. PWX was also one of several East Coast promotions to feature talent from Extreme Championship Wrestling. On December 13, 1996, Blue World Order members Stevie Richards and The Blue Meanie won the PWX Tag Team Championship.[5]
Rivalry with Steel City Wrestling
In late 1997, PWX television announcers Norm Connors and Andrew Lazarchik began holding their own wrestling events in the Pittsburgh metropolitan area under the Steel City Wrestling banner. On September 21, 1997, an interpromotional PWX-SCW show was held at Pittsburgh's Sullivan Hall. Connors and Lazarchik left the company at the end of the year, due to creative differences with PWX management, and began directly running against PWX. This led to a near three-year rivalry that lasted until SCW's close in the spring of 2000.[6]
At one point, PWX was one of three groups under the umbrella of NWA East along with the Pittsburgh Wrestling League and World Legion Wrestling. It was eventually decided to consolidate all three groups into a single company. On June 22–23, 2001, PWX vacated all its championships to create four new titles as part of NWA East.[11] Paul Atlas became the NWA East Triple Jeopardy Champion after defeating Jimmy Angel, Kid Cupid, Kid Ego and Scott Venom. Crusher Hansen defeated J.B. Destiny and Dean Jablonski in a three-way match for the NWA East Three Rivers Championship. The Mon Valley Monsters (Cory K and Big Poppa Gator) beat Armageddon (Rapture and Revelation) in a tournament final to unify the NWA East, Pittsburgh Wrestling League and Pro Wrestling eXpress Tag Team Championships to form the new NWA Pro Wrestling eXpress Tag Team Championship. Brandon K also defeated Dirk Ciglar in a tournament final to unify the NWA East, PWL and PWX Heavyweight titles into the newly formed NWA East Triple Crown Heavyweight Championship.[12] On December 15, 2001, NWA East / PWX hosted the 2001 NWA Clash of the Champions at the McKeesport Sportatorium in which Shinya Hashimoto defeated Steve Corino and Gary Steele in a three-way round-robin "Iron Man" match to capture the then vacant NWA World Heavyweight Championship. After the match, Hashimoto was attacked by a masked wrestler to was revealed to be former NWA world champion Dan Severn.[13]Naohiro Hoshikawa also made his U.S. debut at the event unsuccessfully challenging NWA East Triple Jeopardy Champion Paul Atlas in a Triple Threat match with Nikita Allanov.
Relationship with the Allied Powers Wrestling Federation
NWA East / PXW had a close working relationship with the Allied Powers Wrestling Federation based in Commodore, Pennsylvania. The two promotions co-hosted several interpromotional shows together from 2002 to 2010. These early shows had the two companies sharing talent, however, a storyline developed which saw relations between APWF and NWA East become confrontational. A showdown of sorts took place at the McKeesport Sportatorium on July 5, 2002, pitting APWF and NWA East wrestlers against each other. According to the pre-match stipulations, the APWF would receive the contracts of NWA East wrestlers if they won the majority of the matches. If the NWA East wrestlers won the majority, APWF wrestlers would be banned from their shows. Bubba Brewer (APWF) defeated Crusher Hansen (NWA East) in the first bout while Spiffy Sean Stylez (NWA East) won the second bout against Kidd Country (APWF) via disqualification. In the final bout, Jimmy Vega$ and Dr. Feelgood (APWF) beat Dirk Ciglar and Brandon K (NWA East) to win the NWA East contracts for the APWF.[15] The APWF-NWA East war continued throughout the summer. The APWF "invasion" came to an end in McKeesport on August 2, 2002, when J.B. Destiny and Sean Stylez defeated Kid Country and Charlie Mansun. APWF promoter Chris Lash was forced to leave the National Wrestling Alliance as a result.[16]
Jon Burton, a sportscaster for SportsRadio 93.7, was recruited by NWA East / PWX promoter Jim Miller to become a "heel" wrestler for the promotion. Burton initially entered pro wrestling for a one-time wrestling match against fellow radio broadcaster Bubba the Bulldog of B94.[26][27] He won the NWA East / PWX Brass Knuckles Championship twice while competing for the company.[28][29]
PWX Wrestleplex and television syndication
"When we first went down, when they first got this building, it was a school. You know, like an elementary school. And we went down and they unhooked, like [the doors] had been chained shut, and they broke the bolt on it and unchained it. And I'm thinking 'We're gonna' find, you know, the body of a drug addict in here! What is this?'. And the ceilings needed to be torn out. The whole place needed to be gutted. And they have really, and not just Jim and Quinn, but all the wrestlers, trainees, and volunteers, and other people who really went in there and [...] have turned it into a great little arena. Its got great lighting, and its got a stage, and it's also a great training venue where we have a chance to now train new students and train the next generation."
In an April 2015 interview, Chris LeRusso discusses the PWX Wrestleplex[30]
NWA East / PWX held the majority of its shows at the PWX Wrestleplex, located at the Eastland Mall, in North Versailles, Pennsylvania. The promotion moved its events from Eastland Mall, which was demolished in 2005, to the Jacob Woll Pavilion in Renziehausen Park during the mid-2000s.[2] It also held events at The Sportatorium[7] and The Palisades in McKeesport, Pennsylvania.[31] In August 2011, the promotion relocated to McKeesport and established a new home venue, what was dubbed "The New PWX Wrestleplex", at the former St. Stephen's Church fellowship hall and school.[2] The property was in such poor condition that it was necessary for a group of wrestlers, students and other volunteers to do a complete tear out and renovation.[30] The move was officially announced on September 24 at what would be the final show at Jacob Woll Pavilion in Renzie Park. In the main event, NWA North American Tag Team Champions Team MEGA (JR Mega and Ashton Amhurst) successfully defended the title against Patrick Hayes and then PWX Heavyweight Champion Stryder. This was the last NWA East / PWX event in which an NWA championship was contested. On October 29, 2011, the New PWX Wrestleplex was opened to the public. The PWX 17th Anniversary Show featured the return of many alumni and included T. Rantula's induction into the PWX Circle of Respect.
In February 2013, Channel 22 began broadcasting PWX Steel City TV on Saturday mornings. The promotion originally had a late-night television show on WPTT during the late 1990s but had been off local television during the previous decade. PWX Steel City TV was syndicated to Channel 26 in mid-Mon Valley and Channel 56 in Westmoreland County reaching a potential audience of 400,000 viewers. Live shows were filmed at "The New PWX Wrestleplex" using a four-camera setup and a green screen for special features. PXW programming was shown in Western Pennsylvania and parts of Ohio and West Virginia on a total of 12 over-the-air television stations.[4] As of 2015, it is also available online via Roku and Vimeo.[30]
Recent years
On May 2, 2010, NWA East / PWX took part in Deaf Wrestlefest, an annual benefit show for the Western Pennsylvania School for the Deaf, with Patrick Hayes successfully defending his heavyweight title against Ashton Amherst. Amherst, a longtime NWA East / PWX "heel" wrestler, served as the main antagonist in the 2013 comedy horror film Pro Wrestlers vs Zombies.[32][33][34] On November 30, 2014, Samu was inducted into the Circle of Respect at PWX's 20th Anniversary Show.[2] Samu wrestled his last-ever match in PWX the following year when he and his son Lance Anoa'i joined Quinn Magnum in a six-man tag team match against Payton Graham, Jack Pollock and Stryder.[35]
The Futures Cup Tournament is an annual professional wrestling single-elimination tournament produced by the Pro Wrestling eXpress (PWX) promotion, which has been held since 2011.
Year
Name
Date
Location
Notes
2011
Jimmy Nutts
August 2, 2008
McKeesport, Pennsylvania
Defeated Ryan Reign in a tournament final.
2012
Jay Flash
October 27, 2012
McKeesport, Pennsylvania
Defeated Tony Johnson, Danny Able and Deion Cruize in a four-way match.
2014
Cassidy Stone
February 14, 2014
McKeesport, Pennsylvania
The trophy is defended as a new championship when PWX introduces "Futures" live events in 2015. Stone subsequently surrenders the Futures Cup due to injury.
2015
Drake Braddock
April 11, 2015
McKeesport, Pennsylvania
Defeated Joey Vengeance and Graham Wellington in a three-way tournament final.
N/A
Clinton Crooks
June 13, 2015
McKeesport, Pennsylvania
N/A
Sonny Vice
August 29, 2015
McKeesport, Pennsylvania
N/A
David Lawless
November 21, 2015
McKeesport, Pennsylvania
N/A
Sonny Vice
June 11, 2016
McKeesport, Pennsylvania
N/A
Chris Helmsly
October 1, 2016
McKeesport, Pennsylvania
N/A
Stryder
November 19, 2016
McKeesport, Pennsylvania
This was a four-way match also involving Drake Braddock and Sonny Vice.
201
Ryan Reign
February 4, 2017
McKeesport, Pennsylvania
Ray Mendez Memorial Tournament
The Ray Mendez Memorial Tournament is an annual professional wrestling single-elimination tournament produced by the Pro Wrestling eXpress (PWX) promotion, which was held from 2005 to 2006. It was held in memory of Ray Mendez, a local wrestling fan, who had died. The winner of the tournament earned a title shot for the NWA East / PWX Heavyweight Championship.
Year
Name
Date
Location
Notes
2005
Scottie Gash
April 30, 2005
McKeesport, Pennsylvania
2006
Sam Slej
April 29, 2006
McKeesport, Pennsylvania
Sean "Shocker" Evans Memorial Tournament
The Sean "Shocker" Evans Memorial Tournament is an annual professional wrestling single-elimination tournament produced by the Pro Wrestling eXpress (PWX) promotion, which has been held since 2008. It is held in memory of Sean "Shocker" Evans, the co-founder of PWX, who died from throat cancer on October 2, 2007.[38] It is traditionally the promotion's second biggest event of the year after the PWX Anniversary Show.[2]
Year
Name
Date
Location
Notes
2008
Chris Taylor
August 2, 2008
McKeesport, Pennsylvania
2009
Ryan Mitchell
August 7, 2009
McKeesport, Pennsylvania
2010
Stryder
August 6, 2010
McKeesport, Pennsylvania
2011
Patrick Hayes
July 23, 2011
McKeesport, Pennsylvania
2012
Jack Pollock
June 29, 2012
McKeesport, Pennsylvania
2013
Chris Taylor
August 23, 2013
McKeesport, Pennsylvania
2014
JR Mega
August 30, 2014
McKeesport, Pennsylvania
2015
Bryan Bowers
September 12, 2015
McKeesport, Pennsylvania
2016
Beastman
August 20, 2016
McKeesport, Pennsylvania
PWX Circle of Respect
The PWX Circle of Respect is an American professional wrestlinghall of fame maintained by the McKeesport-based promotionPro Wrestling eXpress (PWX). It was established in 2006[39] to honor wrestlers who have wrestled for the promotion.
Number 12 ranking in NWA World Tag Team championship.
3
2006
Quinn Magnum
Won the PWX Heavyweight Championship (2 times), PWX Three Rivers Championship (2 times), PWX Television Championship (1 time), and PWX Tag Team Championship (5 times), and PWL Tag Team Championship (2 times)
4
2006
Paul Atlas (Paul Fabian)
Won the PWX Heavyweight Championship (1 time), PWX Three Rivers Championship (1 time), PWX Brass Knuckles Championship (1 time) and PWX Tag Team Championship (2 times)
5
2007
Crusher Hansen (Jeffrey Davenport)
Won the PWX Heavyweight Championship (2 times), PWX Three Rivers Championship (2 times), PWX Television Championship (1 time), PWX Tag Team Championship (7 times), and PWL Tag Team Championship (2 times)
Won the PWX Heavyweight Championship (2 times), PWX Television Championship (1 time), and PWX Tag Team Championship (1 time)
7
2008
Vince Kaplack
Won the PWX Heavyweight Championship (3 times), PWX Television Championship (1 time), PWX Tag Team Championship (3 times)
8
2008
Big Poppa Gator (David Herchelroath)
Won the PWX Heavyweight Championship (1 time), PWX Tag Team Championship (6 times), and PWL Tag Team Championship (1 time)
9
Brandon K (Jason Clements)
Won the PWX Heavyweight Championship (3 times), PWX Triple Crown Heavyweight Championship (1 time), PWX Three Rivers Championship (1 time), PWX Television Championship (1 time), and PWX Tag Team Championship (6 times)
Won the PWX Heavyweight Championship (1 time), PWX North American Heavyweight Championship (2 times), PWX Three Rivers Championship (1 time), PWX Television Championship (1 time), and PWX Tag Team Championship (1 time)
^Entries without a birth name indicates that the inductee did not perform under a ring name.
^This section mainly lists the major accomplishments of each inductee in SCW.
^Wrestler was originally inducted as part of the Class of 2009 ceremonies but was unable to appear due to the 2009 G20 Pittsburgh summit. His "official" induction ceremony took place at the 2011 edition of the PWX Circle of Respect.
The title was established in 1996 and defended through the year. It was unified with the PWX Television Championship.[5][50][51]
PWX Brass Knuckles Championship
The title was established in 2002 and defended until 2012.[28][29]
PWX No Barriers Championship
The title was established in 2001 and defended through the year.[52][53]
NWA East Heavyweight Championship
The title was established in 2000 under National Wrestling Alliance affiliate and PWX precursor, NWA East, and continued to be defended through the year. It was unified with the PWL and PWX Heavyweight Championships to create the NWA East / PWX Triple Crown Championship.[54][55]
NWA East Junior Heavyweight Championship
The title was established in 1999 under NWA East[5] and defended until 2001.[56][57]
NWA East Tag Team Championship
The title was established in 2000 under NWA East and defended through the year. It was vacated as part of a championship tournament to create the NWA East / PWX Tag Team Championship.[58][59]
NWA East X Championship
The title was established in 2002 under NWA East and defended through the year. It was unified with the PWX Three Rivers Championship to create the NWA East / PWX Three Rivers Championship.[60][61]
NWA East SEX Women's Championship
The title was established in 2001 under NWA East and defended through the year.[62][63]
PWL Heavyweight Championship
The title was established in 1999 under Pittsburgh Wrestling League and defended through the year. It was unified with the NWA East and PWX Heavyweight Championships to create the NWA East / PWX Triple Crown Championship.[64][65]
PWL Tag Team Championship
The title was established in 2000 under Pittsburgh Wrestling League and defended through the year. It was vacated as part of a championship tournament to create the NWA East / PWX Tag Team Championship.[66][67]
PWL Triple Jeopardy Heavyweight Championship
The title was established in 2000 under Pittsburgh Wrestling League and defended until 2002. It was unified with the NLW Ironman Championship to create the NWA East / PWX Brass Knuckles Championship.[68][69]
^ abcdefgGary Will and Royal Duncan (2000). "(United States: Western Pennsylvania)". Wrestling Title Histories (4th ed.). Archeus Communications. p. 75. ISBN0-9698161-5-4.
^ abcSorg, Michael (15 April 2015). "Indy Mayhem Show 65: Chris Lerusso". Youtube.com (Podcast). Indy Mayhem Show. Event occurs at 08:25. Retrieved 22 June 2017.
