A Feature Story
by Rob Running Water

For a wrestling league that�s considered a relative newcomer to the Independent scene, IRON MAN CHAMPIOSHIP WRESTLING sure did seem to already have its own share of championship titles around the waists of a number of its competitors. When IMCW debuted in Boyertown, PA, it had the Cremator laying claim to the IMCW TransWorld Heavyweight Championship; Buck Wylde proudly represented the IMCW Pennsylvania Championship; �Olympian� Dave Patera carried the IMCW Junior TransWorld gold. Just where did all these championship titles come from? Well, actually, it�s a story about two very different pro-wrestling organizations�

The Trans World Wrestling Alliance was a little known organization that ran shows in Schuylkill County, PA, and sporadically in Philadelphia, from July 1998 until June of 2000. Although its regular roster of athletes gave their all, the organization was plagued frequently with behind-the-scenes problems, constant mismanagement, financial worry, poor fan turnout and more. It was an organization that was built on the backs of such notable indy mainstays as the Cremator, the Intimidators, �Olympian� Dave Patera, Johnny Rock, Johnny Greco, and many, many more of IMCW�s present superstars. It was built on their blood� their sweat� their heart! These guys, good or bad, wanted to see the TWWA rise to a level of legitimate force on the Pennsylvania Independent wrestling scene. Ultimately, however, June 200 saw the Trans World Wrestling Alliance�s final show�

Pennsylvania Championship Wrestling was an entirely different animal altogether. It was arguably one of the best and brightest shining points the Pennsylvania scene could claim. Blaine DeSantis� PCW combined the greatest cross-section of tomorrow�s young superstars with high-profile WWF talent from today and yesteryear, wrapping it all up in one of the slickest and most marketable packages out there.

Christian and Edge? Before the WWF, you could see them in PCW. Simon Diamond and Julio Dinero? When they were Lance Diamond and Julio Sanchez, pre-ECW, they could be seen frequently in PCW. Reckless Youth? Before he was signed to a WWF developmental deal, he was flying high in PCW Steve Corino? Christian York and Joey Matthews? The Haas Brothers? They all came and went in PCW. And how about the elder statesmen like Captain Lou Albino or George �The Animal� Steele? Or the more modern-day celebrities like Jeff Jarrett? Gold Dust? Chris Candido and others? PCW had them all!

But, alas, for all its grandiose, high-camp product� for all its pomp and circumstance� not too terribly long ago, Pennsylvania Championship Wrestling befell the same fate as the TWWA Also suffering from behind-the-scenes trials and tribulations, the PCW dynasty ended its glorious reign.

One promotion was a complete nightmare of mismanagement. The other was a high-profile example of a successfully run professional wrestling company. So what do these two completely different wrestling organizations have in common?

Both leagues let the curtains fall with the champions still in place, titles still held.

What does this have to do with IRON MAN CHAMPIONSHIP WRESTLING? Nothing in and of itself. But the IMCW Championship Committee believe that for all the hard work battling their way to their respective rankings, engaging in hard-fought combat fending off challenger after challenger, the night after night of pain, anguish and exhaustion to retain their respective thrones, it would be a grave disservice and a great show of disrespect to these champions to ignore that which has gone before. It would also be a great show of disrespect to the history of independent pro-wrestling in Pennsylvania if the torch is not indeed carried on. These men never lost their belts. It�s not their fault that their companies were yanked out from under them.

IMCW., however, had no intention to continue defending these championships as is. Why? Because IMCW is not a reincarnation of PCW or the TWWA. IMCW is neither a consolidation or a conglomeration of these two defunct promotions. IMCW does, however, possess a cross-section of the superstars from both organizations and decided the following superstars would be deemed as its first champions:

The Cremator, the final man to hold the TWWA Heavyweight Championship, won from Johnny Greco, was given the mantle of IMCW TransWorld Heavyweight Championship.

Buck Wylde, last to hold the PCW Heavyweight Championship, was recognized as the IMCW Pennsylvania Champion.

And �Olympian� Dave Patera, the reigning TWWA Light Heavyweight Champion at the time of Trans World�s end, was crowned the IMCW Junior TransWorld Championship.

What does this mean for the presently vacant IMCW championships, such as the IMCW Global and IMCW Coal Miner's Glove title? Only the Championship Committee knows for certain� and all they�re saying is keep your eye on IRON MAN CHAMPIONSHIP WRESTLING in the coming months. Could that mean tournaments? With Demolition Ax now holding both the IMCW TransWorld Heavyweight and Pennsylvania titles, will the Championship Committee unify the belts to make Ax the undisputed IMCW Global Champion? Anything is possible. Keep attending the shows, keep �Choosing Iron,� and it�s guaranteed that you�ll find out!