Eastern Wrestling Alliance
Encyclopedia
The Eastern Wrestling Alliance (EWA) is an American
professional wrestling
promotion currently based in Massachusetts
and founded in 1998 by James St. Jean and Bob Staples. The EWA has been a prominent professional wrestling
company in the New England
area since the early 2000s beginning most notably in 2001 with the kick off of their long run of monthly shows in Portland
, Maine
. Currently the promotion operates in the Springfield
, Massachusetts
area, mainly at the Springfield Turnverein in Feeding Hills, MA.
.
Atlas served as booker for about a year, during which time the EWA began filming a weekly TV show, seen throughout central Maine. These live shows, unless they were at a county fair or college, were generally poorly promoted and lost money. In early 1999, Joshua Shea was brought on board to help Staples with some administrative duties and contribute booking ideas.
With Atlas' connections in the industry, he was able to bring experienced indy talent from all over the northeast, going as far west as Ohio and as far south as Virginia. He also was able to bring in many former WWF stars that otherwise may not have performed at shows as small as the EWA was putting on.
In 1999 MTV
used the EWA as one of the primary focuses for their documentary-style show True Life: I'm A Professional Wrestler.Storm, Amanda, 2000 .Blakwidow:My First Year As A Professional Wrestler. Pages 190-196. ECW Press"True Life:I'm A Professional Wrestler". MTV Productions. 1999 This one-hour broadcast followed Tony Atlas in his post-WWF
career as an independent wrestler and booker for the EWA. During the filming of the documentary the EWA owner–promoter James St. Jean and Tony Atlas had a falling-out, leading to the EWA show scheduled to be run during the filming of the MTV documentary to be canceled by James St. Jean, only to then see Tony Atlas fight his hardest to make the show go on. The documentary did not paint James St. Jean in the best light but it did bring national attention to the EWA itself, increasing awareness for their product for the years to come as it was aired on MTV repeatedly over the next couple of years.
The fallout of the MTV fiasco had Atlas leaving the company while Shea and Dan Mason, a color commentator, took over booking for a period of time. Staples, who suffered a heart attack shortly after the MTV show was filmed, also stepped away from the business. St. Jean stopped producing a TV show a few months after Atlas was dismissed. Upon Mason leaving the company for professional opportunities outside wrestling, wrestlers Scott King and Steve Rand took over booking duties.
In early 2000, James St. Jean sold the promotion to equal shareholders Rand, King and Shea.
and with help of business partner and co-promoter Jeremy Barron in Massachusetts
as well. Steve Rand and Scott King booked the shows while the third owner operated in a promoter capacity hanging fliers and such until late 2001, when he left the company. Rand and King then offered that share to Brian Mailhot
.
With Steve Rand and Scott King booking the shows business went up for the company. They went from running shows with typical attendance averaging around 100 or so to running shows with attendances reaching 400+ in their primary venue the Steven's Avenue Armory in Portland, ME. This was also in part due to the quality of wrestler that Rand and King brought in to the EWA including many notable independent wrestling names such as John Walters, Antonio Thomas
, Romeo Roselli
, Brian Black, Adam Booker, Dr. Heresy, Chi Chi Cruz
(Luis Rubet), Kid Krazy and former WCW star Rick Fuller
; all of which went on to work for the WWE and/or TNA
in various capacities.
These shows were filmed for local public-access television
cable TV for the greater Portland areaBurket, Harry et al.. London Publishing Co. 2002. Wrestle America. The 2002 Guide to Professional Wrestling Page 46.. The EWA was also featured in another documentary filmed by two college students in 2002 titled "Don't Stop Believing". The documentary followed Frankie Armadillo and Adam Booker primarily as they lived locally. Dr. Heresy, Brian Black, Steve Ramsey, Alexander Worthington III and others from the EWA were also featured. This documentary did not receive any sort of syndication but was sold by the EWA at their live events.
In early 2003 as a result of the attacks on the World Trade Centers and The Pentagon
on September 11th, 2001 the EWA lost their primary venue in the armory in Portland, ME. as the army determined it would not rent out its armories anymore. This led to a venue change to The Strive Center in South Portland, ME. Not too long after the venue change owner/promoter/booker Steve Rand decided to move across the country leading to the sale of the EWA to their business partner Jeremy Barron.
and business partner the EWA re-located its primary market to Massachusetts, most notably in Southbridge
and Ludlow
, MACornell, Tanya. EWA Southbridge, MA.: 27 June 2003 2723. TCTapes 2003Cornell, Tanya. EWA Southbridge, MA.: 18 October 2003 2901. TCTapes 2003. It was not long before fellow independent wrestler Scott Despres
got involved and became equal partner as promoter and booker for the EWA. Typical attendance did drop to the more average area of 150+ for the Massachusetts shows though as the Maine fan base that had been built up over the prior 3–4 years largely did not make the 2-3 hour commute for shows in the new EWA market place. The EWA ran just in Massachusetts, usually in Orange, MA, and as of late 2008, the village of Three Rivers in Palmer, MA. EWA also worked in tandem with their newer sister promotion Front Row Wrestling
based in New Hampshire. The two companies allow title defenses on each others shows and on occasion run joint promoted shows.
On June 11, 2008, the EWA was one of several New England independent promotions which participated in a special benefit show for Brandon Cusick, a 5-year-old child diagnosed with leukemia
, at the Bank Street Armory in Fall River, Massachusetts
.
EWA began running full time again starting September 11, 2010. They are currently running monthly shows at the Springfield Turnverein in Feeding Hills, MA and Christ Community Center in Chicopee, MA.
Tag Teams
Stables
Officials
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
professional wrestling
Professional wrestling
Professional wrestling is a mode of spectacle, combining athletics and theatrical performance.Roland Barthes, "The World of Wrestling", Mythologies, 1957 It takes the form of events, held by touring companies, which mimic a title match combat sport...
promotion currently based in Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
and founded in 1998 by James St. Jean and Bob Staples. The EWA has been a prominent professional wrestling
Professional wrestling
Professional wrestling is a mode of spectacle, combining athletics and theatrical performance.Roland Barthes, "The World of Wrestling", Mythologies, 1957 It takes the form of events, held by touring companies, which mimic a title match combat sport...
company in the New England
New England
New England is a region in the northeastern corner of the United States consisting of the six states of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut...
area since the early 2000s beginning most notably in 2001 with the kick off of their long run of monthly shows in Portland
Portland, Maine
Portland is the largest city in Maine and is the county seat of Cumberland County. The 2010 city population was 66,194, growing 3 percent since the census of 2000...
, Maine
Maine
Maine is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States, bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the east and south, New Hampshire to the west, and the Canadian provinces of Quebec to the northwest and New Brunswick to the northeast. Maine is both the northernmost and easternmost...
. Currently the promotion operates in the Springfield
Springfield, Massachusetts
Springfield is the most populous city in Western New England, and the seat of Hampden County, Massachusetts, United States. Springfield sits on the eastern bank of the Connecticut River near its confluence with three rivers; the western Westfield River, the eastern Chicopee River, and the eastern...
, Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
area, mainly at the Springfield Turnverein in Feeding Hills, MA.
1997–2000
The Eastern Wrestling Alliance was created in 1997 by physical therapist James St. Jean, who served as owner and president, and Bob Staples, who served as vice president, both legit and as a character. After running two shows in May 1997 in which Tony Rumble served as booker, St. Jean offered the position to Tony AtlasTony Atlas
Anthony White better known by his ring name "Tony Atlas" is an American bodybuilder, powerlifter, and professional wrestler who has held multiple titles and championships in each sport. He is also known by his bodybuilding title, "Mr...
.
Atlas served as booker for about a year, during which time the EWA began filming a weekly TV show, seen throughout central Maine. These live shows, unless they were at a county fair or college, were generally poorly promoted and lost money. In early 1999, Joshua Shea was brought on board to help Staples with some administrative duties and contribute booking ideas.
With Atlas' connections in the industry, he was able to bring experienced indy talent from all over the northeast, going as far west as Ohio and as far south as Virginia. He also was able to bring in many former WWF stars that otherwise may not have performed at shows as small as the EWA was putting on.
In 1999 MTV
MTV
MTV, formerly an initialism of Music Television, is an American network based in New York City that launched on August 1, 1981. The original purpose of the channel was to play music videos guided by on-air hosts known as VJs....
used the EWA as one of the primary focuses for their documentary-style show True Life: I'm A Professional Wrestler.Storm, Amanda, 2000 .Blakwidow:My First Year As A Professional Wrestler. Pages 190-196. ECW Press"True Life:I'm A Professional Wrestler". MTV Productions. 1999 This one-hour broadcast followed Tony Atlas in his post-WWF
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...
career as an independent wrestler and booker for the EWA. During the filming of the documentary the EWA owner–promoter James St. Jean and Tony Atlas had a falling-out, leading to the EWA show scheduled to be run during the filming of the MTV documentary to be canceled by James St. Jean, only to then see Tony Atlas fight his hardest to make the show go on. The documentary did not paint James St. Jean in the best light but it did bring national attention to the EWA itself, increasing awareness for their product for the years to come as it was aired on MTV repeatedly over the next couple of years.
The fallout of the MTV fiasco had Atlas leaving the company while Shea and Dan Mason, a color commentator, took over booking for a period of time. Staples, who suffered a heart attack shortly after the MTV show was filmed, also stepped away from the business. St. Jean stopped producing a TV show a few months after Atlas was dismissed. Upon Mason leaving the company for professional opportunities outside wrestling, wrestlers Scott King and Steve Rand took over booking duties.
In early 2000, James St. Jean sold the promotion to equal shareholders Rand, King and Shea.
2000 - 2003
When the new owners took over the EWA they switched their primary market place to the Portland, ME. area and expanded their road schedule to include shows in New HampshireNew Hampshire
New Hampshire is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. The state was named after the southern English county of Hampshire. It is bordered by Massachusetts to the south, Vermont to the west, Maine and the Atlantic Ocean to the east, and the Canadian...
and with help of business partner and co-promoter Jeremy Barron in Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
as well. Steve Rand and Scott King booked the shows while the third owner operated in a promoter capacity hanging fliers and such until late 2001, when he left the company. Rand and King then offered that share to Brian Mailhot
Brian Mailhot
Brian Mailhot is an American professional wrestler and mixed martial arts fighter, better known for his short stint in World Wrestling Entertainment's SmackDown! brand under the ring name of Palmer Canon.-Early career:...
.
With Steve Rand and Scott King booking the shows business went up for the company. They went from running shows with typical attendance averaging around 100 or so to running shows with attendances reaching 400+ in their primary venue the Steven's Avenue Armory in Portland, ME. This was also in part due to the quality of wrestler that Rand and King brought in to the EWA including many notable independent wrestling names such as John Walters, Antonio Thomas
The Heart Throbs
The Heart Throbs is the name of a professional wrestling tag team consisting of Antonio Thomas and Romeo Roselli, currently wrestling on the independent circuit. Thomas and Roselli are billed as being popular "with the ladies", and typically approach the ring while performing pelvic thrusts to the...
, Romeo Roselli
The Heart Throbs
The Heart Throbs is the name of a professional wrestling tag team consisting of Antonio Thomas and Romeo Roselli, currently wrestling on the independent circuit. Thomas and Roselli are billed as being popular "with the ladies", and typically approach the ring while performing pelvic thrusts to the...
, Brian Black, Adam Booker, Dr. Heresy, Chi Chi Cruz
Chi Chi Cruz
Corey Peloquin is a Canadian professional wrestler who is known for working the independent promotions such as Extreme Canadian Championship Wrestling, Real Action Wrestling, Atlantic Grand Prix Wrestling, IWA-Mid South, All-Star Wrestling, and United States Wrestling Association as Chi Chi Cruz...
(Luis Rubet), Kid Krazy and former WCW star Rick Fuller
Rick Fuller
Richard Fuller is an American professional wrestler. He is best known for his appearances World Championship Wrestling. He would later be featured in several video games including WCW Nitro and WCW/NWO Thunder....
; all of which went on to work for the WWE and/or TNA
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...
in various capacities.
These shows were filmed for local public-access television
Public-access television
Public-access television is a form of non-commercial mass media where ordinary people can create content television programming which is cablecast through cable TV specialty channels...
cable TV for the greater Portland areaBurket, Harry et al.. London Publishing Co. 2002. Wrestle America. The 2002 Guide to Professional Wrestling Page 46.. The EWA was also featured in another documentary filmed by two college students in 2002 titled "Don't Stop Believing". The documentary followed Frankie Armadillo and Adam Booker primarily as they lived locally. Dr. Heresy, Brian Black, Steve Ramsey, Alexander Worthington III and others from the EWA were also featured. This documentary did not receive any sort of syndication but was sold by the EWA at their live events.
In early 2003 as a result of the attacks on the World Trade Centers and The Pentagon
The Pentagon
The Pentagon is the headquarters of the United States Department of Defense, located in Arlington County, Virginia. As a symbol of the U.S. military, "the Pentagon" is often used metonymically to refer to the Department of Defense rather than the building itself.Designed by the American architect...
on September 11th, 2001 the EWA lost their primary venue in the armory in Portland, ME. as the army determined it would not rent out its armories anymore. This led to a venue change to The Strive Center in South Portland, ME. Not too long after the venue change owner/promoter/booker Steve Rand decided to move across the country leading to the sale of the EWA to their business partner Jeremy Barron.
2003 - present
With the sale of the EWA to their Massachusetts promoterPromoter (entertainment)
An entertainment promoter i.e. music, wrestling, boxing etc is a person or company in the business of marketing and promoting live events such as concerts/gigs, boxing matches, sports entertainment , festivals, raves, and nightclubs.- Business model :Promoters are typically hired as independent...
and business partner the EWA re-located its primary market to Massachusetts, most notably in Southbridge
Southbridge, Massachusetts
The Town of Southbridge is a city in Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 16,719 at the 2010 census.-History:...
and Ludlow
Ludlow, Massachusetts
Ludlow is a town in Hampden County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 21,103 as of the 2010 census. It is located in western Massachusetts, north of Springfield, east of Chicopee, southeast of Granby, southwest of Belchertown, west of Wilbraham and is considered part of the...
, MACornell, Tanya. EWA Southbridge, MA.: 27 June 2003 2723. TCTapes 2003Cornell, Tanya. EWA Southbridge, MA.: 18 October 2003 2901. TCTapes 2003. It was not long before fellow independent wrestler Scott Despres
Scott C. Despres
Scott Cameron Despres is an American professional wrestler, trainer and promoter. Known by the ring name Maverick Wild, he was one of the top stars of the New England independent circuit during the 1990s and early 2000s as a mainstay for International World Class Championship Wrestling, the...
got involved and became equal partner as promoter and booker for the EWA. Typical attendance did drop to the more average area of 150+ for the Massachusetts shows though as the Maine fan base that had been built up over the prior 3–4 years largely did not make the 2-3 hour commute for shows in the new EWA market place. The EWA ran just in Massachusetts, usually in Orange, MA, and as of late 2008, the village of Three Rivers in Palmer, MA. EWA also worked in tandem with their newer sister promotion Front Row Wrestling
Front Row Wrestling
Front Row Wrestling is an American independent professional wrestling promotion located in Rochester, New Hampshire. It is one of the few New England-based promotions outside Massachusetts, such as Pro Wrestling America Live in Maine and Joel Gertner's MXW Pro Wrestling in Connecticut, and is the...
based in New Hampshire. The two companies allow title defenses on each others shows and on occasion run joint promoted shows.
On June 11, 2008, the EWA was one of several New England independent promotions which participated in a special benefit show for Brandon Cusick, a 5-year-old child diagnosed with leukemia
Leukemia
Leukemia or leukaemia is a type of cancer of the blood or bone marrow characterized by an abnormal increase of immature white blood cells called "blasts". Leukemia is a broad term covering a spectrum of diseases...
, at the Bank Street Armory in Fall River, Massachusetts
Fall River, Massachusetts
Fall River is a city in Bristol County, Massachusetts, in the United States. It is located about south of Boston, southeast of Providence, Rhode Island, and west of New Bedford and south of Taunton. The city's population was 88,857 during the 2010 census, making it the tenth largest city in...
.
EWA began running full time again starting September 11, 2010. They are currently running monthly shows at the Springfield Turnverein in Feeding Hills, MA and Christ Community Center in Chicopee, MA.
Championships
| Championship | Current Champion(s) | Held Since | Previous Champion(s) |
| EWA Heavyweight Championship | Golden Burke | June 25, 2011 | Mikaze |
| EWA Tag Team Championship | "The Purists" Justin Tunis & Aaron Morrison | June 25, 2011 | "The Crimson Dynamo" Zack Statik & Dynamite Doug Summers |
Inactive Championships
Roster
Singles- Aaron Morrison
- Adrian Vine
- Alex Cypher
- Bobby Ocean
- Brad Hollister
- Chi Chi CruzChi Chi CruzCorey Peloquin is a Canadian professional wrestler who is known for working the independent promotions such as Extreme Canadian Championship Wrestling, Real Action Wrestling, Atlantic Grand Prix Wrestling, IWA-Mid South, All-Star Wrestling, and United States Wrestling Association as Chi Chi Cruz...
- Christian Angers
- Dan De Man
- Doug Summers
- Dr. Reginald Heresy
- Dudley "D.L." Dawson
- "P.R. Pitbull" Fernando Ortiz
- Frankie Arion
- Golden Burke
- Guido Torpedo
- I.M. Valor
- Joey Eastman
- Johnny Idol
- J.T. Fox
- Justin Tunis
- Kimaya
- Lukas Sharpe
- The Mac
- Marshall McNeil
- Maverick WildScott C. DespresScott Cameron Despres is an American professional wrestler, trainer and promoter. Known by the ring name Maverick Wild, he was one of the top stars of the New England independent circuit during the 1990s and early 2000s as a mainstay for International World Class Championship Wrestling, the...
- Mercedes KV
- Mikaze
- Sebastian Reese
- Shane Marvel
- Shane Sharpe
- Struttin' Sonny Goodspeed
- Valkyrie
- "Royalty" William King
- Wolfman Banford
- Zack Statik
Tag Teams
- Doug Summers & Zack Statik
- "The Purists" Justin Tunis & Aaron Morrison
- Struttin' Sonny Goodspeed & Shane Sharpe
Stables
- The Diamonds
- Dr. Reginald Heresy
- Sean "Golden" Burke
- Johnny Idol
- Marshall McNeil
- "Royalty" William King
- Mercedes KV
Officials
- Referee Mike Crockett
- Referee Holyoke Joe
Alumni
- Adam Booker
- Alexander Worthington III
- Antonio Thomas
- "Intellectual" Arch Kincaid
- Billy KryptoniteChad WicksCharles "Chad" Wicks is an American professional wrestler best known for his time with the World Wrestling Entertainment...
- Brian BlackBrian MailhotBrian Mailhot is an American professional wrestler and mixed martial arts fighter, better known for his short stint in World Wrestling Entertainment's SmackDown! brand under the ring name of Palmer Canon.-Early career:...
- Brian Milonas
- Damian Houston
- The Damned - Mad Dog and Draven
- Dave Vicious
- "Die Hard" Eddie EdwardsEddie Edwards (wrestler)Eddie Edwards is an American professional wrestler. He is best known for wrestling with Ring of Honor , where he is a former ROH World Champion. He also had previous reigns as a former ROH World Tag Team Champion with his partner Davey Richards as The American Wolves and as the inaugural ROH World...
- "Fragile" Frankie Armadillo
- Handsome JohnnyTodd Smith (wrestler)Todd Smith better known by his ring name Handsome Johnny, is an American professional wrestler, currently wrestling in the independent circuit in the Northeastern United States as well making occasional appearances in World Wrestling Entertainment...
a.k.a. "The Duke of Elegance" Don Chesterfield - Johnny Curtis
- "Hurricane" John WaltersJohn StagikasJohn Stagikas is an American professional wrestler, better known by his ring name, "Hurricane" John Walters and in Lucha Libre USA as RJ Brewer, the kayfabe son of Arizona Governor Jan Brewer...
- Ken Phoenix
- Kevin Landry
- Kid Mikaze
- "Pristine" Kristine
- Larry Huntley
- "The Logan Brothers" Matt & Bryan Logan
- "Latin Fury" Luis Ortiz
- Makua
- Michael Stain
- Mike Steel
- Moondog Barron
- Panther Martin
- Psycho
- "Big" Rick FullerRick FullerRichard Fuller is an American professional wrestler. He is best known for his appearances World Championship Wrestling. He would later be featured in several video games including WCW Nitro and WCW/NWO Thunder....
- Romeo RoselliRomeo RoselliGiovanni Roselli best known as Romeo Roselli is a professional wrestler and actor best known for his stint with World Wrestling Entertainment on the Raw brand as one half of the "Heart Throbs" and is not to be confused with another wrestler by the name of Kid Romeo.-Career:Roselli began wrestling...
- Steven Marriott
- Steve Ramsey
- Tim Walker
- Tony AtlasTony AtlasAnthony White better known by his ring name "Tony Atlas" is an American bodybuilder, powerlifter, and professional wrestler who has held multiple titles and championships in each sport. He is also known by his bodybuilding title, "Mr...
- Tony Omega