Front Row Wrestling
Encyclopedia
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 only wrestling promotion active in the state of New Hampshire
. Founded by wrestler Scott C. Despres
in 2003, it is the sister promotion of Eastern Wrestling Alliance
and an affiliate of the National Wrestling Alliance
. FRW has co-promoted events and hosted sanctioned title defences of both promotions.
A number of Northeastern independent stars have competed for FRW including Brian Milonas, Chase Del Monte, Tommaso Ciampa
, Johnny Handsome
, "The Alpha Male" Justin Powers
and Antonio "The Promise" Thomas
. The promotion also has a small women's division, largely dominated by Sarah Blackheart, Mistress Belmont and Vanity Vixxxen, but has also brought in Sara Del Rey
, Mercedes Martinez
, Ariel, Alere Little Feather
and Awesome Kong. Matt Calamare, the only working deaf professional wrestling referee
, also regularly appears for the promotion.
On February 26, 2010, Despres announced the promotion would be forming a partnership with NWA Liberty States, formerly No Limit Pro, to promote wrestling events throughout New England under the banner of the National Wrestling Alliance
.
, better known as New England independent wrestler Maverick Wild, in 2003 and held its first show in Milford, New Hampshire
that year. When Steve Bradley
's Wrestling Federation of America closed its doors a year later, the promotion became the sole wrestling promotion in the state of New Hampshire. Although the promotion struggled financially during its first years, partly due to Despres' inexperience as a promoter, it eventually gained a small but loyal following in the Rochester
area. The promotion not only established a home arena at the Rochester American Legion Hall but began touring cities throughout New Hampshire within two years. In the summer of 2006, they visited Claremont
where it performed at a children's community center in Claremont Park. That same year, they co-promoted an event in Gardner, Massachusetts
with the Eastern Wrestling Alliance
. It was one of FRW's first successful shows with a record 175 fans in attendance.
It eventually took over the WFA's former home base in Dover
as well. This change influenced one of the promotion's earliest storylines which pitted one-time WFA stars, known as the Dover Legends, against "heel"
manager
The Grand Wizard of Wrestling and his Stable of Assassins. Among its earliest stars were former WFA mainstays such as "The Alpha Male" Justin Powers
and Antonio "The Promise" Thomas
as well as Northeastern independent stars including Maverick Wild, Chase Del Monte, Tommaso Ciampa
, Brian Milonas, and Johnny Handsome
. Handsome spent part of his early career in the promotion. FRW also developed a small women's division, largely dominated by Sarah Blackheart, Mistress Belmont and Vanity Vixxxen, and would come to include Sara Del Rey
, Mercedes Martinez
, Ariel, Alere Little Feather
and Awesome Kong. Matt Calamare, the only working deaf referee
in professional wrestling, also frequently appeared for the promotion.
In early-2007, the promotion was involved in a minor controversy with Rochester city officials when they suddenly shut down Rochester American Legion Hall a little over eight hours before the start of FRW's January 12th supercard "Friday the 12th". According to Despres, an estimated 90-150 fans were turned away. FRW was forced to offer a full refund for all the tickets purchased and was prohibited from running shows in the town until he was issued a special permit by the town council. He met with the council in May and again in November 2007 in order to promote shows in the town. Meanwhile, FRW continued to tour New Hampshire returning to Claremont
in the spring and looking into securing an alternate venue outside of Rochester. Eventually, Despres and the city would come to a settlement allowing FRW the use of the Rochester American Legion Hall.
On June 23, 2007, FRW held its first card outside the New Hampshire area at the Memorial Ice Arena in Winchendon, Massachusetts
. The main event featured a first-ever "champion vs. champion" match between FRW All Star Champion Kid Krazy and Granite State Champion Christain Angers. On February 8, 2008, Despres was a guest on the internet radio show Rumble Radio Online. On June 11, FRW 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
. Seven months later in Rochester, on November 15, 2008, the FRW Tag Team Championship changed hands in a 6-person intergender match between The Pleasures of Pain & Mistress Belmont and Tony Star, Sethoran & Vanity Vixxxen. Also on the card, Shane Sharpe defeated Justin Shaype in a 2 out of 3 falls match to win the heavyweight championship.
On July 31, 2009, on the first night of his tour of the East Coast of the United States
, Antonio Thomas defeated Shane Sharpe in an Iron Man match
in Rochester. In addition to running shows in New Hampshire and Massachusetts, FRW made its Vermont debut in White River Junction
on September 25. Tony Spencer, then FRW Granite State Champion, appeared on the October 10th edition of the internet call-in radio show Late Nite JengaJam. Among the topics he discussed included his thoughts on the death of Lou Albano
, the state of the wrestling industry and World Wrestling Entertainment
, and his own career in Front Row Wrestling. On November 6, 2009, Maverick Wild was forced to leave FRW after losing to Bruiser Costa at the American Legion in Rochester. Also on the card, Christian Angers & Stephen Marriott won the FRW Tag Team Championship from Shawn Sharp & Cameron Blaze and Johnny Vegas defeated Sethoran to become the new FRW All Star Champion.
On February 26, 2010, Despres announced the promotion would be forming a partnership with NWA Liberty States, formerly No Limits Pro, to promote wrestling events throughout New England under the banner of the National Wrestling Alliance
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
independent 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...
located in Rochester, New Hampshire
Rochester, New Hampshire
Rochester is a city in Strafford County, New Hampshire, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 29,752. The city includes the villages of East Rochester and Gonic. Rochester is home to Skyhaven Airport and the annual Rochester Fair....
. It is one of the few 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...
-based promotions outside 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...
, such as Pro Wrestling America Live
Pro Wrestling America Live
Pro Wrestling America Live, commonly known as just Pro Wrestling America, is a New England independent professional wrestling promotion based in Waterville, Maine.-History:...
in 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...
and Joel Gertner
Joel Gertner
Joel Gertner is an American Professional wrestling announcer and manager best known for his work in Extreme Championship Wrestling.-Early career:...
's MXW Pro Wrestling
MXW Pro Wrestling
MXW Pro Wrestling is an independent professional wrestling promotion founded and operated by former ECW manager and color commentator Joel Gertner...
in Connecticut
Connecticut
Connecticut is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States. It is bordered by Rhode Island to the east, Massachusetts to the north, and the state of New York to the west and the south .Connecticut is named for the Connecticut River, the major U.S. river that approximately...
, and is the only wrestling promotion active in the state of New Hampshire
New 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...
. Founded by wrestler Scott C. 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...
in 2003, it is the sister promotion of Eastern Wrestling Alliance
Eastern Wrestling Alliance
The Eastern Wrestling Alliance 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...
and an affiliate 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...
. FRW has co-promoted events and hosted sanctioned title defences of both promotions.
A number of Northeastern independent stars have competed for FRW including Brian Milonas, Chase Del Monte, Tommaso Ciampa
Tommaso Ciampa
Tommasso Whitney is an American professional wrestler, better known by the ring name Tommaso Ciampa. He is currently signed to Ring of Honor, while also competing for several independent promotions, including Chaotic Wrestling, Top Rope Promotions, East Coast Wrestling Association and Northeast...
, Johnny Handsome
Todd 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...
, "The Alpha Male" Justin Powers
Justin McIsaac
Justin McIsaac is a semi-retired American professional wrestler, also known by his ring names "The Alpha Male" Justin Powers or Justin Shaype, who competes in independent promotions on the East Coast and Northeastern United States...
and Antonio "The Promise" Thomas
Tom Matera
Thomas "Tom" Matera is an American professional wrestler, better known by his ring name Antonio Thomas. He is best known for his stint with World Wrestling Entertainment on the Raw brand as one half of The Heart Throbs....
. The promotion also has a small women's division, largely dominated by Sarah Blackheart, Mistress Belmont and Vanity Vixxxen, but has also brought in Sara Del Rey
Sara Del Rey
Sara Amato is an American professional wrestler, better known by her ring name, Sara Del Rey. She is a mainstay for Chikara and Shimmer Women Athletes. She has also appeared for many other independent promotions in the United States, including Ring of Honor, IWA Mid-South, All Pro Wrestling, as...
, Mercedes Martinez
Mercedes Martinez
Mercedes Martinez is a American professional wrestler, currently performing for Shimmer Women Athletes, as well as numerous independent promotions including World Xtreme Wrestling, Women Superstars Uncensored, and Full Impact Pro....
, Ariel, Alere Little Feather
Janel Horton
Janel Horton is an American professional wrestler and manager, known by her ringname Alere Little Feather, who competes in North American independent promotions including Chikara, MXW Pro Wrestling, Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling, Jersey All Pro Wrestling, the National Wrestling Alliance, National...
and Awesome Kong. Matt Calamare, the only working deaf professional wrestling referee
Referee (professional wrestling)
A professional wrestling referee is the official figure that makes sure that wrestling matches move smoothly in an attempt to maintain kayfabe. The referee also has the ultimate power in the ring...
, also regularly appears for the promotion.
On February 26, 2010, Despres announced the promotion would be forming a partnership with NWA Liberty States, formerly No Limit Pro, to promote wrestling events throughout New England under the banner 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...
.
History
Front Row Wrestling was started by Scott C. DespresScott 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...
, better known as New England independent wrestler Maverick Wild, in 2003 and held its first show in Milford, New Hampshire
Milford, New Hampshire
Milford is a town in Hillsborough County, New Hampshire, United States, on the Souhegan River. The population was 15,115 at the 2010 census. It is the retail and manufacturing center of a six-town area known informally as the Souhegan Valley....
that year. When Steve Bradley
Steve Bradley
Steven Richard Bisson was an American professional wrestler who had competed on North American independent promotions throughout the 1990s including East Coast Wrestling Association, IWA Puerto Rico and the National Wrestling Alliance as well as spending over three years in World Wrestling...
's Wrestling Federation of America closed its doors a year later, the promotion became the sole wrestling promotion in the state of New Hampshire. Although the promotion struggled financially during its first years, partly due to Despres' inexperience as a promoter, it eventually gained a small but loyal following in the Rochester
Rochester, New Hampshire
Rochester is a city in Strafford County, New Hampshire, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 29,752. The city includes the villages of East Rochester and Gonic. Rochester is home to Skyhaven Airport and the annual Rochester Fair....
area. The promotion not only established a home arena at the Rochester American Legion Hall but began touring cities throughout New Hampshire within two years. In the summer of 2006, they visited Claremont
Claremont, New Hampshire
There were 5,685 households out of which 27.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.5% were married couples living together, 10.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 39.7% were non-families. 32.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.7% had...
where it performed at a children's community center in Claremont Park. That same year, they co-promoted an event in Gardner, Massachusetts
Gardner, Massachusetts
Gardner, Massachusetts is a city in Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 20,228 as of the 2010 census. Gardner is home to Dunn State Park, Gardner Heritage State Park, Lake Wampanoag Wildlife Sanctuary, and Mount Wachusett Community College.-History:Named in honor of...
with the Eastern Wrestling Alliance
Eastern Wrestling Alliance
The Eastern Wrestling Alliance 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...
. It was one of FRW's first successful shows with a record 175 fans in attendance.
It eventually took over the WFA's former home base in Dover
Dover, New Hampshire
Dover is a city in Strafford County, New Hampshire, in the United States of America. The population was 29,987 at the 2010 census, the largest in the New Hampshire Seacoast region...
as well. This change influenced one of the promotion's earliest storylines which pitted one-time WFA stars, known as the Dover Legends, against "heel"
Heel (professional wrestling)
In professional wrestling, a heel is a villain character. In non-wrestling jargon, heels are the "bad guys" in professional wrestling; the term heel coming from the term take to you heels, which means to run away which heel champions tend to do to avoid losing their titles.storylines...
manager
Manager (professional wrestling)
In professional wrestling, a manager is a secondary character paired with a wrestler for a variety of reasons. The manager is often either a non-wrestler, an occasional wrestler, an older wrestler who has retired or is nearing retirement or, in some cases, a new wrestler who is breaking into the...
The Grand Wizard of Wrestling and his Stable of Assassins. Among its earliest stars were former WFA mainstays such as "The Alpha Male" Justin Powers
Justin McIsaac
Justin McIsaac is a semi-retired American professional wrestler, also known by his ring names "The Alpha Male" Justin Powers or Justin Shaype, who competes in independent promotions on the East Coast and Northeastern United States...
and Antonio "The Promise" Thomas
Tom Matera
Thomas "Tom" Matera is an American professional wrestler, better known by his ring name Antonio Thomas. He is best known for his stint with World Wrestling Entertainment on the Raw brand as one half of The Heart Throbs....
as well as Northeastern independent stars including Maverick Wild, Chase Del Monte, Tommaso Ciampa
Tommaso Ciampa
Tommasso Whitney is an American professional wrestler, better known by the ring name Tommaso Ciampa. He is currently signed to Ring of Honor, while also competing for several independent promotions, including Chaotic Wrestling, Top Rope Promotions, East Coast Wrestling Association and Northeast...
, Brian Milonas, and Johnny Handsome
Todd 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...
. Handsome spent part of his early career in the promotion. FRW also developed a small women's division, largely dominated by Sarah Blackheart, Mistress Belmont and Vanity Vixxxen, and would come to include Sara Del Rey
Sara Del Rey
Sara Amato is an American professional wrestler, better known by her ring name, Sara Del Rey. She is a mainstay for Chikara and Shimmer Women Athletes. She has also appeared for many other independent promotions in the United States, including Ring of Honor, IWA Mid-South, All Pro Wrestling, as...
, Mercedes Martinez
Mercedes Martinez
Mercedes Martinez is a American professional wrestler, currently performing for Shimmer Women Athletes, as well as numerous independent promotions including World Xtreme Wrestling, Women Superstars Uncensored, and Full Impact Pro....
, Ariel, Alere Little Feather
Janel Horton
Janel Horton is an American professional wrestler and manager, known by her ringname Alere Little Feather, who competes in North American independent promotions including Chikara, MXW Pro Wrestling, Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling, Jersey All Pro Wrestling, the National Wrestling Alliance, National...
and Awesome Kong. Matt Calamare, the only working deaf referee
Referee (professional wrestling)
A professional wrestling referee is the official figure that makes sure that wrestling matches move smoothly in an attempt to maintain kayfabe. The referee also has the ultimate power in the ring...
in professional wrestling, also frequently appeared for the promotion.
In early-2007, the promotion was involved in a minor controversy with Rochester city officials when they suddenly shut down Rochester American Legion Hall a little over eight hours before the start of FRW's January 12th supercard "Friday the 12th". According to Despres, an estimated 90-150 fans were turned away. FRW was forced to offer a full refund for all the tickets purchased and was prohibited from running shows in the town until he was issued a special permit by the town council. He met with the council in May and again in November 2007 in order to promote shows in the town. Meanwhile, FRW continued to tour New Hampshire returning to Claremont
Claremont, New Hampshire
There were 5,685 households out of which 27.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.5% were married couples living together, 10.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 39.7% were non-families. 32.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.7% had...
in the spring and looking into securing an alternate venue outside of Rochester. Eventually, Despres and the city would come to a settlement allowing FRW the use of the Rochester American Legion Hall.
On June 23, 2007, FRW held its first card outside the New Hampshire area at the Memorial Ice Arena in Winchendon, Massachusetts
Winchendon, Massachusetts
Winchendon is a town in Worcester County, Massachusetts, USA. The population was 10,300 at the 2010 census. Home to Winchendon State Forest, the town includes the villages of Waterville and Winchendon Springs....
. The main event featured a first-ever "champion vs. champion" match between FRW All Star Champion Kid Krazy and Granite State Champion Christain Angers. On February 8, 2008, Despres was a guest on the internet radio show Rumble Radio Online. On June 11, FRW 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...
. Seven months later in Rochester, on November 15, 2008, the FRW Tag Team Championship changed hands in a 6-person intergender match between The Pleasures of Pain & Mistress Belmont and Tony Star, Sethoran & Vanity Vixxxen. Also on the card, Shane Sharpe defeated Justin Shaype in a 2 out of 3 falls match to win the heavyweight championship.
On July 31, 2009, on the first night of his tour of the East Coast of the United States
East Coast of the United States
The East Coast of the United States, also known as the Eastern Seaboard, refers to the easternmost coastal states in the United States, which touch the Atlantic Ocean and stretch up to Canada. The term includes the U.S...
, Antonio Thomas defeated Shane Sharpe in an Iron Man match
Iron Man match
An Iron Man match is a professional wrestling match type that is set to go a specific amount of time, usually 30 or 60 minutes, with the competitor with the most falls at the end of that time named the victor...
in Rochester. In addition to running shows in New Hampshire and Massachusetts, FRW made its Vermont debut in White River Junction
White River Junction, Vermont
White River Junction is an unincorporated village and census-designated place in the town of Hartford in Windsor County, Vermont, United States...
on September 25. Tony Spencer, then FRW Granite State Champion, appeared on the October 10th edition of the internet call-in radio show Late Nite JengaJam. Among the topics he discussed included his thoughts on the death of Lou Albano
Lou Albano
Louis Vincent "Captain Lou" Albano was an Italian-American professional wrestler, manager and actor. He was active as a professional wrestler from 1953 until 1969, then he became a manager, until 1995....
, the state of the wrestling industry and 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...
, and his own career in Front Row Wrestling. On November 6, 2009, Maverick Wild was forced to leave FRW after losing to Bruiser Costa at the American Legion in Rochester. Also on the card, Christian Angers & Stephen Marriott won the FRW Tag Team Championship from Shawn Sharp & Cameron Blaze and Johnny Vegas defeated Sethoran to become the new FRW All Star Champion.
On February 26, 2010, Despres announced the promotion would be forming a partnership with NWA Liberty States, formerly No Limits Pro, to promote wrestling events throughout New England under the banner 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...
.
Roster
|
|
Championships
| Championship | Current champion(s) | Previous champion(s) | Date won | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FRW All-Star Championship | Billy King | Vacant | January 9, 2010 | Berlin, New Hampshire Berlin, New Hampshire Berlin is a city along the Androscoggin River in Coos County in northern New Hampshire, United States. The population was 10,051 at the 2010 census. It includes the village of Cascade. Located on the edge of the White Mountains, the city's boundaries extend into the White Mountain National Forest... |
| FRW Granite State Championship | "Tough Talk" Tony Spencer | Tony Star | October 3, 2009 | Rochester, New Hampshire Rochester, New Hampshire Rochester is a city in Strafford County, New Hampshire, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 29,752. The city includes the villages of East Rochester and Gonic. Rochester is home to Skyhaven Airport and the annual Rochester Fair.... |
| FRW Tag Team Championship | Christian Angers and Steven Marriott | Shawn Sharp and Cameron Blaze | November 6, 2009 | Rochester, New Hampshire Rochester, New Hampshire Rochester is a city in Strafford County, New Hampshire, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 29,752. The city includes the villages of East Rochester and Gonic. Rochester is home to Skyhaven Airport and the annual Rochester Fair.... |
External links
- FrontRowWrestling.net
- Front Row Wrestling, original website
- Photographs: Front Row Wrestling