World Wrestling Council

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World Wrestling Council
AcronymWWC
FoundedSeptember 13, 1973; 48 years ago (1973-09-13)
StyleProfessional wrestling, sports entertainment, Hardcore wrestling
HeadquartersSan Juan, Puerto Rico
Founder(s)Carlos Colón
Victor Jovica
Gorilla Monsoon
Owner(s)Victor Jovica
Carlos Colón Sr.
FormerlyCapitol Sports Promotions (1973 - 1995)
World Wrestling Council (1995-2021)
Websitewwcpr.net

The World Wrestling Council (WWC) (Spanish: "Consejo Mundial de Lucha"), is a Puerto-Rican professional wrestling promotion based in Puerto Rico. It was originally established as Capitol Sports Promotions in 1973 by Carlos Colón Sr., Victor Jovica, and Gorilla Monsoon. It was a member of the National Wrestling Alliance until 1988. By the mid-1990s, the promotion had changed its name to the World Wrestling Council.

History[]

Beginnings (1970s)[]

The two versions of the Capitol Sports Promotions logo.

Capitol Sports Promotions, with Carlos Colón, Victor Jovica and Gorilla Monsoon as promoters/co-owners of the organization, was a member of the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) until late 1988, when Gorilla Monsoon left. The company then went bankrupt (as confirmed by Víctor Quiñones in an interview with prwrestling.com). Thomas Collado was the owner in 1976, before Carlos Colón and Victor Jovica.

Capitol Sports Promotions gained fame in Puerto Rican homes soon after their TV show, Super Estrellas de la Lucha Libre, went on-air every weekend on channel 4, WAPA-TV. The taped show is still aired on weekends (both Saturday and Sunday for two hours until March 2008 when it was reduced to one hour on both Saturdays and Sundays due to declining ratings). From 1973 to 1980 it aired on channel 11 (Telecadena Pérez Perry, then on Teleonce after the before mentioned went off the air), on channel 7 on Sunday evenings at 6pm and on Telemundo on Saturday mornings at 10am.

Pinnacle (1980s)[]

Capitol Sports Promotions began touring all over the island, and with the golden era of boxing in Puerto Rico limited only to Ponce and the metropolitan area of Puerto Rico, Capitol Sports Promotions took their shows to many, inner country towns where people were not used to seeing live in-ring sports events. As a result, Capitol's shows usually filled the smaller town arenas.

During one specific stretch, CSP sold out a 30,000 venue at Bayamón during 13 consecutive shows.[1] High profile wrestlers were winning in the range of $3,000-$5,000 per weekend.[1]

In 1983, Rickin Sánchez had taken over as Capitol's main promoter, as well as becoming one of the organization's broadcasters on the television shows. He was joined by the already retired Savinovich. Some time later, Sánchez (and his production company R & F Television) left the production of Superestrellas de la Lucha Libre due to some disagreements with the ownership of WWC. After these events, Savinovich became the main host of the programs.

The World Wrestling Council was a member National Wrestling Alliance from 1979 until 1987.

As the market remained a lucrative and “hot territory” within the organization, the presence of the NWA World Heavyweight Championship became ubiquitous in large events, predominantly represented by perennial headliner Ric Flair. On January 6, 1983, Colón defeated the latter to complete an unofficial run with the belt, retaining momentum afterwards and being ranked in Pro Wrestling Illustrated’s “Top 10” throughout 1984.[2][3][4][5]

Death of Bruiser Brody (1988)[]

On July 16, 1988, American star Bruiser Brody was stabbed at the locker room of the Juan Ramon Loubriel Stadium in Bayamón, prior to a show. Brody died from the stab wounds later on that night. The man who stabbed him was fellow wrestler and booker José Huertas-González, known as Invader I. Apparently, the two men had a real-life feud that led to a confrontation in the locker room, that concluded with Brody receiving stab wounds to his chest and stomach. The only one to witness the series of events that ended in the death was WWC wrestler Tony Atlas. Atlas said he saw both men enter the shower area of the locker room (nobody actually heard the argument nor saw the actual fight and stabbing). As Tony looked over to Carlos Colón, he then heard sounds and (Atlas claimed) he saw Brody hunched over with González brandishing a bloody knife about to finish Brody off. Tony and Carlos rushed to break it up along with several angry wrestlers.

After Brody's death, and the negative publicity that followed, WWC went through some difficult years. Mr. Jose Huertas-Gonzalez was acquitted by a jury after he testified in his own defense, and claimed self-defense. The witnesses who were supposed to testify about the murder did not show up claiming that they did not get their summons until after the trial was over.

Rebrand (1990s)[]

By the mid 1990s, the organization changed its official name to World Wrestling Council. Women also began to have an ever-increasing presence in the organization during that decade.

WWC vs. IWA-PR (2000–2006)[]

With the turn of the century came some changes that troubled the franchise. A promotion called International Wrestling Association (IWA-PR), promoted by Víctor Quiñones, became WWC's biggest competitor when it made an alliance with wrestling giant the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) which in turn brought American superstars to IWA-PR.

Fallout of hurricane Maria (2017–2019)[]

Following the passing of Hurricane Maria over Puerto Rico, the WWC headquarters lost power for a prolonged time period due to infrastructure damage. In response, the promotion issued licenses to some of its wrestlers to participate in the local independent scene, barring some creative limitations that prevented them from being booked in clean defeats.[6] As of December 2017, WWC's one-hour weekend shows on WAPA-TV continued to rerun the last several episodes produced prior to Maria. Almost five months after the hurricane, WWC confirmed its return with new episodes of the weekend shows (consisting of newly-recorded commentary and interview segments mixed with repeats of high-profile matches) leading up to a new live event on March 3, 2018.[7]

On July 23, 2018, longtime talent Ramón Álvarez (a.k.a. El Bronco No. 1) and Engel Landolfi unveiled a spinoff based in the Dominican Republic, WWC DR, receiving the support of Colón and Jovica (who loaned both the trade name and logo for use).[8] Its first event was scheduled for October 28, 2018, featuring talent from both WWC (such as Carlito, Gilbert, Thunder and Lightning) and local competitor WWL (Superstar Ash, Ángel Fashion and Vanilla Vargas).[8]

In November 2018, WWE acquired the WWC video library.[9]

Administrative changes (2019)[]

While still part of WWE’s roster (yet inactive), Eddie and Orlando Colón returned to WWC, working in both administrative roles and as in-ring talent in 2019.[10] Ray González was brought back in and placed in a creative role that was described onscreen as Director of Operations.

Collaboration with IWA-PR (2020–2021)[]

On February 13, 2020, a video where Ray González extended an invitation to Savio Vega (now acting as president of the IWA-PR after it emerged from a hiatus in 2018) to attend a WWC to present him with a proposal that would be mutually beneficial was posted in the IWA-PR’s social media platforms.[11] After some anticipation, the summon was accepted in a subsequent segment aired in Superestrellas de la Lucha Libre.[12] On February 15, 2020, Vega accepted a copy of the document from González and informed that he would give his final answer at the IWA-PR event Histeria Boricua 2020.[13] During this skit, the heel faction known as Legacy (composed by Eddie Colón, Gilbert and Peter John Ramos) where placed in antagonism to the agreement.[13] The collaboration concluded in June 2021 when, according to Vega, WWC stopped answering his calls.

LAWE and restart (2021–present)[]

In March 2021 a promotion named Latin American Wrestling Entertainment (LAWE) was inscribed in the Puerto Rico Department of State with Eddie Colón as its president. In June Mike Chioda publicly revealed his involvement in the project.[14] It officially launched in July, with Stacy Colón as its onscreen CEO.[15] LAWE began announcing the signing of several wrestlers, among who was the incumbent Universal Heavyweight Champion Gilbert. The Colón cousins were also part of these roster additions. WWC avoided updating its status, but their Youtube channel was emptied and its official Facebook page was repurposed by former narrator Antonio “Tony” Montesinos.[16] LAWE had a separate structure, including social media presence.

On August 25, 2021, it was reported that the Colóns intended a merger by purchasing the shares owned by Victor Jovica.[17] When negotiations failed to reach and agreement, the they left LAWE.[18] On August 30, 2021, WWC announced that it would resume the organization of events led by Carlos Colón, González and Jovica.[19]

Roster[]

Ring name Notes
WWC Puerto Rico Champion
Carlito Occasional wrestler
Justin Dynamite WWC Junior Heavyweight Champion
Gilbert WWC Universal Heavyweight Champion
Eddie Colón
Androide 787
WWC Television Champion
Steve Joel & Jay Velez (La Formula) WWC World Tag Team Champion
Khaos & Abaddon A masked tag-team
La Revolución A masked tag-team whose members are not identified
Doom Patrol
Emil Roy
El Payaso Makabro
Ray González Retired, now director of operations
El Gran Armando
Julio Jimenez
Ring announcer & Occasional wrestler
Krystal Doom Patrol manager & Occasional wrestler

Others[]

Ring name Notes
Main commentator
Color commentator
Manager of "Gigante Nihan" & Occasional wrestler

Referees[]

Ring name Notes
José Rosa

Recurrent events[]

Event name Last held Location
WWC Euphoria January 4, 2020 Bayamón, Puerto Rico
March 31, 2018[20] - April 1, 2018[20] , Puerto Rico
June 2, 2018[21] Guaynabo, Puerto Rico
November 23, 2019 Bayamón, Puerto Rico
August 5, 2017 Bayamón, Puerto Rico
WWC Aniversario August 16–18, 2019 Hatillo, Guaynabo, San Germán, Puerto Rico
September 14, 2019 Caguas, Puerto Rico
November 3, 2018 Guaynabo, Puerto Rico
December 7, 2019 Bayamón, Puerto Rico

Championships[]

Current[]

Championship Current champion(s) Reign Date won Days held Location
WWC Universal Heavyweight Championship Gilbert 4 February 20, 2021 393 Guaynabo, Puerto Rico
WWC Puerto Rico Championship 1 October 2, 2021 169 San Juan, Puerto Rico
WWC World Tag Team Championship & 1 February 7, 2021 406 San Juan, Puerto Rico
WWC Television Championship 1 September 17, 2021 184 San Juan, Puerto Rico
WWC Junior Heavyweight Championship 1 February 6, 2021 407 San Juan, Puerto Rico

Defunct and inactive[]

Championship: Final champion(s): Date won: Notes:
Bobo Brazil May 6, 1984 June 10, 1984 (When TTWA breaks affiliation with WWC)[22]
Abdullah The Butcher & The Sheik December 2, 1983 June 10, 1984 (When TTWA breaks affiliation with WWC)[23]
WWC North American Heavyweight Championship Manny Fernandez August 31, 1991 Abandoned November 15, 1991
WWC North American Tag Team Championship
(Bob Brown and Dale Veasey) 		June 20, 1987 Abandoned August 26, 1987
El Bronco February 8, 1990 Abandoned June 10, 1990 (This title was created for an interpromotional show on Dominican Republic with DWF vs WWC was billed to Huracan Castillo and then lost against Bronco on DR)
WWC Caribbean Tag Team Championship
(Ray Gonzalez and Ricky Santana) 		October 10, 1991 Abandoned November 8, 1991
WWC Intercontinental Heavyweight Championship Pierroth, Jr. April 3, 1999 Abandoned December 13, 1999
WWC Dominican Republic Heavyweight Championship El Bronco November 8, 2001 Abandoned December 4, 2001
WWC Hardcore Championship Sabu December 20, 2003 Abandoned August 10, 2005
WWC Women's Championship Black Rose September 24, 2011 Abandoned December 2, 2011
WWC Caribbean Heavyweight Championship March 17, 2012 Abandoned March 31, 2012

See also[]

References[]

  1. ^ a b (Meltzer 2004, p. 117)
  2. ^ "PWI Monthly Ratings at the Internet Wrestling Database".
  3. ^ "PWI Monthly Ratings at the Internet Wrestling Database".
  4. ^ "PWI Monthly Ratings at the Internet Wrestling Database".
  5. ^ "PWI Monthly Ratings at the Internet Wrestling Database".
  6. ^ "El Impacto Semanal (12/20): CWA sorprende al 2017, WWE Clash of Champions y más ~ Impacto Estelar". 20 December 2017.
  7. ^ "Contralona.com | San Juan | Contralona". Contralona.com | San Juan | Contralona. 7 February 2018. Retrieved 2018-02-10.
  8. ^ a b "Nace WWC DOMINICAN REPUBLIC con un magno cartel en el mes de octubre". 4 September 2018.
  9. ^ "WWE acquires World Wrestling Council (WWC) video library". PWInsider. Retrieved 6 November 2018.
  10. ^ "Epico: "Yo voy a seguir en WWE pero es tiempo de regresar a casa" | Superluchas". 20 May 2019.
  11. ^ "Ray Gonzalez Llama Savio Vega; Pero el Numero Es Privado ~ Impacto Estelar". 14 February 2020.
  12. ^ https://www.contralona.com/single-post/2020/02/15/ÚLTIMA-HORA-Savio-Vega-a-estar-presente-ESTA-NOCHE-en-WWC-Manat%C3%AD
  13. ^ a b "PR: Savio Vega aparece en show WWC en Manatí". 15 February 2020.
  14. ^ "Ex-Arbitro de WWE Dice Que los Colón Buscan Crear Nueva Empresa en Puerto Rico ~ Impacto Estelar". 2 June 2021.
  15. ^ "Latin American Wrestling Es Oficialmente Anunciado ~ Impacto Estelar". 5 July 2021.
  16. ^ "WWC Puerto Rico pierde toda su presencia en la Internet". 10 August 2021.
  17. ^ "Los Colón Anuncian Salida de LAWE ~ Impacto Estelar". 26 August 2021.
  18. ^ "PR: Eddie, Orlando y Stacy Colón se marchan de LAWE". 25 August 2021.
  19. ^ "WWC Anuncia Su Regreso; Ray Gonzalez Re-Introducido ~ Impacto Estelar". 30 August 2021.
  20. ^ a b "WWC Lucha Libre". web.facebook.com. Archived from the original on 2022-02-26. Retrieved 2018-03-31.
  21. ^ Torres, Joel (13 May 2018). "WWC: Fecha, lugar y cartelera del evento La Hora de la Verdad; Fechas de ANIVERSARIO 45". Contralona.com | San Juan | Contralona (in Spanish). Retrieved 2018-05-14.
  22. ^ "Trinidad & Tobago Heavyweight Title".
  23. ^ "Trinidad & Tobago Tag Team Title".

Bibliography

  • Meltzer, Dave (2004). Tributes II: Remembering More of the World's Greatest Professional Wrestlers.

External links[]

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