Revolution Pro Wrestling

Revolution Pro Wrestling
AcronymRevPro[1]
RPW[2]
Founded26 August 2012
StyleProfessional wrestling
Sports entertainment
HeadquartersPortsmouth, England
Founder(s)Andy Quildan
Owner(s)Andy Quildan
Split fromInternational Pro Wrestling: United Kingdom
WebsiteRevolutionProWrestling.com

Revolution Pro Wrestling (RevPro/RPW) is a British professional wrestling promotion founded on 26 August 2012 by Andy Quildan after separating from International Pro Wrestling: United Kingdom.

Revolution Pro Wrestling currently has partnerships with several internationally based promotions including US-based All Elite Wrestling (AEW), Japan's New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW) and Mexico's Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre (CMLL). American independent company Global Force Wrestling (GFW), also has worked with RPW in the past.[3][4][5]

Top international wrestlers who have worked for RevPro, include WWE performers Kurt Angle, AJ Styles, Rey Mysterio, Kevin Owens, Apollo Crews, Finn Bálor, Karl Anderson, Luke Gallows, Kalisto, Sami Zayn, Shinsuke Nakamura, Killian Dain, Noam Dar, Tommaso Ciampa, and Adam Cole.

History

Early history (2012–2019)

On 26 August 2012, at Summer Sizzler International Pro Wrestling: United Kingdom's (IPW:UK) booker Andy Quildan broke with the company to ensure the high standards he set to the promotion would be maintained.[6][7] Quildan would bring with him the British Heavyweight, Tag Team and Cruiserweight Championships to the promotion. RPW would also book talent from other promotions such as Prince Devitt, Big Damo and Noam Dar, whom later were signed by WWE. With the rising popularity of RPW, it would become one of the biggest promotions in the British independent circuit.

RPW would begin a series of international collaborations and partnerships with other promotions. On 25 July 2014, RPW announced a working agreement with Global Force Wrestling (GFW).[3] On 5 April 2015, RPW hosted the first independent UK defence of the ICW World Heavyweight Championship[8] as part of the At Our Best card when Drew Galloway defended the ICW title along with the EVOLVE and DGUSA Open the Freedom Gate Championships[9] against Doug Williams.[10]

On 18 July 2015, RPW established a working agreement with New Japan Pro-Wrestling as part of their "New IWGP Conception", a global expansion strategy centered on their international partnerships.[11][12][13] The agreement also led to NJPW wrestlers making regular appearances for the promotion.

In May, RPW hosted a qualifying match for the WWE Cruiserweight Classic.[14] The first co-promoted shows with NJPW were Uprising and Global Wars UK, which took place in October 2015.[15][16][17][18] On 3 March 2016 RPW released their own OTT streaming service the RPW On Demand.[19] On 16 March, announced a working agreement with Pro-Wrestling: EVE, which would also feature various title defenses of the Pro-Wrestling:EVE Championship and Pro-Wrestling:EVE events airing on the demand for the RPW On Demand.[20] On 23 March, RPW launched a YouTube series the RevPro TV, which airs on Mondays.[21]

On 8 June 2017, RPW announced the British J-Cup, a tournament based on NJPW's Super J-Cup for cruiserweight wrestlers from all over the world.[22] In August 2017, RPW partnered with American promotion Ring of Honor (ROH) and Mexican Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre (CMLL) for the War of the Worlds UK, which featured participation from the promotion.[23] On 22 September, RPW announced that content from Over The Top Wrestling would also be available on RPW On Demand.[24]

On 13 November, RPW announced the creation of its fourth active title the British Women's Championship,[25][26] On 30 November, RPW reach a deal with NJPW to officially sell their merchandise from the RPW shop, becoming their second European carrier of their licensed merchandise.[27] On 30 August 2018, RPW signed a television deal with FreeSports, where it premiered on Wednesday and Thursday, 5 and 6 September 2018,[28] in a live special held at the York Hall in London, England. On 3 October, it was announced the Queen of the Ring tournament for their women's division.[29]

Acquiring Southside Wrestling Entertainment (2019–2021)

On 18 September 2019, RevPro announced they took over Southside Wrestling Entertainment (SWE) operations.[30]

SWE was a promotion operating out of Cambridgeshire, England, which ran events from 2010 to 2019. They promoted internationally known names like Drew Galloway, Chris Hero, Tyler Bate, Pete Dunne, TAJIRI, MJF, Gabriel Kidd, Noam Dar, Tommy Dreamer and Kevin Steen, among others.[31][32]

Previous SWE title holders had included:– Will Ospreay, Mark Haskins, Ethan Page, Tommy End, Kris Travis, PJ Black, Kay Lee Ray, Stevie Boy, BT Gunn, Rampage Brown, Mike Bailey, Kip Sabian, Davey Richards, Andrew Everett, Trey Miguel, Nixon Newell, Shigehiro Irie, Ricky Knight Jr., Rockstar Spud, Jade, Melina and numerous others.[33][34][35][36][37]

The SWE Heavyweight Championship, SWE Speed King Championship, SWE Tag Team Championship and SWE Women's Championship were defended on RevPro events before eventually being vacated or unified with their own active titles.[38][39][40]

New partnerships (2021–present)

In 2021, Revolution Pro Wrestling established a relationship with Major League Wrestling.[41]

On 3 August 2023, the CMLL and Revolution Pro Wrestling announced their alliance beginning with their first joint event, Fantastica Mania UK.[42][43]

Training school

Revolution Pro Wrestling hosts a professional wrestling school in Portsmouth, England. It was founded in August 2012 and run by Andy Quildan.[44] The school runs 4 trainee level shows a year for them to showcase their ability in front of a live audience. They teach all the basic elements of professional wrestling as well as other vital parts of being a wrestler.

Championships

Current champions

As of November 8, 2024

Championship Current champion(s) Date won Days
held 		Location Notes Ref.
Undisputed British Heavyweight Championship Luke Jacobs 1 August 24, 2024 76+ London, England Defeated Michael Oku at RevPro 12th Anniversary Show. [45]
Undisputed British Cruiserweight Championship Will Kaven 1 August 24, 2024 76+ London, England Defeated Neón, Cameron Khai, El Phantasmo, Leon Slater and Dante Martin in a six-way match at RevPro 12th Anniversary Show. [45]
Undisputed British Women's Championship Mina Shirakawa 1 August 24, 2024 76+ London, England Defeated Dani Luna on at RevPro 12th Anniversary Show. [45]
Undisputed British Tag Team Championship Sunshine Machine
(Chuck Mambo and TK Cooper) 		2
(2, 2) 		August 24, 2024 76+ London, England Defeated Grizzled Young Veterans (James Drake and Zack Gibson) at RevPro 12th Anniversary Show. [45]

Former champions

Championship Last champion(s) Date retired Notes
Southside Heavyweight Championship Ricky Knight Jr. 18 July 2021 Ricky Knight Jr. retired the championship and proclaimed himself the British Heavyweight Champion, using the old British Heavyweight Championship belt.
Southside Speed King Championship Michael Oku 13 September 2020[46] Defeated Ricky Knight Jr. to unify the title with the Undisputed British Cruiserweight Championship.[46]
Southside Tag Team Championship Rampage Brown and The Great-O-Kharn 24 November 2019 Defeated Mike Bailey and Mao to unify the title with the Undisputed British Tag Team Championships.[47]
Southside Women's Championship Alex Windsor 9 July 2023 Defeated Skye Smitson, Dani Luna and Hyan in a four-way match to unify the title with the Undisputed British Women's Championship.[48]

Events

Marquee events

Collaborated events

Tournaments

Tournament Last winners Date won
British J-Cup Lio Rush September 28, 2024
Queen of the Ring Zoe Lucas July 31, 2021
Great British Tag League Greedy Souls (Brendan White and Danny Jones) December 16, 2023

See also

References

  1. ^ "Revolution Pro Wrestling (RevPro)". CAGEMATCH - The Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved 5 March 2023.
  2. ^ "Japanese World Cup Qualifiers Hosted In Association With NJPW & RevPro". What Culture Pro Wrestling. Retrieved 18 May 2017. What Culture Pro Wrestling (WCPW) are pleased to announce the formation of a working partnership with global wrestling giants New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW) and British wrestling's most must-see promotion Revolution Pro Wrestling (RPW)
  3. ^ a b GFW Global Partners Archived 2017-07-13 at the Wayback Machine
  4. ^ "#Results: RPW (@RevProUK) "At Our Best" *Titles & Challenges". 6 April 2015. Archived from the original on 18 April 2015. Retrieved 6 April 2015.
  5. ^ Caldwell, James (18 July 2015). "NJPW news: New Japan announces big int'l expansion plans, including expanded N. America partnerships & NXT-like program". Pro Wrestling Torch. Archived from the original on 21 August 2015. Retrieved 20 August 2015.
  6. ^ "About RevPro". Revolution Pro Wrestling. Archived from the original on 31 August 2018. Retrieved 30 August 2018.
  7. ^ Boon, Allan (30 August 2015). "THE STEELCHAIR INTERVIEW: ANDY QUILDAN OF REVOLUTION PRO-WRESTLING". TheSteelChair. Retrieved 30 August 2015.
  8. ^ "New Phenom: The ICW World Heavyweight Championship Reign of Drew Galloway". November 2022.
  9. ^ "Self-Chosen: The EVOLVE Championship Reign of Drew Galloway". 7 August 2022.
  10. ^ "RevPro at our best". Retrieved 8 May 2024.
  11. ^ "新日本プロレス３～５年後上場目指す". Daily Sports Online (in Japanese). Kobe Shimbun. 18 July 2015. Retrieved 5 January 2018.
  12. ^ "木谷オーナーが「ファーム設立プラン」「21世紀のIWGP構想」、そして「新日本プロレスは株式上場を目指す」と宣言! 【7.18戦略発表会】". New Japan Pro-Wrestling (in Japanese). 18 July 2015. Retrieved 5 January 2018.
  13. ^ Caldwell, James (18 July 2015). "NJPW news: New Japan announces big int'l expansion plans, including expanded N. America partnerships & NXT-like program". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved 5 January 2018.
  14. ^ "Who qualified for Cruiserweight Classic at RevPro?". www.wwe.com. Retrieved 8 May 2016.
  15. ^ "RevPro Global Wars UK". Retrieved 5 January 2018.
  16. ^ "RevPro/NJPW Global Wars UK 2016 - Tag 2". Retrieved 5 January 2018.
  17. ^ "RevPro/NJPW Global Wars 2017 - Tag 1". Retrieved 5 January 2018.
  18. ^ "RevPro/NJPW Global Wars 2017 - Tag 2". Retrieved 5 January 2018.
  19. ^ "ANNOUNCING THE BRAND NEW RPWONDEMAND.COM!". Revolution Pro Wrestling. Retrieved 3 March 2016.
  20. ^ "REVPRO PARTNERS WITH PRO WRESTLING:EVE". Revolution Pro Wrestling. Retrieved 16 March 2016.
  21. ^ "BRAND NEW YOUTUBE SHOW LAUNCHES". Revolution Pro Wrestling. Retrieved 23 March 2016.
  22. ^ "BRITISH J CUP IS COMING TO LONDON!". Revolution Pro Wrestling. Retrieved 8 June 2017.
  23. ^ "Briscoes, Taven, Daniels Headed To CMLL In August". Ring of Honor. February 16, 2017. Archived from the original on February 17, 2017. Retrieved August 14, 2022.
  24. ^ "ON DEMAND: WE ARE JOINING FORCES!". Revolution Pro Wrestling. Retrieved 22 September 2017.
  25. ^ "LONDON: ENTRANT NUMBER 1 IN THE WOMENS TOURNAMENT IS JINNY". Revolution Pro Wrestling. Retrieved 13 November 2017.
  26. ^ "So this is what the semi-finals look like... who will make it through? Who will become the first Undisputed British Women's Champion? Tonight we make history! #LiveAtTheCockpit25".
  27. ^ "SHOP: OFFICIAL NEW JAPAN MERCH NOW AVAILABLE DIRECTLY FROM SHOPREVPRO". Revolution Pro Wrestling. Retrieved 30 November 2017.
  28. ^ Fernandes, Steven (30 August 2018). "REVOLUTION PRO TV DEAL IN UK ANNOUNCED". Pro Wrestling Insider. Retrieved 30 August 2018.
  29. ^ "LONDON: WE START 2019 BY CROWNING A QUEEN". Revolution Pro Wrestling. Retrieved 3 October 2018.
  30. ^ "RevPro to take over Southside Wrestling Operations". 19 September 2019.
  31. ^ "Southside Wrestling Entertainment (SWE)". Retrieved 26 April 2024.
  32. ^ Kreikenbohm, Philip. "Southside Wrestling Entertainment (SWE) » All-Time Roster Year 2013". CAGEMATCH – The Internet Wrestling Database. Archived from the original on 28 July 2023. Retrieved 21 August 2024.
  33. ^ "Southside Heavyweight Championship". Retrieved 8 May 2024.
  34. ^ "Southside Women's Championship". Retrieved 8 May 2024.
  35. ^ Kreikenbohm, Philip. "SWE European Championship". CAGEMATCH – The Internet Wrestling Database. Archived from the original on 18 November 2022. Retrieved 21 August 2024.
  36. ^ Kreikenbohm, Philip. "SWE Speed King Championship". CAGEMATCH – The Internet Wrestling Database. Archived from the original on 9 April 2023. Retrieved 21 August 2024.
  37. ^ Kreikenbohm, Philip. "SWE Tag Team Championship". CAGEMATCH – The Internet Wrestling Database. Archived from the original on 27 July 2023. Retrieved 21 August 2024.
  38. ^ Kreikenbohm, Philip. "Southside Heavyweight Championship » Title Matches By Year 2021". CAGEMATCH – The Internet Wrestling Database. Archived from the original on 28 July 2023. Retrieved 21 August 2024.
  39. ^ Kreikenbohm, Philip. "SWE Tag Team Championship » Title Matches By Year 2019". CAGEMATCH – The Internet Wrestling Database. Archived from the original on 28 July 2023. Retrieved 21 August 2024.
  40. ^ Kreikenbohm, Philip. "Southside Women's Championship » Title Matches By Year 2023". CAGEMATCH – The Internet Wrestling Database. Archived from the original on 28 July 2023. Retrieved 21 August 2024.
  41. ^ Defelice, Robert (29 April 2021). "MLW Establishes Championship Committee With Dragon Gate And RevPro Representatives". Fightful. Retrieved 15 December 2023.
  42. ^ "RevPro & CMLL Announce New Partnership: Fantastica Mania UK is coming". 2 August 2023.
  43. ^ @CMLL_OFICIAL (3 August 2023). "FANTASTICAMANIA LLEGA A EUROPA El día de hoy en CMLL Informa se anunció que la empresa británica Revolution Pro Wrestling presentará "CMLL FantasticaMania UK 2023"" (Tweet) (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 21 August 2024. Retrieved 21 August 2024 – via Twitter.
  44. ^ Fisher, Andrew (14 January 2022). "My son has rekindled my boyhood love of British wrestling - I would love to see it on TV again". inews.co.uk. Retrieved 11 October 2023.
  45. ^ a b c d Kreikenbohm, Philip (24 August 2024). "RevPro 12 Year Anniversary Show". cagematch.net. Retrieved 24 August 2024.
  46. ^ a b Kreikenbohm, Philip. "SWE Speed King Championship » Title Reigns 13.09.2020 – 13.09.2020: Michael Oku". CAGEMATCH – The Internet Wrestling Database. Archived from the original on 21 August 2024. Retrieved 21 August 2024.
  47. ^ Kreikenbohm, Philip (24 November 2019). "RevPro British J Cup 2019". CAGEMATCH – The Internet Wrestling Database. Archived from the original on 28 July 2023. Retrieved 21 August 2024.
  48. ^ Thompson, Andrew (9 July 2023). "Michael Oku (The OJMO) ends Great-O-Khan's reign as RevPro Undisputed British Heavyweight Champion". Retrieved 9 July 2023.
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