Xtreme Alternative - Brief Article

XPW's brand of hardcore wrestling is leaving it's bloody mark on the national wrestling scene

On July 31, 1999, Wrestling fans gained a hardcore alternative. At first, Xtreme Professional Wrestling debuted to give fans on the West Coast an opportunity to witness live hardcore wrestling. But over the past 16 months, XPW has evolved from an independent looking too much like ECW into a nationally televised promotion with its own brand of sports entertainment.

With a weekly national television show on the America One Network (check www.americaone.com for listings), home videos, and live events at the Los Angeles Sports Arena with crowds numbering 2,000, XPW can no longer be ignored as a passing phase in professional wrestling.

Xtreme roots

The roots of XPW are deeper than the 16 months it has been in existence. Rob Black, owner and CEO of the company, grew up it fall of wrestling. In 1998, Black decided he wanted to form his own promotion. He understood that to stand out would require and edge and production value that would separate his company from others.

Black crossed paths with Southern California Championship Wrestling, a small independent in the Los Angeles area. Three people ran SCCW: Darren McMillan (wrestler Dynamite D), Patrick Hernandez (now XPW head official), and Kevin Kleinrock (now XPW vice president of operations). Black met with SCCW in the summer of 1998 to discuss the possibility of forming a new promotion. Upon hearing that the company would have a substantial budget and a higher production value, they decided to join Black.

Xtreme philosophy

The XPW plan was simple: To become the top wrestling promotion on the West Coast and a viable alternative to ECW. Fans on the West Coast could watch the ECW syndicated show on America One affiliates, and ECW on TNN after it debuted in August 1999, but no promotion on the West Coast provided live hardcore wrestling.

Black said his obsession with hardcore wrestling--which includes use of thumbtacks and barbed wire in matches--has its roots in the NWA.

"All ECW did was take the NWA, the Southern style, and modernize it," says Black.

With West Coast fans demanding live, hardcore wrestling, Black was ready to fill the niche and hired past ECW stars. The first was Big Dick Dudley. With Buh Buh Ray Dudley and D-Von Dudley leaving ECW for the WWF in the fall of 1999, the giant of the group decided he was tired of walking around ringside and wanted to actually wrestle. He joined XPW and was followed by John Kronus, Missy Hyatt, the Pit Bulls, Public Enemy, Axl Rotten, Shane Douglas, Candido, Tammy Sytch, and current XPW world heavyweight champion Sabu.

While many criticized XPW for being an ECW knockoff, fans loved the action. Not only did they get a chance to see these "name" wrestlers for the first time on the West Coast, but mixed in was the next generation of stars gaining national attention for the first time. Local wrestlers such as Kid Kaos, Supreme, "White Trash" Johnny Webb, and Dynamite D found a home in XPW. Other local talents such as Skullcrusher, "Iron" Mike Earhardt, and Nick Beat found a niche for themselves with the help of the XPW creative team and enjoyed rebirths as Homeless Jimmy, the Messiah, and "the Real Deal, Damien Steele, respectively.

Xtreme goals

Although XPW fans have enjoyed watching the former ECW stars perform, the local wrestlers have gained a following as well. XPW is bombarded with messages of "Stop putting the strap on outside talent. It is time for the Messiah to be champ," or Homeless Jimmy's first win should be the XPW title." But the philosophy of using known wrestlers to establish a fan base has been successful. Being a viable alternative to ECW was only part of the plan.

"Our main goal was to become a `complete' wrestling company." Kleinrock says. "We wanted to take the violence and reality of ECW, mix them with the drama and production of the WWF, add an international flavor and make the most well-rounded promotion in the world."

It seems XPW is well on its way to accomplishing its goals.

COPYRIGHT 2000 Century Publishing
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