Power Pro Wrestling

Memphis Power Pro Wrestling (Power Pro Wrestling) was a Memphis, Tennessee based professional wrestling promotion that was founded by Randy Hales. It was affiliated with Memphis Championship Wrestling and World Wrestling Federation. It was the first developmental territory for the World Wrestling Federation.[1] The roster featured WWF-contracted wrestlers sent for training and experience like Kurt Angle and Matt Bloom (Tensai/Albert), Daniel Bryan and Memphis wrestling legends Bill Dundee and Jerry Lawler, Brian Christopher and many others.

Power Pro Wrestling
AcronymPPW
FoundedApril 18, 1998
DefunctApril 14, 2001
HeadquartersMemphis, Tennessee
Founder(s)Randy Hales
Owner(s)Randy Hales
PredecessorUnited States Wrestling Association

It operated from April 1998 to April 2001. The promotion was booked by Randy Hales and Brandon Baxter.

Alumni

Male wrestlers

Birth name:Ring name(s):Tenure:Notes
Kurt AngleKurt Angle1999[2][3][4][5]
Matthew Anoa'iMatt E. Smalls1999
Darrell AnthonyDirty White Boy1999
Steve BissonSteve Bradley1999–2000[3][6]
Numa BlanchardBlade Boudreaux1999–2000
Matthew BloomBaldo1998–1999[4][7]
Larry BookerMoondog Spot1998, 2000
Thomas BoricPaul Diamond / Venom1998–1999[8]
Ruben CainRobert Gibson1998, 2000
Mark CanterburyHenry O. Godwinn1998WWF
Americo CostantinoRico Constantino1999–2000[6]
Thomas CouchTommy Rogers2000
William CrookshanksBill Dundee1998–1999[8][9]
Harry Del RiosSpellbinder / Streak1998–1999[8][9][10]
Robert Dicks Jr.Robbie D / Slick Robbie D1999–2000
Nicholas DinsmoreNick Dinsmore1999–2000
Sidney EudySid Vicious1998WWF
James FanningJimmy Valiant1998, 2000
Edward FatuOG Ekmo1999
Solofa Fatu Jr.JR Smooth1999
Anthony FelkerTony Falk / 2 Falk 4 Sure1998–2000[8]
Kevin FertigSeven1999–2000
Nelson Frazier Jr.King Mabel1998WWF[9]
Scott GarlandScott Taylor1999
Doug GilbertDoug Gilbert1999[4][10]
Terry GordyTerry Gordy1999
Terry Gordy Jr.Ray Gordy1999
Bob GovoniBobby Doll1998–1999
Byron GreeneJohnny Rotten1998
Vic GrimesVic Grimes1998–1999
Michael HegstrandRoad Warrior Hawk1998
Mark HenryMark Henry1999
Daniel HollieDamaja2000
Robert HorneBJ Awesome / Rob Harlem / Sir Mo1998, 2000[8][9]
Tim HornerWhite Lightning2000
Robert HowardBombastic Bob1998WWF
Glenn JacobsKane1998WWF[9]
Jay JailletJay Jaillet1999
Brian JamesJesse James / Road Dog1998WWF[9]
Jeffrey JarrettJeff Jarrett1998WWF
Dwayne JohnsonRocky Maivia1998WWF[9]
Steve KeirnSteve Keirn1999
Hiram KellerHeinrich Franz Keller / Trae Keller1998–1999
James KimbleKing Cobra1998–1999
Christopher KindredFlash Flanagan1999–2000
Dennis KnightPhineas I. Godwinn1998WWF
Glen KulkaGlen Kulka1999
Alan LambAlan Steel1999–2000
Wallace LaneStan Lane1999
Brian LawlerBrian Christopher1998–1999[4][8][9][10]
Jerry LawlerJerry Lawler1998–1999, 2001[7][8][9][11]
Kevin LawlerKevin Christian / The Yellow Jacket1998–1999[9]
James LehmanJagger2000
Michael LockwoodErin O'Grady1998–1999
Paul J. McknightMoondog Rover1998
Lance McNaughtLance Cade / Lance Jade1999
Gary MizeBilly Joe Travis / Billy Travis1998–1999[8]
Richard MortonRicky Morton1998–1999
Scott OberholzerScotty Sabre1999–2000
Carl OuelletKris Kannonball1999
Russell Payne Jr.BJ Payne1999–2000
Alex PliakisAlex Arion1999
Bill PierceChris Michaels2000
Mike PolchlopekBodacious Bart / Bart Gunn1998WWF
Tom PrichardTom Prichard1998–1999
Scott RainesBulldog Raines1998–2000
Kenneth RaperKen Raper1999
Thomas RichardsonTommy Rich1999[10]
Michael SeitzMichael "P.S." Hayes1999
Steve SharpeAli Stevens1999–2000
Paulo César da SilvaGiant Silva1998–1999
Timothy SmithRex King1998
Tracy SmothersTracy Smothers / The Assassin1998–2000[8]
Shawn StipichMeat / Shawn Stasiak1998–1999WWF[4]
Mike WaldenCash Flo1999
Reginald WaltMaster B / Reggie B. Fine1998–1999[8][9]
James WareKoko B. Ware1998–1999[9]
Anthony WilliamsKid Wikkid / Tony Williams1998–1999[8][9]
Frank WilliamsTrailer Park Trash1999–2000
Kelly WolfeWolfie D1999–2000[2]
Steve WilliamsSteve Williams1999
UnknownAshley Hudson / Australian Sensation1998[8][9]
UnknownBeau James / The Bodyguard1998[8]
UnknownBobby Bronz / Bobby Brawnz1998[9]
UnknownCB Wyatt1999
UnknownThe Cremator1999
UnknownDeon Harlem2000
Derrick TaylorDerrick King / Tay Hi1998–2000[8][9]
UnknownDynamite D1999
UnknownFirecracker1999
UnknownFreddy Krueger / Mr. Wrestling1998[8]
UnknownJason Gibson1998
UnknownJason Lee1998–2000
Cory RadfordJD Hall1999-2001
UnknownJebediah1999
UnknownKip Morris1999
UnknownLance Jade1998–2000[8][9]
UnknownLoose Cannon1999
UnknownMick Tierney1998–1999
Charles WhiteRic Havoc2000
UnknownRon McClarity1998–1999
UnknownScotty McKeever1998
UnknownSwole1998[9]
UnknownTony DeNucci1998
UnknownUgly Ed Johnson1999
UnknownYoungblood2000

Female wrestlers

Birth name:Ring name(s):Tenure:Notes
Nicole BassNicole Bass1999
Stacy CarterLovely Stacy / Stacy Carter1998–1999
Jacqueline MooreJackie / Jacqueline1998[8][9]
Johnnie Mae YoungMrs. Stasiak1999
UnknownBrianna Starr1999
UnknownDanna Shepherd1998[8]
UnknownPaula Bunyan1998[8]
UnknownSamantha1998[9]
UnknownVicious Vicki1998

Stables and tag teams

Tag team/Stable(s)MembersTenure(s)
The Fabulous OnesStan Lane and Steve Keirn1999
The Fabulous FreebirdsMichael Hayes and Terry Gordy1999
The GodwinnsHenry O. Godwinn and Phineas I. Godwinn1998
KingsJerry Lawler and Bill Dundee1998–1999
The Masked ThugsMasked Thug #1 and Masked Thug #21998
The Midnight ExpressBombastic Bob and Bodacious Bart1998
The RegulatorsDeon Harlem and Rob Harlem2000
The Rock 'n' Roll ExpressRicky Morton and Robert Gibson1998
Suicide BlondesJason Lee and Derrick King1999–2000
Too MuchScott Taylor and Brian Christopher1999

Managers and valets

Birth name:Ring name(s):Tenure:Notes
Brandon BaxterBrandon Baxter1998–2001[8][9]
Jim CornetteJim Cornette1998–2000[9]
Randy HalesRandy Hales1998–2000
Bruno LauerDowntown Bruno1998–1999
Bruce PrichardBruce Prichard1999
UnknownMiss Veronica1998[9]

Commentators and interviewers

Birth name:Ring name(s):Tenure:Notes
Dave BrownDave Brown1998-2001[9][10]
Corey MaclinCorey Maclin1998-2001[9]

Other personnel

Birth name:Ring name(s):Tenure:Notes
Brandon BaxterBrandon Baxter1998–2001Booker
Randy HalesRandy Hales1998–2001Promoter and Booker

Buddy Wayne. Live Event Promoter

Tony Falk. Producer and Agent [4][12][13]

Notes
^ Indicates they are deceased.
^ Indicates they died while they were employed with Power Pro Wrestling.
WWF ^ Indicates they were part of a talent exchange with the World Wrestling Federation.

Championships

Power Pro Wrestling Heavyweight Championship

The PPW Heavyweight Championship was the top title contested for in the Power Pro Wrestling (later Memphis Power Pro Wrestling).[14]

Champion#DateLocationNotes
Baldo1January 29, 1999Memphis, TennesseeBeat Jerry Lawler in a tournament final to become the first champion.
Michael Hayes1March 7, 1999Jonesboro, ArkansasWon the title by pinning Baldo in a tag team match, with Hayes teaming with Brandon Baxter against Randy Hales & Baldo.
J.R. Smooth1May 8, 1999Memphis, Tennessee
Kurt Angle1July 24, 1999Memphis, Tennessee
Steve Bradley1August 7, 1999Memphis, Tennessee
Vic Grimes1September 18, 1999Memphis, Tennessee
Steve Bradley2September 25, 1999Memphis, Tennessee
Rico Constantino1December 4, 1999Memphis, Tennessee
Steve Bradley3January 15, 2000Memphis, Tennessee
Ali1January 19, 2000Memphis, Tennessee
Wolfie D1April 8, 2000Memphis, Tennessee
VacantMay 27, 2000Wolfie D was stripped because he couldn't defend the title.
Wolfie D2May 27, 2000Memphis, TennesseeBeat Ali for the vacant title.
Spellbinder1July 2, 2000Memphis, Tennessee
Steven Bradley4January 13, 2001Corinth, MSAlso holds the Memphis Championship Wrestling Southern Heavyweight Championship.
Pete GasMarch 17, 2001Pete Gas was stripped when Power Pro Wrestling ends its affiliation with World Wrestling Federation because Gas is under contract to WWF.
Promotion closes in April 2001

Power Pro Wrestling Tag Team Championship

The PPW Tag Team Championship was a title contended for in the Power Pro Wrestling later Memphis Power Pro Wrestling promotion.[15]

Team#DateLocationNotes
Billy Travis & Bulldog Raines1July 21, 1998Memphis, TennesseeBeat The Rock 'n' Roll Express (Ricky Morton & Robert Gibson) in a tournament final to become champions.
VacantTitle vacant in early 1999
Kid Wikkid & Derrick King1March 7, 1999Jonesboro, ArkansasWon a tournament for the vacant title.
VacantMarch 19, 1999Memphis, TennesseeVacant after a match between Wikkid & King and Erin O'Grady & Vic Grimes.
Erin O'Grady & Vic Grimes1March 20, 1999Memphis, TennesseeDefeated Kid Wikkid & Derrick King in a rematch.
Kid Wikkid & Derrick King2April 3, 1999Jonesboro, Arkansas
Jerry Lawler & Bill Dundee1April 17, 1999Memphis, TennesseeLawler won the belts in a handicap match when Dundee no showed.[16]
Glenn Kulka & Mic Tierney1October 2, 1999This was a phantom title change. The title became vacant after Bill Dundee left the company.
VacantTitles became vacant in November 1999 when Kulka left the promotion.
Derrick King (3) & Jason Lee1January 22, 2000Memphis, TennesseeBeat Tony Falk & Blade and Bulldog Raines & Robbie D in a triple threat match tournament final.
Wolfie D1January 29, 2000Memphis, TennesseeWins handicap match.
Derrick King (4) & Moondog Spot1March 18, 2000Memphis, Tennessee
The Regulators (Deon & Rob Harlem)1April 8, 2000Memphis, TennesseeBeat Derrick King in a handicap match.
DeactivatedMarch 17, 2001The Regulators is stripped of the titles because the promotion closed.

Power Pro Wrestling Television Championship

The PPW Television title was a secondary championship contested for in Power Pro Wrestling/Memphis Power Pro Wrestling.[17]

Champion#DateLocationNotes
Blade1March 25, 2000Memphis, TennesseeWon a Battle royal to become the first champion.
Khan1June 24, 2000Memphis, Tennessee
Bulldog Raines1December 2, 2000Memphis, Tennessee
RodRageous1January 27, 2001Memphis, Tennessee
Grandmaster Sexay1February 21, 2001Jonesboro, ArkansasThis was a joint MCW/PPW/WWF event. Sexay substituted for K-Kwik.
RodRageous2February 24, 2001Memphis, Tennessee
VacantMarch 17, 2001PPW ends relationship with WWF. RodRageous is stripped because he is under contract with WWF.

Power Pro Wrestling Young Guns Championship

The PPW Young Guns title was a secondary championship contested for in Power Pro Wrestling/Memphis Power Pro Wrestling.[18]

Power Pro Wrestling Hardcore Championship

The PPW Hardcore title was a secondary championship contested for in Power Pro Wrestling/Memphis Power Pro Wrestling.[19]

See also

References