 | |
| Acronym | EWF |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1996 |
| Headquarters | Southern California |
| Founder(s) | Bill Anderson and Jesse Hernandez |
| Owner | Jesse Hernandez |
| Website | https://empirewrestlingfederation.com/ |
TheEmpire Wrestling Federation (EWF) is anindependent wrestling promotion based inCovina, California. It is owned and operated byJesse Hernandez. The EWF is also tied to Hernandez'swrestling school,The School Of Hard Knocks. The EWF is the longest running promotion in Southern California, running continuously from 1996. The EWF is a former affiliate of theNational Wrestling Alliance.
EWF was founded in 1996 byBill Anderson and Jesse Hernandez. The promotion's name comes from theInland Empire, the popular name of the area surrounding San Bernardino.
It saw its first show in May 1996 at the Boys and Girls Club of San Bernardino asBobby Bradley defeatedTom "Zuma" Howard to become the first EWF Heavyweight Champion. In 1999, Bill Anderson left the EWF and formed his own promotion and wrestling school, theInternational Wrestling Council inRiverside, California. In June 1996, a tribute toSuperstar Billy Graham was held.
Several EWF wrestlers from the past have gone on to national fame, includingRico Constantino,Awesome Kong,Louie Spicolli,Frankie Kazarian,Christopher Daniels,Shelly Martinez andMelina Perez. In 1997,Chris Jericho andLee Marshall ofWorld Championship Wrestling (WCW) mentioned EWF on WCW broadcasts and Marshall attended a show inHemet, California. Otherpro wrestling stars have made appearance at EWF shows includingMando Guerrero,Peter Maivia,Ludvig Borga,The Honky Tonk Man,Tony Atlas andTom Brandi. Many EWF wrestlers appear asjobbers onWorld Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) broadcasts, and at the1999 Royal Rumble the orderlies sent to apprehendKane were performed by the EWF roster, including then owners Bill Anderson and Jesse Hernandez.
They held their 20th Anniversary Extravaganza at the EWF Arena in Covina, Ca on May 6, 2016.
The EWF School of Hard Knocks is owned and operated by Jesse Hernandez and is currently located at the American Sports University, 399 North "D" Street in San Bernardino, CA. The School of Hard Knocks became the Official Training Facility of the National Wrestling Alliance in 2007 and has trained countless students from such countries as Canada, France, Australia, India, Great Britain, Russia, Mexico and others, in addition to those students who come to the school from allregions of the United States. The EWF's School of Hard Knocks has sent several wrestlers to prominent promotions across the globe includingMelina,Rico Constantino,Frankie Kazarian,Awesome Kong,Rocky Romero,Ricky Reyes,Alex Koslov andShelly Martinez. The School of Hard Knocks also has served as the training area forChris Jericho,Layla,Eve Torres,Rhaka Khan,Lena Yada and others, who looked to brush up on their in-ring skills. The school and some of its students are set to be promoted in the upcoming reality show, "Slam School".
| Championship: | Current champion(s): | Won From: | Location: |
|---|---|---|---|
| EWF Heavyweight Championship | Trailer King | Highlander | Banning, CA |
| EWF American Championship | "Mexi Macho #1" Tio Chulo | Big Bull | Banning, CA |
| EWF Tag Team Championship | IRod and Erny Valencia | Heartless Kings (J2 Mattioli & Jeremiah Fresh) | Banning, CA |
TheEWF Cruiserweight Championship was introduced in 2004 and was won by Liger Rivera in a 4-Way match. It was defended from 2004 until it was retired in 2011. It had been featured in the EWF's Match of the Year in both 2009 and 2010.Ray Rosas was the last EWF Cruiserweight Champion. Also defunct was the women's championship belt. It has yet to be brought back into the company.
The Empire Wrestling Federation previously held two annual events, the Great Goliath and the Inland Title Tournament. The Great Goliath is a battle royal, held in honor ofthe wrestler who trained Jesse Hernandez, the EWF's owner and promoter, it has been held during the EWF's Anniversary Extravaganza in May since 2006. The winner is awarded a shot at theEWF Heavyweight Championship.
| Won By: | Year Won: | Location: | Notes: |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anthony Idol | 2022 | San Bernardino, CA | Used his title shot against J2 Mattioli at Jingle slam 2022 & won. |
| Anthony Idol & Raunchy Rico | 2021 | San Bernardino, CA | This was for the Vacant EWF Tag Team championship. |
| Jordan Clearwater | 2019 | Covina, CA | This was for the Vacant EWF American Championship. |
| The Decapitator | 2018 | Covina, CA | He has yet to schedule his title shot. |
| Friar Juan Roman | 2017 | Covina, CA | Used his title shot against Fidel Bravo in August of 2017 and lost. |
| Dr. Krueger | 2016 | Covina, CA | Never received title shot due to injury. |
| "Baby Bull" Vance Garayt | 2015 | Covina, CA | Used his title shot against the Ironman the following month and lost. |
| Tyshaun Prince | 2014 | Covina, CA | Used his title shot against the Ironman the following month and lost. |
| Ironman Mike Maze | 2013 | Covina, CA | Won the vacant EWF Championship |
| Joey Ryan | 2012 | Covina, CA | Last minute surprise entrant |
| Josh Dunbar/Shaun Ricker | 2011 | Covina, CA | Both men eliminated each other simultaneously, declared Co-Winners |
| Chris Kadillak | 2010 | Covina, CA | |
| Devon Willis | 2009 | Covina, CA | Used his title shot at The Covina Classic, winning the match by countout against then champion, Brandon Gatson. Lost their rematch at Knockdown Dragout 3 |
| Ryan Taylor | 2008 | Covina, CA | Used his title shot at The Covina Classic, losing to then champion,Scorpio Sky. |
| Dan "The Man" Kobrick | 2007 | Covina, CA | Used his title shot at The Covina Classic, losing to then champion, Joey Harder. |
| Cincinnati Red | 2006 | Covina, CA | Gave the trophy toGreat Goliath's daughter, Paloma, and forfeited his right to a title match. |
Up until 2014 the EWF held the Inland Title Tournament. Originally conceived as a Round Robin Tournament it was later changed to a traditional single elimination format. The winner each year would receive an EWF Championship title match.
The Empire Wrestling Federation is always giving back to the communities it runs in. On March 10, 2012, the EWF put on a show for the students of Thompson Elementary School in Highland, CA. "Honestly, I see this as a way to keep the families engaged and involved," said Principal Funchess, adding, “This is just a great opportunity for Thompson families to come enjoy a positive event here at the school while supporting academic achievement.”[1]
In 2016 The Empire Wrestling Federation held an event at the Fox Theatre in San Bernardino to benefit victims of the2015 San Bernardino Attack.[2]
In 2016, EWF announced its first hall of Fame inductees, who were inducted in its 20th anniversary show in Covina California. The first Inductees were:
The 2017 class included:
Class of 2018 will be:
| Commentators: | Dates: |
|---|---|
| "Mr. Wonderful"Rock Riddle and "Ebony Blade" Eric Anderson | July 2021 – Present |
| "Mr. Wonderful"Rock Riddle and Bryan Whyte | July 2016 - July 2021 |
| "Webmaster" Wade Needham and "The Expert" Matt Sinister | October 14, 2011 – July 2016 |
| Kelli Lee and "The Expert" Matt Sinister | July 2, 2011 – October 14, 2011 |
| Lalo Gonzalez, Kelli Lee, and "The Expert" Matt Sinister | June 5, 2011 – July 2, 2011 |
| Lalo Gonzalez and Kelli Lee | N/A – July 2, 2011 |
| Lalo Gonzalez and Larry Pena | 2008-2011 |
| Mike Aguirre, Larry Pena, Mad Macintosh, and Lalo Gonzalez | 2008 |
| Mike Aguirre, Larry Pena, and Mad Macintosh | 2007-2008 |
