Reality of Wrestling (ROW) is an independent professional wrestling promotion based in Houston, Texas. It was established as Pro Wrestling Alliance (PWA) in 2005 by WWE Hall of Famer Booker T.[2]
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Formerly | Pro Wrestling Alliance (2006–2011) |
---|---|
Company type | Private |
Industry | Professional wrestling |
Genre | Sports entertainment |
Founded | 2005[1] |
Founder | Booker T Sharmell |
Headquarters | Houston, Texas, United States |
Area served | Worldwide |
Website | www |
History
editPro Wrestling Alliance
editThe Pro Wrestling Alliance's first show was held in December 2006. Owner Booker T started the promotion to give professional wrestlers the opportunity to properly train, as well as to keep the legacy of Paul Boesch's Houston Wrestling alive.[3][4] The money made at shows is donated to Fights For Kids Foundation, which helps kids stay off the streets and shows them the benefits of a better life.[5]
Monthly events were held at the Pasadena Convention Center in Pasadena, Texas, and later at the Clear Lake Recreation Sports Center in Clear Lake, Texas.
In December 2007, Rob Van Dam wrestled his first match after leaving WWE against Booker T for the PWA, and the match is included on the DVD The Best of RVD TV Vol 1 DVD in the extras.[6]
Reality of Wrestling
editOn March 9, 2012, after seven years as the Pro Wrestling Alliance, the promotion was re-launched as Reality of Wrestling (ROW) and began holding events at the Booker T World Gym Arena in Texas City, Texas.[7][3] The name change was a spontaneous decision of Booker T.[4] In December 2012, the promotion almost closed with Christmas Chaos planned as the last show.[4] However, last minute investors and partners helped the promotion continue to run.[4]
The promotion produces a weekly YouTube show with tapings taking place once monthly at their live events in Clear Lake. ROW later launched a local television program in Houston, Texas that originally aired on KUBE-TV Channel 57 and currently airs on Sunday mornings on KIAH-TV Channel 39.[4] In February 2014, ROW partnered with the Soul of the South Network to air the show in 20 cities.[4] They aired their first internet pay-per-view in July 2014.[4] Episodes are aired on the website FITE TV.
The promotion also includes a school that has a two-year training program for beginning professional wrestlers, as opposed to the more traditional three and six month programs at other schools.[8]
On July 6, 2019, ROW and Impact Wrestling co-produced an event together called Deep Impact that aired live on YouTube and Twitch.[9]
On October 20, 2021, it was announced that ROW would hold its first event outside of Texas called One Night in Vegas in Las Vegas, Nevada on November 19, 2021 at MGM Grand Las Vegas.[10][11]
On January 25, 2024, ROW, and the United Wrestling Network (UWN)'s Memphis Wrestling & Championship Wrestling promotions, announced a talent exchange program.[12][13]
Championships and accomplishments
editCurrent champions
editChampionship | Current Champion(s) | Date Won | Won from | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
ROW Heavyweight Championship | Zilla Fatu | August 10, 2024 | Edge Stone | [14] |
ROW Texas Championship | Danny Limelight | April 13, 2024 | Ryan Davidson | [15] |
ROW Television Championship | Erik Lockhart | March 9, 2024 | Izzy James | [16] |
ROW Tag Team Championship | The Highway Men (JP Harlow and Joey Hyder) |
May 11, 2024 | Fly Def (Warren Johnson and Zack Mason) |
[17] |
ROW Diamonds Division Championship | Mia Friday | December 2, 2023 | [18] |
Other accomplishments
editAccomplishment | Current winner(s) | Date won | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
ROW Games: Ultimate Athlete | Terron Beckham | May 18, 2024 | Terron Beckham became the inaugural winner of the ROW Games: Ultimate Athlete. |
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "Reality of Wrestling: Official Twitter".
- ^ "Reality of Wrestling (ROW) - Cagematch promotion profile".
- ^ a b Damante, Mike (2013-03-26). "Booker T brings Reality of Wrestling to Houston suburb". The Houston Chronicle. Retrieved 2015-04-26.
- ^ a b c d e f g Pendergest, Sean (2014-04-02). "Booker T's Reality of Wrestling Gets a Second Chance, Just as He Did". Houston Press. Retrieved 2015-04-27.
- ^ Eck, Kevin (2007-06-21). "Q&A with King Booker". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved 2015-04-26.
- ^ Ward, Marshall (2009-09-17). "Get your Van Dam fill through RVD TV". SLAM! Wrestling. Archived from the original on April 26, 2015. Retrieved 2015-04-26.
- ^ "Booker T World Gym Arena".
- ^ Ryan, Nathan (2014-07-04). "World Wrestling Entertainment on the hunt for more Australian talent". FOX Sports. Retrieved 2015-04-26.
- ^ "IMPACT & Reality of Wrestling Deep IMPACT - Twitch Specials".
- ^ "Booker T's ROW Announces Special "One Night In Vegas" Event". 20 October 2021.
- ^ "Booker T's Reality of Wrestling To Present 'One Night In Vegas' Streaming Live Next Month".
- ^ "Championship Wrestling from Hollywood, Booker T's Reality of Wrestling, and Memphis Wrestling Announce Talent Exchange". January 25, 2024. Retrieved 2024-05-13.
- ^ Memphis Wrestling @Mem_Wrestling OFFICIAL | January 25, 2024 @TheOfficialROW @CWFHollywood #MemphisWrestling 🤝
- ^ "ROW Heavyweight Championship History".
- ^ "ROW Texas Championship History".
- ^ "ROW Internet/Television Championship History".
- ^ "ROW Tag Team Championship History".
- ^ "ROW Diamonds Division Championship History".