Several HUGE matches have already been signed for what will
certainly prove to be a historic night of action. Be sure to take a look
at the bottom of the Weekly Wire for the current "Title Wave"
match line up! That being said, here is a look at some of the latest developments
in UPW.
Frankie Kazarian vs Samoa Joe signed for Title Wave!
In what has got to be considered a dream match by UPW fans, UPW Lightweight
Champion Frankie Kazarian is set to lock horns with Ring Of Honor (ROH)
Heavyweight Champion Samoa Joe on July 11. Kazarian was scheduled to defend
his UPW Lightweight Championship; However, the winner of the "Lightweight
Lunacy" match and #1 contender to the title (Andrew Hellman) was unavailable
to compete. Frankie, without an opponent, was all too willing to ink his
name to an open contract which had been signed by "The Samoan Chopping
Machine." As a result, this unlikely match pitting champion against
champion has become a reality. Both competitors are long time UPW favorites
who have earned recognition and respect worldwide. The two faced each other
in a UPW ring once before as part of a triple threat match for the UPW Heavyweight
Title which also featured Christopher Daniels at "Locked and Loaded"
on March 13, 2002. The match is considered one of the most spectacular battles
in UPW history. This one -on- one showdown between Kazarian and Samoa Joe
looks to have all the makings of a true classic. Although neither championship
will be on the line in this encounter, a lot of pride and bragging rights
will be. While the two competitors have much in common, their in ring styles
could not be more different.
Frankie "The Future" Kazarian is one of the most
dynamic and decorated Superstars in UPW history. He and his former tag team
partner Nova, collectively known as "Evolution" held the UPW Tag
Team Titles for nearly an entire year. During that time, Frankie shined
in high profile matches against some of the greatest teams in all of professional
wrestling including 7-time WWE Tag Team Champions Edge and Christian, ECW
Tag Team Champions Doring and Roadkill, and 8-time UPW Tag Team Champions
The Ballard Brothers. Frankie made the transition to singles competition
and has flourished. At "Shock Wave" on August 15, 2002, he pinned
current WWE Superstar Spanky in a triple threat match (which also included
B-Boy) to capture the UPW Lightweight Title. Kazarian has proven unstoppable
ever since. Frankie is a high- flier who uses his amazing athleticism, agility,
and conditioning to get the edge over his opponents. His signature finishing
moves, "The Revolution" and "The Wave of The Future"
are two of the most devastating and breathtaking maneuvers in wrestling
today. The question is, can he execute either move on a man with the size
and strength of Samoa Joe?
Speaking of the powerful Polynesian, Samoa Joe is also one
of the most impressive competitors to ever step into a UPW ring. While Tom
Howard is the longest reigning UPW Heavyweight Champion and is widely recognized
as the promotion's greatest all-around champion, many will argue that Samoa
Joe was the most dominant Heavyweight Champion in UPW history. His eight-
month reign featured victories over challengers including Sean O'Haire,
Mike Knox, and Masato Tanaka. He even managed to score a pinfall over "The
Innovator of Violence" Tommy Dreamer in a hardcore match for the coveted
gold. Although he is very agile for a man of his size, Joe prefers to keep
a match on the mat. The bruiser who is well versed in the Japanese "Strong
Style" is notorious for brutalizing opponents with a lethal array of
strikes, suplexes, and submission moves. His "Island Driver" finisher
has left many an opponent counting the lights as the official counts to
three. Will the current ROH Champion have what it takes to ground the high-
flying UPW Lightweight Champion? One thing is certain; it is not to be missed!
UPW vs EWF at The Grove!
It is fitting that the upcoming event at The Grove of Anaheim is named "Title
Wave" as a lot of championship gold will be up for grabs on the evening
of July 11. In addition to several thrilling UPW championship struggles,
history will be made as for the first time ever, the Empire Wrestling Federation
(EWF) Heavyweight Championship will be on the line at a UPW event. Ever
since defeating John Black to capture the title on October 18, 2002, EWF
Heavyweight Champion Steve Masters has been dominant. Despite many attempts
to dethrone him by the very best that the EWF has to offer, the bald headed
menace has proven unwilling to loosen his firm grasp on the title belt.
In order to further prove his worth as a fighting champion, Masters has
been seeking a challenge from a competitor outside of the EWF roster. As
a result, EWF promoter Jesse Hernandez and UPW Chairman Rick Bassman have
finalized an agreement that will see Steve Masters defend his EWF Heavyweight
Championship against UPW's own Sabbath in what looks to be a very physical
championship contest. What will happen if the EWF Title is captured by a
UPW Superstar? The massive Sabbath is certainly up to the task. With recent
victories over the likes of MTV The Real World's Mike "The Miz"
Mizanin and Lil' Nate, he is currently riding a wave of momentum and success.
Sabbath is a relentless monster that is larger than Masters and the opponents
who have faced him for his title as of late. Will this be the formula for
success when it comes to defeating Masters? Or, will the crafty champion
once again find a way to leave with the gold around his waist? Make sure
that you are at The Grove to witness all the action as worlds collide in
this historic inter -promotional championship match.
The Big Schwag re-building his army
The self-proclaimed "Manager of Champions" recently returned to
UPW with a vengeance. Schwag had taken some time away from his ringside
exploits in order to further his acting career in Hollywood. The proverbial
fountain of misinformation has been active as he voice of the smash hit
"Monster Garage" on The Discovery Channel. Despite his success,
Schwag has vocalized his intent to once again be a dominant force in his
true passion, the professional wrestling business. Long time UPW fans will
never forget the path of destruction once carved by the rotund one and his
cohorts. Rumor has it that he has been snooping around backstage at Southern
California wrestling events. He has also been spotted at UPW's wrestling
school Ultimate University. It seems as if Schwag is recruiting in an attempt
to re-build one of the most dominant factions in UPW history, The Schwag
Army. He is off to a good start as he is currently the manager of the tough
as nails UPW Women's Champion, Erica Porter. The power hungry (and always
hungry for that matter) Big Schwag would love nothing more than to once
again make UPW his personal playground. He has promised to unveil a brand
new Schwag Army at Title Wave on July 11. Schwag is boasting that it will
be by far the most dominant and dangerous incarnation of the unholy alliance
to date. Make sure you are at The Grove to see who will join Schwag in his
quest for total domination.
UPW TITLE WAVE
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Three Way Tag Team match
for the UPW Tag Team Titles
Hardkore Inc.
(Champions)
w/El Jefe
-vs-
The Ballard Brothers
(Challengers)
w/Maxi Minx
-vs-
The Thrillas
(Challengers)
w/Kyra
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PWI vs UPW
For the UPW Women's Title:
UPW's ERICA PORTER
(Champion)
w/ The Big Schwag
-vs-
PWI's SARA
(Challenger)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
UPW vs Ring Of Honor
UPW Lightweight Champion
Frankie "The Future" Kazarian
-vs-
ROH Heavyweight Champion
Samoa Joe
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
EWF vs UPW
For the EWF Heavyweight Title:
EWF's Steve Masters
(EWF Heavyweight Champion)
-vs-
UPW's Sabbath
(Challenger)
w/Desire
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
8 Man Steel Cage Match
It's the Brawl to Settle it All!
The Outlaws
Mike Knox
Marshall Knox
Derrick Neikirk
Hollywood
w/Savvy
-vs-
The Native Nation
The Navajo Warrior
Ghostwalker
Ma'koa the Hawaiian Warrior
Solo Snuka
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mikey Henderson
-vs-
Lil' Nate
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Plus special appearances by the
UPW Vixens!
introducing our new bell girl, Jennifer
in the interview position, Spanish Fly
and a very special apearance by Looney Lane
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Before the show and at intermission,
get autographs and Polaroids with all of your favorite:
UPW Superstars
The UPW Vixens
and The Bikini Brigade
Top to bottom, Title Wave looks to be stacked, jacked, and
action packed! Make sure that you reserve your spot to be part of this historic
evening. The Weekly Wire returns next week with all the fast breaking UPW
news as well as an in depth look at two more of the blockbuster matches
set to take place on July 11. As if the existing card were not enough, UPW
Commissioner Pete Doyle has promised to utilize next week's Weekly Wire
to make a huge announcement concerning the UPW Heavyweight Championship
and the role that it will play in Title Wave!
This week on upw.com
By Murphy McDermott
With all the excitement surrounding "Title Wave"
at the The Grove
of Anaheim, It has been a busy week out there in cyberspace. But we
still found some time to add the following updates to
upw.com this week:
The initial card for Title Wave has been released and is available
here.
Come
check out who your favorite UPW superstar will be facing on this huge night!
UPW Commissioner Pete Doyle released his latest column, 13-5,
this week. Click
here to see what is on the Commissioner's mind.
A hearty congratulation goes out to UPW Heavyweight Champion
Tom Howard, The Predator, and King Adamo (Skulu the Samoan Savage) for once
again representing UPW at ZERO-ONE in may and June on the ZERO-ONE's "FLASH
2003" Tour. Stop
by and check out the full results for ZERO-ONE's "FLASH 2003"
Tour.
http://www.upw.com/
