IWF IS DEAD!?!?!

Apparently this week's episode of IWF Slam was indeed the final episode of the show.  It was revealed earlier this week that a production company known mostly for making reality television had purchased the IWF but there was no indication of what their intentions were for the company.   On this week's episode of IWF Slam it was revealed half way through the episode that Commissioner Dennis Upton and newly crowned IWF Champion Neil 'the Real Deal' Taylor had been fired by the new owners.  This led to speculation from host Michael Thomas that Mr. Sensational was somehow involved in the new ownership.  Mr. Sensational later joined the broadcast to reveal he had nothing to do with the new owners but was taking a liking to them until it was revealed that Barry Wolf, TV Champion James Hardy and newly crowned IWF tag team champions The Monroe Brothers were all fired as well which effectively vacated all active titles in the IWF leaving the promotion without any champions.

It would also be revealed that Mr. Sensational was fired as well.  Producer Dustin Burcham said that the while he was the editor of the show, there was a video that had been sent directly to the tv station that was about to air from the new owners of the IWF.  At this point a video aired showing the IWF banner featuring the trademark flame lettering being literally set on fire and burned while a distorted voice proclaiming themselves to be the new owner said that the IWF that came to be in 1997 would now die in 2015 and that all IWF employees were officially released from their duties and that IWF Slam was officially off the air and this would be the last time you'd ever see the letters....I...W...F.

At this time, I still have not been able to actually speak directly to the new owners of the IWF so I came here to post this while I still have access to the website. (As you can see they have accessed it and altered it already.)  It has been rumored that the previous owners signed a "no-compete" clause as part of the sale and cannot continue to promote wrestling shows under any other name.  I've spoken to a number of the talent involved with IWF and this has come as a complete shock to them all as NO ONE had any idea this was taking place.  No one knows what the future holds but based on the what happened in what the new owners have labeled the 'FINAL EPISODE' of IWF SLAM...EVER.  The IWF that we've all known since 1997 is seemingly no more.....it seems the historic flame logo going up in flames was meant to be symbolic to both the fans and wrestlers of the IWF that it's officially dead and buried.

On behalf of IWF Slam Central and the previous ownership of the IWF, we'd like to thank all the fans who have supported the IWF over the years....and also would like to thank all the wrestlers, referees, announcers, tv production workers, and anyone else whose hard work helped make IWF Slam possible.  In case you missed this week's episode you can watch it below.

BREAKING NEWS.....IWF HAS BEEN SOLD!!

IWF SLAM CENTRAL has now finally been able to confirm that after a 3 hour auction on Monday morning, the Intercontinental Wrestling Federation has been purchased by a media company specializing in Reality Television.  The future of the IWF is unclear at this time as the new owners have not announced any intentions for the newly purchased company however they did tell SLAM CENTRAL that there will be an official statement made concerning IWF's future on this week's episode of IWF SLAM.  Make sure to tune in and find out with the rest of us what the future holds for the IWF!

IWF is on the auction block!?!?!

We reported last week that there were rumors coming out of the IWF home office in Dallas, Texas that something big was brewing but I don't think ANYONE was expecting this!  It came to light during this week's episode of IWF SLAM that the current owners of the Intercontinental Wrestling Federation have pulled out and have placed the company up for auction.  Hopefully more info will become available on this week's episode of IWF SLAM.  As of right now everything is up in the air and nothing is certain until the company falls under new ownership once the auction ends.  Keep checking back here at IWF SLAM CENTRAL as we will continue to follow this breaking story as it develops!

Breaking News out of the IWF Home Office!!

Not many details are known at this time but IWF SLAM CENTRAL's sources in the IWF Home Office in Dallas, Texas are telling us that something huge is unfolding that will rock the IWF to it's core.  We're working right now to get more information on what's going on and will report it to you here as soon we know more.  Look for more on this developing story this Friday night on IWF SLAM on WCBI TV or right here on IWFSLAM.com via youtube!

HUGE NIGHT OF IWF ACTION LAST NIGHT IN TUPELO!!

"Loverboy" James Hardy became TV champ in Tupelo!

If you weren't in Tupelo, Mississippi last night, you missed a great night of IWF action that saw THREE NEW CHAMPIONS CROWNED!!  "Loverboy" James Hardy w/Mr. Sensational managed to win the IWF Television championship from Chris Kilgore in controversial fashion........Memphis Monroe and his brother Bull Monroe took the IWF Tag Titles from HGH (Justin Rhodes & "D.C." Daniel Cross), and Neil 'the Real Deal' Taylor defeated Barry Wolf to become the IWF Heavyweight Champion in the 'Last Chance: War to Settle the Score' match.  

If you weren't there in Tupelo to see how it all unfolded plus all the other exciting matches that took place....the only way to see it is to tune each week to IWF SLAM on WCBI at 1:05 am or go to IWFSlam.com and watch the shows anytime after 1am right here from the website.  You never know what's going to happen when you see IWF wrestling live so make sure you are there when it comes to a town near you!!

R.I.P. Dusty Rhodes: Pro Wrestling loses a true LEGEND!

Dusty Rhodes being inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame

There's a lot of words that get thrown around so much in pro wrestling that they eventually lose their meaning.....one of those words is 'legend'.  The word sometimes gets attached to wrestlers who just manage to have longevity without really contributing anything to the sport.  "The American Dream" Dusty Rhodes was the definition of what a wrestling LEGEND is...he has given more to the wrestling business over the years than anyone can really comprehend.  Besides his talents as a wrestler in the ring and on the microphone, the mind of Dusty Rhodes gave birth to many of the things that helped pro wrestling evolve into the multi-million dollar industry it grew to be.  While Vince McMahon did create and conceive a lot of the things that brought pro wrestling into pop culture......One has to wonder would there have ever been a Wrestlemania in '85, if there hadn't been a Starrcade in '83? Would there have ever been a 'Hell in the Cell' or 'Elimination Chamber', if there hadn't been a 'WAR GAMES'?  Dusty Rhodes was always a pioneer behind the scenes seeing pro wrestling as more of an epic movie than a smoke filled sports event.

The Famous "Hard Times" Promo- One of the Best Ever!!

Virgil Runnels was exactly what he always told you he was...."the son of a plumber from Austin, Texas."  From humble beginnings and an athletic background, Virgil Runnels would go from the football field of West Texas State to the Main Event in Madison Square Garden and other arenas all over the world.   Dusty Rhodes was not just a "rassler", Dusty Rhodes was a force of nature....you could not ignore him when he was on your television....you had to listen to what he was saying....plus fans could relate to him....this wasn't some 6'9 muscle bound super hero, this was a guy that they felt like they knew....a guy who understood what they were going through.....a guy who was literally living their "American Dream."  While Dusty didn't look like the classic athlete no one could take away from his ability as he could go in the ring and go 60 minutes every night with Harley Race and Ric Flair and often work in two different towns in the same day.  He had the respect of his peers for being able to go in the ring and back up the talk from his now famous promos.   Dusty Rhodes, 'the Common Man' made the perfect rival for the "Nature Boy" Ric Flair....they had the perfect chemistry and the two characters balanced each other out.....selling out arenas all over the country to see them do battle. 

Dusty Rhodes: Three time NWA World Champion

Dusty Rhodes proved over the years to be very versatile.....though often knocked for "booking himself on top" when he was in control of the booking....Dusty proved over the years that he could "get over" regardless of the circumstances.....when he went to work for the WWF in 1989, Vince McMahon put him in a polka dot outfit and had him tape silly vignettes to build to his debut...however, in what for most would be an impossible situation....Dusty Rhodes did what he did best and made it all entertaining and still managed to get over with the fans of the WWF.  That will be a big part of the Dream's legacy is he entertained the fans at all times.....whether he was having a classic match with Tully Blanchard or Ric Flair, or sporting polka dots against the Big Boss Man or the Honky Tonk Man, or doing color commentary in WCW...Dusty was always entertaining.

Dusty at NXT in Orlando w/Ric Flair, HHH, and Pat Patterson

Besides his obvious accomplishments in the ring and outside of it during his career, one of Dusty's greatest legacies is the lasting impression he's left on the wrestling business that will be evident for years to come.  If you are in the pro wrestling business today you have been influenced by Dusty Rhodes, if not directly then by the fact the person who influences YOU was influenced by Dusty Rhodes.  For the past few years Dusty has been teaching a "promo class" in Florida for the upcoming wrestlers in NXT and has been instrumental in developing new characters that are now some of the WWE's top stars like Bray Wyatt, Seth Rollins, and most recently Kevin Owens.   Of course two of Dusty's most obvious contributions to pro wrestling are his sons Dustin and Cody who have gone on to have successful careers and have made their father proud.

Cody, Dusty, and Dustin: The Rhodes Family

Today on June 11, 2015....Virgil Runnels passed away at the age of 69.  Not a lot of details are known about his death at this time and it's not really relevant to this story.....the details don't change the fact that there's a hole left in the pro wrestling business that will never be filled.  No matter who comes along in the future there will NEVER be another "American Dream" Dusty Rhodes.  He's one of a kind and can never be duplicated.  His legacy will live on with his sons, and the wonderful memories we are fortunate enough to be able to relive anytime we choose to through the magic of the WWE Network, YouTube, and DVDs.  I was fortunate to get to meet my hero Dusty Rhodes last summer at the NWA Legend's Fanfest in Charlotte, North Carolina.  I'm lucky I've gotten the chance to meet a lot of my heroes over the years but I can honestly say I can't think of any I was more excited to meet than 'the Dream'.  He was super nice to my wife and I and it's an experience We'll never forget.

ISC Editor Gene Jackson, Dusty Rhodes, and Rose Jackson

Rest in Peace Dusty.....the hard times are over.....thanks for a lifetime of memories!

Breaking News from IWF Commissioner Dennis Upton about Taylor vs. Wolf 2 this Saturday!!

IWF Commissioner DENNIS UPTON

IWF SLAM CENTRAL just got off the phone with IWF Commissioner Dennis Upton who had some big news to tell us about this Saturday's night IWF Championship Match in Tupelo, MS.  Here's a transcript of that phone call.

DU: "I wanted all the readers of IWF SLAM CENTRAL here at IWFSlam.com to be the first to know that I've been doing a lot of thinking about everything that's gone on in the past few months between Barry Wolf and Neil Taylor.  It was obvious at IWF Homecoming that this situation has escalated to a dangerous level....Mr. Sensational's guys introduced ether into the match last month at the Salvation Army Community Center which is dangerous not only to the wrestlers that they attacked with it, but it's not something I want around the fans of the IWF either.  The bottom line is this war has to end on June 13th in Tupelo before this thing can get any further out of hand.  So with that being said this match will now be what I'm referring to as a 'LAST CHANCE: WAR TO SETTLE THE SCORE' this Saturday night!"

ISC: "What exactly does that mean, Mr. Upton?"

DU: "It means this match Saturday night will be the LAST IWF Title match between Barry Wolf and Neil Taylor.....regardless of who wins this match or how....the loser WILL NOT receive another title match as long as the other man remains the champion."

ISC: "Wow. that really ups the stakes here Dennis....could that mean that things could get even crazier than before?"

DU: "Quite possibly, but whatever happens....this will be the end of the line....they will have to settle it Saturday night because there will be no more chances afterwards."

ISC: "How did the guys react when you told them?"

DU: (laughs) "Well see, that's the thing....I haven't told them yet.....this is an exclusive announcement for the fans of IWFSlam.com so Barry Wolf, Mr. Sensational, and Neil Taylor will all read it here first just like everyone else."

ISC: "Oh boy, Mr. Sensational will be livid....I can only imagine what he'll have up his sleeve now if he knows that all he has to do is pull off one more victory over Neil Taylor and no more title matches will come his way."

DU: "I'm sure he will and I'm also sure that Neil Taylor may have a few tricks up his sleeve as well....and who knows I may even have a few more surprises for Mr. Sensational when we get to Tupelo this Saturday night."

There you have it fans....this Saturday night it's the 'LAST CHANCE: WAR TO SETTLE THE SCORE' Barry Wolf w/Mr. Sensational vs. Neil 'The Real Deal' Taylor.....be there live because this one might not be able to be aired on television in it's entirety because things are gonna get crazy in Tupelo!!

Mr. Sensational and IWF Champion Barry Wolf

Neil "the Real Deal" Taylor

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