Pro Wrestling eXpress presents: NWA EAST

NWA EAST
CIRCLE OF RESPECT

Over twelve years of pro wrestling action has led to over 500 individuals to come through the doors of NWA Pro Wrestling Express. Each person that has come through these doors has contributed in their own way, but a select few have excelled above and beyond. The "Circle Of Respect" is a hall-of-fame type recognition designed to permanently recognize individuals with outstanding achievement during Pro Wrestling Express' rich and deep history. Without these cornerstones, there would be no Pro Wrestling Express or NWA East today.

What started out as a side project in his empty warehouse in a dead mall has become on of the longest running wrestling promotions in North America. While having his share of detractors, Pro Wrestling Express's president has always had a single goal - to keep the doors to PWX open so that the great wrestling fans of Pittsburgh can see the local talent develop. After eleven years Miller has continued to meet that goal.

In addition to his duties as the promoter of Pro Wrestling Express, Miller has also been a member of the National Wrestling Alliance since 1997, and served as the organization's president in 2001-2002.

A tall drink of water who got his start in PWX watching the back of manager Joe Perry, but ended up as one of the biggest fan favorites to ever step into a ring in Pittsburgh wrestling history.

The wildly popular Magnum revolutionized what fans expected from a "big man" with his fast paced hard hitting style, and his dives from the top rope and out of the ring.

Magnum was one of the founding members of Rage(along with Samu and Mad Mike), arguably the most popular stable of wrestlers in PWX history. Rage's war with 987 was legendary in the NWA-East and the violent now-infamous Weapon's Match between the two groups in 1999 is talked about even to this day.

Quinn is a NWA-East Grand Slam winner, meaning he has won every current title the promotion has to offer as he has held the Heavyweight Title twice, the 3 Rivers Title once, the Brass Knuckles Title once, and Tag-Team Titles on five occasions. Magnum has also been the NWA North American Champion, a title he held for 10 months and featured Magnum wrestling against the NWA World's Heavyweight Champion in a title versus title match that went to a 20 minute time limit draw.

Though no longer an active wrestler, Magnum has indeed made his presence felt from time to time over the last few years on such young upstarts like Patrick Hayes, Ashton Amhurst, and even loud mouthed manager BC Steele.

Before there was a Pro Wrestling Express, there was the "Orange Dynamo" Shawn Patrick. An accomplished junior heavyweight before the high flying action became popular, Patrick had a feud with the legendary Mark Curtis, which would spill over into several states.

Once Pro Wrestling Express was founded in 1994, Patrick found a home briefly as a competitor, before becoming an official. The standard by which all other referees in the NWA are currently judged, Patrick is currently a member of the Championship Committee in Pro Wrestling Express, and one of the most beloved figures in the companies history.

One of the most despised individuals by the Pittsburgh wrestling fans, the list of accomplishments in Paul Atlas' career is a mile long, and earns him respect in any locker room he enters, or any ring he competes in.

PWX's early years saw the domination of Atlas in tag team action as part of the Wrong Crowd, and again later as Part of Double Jeopardy. Atlas would go on to literally hold every championship that has ever been up for grabs in PWX history, a feat which no other competitor can claim.

Atlas stepped away from the ring in December of 2003, but returned to action at the 11th Anniversary show to start his own promotion, Atlas Wrestling Company. As the Atlas Wrestling Company dominated NWA East, and even took over the NWA East banner in 2007, Atlas reunited with his longtime tag team partner "Bad Boy" Brian Anthony to reform the Wrong Crowd. With manager Curtis N. Stephenson, the Wrong Crowd returned to top form and were crowned the NWA North American Tag Team Champions, holding the titles for a long eight months. Though gone from NWA East, Atlas' impact can still be felt throughout the promotion, and will be felt for years to come.

Crusher Hansen has earned a reputation as one of the most deceitful and cunning competitors in PWX history. Armed with a brutal brawling style, Hansen has become known throughout Pittsburgh as someone who will quickly turn on his friend when it is to his advantage - which has earned him an outlaw reputation among wrestlers and fans of PWX.

Crusher has had an extremely successful wrestling career as he has reigned as the NWA National Heavyweight Champion after defeating Pepper Parks for the title. Hansen would hold onto the title at all costs for a total of 9 months defeating such stars as Tracey Smothers and Axel Rotten along the way.

Crusher also would go on to win the NWA North American Tag-Team Titles as the partner of his worst enemy Brandon K. Crusher would not hang onto the titles for very long as he and K fought each other in the ring during a title match more than their own opponents which led to K and Scottie Gash defeating Crusher his chosen partner James Ross for the full rights to the titles at Burgh Brawl 14.

Crusher has had a long line of NWA-East Titles over his career here as he has held the NWA-East Heavyweight Title four times, the Three Rivers Title once, and the Tag-Team Titles twice and twice more under the masked identity of Rapture. Hansen even held the now defunct NWA-East television title as well.

All in all, Crusher Hansen has been one of the most successful and intimidating wrestlers ever to set foot into an NWA-East ring and he is still going strong today with his effeminate, but very effective manager BC Steele at his side.

In 1994 a young man with a dream of becoming a professional wrestler approached his neighbor and friend Jim Miller to use the back of his memorabilia store in Eastland Mall as a training center for wrestling. Shortly thereafter, Pro Wrestling eXpress was born and has gone on to become one of the longest running independent promotions in the entire country.

Evans would go on to become the promotion's Heavyweight and Tag-Team Champion as well as one of the most popular and successful wrestlers ever to set foot into a PWX/NWA-East ring. Sean Evans success was not limited to PWX though, as he would go on to WCW's Power Plant and appear on numerous WCW, WWE, and ECW live events and television programs. He also was a star in Dusty Rhodes' Turnbuckle Wrestling promotion.

Sean would make his way back to where he got his start numerous times over the years and would always show up on a PWX show much to the fans surprise and delight. He would always be a willing mentor when in town for the younger generation of PWX wrestlers and never forgot where his home was.

Tragically Sean Evans was diagnosed with lung cancer and after a long, valiant two year long battle against the terrible disease, Sean lost his battle and passed away in 2006 at 35 years of age.

Sean never forgot his home here in PWX and PWX will never forget Sean Evans as he was inducted into the 'Circle of Respect' at the 1st Annual Sean 'Shocker' Evans Memorial Tournament with his entire family present. It was a night of remembrance as every wrestler on the event, both past and present PWX stars, showed their respect and paid tribute to their friend.

Vince Kaplack is a 2-time NWA World’s Junior Heavyweight Champion and a 3-time NWA East/ PWX Heavyweight Champion. Discovered by Buff Wilhelm, Kaplack came on the scene in 1995 when PWX first opened its doors. With a Greco Roman wrestling and amateur boxing background, Vince learned the finer points of the Professional Wrestling ranks from his mentor, the Legendary, B.A. Briggs.

Formerly known as Vince Charming, Vince took his first taste of the spotlight by beating the stuffing out of a local DJ, which led to appearances, press clippings, and big paydays. At this time, Vince received critical acclaim from “The Living Legend” Bruno Sammartino and the late Stefan, the Castle Prankster from “Chiller Theater” as the top wrestler in the area. Hence the name change to Vince “BIGTIME” Kaplack.

“Bigtime” also won the NWA East Tag Team Title 3-times with 3 different partners including the late Shocker Evans, his cousin Brandon K, and lastly- an aging Rock n Roll Express member, Robert Gibson; in which he carried on his wings to the titles.

Vince and Brandon K also won the NWA World’s Tag Team Championship in 1999 only to have the decision reversed by a crooked referee.

He also won several other championships including the PWX Television Title, the PWX North American Title, and the PWX Junior Title.

Vince is most famous for singing the Rick Springfield hit, “Jesse’s Girl” to celebrate victory.

Owes his luxurious career to PWX Chief, Jim Miller, who was like an angel on his shoulder.

In 2001, Vince packed it in and became a member of the Championship Committee and is a goodwill ambassador for NWA East wrestling.

Gator began his NWA East career as a backwoods hillbilly with his partner, Country Boy Chris. After a vacation to Las Vegas, he transformed into the "One Man Party", Big Poppa Gator. But probably his most remembered era was the team with Boomer Payne & JB Destiny known only as 987. 987's war with Rage drew 500+ fans into Eastland Mall at the Wrestleplex for a now-infamous 3-on-3 weapons match that tore the Wrestleplex apart! A tag team specialist, Gator has held the NWA East Tag Team Titles on five different occasions with four different partners: Col. Boomer Payne, JB Destiny, Country Boy Chris, and the short-lived team of the Mon Valley Monsters with Cory K. It was after his title reign with Cory that he felt the need to step away from professional wrestling. Gator has been featured in movies, most notably as a bouncer in the George Romero film, Bruiser. Gator has now returned to NWA East, helping the fight against "The Spotlight" Scottie Gash's attempt to take the NWA East Heavyweight Championship, once held by Big Poppa, 10 minutes up the road.

Dennis Gregory was widely considered the most well-rounded wrestler in PWX during his time in the promotion and he proved it by successfully stepping into the ring against a wide array of men from the 500 pound Gator or Klubber Korbelic to the land of big men in the 6'6 Quinn Magnum or the 6'8 T-Rantula or even the nearly 7 foot tall Leviathon to the mat wrestlers like Lou Marconi or Paul Atlas to the highflyers of the day in JB Destiny or Brandon K. It didn't matter who they were, Dennis Gregory wrestled them all with no fear and was always one of the top ranked wrestlers in the promotion.

Gregory's time in PWX was wildly successful as he was able to capture the now defunct PWX North American Title an unprecedented 4 times as he also was the first ever champion of that particular title. Gregory defeated fellow "Circle Of Respect" inductee 'Bad Boy' Brian Anthony in July 1996 in the tournament finals to be the first to wear the North American Title belt. Gregory then won the title a second time by ending Lord Zoltan's title reign only 1 day in. A third North American Title would come to Gregory in February 1997 after he defeated Lou Marconi in what was a long, bitter feud between the two men. Gregory then managed a fourth title reign after pinning Mad Mike just a few months later.

The PWX North American Title would later become the PWX television title which, in turn, would become the fore-runner to the current NWA-East Three Rivers Title as the second most prestigious title in the promotion. Dennis Gregory would also become a TV champion by defeating his longtime enemy Lou Marconi. This title would lead Gregory to heavyweight Title shots against then champion Quinn Magnum. While Gregory was not able to capture the top prize, he took the champion to the brink on several occasions. Gregory's TV title reign would prove to be truly gold for PWX as this was the television heyday of the promotion with Gregory as one it's main staples.

Just for good measure, Gregory would also capture the PWX Tag-Team Titles with JB Destiny by upsetting then ECW regulars The BWO (Blue Meanie and Stevie Richards). This was a dream team of sorts for PWX fans as the two most popular singles wrestlers were now dominating the tag-team ranks.

That makes six titles for Dennis Gregory in a two year period and it would of been many, many more if his stay here would of continued. many speculate that he could of been the most dominant wrestler the NWA-East had ever seen if he was still here today.

Payne made his debut in PWX in late 1996 as part of the Xtreme Militia with partner Major Agony. He was known as Colonel Payne then. The team was one of the top rated teams in the promotion feuding with the Giant Hillbillies and Stix and Stones, but never were able to capture the tag-team titles. It wasn't until Boomer Payne made an impromptu appearance at ringside during a tag-team title match between then champions Stix and Stones and Gator(of the Giant Hillbillies) that he won the titles. Gator and Payne reigned for almost eight months as champions which was the longest tag-team title reign in the promotion's history for a decade until the Straight Jacket Mafia broke that record in 2007.

Payne would again hold the tag-team titles with partner Bonecrusher (Crusher Hansen) as a part of the short-lived team The Bomb Squad. This title reign would last only a month as they lost the titles to Vince Kaplack and Rock'N'Roll Express member Robert Gibson. The team disbanded shortly after that.

Payne then changed his name to Boomer, a nickname he has had since childhood, and began a carefree attitude that would lead to his being a charter member of the now infamous 987 along with JB Destiny and Big Poppa Gator. 987 is considered as one of the most popular and controversial groups ever to be in the NWA-East. Their wars with the group RAGE were violent beyond belief as one particular Weapon's Match led Payne to yet another tag-team title with partner JB Destiny and a heavyweight title win for Big Poppa Gator.

987 would be at the top of the promotion for a year and a half before disbanding and this is where Payne became one of the biggest villains in NWA-East history. In 2000, a young upstart promotion known as the Pittsburgh Wrestling League(PWL) made the bold move of running shows in the same building as PWX (NWA-East) and even began outdrawing the longtime staple company. A war of words were exchanged by both promotions and eventually a full scale war of epic proportions began as it was Payne, who was one of the most vocal members of PWL, turned on his renegade company and rejoined PWX. At the time, PWX was considered by many to be the unpopular promotion as fans cheered wildly for PWL. The move by Payne was truly reviled by the fans, but Payne took control of a sinking ship in PWX and turned it around. A reformation of 987 would also be in the works as this time it would be Payne who ran the group and not JB Destiny. The move would pay off as PWX would continue and eventually win the war.

Payne would be one of the early winners of the Three Rivers Title defeating Super Hentai for the title, before ironically enough, losing it back to Hentai in a Weapon's Match, the same way he won the tag-team titles earlier.

Boomer Payne's legacy in the NWA-East is one of sickening falls and bloody, violent matches, but is also one of a man with no size advantage, no weight advantage, and no agility advantage, becoming one of the most dominant wrestlers the promotion has ever seen over a 3 year period through nothing but determination and cunning.

The "Bad Boy" has a long and storied career in the PWX/NWA-East. In the summer of 1996 he won his first ever Heavyweight Title in the first ever "Burgh Brawl". He would literally carry the promotion on his shoulders for months after a major defection of it's top stars to a rival promotion. The mega-popular Anthony would hold onto the title into the spring of 1997 when he was defeated by then WWE star Sal Sincere(Tom Brandi).

This would not be the high point in Anthony's PWX career, but rather just the stepping stone in bigger and better things....namely The Wrong Crowd. Fed up with the regime of power behind the scenes Brian Anthony and Paul Atlas formed an alliance, that would later include their protégé Jimmy Anjel and Director of Security Bigg, that would create havoc and chaos both in the ring and out of it. One of The Wrong Crowd's most memorable moments includes their 'invading' of a rival promotion's venue (a pizza shop for kids with a small arena) and searching for the promotion's promoter all the while making fun of the venue by riding the kids play horses and in the ball pit. This aired on television on a major channel as PWX was indeed on TV back then.

The Wrong Crowd would capture the Tag-Team Titles on three occasions and go down as one of the best groups, if not the best, in NWA-East history. The Wrong Crowd would reappear in the NWA-East years later and win the NWA North American Tag-Team Titles in 2007 and would hang onto them until the fall of 2008. This would prove to be the crowning achievement of the infamous group.

Anthony would also win the Heavyweight Title in the fall of 1999 for a second reign by defeating Bubba The Bulldog and again for a third title reign in the winter of 1999 by winning a "Title On The Pole" match against Bubba The Bulldog, Crusher Hansen, and Boomer Payne.

Anthony also won the Brass Knuckles Title in 2003 defeating Brandon K for the vacant title. He would lose the title to former Wrong Crowd partner Paul Atlas.

Anthony has appeared in the WWE and ECW over his career that has stretched almost into two decades and now he is entrenched into the NWA- East's Circle Of Respect.