Deadlock Pro-Wrestling (DPW) has rapidly risen to prominence in the pro wrestling world. Founded on November 1, 2021, by Anthony Douglas (TonyPizzaGuy), James Darnell (Pulse), and John Blud (Johnny from NewLegacyInc) of the Deadlock Podcast, DPW has quickly captured the attention of wrestling fans with its unique blend of talent, storytelling, and high-quality matches.
Key Events and Milestones
DPW's journey began with the taping of its first show, Fire, on December 11, which aired on YouTube on December 16. This initial series introduced a tournament to crown the first DPW Worlds Champion. While Fire concluded on June 3, 2022, due to financial considerations, it set the stage for future success.
The promotion held its first internet pay-per-view (PPV) event, You Already Know, on January 8, 2022, which aired on January 15. On January 14, 2023, DPW held their first live PPV event named Live 1: Ali vs KENTo. DPW expanded its reach by holding Live 2 in New Jersey on April 16, 2023, marking their first event outside of North Carolina. Further expanding its horizons, DPW held a two-night collaboration event with Gatoh Move Pro Wrestling in Japan on April 25 and 27, 2023, signifying their first venture outside of the United States.
On December 2, 2023, DPW announced it would be touring outside of North Carolina for the year of 2024. In addition to live events, DPW also produces a web television program called Spark, which airs on DPW's YouTube channel and the company's streaming service, DPW On Demand. The series debuted on December 30, 2021.
To date, Deadlock Pro-Wrestling has produced 47 chronological events, with the first event taking place on January 8, 2022, in Raleigh, North Carolina, at the Raleigh Convention Center.
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The DPW Roster: A Mix of Established Stars and Rising Talents
DPW boasts a diverse and talented roster, featuring regulars from the Carolinas and East Coast scene, as well as international stars. Here are some of the notable members of the DPW roster:
- "THE PROBLEM" PAUL VIRK: The current DPW Champion and owner of Discover Pro Wrestling, Virk has made a significant impact since his debut. He gained control of DPW by defeating former GM Alex Riley at DPW 5.
- RAMPAGE SANTANA: Known for his brute force and agility, Rampage has been turning heads throughout the Midwest.
- SIERRA: Sierra made history by becoming the first-ever DPW Champion on August 22, 2021, at DPW 1.
- JOEY "JET" AVALON: Sierra's partner, Joey Avalon, has made his presence known and has asserted that DPW belongs to them.
- RINGO!: A West Duluth native, Ringo! debuted in the audience at DPW 2 and has since become a notable figure in DPW.
- COUNTRY AIR: The tag team of Zach Hendrix and Doc Simmons are known for their brutal competitiveness.
- "THE REBEL" ALVIN GRAY: After a strong showing at DPW 1, Gray is seen as a promising talent by DPW General Manager Alex Riley.
- KODA JACOBS: Koda Jacobs launched the Koda Jacobs Equal Opportunity Open Challenge at DPW 1.
- DEVLIN KAIN: Devlin Kain made his DPW debut at DPW 1 and quickly gained popularity among Duluth fans.
- BOBBY BRENNAN: Bobby Brennan has built a reputation as one of the hardest workers in the Midwest.
- SKITZ: Skitz became the second wrestler to challenge Sierra for the DPW Championship after DPW 1.
- ARLEN!: Hailing from Duluth, Minnesota, ARLEN's tenacity has made him a fan favorite.
- BROCK HALL: Brock Hall debuted on DPW APEX episode 002 and has caught the attention of DPW officials.
- Notable Mainstays: Andrew Everett, Chris Danger, Calvin Tankman, Kevin Ku, Colby Corino, Jay Malachi, Anthony Henry, Emi Sakura, Miyuki Takase, Nicole Matthews, Mike Bailey, Bryan Keith, Tom Lawlor, and Jake Something.
Other significant figures in DPW include:
- DPW BROADCASTER NICK OLSON: With a long history in local sports, Olson is the voice of DPW.
- HOLLYWOOD BRIAN SAGER: A pillar of Discover Pro Wrestling, Sager is known for hosting amazing shows.
- CHRISTOPHER: The owner of Montclair Media, Christopher brings the cinematic aspects of DPW to life.
Championships and Tournaments
DPW features several prestigious championships and tournaments that highlight the talent and competition within the promotion.
DPW World’s Heavyweight Championship
The DPW World’s Heavyweight title is the most prestigious in the company. The inaugural champion was determined through an eight-person tournament that began at the first episode of DPW Fire. Notable champions include:
- Bojack: The first-ever DPW World’s Champion.
- Lucky Ali: Ali's reign was marked by passion and successful title defenses.
- Jay Malachi: Malachi's victory over Ali was a shock, but his reign was brief due to his departure for WWE.
DPW Women’s Championship
The Women’s Championship was also decided through an inaugural tournament. Key moments include:
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- Rosemary: Lost to Raychell in the finals of the tournament at Believe the Hype 2022.
- Emi Sakura: The current Women’s champion, with multiple successful title defenses.
DPW National Championship
The DPW National Championship has seen several notable champions:
- Calvin Tankman: The inaugural champion, winning the title at Showdown in the Carolinas in July 2022.
- Andrew Everett: His reign is the longest, with the most defenses.
- Bryan Keith: Won the title in an unexpected victory at DPW Beast Coast.
DPW World’s Tag Team Championship
The DPW World’s Tag Team Championship has been held by several prominent teams:
- The Reality: The first tag champs, managed by Chris Danger.
- Violence is Forever (VIF): Had a long reign with the belts.
- The Workhorsemen: Their rivalry with VIF defined much of the tag team scene.
Carolina Classic Tournament
The Carolina Classic Tournament is a one-night event featuring qualifying matches and a four-way elimination final. Notable winners include:
- Lucky Ali: Won the first iteration of the tournament.
- Jay Malachi: Won the tournament and immediately challenged Lucky Ali for the title.
Here is a summary of the DPW Championships and their inaugural winners:
| Championship | Inaugural Winner |
|---|---|
| DPW World's Heavyweight Championship | Bojack |
| DPW Women's Championship | Raychell Rose |
| DPW National Championship | Calvin Tankman |
| DPW World's Tag Team Championship | The Reality |
DPW continues to blend basic aspects of wrestling TV with PPV-quality wrestling, telling long-term stories and creating memorable moments for its fans.
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