Below is a “roster” of wrestlers who worked regulatly for Championship Wrestling from Florida in the 1970s. This may be the only “roster” page for CWF for that era.

Founded 1949
Headquarters Tampa, Florida
Founder(s) “Cowboy” Clarence P. Luttrell
Owner(s) Eddie Graham
Hiro Matsuda
Duke Keomuka

Championship Wrestling from Florida (CWF) was the corporate and brand name of the Tampa, Florida wrestling office existing from 1961, when Eddie Graham first bought into the promotion, until 1987, when it closed down. It is also referred to as Florida Championship Wrestling. When Mike Graham tried a return to promoting, the rights to the name had been acquired by an outside party, forcing him to use another name, Florida Championship Wrestling.

FoundingThe original owner and promoter was “Cowboy” Clarence P. Luttrell, a former journeyman heel wrestler who once fought a widely publicized boxing match, resulting from a wrestling angle, with a forty-something Jack Dempsey. It was worked but Cowboy took a severe beating. Cowboy opened the office in 1949, and Eddie Graham bought into the promotion in 1961 and took over completely in 1971, some say forcing Cowboy out.

The office was a member of the National Wrestling Alliance during the entire CWF era, Eddie Graham serving two terms as National Wrestling Alliance president, and loosely aligned before that, with other ‘world’ champions sometimes defending their titles.

Notable stars/alumniThe promotion thrived with stars such as National Wrestling Alliance champions Lou Thesz and Gene Kiniski, Graham, Don Curtis, Sam Steamboat, the Great Malenko (Larry Simon), Johnny Valentine, Hiro Matsuda, Bob Orton Sr. and later Jr., Joe Scarpa (later Chief Jay Strongbow), Wahoo McDaniel, the Funks (Terry and Dory, Jr.), the Briscos (Jack and Jerry), Buddy Colt (Ron Read), Dusty Rhodes, Barry Windham, Mike Rotunda, Mike Graham (Eddie’s son), Kevin Sullivan – whose cult-like Army of Darkness got tremendous heat from the fans – and, in the words of the promotion’s legendary commentator and a star in his own right Gordon Solie, ‘a host of others’.

[edit] Life after Eddie Graham’s suicideWhen Eddie Graham committed suicide on Super Bowl Sunday in January 1985, due to a combination of personal and business reverses, responsibility for the office went to Hiro Matsuda and Duke Keomuka, both of whom bought in the 1960s. The other remaining owners were Mike Graham, Eddie’s brother Skip Gossett, Dusty Rhodes and Buddy Colt. The promotion continued losing money and merged with Jim Crockett Promotions in February 1987.[1] Most of the stars had gone to Jim Crockett Promotions or the WWF by that point.

[edit] Television programs and tape libraryCWF filmed and later taped its weekly television wrestling show at the famed Sportatorium at 106 N. Albany in Tampa, FL – really a small television studio with seating for a live audience of about 100 people (1/40th of the seating capacity of its Dallas counterpart), with the wrestling office and gym in the same building. Arena footage was always also used, and full arena show broadcasts began in the early ’80s. CWF Spin-off shows were Championship Wrestling Superstars, Global Wrestling, North Florida Championship Wrestling, United States Class Wrestling, American Championship Wrestling and Southern Professional Wrestling.

On March 2, 2006, it was announced that the CWF library was purchased by World Wrestling Entertainment (World Wrestling Entertainment ) for the DVD on Dusty Rhodes.

RevivalsHoward Brody started National Wrestling Alliance Florida in 1990 and he booked for it until 2002.

In 2003, Kevin Rhodes started Championship Wrestling from Florida as a member of the National Wrestling Alliance. He occasionally has some legends of the 1980s wrestling appear in his promotion.

In 2007, World Wrestling Entertainment (World Wrestling Entertainment ), revived the promotion as a developmental territory under the name, Florida Championship Wrestling (Florida Championship Wrestling).[2]

Below is a full roster of wrestlers who worked in the state of Florida for Championship Wrestling of Florida in the 1960s based on the posters advertised in the Orlando, Tampa and Miami area venues.

Championship Wrestling from Florida (CWF) was the corporate and brand name of the Tampa, Florida wrestling office existing from 1961, when Eddie Graham first bought into the promotion, until 1987, when it closed down. It is also referred to as Florida Championship Wrestling. When Mike Graham tried a return to promoting, the rights to the name had been acquired by an outside party, forcing him to use another name, Florida Championship Wrestling.

Founding

The original owner and promoter was “Cowboy” Clarence P. Luttrell, a former journeyman heel wrestler who once fought a widely publicized boxing match, resulting from a wrestling angle, with a forty-something Jack Dempsey. It was worked but Cowboy took a severe beating. Cowboy opened the office in 1949, and Eddie Graham bought into the promotion in 1961 and took over completely in 1971, some say forcing Cowboy out.

The office was a member of the National Wrestling Alliance during the entire CWF era, Eddie Graham serving two terms as National Wrestling Alliance president, and loosely aligned before that, with other ‘world’ champions sometimes defending their titles.
[edit] Notable stars/alumni

The promotion thrived with stars such as National Wrestling Alliance champions Lou Thesz and Gene Kiniski, Graham, Don Curtis, Sam Steamboat, the Great Malenko (Larry Simon), Johnny Valentine, Hiro Matsuda, Bob Orton Sr. and later Jr., Joe Scarpa (later Chief Jay Strongbow), Wahoo McDaniel, the Funks (Terry and Dory, Jr.), the Briscos (Jack and Jerry), Buddy Colt (Ron Read), Dusty Rhodes, Barry Windham, Mike Rotunda, Mike Graham (Eddie’s son), Kevin Sullivan – whose cult-like Army of Darkness got tremendous heat from the fans – and, in the words of the promotion’s legendary commentator and a star in his own right Gordon Solie, ‘a host of others’.
[edit] Life after Eddie Graham’s suicide

When Eddie Graham committed suicide on Super Bowl Sunday in January 1985, due to a combination of personal and business reverses, responsibility for the office went to Hiro Matsuda and Duke Keomuka, both of whom bought in the 1960s. The other remaining owners were Mike Graham, Eddie’s brother Skip Gossett, Dusty Rhodes and Buddy Colt. The promotion continued losing money and merged with Jim Crockett Promotions in February 1987.[1] Most of the stars had gone to Jim Crockett Promotions or the WWF by that point.
[edit] Television programs and tape library

CWF filmed and later taped its weekly television wrestling show at the famed Sportatorium at 106 N. Albany in Tampa, FL – really a small television studio with seating for a live audience of about 100 people (1/40th of the seating capacity of its Dallas counterpart), with the wrestling office and gym in the same building. Arena footage was always also used, and full arena show broadcasts began in the early ’80s. CWF Spin-off shows were Championship Wrestling Superstars, Global Wrestling, North Florida Championship Wrestling, United States Class Wrestling, American Championship Wrestling and Southern Professional Wrestling.

On March 2, 2006, it was announced that the CWF library was purchased by World Wrestling Entertainment (World Wrestling Entertainment ) for the DVD on Dusty Rhodes.

Below are a list for historic records of all Florida Championship Wrestlers listed on their website in August 2011!

Brianna Monique Garcia[4] and Nicole Stephanie Garcia[1][5] (born on November 21, 1983)[1] are American twin models and professional wrestlers. The twins are a professional wrestling tag team under the ring names Brie Bella and Nikki Bella, collectively referred to as The Bella Twins, and work for World Wrestling Entertainment on the Raw brand.[6]

Before being promoted to the main World Wrestling Entertainment roster, The Bella Twins wrestled with Florida Championship Wrestling, where they were trained by Tom Prichard, and mainly competed in tag team competition. Brie made her debut on SmackDown in August 2008; she debuted first, and as part of her in-ring persona, would disappear under the ring during matches, emerging revived. Eventually, however, it was discovered she was switching places with her twin, Nikki, under the ring in order to gain an advantage. They then competed in tag team matches. Beginning in November 2008, an angle was written in which The Bella Twins developed an on-screen relationship with The Colóns (Carlito and Primo). They were later involved in storyline romances with John Morrison (John Hennigan) and The Miz in early 2009 and Daniel Bryan (Brian Danielson) in 2010. In April 2011, Brie won the World Wrestling Entertainment Divas Championship.

World Wrestling Entertainment / World Wrestling Entertainment

On July 24, 2006 Hutter appeared at the Heat tapings prior to Raw, where he teamed with Chris Cronus in a loss to Viscera and Charlie Haas.^[1] While competing on NXT, he appeared in pre-taped vignette on Raw as a scientist with the “Bateman Institute” advertising a fictional Mark Henry cologne.

[edit] Florida Championship Wrestling (2009–present)

Hutter made his Florida Championship Wrestling (Florida Championship Wrestling) debut on February 9, 2009, as ‘Mike Hutter’, when he lost to Drew McIntyre (Andrew Galloway).^[8] On February 19, he changed his ring name to ‘Derrick Bateman’, and gained Abraham Washington as a Manager as he teamed with Lennox McEnroe in a loss to Scotty Goldman and DJ Gabriel.^[8] At the February 26 television tapings, Hutter, Washington, and Tristan Delta lost a dark match to Brett DiBiase, Maverick Darsow, and Tank Mulligan.^[8] In March, he and Dylan Klein lost to Kafu and Sweet Papi Sanchez. In April, he became known as ‘Agent D.’, as part of Washington’s Secret Service stable alongside Agent T. and Agent J.^[8] He reverted to his ‘Derrick Bateman’ name in June, in a loss to DJ Gabriel.^[8]

After a hiatus, Bateman returned to Florida Championship Wrestling in 2010, teaming with Adam Henderson in a loss to The Rotundo Brothers (Bo and Duke).^[9] In March, he lost to Richie Steamboat and Joe Hennig in singles competition, and to Johnny Prime, Orlando Colón, and Incognito as part of a six-man tag team match, before defeating Rudy Parker.^[9] He went on to lose to Skip Sheffield, Percy Watson, Mason Ryan, Wes Brisco, and Eli Cottonwood over the next several months.^[9] In mid-2010, he formed a tag team known as The Handsome Man’s Express with Leo Kruger, and the pair unsuccessfully challenged Los Aviadores (Hunico and Epico) for the Florida Championship Wrestling Florida Tag Team Championship on July 2.^[9] The Handsome Man’s Express disbanded as a team shortly afterward, with Kruger defeating Bateman in a singles match on July 29.^[9] On August 12, 2010, Hutter teamed with Johnny Curtis to win the Florida Championship Wrestling Florida Tag Team Championship by defeating the team of Donny Marlow and Brodus Clay and the defending champions, Los Aviadores in a three-way tag team match.^[10] They went on to successfully defend the championship against Los Aviadores, Clay and Marlow, and The Dudebusters (Caylen Croft and Trent Barretta).^[9] After a near three month reign, Bateman and Curtis lost the championship to Wes Brisco and Xavier Woods on November 4.^[11]

Rod Zapata began his career as a World Wrestling Entertainment official in 2010. The Las Veas native joined World Wrestling Entertainment after working for Florida Championship Wrestling, World Wrestling Entertainment ’s developmental promotion.

Rod Zapata began his career as a World Wrestling Entertainment official in 2010. The Las Veas native joined World Wrestling Entertainment after working for Florida Championship Wrestling, World Wrestling Entertainment ’s developmental promotion.

In October 2008, Quinn debuted in Florida Championship Wrestling (Florida Championship Wrestling), her first appearance was at the October 21 television tapings, where she teamed with Miss Angela, in a losing effort to Roucka and Alicia Fox (Christina Crawford) with Wesley Holiday as the special guest referee. The following week, she competed in the Florida Championship Wrestling Diva Halloween Costume Contest, which also included Holiday, Roucka, Fox, and Angela. Since then, Quinn has competed in tag team matches with Angela, Eve Torres and Tiffany against Fox, Roucka and Holiday. She also competed in the Queen of Florida Championship Wrestling tournament, but lost to Alicia Fox (Christina Crawford) in the opening round. The next week a new segment was debuted entitled Florida Championship Wrestling News and Gossip with Jenny Cash. This soon became a weekly segment. In May 2009, she changed her name to Fifi, and started managing Le French Men, a tag team consisting of Trent Beretta and Caylen Croft. As part of the gimmick, Fifi wears a French maid costume to the ring. She suffered a torn Anterior cruciate ligament in late May 2009. She was released from her contract in February 2010.

Victor Ceron (born on August 27, 1978) is a Brazilian professional wrestler, better known under his ring name, Kafu. Kafu has worked for All Pro Wrestling (APW), Inoki Dojo, International Wrestling Association, Big Time Wrestling, LLX (Mexico) World 1, PCW, National Wrestling Alliance Pro, Portugal Wrestling, and the World Wrestling Entertainment development territory Florida Championship Wrestling. He has wrestled many well-known wrestlers, including Steve Corino, Jim Neidhart, Raven, Savio Vega and The Sandman.

Photo Credit:  SnowMan Jones
Source:  Wikipedia:

A native of Selkirk, Manitoba, Cutler was a fan of Hulk Hogan (Terry Bullea) and Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat during the “Rock ‘n’ Wrestling Connection“-era of the 1980s as well as Stone Cold Steve Austin, Owen and Bret Hart during the “Attitude Era”. Still in his early 20s, he approched local Selkirk promoter and wrestler Matt Evans who agreed to train him and later booked him on shows in Winnipeg. He later received more advanced training from Johnny Devine, including conducting interviews and putting together promotional packages.

Debut

He made his professional debut on May 30, 2002, and wrestled in Manitoba and Saskatchewan during his early career. He also appeared in British Columbia, Ontario and toured the United States. In 2003, he was invited to attend a first ever week-long Ohio Valley Wrestling camp. Winning the BSW Heavyweight Championship in Body Slam Wrestling shortly after,^[2] he also began regularly appearing in the Canadian Wrestling Federation and Premier Championship Wrestling.

On September 11, 2004, Cutler appeared on the first event held by Power Slam Entertainment, PSE Genesis, at the Selkirk War Memorial Hall including “The Mecca” Shane Madison, Shaun Houston, “The Outlaw” Adam Knight, Matt Fairlane and Chris Raine. The event also raised money for local charities including the Selkirk Food Bank and the Ruth Hooker breakfast program.^[3] Winning the PSE Heavyweight Championship at that show, he defended his title at the promotion’s second show, PSE Revolution, against Chris Raine the following month.^[4]

In October 2005, he also appeared on the supercard Holloween Horror for Action Wrestling Entertainment facing Adam Knight in the main event.^[5] During that year, he appeared on the promotion’s television show AWE Overload later released on DVD as AWE: Larger Than Life, Volume 2.^[6]

In 2007, Cutler began sending photos and a DVD of his matches and interviews. After sending an e-mail to World Wrestling Entertainment Talent Relations, he was offered to appear at a World Wrestling Entertainment event while touring Canada. When the tour was cancelled due to the Chris Benoit murder/suicide, World Wrestling Entertainment Talent Relations informed him that he could appear when the promotion made another tour the following year.

On March 2, 2007 at the Glenwood CC in Winnipeg, MB, Canada; “Prime Time” Jon Cutler pinned EZ Ryder in the main event for Reckoning Day to become the new RME Heavyweight Champion. He last defended the title on July 4, 2007 at RME’s Maple Leaf Mayhem Tour at the Dryden Recreation Complex in Dryden, ON, Canada where he pinned Vance Nevada to remain the RME Heavyweight Champion. In October 2007, Jon vacated the title.^[7]

World Wrestling Entertainment

Jon Cutler made his first World Wrestling Entertainment appearance on the May 5th edition of World Wrestling Entertainment Raw at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Ontario. Cutler was defeated by Paul Burchill and Katie Lea Burchill in a handicap squash match. During the match, he received loud “let’s go jobber” chants from the crowd. Even though Cutler lost the match he received positive feedback from Chris Jericho and Smackdown’s Jamie Noble. World Wrestling Entertainment was talking about possibly signing Jon to a developmental contract, and it went through.^[8][9]

On July 10, 2008, Jon Cutler lost to PCW Heavyweight Champion Kenny Omega. Cutler had previously won a tournament defeating “Outlaw” Adam Knight, Antonio Scorpio, Jr. and Mike Angels to win a title shot against Omega.^[10] Four days later, he faced Marius at a Steeltown Pro Wrestling event which raised money for the local Selkirk soup kitchen.^[11]

Florida Championship Wrestling (2008-2009)

After signing a contract with World Wrestling Entertainment , he began to appear for Florida Championship Wrestling (Florida Championship Wrestling), World Wrestling Entertainment ’s developmental territory. He teamed with Dylan Klein until his release in June 2009.^[12]

Florida Championship Wrestling was in Tampa, FL, on May 19 for a television taping.

television Taping #1: Mr. Florida defeated Lucky Cannon due to interference from Bo
Rotundo; DeSean Bishop defeated Rick Victor; Percy Watson defeated Bobby Dutch;
and Big E Langston & Calvin Raines defeated Los Aviadores (Huncio & Epico) to
retain the Florida Championship Wrestling Tag Team Championship.

television Taping #2: Bo Rotuno defeated Lucky Cannon (w/ Damien Sandow) to win the
Florida Championship Wrestling Championship; Ms. Florida defeated Maxine (w/ Aksana); Roman Leakee
defeated Ricardo Rodriguez (w/ Brodus Clay); and Seth Rollins defeated Damien
Sandow by a score of 3-2 to retain the Florida Championship Wrestling 15 Championship.

television Taping #3: Bo Rotundo defeated Leo Kruger, Lucky Cannon, and Richie
Steamboat in a four-way to retain the Florida Championship Wrestling Championship; Big E Langston (w/ Calvin
Raines) defeated Briley Pierce; Xavier Woods defeated Calvin Raines (w/ Big E
Langston); and Titus O’Neill defeated Jinder Mahal by DQ after Damien Sandow
interfered.

A segment for the Tough Enough season finale was taped at this event. Bill DeMott
faced Christina Crawford, Luke Robinson, and Andy Levine in a series of exhibition
matches. Jeremiah Riggs was also in an exhibition match against Peter Orlov
(formerly Alex Koslov). Mike Rotundo and Dusty Rhodes were also in attendance.

In 2008, Evans signed a World Wrestling Entertainment contract and was assigned to Florida Championship Wrestling (Florida Championship Wrestling), a World Wrestling Entertainment developmental territory. In Florida Championship Wrestling, he began wrestling under the ring name Tyrone Jones.[1] In May, he feuded with Atlas DaBone.[17] Throughout June and July, he faced wrestlers including Kevin Kiley, Jr. and TJ Wilson, and on July 21, he lost a dark match to Jamie Noble on July 21 prior to Raw.[1][17] In September he gained Byron Saxton as a manager, and changed his ring name to Tyson Tarver.[17] He became part of The Saxton Conglomerate, a faction composed of Tarver, Black Pain, Stu Sanders and led by Byron Saxton. Tarver had his first match with the Conglomerate on October 30, where he, Pain and Sanders lost to Johnny Prime, Kafu and Sinn Bowdee.[17] Prime soon began feuding with the Conglomerate, and on November 20, Tarver lost to him in a singles match.[17] On December 18, Tarver and Sanders lost to Prime and Kaleb O’Neal.[17]

In 2009, Evans changed his ring name to ‘Michael Tarver’.[18] He continued competing in Florida Championship Wrestling throughout the remainder of 2009, facing wrestlers including Wes Brisco and Skip Sheffield, with whom he feuded in November 2009.[18] In December, Tarver became associated with Heath Slater (Heath Miller), interfering in Slater’s matches and accompanying him to the ring.[18] The following month, Tarver began a feud with Titus O’Neil. After twice interrupting O’Neil, Tarver defeated him in a singles match on February 18.[18]

While reviewing some Florida Championship Wrestling pictures from 1/6/2011 I found this photo of Christina Crawford. She was the ring announcer for Florida Championship Wrestling before being picked for Tough Enough. She seems to have quite the advantage, with a sister in the World Wrestling Entertainment and a bit of training in Tampa under her belt. I can’t hold it against her, she seems like a wonderful person.

SnowMan Jones

World Wrestling Entertainment .com “Christina Crawford: Nepotism may be in play with Crawford as her sister is current World Wrestling Entertainment Diva Alicia Fox (Christina Crawford) . Crawford has been already playing the game of becoming a World Wrestling Entertainment s tar, as a ring announcer with World Wrestling Entertainment ’s farm territory, Florida Championship Wrestling. It’s safe to assume that Crawford has been bumping in a ring already and working on her wrestling prior to Tough Enough.”

Before this season on Tough Enough, Florida Championship Wrestling held “try outs” for the show. The contestants even got some microphone time. In the group that participated on 1-6-2011 in Tampa, only Andy Levine made it to television. You can see him in the pictures below.

This 6’5″ giant hails from Brooksville, Florida where he had four years of high school varsity wrestling experience with a record of over 90 wins. The 23-year-old former football player has a mere six months of independent wrestling experience. Starting over 40 games as an offensive lineman for Florida International University, Andy holds the school’s power clean record of 365 lbs. After FIU, he was a priority free agent with the Miami Dolphins and attended mini-camps, before hanging up his cleats to pursue his dream to entertain in the ring.

Andy wants to be a World Wrestling Entertainment Superstar so he can be a part of a great organization based on hard work, integrity, and respect. He currently resides in Tampa, Florida with his wife Lauren and his daughter. The family expects a new addition, a boy, in Spring 2011.

SuperLuchas.net is reporting that at a press conference this past Friday in Mexico City, World Wrestling Entertainment Raw star Alberto Del Rio said that his goal is to one day end The Undertaker’s WrestleMania streak.

In an update to an earlier report, F4WOnline.com is reporting that Sean “X-Pac” Waltman has indeed be down in Tampa at World Wrestling Entertainment ’s Florida Championship Wrestling facility to evaluate and scout new talent.

Article source: http://www.wrestlezone.com/news/article/top-raw-star-wants-to-end-takers-streak-waltmanfcw-129873

The event kicked off with a new intro, Florida Championship Wrestling fan Minh screaming into the camera, then Matt Martlaro and Natalya doing announcing.  They stood in front of amateur photographer Jason W, who you regularly see in the audience at Florida Championship Wrestling and Total Nonstop Wrestling.

Leakee was introduced first.  The referee was Tony Smith, and his opponent was the 270 pound James Robinson.  Robinson looks a bit like Prince Albert.  Leakee is the son of Seka, and he hails from Pensacola, FL.  Natalya points out that Leakee is the better looking of the two.  Leakee picked up the clean victory over Robinson with a flying forearm.

Brandi interviewed Damien Sandow.  Sandow is a former Florida Championship Wrestling tag team champion, and he had a beef with Titus O’Neal.  He claimed that both individuals were dogs.  He said Titus barks, and Damien bites.  Sandow also said his sights were on the World Wrestling Entertainment championship.

Aksama, Lucky Cannon, Brett Debiase, and Maxine started off the next segment, which took place in the locker room.  Maxine wished Lucky good luck tonight.  Then AJ Lee entered the scene, and Maxine offered Aksana a title match with AJ.  Afterwards, Aksana seemingly massaged Maxine in a semi-sexual way.  The scene ended oddly, with Aksana randomly breaking into the Rebecca Black Friday song.

Next up Jinder Mahal and Michael Tarver came out.  Jinder talked about making himself noticed, and how he should have been at WrestleMania.  He then faced Kenneth Cameron.  Jinder picked up the W.

Husky Harris then did a ringside interview with Brandi.  Husky said if he wanted to be a champion, it would be easy for him.  Then Xavier Woods came out for a match with Husky.  Tony Smith was the referee again.  Both Husky and Woods were former Florida Championship Wrestling Tag Team Champions.  Husky picked up the W.

Seth Rollins and Ricky Steamboat challenged Lucky Cannon and Brett Debiase (with Maxine and Aksana).  Bret seems to have lost weight.  He’s looking very thin.  Lucky had a Ric Flair style robe, with feathers.  Lucky seems to have really advanced his gimmick over the past few years.   Richie Steamboat ended the match together.  Steamboat hit a superkick and won the match.