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History Of The TWF
Year One: 1998
Making a very humble start back in Feb '98, a small-time promotor by the name of Don Haney had a dream...........and he named that dream the Tennessee Wrestling Federation. The fed's first few shows kicked off with a small roster composed of the following:
Starting out with bookings in high school gyms and local Tennessee Flea Markets, Haney took a handful of unknown guys and began the climb to greatness. Within a year, Haney built a reputation of being a ruthless, yet genius promotor. The TWF quickly became a force to be reckoned with. In it's first six months as a federation, the TWF won two "Best Fed" awards in voting done by a group of almost sixty federations within what was to become the "When World's Collide" organization! The TWF was awarded the honors in April & May of 1998, besting the IWA, FWF, NEW and many others! The TWF had come from virtually nowhere to rise to the top of the mountain!
Within the next year, the TWF picked up tow more best fed awards, winning these inside the ring at the quarterly WWC tournaments. Several TWF superstars also scored big victories at these tourneys with the culmination being in 1999, when JackylFan, a noted tag team great brought home the WWC World Title... back to the TWF! JF's shocking feat saw him outlast a field of 128 men to win the honor!
Back to the summer of 1998, where the TWF had started signing some incredible talents including the debut of the infamous Texas Outlaws, Barry Savage and JJ Pierce.. the wildly popular brother duo of Dylan and Dante Jones, also Professor Perfect, Dill Doberg, The Dealers in Smack and Burton C. Bell, who would eventually become the immensely successful, NBK! The TWF began booking a monthly PPV and sadly, something happened in May of 1998 that was to become a horrible TWF tradition when young Jacob Goldstein lost his life inside the ring...
Wrestlers who have died while working for the TWF and it's associated feds:
1998 saw several huge storylines develop including the formation of the original Unholy Alliance composed of Justus, Midnight, Lobo and Odin, Pedro Chihuahua and Steve Stanton, with a few others around the mansion at all times. We also saw an incredible Cruiserweight battle between Dylan Jones and Cobra Coyle and Barry Savage and Ric Justus begin their epic feud which has never determined a true winner! Also, Savage set an incredible mark when he held onto the TWF TV title for over 90 days!
In the fall of '98, Haney sold the TWF to "Bad Boy" Brian Black! It was the first of what would become a Haney trademark, taking a "planned" temporary leave of absence from his true love, Tennessee Pro Wrestling.
Other names of note from 1998:
Season highlights:
Brian Black ruled the TWF with an iron fist, and seemed to thrive from internal controversy. He formed UTI (United Takeover Incorporated) and was one of the first of the "evil" bosses! He took guys like NBK, Cobra Coyle and his brother, Sterling Silver and had them do his dirty work! Black was mad with power, and this was his downfall! His wrestlers soon rebelled though, and when the dust cleared, Don Haney regained control of the TWF after defeating Black in an epic match for TWF ownership. However, Haney turned around and sold the fed to a realitively unknown promotor by the name of GW Perry, a Texan who had close ties with the Texas Outlaws. GW Perry got a grip on all the turmoil and set the TWF back on track. By now, the TWF was known as one of the top federations in the country, and the TWF was beginning to lure in stars from other feds. All was well until the second half of '99. GW Perry encoutered a personal tragedy. He sold controlling interest of the TWF back to Don Haney.
During this time, the TWF saw an influx of two sensational cruiserweights, Racky and Falconer. They started out as tag partners as Haney marketed them to the female teen audience but it wasn't long before Racky turned on Falconer and a classic feud errupted which lasted for over two full years! Racky would later learn that he was the bastard son of Dickie Wreenkle and take on a more wisecracking attitude! Falconer would eventually segue into the Dirty Bird Darrel Anderson personna and gain his greatest success! During the year 1999, we saw Ric Justus, Dr. Midnight and Barry Savage continue to dominate the TWF but we also witnessed TWF long time favorite, Panther realize his dream and become the TWF World Champion!
The year 1999 also gave us the TWF debut of Dan Sweeny, who would become a huge success in Tennessee and also bring us OutKast, who would become the standard bearer for hardcore matches in the TWF! The year also gave us the debut of The Think Tank, HST Gonzo and JackylFan, who would raise the bar of tag team competition to new heights! Their feuds with Lobo and Odin would become legendary!
Moving along, Don Haney was again at the helm, along with Vice-President Chris Fothergil-Brown. But Haney was anxious to continue several private ventures he had started in his time away from the TWF. Haney again sold the TWF, this time to a group of four men known as the Kentucky Connection. Jim Moloney and Jeff Perkins were Co-Presidents. Bob Snapp filled the position of CEO, and Justin Kearns was the Chairman of the Executive Committie. At first catering to the fans, the KY Connection soon reveled in the power they held over their athletes. They managed to get the Executive Committee to suspend Vice-President Chris F-B, as he was trying to hold the Kentucky Connection in check. The TWF continued to be at the top of the ratings game. President Jim Moloney managed to buy out his partners, and was now alone at the helm. He went on a record setting spending spree, bringing in high-priced talent from all over the world. Actually, he had no choice, because long-time loyal wrestlers were jumping ship left and right. Things looked bleak for a while. Then Moloney signed an extended contract with the Big Red Scare. With the BRS in his back pocket, Moloney had no trouble bringing in even more high-priced talent. A move that turned out to be his downfall. BRS dominated his every match, with his only serious challengers being Sweeny and Racky but his domination was killing interest in the TWF product!
Moloney spent massive amounts of cash on his promotions. It was a great time, but he woke up one day and found out he wasn't going to be able to make the payroll any longer. Although he loathed the idea, Moloney turned to the only person who could bail him out........ ..........Don Haney, who was more than happy to buy up Moloney's stock, and get him out of financial debt. But Haney didn't stop there. Haney knew that GW Perry not only owned stock in the TWF, but was also starting up a rival federation in the Texas area. In a stroke of demented genious, Haney fooled GW into closing his Texas fed, and selling Haney his own percent of the TWF stock. Haney now had a majority of interest, and again shocks the world with his next move. Haney and Moloney closed the TWF........................ Haney then turned Moloney out on his ear, and reopened the TWF under a new name....... Tennessee Championship Wrestling! Haney quickly signed the entire TWF roster to "personal service" contracts and then pulled another shocker when he took his once high priced talent, and moved them from performing in the largest arenas in the area, to wrestling in taxi stands, armories, bingo halls and high school gyms! Several members of his roster attempted to bolt their contracts but the wily promoter had locked them all in for at least a year! He had one of the strongest rosters in the world and had managed to sign them to chump change! As usual, Haney made out like a banidt! But, ever restless, Haney turned around later and placed GW Perry in charge of the TCW. The TCW slowly rebuilt itself, and began to thrive once again. But later, GW backed out. Haney showed up once again to close the TCW, and reopen as the Tennessee Championship Wrestling Federation.
Other names of note from 1999:
Season highlights:
Haney appeared to have given Tennessee 'Rasslin a new life. He promoted and signed new contracts with his wrestlers. He got rid of all the dead weight, and put an end to internal conflicts. His natural promotional skills came through, and the TCWF was riding high. The TCWF was inundated with contract requests, and Haney was obliging almost everyone! The TCWF shocked the wrestling world in the spring of 2000 when they booked 12 shows in 11 days! Legendary Austrailian grappler, Heartbreak Meyers made his TCWF debut and was a sensation, defeating everyone in his path to secure the World Title and hold it for months! The higlight match of the spring had to be a classic four way for the World Title when HBM outlasted Tim Haught, Dominic Moore and Dna Sweeny to retian the title! But, with Haney on top of the world, we learned that he had scored the jackpot in the Pennsylvania lottery and was off to seek new adventures once again!
Haney stepped out and this time, gave the TCWF to Chris Fothergil-Brown. Chris F-B had been a long-time VP through-out all the changes. Chris was ready for the task. He made a smooth transition, and all was well. So it seemed. Then from out of nowhere, a representitive from Proctor and Gamble showed up with papers saying that they now owned the TCWF. And it was true...... Haney had still owned controlling interest. A controlling interest that he sold to Proctor and Gamble. P&G fired Chris-F-B and his Vice-President, Bill Gilman. P&G closed the TCWF and began the Championship Wrestling Alliance. But they didn't stop there as they layed out their plans for the CWA, including the announcement that they would be opening regional federations all over the U.S. and Canada. This is how the CWA would stand..
The CWA was a large federation made up of several small feds, each in their own territory, working under the guidelines and jurisdiction of the CWA Exectutive Branch, based in Hohenwald, TN. CWA was owned and financed by Proctor & Gamble, Inc. Each federation was operated by it's own President and staff, who answer only to CWA HQ. The feds that made up the original CWA were....
CWA Mid-South: This region, comprised of Kentucky and Tennessee, was operated by President Jim Moloney who wasted no time once again getting in financial problems! Haney had Moloney arrested for squandering gate receipts and Chris Nevels, an unknown within the Haney power structure was brought on board. Nevels could not handle the demands of the fed and Mid-South became the first CWA casualty when it was merged with the Northwest region and became CWA Continental.
CWA Canada: This region encompassed Eastern Canada, headed by President Chris Fothergil-Brown. Canada was always a decent money maker but CFB abhored the idea of being restricted to the Canadian borders and packed his bags! Jeremy Riley, a longtime veteran of the sport, and Cody Harris, who made his mark in the popular FWF tried their hands at rebuilding the fed but it finally fell victim to declining attendance and Haney pulled the plug!
CWA Texas: Based in San Antonio, CWA Texas wwould be operated under President G.W. Perry. The Texas promotion became the CWA's most powerful promotion over the long haul, supplanting CWA-NW and drawing huge turnouts! Perry was able to bring in huge names like Gravestone, BRS, Brent Kersh, Beld Painkiller and Marcus T. Texas stayed hot for many months!
CWA Atlantic: Based in the Carolinas, this branch of the CWA would have President Brian Black at the wheel. Although Black could never draw the huge names like Texas & Northwest, he was a tough businessman and kept the Atlantic region running unabated for almost the entire duration of the CWA's existance, headlining his cards with stars like Deke Carter, Darrel Anderson, Dylan Jones, Dickie Wreenkle and Serdjan!
CWA North-West: Perhaps the largest branch, this federation would be promoted in WA, ID, Northern CA, and perhaps down to Nevada. This territory would belong to Bill Gilman. The fed was a sensation right off the bat.. with Gilman turning out exciting cards that featured such up and coming talents as Jeremy Riley, Live, Chris Crosswards, Rob Blondie... Ratings went through the roof but after the merger with Mid-South, things never seemed to be the same!
Eventually, the CWA territorial idea hit rock bottom, with several defections, logistical problems and problems with funding. Haney left the CWA and a variety of different gentlemen tried to right the ship but more problems continued to build with Haney finally returning and adding a third fed to the two that remained, CWA Midwest, headed by young Pat McNasty! This fed brought new excitement to the CWA and McNasty's stock skyrocketed and he eventually was pegged to head the entire CWA, which was consolidated down to two divisions, the west and east.
Other names of note from 2000:
Season highlights:
As the CWA entered a new millennium, McNasty went into a severe slow burn and finally, in February of 2001, Don Haney was consulted by McNasty and bought all the stock in the CWA name and rights, and then closed the CWA for good, leaving the BTW as the last bastion of the CWA as McNasty had made them a member just a few days earlier. Haney advised BTW owner, Matt Moon, through his legal counsel that their fed had no claims to any CWA names, or material!
The rebirth of the TWF!
After Haney convinced McNasty to pull the CWA plug, he wasted no time moving right in and taking over all the territorial rights with his reformation of the Tennessee Wrestling Federation. Following a pattern which had worked for him many times, Haney signed an incredible array of talent to bargain basement prices! His roster would equal anyones, anywhere... he brought back loyal number two man, Chris Fothergill-Brown, as his VP and quickly elevated Donald McKee and Dan Sweeny to prominent positions in the company.
He also recognized Dirty Bird Darrel ANderson as the CWA World Titlist and would eventually have him defend that tile all over the TWF. Eventually, Dave Dexter, a man who had become a household name in the FWF, but had also toiled in the old CWA-Canada area, would win the first TWF world unified title, putting an end to the CWA legacy.
At the initial TWF PPV, Haney also learned that he had been duped out of the company by Desmond Stohler (Destructo) who had been pulling a quick ruse on Haney ever since the reformation of the fed. Des had used his family connections, his wife owned Stohler Entetainment Inc., plus all his business friends to somehow garner control of the TWF from Haney! But as always, Haney promised to fight this matter till the end....
After the close of the CWA and the reopening of the TWF, Haney would square off in a promotional battle with Big Time Wrestling's promoter Matt Moon. The feud became ugly between the two men as each tried to drag their roster into the fray. Stohler Enterprises led by the ambitious Desmond Stohler sided with Moon and appeared to have Haney just where he wanted him until the enterprising Haney found an unlikely ally and financial supporter. None other than Stohler's wife and the CEO of Stohler Enterprises, Gerri. With her savy backing, Haney fended yet another suitor and was able to keep the TWF solvent and at the front of the wrestling wars.
He would then turn his attention to creating havoc for the BTW in an almost personal vendetta against Moon. Haney would have none of Moon trying to promote in Tennessee and opened up the vault to sign several exciting new stars for his roster. In addition to raiding the BTW, Haney would sign a trifecta of men, one who would become a TWF legend. Trent Storm had already become a well known name in the business when he first appeared in the Tennessee area in early 2001. His arrival coincided with the appearances of Jade Diamond and Trey Reed. The three men were alleged to be close, very close, in more ways that most men would find acceptable. Storm had a good run while Reed could never match the success of his counterparts but it was Jade Diamond who would become the biggest of stars from the three men, eventually, later in his career, winning the TWF World Title, although still alleged to be gay?
Haney would find another new star during the summer with a unique grappler named Ender. The guy stood tall against all opposition but was probably best known for his "mentally challenged" sidekick, Ryan the Giant. Haney's "son" and senior road agent Chris Haney (Shakespeare), was actually groomed for the TWF's top spot after getting Ender to a rock bottom contract, a move that apparently proved to Don Haney that his son wa ready for the top spot.
With the TWF leaving the bad taste of the CWA behind, Haney would quickly decide to leave the daily opeartions of the federation in the hands of another once again. But this time he chose his own "son", Chris Shakespeare who began calling himself, Chris Haney. The younger Haney would bring in Bill Gilman as his booker and also begin to work in a pair of wild cards, Gary Holmes and Robb "Slob" Tracey as staff writers. The TWF begin to take a more edgy turn as the foursome booked some very wild and crazy cards. Haney and Gillman were constantly at odds on show content and Holmes and Tracy took on more of a role as each week progressed, finally resulting in Haney turning creative control of the company over to the duo near the end of the year.
Jackylfan, one of the most incredible talents in the annals of the TWF dominated the World Championship from late summer through early winter. He topped opponent after opponent with only the crafty veteran Barry Savage able to give him a serious challenge during this period. A couple of world renown legends wound up in the TWF during Chris Haney's tenure and battled in a series of matches that gave the TWF much notoriety. Heartbreak Meyers and Mike Haggar, once firmly entrenched in the old IWA chose Tennessee to continue their classic feud. Their matches were truly incredible and saw the results go back and forth. Haggar ended the feud and almost HBM's career when he drove a spike into the Aussie's eye. That move was deemed even too vicious for the TWF and Haggar was suspended for his heinous action, much to the chagrin of HBM who demanded a rematch.
By the end of 2001, Don Haney was nowhere to be seen and Chris Haney was having little involvement in the day to day operations of the fed. In December, Gary Holmes was firmly entrenched as the new TWF President with Slob Tracy serving as his second in command. The pair proved to be the most irreverant leadership duo in the history of the game, booking such events as...TWF Wyld Wacky Wednesdays and The TWF New Year Tire Sale Blowout! How long would they last?
Highlights of 2001:
Names from 2001:
Gary Holmes and Slob Tracy continued as TWF honchos as the year 2002 began. They not only added cutting edge sarcasm into the TWF but also added some big names as well. Destructo, Dave Dexter, HBM, Dr. Midnight and Lobo all were quite successful under the reign of the two party boys. In addition, Holmes and Tracy were able to elevate Paul Leonard, Jade "The Draw" Diamond, and Jamie Krenshaw to upper tier status. One of the most underrated matches of the year pits a nutty journeyman named Ronald Smith against HIM and HST Gonzo in what turns out to be a wild affair. The three men send shockwaves through the crowd and more is demanded for the future!
But while all seemed to be going well and the TWF was gaining in the under 25 demographic, one thing was happening that did not sit well with one man. The TWF was losing money and Don Haney, who still retained ownership in the fed, did not like the bottom line. In May, the promoters broke the news to the roster that Haney would be returning to book and promote a new Wednesday night show to be known as TWF Slugfest, which in and of itself seemed okay. But they also shared with the roster that Haney would be slashing and cutting what he considered unnecessary perks and begin promoting shows in locales where rent was rock bottom.
The tenuous relationship between Haney and Holmes-Tracy grew worse when the chief promoters kept holding back World Champion Paul Leonard and International Champ Undertow from any of Haney's Wednesday night shows. Haney begin thratning the pair and demanded the biggest stars appear on Wednesdays! During the June Pay Per View, Holmes and Tracy, the eccentric duo sold the company back to Don and Chris Haney and stripped all the title holders of their belts as the PPV ended, a last act of definace that they referred to as the mysterious "Plan Z." The Haneys were once again back in charge!
Late 2002 saw the advent of the DOC, Aaron Christopher & Max Steele joined at times by Skeletony in 2003. Then Rob Blondie, Havok and Sean Devine. Haney was scouring the country side for new talent and brought in another young man who would have a big effect on the TWF, and the Haneys, Sigmund Chaltry. The psychology student would enter into an ellicit affair with Haney's daughter Crystal which would cause more headaches for Chaltry than he would realize. Haney would do everything within his power to end the unauthorized relationship between the two.
Haney also signed a crazed Arab named El Qasr Sahli Casbah who when motivated, seemed almost unbeatable. Casbah's problem was that he was rarely motivated and it has since been specualted that he and his manservant, Baboo, were simply in the area working for the Al-Quada network. In addition, Don and Chris Haney brought in a young snob named Rich Tapestry, a mysterious individual named The Saint, a norse powerhouse named Viking Fury and a zany power lifter called Captain Muscles. It seemed like Haney was intent on putting his mark once again on the TWF and hiring relaitively unknown grapplers and below market value allowed Haney to low bottom his loyal roster members as well. But maybe Haney's biigest find was a bespectacled young fan favorite named the Thumb Opposer, Dustin Iler who quickly begin winning matches and over the next two years, would become one of the top stars in the world!
As the year came close to an end, Haney brought in former TWF President Brian Black as his booking agent and then turned his attention on trying to stop the unparalleled success of the Unholy Alliance. He designated a group to be led by Destructo and Michael Saint to try and stop the infamous group. The Unholy Alliance had reformed as Dr. Midnight, Ric Justus, Barry Savage, JJ Pierce, Y2K and The Fried Rebel. Later, the popular American Eagles would turn on their own Team TWF and reveal themselves to be the infamous Lobo and Odin.
In other events of interest, Paul Leonard, who had been undermining Haney since his return to ownership, actually tried to negotiate a deal with Douglas Potter, the nefarious Proctor and Gamble executive who had been a part of the downfall of the ill fated CWA. But just when Leonard thought he had a deal going, the Haneys announced that they had obtained one million dollars from a compnay in India to promote an international tour leaving Potter holding the bag and Leonard to face insult by being forced to drop a PPV mathc to the inept Tex Mullins.
Things continued to soar for the TWF when Haney announced in November that he had renegotiated a deal with Fitzgerald's Casino in Tunica, Mississippi to host weekly TWF events. As the year ends, the TWF is riding high and sporting two World Champs in the form of both Dr. Midnight and Deke Carter.
Highlights of 2002:
Names from 2002:
After what proved to be an incredibly complex tour of India, which included over half of the roster being arrested, Don Haney began to show signs of mental strain. The stress involved with the details and particulars of the TWF's first international tour wayed heavily on the TWF owner and his actions began to become more and more erratic. In addition, atrtendance at the Casino shows in Tunica hit rock bottom and the tally from the lottery PPV show that the TWF lost $80,000! Haney explodes and fires Mack Tharp as a Jr. VP..... A week later, Fitzgerald's terminates the TWF's contract and puts them out of the casino. Haney blames Red Simmons for going on drunk at Christmas and fires him.....then the next week, he accuses primary booker Brian Black of "hating him" and fires him as well....then has security escort his seriously injured nephew Racky Wreenkle off of TWF premises and fires his own brother Dickie Wreenkle as host of the live programs!
GW Perry, a longtime Haney sideman and current ally was brought in by a quickly established board of directors to try and right the out of control ship. He quickly added anothe former TWF head honcho, Gary Holmes as his second in command. Haney would eventually crack under his self imposed pressure and sign over promotional rights to GW and Gary. Haney and his son Chris would then dissapear from the TWF and it would be almost two years before they would return. Perry appeared in February and embarked on what would be the longest TWF tenure as primary promoter. Perry was quick to put his stamp on the TWF as he had done in the old CWA Texas area. He elevated the D.O.C. to main event status as hated villians. Aaron Christopher, Max Steele, Sean Devine and Skeletony became a destructive stable and feuded with all of the top fan favorites.
Another new man who arrived and benefitted from Perry's like of tough as nails brawlers was Don Gotti. He would quickly become a major force, feuding with everyone from Dustin Iler to Abe Lincoln to Max Steele and becoming one of the feds major stars! GW Perry then came up with the idea of the TWF Gauntlet as a challenge to any wrestler to try and take all the TWF's single belts and it was the incredible Gotti who was able to successfully complete the Gauntlet. Gotti and Dustin Iler would then engage in an incredible feud with Iler finally winning out and cementing himself at the top of the TWF pecking order.
Perry then took a page out of Haney's playbook and raided the long running N.E.W. federation to much heralded success. He was able to bring in the Decade and Rising Star titles from N.E.W. but those wrestlers found the going much tougher than expected in the brutal, brawling world of the TWF and quickly vanished!
Perry also stirred up some TWF roster members and the TWF faithful with his elevation of one Adam Young. Perry apparently saw something in Young that others didn't as he relentlessly pushed him into upper tier events. Maybe it was their relatuionship in the old CWA-Texas or maybe Perry enjoyed Young repackaging himself every few weeks but whatever the reason, Young would enjoy success under Perry that he would not taste with any other wrestling promoter.
During the summer months, Iler became the top singles competitor in the fed and was challenged by a man using the mincker, 13. The intensity of their feud was mind boggling and it was finally revealed that 13 was none other than the infamous gay wrestler, Jade Diamond! Late in the year, the Trifecta made their mark on the TWF. Uniting legendary Ric Justus, Steve Stanton and Don Gotti, they proved a match for anyone who wanted to battle stable style!
2003 also showcased the return of another venture capitalist when Viking Fury made his way back to Tennessee and began dealing with GW Perry in a business relationship. VF would head up Jorgen Corporation and unknown to Perry, the shrewd Dane was setting the stage for even greater results for his friend, Dustin Iler.
Highlights of 2003:
Names from 2003:
The year 2004 was dominated more than anything by the presence of longtime TWF promoter GW Perry who surpassed all previous ownership records by passing the 12, then 15, then 17 month period. Perry had positioned the TWF to ride roughshod into another decade, or so it seemed? The Big Time Jerks caused much distress for Perry and the TWF when they swindled him out of some 30% of TWF stock. Led by the great veteran, the BTJ's looked like they were in a position to rule the fed until Perry convinced a trifecta of Dustin Iler, Destructo and Viking Fury to win the stock away from the Jerks later in the year.
Perry rode the success of the phenomenal Dustin Iler into some very hefty paydays. Iler, who had come on the scene in 2003, was a bullet with the TWF and never dropped below main event status. His consistancy mirrored that of the TWF owner and their determination made each stronger.
And as the year progressed, it looked like things couldn't possible get any better. Perry had an incredible array of seasoned stars and was mixing in some new talent as well and then.... he resigned the great Dan Sweeny, the TWF's all time favorite Dr. Midnight. Barry Savage was back, Destructo was playing another prominent role... Former promoter Gary Holmes was brought back in as a booker and given a prominent poisition in decision making. It appeared that Perry had made all the right decisions, but had he?
The pressure of the long length of service, the mounting costs of contracts and an ongoing battle to contnue with a weekly television show were providing pressures that were severely mounting. Perry tried to find some financial backing but it was too no avail and the TWF faced a make or break date with infamy!
On Saturday, July 24, TWF President GW Perry, disgusted with losing the TWF's television contract with the WB Network, ceased negotiations with the network and cancelled all TWF contracts, essentially putting the TWF out of business. Former TWF bosses Don and Chris Haney flew quickly to TWF headquarters in Hohenwald, Tennessee but learned that the deadline had passed on the television contract and that future bookings in six different cities had been cancelled. After a meeting that lasted late into the next night, Haney announced that he had bought what "intellectual property" that remained in the TWF and that the proud federation would indeed cease to exist as a viable alternative to the WWE, TNA and others. Haney did say later in a Monday morning press conferance that he and several loyalists were considering turning the organization's headquarters into a type of Hall of Fame complex which would be chalked full of historical content. Haney struck a deal with longtime TWF loyalist and associate Desmond Stohler to transfer TWF titles to the DCW and accepted an offer from Stohler for as many existing TWF contracts as would legally transfer. Many TWF wrestlers made a swift transfer to the DCW. But always the promoter, Haney closed the press conferance with these words, "Although the TWF has ended it's long and glorious run, even today, we seek new opportunities and explore new and exciting possibilities in our business. Maybe what we truly need....... is a new way to do business?"
Highlights from 2004:
Names of 2004: