Xcitement Wrestling Federation
| Company type | Privately held limited liability company |
|---|---|
| Industry | |
| Founded | 2001 |
| Defunct | 2002 |
| Headquarters | Tampa, FL Spring Hill, FL, U.S. |
Key people | Jimmy Hart - President |
| Parent | SunWest Management Services, LLC |
The X Wrestling Federation (XWF) was a United States-based professional wrestling promotion active between 2001 and 2002. It was established following the downfall of prominent competitors World Championship Wrestling and Extreme Championship Wrestling, with the intent to occupy the void left in the market. The letter "X" represented "Xcitement," emphasizing its orientation toward family-friendly programming.
Formation
The concept for XWF was developed by businessman Kevin Harrington as a successor to WCW after its acquisition by WWF. He recruited influential wrestling personalities such as Hulk Hogan, Jimmy Hart, among others, resulting in Hart’s appointment as President. The organization’s approach focused on delivering a PG-rated wrestling product that combined established veterans with rising stars, aiming to attract fans seeking an alternative to the WWF-dominated landscape.
TV tapings
In November 2001, XWF conducted its inaugural television tapings at Universal Studios Orlando, utilizing a soundstage previously occupied by WCW and later by TNA. The commentary team featured former WCW announcer Tony Schiavone alongside ex-WWF color commentator Jerry Lawler. The roster blended former talent from WWF, WCW, and ECW with independent wrestlers. Hulk Hogan participated not only as an in-ring performer but also as a potential stakeholder.
The scripted narratives revolved around corporate conflicts between villainous CEO Rena Mero (formerly known as Sable) and heroic commissioner Rowdy Roddy Piper. Despite securing notable wrestlers such as Curt Hennig, Vampiro, A.J. Styles, and others, XWF faced challenges in retaining talent; several key individuals were re-signed by WWF shortly after the tapings concluded. This loss of performers complicated negotiations with television networks and ultimately obstructed broadcast deals.
XWF partnered with Puerto Rico’s World Wrestling Council (WWC) to develop cross-promotional storylines and events; however, roster instability limited the collaboration’s longevity. This alliance produced a prime-time special and jointly promoted shows culminating in an XWF World Tag Team Championship title change favoring WWC competitors.
House shows
Following the initial TV tapings in late 2001, XWF launched live events in Hammond, Indiana; Milwaukee, Wisconsin; and Green Bay, Wisconsin. In early 2002, the promotion expanded its touring schedule to Texas, featuring performers such as Rey Mysterio teaming with Konnan alongside hardcore legend Terry Funk. Plans for a Michigan tour were abandoned due to poor ticket sales. Without securing a television contract, the promotion ceased operations.
After XWF’s demise, both TNA and Ring of Honor—organizations founded in 2002—emerged as prominent alternatives to WWF.
Jimmy Hart era
In 2004, Jimmy Hart obtained the rights to XWF for an undisclosed amount. By September of that year, Hart was considering producing a special television series for The Wrestling Channel and other broadcasters. A brief partnership with WWC was also reestablished during this period. In July 2005, XWF issued a three-DVD collection named In Your Face: The Lost Episodes of the XWF, which included 19 bouts from the initial Universal Studios recordings along with interviews hosted by Hart and Brian Knobs. Additionally, these matches were broadcast on pay-per-view via DISH Network.
Revamp
XWF unveiled a redesigned website featuring a fresh logo in November 2008. By January 2009, discussions surfaced about securing a pay-per-view agreement similar to those held by Total Nonstop Action and Ring of Honor. The proposed plans involved releasing footage from the 2002 WWC "invasion," organizing matches with both original legends and emerging wrestlers, as well as arranging personal appearances by former roster members. Later that year, a collector’s package was expected to launch, containing a DVD, T-shirt, autographed memorabilia, and pieces of the ring apron from the 2001 tapings.
No further developments have been reported as of 2024, and the official website has since been taken offline.
Wrestling Style
XWF’s in-ring presentation merged elements of Sports Entertainment, traditional Rasslin, Japanese Puroresu, and Mexican Lucha Libre, showcasing the promotion’s eclectic roster.
The organization maintained four championship categories: XWF Heavyweight, Tag Team, Cruiserweight, and Women’s titles. There were rumors regarding the introduction of a fifth mid-tier championship—comparable to WWE’s Intercontinental or United States titles—but these plans never came to fruition.
XWF World Heavyweight Championship
| Champion(s) | Reigns | Date | Venue | Details | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| XWF World Heavyweight Championship | |||||
| Ian Harrison | 1 | September 14, 2002 | Bayamón, Puerto Rico | Title initially awarded by XWF; subsequently defended successfully against Super Gladiador. | |
| Vacant May 10, 2003, Memphis, Tennessee. | |||||
| Mabel | 1 | July 5, 2003 | Memphis, Tennessee | Championship granted. | |
| Vacant March 6, 2004, Memphis, Tennessee following Mabel’s acquisition of the Memphis Southern Heavyweight Championship. | |||||
| Shock | 1 | April 23, 2004 | Memphis, Tennessee | Captured title by defeating Tracy Smothers. | |
| Jerry Lawler | 1 | September 4, 2004? | Memphis, Tennessee? | ||
| Deactivated and retired December 26, 2004, Memphis, Tennessee. | |||||
XWF World Tag Team Championship
| Champion(s) | Reigns | Date | Venue | Details | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| XWF World Tag Team Championship | |||||
| The Nasty Boys (Brian Knobbs & Jerry Sags) |
1 | November 14, 2001 | Orlando, Florida | Won a four-way contest against The Road Warriors, The Sweet Philly Posse & The Shane Twins. | |
| La Artillería Pesada (Thunder & Lightning) |
1 | October 28, 2002? | Bayamón, Puerto Rico? | Unified XWF and WWC World Tag Team Championships by defeating The Nasty Boys. | |
| Shock & Awe | 1 | May 10, 2003 | Bayamón, Puerto Rico | ||
| Titles deactivated and retired June 28, 2003, Memphis, Tennessee after Awe departed Memphis wrestling. | |||||
XWF World Cruiserweight Championship
| Champion(s) | Reigns | Date | Venue | Remarks | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| XWF World Cruiserweight Championship | ||||||
| Kid Kash | 1 | November 13, 2001 | Boston, Massachusetts | Secured title by winning a five-man battle royal. | ||
| Juventud Guerrera | 1 | November 14, 2001 | Lincoln, New Hampshire | |||
| Kid Kash | 2 | November 22, 2001 | "Orlando, Florida" | |||
| Championship retired and discontinued August 28, 2004, Memphis, Tennessee. | ||||||
XWF World Womens Championship
| Champion(s) | Reigns | Date | Venue | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| XWF World Women's Championship | ||||
| Christie Ricci | 1 | October 2, 2001 | Santa Monica, California | |
| Championship retired and discontinued as of August 28, 2004 in Memphis Tennessee. | ||||
References
- Entertainment companies established in 2001
- American companies established in 2001
- Companies disestablished in 2002
- Independent professional wrestling promotions based in Florida
- Privately held companies based in Florida
- Defunct professional wrestling promotions
- Companies of the United States by year of establishment