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NOVA Pro Wrestling

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NOVA Pro Wrestling
AcronymNOVA Pro
Founded2015[1]
Defunct2019
StyleProfessional wrestling
Sports entertainment
HeadquartersNorthern Virginia
Founder(s)Mike King Jr.[2]
Mike E. King[2]
WebsiteTwitter
Tickets

NOVA Pro Wrestling (often referred to as simply NOVA Pro) was an American professional wrestling promotion that was established in 2015 based in Northern Virginia. The company's name came from the abbreviation of its location, Northern Virginia ("NoVa"). The promotion was founded by Mike King Jr., and his son, Mike E. King, with the intention to showcase the top independent wrestlers of Virginia, Maryland, and the general Mid-Atlantic region, as well as bring some of independent wrestling's popular names to the Northern Virginia area.[3] The debut show, titled "The NOVA Project", took place on September 25, 2015 in Fairfax, Virginia. The promotion closed its doors in early 2019

History

[edit]

NOVA Pro Wrestling began on Friday, September 25, 2015, with its first show, "The NOVA Project", taking place at the Jewish Community Center of Northern Virginia, in Fairfax. The event was presented by the Virginia promotion Ground Xero Wrestling (GXW), and was run using their promoter's license and much of their equipment. The first show, casually referred to as a pilot episode, was considered a borderline success, despite several last minute changes to the card. This was primarily due to issues related to Virginia's licensing committee, as the show took place with only one of the originally advertised matches taking place as planned.

NOVA Pro waited until the new year to run again, this time with their own promoter's license. The first show of 2016, titled "Stay Vicious", ran on Sunday, January 31, 2016, from the Annandale Sports Center in Springfield, Virginia. The promotion would continue to run, both in Springfield and Fairfax, every other month until July, when the frequency increased to monthly shows, as the crowds continued to grow. The company celebrated their one-year anniversary with "The NOVA Project 2" on September 16, 2016, which featured the first steel cage match in the promotion's history, capping off a year-long feud between Sonjay Dutt and Logan Easton Laroux. The last show of the calendar year took place on Black Friday, November 25, 2016, and featured one of the last independent wrestling appearances of Chris Hero before his second stint with the WWE.

2017 began for NOVA Pro Wrestling,[2] with "RELoad" on Friday, February 17, 2017 drawing one of its biggest crowds at a brand new venue, the Annandale Volunteer Fire Department in Annandale, Virginia. This location would split time with the original Fairfax location for the year, with NOVA's return to Fairfax hosting the first ever Commonwealth Cup on Friday, April 14, 2017.[4] The one-night, 12-man tournament was won by Logan Easton Laroux, and was made even more significant by his win in the finals over Arik Royal, who had previously been undefeated in NOVA Pro since its inception in 2015.

2017 continued to be a year of firsts for NOVA Pro, as the company slowly discovered its identity. June 10, 2017 featured the first ever tryout show, "Life Is Like A Box of Chocolates", with a full NOVA Pro show, "Hi Fidelity", later that evening as well. The show "American Slang '17", on July 14, was main evented by NOVA's first ever ladder match, between PWI Ultra J Champion Chet Sterling and Logan Easton Laroux. "Cool for the Summer", on August 18, 2017, marked the company's first ever sold-out crowd, and was headlined by a No Disqualification intergender match between Angelus Layne and Keith Lee. This match came about as the focal point of a feud between Layne and promoter Mike E. King, after Layne threw a fireball at the promoter's face one month earlier. Lee was brought in to face Layne in the first intergender main event, though not the first or only instance of intergender wrestling in the promotion's history.[5]

Friday, September 22, 2017 marked a second consecutive sell-out crowd, this time in the larger Fairfax venue, for "The NOVA Project 3". As the promotion entered its third year of operation, it enjoyed significant growth in exposure thanks to features in The Washington Post and Washington City Paper, as well as many national outlets, in part thanks to appearances from viral sensation "The Progressive Liberal" Daniel Richards.[6] Around this time, the promotion signed with streaming service Powerbomb.TV to make past shows available on the site, and announce their first live-streamed show on Thursday, December 28, 2017, main evented by Powerbomb TV Independent Champion Jonathan Gresham defending against Sonjay Dutt.

In June 2018, NOVA Pro produced both a men's and women's Commonwealth Cup, although the early rounds of the Women's Cup were not available live as the show was a matinee. In addition, in September, it was announced that NOVA Pro would do a show outside Virginia for the first time as the company would perform as part of WrestleMania 35 weekend.

Events

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2015

[edit]
Event Date Venue Location Main event Ref.
The NOVA Project September 25, 2015 JCC of Northern Virginia Fairfax, Virginia Sonjay Dutt vs Logan Easton Laroux vs Tim Donst [7]

2016

[edit]
Event Date Venue Location Main event Ref.
Stay Vicious January 31, 2016 Annandale Sports Club Springfield, Virginia Ethan Case vs. Sonjay Dutt, PWI Ultra J Championship [8]
Last Exit To Springfield March 20, 2016 Annandale Sports Club Springfield, Virginia Sonjay Dutt vs. Logan Easton Laroux, No Holds Barred [9]
You Only Move Twice May 6, 2016 JCC of Northern Virginia Fairfax, Virginia Sonjay Dutt & John Kermon vs. Logan Easton Laroux & The Reason [10]
American Slang July 1, 2016 JCC of Northern Virginia Fairfax, Virginia Cedric Alexander vs. Chet Sterling, PWI Ultra J Championship [11]
One Crazy Summer August 12, 2016 JCC of Northern Virginia Fairfax, Virginia Alexander James, Bobby Shields, & Logan Easton Laroux vs. Sonjay Dutt, John Kermon, & Sean Studd [12]
The NOVA Project 2 September 16, 2016 JCC of Northern Virginia Fairfax, Virginia Logan Easton Laroux vs. Sonjay Dutt, Steel Cage Match [13]
Saturdays of Thunder October 22, 2016 Annandale Sports Club Springfield, Virginia Tim Donst vs. Brandon Day, I Quit Match [14]
Paradise By The Dashboard Light November 25, 2016 JCC of Northern Virginia Fairfax, Virginia Arik Royal vs. Chris Hero [15]

2017

[edit]
Event Date Venue Location Main event Ref.
RELoad February 17, 2017 Annandale Volunteer Fire Department Annandale, Virginia Chet Sterling vs. Logan Easton Laroux, PWI Ultra J Championship [16]
Great Expectations March 10, 2017 Annandale Volunteer Fire Department Annandale, Virginia Sonjay Dutt vs. Trevor Lee [17]
Commonwealth Cup 2017 April 14, 2017 JCC of Northern Virginia Fairfax, Virginia Arik Royal vs. Logan Easton Laroux [18]
The Great Grapsy May 19, 2017 JCC of Northern Virginia Fairfax, Virginia Cutie & The Beast vs. The Carnies, Street Fight [19]
Life Is Like A Box Of Chocolates June 10, 2017 Annandale Volunteer Fire Department Annandale, Virginia Sugar Dunkerton vs. AC Hawkes [20]
Hi Fidelity June 10, 2017 Annandale Volunteer Fire Department Annandale, Virginia Chet Sterling vs. Sonjay Dutt vs. Bobby Shields vs. Jean Jean LeBon, PWI Ultra J Championship [21]
American Slang '17 July 14, 2017 JCC of Northern Virginia Fairfax, Virginia Chet Sterling vs. Logan Easton Laroux, PWI Ultra J Championship, Ladder Match [22]
Cool For The Summer August 18, 2017 Annandale Volunteer Fire Department Annandale, Virginia Angelus Layne vs. Keith Lee, No Disqualification [23]
NOVA Project 3 September 22, 2017 JCC of Northern Virginia Fairfax, Virginia Arik Royal vs. Logan Easton Laroux [24]
Pumpkin Spice Lariats October 27, 2017 Annandale Volunteer Fire Department Annandale, Virginia DJ Z vs. Sonjay Dutt [25]
11th Dimension November 24, 2017 JCC of Northern Virginia Fairfax, Virginia Faye Jackson, Mia Yim, Brittany Blake, LuFisto, & Jordynne Grace vs. Veda Scott, Deonna Purrazzo, Allie Kat, Laynie Luck, & Sahara Se7en, Elimination Tag Match [26]
Such Great Heights December 28, 2017 Annandale Volunteer Fire Department Annandale, Virginia Jonathan Gresham vs. Sonjay Dutt, Powerbomb TV Independent Championship [27]


2018

[edit]
Event Date Venue Location Main event Ref.
Cupid's Chokehold February 16, 2018 Annandale Volunteer Fire Department Annandale, Virginia Arik Royal vs Gunner Miller
Sink Or Swim March 10, 2018 Annandale Volunteer Fire Department Annandale, Virginia Tim Donst vs. Logan Easton LaRoux
Rip Her To Shreds March 10, 2018 Annandale Volunteer Fire Department Annandale, Virginia Angelus Layne vs. Rain
Old Dominion Rumble April 20, 2018 JCC of Northern Virginia Fairfax, Virginia The 30-entrant Rumble
Threat of Joy May 11, 2018 Annandale Volunteer Fire Department Annandale, Virginia Tracy Williams vs. Jonathan Gresham vs. Logan Easton LaRoux for the Powerbomb.TV Independent Wrestling Championship
Commonwealth Cup 2018 June 8, 2018 - June 9, 2018 Annandale Volunteer Fire Department Annandale, Virginia Show #1: P.C.O. vs. Nick Gage in a men's first round match

Show #2: Allie Kat vs. Angelus Layne in a women's semifinal

Show #3: Sage Phillips vs. Wheeler Yuta vs. Arik Royal vs. Tracy Williams in the men's final four-way elimination match

American Slang '18 July 6, 2018 JCC of Northern Virginia Fairfax, Virginia Wheeler Yuta vs. Homicide
Harlem Nights July 28, 2018 Elk's Lodge Fairfax, Virginia Tim Donst vs. Nick Gage in a Harlem Street Fight
Summer of George August 24, 2018 Annandale Volunteer Fire Department Annandale, Virginia TELEVISED: Wheeler YUTA and Tim Donst vs. Homicide and Nick Gage

LIVE: Jonathan Gresham vs. Sage Philips

NOVA Project 4 September 21, 2018 JCC of Northern Virginia Fairfax, Virginia Tracy Williams vs. Jordynne Grace for the Powerbomb TV Independent Championship
Sadie Hawkins Invitational October 19, 2018 Ananndale Volunteer Fire Department Annandale, Virginia Breaux Keller and Willow Nightingale vs. Veda Scott and Jason Cade vs. Arik Royal and Faye Jackson vs. Maxwell Jacob Friedman and Allie Kat, Sadie Hawkins Invitational finals elimination tag match
Stay Gold, Ponyboy November 23, 2018 JCC of Northern Virginia Fairfax, Virginia Logan Easton LaRoux, Travis Huckabee, Kevin Ku, Victor Benjamin, Jaxon Stone, Paul Jordane, Teddy King, and Beau Crockett vs. Lance Lude, Rob Killjoy, Arik Royal, John Kermon, Nick Iggy, Tripp Cassidy, Kerry Awful, and Innocent Isaiah in a Torneo Cibernetico
Hoppy Place December 15, 2018 Old Ox Brewery Ashburn, Virginia Logan Easton LaRoux vs. Allie Kat
37 (In A Row?) December 27, 2018 Ananndale Volunteer Fire Department Annandale, Virginia Terra Calaway vs. Brittany Blake, "Fans Bring the Weapons" match

Working relationships

[edit]

In 2016, NOVA Pro Wrestling became a member of the governing body known as Pro Wrestling International, which included other promotions in the southeast and mid-Atlantic regions, such as CWF Mid-Atlantic and Premiere Wrestling Xperience. The relationship with PWI lasted for two years, and included title defenses of the Ultra J Championship. On January 7, 2018, in a tweet from the official account, NOVA Pro announced that they were no longer a member of Pro Wrestling International.

In August 2017, NOVA Pro announced that they had linked up with the streaming service Powerbomb TV, with a staggered rollout of the entire library of shows. On September 6, 2017, “The NOVA Project” marked NOVA Pro Wrestling's debut to the streaming service. Later that month, it was announced that the show “Such Great Heights” on December 28, 2017 would be the first ever live streamed event in the promotion's history. NOVA Pro has announced that they will continue to stream live on Powerbomb TV going forward.

Championships

[edit]

Unlike typical professional wrestling promotions, NOVA did not feature any Championships. It did however conduct a number of tournaments.

Other accomplishments

[edit]
Accomplishment Latest winner(s) Date won Location
Men's Commonwealth Cup Wheeler YUTA June 9, 2018 Annandale, Virginia
Women's Commonwealth Cup Jordynne Grace June 9, 2018 Annandale, Virginia
Old Dominion Rumble Arik Royal April 20, 2018 Fairfax, Virginia

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "NOVA Pro Wrestling (NOVA) « Promotions Database « CAGEMATCH - The Internet Wrestling Database". www.cagematch.net. Retrieved 8 February 2018.
  2. ^ a b c "Mat Men". Washington City Paper. Retrieved 7 February 2018.
  3. ^ "NOVA Pro: Building Something Special". Good If It Goes. Retrieved 7 February 2018.
  4. ^ "Commonwealth Cup 2017 Results". PWPonderings. Retrieved 7 February 2018.
  5. ^ "NOVA Pro Reaches 11th Dimension". The Wrestling Estate. Retrieved 7 February 2018.
  6. ^ "Where liberals and conservatives debate the issues with pile drivers and body slams". Washington Post. Retrieved 7 February 2018.
  7. ^ "NOVA Project". Cagematch. Retrieved 6 February 2018.
  8. ^ "Stay Vicious". Cagematch. Retrieved 6 February 2018.
  9. ^ "Last Exit To Springfield". Cagematch. Retrieved 6 February 2018.
  10. ^ "You Only Move Twice". Cagematch. Retrieved 6 February 2018.
  11. ^ "American Slang". Cagematch. Retrieved 6 February 2018.
  12. ^ "One Crazy Summer". Cagematch. Retrieved 6 February 2018.
  13. ^ "NOVA Project 2". Cagematch. Retrieved 6 February 2018.
  14. ^ "Saturdays of Thunder". Cagematch. Retrieved 6 February 2018.
  15. ^ "Paradise By The Dashboard Light". Cagematch. Retrieved 6 February 2018.
  16. ^ "RELoad". Cagematch. Retrieved 6 February 2018.
  17. ^ "Great Expectations". Cagematch. Retrieved 6 February 2018.
  18. ^ "Commonwealth Cup 2017". Cagematch. Retrieved 6 February 2018.
  19. ^ "The Great Grapsy". Cagematch. Retrieved 6 February 2018.
  20. ^ "Life Is Like A Box Of Chocolates". Cagematch. Retrieved 6 February 2018.
  21. ^ "Hi Fidelity". Cagematch. Retrieved 6 February 2018.
  22. ^ "American Slang '17". Cagematch. Retrieved 6 February 2018.
  23. ^ "Cool For The Summer". Cagematch. Retrieved 6 February 2018.
  24. ^ "NOVA Project 3". Cagematch. Retrieved 6 February 2018.
  25. ^ "Pumpkin Spice Lariats". Cagematch. Retrieved 6 February 2018.
  26. ^ "11th Dimension". Cagematch. Retrieved 6 February 2018.
  27. ^ "Such Great Heights". Cagematch. Retrieved 6 February 2018.
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