Extreme Reunion / Extreme Rising History

EXTREME RISING

Acronym: ER
Founded: 2012
Defunct: 2014
Style: Hardcore Wrestling
Headquarters: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Founder(s): Shane Douglas, Corky Robinson, Leonard Brand and Dave Duponte
Formerly: Extreme Reunion
Predecessor: Extreme Championship Wrestling (unofficially); Hardcore Homecoming (unofficially)

Extreme Rising (formerly Extreme Reunion) was an American independent professional wrestling promotion that was founded in 2012. Meant to fill the void of hardcore wrestling left behind by the defunct Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW). Extreme Rising assembled a roster of ECW alumni, but later expanded to include younger talent on the local independent scene. The promotion closed after cancelling all future shows on April 22nd, 2014.

The original logo for the first event - Extreme Reunion - in April 2012

HISTORY:

In January 2012, Shane Douglas announced plans for Extreme Reunion, a new promotion influenced by Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW). Douglas cited his dissatisfaction with the state of professional wrestling industry as his inspiration to create the new organization. To create interest for the inaugural show on April 28th, 2012, Douglas undertook a guerrilla marketing campaign, which included attending the March 18th, 2012 episode of WWE RAW. Douglas stood up during a match, causing cameras to cut away from him and he was escorted out of the arena by security.

The inaugural event, also named Extreme Reunion, was panned by both fans and critics. The fans in attendance voiced their annoyance at the event by shouting negative chants at Douglas, who had booked himself in the main event. Former ECW World Champions Sabu and Justin Credible were removed from the card on the night of Extreme Reunion for medical reasons. Douglas released a video days later, altering the company name from Extreme Reunion to Extreme Rising, and bringing in younger talents, such as Matt Hardy, Homicide, Jay Bradley and Luke Hawx, as well as lucha libre wrestlers, to bolster the roster.

Extreme Rising held the Remember November internet pay-per-view (iPPV) on November 17th, 2012, and the Card Subject to Change iPPV on December 29th, 2012. Card Subject to Change saw Stevie Richards become Extreme Rising's first-ever World Champion by winning a tournament final over Rhino. The company had planned to offer three shows during WrestleMania 29 weekend in April 2013, but the shows were cancelled due to poor sales. After a hiatus, Extreme Rising reorganized and announced they would resume running live shows on December 28th, 2013. Steve O'Neill took control over the promotion and said that he secured a deal that would put them on local television markets in the Philadelphia area. Extreme Rising subsequently became the first promotion to run shows in the ECW Arena after it reopened.

On April 22nd, 2014, Extreme Rising cancelled all upcoming events and closed their social media accounts. The cancellations came three days before a scheduled show in Philadelphia and scheduled talent said they were notified via text message. O'Neill advised those who had purchased tickets to contact their bank or credit card company to get a refund.

EXTREME RISING WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP:

In 2012, the fledgling promotion announced an 8-Man Tournament to crown their first world champion, set to include former ECW Champions Sabu and Rhino; ECW mainstays Stevie Richards, Devon Storm and Perry Saturn; as well as included notable independent stars such as Homicide, Luke Hawx and Papadon. The 2 night tournament took place at the Remember November iPPV on November 17th, 2012 and the Card Subject to Change iPPV on December 29th, 2012, where Stevie Richards became the inaugural champion by defeating Rhino in the finals.

The tournament brackets were:

Quarterfinals

Semifinals

Final

Stevie Richards

Sub

Papadon

Stevie Richards

Sub

Luke Hawx

Luke Hawx

Sub

Perry Saturn

Stevie Richards

Sub

Rhino

Sabu

Devon Storm

Devon Storm

Rhino

Homicide

In 2013, Richards announced via Twitter that he wanted to defend the title against Danny Doring in a video game. Doring, who was one-half of the final ECW World Tag Team Champions, and still possessed the physical belt, also put his title on the line in a "defunct promotion vs. defunct promotion match". After his declarations, Extreme Rising asked Richards to return the title for referring to them as "defunct".

Despite this, Richards continued to be champion into 2014. Richards was defeated by Luke Hawx in what was billed as a title match at an East Coast Wrestling Association (ECWA) show in Delaware; however, Extreme Rising said the match was not for the title and continued to recognize Richards as the champion. Despite the statement, Hawx continued to proclaim himself champion and was to defend the title against Matt Hardy on July 20th, 2014, at Maryland Championship Wrestling (MCW). Extreme Rising owner Steve O'Neill issued a press release denying that they had sanctioned the match. According to Dan McDevitt of MCW, the match would be for the MCW Heavyweight Championship, but said it was up to Hardy or Hawx to bring other titles. Hawx lost to Hardy in the match, who retained the MCW Championship and obtained the Extreme Rising championship belt - but was not officially recognized as champion.

TITLE HISTORY:

1. Stevie Richards - Won on: December 29th, 2012 @ Extreme Rising: Card Subject to Change - Days Held: 427 (Defeated Rhino in the tournament finals. He was the only champion officially recognized by Extreme Rising)

2. Luke Hawx - Won on: March 1st, 2014 @ ECWA Live Event - Days Held: 140 (Extreme Rising did not recognize this change)

3. Matt Hardy - Won on: July 19th, 2014 @ MCW Shane Shamrock Memorial Cup 2014 (Defeated Hawx in a TLC match. Officially, neither Extreme Rising or MCW recognized the title match for the Extreme Rising title, but Hardy and Hawx claimed it was still a title change)