* “Praise You” by FatBoy Slim overtures a slick video presentation of the SWF. It features nearly every superstar in SWF history. Highlighted are the great matches, Pitbull and Death’s epic Hardcore battle. The Dogpound match between Society’s Outcasts and Damien/DMX. Marc Porter’s triumphant return and tremendous Heavyweight Title victory. Dark Arthur’s NeWA World Title victory. Mandell’s victory over Kid Capricorn. The sequence finishes with Dick Ryder holding the SWF Heavyweight Title above his head after his first historic victory, as the picture zooms in and the song finishes, the SWF Logo appears on the screen. The shot cuts to a panoramic view of an empty Ewood Park locker room, the former home of the SWF. It swings around, emphasizing the legendary names on the lockers. It zooms in on the host and the show is underway…*

This is not the story of a Fed..

It is the story of a way of life..

A way of life shaped by the following people..

This is not a tribute to great Wrestlers..

It is a tribute to great entertainers..

A tribute to the following people..

This is not an award show..

It is a show in honor and respect ..

A retrospective look at the following people..

Hello, I’m your host, SWF Fan Matt Johnson..

For the last year, I’ve followed the SWF with a persistent and vigorous commitment. The people. The events. The fun. And even some lowlights…

The SWF has been great to watch and even better to work for. When looking back, though such a tribute to an amateur organization may sound like an exaggeration, I find that this great place has consumed as much time in my life as anything else. I know that you all feel the same way, so on with the proceedings!

The Originator, The Vision, The Mystery: Steve Talbot

Steve Talbot made the transformation from Heavyweight Champ to front office Heavyweight with as much ease and flawless success as anyone has ever done. “The Despicable One” and the "Anti-Christ" became “The Admirable Prez” as he launched his short lived brainchild, the Basement Wrestling Alliance. But where there is a will, there is a way. And where there is Talbot, there always seems to be gold. And Talbot struck gold when he teamed up with mates (Flying Frank) Francois Gravel and (Agent Mandell), Ty Puttso, to launch the SWF. The fed, bolstered by the homeless talent of the recently-closed CWF, was an instant success. An alliance with the TWA eventually blossomed into a spot with the most powerful union in our industry, the NeWA. Steve was unfortunately forced to quit due to personal problems, and even though we haven’t heard from him in sometime, there is always hope that “the shepherd” will return again to see over his flock. Thanks Steve.

The First Superstar: “Rock Hard” Dick Ryder

There is but one way to describe “Rock Hard” Dick Ryder: outlandish. From his relationship with young men, to his valets Pussy Willow and Hung Phat and his farcical “feud” with then President Chris Catalano, “Rock Hard” kept us on our toes. The first champ ever in the SWF, “Rock Hard” showed that behind the “alternate” lifestyle there was a heart of stone and a superhuman wrestling brain. From the beginning, to the end, Dick Ryder made sure that we never forgot who was boss, and who was the real champ. Dick, we wish you luck with whatever ventures you may be partaking in.

Titles: Two Time SWF Heavyweight Champion, two time British-Empire Champion, former Hardkore Champion -

Unbelievable: The Spectacle

As soon as EMF’s one hit wonder “Unbelievable” began to play, the fans knew they were in for a show. The Spectacle, unlike his theme song, was no flash in the pan. He was all razzle-dazzle on the outside, but once inside, the hype turned to substance. He defeated the franchise at the time, Dick Ryder, to capture his first SWF Heavyweight Title, and used his stroke to create Revolution X. The one and only renegade faction to ever make an impact in the SWF, it’s figurehead continued his outstanding record. Long after Rev X faded away, The Spectacle continued to win and continued to steal the show. Somewhere, Spec is still main-eventing and still setting the pace in whatever he is trying his hand at.

Unbelievable indeed.

Titles: Two Time SWF Heavyweight Champion, Intercontiental Title, British Empire Title (2). And a staggering 20-4 Win-Loss record.

Walking Controversy: Mark Porter

Fast cars, fast money and even faster women were the prevailing themes during Mark Porter’s illustrious career. On his way to the top, Mark never made many friends with his fellow wrestlers, but with the ladies it was a different story. His number one “possession” was always Devil’s Advocate, and at certain times she was joined by a host of other SWFer’s valets. The alliance we will probably remember him most for, though, is with Dark Arthur. The two reigned with an iron fist, destroying everything in their path. But Mark was always his own entity, unfortunately, he was not always guided by his head, rather his…

Luckily for Mark, his head was in control long enough to guide him to an SWF Heavyweight Title.

Titles Held: SWF Heavyweight Title, British Empire Title.

The First NeWA Superstar: Dark Arthur

Bizarre, yes..

Crazy, no..

Legend, definitely..

Dark Arthur was the first ever NeWA World Heavyweight Champion to come from the SWF. This statement alone is enough to earn Arthur his place in the Hall Of Fame, but he was much more than just a champion. Wrestling is often referred to as “sports-entertainment” and no one entertained quite like Dark Arthur. His interviews, with sidekick Igor, often resembled comedy skits, and his favorite maneuver, Mr.Bendy, was anything but a standard wrestling hold. As well as the “big one,” Arthur held a variety of SWF Titles, and all were captured with same flair and verve that defined him.

Titles: NeWA World Heavyweight, SWF Heavyweight, British Empire, Intercontiental (2).

Commitment: Doug Stone

When looking up the words doggedness, perseverance and tenacity in the Dictionary, I was surprised not to find a picture of Doug Stone. The only original member of the SWF still remaining on the last card with an unbroken tenure, Doug just seems to keep on keeping on. He won every minor belt in the SWF, only the Heavyweight belt has eluded him - until the very last show the SWF produced when he finally achieved his dreams as he defeated Granite to become the SWF Champion! Whether by himself or with a variety of tag team partners, Stone could be counted on to bust his guts. Night in, night out. And that’s more than most of us can say..

Titles: Heavyweight, Two Tag Team Titles, TV Title, Hardkore Title, Intercontiental Title, Crusierweight Title.

Sheer Talent: Agent Mandell

Once in every sporting organization, a freakish talent bursts on to the scene and raises the bar of those before him. For the SWF, Mandell was it. If numbers themselves were the deciding factor on who entered the Hall, then none would surpass Mandell’s awesome digits: 14-5 record, almost every Heavyweight Divison Title in SWF history and the NeWA North American Title. Stats don’t lie, and neither does Mandell’s skill. Whether in Hardcore “Death Matches,” Tag Team competition or a one-on-one battle, Mandell never stopped competing. And never stopped dominating.

Titles: NeWA North American Heavyweight, SWF Heavyweight, Two-Time Hardcore, British Empire.

The Pride Of Australia: Powerhouse

From a country less then predominant on wrestling maps, Powerhouse made sure everyone knew where he was from and who he was representing. His fans saw him as the “Great Australian Hope” and he made sure he provided. In feuds with some of the all-time greats of the SWF, Powerhouse never looked out of place. Often firing his opponents up with a sneak attack or a parody interview, Powerhouse was never afraid of scandal, and certainly never afraid of winning.

Titles: SWF Heavyweight Title.

Leadership: Chris Catalano

When Steve Talbot stepped down as the SWF President, many thought it would be the end, but it wasn't. It is owed to one man: Chris Catalano. Perhaps his flat out hatred of the fans overshadowed his incredible performance, but now in testimony we look back with no bias and find out how well Chris quarterbacked his fed. Often told by his wrestlers that his fed was the greatest thing going around, Chris took the comments in stride and continued to the lead the fed in the right direction. His handling of the ridiculous Orge Lambert situation will always be part of legend, and part of his persona. Chris is a no-nonsense guy with a kind heart, but when pushed too far he can be brutally blunt. Exactly the qualities needed to be President. In an industry where most companies struggle to get off the ground, Chris led the SWF with the same enthusiasm he started with. Wrestlers are often honored and praised for their deeds, but rarely do the staff get what they truly deserve. Chris, if there was a title for Presidency, you’d be champ.

The Outcast: The Pitbull

Although the most reclusive man ever to enter the SWF, The Pitbull was thrust unwillingly into the spotlight with his own brand of wrestling skills. The Pitbull was an original member and quickly made his impression as the ultimate heel. Attacking the towns he was working was one of his favourites, as was degrading their sporting teams. The Pitbull was involved in some bloody feuds with Death and Dick Ryder, which culminated him in capturing the SWF HardKore Title. He also introduced us to a zealous rookie named The Doggfather, and together they became the only team to ever win the SWF Tag straps twice. He may have been an outcast, but he always had a spot at the top of the SWF tree.

Titles: SWF HardKore, Intercontiental, British Empire and Two Time Tag.

These are the ten most influential people in the history of the SWF, but the place would be nothing without everyone who competed. Granite, a rookie who matured into a champion. Syd Screamer, the only 3 time IC champ in SWF history. Damien, improved immensely during his stay. Trench, the SWF’s first gangsta champ. Akira, the Japanese student turned rebel, London Freemantle, a man who has taken the SWF by storm, and many, many more. Then there were those who carried the workload backstage including the hard working Pat Speare, Brad Ingle, Shane Bennet and Myself Matt Johnson. Yes I know it is a self plug but Chris demanded that I say it heh...There have been great wrestlers, great tag teams, great matches, great stables and great staff. But most of all, great memories….

Thankyou and goodnight.

*The camera pans up again, as Matt gathers his stuff, he shuts the locker room door, and as the bright light of the SWF Arena shines through the curtain, the sound echoes throughout the arena, as do the letters “S W F…”

Fade to black..*

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