The United States Independent Wrestling Federation ran its inaugural event on Saturday, November 17th, 2001 at the VFW Hall in Winston-Salem, NC. The company plans to make this venue its home base, with plans for several more events already in the works for December and January. This event, dubbed the "Bill Gettling Memorial" was a tribute to USIWF President Roc Roberts' partner, who passed away several weeks before the show. To start off the event, Roc, Gettling's son Willy G, India, and the rest of the USIWF roster circled the ring for a speech from Roberts and a ten bell salute to honor Gettling. Roc also announced that the winner of tonight's battle royal would win the first annual Bill Gettling Cup, a yearly tradition that USIWF plans to start.
In the opening contest, Alan Rage defeated Justin Feeche. Feeche worked over Rage for the bulk of the match, but made a costly mistake when he complained to referee J.R. Jackson of a slow count. He shoved Jackson, who shoved back and Feeche fell right into a roll-up from Rage for the three count. Good opener.
Up next, Smoke took on Brad Rainz in a no disqualification match. Rainz was worked over early in the match, including one spot where Smoke walked the top rope and caught Rainz in an inverted armbar on the way down. Smoke took it to the outside with a plancha and a legdrop off the apron. However, Smoke got caught on the top rope back in the ring and took a very nice handspring frankensteiner off the top from Rainz. Two chairs were eventually brought into the ring and Smoke hit a DDT onto both of them to get the victory. After the match, Smoke wrapped one chair around Rainz head and then bashed it with the second chair repeatedly. Rainz had to be helped to the back after the match.
The Roc Roberts-led tandem of Knight Shift were up next to battle Wayne Insane and Johnny Suicide - The Asylum. The brothers Knight worked over Wayne for several minutes until he was finally able to make the tag to Suicide, who got a few shots in, but for the most part, Knight Shift continued to dominate. Wayne was rested up enough to hit a series of four rolling vertical suplexes in succession after he was tagged back in. A pier-six erupted and Wayne hit the "shock treatment" but was distracted by Roc Roberts, who had stolen Dr. Woody. Wayne grabbed Woody but took a shot from Roc Roberts with the cane for his efforts. The referee turned around to see Ozzy down with Wayne standing over him holding Dr. Woody and called for the DQ. The Asylum were furious and after the match, demanded a re-match for December 29th. Roc granted them the match and said it would be a No-DQ match to crown the inaugural USIWF Tag Team Champions.
During intermission, fans were treated to a Middleweight sparring exhibition from the North Side Boxing Club.
After intermission, Willy G and India made their way to the ring. Willy talked about his father and said he wanted this special challenge match against Spank in the spirit of friendly competition and that he would dedicate the match to his father. The two went back and forth with Spank hitting a nice series of rolling northern lights suplexes into a pinning combination where he essentially did a headstand over his opponent, but only got two. Willy continues to show significant improvement from earlier this year. Willy's leg buckled under him late in the bout and Spank continued to work on the knee but could not put him away fast enough as the ten minute time limit expired. The fans unanimously demanded five more minutes, and Roc Roberts came to ringside and said that the match could continue, but also passed his cane to Willy G. Willy then nailed Spank with the cane and hit a top-rope frankensteiner for the quick victory. After the match, Willy G and Roberts embraced, and were joined by India and Knight Shift as they all beat on Spank for several moments. Roc went on to say that he promised Bill Gettling he would take care of his son, and that's what he plans to do. Willy said that his father would be proud of him for his deplorable actions.
L.A. Wild One was out next to do battle with the American Steele Ninja. The two waged a back-and-forth match with lots of chops and L.A. as always getting on the case of ringside fans. Late in the contest, the referee was bumped and Steele attempted to nail his finishing kick, but didn't get all of it, and L.A. was able to capitalize with a spinning DDT to get the pinfall.
"The Man Who Retired Rob the Bull McBride" Kurt Solo was up next to face Slick Ric with Special K. Solo got on the mic before the match and endeared himself to the Winston-Salem fans whom he said "broke a new record for public ugliness." Solo got in the face of Special K on the outside and was met with a low kick followed by a plancha from Ric. Back in the ring, Ric took over with a tumbling frog splash and a rolling clothesline. Kurt hit the Solo Slam but only got two and was going for a top-rope maneuver and got crotched. He ended up in the tree of woe and took a dropkick from Ric. A masked man, whom Ric apparently has a history with, came to ringside and approached Special K. This distracted Ric and gave Solo the opportunity to hit a low blow. He followed it up with a powerbomb and put his feet on the ropes to score the victory.
The 15-man field in the first annual Bill Gettling Memorial Cup was narrowed to five, as Spank was left alone to combat L.A. Wild One, Willy G, and Knight Shift. As Roc Roberts' men were busy jawing with the fans, Spank was able to hit a low blow and dump L.A. quickly. Knight Shift hit their torture rack/powerbomb combo and agreed to dispatch Spank and then take a dive themselves, enabling Willy to win the Cup. They prepared to double-backdrop Spank over the top, but he stopped short and double clotheslined both members of Knight Shift to the floor, leaving only he and Willy. Willy taught the match was over and he had won, until he saw that Blaze and Ozzy were on the outside of the ring. He turned around and got caught as Spank military pressed him over the top onto Knight Shift to win the Cup. Willy, Roc, and the Knights were about to attack Spank until The Asylum made the save and ran them off to end the show.
Final analysis: The USIWF presented a very good show for their first offering, with no bad matches to be found and everyone working hard to ensure the promotion got off to a rocking start. Very professionally ran show, good action from top to bottom. High recommendation.