Ohio Valley Wrestling

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Template:Short description Template:Use mdy dates Template:Infobox company Template:Infobox television

Ohio Valley Wrestling (OVW) is an American professional wrestling promotion and former developmental territory based in Louisville, Kentucky.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The company is currently owned and operated by Morley Sports Management, a United Kingdom-based sports consulting firm.

OVW was initially a member promotion of the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) from its inception in 1993 until 2000, when it became the primary developmental territory for the World Wrestling Federation, now known as WWE.<ref>Template:Citation</ref> It remained in this role from 2000 until February 7, 2008, when the promotion became unaffiliated.<ref name="WWEleavesOVW"/> In November 2011, OVW became the developmental territory for Total Nonstop Action Wrestling.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> This relationship initially ended on November 2, 2013, but on March 19, 2019, the two promotions re-established their developmental agreement.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

OVW's television programming originates from the Hotpoint Davis Arena in the Buechel neighborhood of Louisville.<ref name=LEO>Template:Cite web</ref> Their weekly series (branded on-air as OVW Rise since January 2024,<ref>OVW Rise TV #1274 - After the Nightmare (2024-01-12) - Results @ Wrestlingdata.com; Retrieved on September 4, 2024</ref> and known informally as OVW TV) currently airs live on local station WBNA-21, streaming service Triller TV, and the promotion's YouTube channel. As of 2020, through various syndication and distribution deals, OVW's weekly series is available to view in over 100 million households in the U.S., and to over 700 million worldwide.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="forbes">Template:Cite web</ref>

History

Founding and NWA membership (1993–2001)

OVW was founded by Nightmare Danny Davis in 1993 as a National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) member promotion under the name NWA Ohio Valley Championship Wrestling.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The company primarily ran shows in the Kentucky and Indiana territories that were formerly run by the United States Wrestling Association, with weekly shows run out of the original Davis Arena in Jeffersonville, Indiana, with larger shows run out of the Louisville Gardens in Louisville, Kentucky.

In 1997, OVW ended its relationship with the NWA and renamed itself Ohio Valley Wrestling. Later that year, Trailer Park Trash became the first OVW Heavyweight Champion by defeating Vic the Bruiser.<ref name="OVW Title Histories">Template:Cite web</ref>

On January 16, 1998, OVW taped the first episode of its weekly television series, emanating from the original Davis Arena in Jeffersonville, Indiana. Louisville Gardens ring announcer Dean Hill served as play by play commentator alongside Faye Davis as the Ring Announcer. The show featured an introduction to the company by owner Danny Davis, with a main event of Nick Dinsmore and Rob Conway vs Juan Hurtado and The Assassin #2.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

WWF/WWE developmental territory (1999–2008)

In 1999, WWF creative team member Jim Cornette bought a stake in OVW.Template:Citation needed Cornette, taking on the role of booker and show writer while appearing in an on-camera commentator role, made his first televised appearance on July 10, 1999, and spoke of the changes that were to take place.Template:Citation needed The first group of developmental talent included future stars such as John Cena, Randy Orton, Brock Lesnar, Batista, and Shelton Benjamin.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

OVW held its final show at the original Davis Arena on August 21, 2002, headlined by a match between Damaja and Rene Dupree.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> On September 4, 2002, the company would debut its show at the current Davis Arena at 4400 Shepherdsville Rd in Louisville, KY.Template:Citation needed On July 10, 2005 Jim Cornette parted ways with WWE and was relieved of his duties overseeing OVW. This resulted from an incident where Cornette reportedly slapped an OVW beginners class student Anthony Carelli (better known as Santino Marella) for having an inappropriate reaction to being confronted by a horror-themed wrestler called The Boogeyman during a match at an OVW live show.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The two have not been on positive terms since, even having a confrontation during an event both were performing at as recently as October 2017.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Cornette was replaced by WWE Trainer Al Snow on the announce team, and Snow was replaced as creative director/producer by Paul Heyman. This arrangement would be short-lived, however, as WWE would eventually put Heyman in charge of the revival of ECW as a WWE brand. Eventually the booking duties would go to Al Snow, who would have the longest tenure outside of Cornette. Jim Cornette sold his stake in OVW to Davis in 2007.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

In 2007, WWE launched Florida Championship Wrestling (FCW) in Tampa, Florida to serve as a new developmental territory. OVW and FCW simultaneously trained WWE prospects for a brief period, but on February 7, 2008, WWE announced that it had ended its relationship with OVW, moving all contracted talent to FCW.<ref name="WWEleavesOVW">Template:Cite web</ref> WWE-contracted talent also made occasional appearances on OVW shows, including a match between John Cena and Lance Cade as the main event for the final Kentucky Kingdom show.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> However, FCW was dissolved in 2012 and was relaunched as NXT, formerly a reality/scripted television program that existed in its format from 2010 to 2012, replacing the ECW brand.

Post-WWE years (2008–2018)

In 2009, OVW alumnus John "Bradshaw" Layfield would leave WWE to sponsor OVW.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> On September 8, 2010, in what was dubbed the company's "season premiere", Danny Davis, who himself was making his return for the first time in over a year, announced that Jim Cornette was returning to his role as match maker of the company.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Cornette, who was also executive producer of Ring of Honor's HDNet show, Ring of Honor Wrestling, announced that ROH talent were going to work in OVW, along with other new and returning OVW members of the roster.Template:Citation needed

File:OhioValley.png
Logo used in the 2010s

On November 7, 2011, it was announced that OVW and TNA Wrestling had reached an agreement for the former to become an official training and developmental territory.<ref name=TNAdevelopmental>Template:Cite web</ref> This agreement would end on November 2, 2013, due to a financial dispute.<ref name="f4wonline.com">Template:Cite web</ref>

Gladiator Sports and Al Snow era (2018–2021)

On April 6, 2018, it was announced that professional wrestler Al Snow was purchasing the promotion from Danny Davis, who was planning to retire but didn't want to shut the company down.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> On September 12, 2018, it was announced that Ohio Valley Wrestling would be merging with Top Notch Boxing, a major boxing promotion in Louisville, to form the Gladiator Sports Network.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> OVW's first event under the Gladiator Sports banner was the 1000th episode special of its television series on October 10, 2018, from Louisville's Fourth Street Live!. This was OVW's first ever live televised event and it was streamed on FITE TV.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The event featured a tournament for the vacant OVW championship featuring both current and past stars as well as a tribute to the companies founders.

On October 29, 2018, the brand announced an international expansion of its wrestling school and television product to the European Market labeled OVW-EU.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Most of the schools now affiliated with the OVW Brand outside the United States were formally with the "Al Snow Wrestling Academy" brand which was merged with OVW upon the purchase by Gladiator Sports. This expands Ohio Valley Wrestling to a total of 17 wrestling schools worldwide. An on-demand service, which will air past and current editions of the original American brand plus the possibility of a future OVW UK Brand, was also announced. The service would officially launch on the third week of March 2019 at a cost of $4.99 a month.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

In February 2019, OVW would announce a partnership with Impact Wrestling to produce an exclusive event for Impact's Global Wrestling Network (GWN). The event, titled Clash in the Bluegrass, would be an Impact One Night Only special held on March 2, 2019, in Davis Arena. The full-length event would stream on GWN on March 9, 2019. Clash in the Bluegrass would mark the first collaboration between OVW and Impact since 2013, and would be the first time the new Davis Arena has ever sold out an event via pre-sale tickets. On March 19, 2019, Impact announced that the company had entered a new partnership with OVW as its developmental territory.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

In April 2019, local media in Louisville reported that OVW was developing a formal vocational educational program in professional wrestling through the Al Snow Wrestling Academy, and had applied for accreditation with the Kentucky Department of Education. The school would be approved by the state of Kentucky on September 15, making it the first officially accredited professional wrestling trade school.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

During the August 8, 2019 TV tapings, it was announced that OVW TV would move to Tuesday nights on WBNA starting October 1, and that the show would air live.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

In October 2020, OVW announced a partnership with Qatar Pro Wrestling.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> That same month, Game+, a Canadian channel owned by Impact's parent company, Anthem Sports & Entertainment, began syndicating OVW's television program in Canada and the United States.<ref name="forbes"/>

2021–present

On January 5, 2021, OVW announced that Matt Jones of Kentucky Sports Radio and Craig Greenberg of 21c Museum Hotels were lead investors in a group that purchased a majority interest in the company. Snow continues to run the promotion's day-to-day operations.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Later that year, Louisville TV station WDRB reported that OVW was preparing to move into a building in the city's St. Joseph neighborhood that had served as a University of Louisville employee fitness center before being closed in 2019. If zoning approval is obtained, both OVW and the Al Snow Wrestling Academy will operate out of that facility.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

It was announced on August 21, 2023, that OVW would be featured in a new docu-series to air on Netflix titled, Wrestlers. The show follows the company throughout their journey and climb back to prominence. The series comes from director Greg Whiteley (Last Chance U, Cheer) and BBC Studios Los Angeles and covers Al Snow's attempt to keep the promotion economically viable.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The success of the show led to OVW to enter a strategic partnership with Genvec Ventures that would ensure them a financial stability. In addition, Ed Payer was named the new CEO of the company.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

On January 11, 2024, OVW announced that Mickie James has joined OVW as Creative Director, Head of Female Talent and Executive Producer of their wrestling shows.<ref name="MJames">Template:Cite web</ref>

On April 7, 2025, Matt Jones announced that Morley Sports Management, a United Kingdom-based sports consulting firm and owners of Haverfordwest County, had acquired a majority shareholding stake of Ohio Valley Wrestling. The acquisition took effect on May 1, 2025, with Rob Edwards, founder of Morley Sports Management, becoming CEO of OVW.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>Jones, Louisville mayor Craig Greenberg, Andrew Jefferson, Jeffrey Tuvlin, and Al Snow remained with the company as advisors and minority owners.

Championships

Current champions

As of January 28, 2026.

Championship Current champion(s) Reign Date won Days held Location Notes Template:Abbr
OVW Heavyweight Championship Kal Herro 1 July 1, 2025 Template:Age in days+ Louisville, Kentucky Defeated Crixus in a tournament final for the vacant title at OVW Independence Rage. <ref name="IndependenceRage25">Template:Cite web</ref>
OVW United States Heavyweight Championship Doctor Zo 1 September 28, 2025 Template:Days since+ Louisville, Kentucky Defeated Erik Surge at OVW No Rest For The Wicked. <ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
OVW Media Championship Jake Lawless 1 August 17, 2025 Template:Age in days+ Louisville, Kentucky Defeated champion Anthony Catena, Anthony Toatele and Dustin Jackson in a four-way ladder match at OVW Friday Night 2025. <ref name="FightNight25">Template:Cite web</ref>
OVW Rush Division Championship Brandon Davis 1 October 30, 2025 Template:Days since+ Louisville, Kentucky Defeated Stephen Steele at OVW Hell Night. <ref name="HellNight"/>
OVW Tag Team Championship Donovan Cecil and Jack Vaughn 2
(3, 2) 		October 30, 2025 Template:Age in days+ Louisville, Kentucky Defeated then-champions Los Desafios (Jota Peso and Maximo Suave), Anthony Toatele and Dustin Jackson, and Z Force (King Colossus and Super Z) for the tag titles at OVW Hell Night. <ref name="HellNight">Template:Cite web</ref>
OVW Women's Championship Freya The Slaya 4 Template:Dts Template:Age in days+ Louisville, Kentucky Defeated Sophia Rose at OVW Independence Rage. <ref name="IndependenceRage25"/>

Defunct championships

Championship Years active First champion(s) Final champion(s) Notes
OVW National Heavyweight Championship 2020-2025 Jessie Godderz Erik Surge On May 8, 2025, at OVW TV #1343, OVW executive Al Snow presented Surge with the OVW United States Heavyweight title, replacing the National Heavyweight title.
OVW Light Heavyweight Championship 1999–2001 Jason Lee Chris Michaels
OVW Hardcore Championship 2000–2001 Trailer Park Trash Randy Orton
OVW Television Championship 2005–2019 Brent Albright AJZ On October 30, Tony Gunn threw the Television Championship into the Ohio River. OVW Commissioner Dean Hill announced on OVW TV that because of this, the Television Championship was deactivated.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
OVW Kentucky Heavyweight Championship 2020–2024 Luscious Lawrence Kal Herro At the February 15, 2024 OVW Rise event, Mick Foley presented Herro with the Ohio Valley Wrestling Media title, replacing the Kentucky Heavyweight title.<ref name="OVW1347">Template:Cite web</ref>

Roster

Men's division

Ring name Real name Notes
Anthony Catena Anthony Catena
Anthony Toatele Anthony Toatele
Ashton Adonis Unknown OVW Tag Team Champion
Big Beef Unknown
Big Zo Cowann Owens <ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Boy Toy Troy Unknown
Brady Booker Brady Booker
Brandon Barretta Brandon Smith OVW Tag Team Champion
Brandon Espinosa Brandon Espinosa
Buzz Bucklund Unknown
Carson Drake Unknown
Ca$h Flo Mike Walden<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> <ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Chris Exodus Unknown
Crixus Luke Scoular <ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Dalton McKenzie Unknown
Danny Limelight Danny Rivera
Deget Bundlez Unknown
D'Mone Solavino Unknown
Donovan Cecil Unknown
Drew Hernandez Drew Hernandez
Dustin Jackson Dustin Jackson
Elijah Drago Unknown
Elijah Eros Unknown
Erik Surge Vernon Willis Jr. OVW United States Champion
EC3 Michael Hutter <ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Evil Z Unknown
Icon Lee Unknown
Jack Vaughn Unknown <ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Jake Lawless Unknown OVW Media Champion
Jake Painter Jake Painter
Jason Genesis Jason Genesis
Jessie Godderz Jessie Godderz
JJ Lawson Unknown
Jotá Peso Luis Garcia
Justice Davis Unknown
Kal Herro Unknown OVW Heavyweight Champion
Kash Daniel Kash Daniel
Leo Fox Unknown
Luke Kurtis Unknown <ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Luscious Lawrence Lawrence Key Jr. <ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Mad Dog Martin Jacob Martin
Mahabali Shera Amanpreet Randhawa <ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Maximo Suave Unknown
Mt. Kadeem Unknown
The Obsidian Angel Unknown
Omar Amir Omar Amir <ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Parker Li Unknown
PJ Jones Unknown
Prime Jackson Unknown
Ryan Von Rockit Ryan Howe <ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Showtime Shanklin Unknown
Star Rider Unknown <ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Stephen Steele Stephen Dumeyer Jr. OVW Rush Division Champion
Thomas Heim Thomas Heim
Tony Evans Tony Frank
Tony Gunn Anthony Gunn Producer<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Trace Lee Hunt Trace Hunt
Truth Magnum Shiloh Mount <ref name="Outrunners">Template:Cite web</ref>
Turbo Floyd Randy Kaufman <ref name="Outrunners"/>
TW3 Thomas Sinkfield
Ty Vance Unknown
Will Austin Unknown

Women's division

Ring name Real name Notes
Angelica Risk Unknown
Arie Alexander Unknown
Crystal White Unknown
Dream Girl Ellie Ellie Hile
Freya the Slaya Sarah States OVW Women's Champion
Hollyhood Haley J Haley James <ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
J-Rod Jessica Roden
Karter Cauffman Karter Cauffman
Ladybird Samantha Seibold
Leela Feist Unknown
Leila Grey Catherine Guzman
Lovely Miss Larkan Larkan Danielle
Madi the American Badi Madison Owens
Noelle Unknown
Rachel Ley Rachel Ley
Shalonce Royal Shalandra Royal
Sophia Rose Sophia Gedgaudas
Tiffany Nieves Unknown

Broadcast team

Ring name Real name Role
AJ McKay AJ McKay Play-by-Play Commentator for OVW Rise
Producer<ref name="Team - OV Wrestling">Template:Cite web</ref>
Carmen Michael Carmen Childers Play-by-Play Commentator for OVW Overdrive
Eric Cornish Eric Cornish Ring Announcer for OVW Rise
Color Commentator for OVW Overdrive<ref name="Team - OV Wrestling"/>
Josh Ashcraft Josh Ashcraft Color Commentator for OVW Rise
Linda Kay Linda Kay Color Commentator for OVW Rise
Ring Announcer for OVW Overdrive<ref name="Team - OV Wrestling"/>

Referees

Ring name Real name Role
Charlene McKenzie Charlene McKenzie Referee<ref name="Team - OV Wrestling"/>
Dallas Edwards Dallas Edwards Referee
Daniel Spencer Daniel Spencer Senior Referee<ref name="Team - OV Wrestling"/>
Jake Cloyd Jake Cloyd Referee<ref name="Team - OV Wrestling"/>
Shane Chess Shane Chess Referee<ref name="Team - OV Wrestling"/>
Steven Eveslage Steven Eveslage Referee

Producers

Ring name Real name Role
Jesse Morris Jesse Morris Producer<ref name="Team - OV Wrestling"/>
Maria James Maria James Producer<ref name="Team - OV Wrestling"/>
Mickie James Mickie James-Aldis Creative Director
Executive Producer
Talent Relations
Stephen Dumeyer Stephen Dumeyer Producer

OVW Academy

File:Al Snow Head 2016 (cropped).jpg
Al Snow
Ring name Real name Role
Adam Revolver Jared Pridgin Television Show Writing and Formatting
Producer
Occasional Wrestler
Al Snow Allen Sarven Minority Owner
Head Trainer
Becky Cady Becky Cady Executive Administrator
Bryan Roof Bryan Roof Admissions Director
Production and Digital Media
Doug Basham Lyle Basham Jr. Trainer
Occasional Wrestler
Jay DeNiro Shane Hedrick Trainer
Occasional Wrestler
Josh Patterson Josh Patterson Basic English for Professional Wrestling
KarDaniel Dunn KarDaniel Dunn Sports Performance and Nutrition
Kharn Alexander Kharn Alexander On-Camera Presentation
Mike Bucci Mike Bucci Financial Management

Management

File:Matt Jones 2016.png
Matt Jones
Ring name Real name Role
Andrew Jefferson Andrew Jefferson Minority Owner
Bryan Kennison Bryan Kennison Chief Commercial Officer
Craig Greenberg Craig Greenberg Minority Owner
Jeffrey Tuvlin Jeffrey Tuvlin Minority Owner
Matt Jones Matt Jones Minority Owner
"Nightmare" Danny Davis Daniel Briley Founder
Rob Edwards Rob Edwards Chief Executive Officer
Majority Owner
Tracy Rosensteel Tracy Rosensteel Chief Strategy Officer

Notable alumni

Template:Div col

Template:Div col end

See also

References

Template:Reflist 

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