2019 STATE WRESTLING CHAMPIONS

IWA wrestlers traveled to every state of the U.S. last cycle, taking part in 50 epic free-for-alls to raise money for manager Jim Ripka, who is recovering from a stroke. Their efforts paid off to the tune of $700 on the nose! We bumped the donation up to $777 in the hopes it would be luckier and more significant for Jim's family -- and also because we didn't want to go sticking the aforementioned nose in their business.

Every State title below was worth $100,000 in imaginary money, except for the Mystery State title. The battle for Jim's home state of Minnesota was won by Catfish Tim, who received $250,000 and 50 free matches for his manager, Timothy L. Clark! Each wrestler who competed was given a signing bonus of $25,000, bringing the total payout of this year's contest to $14,775,000!

Thanks to everyone who participated in this worthwhile event. Whether you went home with a title or not, you're a winner in our book.

Alabama

"Superstar" Shaun Cassidy (GWL)
Anthony Ibrahim of Kansas

Alaska

TBABIT: "Alaska" McFleese (UNL)
Tom Cottrill of Ohio

Arizona

NRA: Caspian Hellbroth (SHL)
Shawn McAbee of Tennessee

Arkansas

SOS: The Governor (BRL)
Randall Angel from the Republic of Texas

California

HOP: BA Fox (ASL)
Robert J. Ratliff of Virginia

Colorado

BUCS: Chad Chad (LPL)
Trevor Riley of Michigan

Connecticut

Kaptain Kryptonite (NBL)
Jimmy Dabbs of North Carolina

Delaware

Shaun Cassidy

Florida

Alexander J. Styles (NWL)
Brian Gustavson of New York

Georgia

DOD: Catfish Tim (LWL)
Timothy L. Clark of Washington

Hawaii

DOD: Catfish Rob (LNL)
Robert J. Ratliff

Idaho

BC/TNT: Jordan Drake (CWL)
Jordan Drake of Louisiana

Illinois

IMT/FRM-16/iWWF: Almighty Gaylord (HRL)
Big Marchand from the Diamond District

Indiana

Kaptain Kryptonite

Iowa

VIRUS/AB: "Big Poppa Pump" Kid Dynamite (AWL)
Anthony Hodges of Virginia

Kansas

ORDER: Guts (BBL)
Timothy L. Clark

DOD: Wildfire Betty Red (BRL)
Robert J. Ratliff

Kentucky

SHS: Punk Rock Mike (BRL)
Michael Patuleia of Massachusetts

Louisiana

DFI: The American Protector (SHL)
Eric Jones of Maryland

Maine

Catfish Rob

Maryland

Black Falcon (SHL)
Eric Jones

Massachusetts

DOD: Red Eye Deek (AWL)
Robert J. Ratliff

Michigan

TV: Warlord Pain (YJL)
Wade Reinhard of Pennsylvania

Minnesota

Catfish Tim

Mississippi

The Chameleon (IWL)
Jeremy Workman of Missouri

Missouri

Chad Chad

Montana

Punk Rock Mike

Nebraska

PPEN: War Pig (NWL)
Robert Lawson of Colorado

Nevada

IMT/FRM-16/HOH: Frontera Coyote (DZL)
Big Marchand

New Hampshire

Arsenal (LWL)
Kenneth Plasse of Alabama

New Jersey

Shaun Cassidy

New Mexico

REAPERS: Saint Corvus (YJL)
Shawn McAbee

New York

Punk Rock Mike

North Carolina

Catfish Tim

North Dakota

Shaun Cassidy

Ohio

IMT/FRM-16/6FD: Antonio Valentine (BRL)
Big Marchand

Oklahoma

Chad Chad

Oregon

SOS: Seniram Eht Nioj (AEL)
"The Smooth One" Jeff Manning of Ohio

Pennsylvania

Punk Rock Mike

Rhode Island

NXT/RX: "Highlight of the Night" Johny Vegas (IWL)
Louis Ruggiero of Massachusetts

South Carolina

The Chameleon

South Dakota

Chad Chad

Tennessee

Deathwish (NWL)
Kaiden Sanford of Missouri

Texas

VIRUS/AI: The Beast of LeGevaudan (WWL)
Mitchell Morrissey of Missouri

Utah

Punk Rock Mike

Vermont

SHS: Agent 26 (BRL)
Michael Patuleia

Virginia

DOD: Sb Vixen Red (AWL)
Robert J. Ratliff

Washington

EDGE: Prime Time Alex Powers (NFL)
Brad Norman of North Carolina

West Virginia

Kaptain Kryptonite

Wisconsin

IMT/FRM-16: Casual Bart (DXL)
Big Marchand

Wyoming

War Pig

JOHNNY B SAYS

This year's State Wrestling contest was a huge success, raising $700 for manager Jim Ripka's family as he fights to recover from a stroke. We added another $77 so the amount would be easier to type into the fundraising web page -- hey, when you enter as many numbers as we do on any given day... ;-)

We're grateful to everyone who helped make this happen, and are sure your generosity means a lot to Jim as he struggles with bills and physical therapy. Can you imagine how great it would feel to receive such an unexpected gift when life has you on the ropes? Yeah, you guys did that.

Congratulations to manager Timothy L. Clark, who figured out that the Mystery State was Jim's home state of Minnesota! His wrestler, Catfish Tim, also claimed two other State titles, and went home with $450,000 of the $14,775,000 in prize money (most of which consisted of those lucrative signing bonuses).

Andrew Konik, after discussing the subject with other managers, contacted us about having our league battle royal results determined by adding up the values in the odd-numbered hold positions of each wrestler's strategy. As you know, we currently use the total from eight random positions every cycle, and you don't find out what they were until we publish this document. If the majority wants us to use positions 1, 3, 5, etc. every cycle, then the majority needs to fill out the ballot included in their league bulletins!

The ballot also contains details about changes to the method used to find the King of the Ring winner. Please review the proposed changes and let us know your thoughts.

Next cycle, our 2019 fundraising efforts continue with the return of the IWA Specialty Championships!

HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES -- engraved plaque

Michael Drake of New Jersey

VIRUS/RWS: Jimmy Havok (HLL) 340-260-61, $1,462,200 *51

Cameron Hinkley of Maine

Renegade (LWL) 1,083-441-64, $1,936,200 *8

Gerald Robinson of Tennessee

VIRUS: Gerald "The Gigolo" Robinson (AAL) 1,000-134-41, $2,727,400 *22
VIRUS: Masked Assassin #1 (TGL) 1,000-126-68, $164,400 *27

Jerald Horton of Oregon

SLVT: LockDown (LSL) 2,569-809-73, $3,788,700 *6
"Hello. As everyone knows, my name is Jerald Horton, the advocate, manager, and friend of the man whom I had the pleasure of managing for years: the former LSL World Diamond Drop Heavyweight Champion, LOCKDOWN!

"This journey all started for me the day I walked into Safeway to do my grocery shopping. There was flooding going on over the highway where I would usually go to Fred Meyer, so I had to shop at Safeway. As I was shopping, I came across the magazine section, and stumbled across the Pro Wrestling Illustrated 2015 Year-in-Review awards. I was looking over the magazine, and came across an offer for the IWA. I thought about it and asked myself, 'Why not?' I paid for my groceries and the magazine, and headed for home. The next day, I filled out the information and sent it off. A week or so later, I got my IWA papers and filled them out, but I had to come up with a wrestler, so I thought of what my dad and brother do in their professional careers: a police officer! I added that with a twist, writing my wrestler was an ex-cop who was kicked off the police force for excessive force, and that I had seen him in action in a street fight later on, introduced myself, and asked him about becoming a professional wrestler. I was making a wrestler into something no one had done before, so I had to come up with a name. I was having trouble, but after watching a law enforcement movie, it hit me when they shouted, 'LOCKDOWN!' while at a prison when something bad happened, and right there, that became my wrestler's name: LockDown!

"I sent my paperwork off, and didn't look back. Two weeks later, I got my paperwork back and found myself in the NWL. I started off well, winning some matches and losing some. I was going after some big names by Trash Talking and performing sneak attacks, then signing matches, but in some of them I was coming up really short. I was frustrated, but then I met a man named Jake Joyce, whom I reached out to and asked for help. He took the time to help me strategize and do what I needed to do. I was doing better, and ended up winning the NWL tag-team, TV tag-team, six-man, and TV six-man titles multiple times with different partners. I also won the NWL Pacific title. It was hard, but I was learning. I met my first friend, and had the pleasure of being his tag-team partner and becoming an NWL tag-team champion with his wrestler, Kris Hero. His name is Robert Harper. He and I had fun in the NWL together, and I also met my second friend, whom I had a feud with, whose wrestlers are Redrum Vendetta and Willowick Nightmare. His name is Flip. The NWL was a place I spent a year and a half in. I had so many battles and feuds with Yellow Mushroom, The Wrestler with No Name, The Patriot, Alphamale XD, and so many others, but one that stood out was Gentleman William Worthy.

"I called him out, and he responded. I told him we would meet sometime, and we did. We Trash Talked each other and had attacks done. He won some matches over me, and when I won one against him, he wanted to end it once and for all, so he set up a Hell in a Cell match, which was good. I had the clause that whoever won, the loser would shake the winner's hand, but he took it further by beating me up and tricking me into signing a Hell in a Cell match that was a retirement match! I was nervous, but if I was going out, I was going out right. Well, LockDown beat him and he was forced to retire, and he shook LockDown's hand. That was great closure for LockDown, because graduation from the NWL was coming soon. Gentleman William Worthy was the most memorable feud in LockDown's NWL days, but it was time to move on. LockDown went to the IWL, and had a brief experience trading wins with Luthor Alexander, then went to the ASL, where he had great matches with the likes of Robert Van Damage, The Patriot, Vixen Red, Golden Boy Teddy Angel, and so many more. I met Timothy Clark, who became my friend, then Flip showed up there, and we formed SALVATION and caused Havok. We won titles and had a blast, but later on, we needed a change.

"One of my wrestlers, who was known as WarGoddess, was contacted by a man who became my friend. His name is Shane Cole. He was running the LSL, and invited not only WarGoddess, but also LockDown to join. My friends Tim and Flip arrived, too, and SALVATION was running riot over the LSL. I made a new friend in Rob Ratliff, and Robert Harper showed up with Kris Hero. That was so awesome, being there with my good friends and brothers, and I also met Brandy Cole, who is Shane's wife; she plays the IWA with her wrestlers in the LSL, and I'm proud to have her as a friend. I am so proud and honored to have finished LockDown's career in the LSL, with his last match against Kris Hero, who is one of the best in that ring. I tip my hat to Robert Harper for putting Kris Hero vs. LockDown in a last match for them both. Kris Hero has my respect, and LockDown's, too. I wish him the best in his new direction. I wanted LockDown to retire as the World Diamond Drop Heavyweight Champion, but it wasn't meant to be; in pro wrestling, surprises happen. I want to wish Big Papa Red the best, and good luck being World Diamond Drop Heavyweight Champion -- you will need it.

"Now, I want to thank my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for his guidance and support in everything I do -- I love you, Lord. I also want to thank my girlfriend Jennifer for her love and support -- I love you, my angel. Thanks to my dad Bob and brother Jim for the inspiration they gave me for LockDown, to my mom Alice and her boyfriend Bill for their love and support, to my sisters Jennifer, Julie, Christie, and Katie for their love and support, to my sister-in-law Tira, to my nephew and niece Michael and Charlee for their love and support, to my best friend Tom Dickinson for being my best friend since kindergarten and for putting up with me and being there, to my favorite cousin Aimee and her best friend and my friend Denise for being there when I needed to talk or vent, to my co-workers for their support, and to Jake Joyce for helping me when I first started -- you played a part in getting LockDown's career going. Thank you so much, Matt Riley; thank you for LockDown vs. Gentleman William Worthy. It was an honor to have a feud with you. Thanks to Tim and Flip, from the bottom of my heart. Thank you to Robert Harper, Rob Ratliff, and Shane and Brandy Cole for everything you have done for me. Thank you so much, and to the whole IWA, thank you so much. Without you, this all wouldn't have been possible. From the bottom of my heart, thank you, and God bless you always!"

WORLD, U.S., KING OF THE RING

World Champion

IMT: The Mental Case Derringer Colton (WEL)
Solomon Shaw of Maine; 501; $250,000 + 75 free matches or a real wrestling belt & 25 free matches

U.S. Champion

EDGE/CHOSEN: Riki Tiki Tavi Steamboat (CZL)
Jeff Annable of Canada; 501; $100,000 + a large plaque or 25 free matches; edged EDGE: Trivial Pursuit (IGL), SOS: Deangelo Jeremitrius Vickers (JDL), ArGr: Ariana's Pink Slipper #1 (SWL)

King of the Ring

EDGE: Superfly Scott Whitten (LBL)
Caleb Crawdad of Florida; 501; $50,000 + a large plaque or 25 free matches; 276 KotR total; hold positions were 4, 5, 7, 8, 10, 11, 12, 14; battle royal hold positions were 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 9, 13, 15

SPECIALTY TITLES -- $25,000 + 10 free matches

American Champion

ArGr: Ariana's Friend Miley Cyrus (SWL)
Matt Yunick of New York; 500

Asiatic Champion

VIRUS/Luniz: The #1 Fan of ? (DXL)
Mitchell Johnson of Michigan; 501

Elite Champion

ARMY/IMT: "Public Enemy" Roderick Hughes (LWL)
Donald Henry of Illinois; 501; 60 free matches or a real wrestling belt & 10 free matches

Hardcore Champion

EDGE: Superfly Scott Whitten (LBL)
Caleb Crawdad of Florida; 501; edged EDGE: Lord Christian Victor (CZL)

Metropolitan Champion

Roderick Hughes
20 free matches

FEDERATION PLAY-OFFS -- $50,000 + 25 free matches

Iron Federation Champion

Yuudai Kanemaru (NJL)
Suzuki-Gun Ichiban!; 500; edged SOS: R.A. Rude (EEL)

Steel Federation Champion

BUCS: Chad Chad (LPL)
Trevor Riley of Michigan; 499; edged ICE: Daredevil Don Williams (HAL)

Gold Federation Champion

"The Drifter" Jerry Nash (WTL)
Tim Caran of Massachusetts; 500

Diamond Federation Champion

EDGE: Superfly Scott Whitten (LBL)
Caleb Crawdad of Florida; 501

Bronze Federation Champion

SOS: Xsane (BKL)
Derek Tuttle of Florida; 501; edged IMT: Dark Horse Bane Blackheart (REL)

Jade Federation Champion

IMT: The Mental Case Derringer Colton (WEL)
Solomon Shaw of Maine; manager held title 3 cycles in a row; 501; edged EDGE: Lord Christian Victor (CZL), ARMY/IMT: "Public Enemy" Roderick Hughes (LWL), VIRUS/Luniz: The #1 Fan of ? (DXL)

NATIONAL, IWA-WIDE REGIONALS -- $25,000

National Champion

FOE: Luke Moonwalker (TGL)
Ali Saputra of Georgia; 501; a large plaque or 25 free matches; Western region; edged IMT: Irish Wolfhound T-Rex (REL)

Atlantic Champion

ArGr: Demi The Spiritual (NDL)
Matt Yunick of New York; 501; edged UKA: Dutch Shatterday (IGL)

Central Champion

SOS: Real Stella (PKL)
Michael Cook of Kentucky; 501; edged SOS: Coach Jim Teecher (NSL), SOS: "Big Broseph" Seth Brosevic (BKL), ARMY/IMT: "Hardcore Icon" Jason Webb (CZL)

Dixie Champion

FOE: Dragon Hart (TGL)
Ali Saputra; 501

Eastern Champion

SOS: TESD Q (PKL)
Michael Cook; 501

Mountain Champion

FOE: Mike Hunt (HRL)
Ali Saputra; 500; edged COT: Warlord Wade Reinhard (IGL)

Northern Champion

FOE: Hugo Hawk (LBL)
Ali Saputra; 501

Pacific Champion

FOE: Richie Rags (TGL)
Ali Saputra; 501

Prairie Champion

SOS: Reptile (WEL)
Derek Tuttle of Florida; 501

Southern Champion

EDGE: Fugax (PKL)
Andrew Konik of Michigan; 501; edged SOS: Bottle Popper (SWL)

LADIES' TITLES

Ladies' World Champion

VIRUS/VD: Bruce Jenner "The Male Version" (LLL)
Frank Jay Belcher III of Michigan; retained title; 501; $50,000 + a plaque or 15 free matches

Ladies' U.S. Champion

VIRUS/VD: Prosti (LLL)
Frank Jay Belcher III; 499; $25,000

Queen of the Ring

ArGr/FLOW: Demi's Favorite Food -- Kale (VVL)
Matt Yunick of New York; manager retained title; 268 QotR total

Ladies' National Champion

SOS: Car Trash Ian #8 (LLL)
Derek Tuttle of Florida; manager retained title; 501

Ladies' Tag-team Champions

VIRUS: Bloodshed Brawlers Becky & Beauty (VUL)
Michael Drake of New Jersey; 516

Ladies' U.S. Tag-team Champions

ArGr/FLOW: Ariana Live -- Grammys 2015 & Ariana's Vid "Break Free" (FFL)
Matt Yunick; edged VIRUS/VD: Snake Charmer & VIRUS: Pink Panther (VUL), Jackhammer Jessica Andrade & FLOW: Lady Liberty (RWL)

World Six-woman Champions

ArGr/FLOW: "Bronze Queen," "Nurse" Ariana Grande, "The Way" (MDL)
Matt Yunick; 521

U.S. Six-woman Champions

VIRUS/VD: Michelle "Looney Bin" Obama, Mood Swings, Stretch Marks (MDL)
Frank Jay Belcher III; 521

TAG-TEAM TITLES

World Tag-team Champions

ArGr: Ariana's Expensive Earrings #1 & #2 (EEL)
Matt Yunick of New York; manager held titles 3 cycles in a row; $50,000 + 15 free matches

Top Contenders

2. ArGr: "#1 in Trending" Ariana Grande & Ariana's Friend Kaydence Visus (MEL)
ranked #10 last time

3. IMT/MAGA: Smirking Guy Making OK Gestures & Ban What You Don't Like (WTL)

4. EDGE: Jack Black Sabbath & J-J-J-J-Joe (WDL)

5. ArGr: Venezuela's Finest & The Venezuelan Spy (CSL)
previous champions

6. VIRUS/RWS: Matt Riddle & VIRUS: Smallpox (HWL)
VIRUS/RWS: Matt Jackson & VIRUS: Walker #6 (HLL)

8. SOS: Social Justice Warrior & Alternative Rightman (LSL)

9. SOS: Mr. Magnificent RB & Scott Commodity (OSL)

10. FOE: Buford Blackwood & Hugh Mungus (GNL)
last of the teams with 516

U.S. Tag-team Champions

ArGr: Selena's P.R. Reps. #1 & #2 (CSL)
Matt Yunick; 516; $25,000; edged SOS: The Notorious W.M.D. & Omega Man (QPL), SOS: The Gold Standard JD & Preston James (OSL)

SIX-MAN TITLES

World Six-man Champions

EDGE: Kent Laramie, Natural American Spirit, Tim Bucktooth (KHL)
Jake Duvall of North Carolina & Caleb Crawdad of Florida (Bucktooth); managers retained titles; share of $50,000 + 15 free matches

EDGE: Worst Canadian Mooserider Icefishing 9th, Angel Hair Ringo Reggiano, "Voodoo Cowboy" Josiah Hex (WTL)
Caleb Crawdad, Jake Duvall, Anthony Chatburn of Virginia

ArGr: World's Greatest Singer Ariana Grande, Ariana's BFF Victoria Monet, Friend Tayla Parx (MUL)
ArGr: Pop Royalty Ariana Grande, Ariana's BFF Camila Cabello, "You Don't Know Me" (IIL)
Matt Yunick of New York

IMT/ARMY: Ulrich Blightbearer, Bernard Boneflesh, Horace Grimwell (OSL)
Jeff Chambers of Iowa

IMT: Legalize Sleaze, Papa Razzo, Wrestler I Won at Imagimania (ASL)
Kevin Elrod from FEMA Camp Region V

Top Contenders

7. IMT/ARMY: Aditya Swervhotra, Masked Wrestler #4, Zimbo (QPL)
ArGr: Ariana Live -- Lollapalooza 2019, Ariana's Award -- Billboard #3, "God Is a Woman" (MEL)

9. VIRUS: Lassa, Dengue Fevers, Leptospirosis (MML)
last of the teams with 521

10. IMT/ARMY: Big Sexy James Earl Jones, Naked Grandma, Grandpa (WPL)
EDGE: Bill Hader, Rainn Wilson, Norm MacDonald (COL)
SOS: Lord Regal, Martel "The Model," Zolf Diggler (BRL)
TBABIT: Manslaughter, Chuckles, Serenity (BBL)

U.S. Six-man Champions

EDGE: Chanthony @Burn, Tito Jakeson, Loaf Lout (KHL)
Caleb Crawdad & Jake Duvall (Lout); managers retained titles; share of $25,000

IMT/ARMY: Warpig, Wrought, Shadow Mage (OSL)
Jeff Chambers; 521; edged IMT/ARMY: Jeff Wrestler #37, Evaporated Water Spirit, Ja Quellan (QPL)

TOP 10 LEAGUES

1. NWL (1,614 matches) 473.811

2. BRL (1,344 matches) 491.333

3. UWL (1,210 matches) 490.506

4. LWL (1,057 matches) 492.000
won the two matches for $1 cycle for having the highest average strategy total (counting only active wrestlers)

5. UNL (1,012 matches) 490.842

6. CWL (840 matches) 491.617

7. NAL (740 matches) 491.888

8. IWL (678 matches) 485.352

9. RWL (674 matches) 490.179

10. YJL (628 matches) 482.870

TOP 20 STARS -- active wrestlers only

1. IMT/LPPF: Wonderful Wally Brown (GRL) 177

2. IMT/LPPF/DOD: Sinister Steve Stryker (ASL) 160

3. IMT/LPPF/DOD: Sir Gunther Kinderwacht (ASL) 149

4. IMT/LPPF/DOD: Nightmare Sam Hell (ASL) 122

5. LPPF/T-SANITY: Misfit Messiah (GRL) 120

6. LPPF/T-SANITY: Medieval Tymes (GRL)
IMT/LPPF/DOD: Lord of Illusions (ASL) 117

8. VIRUS/RWS: Mike Drake (HWL)
IMT/LPPF: Mark the Master Duchaine (GRL) 106

10. IMT/LPPF: Buda von Blitzen (NAL) 104

11. IMT/LPPF: The Executioner (XPL)
IMT/LPPF: Inferno (GRL) 103

13. IMT/LPPF: Diabolical Jerry Savage (NAL) 99

14. IMT/LPPF: The Mighty Deadhead (XPL) 98

15. IMT/LPPF: Arson (GRL)
Executioner (LBL)
VIRUS/RWS: Mike Drake (CSL)
VIRUS: Outlaw Tony Taylor (EHL) 97

19. IMT/LPPF/DOD: Bruiser Brett Brown (ASL)
IMT/LPPF: Deadly David Death (GRL) 96

LIST OF LEAGUES

Iron Federation

Black Ops, Center Stage, Extreme Existence, Generation Next, Hardcore Wrestling, Heroes and Legends, Main Event, New Japan, Quantum Pro, Unknown Wrestler, Vixens United, Xtreme Poison, Yellow Jacket

Steel Federation

American Wrestling, Celebrities Only, Hired Assassin, Intense Impact, Louisiana Purchase, Louisiana Swamp, Mobsters' Underground, New Blood, Old School, Vicious Valkyries, Wild Panthers, World Domination

Gold Federation

All Star, Battle Royal, Blood Bath, Continental Wrestling, Danger Zone, Global Wrestling, Independent Wrestling, Knight's Honor, Masked Mayhem, Mystic Diva, New Wave, Ninja Dojo, Snake Venom, Western Trails

Diamond Federation

Action Packed, Evil Clown, Femme Fatale, Flying Aces, Lethal Brawling, Native Sensation, Night Falcon, No Man's, Non-stop Action, Pro Wrestling Guerrilla, Saber Tooth, Wicked Warz, Xtreme Wrestling

Bronze Federation

American Extreme, American Outlaw, Brass Knuckles, Extreme Hardcore, Grim Reaper, High Rollers, Hot Shots, Iron Glove, Living Nightmare, Revolution Wrestling, Rogue Elephant, Strong Style Wrestling, United Nations

Jade Federation

Atomic Age, Combat Zone, Deluxe Wrestling, Jade Dragon, Lone Wolf, Lovely Ladies, Psychotic Killer, Super Hero, True Grit, Wrestlers Elite, Zig Zag