International Wrestling Revolution Group

International Wrestling Revolution Group (Grupo Internacional Revolución in Spanish; the Spanish name is used for the promotion while the English initials are used for the title governing body) is a Lucha Libre promotion based in Naucalpan, State of Mexico, Mexico. Founded in 1996 by Adolfo Moreno and since Moreno's death in late 2007 has been controlled by his sons Alfredo and Marco Moreno.

International Wrestling Revolution Group
Grupo Internacional Revolución

Acronym	IWRG
Founded	January 1, 1996
Style	Lucha libre
Headquarters	Naucalpan, State of Mexico, Mexico
Founder(s)	Adolfo Moreno
Owner(s)	Marco Moreno Alfredo Moreno
Website	www.iwrg.com.mx

IWRG has its own championships but like many Mexican promotions recognize champions from other promotions, occasionally allowing them to defend those titles on IWRG shows. In recent times the company has become a more direct competitor to Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre (CMLL) and Asistencia Asesoria y Administracion (AAA), acquiring a national television deal with TV Azteca and using a number of talent that have left CMLL or AAA to bolster their ranks and profile. IWRG's home base is Arena Naucalpan where the majority of their shows are held, though they have regularly promoted shows at other venues such as Arena Emiliano Zapata, Arena Xochimilco and Arena Neza.

History

Wrestler-turned-promoter Adolfo "Pirata" Moreno began promoting wrestling shows in his native Naucalpan de Juárez, Mexico, bringing in wrestlers from Empresa Mexicana de Lucha Libre (EMLL) to Naucalpan as well as featuring wrestlers from the Mexican independent circuit.[1] Later on he would promote shows mainly in "Arena KO Al Gusto" and served as the Universal Wrestling Association (UWA) partner, using the name Promociones Moreno as the business name for his promotional efforts.[1] In 1977 Moreno bought the run down Arena KO Al Gusto and had Arena Naucalpan built in its place, an arena designed specifically for wrestling shows, with a maximum capacity of 2,400 spectators for the shows. Arena Naucalpan became the permanent home for Promociones Moreno, with very few shows held elsewhere.[1] In the 1990s the UWA folded and Promociones Moreno worked primarily with EMLL, now rebranded as Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre (CMLL).[2] From the mid-1990s Moreno would promote several Naucalpan championships, including the Naucalpan Tag Team Championship, Naucalpan Middleweight Championship and the Naucalpan Welterweight Championship, all sanctioned by the local boxing and wrestling commission.[1]

In late 1995 Adolfo Moreno decided to create his own promotion, creating a regular roster instead of relying totally on wrestlers from other promotions, creating the International Wrestling Revolution Group (IWRG; sometimes referred to as Grupo Internacional Revolución in Spanish) on January 1, 1996.[3] From that point on Arena Naucalpan became the main venue for IWRG, hosting the majority of their weekly shows and all of their major shows as well.[4][5] With the creation of the IWRG Moreno abandoned the Naucalpan championships, instead introducing a series of IWRG branded championships, starting with the IWRG Intercontinental Middleweight Championship created on July 27, 1997,[6] followed by the IWRG Intercontinental Heavyweight Championship two months later.[7] IWRG also kept promoting the Distrito Federal Trios Championship, the only championship predating the foundation of the IWRG.[8] In 2007 Adolfo Moreno died, leaving his sons César and Marco Moreno to take ownership of both International Wrestling Revolution Group as well as Arena Naucalpan.[9]

Working with other promotions

IWRG often works together with other wrestling promotions, booking their wrestlers on IWRG shows and sending IWRG wrestlers to work for the other promotions. They also co-promote events, recognize non-IWRG championships and at times allow them to be defended on IWRG shows.

Último Dragón Gym/Toryumon Mexico

IWRG was affiliated with Último Dragón and Toryumon Mexico (Ultimo Dragon Gym) from the time of IWRG's creation until 2001. The early Toryumon Mexico shows were co-promoted by IWRG and Último Dragón in Naucalpan and students regularly worked on IWRG s shows. CIMA, SUWA, Yasushi Kanda, Susumu Mochizuki and Magnum Tokyo have all held IWRG championships through the working relationship.

Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre

IWRG developed a talent agreement with Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre (CMLL) in the early 2000s, which allowed them to use CMLL talent regularly, as well as being used by CMLL as a sort of developmental territory for young wrestlers. The two promotions had a falling out in late 2007, over IWRG booking El Hijo del Santo on their shows, in disregard of CMLL having stated that did not want any of their associates to use Hijo del Santo on their shows.

Asistencia Asesoría y Administración

During a show on April 29, 2010 Asistencia Asesoría y Administración (AAA) wrestler Silver King showed up for the show, allegedly to promote a movie, to signal the beginning of IWRG and AAA working together for the first time.[10]

Pro Wrestling Noah

On December 5, 2019, it was announced that IWRG and Pro Wrestling Noah had entered into a talent-sharing partnership.[11]

Roster

Like many promotions on the Mexican independent circuit IWRG does not generally have wrestlers under exclusive full-time contracts and often works with a number of wrestlers on a "per appearance" basis. IWRG does employ a core group of wrestlers on a regular basis but does not have an official "roster" as such.

Major shows

Each year IWRG promotes a number of signature events, some shown on television and others only for the people in attendance. The major shows, shown in order of when they happen during the year, include:

Event	Most recent/Next Date	Notes
IWRG Anniversary Show	January 1, 2018	Always held on or around January 1. Last event held was the IWRG 22nd Anniversary Show
El Protector	February 25, 2018	Annual tag team tournament that sees a relative newcomer team up with a veteran wrestler. Latest event held was the 2016 El Protector[12]
La Guerra de Familias	July 5, 2015	A tournament for wrestling "families", last event held was the Guerra de Familias (2015)
Guerra de Sexos	February 5, 2012	IWRG's "Battle of the Sexes", main evented by a steel cage match that includes both male, female, Exotico and Mini-Estrella wrestlers. Last event held was the 2012 Guerra de Sexos.[13]
Rebelión de los Juniors	March 18, 2018	Event that focuses on second-generation wrestlers. Last event held was the 2016 Rebelión de los Juniors[14]
Guerra del Golfo	April 15, 2018	The losers of two multi-man steel cage matches face off in the main event steel cage match under Luchas de Apuestas rules where the loser would be either unmasked or shaved bald. Last event held was the 2016 Guerra del Golfo.[15]
Rey del Ring	May 20, 2018	Annual event featuring a 30-man timed Battle Royal elimination match. Last event held was the 2016 Rey del Ring.
Legado Final	July 30, 2017	Main event is the Torneo de Legado Final involving tag teams made up of fathers and sons, or other family members teaming together. Last event held was the 2015 Legado Final.[16]
Guerra de Empresas	July 8, 2012	IWRG's War of the Promotions, a tournament where teams representing IWRG face teams representing other wrestling promotions.
Festival de las Máscaras	June 17, 2018	Previously unmasked wrestlers are allowed to wear their old mask for one special event each year. Last event held was the 2016 Festival de las Máscaras
La Gran Cruzada	August 20, 2017	Annual tournament, 30-man Battle Royal to determine the #1 contender for the Rey del Ring Championship. The most recent show was the 2015 Gran Cruzada show.[17]
Caravana de Campeones	September 9, 2018	Event held several times a year, focusing on the various championships that IWRG promotes. IWRG most recently held the 2015 Caravana de Campeones show.[17]
Ruleta de la Muerte	April 9, 2015	A "Loser advances" tournament with the last match being for the wrestler's mask or hair. Last event held was the 2015 Ruleta de la Muerte
El Castillo del Terror	November 1, 2018	Main event is the eponymous Castillo del Terror steel cage match where the loser is unmasked or shaved bald as a result. Last event held was the 2016 Castillo del Terror show.[17]
Guerra Revolucionaria	May 18, 2015	A 16-man Torneo Cibernetico elimination match.[18]
Prison Fatal	July 23, 2017	Latest addition, a steel cage match main event. The most recent event was the 2017 Prison Fatal.
Arena Naucalpan Anniversary Show	December 17, 2017	Celebrates the construction of IWRG's main venue, Arena Naucalpan. Most recent event was the Arena Naucalpan 39th Anniversary Show.

Championships

Active championships

Championship	Current Champion(s)	Held since	Days held
IWRG Intercontinental Heavyweight Championship	El Hijo de Canis Lupus	April 14, 2019	486+
IWRG Intercontinental Middleweight Championship	Demonio Infernal	January 1, 2020	224+
IWRG Intercontinental Welterweight Championship	Emperador Azteca	June 26, 2018	1,151+
IWRG Intercontinental Lightweight Championship	Vacant	August 5, 2018[19]	N/A
IWRG Intercontinental Tag Team Championship	Bryce Benjamin and Marshe Rockett	December 1, 2019[20]	255
IWRG Intercontinental Trios Championship	Centella de Oro, Multifacético and Prayer	December 1, 2018	620
IWRG Junior de Juniors Championship	El Hijo del Médico Asesino	March 31, 2019.[21]	500
IWRG Rey del Ring Championship	Demonio Infernal	May 19, 2019[22]	451
IWRG Rey del Aire Championship	Dragon Bane	September 2, 2018[23]	710
Distrito Federal Trios Championship	El Infierno Eterno (Demonio Infernal, Eterno, and Lunatic Xtreme)	February 2, 2019[24]	557+

Inactive IWRG championships

Championship:	Last champion(s):	Date won:
IWRG Intercontinental Super Welterweight Championship	Místico	November 19, 2006[25]
IWRG Intercontinental Women's Championship	La Amapola	2005[26]
IWC World Heavyweight Championship	Pirata Morgan	1999[27]

Tournaments

IWRG conducts several annual tournaments which usually signify a big push. Some tournaments have been left off the schedule some years for unexplained reasons, others have been held several times in a year

Active tournaments

Tournament	Last winner	Last held	Notes	Ref(s).
Copa Higher Power	Gimnasio Konkreto	January 1, 2013	A tournament between IWRG's trainees and other wrestling gyms	[28]
Gran Cruzada	Mosco X-Fly	September 6, 2015	Winner normally earns a match for the IWRG Rey del Ring Championship	[29]
Guerra de Empresas	Cibernético and La Parka	July 8, 2012	A tournament featuring two or more promotions	[30]
Torneo de Legado Final	Dragón Celestial and El Hijo del Diablo	August 2, 2015	A father/son tag team tournament	[16]
El Protector	Rokambole Jr. and Villano V Jr.	February 25, 2018
Rey del Ring	Demonio Infernal	May 19, 2019	Both an annual tournament and defended like a championship between tournaments.	[31]

Past tournaments

These are tournaments that have been held in the past by IWRG but have not been promoted in the last two years.

Tournament	Last winner	Last held	Notes	Ref(s).
Proyeccion a Nuevas Promesas	Comando Negro and Scorpio, Jr.	January 13, 2011	Replaced with the El Protector tournament in 2011.	[32]

See also

• List of professional wrestling promotions in Mexico

References

1. "Arena Naucalpan". Súper Luchas (in Spanish). June 11, 2012. p. 18. Issue 466.
2. "1993 Especial!". Box y Lucha Magazine (in Spanish). January 7, 1994. pp. 2–28. issue 2214.
3. "1996 Especial!". Box y Lucha Magazine (in Spanish). January 10, 1997. pp. 2–28. issue 2280.
4. "1997 Especial!". Box y Lucha Magazine (in Spanish). January 7, 1998. pp. 2–28. issue 2332.
5. "1998 Especial!". Box y Lucha Magazine (in Spanish). January 9, 1999. pp. 2–28. issue 2348.
6. Royal Duncan and Gary Will (2000). "MEXICO: IWRG Intercontinental World Middleweight Title". Wrestling Title Histories. Archeus Communications. p. 402. ISBN 0-9698161-5-4.
7. Royal Duncan & Gary Will (2000). "MEXICO: IWRG Intercontinental Heavyweight Title". Wrestling Title Histories. Archeus Communications. p. 401. ISBN 0-9698161-5-4.
8. Royal Duncan & Gary Will (2000). "MEXICO: Districto Federal Trios Title". Wrestling Title Histories. Archeus Communications. p. 401. ISBN 0-9698161-5-4.
9. "2007 Lo Mejor de la Lucha Mexicana". Súper Luchas (in Spanish). December 26, 2007. issue 244. Retrieved July 11, 2009.
10. Rivera, Manuel (April 30, 2010). "Resultados IWRG (29 abril 2010): ¡Silver King aparece en Naucalpan y promete una invasión AAA! ¡Los Gringos, nuevos Campeones de Tríos del Estado de México!". Súper Luchas Magazine (in Spanish). Retrieved April 30, 2010.
11. "メキシコ・IWRGとのパートナーシップ契約締結のお知らせ" (in Japanese). Pro Wrestling Noah. December 5, 2019. Retrieved December 25, 2019.
12. Mejía Eguiluz, Diego (February 1, 2016). "Atomic Star y Herodes Jr. se llevaron el Protector". The Gladiatores (in Spanish). Retrieved February 1, 2016.
13. "Chico Che paga caro haber rapado a Black Terry". The Gladiatores. Retrieved February 6, 2012.
14. "Danny Casas va por el junior de junior's" (in Spanish). The Gladiatores Magazine. March 14, 2016. Retrieved March 16, 2016.
15. Mejía Eguiluz, Diego (April 18, 2016). "Astro pierde la máscara en la Guerra del Golfo". The Gladiatores Magazine (in Spanish). Retrieved April 18, 2016.
16. Mejia Eguiluz, Diego (August 3, 2015). "Adiós al Dragón Celestial; Hola, Diablo Júnior Primero". The Gladiatores (in Spanish). Retrieved August 3, 2015.
17. "Arena Naucalpan Eventos 2015" (in Spanish). International Wrestling Revolution Group. March 1, 2015. Archived from the original on December 22, 2015. Retrieved August 2, 2015.
18. Mr. Reyes (November 21, 2011). "Pantera sigue siendo el Rey en IWRG". MedioTiempo (in Spanish). MSN. Retrieved April 12, 2013.
19. Lizarraga, Alfonso (August 5, 2018). "Imposible se adueño de la Ejecución Total". The Gladiatores Magazine (in Spanish). Retrieved August 6, 2018.
20. Lizarranga, Alfonso (December 2, 2019). "Fresero cae ante Demonio Infernal y Marshe Rockett y Bryce Benjamin se coronan nuevos campeones de parejas de IWRG". The Gladiatores (in Spanish). Retrieved December 2, 2019.
21. Lizarraga, Alfonso (April 1, 2019). "El Hijo del Médico Asesino es el nuevo Junior de Juniors" [El Hijo del Médico Asesino is the new Junior de Juniors]. The Gladiatores (in Spanish). Retrieved April 14, 2019.
22. Lizarraga, Alfonso (May 21, 2018). "Emperador Azteca es el nuevo Rey de Naucalpan". The Gladiatores (in Spanish). Retrieved August 6, 2018.
23. Lizarraga, Alfonso (September 3, 2018). "Mr. Electro y el Hijo del Medico Asesino se destrozan en Naucalpan". The Gladiatores (in Spanish). Retrieved September 15, 2018.
24. Lizarraga, Alfonso (February 3, 2019). "Exitosa segunda defensa de los campeones de parejas de los Oficiales ante los Capos" [Second successful defense of the tag team champions Los Oficiales against Los Capos]. The Gladiatores (in Spanish). Retrieved February 4, 2019.
25. Súper Luchasstaff (December 23, 2006). "Lo Mejor de la Lucha Libre Mexicana duranted el 2006". Súper Luchas (in Spanish). Issue 192.
26. Súper Luchasstaff (January 3, 2006). "2005 Lo Mejor de la Lucha Mexicana". Súper Luchas (in Spanish). issue 140.
27. "IWC World Heavyweight Championship". cagematch.net. Retrieved May 4, 2020.
28. Mejía Eguiluz, Diego (January 2, 2013). "Factor inicia el año como doble campeón". The Gladiatores (in Spanish). Retrieved January 26, 2013.
29. Mejía Eguiluz, Diego (September 7, 2015). "Mosco X-Fly, ganador de la Gran Cruzada". the Gladiatores (in Spanish). Retrieved September 7, 2015.
30. "Guerra de Empresas (Resultados 08/Jul/12): AAA triunfa en Naucalpan". Súper Luchas Magazine (in Spanish). July 9, 2012. Retrieved February 6, 2013.
31. Lizarraga, Alfonso (May 20, 2019). "Demonio Infernal Rey del Ring 2019". The Gladiatores (in Spanish). Retrieved May 20, 2019.
32. Reyes Ruiz, Eduardo (January 13, 2011). "Scorpio Jr y Comando Negro se llevan el Torneo de Proyección a Nuevas Promesas". Estrellas del Ring (in Spanish). Retrieved January 27, 2013.

External links

• IWRG official website