Formation was the PWF's top
rulebreaker. A
born-again Christian, he incorporated elements of
evangelical Christianity into his
in-ring persona. The promotion was founded by former
Jim Crockett Promotions wrestlers
George South and
Gary Sabaugh in 1990. During the company's first year in operation, The Russian Assassin was billed as PWF Heavyweight Champion and was considered among the region's leading companies throughout the decade. The promotion also had a number of other singles titles including the PWF Lightweight Championship (1992),
Territorial reach The PWF's "home territory" was
the Carolinas In the early-1990s, the promotion filmed two
television pilots with hopes of a weekly television series. The PWF was able to get a studio wrestling show on
WBTV (Channel 15) in
Charlotte, North Carolina but it only lasted six months on the air. One of the two filmed pilots were later released on DVD in the late-2000s.
Notable talent got their first break in the PWF as a brother tag team called The Harlem Knights. They made a surprise return to the PWF in December 1996, and won the promotion's tag team titles. It also featured a number of younger wrestlers in the Carolinas who had not yet made their mark on a national stage, including
Chris Hamrick,
Kid Kash (then known as David Jericho),
Mike Maverick,
Ron Killings,
Venom and
The Hardy Boyz. Starting in 1993, The Hardys had their first-ever matches in the PWF. Sabaugh was impressed by their high-flying moves but felt they were too inexperienced and lacked basic fundamentals and in-ring psychology. He wanted the brothers to train at their wrestling school, however, the Hardys were unable to afford the $3,000 class fees. They ultimately decided to create their own promotion,
OMEGA Championship Wrestling, which operated from 1997 to 1999. South and Sabaugh's wrestling school, the PWF Training Center, was located in Charlotte, North Carolina. This allowed the promotion to develop its own crew of home grown talent. Some of their early students included Madd Maxxine,
Henry O. Godwinn, and referee
Charles Robinson who would later go on to join the World Wrestling Federation.
Style and controversy The PWF presented a
family friendly version of traditional Southern-style
Rasslin' catering to the region's large
Southern Baptist community. South, a
born-again Christian, portrayed the PWF's main "heel" performer. He incorporated elements of
evangelical Christianity not only in his in-ring persona but the promotion's live events as well. Many of their benefit shows and fundraisers took place at local churches throughout the
South Atlantic region. One of these shows was held at
Northside Baptist Church on December 12, 1992, before 2,050 people. The promotion was active in regional
community outreach programs, particularly those involving sick and
needy children. On November 12, 1993, a free children's show in
Richmond, Virginia was attended by 2,000. A month later, the PWF held one of its first major supercards,
Pro WrestleMania II, seen by 4,500 fans at the
Charlotte Coliseum. Due to his charity work, South was among the top candidates for the
1994 PWI Inspirational Wrestler of the Year. The PWF's main storyline revolved around the long-running feud between
George South and
The Italian Stallion. They were among the nominees for
1994 PWI Tag Team of the Year. Years before
Chyna's debut in the
World Wrestling Federation, the 450-lbs. Maxine was presented as a serious challenger to male wrestlers. She was voted third runner-up for the
1995 PWI Rookie of the Year and the third ever women to make it into the annual
PWI 500 after
Miss Texas (1993) and
Luna Vachon (1995). In August 1996, she won the promotion's junior heavyweight title, and was undefeated for nearly two years. Maxxine was later joined by her
controlling mother Mama Maxxine as a
manager. Sabaugh, who was also appearing for the WWF as a preliminary wrestler, brought groups of 12-15 PWF wrestlers (many of whom were his students) for WWF television tapings. In addition to being paid by the WWF for traveling expenses, Sabaugh also collected a $100 booking fee from the wrestlers. The Hardy Boys eventually signed with WWF full-time in May 1998. Wrestling historian Jason Freeman and filmmaker Michael Elliot were attached to the project. The documentary was released on DVD the following year. ==Exodus Wrestling Alliance==