Acronym FCW Defunct August 14, 2012 Headquarters Tampa, Florida | Founded June 26, 2007 Style Professional wrestling Founder(s) Steve Keirn, WWE | |
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Florida Championship Wrestling (FCW) was a professional wrestling promotion based on the former independent Championship Wrestling from Florida promotion, which operated from 1961 until 1987. From October 2007 to August 2012, the promotion served as the official developmental territory for WWE. In August 2012, WWE re-branded Florida Championship Wrestling into NXT for their developmental territory, with storylines and championships being discontinued.
Contents
History
The promotion was started by Steve Keirn in 2007 and became WWE's second developmental territory when they ended their relationship with the Georgia-based Deep South Wrestling in April 2007. It became their sole developmental territory in early 2008 when they ceased affiliation with Ohio Valley Wrestling.
FCW's debut show was on June 26, 2007 at Tampa, Florida's Dallas Bull. A 21-man Battle Royal was held during the show, to crown the first ever FCW Southern Heavyweight Champion. The next year, the Florida Heavyweight Championship was introduced, with Jake Hager becoming the first champion at a February 15 show after surviving a Battle Royal and defeating Ted DiBiase, Jr.. The Florida Tag Team Championship was also introduced in February, with the Puerto Rican Nightmares (Eddie Colón and Eric Pérez) beating Steven Lewington and Heath Miller to win it in the finals of a one night tournament. The singles titles were later unified, keeping the "Florida Heavyweight" name and championship.
On July 7, 2008, WWE confirmed that FCW was based on the original independent Championship Wrestling from Florida promotion, which operated from 1961 until 1987. The program's ending consisted of various clips from the ending of CWF's programs, featuring Gordon Solie's classic sign-off line "So long from the Sunshine State", accompanied by Solie winking one of his eyes and waving two fingers upward.
On March 20, 2012, it was reported that WWE would cease operation at Florida Championship Wrestling; however, this statement was later refuted after Steve Keirn as well as WWE wrestler and Executive Vice President of Talent and Live Events, Triple H, denied the claim.
In August 2012, WWE dropped the FCW name, deactivated the titles, and began running all of its developmental events and operations under the "NXT Wrestling" banner. WWE had been using the NXT name for a television program featuring rookies from FCW competing to become WWE main roster wrestlers, though the "reality television" aspects of the show had been dropped earlier in 2012; WWE NXT now serves as the primary television program for the NXT Wrestling promotion.
Queen of FCW
The Queen of FCW title was a professional wrestling women's title contested for in the divas division of Florida Championship Wrestling (FCW). A crown was held by the title holder, rather than a championship belt that is primarily used in professional wrestling.
Florida Heavyweight Championship
The Florida Heavyweight Championship was a professional wrestling heavyweight championship contested for in their heavyweight division of Florida Championship Wrestling (FCW). It has since been retired in favor for the NXT Championship.
Florida Tag Team Championship
The Florida Tag Team Championship was a professional wrestling tag team championship contested for in the tag team division of Florida Championship Wrestling (FCW). It has since been retired.
FCW Divas Championship
The FCW Divas Championship was a professional wrestling women's championship contested for in the divas division of Florida Championship Wrestling (FCW). It has since been retired.
FCW 15 Championship
The FCW Jack Brisco 15 Championship was a professional wrestling championship contested in 15 minute ironman matches. A medal was held by the title holder, rather than a championship belt that is primarily used in professional wrestling. It has since been retired.
FCW Southern Heavyweight Championship
The FCW Southern Heavyweight Championship was a professional wrestling heavyweight championship contested for in the heavyweight division of Florida Championship Wrestling. It has since been retired after being unified with the Florida Heavyweight Championship.
Notable FCW alumni
The following is a list of notable FCW alumni that have gone on to accomplished a name for themselves on the main roster of WWE. Wrestlers with a * at the end of their names are no longer with WWE.