Fite partners with returning 1PW and releases never before seen Pac vs. Styles match, details on October return

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U.K independent promotion 1PW is returning this October with an event that will air on Fite.tv.

PWTorch has learned exclusively that One Pro Wrestling (1PW), which ceased operations in August of 2011, is returning with “A New Twist of Fate” on Oct 1 at the Doncaster Dome in Doncaster, England. The show will stream on Fite.tv about a week after it is filmed as a VOD. Already announced for the event are Rob Van Dam, Ruby Soho, and Mickie James.

PWTorch spoke with 1PW managing director Steven Gauntley about why now was the right time to bring 1PW back. Gauntley indicated that he felt the timing was right given that there was a void at the top of the British Wrestling scene. “I have always had a passion and love for what 1PW was able to achieve many years ago,” said Gauntley. “It completely changed the landscape of the wrestling business in the U.K., and myself and my team just really feel, as I’m sure many people can agree, that the timing is perfect for 1PW to come back and fill the void at the top of British wrestling again. There is not really a premium brand right now in the U.K. that has capturing people’s imaginations the way 1PW did before , and so I think the market place is wide open and desperate for a freshly envisioned 1PW to lead to way to a new renaissance in British wrestling.

Gauntley also indicated that he felt partnering with Fite TV would bring the promotion to a bigger audience. “The deal with Fite TV will enable fans from all over the world to experience the 1PW magic via pay per view and so we are marketing our product at a global audience,” said Gauntley. “We have formed working relationships with AEW and several other hugely successful promotions that we will announce over the coming weeks, all with our vision to bring totally unique lineups for U.K. fans to experience live, whilst providing fans the world over with an incredible unrivaled independent wrestling lineup.”

Fite.tv Digital Director Paul Owen also commented on the partnership in a press release issued by 1PW and Fite. “We couldn’t be happier to be partnering with 1PW and supporting their relaunch in the British Professional Wrestling market” said Owen. “The content landscape has changed dramatically since 1PW held their last show and we’re excited to bring their events to a worldwide audience and deliver their extensive professional wrestling catalog to our growing offering for FITE+ subscribers.”

You can watch the video announcing 1PW’s return here

In addition to returning to running live events, 1PW’s catalog will also be posted for Fite+ customers on Fite.tv periodically leading up to the return of the promotion in October. Most of this footage has not been widely distributed and has rarely been seen. The footage has never been distributed online and features names such as AJ Styles, El Generico (Sami Zayn), Abyss, Samoa Joe, Christian Cage, Steve Corino, and Bret ‘The Hitman’ Hart. It also includes a roster of top British wrestlers like Pac, Doug Williams, Jody Fleisch, and Greg Burridge. 1PW also helped launch the careers of the first-current WWE announcer Corey Graves (Sterling James Keenan) and former WWE Superstar Drake Maverick (Spud).

Gauntley told PWTorch that fans can look forward to seeing a unique lineup of talent as the back catalog is gets posted on Fite+. “Over the course of this year the entire back catalogue will go up,” said Gauntley. We launch with two huge events from back in 2006 and I think the thing that will surprise people is the absolutely unique world class lineup that we had back then with talent from TAN, Japan, ROH , and beyond. Right away fans will be able to see the absolute classic AJ styles vs Pac match up , which was the match that introduced a young Pac to the world stage, as well as matches featuring Bryan Danielson, Samoa Joe, Abyss, Nigel Mcguiness , SJK (now known as Corey graves ), Spud (WWE’s Drake Maverick), and more.”

PWTorch asked Gauntley, which match being released would surprise people and he mentioned the No Ropes Barbed Wired Hell Abyss vs. Steve Corino match from the “First Anniversary Show” as one worth checking out. “I would absolutely recommend fans to check out the No Ropes Barbed Wire Hell match between Steve Corino and Abyss for the 1PW world title , which was a European first , and stands to this day as an absolutely shocking and uniquely brutal bout held in front of an electric crowd,” said Gauntley.

Gauntley also pointed towards the footage providing fans to see the early career matches of Corey Graves and Drake Maverick. “Additionally there are chances to see the early careers of such as WWEs Corey Graves and Drake Maverick back when 1PW was giving them their platform to burst onto the global stage and establish their careers,” said Gauntley.

1PW is posting two full events today on Fite+ on Fite.tv, as “Invincible 2006” and “First Anniversary Show” will be available to stream. Additionally, Fite.tv is posting A.J. Styles vs. Pac on YouTube today for free. This match has never been released previously and can be watched here.

1PW Invincible 2006 (Aug. 19, 2006) Fite+ customers can watch this event here

Damned Nation vs. The Chavs
Austin Aries & Matt Sydal & Roderick Strong vs. Darkside & The Briscoe Brothers (Jay Briscoe & Mark Briscoe)
Jimmy Rave vs. El Ligero
Andy Boy Simmonz (w/Domino) vs. Martin Stone
Martin Stone vs. Iceman
Bryan Danielson vs. SUWA
Samoa Joe vs. Jay Phoenix
British Master Class – Doug Williams vs. Nigel McGuinness
1PW World Tag Team Championship match – Jody Fleisch & Jonny Storm vs. Team Shag (Colt Cabana & Darren Burridge)
Matt ” Brother Runt ” Hyson & Sterling James Keenan vs. Spud & Teddy Hart
Survival of the Sickest Elimination match – Chris Hamrick, Spud, Steve Corino, Teddy Hart & Tracy Smothers vs. Abyss & Dave Moralez & Jack Storm, Matt Hyson & Sterling James Keenan

1PW First Anniversary Show (Oct. 10, 2006) Fite + customers can watch this event here

El Generico vs. El Ligero
Mad Man Manson vs. Jamie Brum
Tag Team Turmoil Match feat Damned Nation
Goldustin vs. Curry Man
European Death match – Ulf Herman vs. Iceman vs. Martin Stone
Dream Partners Tag Match – SJK & Team Supreme vs. Samoa Joe & Spud & Darkside
AJ Styles vs. Pac
1PW World Tag Team Championship Ladder match – Jonny Storm & Jody Fleisch vs. Colt Cabana & Burridge vs. Tracy Smothers & Chris Hamrick
1PW World Heavyweight Championship No Ropes Barbed Wire Hell – Steve Corino vs. Abyss

Contact Sean at pwtorchsean@gmail.com. Follow him on Twitter: @SR_Torch

You can read 1PW’s press release on its returning to running live events and streaming their back catalog on Fite+ below:

Wrestling megastars descend on Doncaster to headline sensational relaunch of renowned British wrestling league

WWE Hall of Famer ROB VAN DAM, AEW’s RUBY SOHO, and women’s wrestling icon MICKIE JAMES set to headline A NEW TWIST OF FATE at the iconic Doncaster Dome on 1st October 2022

FITE to release highly sought-after back catalog of previous 1PW shows.

1PW will relaunch with new industry sensibilities, to bring back global talent on a grand scale and raise the profile of modern British wrestling

April 11, 2022 – One Pro Wrestling (1PW LTD) announced today that professional wrestling
megastars including WWE Hall of Famer Rob Van Dam, AEW’s Ruby Soho, and women’s wrestling icon Mickie James, will headline the sensational relaunch of the renowned British professional wrestling promotion on 1st October 2022. Tickets are available now at 1PWTIX.COM and Exclusive Meet & Greet Packages are available at 1ProWrestling.com.

In addition, 1PW also announced that it is partnering with FITE, the premiere digital network for global sports and entertainment for the digital release of its back catalog of star-studded shows. FITE will also serve as the exclusive digital streaming partner for 1PW’s return event, A NEW TWIST OF FATE, on Saturday 1st October, at The Dome in Doncaster. A NEW TWIST OF FATE,a play on the company’s first-ever show name ‘A Cruel Twist of Fate’, will feature an all star card including some names and themes from the company’s illustrious past and will also build towards a bright future for the brand by introducing fans to a new generation of talent.

Founded in 2005 by managing director Steven Gauntley, the original 1PW was headlined by some of the biggest names in the industry, including AJ Styles, Abyss, Samoa Joe, Christian Cage, Steve Corino, and the legendary Bret ‘The Hitman’ Hart, alongside a roster of premier British wrestlers like PAC, Doug Williams, Jody Fleisch, and Greg Burridge. 1PW also helped launch the careers of the first-ever NXT Tag Team Champion and current WWE announcer, Corey Graves (Sterling James Keenan) and former WWE Superstar, Drake Maverick (Spud).

Throughout the year, FITE will provide exclusive access for fans to watch the entire back catalog of 1PW events featuring the aforementioned star-studded line-up as well as offering the company’s highly anticipated return show, the first 1PW show in 11 years.

“Both myself and the fans have dreamed about this moment for far too long,” said Steven Gauntley, Managing Director of 1PW LTD. “Today, that dream becomes a reality. 1PW is back. We return to the Doncaster Dome on 1st October and we’re bringing one of the biggest names in the industry with us. Today marks the start of the journey and our partnership with FITE will bring our brand of professional wrestling to fans both old and new. With this announcement, 1PW is ready to fill the void at the top of British wrestling.”

“We couldn’t be happier to be partnering with 1PW and supporting their relaunch in the British Professional Wrestling market” said Paul Owen, Digital Director of FITE. “The content landscape has changed dramatically since 1PW held their last show and we’re excited to bring their events to a worldwide audience and deliver their extensive professional wrestling catalog to our growing offering for FITE+ subscribers.”

The original 1PW burned brightly and was the catalyst for change in British wrestling, no more were wrestling fans limited to watching ‘American wrestling tribute shows’, 1PW gave British wrestling fans international talent on their doorstep. Now, with the landscape of professional wrestling having seen a seismic shift of its own, and a wealth of new talent emerging across the country, 1PW returns with new industry sensibilities, to bring back global talent on a grand scale and raise the profile of modern British wrestling.

About One Pro Wrestling

1PW is a British professional wrestling promotion reborn from the ashes of the original company with new industry sensibilities. 1PW is back to fill the void at the top of British wrestling, with a roster of globally recognised names including WWE Hall of Famer Rob Van Dam, AEW’s Ruby Soho and women’s wrestling icon Mickie James as well as some of the best talent from up and down the country. The return event will take place 17 years to the day of 1PW’s inaugural show on Saturday 1st October 2022, at The Dome in Doncaster and will be available to stream via FITE alongside 1PW’s back catalogue of star-studded shows. For more information, check out @1ProWrestling (Twitter), @1ProWrestling (Instagram), /1ProWrestling (Facebook) and on the web at www.1prowrestling.com.

About FITE

FITE is the premium global platform for live sports and entertainment offering many of the industry’s marquee PPV events and SVOD packages with over 6MM registered users. FITE isavailable worldwide through its iOS and Android mobile apps, Apple TV, Android TV, ROKU, Amazon Fire TV and Huawei apps. In addition, FITE supports Samsung, LG, Cox Contour, Vizio SmartCastTM, Virgin Media, Shaw Communications’ Blue Curve IPTV, Foxxum, Chromecast, PS4, XBOX, ZEASN, Netrange, Vidaa/Hisense, VEWD, Netgem TV, Comcast’s Xfinity 1 and Xfinity Flex as well as 7,000 models of Smart TVs. Available online at www.FITE.tv. Follow us on Twitter,Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIN and Facebook.