Here comes the Boom

JJ Johnson and VIP Promotions are proud to announce the rebirth of the 606 Championship Wrestling Federation.

Rumours have swirled and reached fever pitch after Johnson took to Twitter to tease an upcoming announcement but now it is official.

News broke on Saturday that JJ Johnson had acquired the rights to both 6WF and 6CW and now we know that he plans to combine the two behemoths of professional wrestling just like happened for a brief period in 2011-2012.

Johnson called a press conference on behalf of VIP Promotions to address the announcements and outline his vision for the future of this historic brand.

Below are a summary of what was covered in the press conference:

*JJ announced that the first show of the new 6CWF generation would take place over Coronation weekend in the UK and would be broadcast live from the Copper Box Arena in London.

*JJ confirmed that it would be a weekly show and that he had secured a streaming contract with Amazon Prime. It is likely that Monday or Tuesday will become the official day for these shows. Amazon have also commissioned 8-10 premium events per year as well as several ‘special’ events. Premium events will be included in the Amazon Prime package and would, more often than not, be weekend shows. Johnson confirmed there would be a 10-14 day break between the final weekly show and a premium event to allow talent to prepare themselves properly. A full schedule will be released in due course

*JJ confirmed the weekly show would be continue to be known as ‘Proving Grounds’ and the first premium event, scheduled for June would be titled ‘6CWF From The Ashes’ live from the famous Birmingham Bowl, former home of 6WF programming.

*Weekly shows would, in the early days, circulate between the Copper Box and the Braehead Arena in Glasgow but after June the Birmingham Bowl and one other venue would serve as the four way cycle for shows in the build up to premium events. JJ confirmed that the long term plan would be to have weekly shows in many different locations and countries but they didn’t want to ‘run before they can walk’

*There will be 2-3 tours in 2023 alone where 6CWF will spend a month of weekly episodes and a premium event in USA, Japan and mainland Europe

*Johnson was coy on who had signed up to be 6CWF roster members but promised huge names that would be live and exclusive on the first edition of Proving Grounds next week. Johnson said there would be no official match announcements beforehand but the televised audience and fans in attendance are in for a ‘wild night’.

*JJ also dismissed the idea he would be a constant on-screen authority. JJ said he has worked hard on securing a ‘board of operations’ that will oversee the weekly running of 6CWF. Johnson confirmed he would be consulted on decisions and would help out in the event the board could not agree but that there will always be at least 2 board members present at each show. No announcement were made on board members but Johnson hinted that each one had been selected due to their in depth knowledge and history with 6CW and 6WF. Johnson wanted a board to avoid mistakes of the past where any ‘power grab’ may occur.

*There will be a plethora of talent and styles on show and Johnson admitted that he wants to see tremendous wrestling as well as the brutality and aggression that put both brands on the map in the first place.

*Weekly matches will have a fifteen minute time limit although championships (when introduced) and any bout given special dispensation from the board can have extended limits to ensure clear results

*JJ also stated that whilst ‘it ain’t an exact science’ that winning/losing will have an effect on the opportunities afforded to talent.

*A question was asked about the championship situation in 6CWF. A reporter brought up the fact that Clarke James was the last holder of the 6CW championship and Karl Kramer the last official holder of the 6WF championship but Johnson shut that down and said both championships are now the property of VIP Promotions. He extended the invitation to both James and Kramer to attend next week’s opening show to stake their claim but that titles would be earned and he expects competition levels to be higher than ever before. JJ went on to say that announcements would be made in regards to those championships and others live on Proving Grounds next week.

*JJ was asked if he had any ambitions to wrestle again and he quipped ‘never say never’ but he has no immediate plans to return to the squared circle. Although he did confirm he’ll be at the season premier show to kick the things off

*Johnson said this is about bringing the enjoyment back. He’s all about creating a vibe where fans and talent love the product that is being produced.

*Jack Thadeus and RJ were confirmed as the broadcast team whilst Jack Reynolds, Clarissa and Tim Allen are set to return as backstage reporters. JJ is told us there will be some more appointments but we’ll wait until we go live to announce those.