World Wrestling Council (WWC) turn-up the heat this last weekend. The company, in a promotional video with International Wrestling Association (IWA-PR), showcased a conversation between IWA PR owner, Savio Vega, and WWC’s Ray Gonzalez. The promo featured the threat of Savio Vega appearing in WWC’s show on Saturday.
WWC, which has been the best promotion in the island this 2020, promoted once again the confrontation on their weekend show. Savio Vega gave a warning on invading and answering multiple times WWC Universal Champion, Ray Gonzalez’s challenge.
In a surprising turn of events, Savio Vega confronted Primo Colon’s heel stable on WWC’s live show this past Saturday. The arena in Manati was packed. Vega warned the 7’1″ giant of Legacy, Peter John Ramos, that he could knock the teeth out of him. Never, in the history of the island, did Savio Vega has been face-to-face with the little brother of the Colon family.
What transpired has fans craving for an IWA PR invasion. Reports of Epico Colon facing the IWA PR World Champion, Mr. Big, has fans hoping for the new angle.
NotiUno reported that:
What is this proposal about, that has made even the most incredulous look? That apparently we will know with time. But a possible alliance between the most recognized companies in Puerto Rico is rumored. Will there be talent exchange?
Last Saturday, the wrestler, Savio Vega, also known in Puerto Rico as TNT, agreed to appear on a WWC billboard that was held in Manati, something that had not happened since 2014. Vega, who made a good campaign during the 90’s at WWE, picked up the proposal that Ray González gave him to be analyzed. It was said that the decision will be announced shortly at the “Histeria Boricua” event of the IWA.
Why is this happening?
Two big factors need to be taken into account when explaining the WWC/IWA PR alliance. First, IWA PR hasn’t run any shows in 2020. The company was set on January 18 to run their first show of the year, but they had to cancel, due to the “earthquakes”. Many believe (the author included), that they canceled because of the Calles San Sebastian party, in which thousand in the island reunite in the traditional Old San Juan fiesta.
Second, WWC is running through the hands of Epico and Primo. The WWE Superstars have been able to resuscitate the failing company and bring it to prominence. They modernize the logo, brought great talent pool, including Mesias and Mecha Wolf 450. Them being open to working with old rival Savio Vega and his promotion shows their willingness to work for the good of wrestling in Puerto Rico.
It is obvious that IWA PR needs WWC right now. Since the end of last year, reports of debt and bad decisions plagued the company. IWA PR never surpassed the company they were set to dethrone, the now revitalized La Liga Wrestling. Moreover, most of their talent are in-between La Liga, WWC and them.
The IWA vs. WWC II
Fans will remember that this is not the first time that Puerto Rico has been presented with the same feud. In 2011, a failing IWA PR invaded in an Aniversario (WWC biggest show of the year) the rival company. Previous to that invasion, WWC and IWA PR fought hard for supremacy. IWA PR was the younger and hotter company. But, it depended too much on Victor Quiñonez’s money.
Of course, as history shows, Quiñonez passing put the nail on the coffin to IWA PR. Savio Vega and Miguel Perez were left as the owners. In mere years, IWA PR went from drawing 5,000 fans regularly to barely 500. In 2011, IWA PR was in its dying days. They brought fresher stars to a veteran-run WWC. The image of Savio Vega, who went on an exile since the 1990s from WWC still permeates the mind of fans on the island.
In 2011, NotiCel had interviewed Savio Vega, and he had this to say about the invasion angle:
I’m not going to lie to you … yes, there were a few years of animosity, that is known to all who follow this. When we started, IWA was given six months and we have been 12 years now. There were also a couple of occasions when Carlitos and WWC caught up against the wall very hard. And during these last two years, IWA has also taken against the floor. But to my understanding, one cannot live with a stone in the shoe. The time comes when you have to stop to get it out because if you’re not going to be hurt for life. I already took that stone from my shoe, and I hope they do too. And the decisions that are made now have to be with our feet on the ground because what we are doing has immense potential. Fans have shown that they want to see a new show and if we give it to them, they will go to the field. I find that this is a triumph of two companies. Whoever does not see this is being silly. But on the 30th we will see how the thing takes off.
It seems that Savio Vega’s words are still true, one cannot live without the other.
