On October 21, 2013, David Marquez, promoter of Championship Wrestling from Hollywood (CWFH), announced the creation of a new governing body called the United Wrestling Network (UWN). Similar to the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA), of which CWFH was formerly a member promotion, the UWN sees its affiliated promotions "pool their resources" and work together to secure national television advertising. For a wrestling company to join the group, they must have a television broadcast agreement or agree to produce their own broadcasts.[1] Soon after its formation, an offshoot called Championship Wrestling from Arizona was launched.[2]
In the Summer of 2014, CWFH announced a tournament to crown the first UWN World Heavyweight Champion, who would be recognized across the UWN's affiliates.[3] However, the tournament wouldn't begin until six years later.
In 2019, independent wrestling personalities Dustin and Maria Starr, along with Marquez, launched the Championship Wrestling from Memphis program for WLMT-TV CW30 Memphis.[citation needed]
On the October 13 Primetime Live event, David Marquez revealed the UWN World Championship for the first time and re-announced the eight-man tournament to crown the inaugural champion.[7][8] One year later, after the finals were postponed due to an injury,[9] the tournament and inaugural championship was ultimately won by Chris Dickinson on October 2, 2021.
During the Summer of 2021, UWN announced the launch of Championship Wrestling from Atlanta, which will air on Peachtree TV, and be taped from Center Stage in Atlanta, Georgia.[10] On July 15, Marquez announced on Twitter that Championship Wrestling from Atlanta would premiere on Saturday September 2 at 10 p.m [11][12]
2022–present: Championship Wrestling relaunch
On February 17, 2022, UWN announced in a press release that they will be merging Championship Wrestling from Hollywood, Championship Wrestling from Arizona and Championship Wrestling from Atlanta into a singular entity under the Championship Wrestling presented by CarShield branding. The first taping for the new show took place at the Irvine Improv in Irvine, California on March 22.[13][14] The new series would premiere on the weekend of April 24, 2022.
During the same year, Championship Wrestling from Memphis changed its name to Memphis Wrestling, becoming more of a stand-alone promotion.[citation needed] The name change was publicly endorsed by Jerry Jarrett on November 22, 2022.[citation needed] Despite the shared name, UWN's Memphis Wrestling promotion has no connections to Corey Maclin's promotion of the same name or any of the previous Memphis territories.
In February 2023, ASM Global announced the launch of Derby City Wrestling in Louisville, Kentucky, with first TV tapings to be held on March 18.
The show would premiere on the weekend of April 9, airing Saturdays at noon on WMYO.[15]
On January 25, 2024, Reality of Wrestling (ROW), Memphis Wrestling, and Championship Wrestling announced a talent exchange program.[16][17]
On May 1, 2024, Championship Television launched a GoFundMe campaign seeking $1.5 million to produce live television programming.[18]
