The Empire Wrestling Federation (EWF) is an American independent professional wrestling promotion operating in Southern California. It was founded in 1996 by Bill Anderson and Jesse Hernandez and takes its name from California's Inland Empire. Jesse Hernandez has owned and operated the promotion since Bill Anderson's departure in 1999. EWF is associated with Jesse Hernandez's School of Hard Knocks wrestling school and was formerly affiliated with the National Wrestling Alliance.
EWF began presenting events in San Bernardino and later developed a regular circuit across communities including Covina, Rialto, Riverside, Banning, San Bernardino and Lytle Creek, CA. The promotion has operated continuously since 1996 and marked its 30th anniversary in 2026.
History
1996-1999: The Beginning EWF held its debut event on May 5, 1996, at the Boys and Girls Club of San Bernardino. Bobby Bradley defeated Tom "Zuma" Howard in the main event and later defeated him again on June 16 to become the inaugural EWF Heavyweight Champion. The promotion also held a tribute to Superstar Billy Graham during its first year.
The first EWF Tag Team Champions were the Ghetto Boyz, John Black and Johnny Love, who were recognized on December 6, 1996. By 1997, EWF was promoting monthly events at the San Bernardino Sports Arena; contemporary newspaper coverage described a roster of approximately 25 active wrestlers and fans traveling from around Southern California.
During this period, EWF performers also appeared on national wrestling programming. In 1997, World Championship Wrestling broadcasters Chris Jericho and Lee Marshall mentioned the promotion, and Marshall attended an EWF event in Hemet. At the 1999 WWF Royal Rumble, members of the EWF roster appeared as the orderlies sent to apprehend Kane.
1999-2009: The Legacy Bill Anderson left EWF in 1999 and established the International Wrestling Council and a separate training school in Riverside, CA. Jesse Hernandez retained control of EWF and the School of Hard Knocks. The EWF American Championship was established on March 7, 1999, with Mr. Quick recognized as the inaugural champion.
EWF introduced the Cruiserweight Championship in 2004, with Liger Rivera becoming the first champion in a four-way match. During the mid-2000s, the promotion expanded its recurring tournament and memorial-event schedule. The Great Goliath Battle Royal was established in honor of The Great Goliath, Jesse Hernandez's trainer, and became associated with EWF's anniversary events.
EWF became affiliated with the National Wrestling Alliance in the 2000s, and the School of Hard Knocks was identified as an official NWA training facility in 2007. The promotion's event records from this period include the 10th Anniversary Extravaganza in 2006 and the continuation of the Great Goliath memorial event in 2007.
2010-2025: The Empire The EWF Cruiserweight Championship remained active through March 2011. Ray Rosas was its final champion; the title's recorded history comprises 19 reigns among 14 champions. The Inland Title Tournament, originally organized as a round-robin competition and later as a single-elimination tournament, continued through 2014.
EWF held community and charity events during the period. A March 2012 event at Thompson Elementary School in Highland supported school participation and academic achievement. In April 2016, EWF presented an event at the Fox Theater in San Bernardino benefiting victims of the 2015 San Bernardino attack.
The promotion held its 20th Anniversary Extravaganza in Covina on May 6, 2016. The event included the inaugural EWF Hall of Fame class: Bobby Bradley, Frankie Kazarian and Melina Perez. Independent coverage published before the event described EWF as the only Southern California independent promotion then to have operated continuously for 20 years.
Anthony Idol began his fourth EWF Heavyweight Championship reign on December 19, 2025, defeating Trailer King in Rialto, CA.
2026: 30th Anniversary EWF marked its 30th anniversary in 2026 and presented events across the Inland Empire and neighboring communities. The 30th Anniversary Extravaganza took place at the Fontana-Rialto Elks Lodge #2013, in Rialto, CA, on May 22, 2026.
2026 event chronology Date Event City January 16, 2026 Tomorrow's Not Enough Rialto, CA February 20, 2026 Fontana Fight Night Rialto, CA March 14, 2026 Battle At The Brewhouse 2026 Covina, CA March 20, 2026 Revenge Madness Rialto, CA April 18, 2026 Riverside Tamale Festival Riverside, CA April 24, 2026 The Great Goliath Rumble Rialto, CA April 25, 2026 Banning Community Center Banning, CA May 9, 2026 La Tardeada - Riverside Riverside, CA May 22, 2026 30th Anniversary Extravaganza Rialto, CA May 23, 2026 Memorial Day Weekend - Day 1 Lytle Creek, Ca May 24, 2026 Memorial Day Weekend - Day 2 Lytle Creek, CA May 30, 2026 Battle At The Bar{n} Rialto, CA June 3, 2026 Robidoux Riot Riverside, CA June 19, 2026 Summer Blast Rialto, CA June 27, 2026 Heatwave Havoc San Bernardino, CA July 11, 2026 Freedom 4-Way Banning, CA July 17, 2026 Summer Mayhem Rialto, CA July 25, 2026 Freedom Slam San Bernardino, CA August 8, 2026 Calm Before the Storm San Bernardino, CA August 21, 2026 Back to School Bash Rialto, CA September 5, 2026 Labor Day Weekend - Day 1 Lytle Creek, CA September 6, 2026 Labor Day Weekend - Day 2 Lytle Creek, CA
School of Hard Knocks The EWF School of Hard Knocks is owned and operated by Jesse Hernandez and is currently located at the American Sports University, 399 North "D" Street in San Bernardino, CA. The School of Hard Knocks became the Official Training Facility of the National Wrestling Alliance in 2007 and has trained countless students from such countries as Canada, France, Australia, India, Great Britain, Russia, Mexico and others, in addition to those students who come to the school from all regions of the United States. The EWF's School of Hard Knocks has sent several wrestlers to prominent promotions across the globe including Melina, Rico Constantino, Frankie Kazarian, Awesome Kong, Rocky Romero, Ricky Reyes, Alex Koslov and Shelly Martinez. The School of Hard Knocks also has served as the training area for Chris Jericho, Layla, Eve Torres, Rhaka Khan, Lena Yada and others, who looked to brush up on their in-ring skills. The school and some of its students are set to be promoted in the upcoming reality show, "Slam School".
Current champions Championship:Current champion(s):Won From:Location:EWF Heavyweight ChampionshipGustavo PerezAnthony IdolRialto, CAEWF American ChampionshipThe Big BullTrailer KingBanning, CAEWF Tag Team ChampionshipMicheal Badwolf and Vacant I-Rod and Erny ValenciaRialto, CA
Defunct championships The EWF Cruiserweight Championship was introduced in 2004 and was won by Liger Rivera in a 4-Way match. It was defended from 2004 until it was retired in 2011. It had been featured in the EWF's Match of the Year in both 2009 and 2010. Ray Rosas was the last EWF Cruiserweight Champion. Also defunct was the women's championship belt. It has yet to be brought back into the company.
Annual events The Empire Wrestling Federation previously held two annual events, the Great Goliath and the Inland Title Tournament. The Great Goliath Battle Royal/Rumble is held in honor of the wrestler who trained Jesse Hernandez, the EWF's owner and promoter, it has been held during the EWF's Anniversary Extravaganza in May since 2006. The winner is awarded a shot at the EWF Heavyweight Championship.
Great Goliath Battle Royal/Rumble Won By:Year Won:Location:Notes:Ray Malvado2026Rialto, CATrailer King2025Banning, CABlack Metal2024Covina, CAN/A2023N/AAnthony Idol2022San Bernardino, CAAnthony Idol & Raunchy Rico2021San Bernardino, CAJordan Clearwater 2019Covina, CAThe Decapitator2018Covina, CAFriar Juan Roman2017Covina, CADr. Krueger2016Covina, CA"Baby Bull" Vance Garayt2015Covina, CATyshaun Prince2014Covina, CAIronman Mike Maze2013Covina, CAJoey Ryan2012Covina, CAJosh Dunbar/Shaun Ricker2011Covina, CAChris Kadillak2010Covina, CADevon Willis2009Covina, CARyan Taylor2008Covina, CADan "The Man" Kobrick2007Covina, CACincinnati Red2006Covina, CA
Inland Title Tournament / Series Up until 2014 the EWF held the Inland Title Tournament. Originally conceived as a Round Robin Tournament it was later changed to a traditional single elimination format. The winner each year would receive an EWF Championship title match.
2006: Joey Harder 2007: Brandon Gatson 2008: Matt & Nick Jackson 2009: SoCal Crazy 2010: Tommy Wilson 2011: Jeremy Jaeger 2012: Sugar Sweet 2013: N/A No tournament was held. 2014: RJ Ruiz
Charity events The Empire Wrestling Federation is always giving back to the communities it runs in. On March 10, 2012, the EWF put on a show for the students of Thompson Elementary School in Highland, CA. "Honestly, I see this as a way to keep the families engaged and involved," said Principal Funchess, adding, “This is just a great opportunity for Thompson families to come enjoy a positive event here at the school while supporting academic achievement.”
In 2016 The Empire Wrestling Federation held an event at the Fox Theatre in San Bernardino to benefit victims of the 2015 San Bernardino Attack.
Hall of Fame In 2016, EWF announced its first hall of Fame inductees, who were inducted in its 20th anniversary show in Covina California. The first Inductees were: Melina Perez — Former EWF women's wrestler, and former three-time WWE Women's Champion and two-time WWE Divas Champion. She is also the first woman in WWE history to have held both titles on more than one occasion. Bobby Bradley — The first EWF world champion who held the title three times. Frankie Kazarian — Former EWF world and Tag Team champion who is most famous for wrestling for Total Nonstop Action Wrestling where he was Five time TNA X-Division and three time TNA Tag team champion. He has held Ring Of Honor tag team championship once with Christopher Daniels and wrestled briefly in WWE.
The 2017 class included: Vizzon — three-time EWF World Champion and three Time America Champion despite being legally blind. Awesome Kong — Former EWF women's wrestler, Former two time TNA Knockouts Champion, Knockouts tag team Champion, NWA World Women's Champion, WWWA world Women's Champion, and AWA Superstars of Wrestling Women's Champion as well as WWE Diva under the name of Karma. She was Pro Wrestling Illustrated's Woman of the Year in 2008 Jeff Walton — long time wrestling promoter and manager
The 2018 class included: Rick Knox — Legendary Southern California referee Los Chivos — Four time EWF world tag team Champions
The 2026 class included: Denise Salcedo — Ring Announcer/Backstage Journalist.
Staff
Officials Owner / Promoter: Jesse Hernandez Commissioner: Johnny Starr Deputy Commissioner: N/A
Referees Senior Official: Nick Lira Justin Borden JJ Dupree
Commentators Commentators:Dates:"Mr. Wonderful" Rock Riddle and "Ebony Blade" Eric AndersonJuly 2021 – 2024"Mr. Wonderful" Rock Riddle and Bryan WhyteJuly 2016 - July 2021"Webmaster" Wade Needham and "The Expert" Matt SinisterOctober 14, 2011 – July 2016Kelli Lee and "The Expert" Matt SinisterJuly 2, 2011 – October 14, 2011Lalo Gonzalez, Kelli Lee, and "The Expert" Matt SinisterJune 5, 2011 – July 2, 2011Lalo Gonzalez and Kelli LeeN/A – July 2, 2011Lalo Gonzalez and Larry Pena2008-2011Mike Aguirre, Larry Pena, Mad Macintosh, and Lalo Gonzalez2008Mike Aguirre, Larry Pena, and Mad Macintosh2007-2008
Ring announcers Jessica Walters — 2005-2006 Mike Aguirre — 2005-2007 Lalo Gonzalez — 2008-2010 Josh Austin — 2010-2012 Benjamin Tomas — 2012-2015 Jake Alexander — 2014, 2025 Brian White — 2015–2019 Denise Salcedo — 2016-2020 Vanessa — 2021-2023 Jacen Black — 2023–2025 Rene — 2025-present Olivia O — 2026 Johnny Starr — 2026 Mike Wexler — 2026-present
Notable alumni and personnel