IWF Wrestling - Media and TV Appearances

Kevin Knight / Dave LaGreca / Mad Dawg Jenkins

MARCH 20, 2013: Kevin Knight & Mad Dawg Jenkins in-studio interview on "Busted Open" on Sirius XM Satellite Radio

Kevin Knight / Biggie Biggs / Roman Zachary IWF on WCTC 1450 AM Radio

MARCH 7, 2013: Kevin Knight, Biggie Biggs & Roman Zachary in-studio interview on "New Jersey Today" on WCTC 1450-AM Radio

IWF Wrestling & Kevin Knight on New York's PIX 11 TV Morning News April 27, 2012

Kevin Knight and PIX 11 Reporter Lisa Mateo

Biggie Biggs / Lisa Mateo / Travis Blake on PIX 11 Morning News

IWF Appeared Live on New York's WPIX 11 Morning News Friday, April 27, 2012:

IWF's Bodyslammin' For Cancer

Posted 4/27/12 by SHELLEY NG PIX11.com

(NUTLEY, NJ)- Independent Wrestling Federation presented a once-in-a-lifetime family-friendly Live Event Fundraiser to benefit the American Cancer Society's Relay For Life of Nutley.

The star-studded event happened this past Saturday, April 28 at the Parks & Recreation Building, 44 Park Avenue, Nutley, NJ. Headlining the extravaganza were main event bouts with WWE Hall of Famer Tito Santana and WWE Legend The Rocker Marty Jannetty. Santana and Jannetty are former Intercontinental and Tag Team Champions. Nutley's Kevin Knight defended the IWF Heavyweight Title.

This past Friday, April 27, PIX 11 Morning News reporter Lisa Mateo traveled live to Nutley, NJ, to hop in the ring once again with the IWF Stars to talk about the huge charity event.

Travis Blake and Alissa on Pix 11 Morning News

Lisa Mateo and Biggie Biggs on PIX 11 Morning News

Kevin Knight and Alissa on Pix 11 Morning News

IWF Wrestling School on WPIX 11 TV Morning News Tuesday, February 16:
Reports Air with Kevin Knight & Young Stallion Jim Powers

Posted: February 13, 2010

(WEST PATERSON, NJ)- Get body-slammed out of bed this Tuesday, February 16 as New York's popular WPIX 11 TV Morning News Show broadcasts direct from the Independent Wrestling Federation's IWF Wrestling School in West Paterson, NJ.

During the program, reports air at 4:55 am and 7:25 am as PIX 11 reporter Lisa Mateo bravely takes to the ring and interviews head trainer Kevin Knight and WWE Legend Young Stallion Jim Powers. Watch action-packed segments featuring in-ring training demonstrations as Lisa rumbles with IWF Wrestling School students and graduates.

In addition to Knight and Powers, participants include IWF Heavyweight Champion Hi-Definition Chris Steeler, IWF American Champion Chachi, IWF Tag Team Champions Bruising Bookworm Frank Scoleri and German Menace Kraig Stagg, Travis Blake, Franciz, Mad Dawg Jenkins, God's Gift Aaron Stride, Fady the Arabian Bull, Mr. Casino, Evan Schwartz, and IWF lady grappler's Jana, Jennifer and Alissa.

In addition to PIX 11, IWF Wrestling School appeared on CBS 2 News, NBC 4 New York, FOX 5 Good Day New York, ABC 7 Eyewitness News, My 9 News, News 12 New Jersey, NBC Telemundo 47, Telemundo International, WMBC-TV 63 News, Nickelodeon’s Danny Phantom, Nickelodeon’s WACK, EXTRA, TLC’s A Makeover Story, MSG Metro Channel and WOR Radio 710.

"The local, national and international media coverage we experience regularly the past eleven years solidify's the fact that we have the best wrestling school in the Country," said Knight. "Along with our first-rate instruction, and friendly and safe training environment, we will continue to produce top flight prospects for years to come."

Established in 1999, IWF Wrestling School trains hundreds of wrestlers and managers from 20 states and nine countries that perform in bouts around the globe. IWF graduates make frequent appearances on Raw and SmackDown. So far, 21 home-grown IWF talents made WWE appearances.

"Bar none, this is the finest training facility and wrestling camp that I have ever come across," said Jim Powers. "I have attached myself to the Independent Wrestling Federation, to this facility, and to Kevin Knight, and I will make sure that we produce nothing but champions!"

IWF Wrestling School hosts periodic Clinics with current stars and legendary performers. In addition to Jim Powers, WWE Hall of Famer Tito Santana, WWE's John Bradshaw Layfield, Intercontinental Champion Honky Tonk Man, WWE trainer Dr. Tom Prichard, Hall of Famer Ricky Steamboat, UFC Champion Ken Shamrock, Stevie Richards, Nunzio, and WWE Diva Dawn Marie hosted clinics.

Independent Wrestling Federation produces family-friendly live events and hosts children’s Birthday Parties. IWF Wrestling School is recognized as the premiere training facility in the Northeast by countless television and news media outlets.

IWF Rocks New York's CW11 Morning News TV Program:
Live Reports Aired February 20 from West Paterson, NJ

Posted: February 20, 2008

(WEST PATERSON, NJ)- Television viewers were drop-kicked out of bed Wednesday morning, February 20 as New York's popular CW11 Morning News Show broadcast live from the prestigious Independent Wrestling Federation's IWF Wrestling School in West Paterson, NJ.

During the live program, CW11 reporter Larry Hoff took to the ring and interviewed IWF American Champion and Head Trainer Kevin Knight as part of his "Where is Larry Now" report. The action segments featured in-ring training demonstrations as Larry rumbled with IWF Wrestling School students and graduates.

Participants included Knight, IWF Tag Team Champions Justin Corino and Frank Scoleri, Franciz, Chris Steeler, Mad Dawg Jenkins, Evan Schwartz, Matt Bennett, and IWF lady grappler's Jana, and Jennifer.

"Larry tried his best, but unfortunately he fell victim to the IWF stars," said Knight, a 13-year ring veteran. "He dished out some punishment to Franciz and Jana, but it just wasn't enough. I think he needs more training...only the strong survive in the IWF, the rest are down for the count. Judge for yourself by watching the CW11 video at WrestlingIWF.com." Photos IWF on CW11: Photos: CW11 February 20, 2008

In addition to CW11, IWF wrestlers appeared on CBS 2 News, Fox 5 Good Day New York, ABC 7 Eyewitness News, My 9 News, News 12 New Jersey, NBC Telemundo 47, Telemundo International, WMBC-TV 63 News, Nickelodeon’s Danny Phantom, Nickelodeon’s WACK, EXTRA, TLC’s A Makeover Story, MSG Metro Channel and WOR Radio 710.

"The fact that we have experienced amazing local, national and international mainstream media coverage over the past nine years solidify's the IWF as one of the top training schools in the country," Knight added. "Coupled with our first-rate instruction in a friendly and safe environment, we will continue to produce top flight prospects for years to come."

Established in 1999, IWF Wrestling School trains hundreds of wrestlers and managers from 16 states and six countries that perform in bouts around the globe. IWF Commissioner Rich Ross recently joined the management team at USA Network & NBC Universal, partnering with WWE supervising Raw and ECW programming. Former WWE Diva Dawn Marie trained at IWF and had her first-ever match with us in 2001.

Former IWF Tag Team Champion Marc Verow works for the UFC Event Production Staff. Damian Adams is training in Ohio Valley Wrestling, and IWF graduates make frequent appearances on Raw, SmackDown and Heat. So far, 17 home-grown IWF talents made WWE appearances.

IWF Wrestling School hosts periodic Seminars and Clinics with current stars and legendary performers. WWE Legend Honky Tonk Man, WWE's Steven Richards, WWE's Nunzio, WWE Hall of Famer Tito Santana, WWE Developmental Trainer Dr. Tom Prichard, WWE legend Ricky Steamboat, former UFC and WWE Champion Ken Shamrock, former WWE Diva Dawn Marie, former WWE star Tom Brandi (Sal Sincere), former ECW Champion Steve Corino, and TNA's Simon Diamond hosted clinics.

Current Raw Superstar and former WWE Heavyweight Champion John Layfield comes to IWF Wrestling School this spring to host a special Training Seminar sponsored by Mamajuana Energy.

IWF graduates also network within the entertainment business appearing in television shows and commercials. Former IWF referee Kev Kage stars as Rangers hockey mascot “Bobby Granger” on the MSG Network. Tony Torres, Justin Corino and Travis Blake appeared on Nickelodeon’s W.A.C.K. wrestling program, while Knight starred as the "Buckin Chicken" in Burger King commercials.

Independent Wrestling Federation produces family-friendly live events and hosts children’s Birthday Parties. IWF Wrestling School is recognized as the premiere training facility in the Northeast by countless television and news media outlets.

Kevin Knight / Anne Craig Fox 5 / AJ Sparxx

IWF Wrestling School on Fox 5 Good Day New York:

Live Television Program Aired May 3 from West Paterson

Posted: May 4, 2007

(WEST PATERSON, NJ)- Television viewers were body-slammed out of bed Thursday morning, May 3, as Fox 5's popular morning show Good Day New York broadcast live from the prestigious Independent Wrestling Federation IWF Wrestling School in West Paterson, NJ.

During the live program, Fox 5 reporter Anne Craig interviewed former IWF Champion and Head Trainer Kevin Knight as part of her "Anne About Town" report. The segments featured in-ring training demonstrations with Anne mixing it up with IWF Wrestling School students and graduates. Participants included Franciz, Jana, Justin Corino, Chris Steeler, Frank Scoleri, Matt Bennett, and Mad Dawg Jenkins.

"Anne is a great sport and did very well with her training," said Knight, a 12-year ring veteran. "She dished out punishment to me and Franciz, and truly earned the nickname 'Atomic Anne the Annihilator'."

This was a return engagement for Fox 5, as the Good Day crew visited for a report in 2005. In addition, IWF wrestlers appeared on CBS 2 News, ABC 7 Eyewitness News, My 9 News, News 12 NJ, NBC Telemundo 47, Telemundo International, WMBC-TV 63 News, Nickelodeon’s Danny Phantom, Nickelodeon’s WACK, EXTRA, Metro Channel, TLC’s Makeover Story and WOR Radio 710.

"The fact that we have experienced amazing local, national and international media coverage over the past eight years solidify's IWF as one of the top training schools in the country," Knight added. "Coupled with our first-rate instruction in a friendly and safe environment, we will continue to produce top flight prospects."

In addition to graduates working for WWE, IWF alumni appear in television commercials and network programs. Kev Kage stars as Rangers hockey spokesman "Bobby Granger" on MSG Network, ring announcer Tomm Bauer appears on CBS's "CSI: Miami," while Knight stars as the "Buckin Chicken" in Burger King commercials.

Wrestler Stars in Burger King Commercial
The Observer Newspaper, National News at a Community Level

Posted: March 15, 2006

(WEST PATERSON, NJ)- IWF Wrestling Champion Kevin Knight appears in the new Burger King TenderCrisp Chicken commercial airing nationwide.

Life-long Nutley resident and Independent Wrestling Federation Champion Kevin Knight recently participated in the filming of a new Burger King television commercial, which began airing nationwide the week of March 6.

Filmed in February in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Knight plays Burger King’s new TenderCrisp Chicken mascot. Knight is a Nutley High School graduate, attended William Paterson University, operates the IWF Wrestling School in West Paterson, and performs periodically for World Wrestling Entertainment.

Knight auditioned for the part in New York in January, as the Hungryman Production Company sought a 6-foot 4-inch, 240-pound wrestler to don the chicken suit.

Knight won the part and was flown to the legendary Stan Winston Studio in Los Angeles for a costume fitting, then traveled to Brazil for a week of shooting.

“It was 104-degrees the first day of shooting, we were in the middle of a sweltering valley in Rio and I was in a chicken suit that weighed 20 pounds and had a 4-foot 5-inch, 80-pound midget stuntman strapped on my back ... now that’s entertainment,” Knight said.

Here’s the commercial premise: On a chicken ranch, a group of cowboys are crowded around the fence of a rustic coral excitedly taking in some serious dust kicking action.

Suddenly we see the commotion.

A rider flies out of the bucking chute, but he’s not aboard a bronco or a bull. The rider is struggling to stay on something with feathers. The baddest chicken anybody has ever seen. The TenderCrisp Chicken leaps into the air and the action is wild as he attempts to shake his rider with a series of hilarious moves until finally the rider is thrown and lands on the cowboys. That’s one big buckin’ chicken! The only way to beat it, is to eat it!

“Working three, 12-hour days in a row in brutal heat, plus the rehearsal day, was grueling but the commercial is hysterical, I hope it will long be remembered,” Knight said.

Knight has appeared in several other television commercials, most notably the WWE’s Survivor Series wrestling commercial in 2003 and Bubba’s Place commercial in 2001.

Knight has owned the IWF Wrestling School in West Paterson since 1999, training WWE hopefuls ages 16 and older four-days a week. Knight also instructs a fun-filled youth summer wrestling clinic for kids 12 to 17 for three sessions this June, July and August.

Copyright © 2006 [TheObserver.com]. All rights reserved.

UPN 9 News

Fred Sampson, WOR-TV UPN 9 News Reporter Monica Pellegrini & Kevin Knight during interview regarding WWE's Eddie Guerrero (Nov 2005)

IWF Teams with Nickelodeon TV for "Ultimate Enemy Showdown"
IWF Wrestlers as "Danny Phantom" Ghosts September 2005 on Nick

Posted: September 16, 2005

(WEST PATERSON, NJ) - New Jersey's premiere sports-entertainment company, the Independent Wrestling Federation, recently tag teamed with the highest rated network for kids, Nickelodeon, to present the Danny Phantom Ultimate Enemy Showdown!

Danny Phantom, an animated series on Nickelodeon, is the story of an average kid who becomes half ghost after his parents' laboratory explodes, enabling him to use paranormal powers to fight evil ghouls and save the world.

To promote the Ultimate Enemy television movie, Nick viewers created real life ghost characters to battle it out in a series of live action showdown segments that aired on Nickelodeon Monday, September 12 through Friday, September 16, 2005, direct from the IWF Wrestling School in West Paterson, NJ.

"I knew that IWF would be the perfect setting to host the showdown," said Kevin Kage, an IWF graduate who works for Nickelodeon in New York City. "Butch Hartman, creator of Danny Phantom and Fairly Odd Parents, oversaw the production to make sure the ghosts didn't get out of line."

Along with Kage, IWF wrestlers Aaron Stride, Tony Torres, Shawn Donavan, Barry Delaney, and Justin Corino participated in the showdown as the ghost characters. U-Pick Live's Garbagio and Pick Boy provided the commentary.

Kevin Knight & IWF Wrestlers appear live on Fox 5 "Good Day New York" with Penny Crone (March 2005)

IWF Wrestlers Appear in 2003 WWE Survivor Series TV Commercial:

John Cena, Ron Simmons, Chris Benoit, Rey Mysterio, JBL, Big Show, Hurricane, Kurt Angle & Dudleyz take on IWF in WWE Survivor Series commercial. IWF Wrestlers as Football Players...Kevin Knight (#64), Fred Sampson (#58), Shawn Donavan (Assistant Coach), Roman (#38), Brandon Young (#28).

Posted: September 25, 2003

(Mount Vernon, NY) - Picture it…a struggling football team needs to be toughened up, so their coach surprises them with a scrimmage against a menacing practice squad made up of World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) superstars.

That's the premise of the upcoming television commercial to promote the WWE "Survivor Series" pay-per-view, slated for November.

On September 10, Independent Wrestling Federation (IWF) wrestlers Kevin Knight, Roman, BoneCrusher Fred Sampson, Shawn Donavan and Brandon Young participated as members of that struggling football team in the film shoot to create the commercial at Memorial Stadium in Mount Vernon, NY.

WWE superstars who took to the gridiron opposite the IWF'ers were Kurt Angle, The Big Show, Chris Benoit, The Dudley Boyz, The APA, John Cena, The Hurricane and Rey Mysterio.

"This commercial shoot was definitely a tremendous learning experience for me and a very enjoyable one at that," said Roman. "I was overly impressed at the attention given to every detail of the production and when a scene was not quite good enough, there was an effort to immediately shoot a better scene."

Back to the commercial. After the coaches' locker-room pep talk falls on deaf ears, the struggling football squad hits the field only to see the larger-than-life WWE grapplers salivating at the chance of dishing out some unnecessary roughness. At kickoff, all hell breaks loose.

The carnage sees Roman fall victim to Kurt Angle's ankle-lock. Sampson and Young receive a double choke-slam courtesy of The Big Show. Roman gets caught in Chris Benoit's crippler cross-face while John Cena hits the FU on Donavan. Faarooq blindsides Sampson with a shoulder tackle at the water-cooler, while Rey Mysterio takes out Roman with a head-scissors. Last but not least, Knight feels the wrath of The Hurricane's reverse neck-breaker.

"Having the opportunity to work with Ron Simmons (Faarooq) during the scene where I was getting water on the sidelines and received his patented football tackle was great," said Sampson. Of course, Simmons is a former collegiate all-American football star from Florida State.

However, the most devastating scenes saw Brandon Young receive the clothesline-from-hell by Bradshaw, and a 3-D through a table from The Dudley Boyz at the 50-year-line.

Making all the stunts difficult was the fact that the IWF performers were dressed in full football gear and had to receive the moves on a grass field that was slightly softer than concrete. But the production crew and WWE superstars made sure that safety was a top priority.

"These guys always present themselves in a professional manner in everything they do," Shawn Donavan commented. "Getting to do this was incredible because you get to learn how things work behind the camera."

A production crew and support staff of about 35 individuals spearheaded the 12-hour day of filming, and the footage will be edited down into a thirty-second commercial that airs world-wide starting in mid-October.

"Everything WWE does is first-rate," said Knight, who plays the role of the quarterback in the commercial. "From their wrestling product to their television production, the WWE is arguably the best entertainment company in the business."

Brandon Young offered a similar observation after the shoot, saying "I'm that much smarter about the business as a whole because in a way, I saw why WWE is so successful, and that's because they go the extra mile to make all the little things count in everything they do."

As far as using this experience as a learning tool to make it to the next level, Sampson added, "All of the WWE superstars are in phenomenal shape and witnessing that first-hand gives me more motivation to train harder in the hopes that I get to work with WWE again soon."

Behind-the-scenes footage of the commercial as well as interviews with WWE and IWF wrestlers will air on an upcoming episode of "WWE Confidential" on Spike TV.

The IWF is pleased to continue its working relationship with WWE. In June, Knight and Roman wrestled at the Raw and Smackdown TV tapings at Madison Square Garden. Knight and Roman are slated to compete at the Raw TV taping October 21, 2003 in Wilkes-Barre, PA, and at the Smackdown TV taping October 22, 2003 in Albany, NY.

Justin Corino, Shawn Donavan, Matt Bennett & Travis Blake during Telemundo TV-47 visit @ IWF Centre (May 2006)

Ever wish you could see a giant wedge of cheese wrestle an oversized cow? Or an atomic banana grapple with an abominable snowman? Welcome to Nickelodeon WACK wrestling league filled with big personalities and even bigger costumes! IWF's Travis Blake, Justin Corino, Aaron Stride & Shawn Donavan bring these characters to life.

NWA-TNA's Traci Brooks stars in Svedka Vodka Commercial photo shoot at IWF Centre (December 2004)