MWF bids goodbye after 8-year run

MWF is ending after an eight-year run. Ivan Saldajeno (file photo)
By Ivan Saldajeno

MANILA--The Philippine pro wrestling community was rocked on Saturday night when MWF announced that it is closing shop.

Many fans thought that it could just be kayfabe or part of a certain storyline when MWF put up a lengthy statement on its Facebook page.

However, the disbandment turned out to be for real as the promotion's mainstays put up a joint statement on their respective social media pages confirming the news.

"We are closing the Manila Wrestling Federation as a brand, canceling all MWF-branded live events and productions this year and beyond," the MWF's statement reads.

MWF added that the production outfit behind them, TBT Multimedia Production, "does not plan on forming any new professional wrestling promotion or producing any professional wrestling event."

"We are also not planning on being involved in professional wrestling individually in the foreseeable future. Should other parties continue to start their new professional wrestling-related endeavors, we shall not be involved with and affiliated with them," MWF further said.

MWF was founded in 2016 and it became a viable alternative for fans who wanted more pro wrestling stuff aside from PWR.

When PWR disbanded at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, some of its big names made the jump to MWF.

Last year marked a significant milestone for MWF just as everything was going back to normal as its shows were jam-packed with huge media mileage anchored upon a national television deal with cable channel Rock of Manila TV.

Their last event, Kasaysayan last April 14 at the UP Bahay ng Alumni in Quezon City, was also well-received by fans.

'Hindi pa nagtatapos ang kwento' says former MWF stars

Even if they are now considered "free agents", the wrestlers affected by the MWF disbandment assured their fans that their story is not yet finished.

"Hindi rito nagtatapos ang kwento. Kami ay lalong magsisikap para bumuo ng isang magandang kinabukasan. For Pinoy wrestlers. By Pinoy wrestlers," the former MWF roster's joint statement said.

"Ipinapangako namin na kami ay magbabalik para magpasaya sa inyo. Magkita-kita muli tayo sa susunod na kabanata ng Pinoy wrestling."

Some of the former MWF superstars will see action at Dexcon Dekada on Sunday night at Brawl Pit Bulusan also in Quezon City.

Headlining the card is a "dream match" between Jake De Leon, the last MWF champion, and NJPW star Zack Sabre Jr.

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