Trilly-Verse Explained: UWFi

The first of seven(?) rosters on this nerdy Firepro excursion

Introduction:

The revamped Union of Professional Wrestling Force International (now UWFi) is a re-creation of a 90’s era shoot-style promotion. UWFi has a focus on “real” fighting (as it was seen in the pre-UFC days), with particular emphasis on intense striking and inventive, effective, mat-based grappling and submission work. Though it’s home is in Japan, UWFi is truly international in scope, with a roster featuring combatants from Japan, the United States, Mexico, Russia, Georgia, the United Kingdom, Jamaica and more. The roster is a showcase of different fight styles, from traditional pro wrestling, to Brazilian jiu-jitsu, to karate, to sambo to boxing to name just a handful.

The Rules:

There are no pinfalls in UWFi. All wins must come from submission, knockout or TKO. UWFi has done away with it’s former ruleset with a set number of rope breaks. Some matches will feature unlimited rope breaks, while some will feature none. There is zero tolerance for interference, weapons and egregious rule-breaking (no fighting outside the ring). UWFi strives to show who the better FIGHTER is in any and every match that takes place.

The Titles:

• UWFi Heavyweight Title - Though it is a truly openweight title, due to the nature of the fight style, the Heavyweight title will greatly favor those competitors with a size advantage. All matches are contested under the Fire Pro SWA style, with three 10-minute rounds. 5 knockdowns in a round will result in a TKO victory. Any contest undecided after 3 rounds will result in a draw, with the champion retaining.

• UWFi Cage Title - As the name implies, this match takes place on the mat, surrounded by a wire cage, rather than ring ropes. Resembling the UFC octagon or the “Lion’s Den” style of matches, this title is fought only in the Fire Pro Gruesome setting. It does away with the TKO rule of traditional UWFi bouts, giving way to knockout and submission being the only paths to victory. The UWFi Cage title and ranking matches fought in this division are contested under five 5-minute rounds.

• UWFi Tag Team Titles - These titles and matches in this division take place in a setting similar to traditional tag team contests, with a handful of changes. As with the rest of UWFi, all matches must be won by submission or knockout. Rope breaks are active, but tag team partners cannot jump into the ring to break up a submssion. Last, all tag team title matches are fought with the stipulation that BOTH partners must be eliminated to lose. This means that every tag team title match will at one point be worked at a disadvantage for one team, but also allows for heroic, odds-beating moments.

The Roster:

Like all of the Trilly-Verse, the UWFi roster is broken down into stables or factions. To further the “sport” feel of the UWFi, each stable can be thought of more as a team, with an equal number of wrestlers (4). Sportsmanship is higher in UWFi than traditional pro wrestling, though feuds and rivalries are no less cutthroat. Indeed, many shows may exclusively feature one faction versus another in a series of matches to claim supremacy. That all said, we can still break down the roster into a semi-traditional “Babyface/Neutral/Heel” dynamic, even if UWFi fans generally support effort above all.

Never Say Die

Entrance Theme: “Legalitat” by Yutaka Ozaki

Kiyoshi Tamura
Kazushi Sakuraba
Masahito Kakihara
KUSHIDA

All former students of Nobuhiko Takada, Never Say Die carries with it the spirit of the original UWFi. Featuring the face of the promotion, Kiyoshi Tamura, the legit grappling game of Sakuraba and the flashiness of Kakihara and KUSHIDA, Never Say Die are unquestionably the most popular faction for the home crowd in UWFi.

Stars N’ Strikes

Entrance Theme: “Living in America” by James Brown

Kurt Angle
Ken Shamrock
Dennis Koslowski
Bart Vale

Led by the former Olympic Gold Medalist Kurt Angle, Stars N’ Strikes also features two-time Olympic medalist Dennis Koslowski, the “World’s Most Dangerous Man” Ken Shamrock and the notorious Bart Vale. Despite their America-on-the-sleeve styling, the Japanese crowd have taken to the team because of the intensity shown in their matches and their legit backgrounds.

BattlARTISTS

Entrance Theme: “Sushi Monster” by Jeff Lorber

Yuki Ishikawa
Minoru Tanaka
Munenori Sawa
Carl Greco

They aren’t the only former BattleARTS competitors in UWFi, but Yuki Ishikawa hand selected this team to represent the Bati-Bati style. Though one of the smallest teams in stature, the trio of Munenori Sawa, Minoru Tanaka and Carl Greco make up for pure size and strength in inventiveness, attitude and speed. Other competitors know that when they face a member of the BattlARTISTS, their cardio has to be up to snuff.

RINGS Japan

Entrance Theme: “Just a Hero” by Ichiro Nitta

Tsuyoshi Kohsaka
Yoshihisa Yamamoto
Masayuki Naruse
Mitsuya Nagai

One of two factions representing Akira Maeda’s former promotion, RINGS Japan features 4 of the most successful fighters from the defunct company’s earliest days. Kohsaka is the leader, but opponents know that all 4 members have the ability to beat anyone if they play their cards right. Yoshihisa Yamamoto, Masayuki Naruse and Mitsuya Nagai bring a smoothness to their submission work, but it is their strikes that set them apart from other teams.

Planetary

Entrance Theme: “Human Condition” by Yanni

Yuji Nagata
Willie Williams
Blue Panther
Clive Myers

Planetary is a wild combination on paper, with 4 unique styles representing 4 unique countries. Yuji Nagata takes the helm with his Japanese pro wrestling experience, but he is joined by legendary karateka Willie Williams, luchador Blue Panther and representing Jamaica-by-way of UK World of Sport - Clive Myers. Their approach is unusual, but the disparate styles feed off each other in training, allowing each fighter an opportunity to expand their repetoire.

SPORTING

Entrance Theme: “Hungarian Dance No. 5” by Johannes Brahms

Marty Jones
Steve Grey
Timothy Thatcher
Mile Zrno

‘Allo ol’ sport! SPORTING features 4 men who specialize in the western European style of grappling. Mixing the occasional flashy move with truly hard-nosed matwork, this faction aims to bend limbs in ways they are not meant. UK legend Marty Jones is joined by Timothy Thatcher, Steve Grey and Mile Zrno. They adhere to rules almost to a fault, but not at the expense of a win. Occasionally their politeness and/or confidence can get the best of them, but they are feared grapplers all the same.

Fujiwara-GUMI

Entrance Theme: “Keep the Flag Flying” by A.S.H.

Yoshiaki Fujiwara
Masakatsu Funaki
Tatsuo Nakano
Katsumi Usuda

All bow to the throne of Fujiwara. As one of the most influential grapplers and most successful trainers of all time, Fujiwara pulled his prized pupil Masakatsu Funaki into the fray for the new UWFi and brought along two others who love to wreck people. Perhaps the most well-rounded team in UWFi, opponents also know that any fight with a member of Fujiwara-GUMI has a chance for blood, as the squad preaches going in for the “killshot” early and often.

moon vulcan

Entrance Theme: “Blue Eyed Soul” by Carl Douglas

Hideki Suzuki
Fujita “Jr” Hayato
Takuya Nomura
Fuminori Abe

What does moon vulcan mean? Who knows, but the group thrives on not taking shit from anyone. With Hideki at the front and the brutal strikes and fearlessness of of Hayato, Nomura & Abe, moon vulcan finds success while getting under the skin of their opponents with a few extra strikes here and there, putting their all into each one. The crowd loves their intensity, no matter the opponent.

NO FEAR

Entrance Theme: “Destructive Power” by Double Fear

Yoshihiro Takayama
Bas Rutten
Ikuhisa “Minowaman” Minowa
Alexander Otsuka

Hellbent on not only defeating opponents but utterly destroying them, NO FEAR is parhaps the most intimidating team in UWFi. With the force of “Emperor” Yoshihiro Takayama leading the way, he brings with him truly fearless fighters. The terrifying MMA legend Bas Rutten, the “Giant Killer” Minowaman and the one of the most gifted, well-rounded fighters in history Alexander Otsuka round out the unit. While they preach NO FEAR for themselves, they strike fear into the heart of anyone standing across from them.

Los Maestros

Entrance Theme: “El Maestro” by Los Tigres del Norte

Dos Caras
Solar
Negro Navarro
Virus

For something completely different, 4 legends of Lucha Libre matwork come to UWFi in an effort prove that lucha is a style that can compete with any other. Though experts in traditional lucha matches, Caras, Solar, Navarro and Virus bring years of twisting their opponents into pretzels to UWFi, often surprising opponents with the effectiveness of their submissions and the pain they bring.

Euro RINGS

Entrance Theme: “RINGS Rap” by Unknown

Dick Vrij
Tariel Bitsadze
Grom Zaza
Willie Peeters

Four stalwarts of Fighting Network RINGS, the European contingent features two hyrbid Dutch fighters in Dick Vrij and Peeters paired with two legendary Georgians in Bitsadze and Zaza. Able to overwhelm opponents with their strikes and size, Euro RINGS, while not the most gifted submission specialists, nevertheless have the ability to grab a win from anyone they face.

Suzuki-GUN

Entrance Theme: “Kaze Ni Nare” by Ayumi Nakamura

Minoru Suzuki
Daisuke Ikeda
Bob Sapp
Taka Michinoku

Disturbingly popular despite their insistence to do ANYTHING to win, Minoru Suzuki and his faction are taking no prisoners in UWFi. They bring violence and destruction every time out, and they aren’t focusing strictly on their opponents. Backed by knockout king Daisuke Ikeda and the monstrous Bob Sapp, the team is rounded out by Taka Michinoku, a pro wrestler able to adapt to any situation. SZKG will not stop until they hold every title possible.

VENOM

Entrance Theme: “War Master” by Bolt Thrower

Josh Barnett
Don Frye
Kevin Randleman
Kimbo Slice

Controversy creates cash and in the case of VENOM, fight success. 4 notorious American fighters, no strangers to suspsensions, bring their attitude of fight superiority to UWFi, with the full intent of backing it up. Opponents can expect to get hit harder and more frequently than they ever have, to be smothered until they are out of breath and for neverending onslaught. Eschewing technique for pure anger, VENOM believe they are the best UWFi has to offer.

Wolfsbane

Entrance Theme: “Second Rendez-vous” by Unknown

Volk Han
Andrei Kopylov
Victor Zangiev
Salman Hashimikov

The pride of Russia is here. Masters of sambo and wrestling, Wolfsbane may be the most technically accomplished faction in all of UWFi. Backed by their entire country, the men have revolutionized combat sports training together, but all 4 are vying to become the UWFi Heavyweight Champion. Addicted to competition, Han, Kopylov, Zangiev and Hashimikov accept all challengers, even if it is against each other.

FISTS

Entrance Theme: “Bring the Pain” by Method Man

Roy Jones Jr.
Naseem Hamed
Felix Trinidad
Juan Manuel Marquez

The age old question of whether or not a world-class boxer can beat a world-class grappler will be a big part of UWFi. FISTS, led by one of the most decorated boxers of all time in Roy Jones Jr., is bringing 3 other world class lightweight fighters to Japan. Showcasing their uncompromised technique and pure punching power, the undersized boxers can nevertheless dismantle any of their opponents with speed and precision.

THRONE

Entrance Theme: "There'll Always be an England" by Honley Male Voice Choir

Steven Regal
Terry Rudge
Skull Murphy
Dynamite Kid

Hard-drinking lads that wanna smash your face in. THRONE brings some of the toughest, most gnarly wrestlers in the history of the UK to UWFi, where they will use every inch of the ring to their advantage. Unafraid to twist every appendage to it’s breaking point and knock some teeth loose, the members of THRONE pride themselves on always being on top and in control of every fight they are in.

UWFi also has a small roster of unaffiliated legends that rotate in and out for big shows and challenges. Some of them are seen below in the graphic, though who knows who may show up in the future.

UWFi will kick-off soon with 3 distinct tournaments to establish their initial title holders. Stay tuned and enjoy.