Pro wrestling returns to Dominican Republic this Saturday
Pro wrestling is returning to the home of (disputed) former NWA World Heavyweight Champion Jack Veneno on Saturday for the first time since at least before the Covid-19 pandemic began.
The International Wrestling Federation, based in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, is planning that return and is promising a mega event.
The event’s poster promises “3 championship tournaments and more than 20 national and international gladiators in an event that will make history.” The event is also planned to be a TV taping for future shows that will air on Cartoce TV in the Dominican Republic, according to the IWF’s Facebook page.
The show, which is titled Campeones en la Playa and translates to “Champions on the Beach,” is set to kick off at 2 PM on Saturday, Dominican Republic time, from Nigua Beach, which, if our understanding is correct, is about 20 kilometers from Santo Domingo and is just outside of the municipality of San Cristobal.
If the event kicks off as advertised, this would be a huge relaunch for pro wrestling in the Dominican Republic. Three championship tournaments and over twenty wrestlers competing at an event that will be taped for future TV shows is a pretty big first step in the right direction.
All of us here at WrestleMap are excited to see pro wrestling return to the Dominican Republic. The Caribbean nation has played a big role in pro wrestling’s history, once being the site of Dominican native Jack Veneno defeating Ric Flair for the NWA World Championship, only to have that title change go unrecognized by the National Wrestling Alliance. Sadly, Veneno will not be able to witness this return to action as the former champion passed away in April of 2021.
Jack Veneno wearing the NWA World Title belt. Photo courtesy of Jack Veneno’s Facebook page.
WrestleMap had previously reached out to the IWF in mid-June about their impending return for more details. Unfortunately, communication was lost between the two sides and we aren’t able to provide specifics, such as any wrestlers that are scheduled to compete.
We’ll do our best to keep our eyes peeled for more information going forward about the restart of pro wrestling in the Dominican Republic!
7/13/21 Update: The event has been moved to August 7th.
