Pete Posted September 24, 2015 Posted September 24, 2015 JAPW promoter Frank Iadevaia passed away this morning out of nowhere. This one hits home as he was one of the good ones... JAPW was a hell of a promotion at its peak as they transitioned away from the blood-n-guts garbage wrestling and really became more like ROH before ROH. Always a fun show to be had at the Charity Hall in Bayonne and later Rahway, and Frank was always super-cool with us. RIP. 3
Playa Shunna Ver 3.0 Posted September 24, 2015 Posted September 24, 2015 Saw some really good JAPW shows. I remember seeing so many guys on their cable access show like Low Ki etc. Always a good show that delivered what was advertised.
ricksilver Posted September 24, 2015 Posted September 24, 2015 There are very few people who have had as big of an impact on my life as Frank. He gave me a chance when nobody else would, and made it possible for me to live my dream. Even more importantly, he introduced me to so many people who have since become part of my extended family. He was hilarious and bombastic, a loyal friend, and a good man. Long after I'd worn out my welcome in Jersey All Pro Wrestling, he'd bring me back in for a show here and there, just for old times' sake. I can't believe I'll never see him again. 3
RIPPA Posted September 24, 2015 Posted September 24, 2015 DVDVR @D_V_D_V_R 1h1 hour ago RIP Fat Frank. JAPW was a huge part of our little community (especially as we got our sea legs). More than I think anyone will ever realize. 1
Phil Schneider Posted September 24, 2015 Posted September 24, 2015 Oh Man that sucks, I love JAPW, I was actually planning on making my return to indy wrestling for their next show.
Pete Posted September 24, 2015 Author Posted September 24, 2015 Oh Man that sucks, I love JAPW, I was actually planning on making my return to indy wrestling for their next show. The Anniversary show in November? Do it... I was going to stay local for HOH in Queens that same night but this should be quite the public memorial for him.
Web Conn Posted September 24, 2015 Posted September 24, 2015 Posted this first in the wrestling thread thinking i was here so now let me put it in its right place. When I was getting big into indie wrestling in the summer of 2005 it was JAPW's internet wrestling show that exposed me to alot of guys like Jay Lethal Homicide Low Ki Teddy Hart Trent Acid and many more. Sad day. Here is one of my favorite JAPW matches 1
Pete Posted September 24, 2015 Author Posted September 24, 2015 Several lifetimes ago Ray and I were going to a tournament run by a certain promoter whose name doesn't warrant being mentioned in polite conversation (but it rhymes with "Mickey Otaku"). He'd promised he would provide a shuttle to the show from Queens, so we went out to the designated spot and waited. and waited. and waited. and gave up 3 hours later after he hung up on someone else in our group when they tried to track him down. A little while after word had gotten out on that debacle, Frank himself messaged me (he lurked on the board) and said he would drive us to the show himself (pretty sure his direct quote was "I would pick you up in my truck") if that was on his hands. Feeding me a line? Maybe, maybe not. But Frank was that kind of guy. 3
Johnny Sorrow Posted September 25, 2015 Posted September 25, 2015 I had so much fun at the JAPW shows I went to. Got to hang out with some cool folks, including Pete and Ray, and saw Steen and Generico when they were kids traveling to Jersey to work Rahway. I only got to briefly ever talk to Frank but he was always cool as hell.
J.T. Posted September 25, 2015 Posted September 25, 2015 What Web Conn said. Fat Frank brought some of the best indy workers in the world to a place a mere six hour drive from my house. RIP.
Thomas Bugg Posted October 15, 2015 Posted October 15, 2015 Wow, I just now saw this! RIP Fat Frank #japw4life
Pete Posted November 12, 2015 Author Posted November 12, 2015 Frank's memorial show is two nights away in Rahway. Show lineup poster spoilerized for gigantism. Be there aloha.
madsplash Posted November 12, 2015 Posted November 12, 2015 Guys...if I ever die and they do a memorial show in my honor... Please don't book Danny Demanto on it. 3
Bix Posted November 13, 2015 Posted November 13, 2015 Frank's memorial show is two nights away in Rahway. Show lineup poster spoilerized for gigantism. Be there aloha.Planning on it!
Phil Schneider Posted November 15, 2015 Posted November 15, 2015 Show went way too long, and everything but the last two matches were pretty weak, but Ki v Rey delivered in spades, best Rey match in years and he looked really sharp and worked really hard
Pete Posted November 15, 2015 Author Posted November 15, 2015 Guys...if I ever die and they do a memorial show in my honor... Please don't book Danny Demanto on it. Ha. His match (EC Negro replaced Reefer) was probably the best thing on the first half of the show. Phil joked that a morbidly obese Italian stiffing a fat Puerto Rican was the perfect match to run if you're honoring Frank. 1
RIPPA Posted November 15, 2015 Posted November 15, 2015 Honestly a way too long JAPW show sounds like the perfect way to honor Frank 1
ricksilver Posted November 15, 2015 Posted November 15, 2015 Trying to come up with the right words but I can't. It was like The Big Chill of wrestling shows. Seemed like 90% of anyone who ever worked a show in the Bayonne days made it there. Was running around hugging people until after midnight. Very emotional night. I still can't believe that we're all still alive and kicking, and out of all people, Frank is gone. 1
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