Global Force Wrestling (GFW)’s suspension of Alberto El Patron as their champion in the wake of an incident involving his fiancee Paige and the Orlando Police at that city’s airport on July 9 hasn’t resulted in much of a change for their product. With episodes of Impact Wrestling taped weeks in advance, El Patron is still central to their television show. And despite his future with the company reportedly being dependent on an internal investigation, Alberto is still listed as appearing on their August live shows in New York and Connecticut.
El Patron also holds the top belt in World Association of Wrestling (WAW), a British promotion owned by Paige’s family, the Knights. Or at least he did.
Unsurprisingly, given the statements from Paige’s brothers following the airport incident - the latest in a string of such stories involving the couple - WAW announced this morning their title has been vacated. The press release and social media promotion makes no mention of El Patron, instead focusing on a 32 man tournament which will determine his successor:
The WAW Undisputed World Heavyweight Championship has been declared vacant at last night's Academy Show in Costessey, following a unanimous decision by the WAW Championship Committee. The WAWCC's decision was announced by Zak Knight but no information was revealed regarding the crowning of a new champion. Since the announcement several individuals have announced their desire to compete for the title. Both European Heavyweight Champion Robin Lekime and British Heavyweight Champion Aaron Sharp have already revealed their desire to add more gold to their repertoire, as well as former World Heavyweight Champion Brad Slayer and former European Heavyweight Champion King Kendo. With four of WAW's top competitors already eyeing up the most prestigious title will anyone else step forward in the hope of gaining public support?
A 32 man tournament has been announced to determine a new Undisputed World Heavyweight Champion over the course of the rest of 2017 with the final taking place at Epic Studios, Norwich in December. The entrants into this tournament will be deliberated by the WAWCC over the coming weeks before brackets are announced.
There have been no statements on this from El Patron and Paige, who appear to be adhering to a media blackout following her second explanation of the events at the airport. The couple was spotted at a soccer game in San Antonio over the weekend, and video of them walking arm-in-arm has been shared at various places around the internet.