Danger And Violence Extreme

Danger And Violence Extreme (DAVE) was a Magisterian professional wrestling promotion that was based in Calisota, Philadelphia. The promotion was founded on 25 November 1996 by veteran wrestler Buddy Gaines but it wasn't until former MWF colour commentator Phil Vibert bought the company in 1997, and later signed prominent MWF wrestler and close friend Heidi Hyde, who was arguably MWF's most famous female wrestler and later DAVE's head booker. Vibert's creative direction launched the careers of several superstars, most notably Chris Morissette, Frankie Future, and David Stone.

For much of its existence, DAVE was regarded as the fourth-largest professional wrestling promotion in Magisteria in terms of popularity. The company's unique approach to the sport fostered a cult-like following, and they later managed to secure a pay-per-view deal in 1999, and began broadcasting pay-per-views in January 2000. However, it was the promotion's starring role in the 2002 big budget documentary film "Grappling with Success" that saw DAVE beginning to shine across the rest of Magisteria.

Following the demise of its American counterpart in 2001, DAVE also fostered a cult-like following in the United States thanks to its immense popularity to tape traders. In 2004, DAVE made their first ever shows in the United States as part of their week-long tour, taking place in ECW's hometown, at the  - formerly known as the  - with every show in the tour selling out.

Beginning in 2003, DAVE continued its national expansion by landing a national television deal with Extreme to show its weekly program Danger Zone TV, which aired in the regional television station National Pride TV prior to the signing of the deal. From 2004 onward, the company was virtually under siege from talent raids from bigger groups, which combined with an injury crisis and mounting financial problems led to DAVE closing down in May of 2007.

Formation and early months (1996-1997)
DAVE began promoting shows four days after its official opening, with the first event titled 'Highway to the Danger Zone'. The show was highly successful, with the show drawing approximately 1,000 fans in attendance at the Vipers Club Hall in Calisota, Philadelphia. A month later, DAVE crowned Johnny Martin as their first ever Extreme champion at the Cold Day in Hell event before Martin lost it to Kurt Laramee at the 1997 Blood and Thunder event.

DAVE under Phil Vibert and Heidi Hyde (1997-2007)
In April 1997, Phil Vibert and Heidi Hyde sent shockwaves to wrestling when both announced their takeover of Danger And Violence Extreme. In a press release issued, Vibert promised to "shake things up" and "make a real impact on professional wrestling" and then after, he hyped that DAVE's next show will have the shock debut of an un-named "Huge Star" which ended up being former MWF World Heavyweight champion Eric Tyler. DAVE was equipped with arguably the greatest creative minds in Magisterian professional wrestling, and it meant that easily making new stars were their main advantage. In 1999, DAVE landed a pay-per-view deal with the 2000 Blood and Thunder being the first to be broadcast on pay-per-view. DAVE was featured in the 2002 big budget documentary film Grappling with Success, and DAVE began its national expansion thanks to the critical and commercial success of the documentary film, leading them into a TV deal with Extreme.

With record profits at around M$95,000-250,000 per month from the television and pay-per-view deals combined, DAVE was undisputably the dark horse and the fourth competitor in the hot Magisterian wrestling war between the overall goliath Golden Canvas Traditional Grappling, the sports entertainment giant Magisterian Wrestling Federation, and the critical darling Pure Magisterian Wrestling Association.

In 2004, Kurt Laramee, who had close relationships with fellow wrestlers like Hardcore Killah, Stevie Vortex, and Killa Wattz, left the company in a stormy exit after the infamous match between him and William Fletcher where he won, but Fletcher's lack of selling led to Laramee legitimately hurting Fletcher, which led him to excessively bleed and had to be sent to the hospital after the show where the match took place. It was revealed that Vibert wanted to put over Fletcher but Laramee selfishly denied, and as act of revenge, he told Fletcher to not sell every move Laramee does. The quartet moved to the then-fledging hardcore promotion and the bitter rival-turned-spiritual successor Violent Extreme Wrestling (VEW), and Laramee became their inaugural champion meanwhile Killah became the person with the most reigns with their World title, a record-setting seven reigns. William Fletcher would stay with DAVE up until the company's closure where he was a multiple-time Television champion.

Injury crisis and decline (2005-2007)
The high-impact, physically demanding style that DAVE uses was notorious for shortening careers. From late-2005 to mid-2006, DAVE suffered from an injury crisis where most of the company's main event scene was injured, including DAVE's figurehead Eric Tyler. It meant that Vibert and Hyde had to make up a long term plan by pushing rookie star Tom Gilmore - who was arguably DAVE's closest equivalent to the now-established three major stars Chris Morissette, Frankie Future, and David Stone - to the moon. DAVE's financial power was nowhere near as equal as its bigger three opponents to go out and bring in much new talent, and their future had to depend on a lot on the youngsters who they had on the roster.

During the final years of the promotion, DAVE was clearly a promotion in transition as their vast majority of the main event scene that have carried the company for so long (Eric Tyler, Chris Caulfield, Elton Rando, Genghis Rahn, Chris Morissette, Frankie Future, David Stone, etc.) was in their forties or late thirties and their physical healths have deteriorated.

By late-2006, financial problems began rocking the company. DAVE remained Extreme's most rated sports-related show up until its cancellation in 2007. Vibert and Hyde could not get out of financial trouble which led them on closing DAVE on 13 May 2007.

After closure (2007)
After the closure of DAVE, Vibert disappeared from the public eye for approx. two years before re-emerging and rejuvenating his career as a left-wing anti-conservative political commentator, which led him on holding positions such as the Chief of the Philadelphia State Council, and later the presidency. In 2016, Vibert and Packer would reconcile and would lead to Vibert getting inducted to MWF's Hall of Fame.

Heidi Hyde would continue her work as a professional wrestling creative writer. This time, she now works for DAVE's then-rival, the Magisterian Wrestling Federation, where she works as the Vice President of the company.

Eric Tyler would retire from in-ring competition in 2008, with his final match being held in PMWA in a losing effort against his former tag team partner and close friend, Yoshimi Mushashibo. Tyler would leave the business shortly after his retirement, but would continue make occasional appearances in wrestling fan conventions.

Chris Caulfield would take over DAVE's other rival Violent Extreme Wrestling in October 2007, rebuilding the company with a more modern product that appeals to modern wrestling fans. The rebuild proved to be an absolute success, with Caulfield's creative genius and a major television and pay-per-view deal added to the mix, VEW rapidly rose to the ranks as the undisputed fourth largest promotion in Magisteria.

1996

 * DAVE Highway to the Danger Zone (November 30, 1996)
 * DAVE Cold Day in Hell (December 21, 1996)

1997

 * DAVE Blood and Thunder (January 25, 1997)
 * DAVE Back In Black (February 15, 1997)
 * DAVE ThunderStruck (March 22, 1997)
 * DAVE Rock And Roll Over (April 19, 1997)
 * DAVE Total Disruption (May 24, 1997)
 * DAVE The Extreme Double Header, Day 1 (June 20, 1997)
 * DAVE The Extreme Double Header, Day 2 (June 21, 1997)
 * DAVE Attitude Adjustment (July 26, 1997)
 * DAVE Extreme Warfare (August 30, 1997)
 * DAVE Zero Hour (September 27, 1997)
 * DAVE Counter Culture (October 25, 1997)
 * DAVE The Alternate Showcase (November 29, 1997)
 * DAVE Cold Day in Hell (December 20, 1997)

1998

 * DAVE Blood and Thunder (January 24, 1998)
 * DAVE Back In Black (February 28, 1998)
 * DAVE ThunderStruck (March 28, 1998)
 * DAVE Rock And Roll Over (April 18, 1998)
 * DAVE Total Disruption (May 23, 1998)
 * DAVE The Extreme Double Header, Day 1 (June 26, 1998)
 * DAVE The Extreme Double Header, Day 2 (June 27, 1998)
 * DAVE Attitude Adjustment (July 25, 1998)
 * DAVE Extreme Warfare (August 22, 1998)
 * DAVE Zero Hour (September 26, 1998)
 * DAVE Counter Culture (October 24, 1998)
 * DAVE The Alternate Showcase (November 21, 1998)
 * DAVE Cold Day in Hell (December 26, 1998)

1999

 * DAVE Blood and Thunder (January 23, 1999)
 * DAVE Back In Black (February 20, 1999)
 * DAVE ThunderStruck (March 20, 1999)
 * DAVE Rock And Roll Over (April 17, 1999)
 * DAVE Total Disruption (May 22, 1999)
 * DAVE The Extreme Double Header, Day 1 (June 25, 1999)
 * DAVE The Extreme Double Header, Day 2 (June 26, 1999)
 * DAVE Attitude Adjustment (July 24, 1999)
 * DAVE Extreme Warfare (August 21, 1999)
 * DAVE Zero Hour (September 18, 1999)
 * DAVE Counter Culture (October 23, 1999)
 * DAVE The Alternate Showcase (November 20, 1999)
 * DAVE Cold Day in Hell (December 18, 1999)

2000

 * DAVE Blood and Thunder (January 16, 2000)
 * DAVE Back In Black (February 13, 2000)
 * DAVE ThunderStruck (March 5, 2000)
 * DAVE Rock And Roll Over (April 9, 2000)
 * DAVE Total Disruption (May 7, 2000)
 * DAVE The Extreme Double Header, Day 1 (June 10, 2000)
 * DAVE The Extreme Double Header, Day 2 (June 11, 2000)
 * DAVE Attitude Adjustment (July 2, 2000)
 * DAVE Extreme Warfare (August 6, 2000)
 * DAVE Zero Hour (September 3, 2000)
 * DAVE Counter Culture (October 1, 2000)
 * DAVE The Alternate Showcase (November 5, 2000)
 * DAVE Cold Day in Hell (December 3, 2000)

2001

 * DAVE Blood and Thunder (January 14, 2001)
 * DAVE Back In Black (February 11, 2001)
 * DAVE ThunderStruck (March 11, 2001)
 * DAVE Rock And Roll Over (April 8, 2001)
 * DAVE Total Disruption (May 13, 2001)
 * DAVE The Extreme Double Header, Day 1 (June 9, 2001)
 * DAVE The Extreme Double Header, Day 2 (June 10, 2001)
 * DAVE Attitude Adjustment (July 8, 2001)
 * DAVE Extreme Warfare (August 5, 2001)
 * DAVE Zero Hour (September 9, 2001)
 * DAVE Counter Culture (October 7, 2001)
 * DAVE The Alternate Showcase (November 11, 2001)
 * DAVE Cold Day in Hell (December 9, 2001)

2002

 * DAVE Blood and Thunder (January 6, 2002)
 * DAVE Back In Black (February 3, 2002)
 * DAVE ThunderStruck (March 3, 2002)
 * DAVE Rock And Roll Over (April 7, 2002)
 * DAVE Total Disruption (May 5, 2002)
 * DAVE The Extreme Double Header, Day 1 (June 8, 2002)
 * DAVE The Extreme Double Header, Day 2 (June 9, 2002)
 * DAVE Attitude Adjustment (July 7, 2002)
 * DAVE Extreme Warfare (August 4, 2002)
 * DAVE Zero Hour (September 8, 2002)
 * DAVE Counter Culture (October 6, 2002)
 * DAVE The Alternate Showcase (November 3, 2002)
 * DAVE Cold Day in Hell (December 1, 2002)

2003

 * DAVE Blood and Thunder (January 5, 2003)
 * DAVE Back In Black (February 2, 2003)
 * DAVE ThunderStruck (March 2, 2003)
 * DAVE Rock And Roll Over (April 13, 2003)
 * DAVE Total Disruption (May 11, 2003)
 * DAVE The Extreme Double Header, Day 1 (June 7, 2003)
 * DAVE The Extreme Double Header, Day 2 (June 8, 2003)
 * DAVE Attitude Adjustment (July 6, 2003)
 * DAVE Extreme Warfare (August 3, 2003)
 * DAVE Zero Hour (September 7, 2003)
 * DAVE Counter Culture (October 5, 2003)
 * DAVE The Alternate Showcase (November 2, 2003)
 * DAVE Cold Day in Hell (December 7, 2003)

2004

 * DAVE Blood and Thunder (January 4, 2004)
 * DAVE Back In Black (February 29, 2004)
 * DAVE ThunderStruck (March 28, 2004)
 * DAVE Rock And Roll Over (April 18, 2004)
 * DAVE Total Disruption (May 16, 2004)
 * DAVE The Extreme Double Header, Day 1 (June 12, 2004)
 * DAVE The Extreme Double Header, Day 2 (June 13, 2004)
 * DAVE Attitude Adjustment (July 11, 2004)
 * DAVE Extreme Warfare (August 8, 2004)
 * DAVE Zero Hour (September 5, 2004)
 * DAVE Counter Culture (October 10, 2004)
 * DAVE The Alternate Showcase (November 7, 2004)
 * DAVE Cold Day in Hell (December 5, 2004)

2005

 * DAVE Blood and Thunder (January 2, 2005)
 * DAVE Back In Black (February 6, 2005)
 * DAVE ThunderStruck (March 6, 2005)
 * DAVE Rock And Roll Over (April 3, 2005)
 * DAVE Total Disruption (May 1, 2005)
 * DAVE The Extreme Double Header, Day 1 (June 4, 2005)
 * DAVE The Extreme Double Header, Day 2 (June 5, 2005)
 * DAVE Attitude Adjustment (July 10, 2005)
 * DAVE Extreme Warfare (August 7, 2005)
 * DAVE Zero Hour (September 4, 2005)
 * DAVE Counter Culture (October 2, 2005)
 * DAVE The Alternate Showcase (November 6, 2005)
 * DAVE Cold Day in Hell (December 4, 2005)

2006

 * DAVE Blood and Thunder (January 8, 2006)
 * DAVE Back In Black (February 5, 2006)
 * DAVE ThunderStruck (March 5, 2006)
 * DAVE Rock And Roll Over (April 9, 2006)
 * DAVE Total Disruption (May 7, 2006)
 * DAVE The Extreme Double Header, Day 1 (June 10, 2006)
 * DAVE The Extreme Double Header, Day 2 (June 11, 2006)
 * DAVE Attitude Adjustment (July 9, 2006)
 * DAVE Extreme Warfare (August 6, 2006)
 * DAVE Zero Hour (September 3, 2006)
 * DAVE Counter Culture (October 8, 2006)
 * DAVE The Alternate Showcase (November 5, 2006)
 * DAVE Cold Day in Hell (December 3, 2006)

2007

 * DAVE Blood and Thunder (January 14, 2007)
 * DAVE Back In Black (February 11, 2007)
 * DAVE ThunderStruck (March 11, 2007)
 * DAVE Rock And Roll Over (April 8, 2007)

Legacy
During its ten-year history, DAVE offered a hardcore style with a mix of realism and highspot daredevil wrestling that was rarely, or even not, featured on GCTG, MWF, and PMWA matches. In DAVE, there were virtually no rules, and they were pushing boundaries and pushing buttons, mixing sex appeal, violence, swearing and more violence to make their own niche. The role of referees only included counting pinfalls, acknowledging submissions, and upholding rope breaks. The fanbase were and still is extremely loyal after the closure in 2007, and with the power of their fanbase, they turned previously unknown performers into cult figures. The company also had a fierce rivalry with the Magisterian Wrestling Federation, which was fueled by Vibert's personal conflict with MWF's owner Allen Packer.

The legacy of the promotion is regarded as the 'most protected in Magisterian wrestling history', as some have tried to buy the rights for the promotion from Phil Vibert, many have failed and if one succeeds to do so, the Magisterian wrestling community have promised to blackball the person who somewhat succeeded from buying the rights and has intentions to resurrect the company.

Extreme Eliminator match
The Extreme Eliminator match is a specialty of Danger And Violence Extreme. The match involves larger number of competitors with the most common number being three competitors. The match is seen as a 'scramble' match where a time limit is set at either 20, 30, 45, or 60, and the first fall does not eliminate the competitor that was pinned/submitted first. When two competitors are tied in the points, the third competitor that stayed with zero points will be eliminated when the time limit expires, and a sudden death will be held with 25-40 minutes on the clock added.

In a four-man match, a tag format is used instead of having all the wrestlers in the ring at the same time although the rules from the three-man match remain.

Satan's Triangle match
The Satan's Triangle match is an off-shoot version of the three-man Extreme Eliminator, with the exception of the scramble rule from the Extreme Eliminator are not present in the match instead it is replaced by basic elimination, and hardcore wrestling weapons are present inside or outside the ring.

Chained Fury match
The Chained Fury match is a match stipulation where all of the ring ropes are replaced by steel chains, and all of the turnbackle pads are removed, exposing the steel bolts holding the ropes together.

In other media
In 2004, DAVE was featured in the late-night sketch variety show The House Party Crew, where wrestlers Chris Caulfield, Chris Morissette, Frankie Future, and Eric Tyler made their special appearances in different sketches. DAVE wrestlers Eric Tyler and David Stone also made their one time appearance in the MBC romantic sitcom 'You & Me'