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 considered 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 2000. However, it was the promotion's starring role in the 2002 big budget documentary "Grappling with Success" that saw DAVE beginning to shine across the rest of Magisteria.

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 has 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 2000, DAVE landed a pay-per-view deal with 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.

Decline (2006-2007)
By 2006, financial problems began rocking the company as well as the injury crisis as their biggest stars got injured. 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.

Legacy
During its eleven-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 UCW 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.