Promoter
Jim Kettner
(and the 4th Annual Super 8 Contestants)
Having been founded in August 1967, the East Coast Wrestling Association (ECWA) is now in it's 37th year. Jim Kettner has been the promoter of the ECWA since it's inception.
The ECWA is considered one of THE premier independent wrestling promotions in the United States. The ECWA features the top names in the independent wrestling world. The Fallen Angel Christopher Daniels was never seen on the East Coast indy circuit, until Jim Kettner brought him in for a Super 8 Tournament. Now Daniels works for the ECWA on a semi regular basis and he is also booked on other indy cards in the northeast. Other examples of talent you didn’t see very often in this area before Jim Kettner brought them in include Slyk Wagner Brown, April Hunter, Bobby Rude, American Dragon, Spanky, Billy Fives, Scoot Andrews, AJ Styles, and the list goes on and on. If these great wrestlers hadn’t been brought in to the ECWA for other promoters to get a look at them, would they be working on so many other indy shows in the area now?
In addition to bringing in the best up and coming talent, the ECWA has quite a reputation as being a proving ground for talent that has moved on to the “big leagues”. Some of the names that started out in the ECWA include Crowbar, Simon Diamond, Kidman, Christian, Shawn Stasiak, and Test.
Jim Kettner also has a talent for developing phenomenal characters with guys like Mr. Ooh La La, Cheetah Master, Japanese Pool Boy, Mozart Fontaine, JJ The Ring Crew Guy (who actually worked ring crew, and more.
The ECWA Annual Super 8 Tournament is THE INDEPENDENT TOURNAMENT for young light heavyweight competition. The names that have appeared in past Super 8s show just how prestigious this tournament is: Reckless Youth, Cheetah Master, Ace Darling, Kidman, Matt Hardy, Jeff Hardy, Scott Taylor, Crowbar, Simon Diamond, Inferno Kid, Christian York, Mark Shrader, Steve Bradley, Scoot Andrews, Trent Acid, Vic Capri, Shark Boy, Jeff Peterson, Chad Collyer, Jet Jaguar, Christopher Daniels, Jayson Reign, Tony Kozina, Mike Sullivan, Billy Fives, American Dragon, Spanky, Low Ki, Bobby Rude, Red, Pepper Parks, Matt Stryker, Xavier, A.J. Styles, Jamie Knoble, Psycosis, and Donovan Morgan.
Last, but not least, the ECWA has also brought in many major stars over
the years, including:
Ricky "The Dragon” Steamboat, Goldust, Mick Foley, Bob Holly,
Headbangers, Luna, Kidman, Jacqueline, George Steele, Mideon, Steve Williams,
Dory Funk, Jr., Giant Silva, Teri Runnels, Mean Street Posse, Kurt Angle,
King Kong Bundy, Honky Tonk Man, Tito Santana, Bushwhackers, Hacksaw Duggan,
Ivan Koloff, Gillberg, Kevin Kelly, Jim Cornette, Capt. Lou Albano, Mae
Young, Fabulous Moolah, The Dudley Boyz, Edge, The Hardy Boyz, Bob Backlund,
Tom Pritchard, Afa the Samoan, Molly Holly, Steve Corino, D-Lo Brown,
and Michael Cole.
Overall, no other indy promoter has given so many stars their start as Jim Kettner has. No other indy promoter has brought in west coast and mid west talent (first) as the Jim Kettner has. No other indy promoter came up with a tournament that allowed the best light heavyweights in the business a chance to shine. No other indy promotion has had their champion working in the WWF (at the time) and has had their promoter, Jim Kettner, actually go into the WWF locker room to talk to the champion (and get a bloodbath) and find out when he was going to return to defend the title. No other indy promoter gets me to drive 8 hours, round trip, every month to see their show NO MATTER what matches are announced.
Jim Kettner is also a class act personally. In a business that is filled with promoters and bookers who are often big time marks for themselves, and who push their friends or those who sell the most tickets, Kettner stands out as someone who seems grounded in reality, loves the business, and seems to actually have fun with what he does with the ECWA.
Jim Kettner runs a product that is affordable and suitable for a family.
His monthly shows are held in a local parish center that he has filled
for their monthly shows for years.
If anyone can deny the fact that Jim Kettner's ECWA is one of, if not the best, independent promotion in the US today, then tell me how they have been in business for 37 years and how they continue to draw crowds and find the best talent out there, on a regular basis.
(Written by Brett Schwan)
Additional Comments:
"Jim Kettner: Mr. Kettner is the type of promoter that we all
aspire to be. When I first started in the business I called Mr. Kettner
a few times and he was always quick to give helpful advice, which means
alot to an 8 year old kid just trying to get his start. I'm sure Mr. Kettner
doesn't remember it but I certainly do. It meant so much to me. Jim Kettner
is the epitome of what ever indy promoter wants to be, and should strive
to be." - Carmine Sabia
