CWA, wrestling’s new folkstyle professional league, prepares for Showcase V

Editor’s Note: Click here to visit CWA’s homepage for all the latest news, events and results.

By Tristan Warner

During the COVID shutdown of 2020, as the world’s normal day-to-day operations came to a screeching halt, Derek Caldwell’s wheels were just starting to spin.

The former three-year starter at Lock Haven and assistant coach at Bucknell who went on to work full-time in the healthcare industry had a burning desire to get back to his wrestling roots. He set out to find a new, innovative way to advance the sport, eventually creating an avenue to continue folkstyle competition past college.

That is the short story of how the Championship Wrestling Association (CWA) was born.

“We were watching those cards during the pandemic and realized they weren’t going to last forever,” Caldwell said. “We could still create opportunities.

“Our plan was freestyle originally, but because the Senior-level guys already have that opportunity through USA Wrestling, we reevaluated and the folkstyle side came to fruition.

“There are so many good guys that don’t make the World Team each year. We leave so many good guys at home, but they have so much gas left in the tank. The fans grow up with folkstyle and are accustomed to it, so why not focus on a professional folkstyle league? Folkstyle gone pro.”

Officially launched in 2023, from its inception, Caldwell and his small nucleus of original masterminds, including former Lock Haven All-American and now Bucknell assistant coach Dan Neff and former LHU heavyweight Harry Turner, formerly of New Jersey, hit the ground running.

“We built out rosters and teams and began holding showcases in locations where we plan to have these teams,” Caldwell explained. “We wanted to build awareness and relationships with people in those markets. Now, we are coming up on number five and six.”

The CWA, which will draft next summer and officially begin its six-team dual-meet league in the fall of 2026, is open to post-collegiate wrestlers looking to continue competing in the sport. The teams will square off in one dual meet per week before competing for a team championship in the weeks leading up to the collegiate season.

Matches consist of three three-minute periods with folkstyle rules and scoring. That is what the fans can get behind because they’ve watched it their whole lives, Caldwell asserted.

“The CWA is a viable option for entertainment for the wrestling community and another option for post-collegiate wrestling,” he said. “I don’t need to put the word ‘America’ in the name because when you watch it, you know what you are watching. We are truly folkstyle through and through, which is the exact same progression of every other professional sports league.”

Beginning with six teams, the Central PA Whitetails, Lehigh Valley Hellbenders, New Jersey Mob, New York Response, Philadelphia Founders, and the Pittsburgh Skywalkers, Caldwell and his crew have every intention to expand westward.

“Other markets are interested, and yes, we want to get to that point, but we’ve got to make sure they are in good standing. Pennsylvania and New Jersey are great places to start.”

In the meantime, building relationships and promoting the current markets are Caldwell’s main objectives.

“Everyone is tugging on the rope in the same direction. There are a lot of people behind the scenes, including my wife. It is a grassroots approach, and it is a family affair.

“It is a lot of relationship building and talking to these guys one-on-one. As a new group and expanding out, we ultimately need these guys to lead the charge on promoting themselves and promoting the league.”

“We are also focused on building these teams out in a way where people have a local tie to it. We can tie together teams with an RTC. We let people know, flat out, this is your team. These are the guys to get behind, just like every other North American professional sport.”

Caldwell’s message to the wrestling faithful?

“Support it. In what context can you support it? Buy a stream, go to the event, buy a T-shirt or just follow us online and like our stuff. Any support, big or small, shows up for the league. Folkstyle is what America does, and that is what we are going to continue to do.”

Upcoming CWA Showcase V

Saturday, August 16, the CWA’s fifth showcase will converge on the RWJ Barnabas Health Arena in Tom’s River, N.J. Intriguing matchups include a battle of former NCAA finalists in Jesse Dellavecchia (Rider ’21) vs. Quincy Monday (Princeton ’23). Additionally, another key headliner will be former NCAA finalist and three-time World Team member Reece Humphrey (Ohio State ’10) taking on 2025 All-American Sammy Alvarez (Rider ’25).

“Dellavecchia talked to us after the US Open and now he is set up with Quincy Monday next weekend,” Caldwell commented. “The Humphrey vs. Alvarez match will also be a really fun one,” he continued. “You’re going to see a lot of points put up. Reece always goes for the big moves.”

To purchase tickets for this weekend’s showcase, click here. Fans who cannot attend in person can stream the event as well as watch replays of past showcases by clicking here.

Upcoming Showcase VI

The CWA Showcase VI is heading to the Detroit area on Thursday, Sept. 25, 2025 at Wayne Memorial High School in Wayne, Mich. In a rematch of the 2019 Super 32 Challenge finals, three-time All-American Peyton Hall (West Virginia ’25) will square off against 2025 NCAA Blood-Round finisher Chase Saldate (Michigan ’25) in what is shaping up to be one of the card’s featured bouts. Meanwhile, Christian Lance (Nebraska ’22) will battle Sam Schuyler (Iowa State ’23) in an upper-weight super match.

“Showcase VI will be our biggest one to date,” Caldwell said. “We are putting the reps in by having these events. It is not so much the marketing but getting boots on the ground in the community and getting them excited about who will be in town.”