DEFY Wrestling is an American independent professional wrestling promotion based out of Seattle, Washington. DEFY was created in 2017 after founders Jim Perry (stage name, born James Gilmer) and Matt Farmer successfully petitioned the Washington state government (specifically the Washington State Department of Licensing) to alter laws around professional wrestling, which they had argued had severely impacted the ability of promoters to run small professional wrestling events in the state since the early 1990s. Since its launch in 2017, DEFY has risen to a high level of prominence on the American Independent circuit, in part because of its association as the "home" of emerging national wrestling stars Swerve Strickland, Darby Allin and Nick Wayne.

As DEFY has grown, it has begun to hold events outside of Seattle, including locations such as Tacoma, Yakima, Portland, Oregon, Los Angeles and London, England. Stylistically, promoter Matt Farmer has compared the difference between DEFY and WWE as being like that of Alternative Rock and Pop Music.

History

There is a significant history of professional wrestling in the Pacific Northwest; Between 1925 and 1992 the region was primarily serviced by the well-regarded Pacific Northwest Wrestling (PNW) promotion (also known as Portland Wrestling). However, following the death of the wrestling territory system and the rise of the World Wrestling Federation, PNW fell too by the wayside. Further reinforcing this withering of regional professional wrestling were several regulations introduced to Washington by the Washington State Department of Licensing, which made the cost of producing a professional wrestling event highly prohibitive for smaller organizations. For example, until 2017 the Department of Licensing required all professional wrestling promoters to pay them 6% of the gross income made from any event as well as $1 for every ticket sold at the show. Promoters were also required to obtain a license for every performer featured on the show.

In 2017, following many years of lobbying by Farmer and Perry as well as other members of the professional wrestling community, these requirements were scrapped and Farmer and Perry launched DEFY Wrestling to take advantage of the new era. DEFY would make use of Perry's professional background in marketing and Farmer's background as a professional wrestling historian. The very first DEFY show was headlined by Swerve Strickland challenging Cody Rhodes for the then-active GFW NEX*GEN Championship. Subsequent shows would feature Strickland, Darby Allin and Nick Wayne prominently, as well as female talent such as Vert Vixen and British Columbia's Nicole Matthews.

, almost all of DEFY's events in Seattle have taken place in the historic Washington Hall, which has a capacity of 500 to 800 people depending on the setup.

On 9 February 2024, it was announced that DEFY Wrestling would "merge" with Progress Wrestling, an independent promotion based in London, England. It was created to bring a "global presence" to both brands and aid further expansion plans.

On 26 May 2026, it was announced that both DEFY Wrestling and Progress Wrestling were purchased by Damian Mackle and Nicola Glencross. Three months later, the founders bought DEFY back.https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/defy-owners-matt-farmer-and-jim-perry-return-new-dates-announced/

Championships As of , , Championship Current champion(s)ReignDate won DaysheldLocationNotes DEFY World Championship Bryan Keith 1 September 19, 2025 Seattle, WA Defeated Clark Connors at Aeon DEFY Lucha International Championship Trey Miguel 1 October 1, 2026 Detroit, MI Last eliminated Alan Angels in an eight-person elimination match that also involved Gringo Loco, "Blackheart" Lio Rush, Jason Hotch, Isaiah Broner, Amazanga, and Charles Crowley at All Heart; the title was subsequently renamed to the DEFY Lucha International Championship from the DEFY PrimoLucha Championship.Previous champion Kevin Blackwood vacated the title upon retiring from professional wrestling. DEFY Pacific Northwest Heavyweight Championship Guillermo Rosas 1 December 27, 2025 Seattle, WA Defeated Casey Feirerra, and Cole Rivera in a triple threat match at Aeon to become the inaugural champion. DEFY Tag Team Championship Sinner and Saint 1 December 29, 2024 Seattle, WA Defeated Los Desperados (Arez and Gringo Loco) at Blueprint. DEFY Women's Championship Marina Shafir 1 May 10, 2024 Seattle, WA Defeated Vert Vixen at Here And Now!.

DEFY World Championship

DEFY Lucha International Championship

The DEFY Lucha International Championship is a professional wrestling championship created and promoted by the American promotion DEFY Wrestling, having been contested under lucha libre rules. There have been a total of five reigns shared between five different champions. The current champion is Trey Miguel, who is in his first reign. He won the vacant title by defeating Alan Angels, who he last eliminated, Gringo Loco, "Blackheart" Lio Rush, Jason Hotch, Isaiah Broner, Amazanga, and Charles Crowley in an eight-person elimination match at All Heart in Detroit, Michigan, on October 1, 2026. Previous champion Kevin Blackwood vacated the title due to retiring from professional wrestling.

DEFY Pacific Northwest Heavyweight Championship

The DEFY Pacific Northwest Heavyweight Championship is a professional wrestling championship created and promoted by the American promotion DEFY Wrestling. There has been a total of one reign shared between one champion. The current and inaugural champion is Guillermo Rosas who is in his first reign.

DEFY Tag Team Championship

The DEFY Tag Team Championship is a professional wrestling tag team championship created and promoted by the American promotion DEFY Wrestling. There have been a total of eleven reigns shared between nine teams consisting of eighteen different wrestlers. The current champions are Sinner And Saint (Judas Icarus and Travis Williams), who are in their first reign as a team and individually.

Combined reigns

†Indicates the current champion RankTeamNo. ofreignsCombineddefensesCombineddays1 Midnight Heat 2 10 7802 Sinner And Saint † 1 4 +3 The Bollywood Boyz 2 13 3914 Warbeast 1 8 3085 The Second Gear Crew 1 3 2386 C4 1 2 1357 The American Guns 1 3 1338 One Percent 1 1 699 Christopher Daniels and Swerve Strickland 1 0 3410 Los Desperados 1 0 2811 State Of Emergency 1 0 21

By wrestler RankWrestlerNo. ofreignsCombineddefensesCombineddays1 Eddie Pearl 2 10 780 Ricky Gibson 2 10 7803 Judas Icarus † 1 4 + Travis Williams † 1 4 +5 Gurv Sihra 2 13 391 Harv Sihra 2 13 3917 Jacob Fatu 1 8 308 Josef Samael 1 8 3089 Mance Warner 1 3 238 Matthew Justice 1 3 23811 Cody Chhun 1 2 135 Guillermo Rosas 1 2 13513 Ethan HD 1 3 133 Mike Santiago 1 3 13315 Jorel Nelson 1 1 69 Royce Isaacs 1 1 6917 Christopher Daniels 1 0 34 Swerve Strickland 1 0 3419 Arez 1 0 28 Gringo Loco 1 0 2821 Miles Deville 1 0 21 Sebastian Wolfe 1 0 21

DEFY Women's Championship

The DEFY Women's Championship is a women's professional wrestling championship created and promoted by the American promotion DEFY Wrestling. There have been a total of two reigns shared between two different champions. The current champion is Marina Shafir who is in her first reign.

Notes

References

External links