Steven Caldera

Steven Caldera

First Appearance

Latest Appearance

ACWF Aug. 2000

GCW (current)

Federations

Global Championship Wrestling

Age

30

Birthplace

Columbus OH

Finisher

Caldera Drop

Wrestling Style

Technician

Championships

AWA World Champion x3

Handler

Images

Steven Caldera (born Steven James Caldera on September 8, 1976) is the founder, owner and President of GCW and Caldera Enterprises, Incorporated. Caldera is best known as the owner of GCW, but also enjoyed a highly successful wrestling career before suffering career ending injuries. He is currently a member of the stable The Establishment.

Early Life

Caldera was born in Columbus, Ohio to wealthy parents. He did not perform well in grade school, nor did he show any particular physical gifts. Caldera withdrew from school at age 16 and went to college. There he excelled, earning a Bachelor's Degree in Business from Ohio State by age 20. Caldera then pursued a degree in Law, which he obtained from Harvard at age 23. During his last year of law school, Caldera began to pursue his life's dream of wrestling. The goal was simply to experience wrestling before going on to a career in law, but Caldera saw fast success and abandoned his life as an attorney to continue wrestling.

Career

ACWF

Steven Caldera got his start in the ACWF in 2000. He progressed quickly, managing to capture the federation's World Title in one month, becoming the first and only ACWF World Champion. During this time he formed close friendships with Gaius Octavianus, later to become known as Octavian, and Khan, as well as the ACWF's owner Mr. Danger. Caldera also wrestled with close friend The Jhub.

During the ACWF's first and only Pay-Per-View event, Deadly Decisions, Caldera wrestled in a one-night tournament, defeating The Heckler, the Lord of Illusions, and finally arch nemesis Big Daddy Dero to become the ACWF World Champion. However, during the final match, Caldera suffered a devastating knee injury, rupturing the ACL and MCL in his right knee. Doctors informed Caldera that the injury was career-threatening, and when the ACWF closed shortly thereafter, Caldera considered retirement.

CWU

However, Caldera was contacted by the Krotzers of the CWU. He was offered a job as Commissioner after expressing interest in working as booker. Commissioner Caldera arrived in the CWU in late 2000 and was immediately despised by the CWU crowd for his manipulative, absolutist approach to management. However, though personally disliked, most of the CWU's roster appreciated Caldera for having quickly boosted ratings. CWU experienced unprecedented success under Caldera, who quickly showed his aptitude for the business. The ownership disappeared during this time, leaving Caldera in charge of the company, and the CWU became the biggest independent federation in America. However, once the ownership returned, Caldera was forced out. Caldera announced his intention to start his own wrestling promotion, and most of the CWU roster made verbal commitments to follow him there. Among the CWU stars who would eventually establish themselves in GCW were Toxic, Trash (later known as Twizzy) and Rich 'The Renegade' Rollins.

GCW

Caldera founded GCW in February of 2001. He had amassed considerable personal wealth during his time in wrestling, which he invested wisely. He took the entire sum and committed it to GCW, putting his life on the line to continue to pursue his passion for wrestling. The risk paid off as GCW debuted to record numbers.

AWA

Shortly after starting GCW, Caldera underwent an experimental knee replacement surgery. The surgery was highly successful, allowing Caldera to return to the ring. While continuing to work as head booker for GCW, Caldera began working for the independent promotion the American Wrestling Alliance. Caldera quickly won acclaim as the AWA Television Champion. After major rivalries with Vapor Adams and Dave 'The Rave' Santini, Caldera began his historic feud with Low. Low and Caldera engaged in a long, brutal war over the AWA World Title. Caldera finally won the AWA World Title in a First Blood Match against Low in December 2001. Low would win the title back two months later, only to promptly vacate the belt. Caldera would then win the vacated title back in February. Eventually Caldera's replaced knee wore out and had to be operated on again, prompting Caldera to pass the title off to former rival and protoge Vapor Adams.

During this time, Caldera returned full force to GCW and resurrected his historic stable The Establishment. With GCW World Champion Jason Dread heading the group with US Champion Michael Stevens, Toxic and Khan, Caldera became a force in his own promotion once again. The group dominated GCW until its closing in May. The company had remained financially sound, but due to a heavy work schedule the GCW roster faltered and ultimately needed time off.

During this break, Caldera returned to the AWA having healed his knee. Caldera met old rival Dave Santini and Ray Owens in a triple threat match in December 2002, where he captured his third AWA World Title. He held the title for 42 days before meeting Hangman in a steel cage match at Hellbowl. The match ended in a no contest when Caldera was thrown from the top of the cage, resulting in massive damage to his knee. Caldera was stripped of the title and would never wrestle in the AWA again. The knee damage was so severe that Caldera was unable to return to any ring for a full time schedule. A third reconstructive surgery on his right knee allows him to live comfortably.

Middle Years

Caldera has returned to the ring from time to time since then. Most notably Caldera entered PTC's GTT5 tournament, making a short but impressive run before his knee failed him against Jimmy Bong. Caldera also teamed with Seymour Almasy at NC-17 2006 against Angelo Deville and Rich 'The Renegade' Rollins in an ACWF Match. Caldera defeated Rollins in the match and escaped significant damage.

During GCW's downtime, Caldera linked up with new wrestler Kimbusa. Kimbusa soared to notoriety under Caldera's tutelage in GTT3, tearing to the semifinals before finally falling to Deville. The duo then went to OSW, where Caldera worked as a road agent. They then moved to Five Star Wrestling, where Kimbusa enjoyed great success in the ring. Caldera continued to manage Kimbusa there while also acting as lead Color Commentator and road agent.

Also during this time, Caldera served as the President of Primetime Central. When WO split with PTC, Caldera was tapped to run the group. Caldera ran PTC for several months, helping PTC remain relevant after losing some of its premier promotions. Caldera stepped down after helping solidify PTC and pursued other projects.

After splitting from Kimbusa, Caldera took most of 2004 off to expand Caldera Enterprises, Incorporated. During this time Caldera's company grew exponentially, making Caldera one of the biggest names in the entertainment industry.

GCW Again

Caldera finally reopened GCW in 2005 to a huge response. GCW instantly became bigger and better, attributable to Caldera's greater experience and resources. GCW continues to run today with great success, though Caldera himself has returned to his absolutist ways, having resurrected The Establishment once again.

Career Highlights

2000: Breaks into wrestling with the ACWF, wins World Title.
October 2000: Suffers major knee injury that plagues the remainder of his active career.
November 2000: Named Commissioner of CWU.
February 2001: CWU closes. Caldera founds Global Championship Wrestling.
December 2001: Returns to the ring with the AWA, wins AWA World Title.
February 2002: Wins second AWA World Title.
May 2002: GCW closes. Caldera manages Kimbusa through GTT3. Becomes FSW Color Commentator.
December 2002: Wins third AWA World Title.
January 2003: Caldera suffers major knee injury at the hands of AWA star Hangman. Retires officially from active competition.
February 2005: Reopens GCW to huge audience.

Caldera finished his professional career with an in-ring record of 98 wins and 18 losses.
2007: Was humiliated by Lindsay Troy on his own WorldWide broadcast.