The following press release has been issued:

EXTREME RISING CHAMPIONSHIP BELT REMOVED FROM MCW EVENT THIS SATURDAY

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The Extreme Rising World Champion and championship belt will not be appearing Saturday, July 19th 2014 for MCW in Joppa, MD thanks to Dan McDevitt and Maryland Championship Wrestling for their cooperation in this matter.

It had come to our attention that a match featuring Wrestling Superstar Matt Hardy and Luke Hawx is being promoted for the Maryland and Extreme Rising Championship World Title.

Extreme Rising Pro Wrestling was never contacted concerning this stipulation. After communicating with Dan McDevitt of MCW, the Extreme Rising title stipulation has been removed from the match. We appreciate Mr. McDevitt’s professionalism in this matter.

Extreme Rising has not sanctioned any World Title matches for its championship belt since before April 30th 2014. No one has ever defeated Stevie Richards in an Extreme Rising sanctioned title match.

STEVIE RICHARDS is –and has been the only officially recognized champion and title holder for Extreme Rising Pro Wrestling, since his winning of the title tournament dated December 29th 2012 at the Pennsylvania National Guard Armory in Philadelphia, PA.

Presently, Oren Hawxhurst aka Luke Hawx has physical possession of the Extreme Rising World Title. Extreme Rising has reached out to Mr. Hawxhurst through our attorney, but has yet to receive our property. We had hope that a professional and amicable return of the World title to our office would be in order by Mr. Hawxshurt, but to date hasn’t happened.

You may read the entire back story on the Extreme Rising Title / Stevie Richards / Luke Hawx situation here http://extremerising.com/extreme-rising-world-title-turmoil

How'd he get hold of the title then if he's not the champion?

Extreme Rising is a still a thing?

No, it got shut down a few weeks back. The owner cancelled all shows for no reason whatsoever.