Combat Zone Wrestling
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| Combat Zone Wrestling | |
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| Details | |
| Acronym | CZW |
| Established | 1999 |
| Style | Ultraviolent Wrestling Professional Wrestling |
| Location | Philadelphia |
| Founder(s) | John Zandig |
| Owner(s) | John Zandig |
| Website | CZWrestling.com |
Combat Zone Wrestling (CZW) is an American based professional wrestling promotion, based around the 'ultra violent' style of professional wrestling. In 1999, John Zandig and four of his students, Ric Blade, Lobo, Nick Gage and Justice Pain began to run wrestling shows in New Jersey and Delaware, showcasing a brand of hardcore wrestling dubbed as "ultraviolence". Ladders, tables, thumbtacks, barbed wire, light tubes and fire are common elements of "ultra violent" wrestling matches in CZW. The company filled a niche for hardcore wrestling fans that had been left open by the fall of Extreme Championship Wrestling. CZW found fame in the New Alhambra Arena with their Cage of Death 3 show in 2001, the year ECW folded.
Their tightly knit homegrown roster helped establish what became a top independent promotion in later years. The biggest misconception is that the promotion only focuses on hardcore wrestling. Although they are most commonly known for their 'ultra violent' style, rarely do their shows feature more than one or two ultra violent matches. In late 2002, they were forced to further tone down their style after the Pennsylvania State Athletic Commission issued a ban on the use of fluorescent light tubes (among other things) in Philadelphia.[1] Their annual Tournament of Death show emphasizes the ultraviolent style of CZW and usually takes place in Delaware.
All of their shows are taped and distributed by Smart Mark Video, who releases the shows on DVD via their website. CZW is broadcast on TWC Fight! to viewers in Great Britain and Ireland as part of the "Bloodbath" program. CZW continues to run on a monthly base in the New Alhambra Arena. Aside from their monthly shows, they also run shows outside of Philadelphia, where the promotion is based.
Contents |
[edit] History
[edit] Wrestling school
In late 1998 John Zandig opened a wrestling school in New Jersey, where the first student trained was Lobo, who worked with Zandig before their wrestling careers. Nick Gage and Justice Pain were the next two students to be trained by Zandig, and it was only in the forthcoming years that they were unveiled as brothers, Justice Pain being the older of the two. The fourth student trained was Ric Blade, who already had a background in martial arts. The school is still active as of today with free tryouts.
[edit] Japan connection
Early 2000 saw CZW establish a connection with the death match wrestling orientated company Big Japan Pro Wrestling, a successor to the Frontier Martial-Arts Wrestling organization, credited to have popularized the death match wrestling style that CZW continued to emphasize in the United States, though, dubbed as "Ultra violence." Both promotions traded talent throughout 2000 and 2001, the company vs company feud was primarily based in Japan.
Notable incidents included Zandig turning face in Japan and Jun Kasai joining Zandig as part of his Big Dealz stable in CZW. Kasai competed in a match which was later dubbed "Un F'N Believable," in reference to the shows name. During the match, Kasai was crucifixed bombed over the top rope into lightubes, barbed wire and tables, causing Kasai's elbow bone to pop out of his skin, he continued the match after having his elbow taped up.
During 2001 in Japan, the Wifebeater and Ryuji Yamakawa faced off in a match which ended Yamakawa's career after the Wifebeater chokensteined him off the ring apron through a table set up on the outside. In a 'shoot interview' Wifebeater stated communication difficulties between the two was a major factor which led to the incident. Wifebeater pleaded that they should not execute the maneuver, though the move went on and saw Yamakawa's head slam against the concrete. Both wrestlers have stated that it was half of each others fault when Yamakawa did not take the move as it should be performed; back first, though some even blame the Japanese table's, which are smaller, more sturdy and harder to break, the table in this incident did not break and simply slipped from underneath of Yamakawa thus only connecting with his legs, causing his head to take the impact on the concrete.
The reason for the collapse of the inter-promotional deal is uncertain, according to a shoot interview conducted with the Wifebeater in 2002 stated that Shin’ya Kojika (owner of BJW) was regularly not present during shows and left Wifebeater and Zandig without pay on many occasions. Later in 2007, John Zandig also stated the same during a Q&A with the fans of CZW. After a controversial exploding panes of glass match, between Zandig and Mitsuhiro Matsunaga in Japan, 2001, Zandig left BJW with the BJW death match title belt, Zandig also briefly stated that the Yakuza was involved in wrestling 'over there', many wrestlers of both promotions at the time were confused about the collapse between the two.
[edit] Champs Arena, PPV, and Fake You TV
Early 2000 saw the company branch out from New Jersey to Delaware, though mainly in the Champs Soccer Arena, in Sewell.
A Pay-Per-View taping for the June 25, 2000 show, was put in place. The event was scheduled to be main evented by Terry Funk and Atsushi Onita in an explosion match. The deal fell through when Onita canceled. Although the show took place and was main evented by Nick Gage and the Wifebeater in the first ever 200 lightubes match in the United States, the show was later called 'They Said it Couldn't be Done.'
On June 8, 2001, the company secured a TV taping for the show 'Take 1.' During the main event as apart of a dual 40ft balcony dive, Ric Blade suffered a broken leg after landing on Justice Pain, who laid upon two stacked table's, Nick Gage was to attempt the second dive with Lobo a few meters away, unfortunately Nick Gage slipped and fell from atop the balcony to the ground, fortunately Gage was able to continue, unlike Blade who had to be stretchered out. The spot was cut from TV. The TV tapings aired on WGTW-48, as apart of CZW's very own show Fake You TV, which was available in many northeastern states in the US. After many business changes by the WGTW-48 production team over the years, including a time slot change from Saturday's at 9.00PM to a weeknight at midnight slot, to compete with other promotions, this idea was a failure and Fake You TV continued to strive. CZW continued to endure every business decision that WGTW-48 formulated and executed until the channel decided not to air the June 18, 2004 episode due to its content, through negative affects on the fans and after much consideration, CZW decided to withdraw the show indefinite.[2]
[edit] Viking Hall debut and Indy Wars
Due to their upcoming annual Cage of Death (COD) show at the end of 2001, the company needed a bigger venue and made their debut in the ECW Arena, formerly Viking Hall and currently the New Alhambra Arena. The venue was the first sellout in the building since the era of ECW, and hundreds were turned away from the biggest show in the promotions history.[3]
Controversy surrounded the company in 2002, when top XPW star Messiah moved from XPW to CZW after a fall out with Rob Black. A few months later the Messiah was attacked in his home and had his thumb cut off by two unknown assailants. The incident was included on an episode of America's Most Wanted, where Rob Black was named as a suspect.[4] Shortly after Rob Black informed his workers that anyone who works for CZW, doesn't work for XPW, John Zandig did the same, and because of these two incidents, heat between the two promotions rose and remained until XPW's collapse in 2003.
Also in 2002, following many violent matches in the arena, the Pennsylvania State Athletic Commission issued a ban of fluorescent lightubes in the arena.[5] Some fans blame the ban on an incident which occurred during an XPW show in the arena, when a wrestler from XPW bled on one of the State Athletic Commission's children as a brawl spilled out into one of the bathrooms.[6] Although the match between the Wifebeater and Zandig at 'A Night of Infamy 1' is said to have been the key incident which had initiated the ban.[7] The end of the match saw a kayfabe angle involving Frank Talent (of the Pennsylvania State Athletic Commission) who stopped the match after the use of a weed whacker.
Several promotions competed for the Northeast fan base that had been left behind by ECW in what became known as the 'Indy Wars." CZW, XPW, and 3PW were the key promotions which revolved around Viking Hall. XPW were given the lease to the arena in very late 2002 after Rob Black offered around $60,000. On December 12, 2002, as part of a triple header of wrestling in Philadelphia Ring of Honor ran shows in conjunction with CZW & 3PW in what was to be the latter two promotions last events in the arena. During CZW's event, Zandig publicly stated that they had offered $32,000 to stay in the arena, but also stating that with the $10,000 a month XPW would need to pay for the building, the lease would not last long.
Accompanied by incidents relating to Extreme Associates and low attendance, XPW later folded in 2003. CZW made their return to the arena on March 8, 2003.
[edit] Italy and ECW tribute
Shortly after their return to the arena, on May 10, 2003, the company promoted a show entitled "Then & Now: A Decade of Defiance." The event was a tribute to the last ten years of wrestling in the New Alhambra Arena, or at the time; Viking Hall. The show opened with John Zandig welcoming the fans to the show and played an 11 minute music video highlighting the last 10 years of wrestling in the arena, from Eastern Championship Wrestling in 1993 to Combat Zone Wrestling in 2003, featuring music including the ECW theme, U2's "Where The Streets Have No Name" and White Zombie's "Thunderkiss 65."[8] A low quality version of the video was available on the promotion's website for a limited period of time and still circulates on the internet to this day. After the video finished, Zandig then issued a 10 bell count in memory of those who performed in the building who had died.
Also, Zandig stated that he had invited Tod Gordon and Paul Heyman to appear. Zandig noted that Gordon didn't want to show "so he didn't care" and that Heyman didn't return his calls "so he doesn't give a f*ck about this place anymore." Zandig said that he called Tommy Dreamer to make an appearance but Dreamer was unable to due to WWE commitments but was honored he was asked. It should be noted the promotion didn't invite anyone to attend the show until the last week prior.[9]
On October 25, 2003, the promotion made their debut in Italy, later on March 27, 2004, the company returned for another event which featured Sabu in a tables match.
[edit] IWA-MS Invasion
On June 14, 2003, mid-south based promotion IWA-MS invaded CZW as part of a kayfabe angle which led to an inter-promotional feud throughout most of 2003. The feud was based in both promotions and a major part led into CZW's Tournament of Death 2, five IWA-MS wrestlers and three CZW wrestlers entered into the 8-man single elimination tournament. The semi-final saw two CZW wrestlers John Zandig and Nick Mondo compete in a 2 out of 3 lightube log cabin match, a match which is said to have ended Nick Mondo's career. Towards the end of the match Zandig Mother F'N Bombed Nick Mondo off a 40ft rooftop as both Zandig and Mondo crashed into tables and a lightube log cabin contraption. Mondo suffered an injury to his back that doctor's referred to as a "gun shot wound."[citation needed] He continued the Tournament with 3 broken bones in his wrist and won the tournament after defeating Ian Rotten in a 200 lightubes final.
[edit] Zandig hanging incident
During John Zandig's feud with heel stable the HI-V, Zandig was suspended in the middle of the ring by meat hooks from the roof of the arena. The incident lead into the setup of the main event at Cage of Death 2003, where a cage was suspended from the roof, the event was called 'Cage of Death 5: Suspended'. The aftermath of the incident was negative, many fans even vowed never to attend a CZW show again.[10] The company remained successful that year and had a sold out crowd for their annual Cage of Death show.
[edit] Later years
During 2005, CZW established a connection with local promotion Chikara Pro Wrestling, which established into a joint training school known as 'The Wrestle Factory' in the New Alhambra Arena, with head trainers Chris Hero & Mike Quackenbush. During 2007, CZW departed from the training school to form their own, much like their older school.
The company remained strong in the forthcoming years with new booker, Mike Burns, who was responsible for one of the best runs in the promotion's history, especially in 2005. Pancoast Productions, a company which for many years was responsible for a lot of the company's media logo and Titan Tron work, among other things, briefly departed from the company in late 2005 after an altercation between Pancoast Productions owner Mike Pancoast and John Zandig.
At their Cage of Death 7 show at the end of 2005, former CZW Ironman Champion Chris Hero cut a promo challenging American Dragon Bryan Danielson to a match at the next show, backstage, Zandig was furious. Zandig did not know about the deal that CZW booker, Mike Burns arranged with ROH Booker, Gabe Sapolsky. The news of CZW working with ROH made Zandig go into a frenzy. Zandig was approached backstage by Mike Pancoast, Zandig told him not to raise his voice at him, after a very vocal argument Zandig pushed him down a flight of stairs, one worker quoted Zandig saying, "Make sure to grab the rail on your way down."[11]
Zandig was mad at Mike Burns for setting up a deal with ROH, without telling him first, this lead to the departure of Mike Burns, it is not known if Mike Burns quit CZW or was relieved of his duties by John Zandig. Though SmartMarkVideo still continues to tape their shows, along with Pancoast Productions who are all still actively working together.
[edit] The Wrestler
"The Wrestler" is an upcoming movie based around a fictional, once-epic pro-wrestler (played by Mickey Rourke) in the heights of the 1980s, now left to drive from town to town for cheap pickup bouts and the rigorous dangers of leagues like CZW.
On December 8, 2007, Scott Franklin, Darren Aronofsky and Mickey Rourke visited CZW's Cage of Death IX in December and committed to the venue. On February 9, 2008, as apart of CZW's regular February event, filming took place in the New Alhambra Arena for the upcoming movie which included many CZW alumni, along with the Necro Butcher, who will be playing a major part in the film.
Zandig's hope is that The Wrestler, along with CZW's first worldwide distribution deal for its DVDs (through LocoMotion Films) will take the ultra-violent sport to the next level.[12]
[edit] The New Home Of The New Alhambra Hardcore Hall Of Fame
Two days after Pro Wrestling Unplugged's Cuffed And Caged 2 Event and a week after the retirement of Tod Gordon. The New Alhambra Arena announced that the Hardcore Hall Of Fame will take place at Junes CZW Show with the first induction being Tod Gordon inducted by CZW Owner John Zandig, and former business partner Paul Heyman.
[edit] Annual events
[edit] Cage of Death
CZW's biggest show is the year-end Cage of Death. It always features the "Cage of Death" match, a steel cage with various weapons and objects. Electrified cage walls, cacti, tables, light tubes, glass, thumbtacks, baseball bats, and barbed-wire have been used in it. Matches always include high risk wrestling bumps. The Cage of Death also has different formats and stipulations: singles, tag team, or gauntlet.
[edit] Tournament of Death
CZW's yearly death-match tournament features the use of fire, weed whackers, light tubes, and other weapons. Previous winners include Wifebeater (TOD 1 and 3), Nick Mondo, Necro Butcher, Nick Gage, Drake Younger, and Danny Havoc.
[edit] Best of the Best
CZW's yearly tournament that differs from other CZW events in how it emphasizes athleticism more than the use of weapons. The Best of the Best tournament is, by design, a Junior Heavyweight Tournament. In 2005, however, the tournament was formatted as an open weight tournament. The next year, it returned to its original format. Previous winners include Winger, Trent Acid, B-Boy, Sonjay Dutt, Mike Quackenbush, Ruckus, Joker and Sabian in that order.
[edit] Chri$ Ca$h Memorial Show
As of 2005 CZW annually run a memorial tribute event to the late Christopher "Chri$ Ca$h" Bauman. The show originally started as a double header afternoon show, with another CZW event taking place later in the evening. Chri$ Ca$h was one of the most successful wrestler's to be trained in the CZW wrestling school and many former CZW trainee's have made appearances on past events, including longtime friend GQ, who has wrestled on all of the events.
[edit] Roster
[edit] Championships
[edit] Current champions
| Championship: | Champion(s): | Defeated: | Date Won: | Location: |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CZW World Heavyweight Championship | Nick Gage | Ruckus & Messiah | December 8, 2007 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
| CZW Iron Man Championship | Brain Damage | Joker | January 12, 2008 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
| CZW World Junior Heavyweight Championship | Chuck Taylor | Sabian | May 10, 2008 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
| CZW World Tag Team Championship | The Naptown Dragons ("Diehard" Dustin Lee and Scotty Vortekz | Danny Demanto & Jon Dahmer | February 9, 2008 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
| CZW Ultraviolent Underground Championship | Drake Younger | Brain Damage | February 9, 2008 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
[edit] Defunct championships
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ SMagee, Bob (2002-11-18). Pennsylvania Tax Dollars "At Work" Telling Fans What They Can See.. Pro Wrestling's Between The Sheets. Retrieved on 2008-02-12.
- ^ Sabato, Derek (2004-06-20). CZW announces losing its Philadelphia TV time slot.. Wrestling Observer. Retrieved on 2007-09-28.
- ^ Magee, Bob (2001-12-17). Recap of Cage of Death 3.. Pro Wrestling's Between The Sheets. Retrieved on 2008-02-12.
- ^ Fallon, Robert (2002-06-22). Recap of The Messiah on America's Most Wanted.. Lords of Pain. Retrieved on 2007-09-28.
- ^ SMagee, Bob (2002-11-18). Pennsylvania State Athletic Commission issues ban on Lightubes.. Pro Wrestling's Between The Sheets. Retrieved on 2008-02-12.
- ^ SMagee, Bob (2002-11-18). XPW bleeding incident in Viking Hall arena.. Pro Wrestling's Between The Sheets. Retrieved on 2008-02-12.
- ^ SMagee, Bob (2002-11-18). Concerns over use of lightubes in the arena.. Pro Wrestling's Between The Sheets. Retrieved on 2008-02-12.
- ^ Johnson, Mike (2004-12-09). Then & Now: A Decade of Defiance music video.. Pro Wrestling Insider. Retrieved on 2008-02-12.
- ^ Johnson, Mike (2004-12-09). CZW DECADE OF DEFIANCE LIVE REPORT.. Pro Wrestling Insider. Retrieved on 2007-09-28.
- ^ Rose, Mark (2003-09-15). Combat Zone Wrestling Crosses the Line.. Online World of Wrestling. Retrieved on 2008-02-12.
- ^ McCaffrey, Sean (2005-12-13). Major Altercation At Cage Of Death VII Involving Fights & ROH.. Wrestlingwire. Retrieved on 2007-09-28.
- ^ A.D. Amorosi (2008-02-13). There Will Be Blood ... and Weed Whackers.. Philadelphia City Paper. Retrieved on 2008-02-14.
