Combat Zone Wrestling
![]() Combat Zone Wrestling's logo since 2021 | |
Acronym | CZW |
---|---|
Founded | 1999 |
Style | Hardcore wrestling |
Headquarters | Blackwood, New Jersey |
Founder(s) | John Zandig |
Owner(s) |
|
Sister | Maven Bentley Association Women Superstars United |
Website | www |
Combat Zone Wrestling (CZW) is an American
In 2009, CZW's founder John Zandig sold the promotion to CZW wrestler
After a long hiatus during the COVID-19 pandemic, CZW returned to promoting events in 2021. Since its return, CZW has stopped holding hardcore matches, apart from their annual Tournament of Death. CZW events are currently held in Blackwood, New Jersey and Havre de Grace, Maryland, along with occasional events in other east coast venues.
History
John Zandig ownership
Pro Wrestling Academy
Combat Zone Wrestling's Pro Wrestling Academy was founded in
Japan connection
Early 2000 saw CZW establish a connection with the death match wrestling orientated company Big Japan Pro Wrestling, credited to have popularized the death match wrestling style that CZW continued to emphasize in the United States. Both promotions exchanged talent throughout 2000 and 2001 and engaged in a "CZW vs BJW" storyline. The "CZW Warriors" in BJW included Wifebeater, Nick Gage, Trent Acid, Justice Pain, Johnny Kashmere, Nate Hatred, Ruckus, Nick Berk, as well as John Zandig as the leader.[9]
In 2001 in Japan, the Wifebeater and Ryuji Yamakawa faced off in a match which ended Yamakawa's career after the Wifebeater
The reason for the collapse of the inter-promotional deal is uncertain. 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. Many wrestlers of both promotions at the time were confused about the collapse between the two.[10]
Champs Arena, attempt at pay-per-view, and Fake You TV
In February 2000, the company would relocate from their home arena in
On June 25, 2000 CZW was scheduled to host a Ppy-par-view event, which was to be headlined by Terry Funk and Atsushi Onita in an explosion match in a rematch of their FMW 4th Anniversary Show encounter. However, the match fell through when Onita cancelled and in its place Nick Gage and the Wifebeater performed in the first ever 200 light tubes match in the United States. The show was later called 'They Said it Couldn't be Done'.[11]
In 2001 WGTW-48 began broadcasting CZW footage under the title Fake You TV, which was available in many northeastern states in the US. The Show lasted until June 2004[12]
Viking Hall debut and the "Indy Wars"
Anticipating their
At that time several wrestling promotions were competing for the Northeast fan base that had been left behind by ECW. In what was later known as the "Indy Wars", CZW, XPW, and 3PW all competed for control of the ECW Arena. XPW were given the lease to the arena in 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 and 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 stated 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, XPW later folded in 2003. CZW made their return to the arena on March 8, 2003.
ECW tribute show and Italy
Shortly after their return to the former ECW Arena, on May 10, 2003, the company promoted a show entitled "Then & Now: A Decade of Defiance." The event was a tribute to ECW and to all previous promotions that held events at
On October 25, 2003, the promotion made their debut in Italy with an attendance record of 2,000 people filled the Palasport Arena in Pistoia,
IWA Mid-South invasion
On June 14, 2003, mid-south based promotion
Zandig hanging incident
During
Last years of Zandig's ownership
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5c/CZW_2008_logo.png/300px-CZW_2008_logo.png)
During 2005, CZW established a connection with local promotion
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. Pancoast Productions, a company which for many years was responsible for a lot of CZW's logos and TitanTron 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, CZW roster member Chris Hero cut a promo challenging "American Dragon" Bryan Danielson of Ring of Honor (ROH) to a match at the next show. The angle would develop into the enter promotion "CZW vs ROH" storyline which would see CZW and ROH co-promotion several shows around the Northeastern United States.
D. J. Hyde ownership
Expansion and international partnerships
D. J. Hyde purchased CZW from Zandig in 2009. The first show booked by Hyde was Tangled Web 2. Since then, CZW has held its first shows in Germany,[16] Massachusetts,[17] Ohio, South Carolina and Indiana.[18] They also returned to Japan and has brought back previous stars like Homicide,[19] The Briscoe Brothers,[20] Derek Frazier, and BJ Whitmer.[21] In 2014 CZW toured England as part of a cross promotion with Tidal Championship Wrestling.
In January 2012,
CZW also partners with other promotions like: Westside Xtreme Wrestling (wXw) for their German events, Serbia's Combat League Wrestling (CLW), and the remnants of Frontier Martial-Arts Wrestling (FMW), in a one-time match between Matt Tremont and Atsushi Onita.
GCW incident
On December 9, 2017, CZW's
CZW Studios
CZW Studios is a
Annual events
Event | Year(s) active | Signature gimmick |
---|---|---|
CZW Cage of Death | 1999–2019 | Featured an ultraviolent cage match |
CZW Anniversary | 2000–present | Celebrates the anniversary of CZW's inaugural show |
CZW Best of the Best | 2001–present | Features a junior heavyweight tournament |
CZW Tournament of Death | 2002–present | Features a deathmatch tournament |
CZW Night of Infamy | 2002–2019 | – |
CZW Beyond The Barrier | 2002 | – |
CZW Deja Vu | 2002, 2003, 2005, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2014, 2015 | Featured barbed wire matches |
CZW Down With the Sickness | 2005 | Paid tribute to Chri$ Ca$h, a deceased CZW wrestler |
CZW Tangled Web | 2008 | Featured barbed wire spiderweb matches |
CZW High Stakes | 2002, 2004, 2005, 2010, 2014 | Featured High Stakes matches |
CZW Super Saturday | 2012 | – |
CZW Dojo Wars | 2014–present | CZW's development brand featuring trainees from the CZW Pro Wrestling Academy |
CZW LimeLight | 2022–present | – |
CZW Combine | 2021–present | CZW's development brand featuring wrestlers from across the United States trying out for the promotion |
Current
Tournament of Death
Combat Zone Wrestling'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 (TOD 2), Necro Butcher (TOD 4), Nick Gage (TOD 5 & TOD vs. Gorefest), Drake Younger (TOD 6), Brain Damage (TOD: FF), Jimmy Havoc (TOD 7), and John Zandig who gave the trophy over to Thumbtack Jack who lost the Tournament of Death trophy at Best of the Best to D.J. Hyde (TOD 8). Due to the incidents at TOD 8 another event named TOD 8.5 Rewind took place in the same year which was won by Thumbtack Jack. Scotty Vortekz won TOD 9. Masada won TOD X, XI and TOD: Europe.
Best of the Best
Combat Zone Wrestling'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,
Dojo Wars
CZW launched a developmental brand associated with their training school called Dojo Wars to showcase CZW prospects.
LimeLight
CZW’s secondary live show.
Combine
Wrestlers from across the country come to CZW to showcase their talent to earn a spot on the CZW main roster.
Former
Cage of Death
Combat Zone Wrestling's biggest show is the end of the year Cage of Death. It always features the "Cage of Death" match, a
Deja Vu
The first show featured a bloody barbed wire match between Zandig and Lobo. Since then the Deja Vu card has been held on an almost yearly basis.
Chris Cash Memorial Show
As of 2005 Combat Zone Wrestling annually run a memorial tribute event to Christopher "Chri$ Ca$h" Bauman titled "Down with the Sickness" after Chri$ Ca$h's theme song from the band Disturbed. The show originally started as a double header afternoon show, with another CZW event taking place later in the evening. Many former CZW trainees have made appearances on past events, including longtime friend GQ, who has wrestled on all of the events.
Tangled Web
Every year since 2008, CZW has held this event in which a barbed-wire "spiderweb" is used.
Championships
Current champions
Championship | Current champion(s) | Reign | Date won | Days held[26] | Location | Notes | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
CZW World Heavyweight Championship | Eran Ashe | 1 | May 5, 2024 | 41+ | Havre de Grace, Maryland | Defeated Rich Swann at CZW Limelight 25 to win the title. | |
CZW World Tag Team Championship | Milk Chocolate
(Randy Summers and Brandon Watts) |
1 | September 3, 2023 | 286+ | Havre de Grace, Maryland | Defeated CMD (DeSean Pratt and Boom Harding) at LimeLight XX to win the championship. |
Defunct championships
Championship | Last champion(s) | Reign | Date won | Days held |
Location | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
CZW Death Match Championship[a] | Nate Hatred | 2 | August 9, 2003 | N/A | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Defeated Nick Gage at Aftermath – The Wounds Run Deep!. |
CZW Interpromotional Hardcore Championship[b] | Lobo | 1 | May 29, 1999 | 343 | Malaga, New Jersey | Defeated John Kronus and TCK in a three-way match for the vacated title at a live event. |
CZW Iron Man Championship | Egotistico Fantastico
|
1 | June 13, 2009 | 28 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Defeated Sami Callihan at Best of the Best 9. |
CZW Ultraviolent Underground Championship | Masada | 1 | July 9, 2011 | 315 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Defeated Danny Havoc at New Heights. |
CZW Wired Championship | Vacant | – | January 1, 2021 | – | Voorhees , New Jersey | Vacated and then retired when previous champion KC Navarro left CZW. |
CZW World Junior Heavyweight Championship | Greg Excellent | 2 | March 14, 2015 | 210 | Voorhees Township, New Jersey | Defeated Alexander James at Deja Vu. |
CZW Medal of Valor Championship | Eran Ashe | 2 | October 25, 2019 | N/A | Voorhees Township, New Jersey | Defeated DK Meadows at Dojo Wars Super Show XXV: Meadows v Ashe III. |
CZW Dojo Wars Tag Team Championship | Valor (Dominick Denaro & Kee Min) | 1 | December 21, 2019 | N/A | Voorhees Township, New Jersey | Became the inaugural champions at a Dojo Wars event. |
Sister promotion
Maven Bentley Association
Founded | 2005 |
---|---|
Headquarters | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
Founder(s) | Maven Bentley |
Website | Maven Bentley Association, LLC. |
The Maven Bentley Association (MBA) is the sister promotion to CZW ran by Maven Bentley.[27][28]
In 2007, CZW had a short lived interpromotional feud with the MBA. In storyline, MBA's founder Maven Bentley was portrayed as a power-mad
The MBA returned to The Arena for its Economic Crisis event on January 31, 2009.[29]
Championships
Championship: | Champion(s): | Defeated: | Date won: | Location: |
---|---|---|---|---|
MBA Heavyweight Championship | Andy Sumner | D. J. Hyde | June 6, 2008 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
MBA Tag Team Championship | Sabian ) |
Cory Kastle and Jon Dahmer | June 21, 2006 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
MBA A-Maven-Can Idol Heavyweight Championship | Daunte Sweet | Derek Frazier | April 16, 2005 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
See also
Notes
- ^ The championship was often referred to by CZW as the "Big Japan Death Match Championship", as it had splintered off from Big Japan Pro Wrestling's Deathmatch Heavyweight Championship.
- ^ The championship was also referred to as the "NWA/CZW Interpromotional Hardcore Championship", as it was additionally recognized by NWA New Jersey.
References
- ^ a b "411Mania".
- ^ Lambert, Jeremy (April 5, 2019). "Report: Former ECW GM Steve Karel Investing In CZW". Fightful. Retrieved December 4, 2023.
- ^ "Triangle of Unity". Westside Xtreme Wrestling. Retrieved February 28, 2024.
- ^ "Bloodlust: Tournament of Death".
- ^ "Vice documentary on CZW".
- ^ "Bloodlust: Tournament of Death".
- ^ "Vice Special on CZW Tournament of Death". Archived from the original on March 22, 2017. Retrieved March 21, 2017.
- ^ "CZW Academy". 2015. Archived from the original on July 23, 2015. Retrieved July 17, 2015.
- ^ "Combat Zone Wrestling History". 2004. Archived from the original on February 10, 2008. Retrieved February 12, 2008.
- ^ a b "Combat Zone Wrestling History". 2004. Archived from the original on February 10, 2008. Retrieved July 12, 2009.
- ^ "Combat Zone Wrestling – CZW They Said It Couldn't Be Done". 2004. Retrieved September 12, 2009.
- ^ Sabato, Derek (June 20, 2004). "CZW announces losing its Philadelphia TV time slot". Wrestling Observer. Retrieved September 28, 2007.
- ^ Magee, Bob (December 17, 2001). "Recap of Cage of Death 3". Pro Wrestling's Between The Sheets. Retrieved February 12, 2008.
- ^ CZW Shockwave « Event-Datenbank « CAGEMATCH
- ^ CZW Aftershock « Events Database « CAGEMATCH
- ^ "Smart Mark Video". Archived from the original on November 9, 2011. Retrieved October 20, 2011.
- ^ Smart Mark Video
- ^ "Smart Mark Video". Archived from the original on November 9, 2011. Retrieved October 20, 2011.
- ^ "Smart Mark Video". Archived from the original on November 22, 2011. Retrieved October 20, 2011.
- ^ "Smart Mark Video". Archived from the original on November 22, 2011. Retrieved October 20, 2011.
- ^ Smart Mark Video
- ^ "What The Hell Happened At The End Of Cage Of Death: Czw News And Notes". PWInsider.com. December 14, 2017. Retrieved May 13, 2022.
- ^ "The Renaissance of Tradition! | Watch Online Videos for Just $9.99". CZWstudios.com. Archived from the original on April 2, 2019. Retrieved May 13, 2022.
- ^ "Independent Promotion Announces Major Pay-Per-View Deal". 2015. Retrieved July 17, 2015.
- ^ Johnson, Mike (July 6, 2015). "CZW Launches Streaming Service, Chyna Gets Her Documentary, Mysterio Heading to IWS in Montreal, New Promotion Debuting in NYC This Week & More". Pwinsider. Retrieved April 17, 2018.
- ^ As of June 15, 2024.
- ^ "MBA F.A.Q." Archived from the original on May 26, 2009. Retrieved July 12, 2009.
- ^ Maven Bentley. "Maven Bentley Association". Archived from the original on October 14, 2017. Retrieved July 12, 2009.
- ^ "The MBA had returned to the CZW Arena for its "Economic Crisis" event on Jan, 31 2009". Archived from the original on September 24, 2015. Retrieved July 12, 2009.
External links
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