Bad Crew
Encyclopedia
The Bad Crew was an American professional wrestling tag team consisting of Bad Crew #1 and Bad Crew #2 (although they have also been referred to as Dog & Rose and Jake & Paul), who competed in North American regional and independent promotions throughout the 1990s including Extreme Championship Wrestling
, Combat Zone Wrestling
and World Xtreme Wrestling
. During the late 1990s, they also ran Hardway Wrestling based in Allentown, Pennsylvania
until its close in 2006.
during its last years, promoter Verne Gagne
stated the two were "uncontrollable" during their stay in the promotion and were briefly managed by Damien Kane
while in the National Wrestling Federation
following the close of the AWA although Bad Crew and Kane apparently parted on bad terms.
Primarily competing on the East Coast independent promotions during the early 1990s, Bad Crew would win tag team titles in numerous promotions including becoming the first tag team champions for York
-based American Commonwealth Wrestling after defeating The Drifters in a tournament final on September 30, 1993. They also won the MEWF Tag Team Championship
from Quinn Nash and Adam Flash
on October 5, 1995.
defeating The Flamingo Kid and Georgie Love at the Bodyslams Arena in Reading, Pennsylvania
on November 3, 1995. Defeating George Love and Ranger Seven on November 17, Bad Crew would feud with the Dudley family
in late 1995 losing to Dudley Dudley and Dances with Dudley
at the supercard
December to Dismember
on December 4 as well as matches to Dances with Dudley and Buh Buh Ray Dudley later that month. They also lost the MEWF Tag Team titles to Lucifer and Cat Burglar on December 3, 1995.
Feuding with The Headhunters
during early 1996, Bad Crew fought to a no-contest against J.T. Smith
and Tony Stetson
at House Party '96' on January 5. On February 2, teaming with Mr. Hughes in a 6-man tag team match, they also defeated Axl Rotten
, Hack Meyers
and El Puerto Riqueño
after Hughes pinned El Puerto Riqueño in Reading, Pennsylvania and, the following month, the two would team with Judge Dredd in a 6-man tag team match defeating Dino Sendoff, Don E. Allen and the Dirt Bike Kid at CyberSlam '96 on February 17.
They would also face JT Smith in several tag team matches with Joel Hartgood and El Puerto Riqueño before wrestling El Puerto Riqueño and Damien Stone to a no-contest at Big Ass Extreme Bash on March 9, 1996.
Continuing to feud with El Puerto Riqueño and the Dudley family, Bad Crew would defeat El Puerto Riqueño and Chubby Dudley on March 15 although they would lose to Buh Buh Ray Dudley and Big Dick Dudley at Glenolden, Pennsylvania
the following night.
Returning to Reading, the Bad Crew defeating J.T. Smith and Chad Austin on March 29 and, while defeating The Gangstas
by countout, they would loose several matches to The Pitbulls
and Axl Rotten and Hack Meyers during the next few weeks. After participating in a 15-man battle royal at the Lulu Temple in Plymouth Meeting, Pennsylvania
on May 31, Bad Crew # 1 and Bad Crew #2 faced each other in an impromptu match with Bad Crew # 1 defeating Bad Crew #2.
Reuniting the following month, Bad Crew fought to a no-contest against their former manager Damien Kane and Devon Storm
in Reading, Pennsylvania on June 8 and defeated The Dudley Boys by disqualification at The Flagstaff in Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania
on June 14 before losing to Devon Storm and Damien Kane in a rematch at the Lulu Temple on June 21, 1996.
Defeating Havoc, Inc. (O Dog and Hollywood) on July 12, Bad Crew would lose to Ron
and Don Harris at the Lulu Temple on August 2, Buh Buh Ray Dudley and Hack Meyers at the supercard Unlucky Lottery on September 13, 1996 and the following night lost to The Sandman
in a handicap match with Devon Storm at the ECW Arena in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
.
In early 1997, the Bad Crew would lose to Stevie Richards
and The Blue Meanie, The Gangstas
, The Eliminators
and later lost a handicap match to Pittbull #2
in Scranton, Pennsylvania
on April 4, 1997. They would make their last appearance in the promotion losing to Axl Rotten and Balls Mahoney
in Downingtown, Pennsylvania
on August 22, 1997.
and Julio Sanchez
in a championship tournament for the vacant titles on February 1, 1998. After a two month reign as champions, Bad Crew lost the titles to Jimmy Jannetty and "Ramblin'" Rich Myers on April 17, 1998.
They recapturing the titles defeating Bob Starr
and Joe Thunder
on September 18, they would hold the titles for over a year before losing the belts to Max Thrasher and Dino Casanova
in October 1998.
Forming "The Pack" with "Dirty Deeds" Darren Wyse
and The Hungarian Barbarian
, the stable would dominate several East Coast independent promotions during the late 1990s including National Championship Wrestling
before the stable broke up with Bad Crew fighting Wyse and The Hungarian Barbarian for several years in one of the longest running feuds on the independent circuit.
They would also feud with The Samoans (Headshrinker Samu
and L.A. Smooth
) in the Xtreme Wrestling Federation eventually losing to The Samoans in a steel cage grudge match at Sportsfest '99. According to the stipulations, Bad Crew were forced to leave the promotion.
fighting to a no-contest with Mongoose and Z-Barr at CZW Pain in the Rain October 9, 1999. Although failing to defeating CZW Tag Team Champions brother Russ
and Charlie Haas
at CZW Xspelled on March 18, 2000, they would however defeat V.D. (Eddie Valentine and John Dahmer) at CZW Showdown in Sewell on November 10, 2001.
Extreme Championship Wrestling
Extreme Championship Wrestling was a professional wrestling promotion that was founded in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1992 by Tod Gordon and closed when his successor, Paul Heyman, declared bankruptcy in April 2001...
, Combat Zone Wrestling
Combat Zone Wrestling
Combat Zone Wrestling is a independent wrestling promotion. In 1999, John Zandig and four of his students, Ric Blade, Lobo, Nick Gage and Justice Pain began to run backyard wrestling shows in New Jersey and Delaware, showcasing a brand of hardcore wrestling dubbed as "ultraviolence"...
and World Xtreme Wrestling
World Xtreme Wrestling
World Xtreme Wrestling is a Northeastern-based independent professional wrestling promotion which has held events across the United States and have toured in Japan, the Middle East and South Pacific region including American Samoa and Guam....
. During the late 1990s, they also ran Hardway Wrestling based in Allentown, Pennsylvania
Allentown, Pennsylvania
Allentown is a city located in Lehigh County, Pennsylvania, in the United States. It is Pennsylvania's third most populous city, after Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, and the 215th largest city in the United States. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 118,032 and is currently...
until its close in 2006.
Early career
Debuting in the American Wrestling AssociationAmerican Wrestling Association
The American Wrestling Association was an American professional wrestling promotion based in Minneapolis, Minnesota that ran from 1960 to 1991. It was owned and founded by Verne Gagne and Wally Karbo...
during its last years, promoter Verne Gagne
Verne Gagne
Laverne Clarence "Verne" Gagne , is a retired American professional wrestler, football player, and professional wrestling trainer and promoter. He was the former owner/promoter of the American Wrestling Association , based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, which was the predominant promotion throughout...
stated the two were "uncontrollable" during their stay in the promotion and were briefly managed by Damien Kane
Damien Kane
Damien Kane is an American former professional wrestler and manager. He is perhaps best known for his stint in Extreme Championship Wrestling.-Early years:...
while in the National Wrestling Federation
National Wrestling Federation
The original National Wrestling Federation was a wrestling promotion based in Buffalo, New York and owned by promoter Pedro Martínez. It ran from 1970-1974. The promotion was then revived in 1986 by Robert Raskin...
following the close of the AWA although Bad Crew and Kane apparently parted on bad terms.
Primarily competing on the East Coast independent promotions during the early 1990s, Bad Crew would win tag team titles in numerous promotions including becoming the first tag team champions for York
York, Pennsylvania
York, known as the White Rose City , is a city located in York County, Pennsylvania, United States which is in the South Central region of the state. The population within the city limits was 43,718 at the 2010 census, which was a 7.0% increase from the 2000 count of 40,862...
-based American Commonwealth Wrestling after defeating The Drifters in a tournament final on September 30, 1993. They also won the MEWF Tag Team Championship
MEWF Tag Team Championship
This is a chronological list of MEWF tag team champions. The MEWF Tag Team Championship is the oldest championship title in the Mid-Eastern Wrestling Federation having been established when the Lords of Darkness defeated Cream Team at the MEWF's first show in Pasadena, Maryland on August 2, 1991...
from Quinn Nash and Adam Flash
Adam Flash
Douglas Adam Becker in York, Pennsylvania is an American professional wrestler better known by his ring name Adam Flash. Over his career, he has worked for various independent promotions, including Maryland Championship Wrestling, Independent Wrestling Association Mid-South, and Combat Zone...
on October 5, 1995.
Extreme Championship Wrestling
In late 1995, Bad Crew made their debut in Extreme Championship WrestlingExtreme Championship Wrestling
Extreme Championship Wrestling was a professional wrestling promotion that was founded in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1992 by Tod Gordon and closed when his successor, Paul Heyman, declared bankruptcy in April 2001...
defeating The Flamingo Kid and Georgie Love at the Bodyslams Arena in Reading, Pennsylvania
Reading, Pennsylvania
Reading is a city in southeastern Pennsylvania, USA, and seat of Berks County. Reading is the principal city of the Greater Reading Area and had a population of 88,082 as of the 2010 census, making it the fifth most populated city in the state after Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Allentown and Erie,...
on November 3, 1995. Defeating George Love and Ranger Seven on November 17, Bad Crew would feud with the Dudley family
Dudley family
The Dudley Family was a large professional wrestling stable of storyline half-brothers in Extreme Championship Wrestling.-Gimmick:The gimmick of the group was that, despite their obvious differences in physical appearance and race, the members were all said to be the sons of the fictional Willy...
in late 1995 losing to Dudley Dudley and Dances with Dudley
Adolfo Bermudez
Adolfo Bermudez is an American professional wrestler, known by his ring name Dances with Dudley, who competed in North American independent promotions including the American Wrestling Federation, International World Class Championship Wrestling and Extreme Championship Wrestling, most notably as an...
at the supercard
SuperCard
SuperCard is a high-level development environment that runs on Macintosh computers, under OS 8 and 9, and OS X. It is inspired by HyperCard, but includes a richer language, a full GUI toolkit, and native color .The programming language used by SuperCard is called SuperTalk, and is largely based on...
December to Dismember
December to Dismember (1995)
December to Dismember was a professional wrestling event that took place on December 9, 1995 at the ECW Arena in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania...
on December 4 as well as matches to Dances with Dudley and Buh Buh Ray Dudley later that month. They also lost the MEWF Tag Team titles to Lucifer and Cat Burglar on December 3, 1995.
Feuding with The Headhunters
The Headhunters
The Headhunters are an American jazz-funk fusion band, best known for their albums they recorded as a backing band of jazz keyboard player Herbie Hancock during the 1970s. Hancock's debut album with the group, Head Hunters, is one of the best-selling jazz/fusion records of all time.-History:Herbie...
during early 1996, Bad Crew fought to a no-contest against J.T. Smith
John T. Smith
John T. "J.T." Smith is an American professional wrestler, best known for his appearances in Extreme Championship Wrestling in the 1990s.-Tri-State Wrestling Alliance:...
and Tony Stetson
Tony Stetson
Tony Matteo is a semi-retired American professional wrestler, best known by his ring name "Hitman" Tony Stetson, who has competed in Northeastern independent promotions during the late 1980s and 1990s...
at House Party '96' on January 5. On February 2, teaming with Mr. Hughes in a 6-man tag team match, they also defeated Axl Rotten
Axl Rotten
Brian Knighton is an American professional wrestler better known by his ring name, Axl Rotten.-Early years:After watching a professional wrestling match on television, Knighton decided to become a wrestler...
, Hack Meyers
Hack Meyers
Donald Haviland is an American professional wrestler, better known by his ring name, Hack Meyers. A mainstay in Florida independent promotions during the 1990s, he is best known for his time in Extreme Championship Wrestling from 1993 to 1996.-Career:Haviland made his wrestling debut as Bronco...
and El Puerto Riqueño
Pablo Marquez
Pablo Márquez is a professional wrestler who has competed for various promotions such as the World Wrestling Council, International Wrestling Association, and Michinoku Pro out of Japan. Marquez is probably most famous for his brief stint in the World Wrestling Federation in 1998 as Babu...
after Hughes pinned El Puerto Riqueño in Reading, Pennsylvania and, the following month, the two would team with Judge Dredd in a 6-man tag team match defeating Dino Sendoff, Don E. Allen and the Dirt Bike Kid at CyberSlam '96 on February 17.
They would also face JT Smith in several tag team matches with Joel Hartgood and El Puerto Riqueño before wrestling El Puerto Riqueño and Damien Stone to a no-contest at Big Ass Extreme Bash on March 9, 1996.
Continuing to feud with El Puerto Riqueño and the Dudley family, Bad Crew would defeat El Puerto Riqueño and Chubby Dudley on March 15 although they would lose to Buh Buh Ray Dudley and Big Dick Dudley at Glenolden, Pennsylvania
Glenolden, Pennsylvania
Glenolden is a borough in Delaware County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 7,476 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Glenolden is located at ....
the following night.
Returning to Reading, the Bad Crew defeating J.T. Smith and Chad Austin on March 29 and, while defeating The Gangstas
The Gangstas
The Gangstas was a professional wrestling tag team and stable, most notably consisting of New Jack and Mustafa Saed in Extreme Championship Wrestling...
by countout, they would loose several matches to The Pitbulls
The Pitbulls
The Pitbulls were a professional wrestling tag team that consisted of "Pitbull #1" Gary Wolfe and "Pitbull #2" Anthony Durante. They were best known for their tenure in Extreme Championship Wrestling, where they were one-time World Tag Team Champions...
and Axl Rotten and Hack Meyers during the next few weeks. After participating in a 15-man battle royal at the Lulu Temple in Plymouth Meeting, Pennsylvania
Plymouth Meeting, Pennsylvania
Plymouth Meeting is a census-designated place in the Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, United States. It is the northern terminus of the "Blue Route" and the southern terminus of the Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension . The population was 6,177 at the 2010 census...
on May 31, Bad Crew # 1 and Bad Crew #2 faced each other in an impromptu match with Bad Crew # 1 defeating Bad Crew #2.
Reuniting the following month, Bad Crew fought to a no-contest against their former manager Damien Kane and Devon Storm
Devon Storm
Christopher "Chris" Ford is an American professional wrestler. He is best known for his tenure in World Championship Wrestling under the ring name Crowbar, where he was a one time Hardcore Champion, a one time World Tag Team Champion with David Flair and a one time Cruiserweight Champion, which he...
in Reading, Pennsylvania on June 8 and defeated The Dudley Boys by disqualification at The Flagstaff in Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania
Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania
Jim Thorpe is a borough in Carbon County, Pennsylvania, USA. The population was 4,804 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Carbon County. The town has been called the "Switzerland of America" due to the picturesque scenery, mountainous location, and architecture; as well as the "Gateway to...
on June 14 before losing to Devon Storm and Damien Kane in a rematch at the Lulu Temple on June 21, 1996.
Defeating Havoc, Inc. (O Dog and Hollywood) on July 12, Bad Crew would lose to Ron
Ron Harris (wrestler)
Donald "Don" Harris and Ronald "Ron" Harris are American twin brothers who achieved fame as professional wrestlers...
and Don Harris at the Lulu Temple on August 2, Buh Buh Ray Dudley and Hack Meyers at the supercard Unlucky Lottery on September 13, 1996 and the following night lost to The Sandman
Jim Fullington
James "Jim" Fullington better known by his ring name Sandman, is an American professional wrestler, best known for his career with Extreme Championship Wrestling , where he developed into a "Hardcore Icon"...
in a handicap match with Devon Storm at the ECW Arena in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Philadelphia is the largest city in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the county seat of Philadelphia County, with which it is coterminous. The city is located in the Northeastern United States along the Delaware and Schuylkill rivers. It is the fifth-most-populous city in the United States,...
.
In early 1997, the Bad Crew would lose to Stevie Richards
Stevie Richards
Michael Manna is an American professional wrestler, better known by the ring name Stevie Richards. Also known by his ring names, Steven Richards and Dr...
and The Blue Meanie, The Gangstas
The Gangstas
The Gangstas was a professional wrestling tag team and stable, most notably consisting of New Jack and Mustafa Saed in Extreme Championship Wrestling...
, The Eliminators
The Eliminators
The Eliminators were a professional wrestling tag team that consisted of Perry Saturn and John Kronus who were best known for their time in Extreme Championship Wrestling between 1995 and 1997.-History:...
and later lost a handicap match to Pittbull #2
Anthony Durante
Anthony Durante was a professional wrestler best known as "Pitbull #2" as one half of the tag team The Pitbulls, with "Pitbull #1" Gary Wolfe.-WWF:...
in Scranton, Pennsylvania
Scranton, Pennsylvania
Scranton is a city in the northeastern part of Pennsylvania, United States. It is the county seat of Lackawanna County and the largest principal city in the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre metropolitan area. Scranton had a population of 76,089 in 2010, according to the U.S...
on April 4, 1997. They would make their last appearance in the promotion losing to Axl Rotten and Balls Mahoney
Balls Mahoney
Jonathan Rechner better known by his ring name Balls Mahoney , is an American professional wrestler...
in Downingtown, Pennsylvania
Downingtown, Pennsylvania
Downingtown is a borough in Chester County, Pennsylvania, west of Philadelphia. As of the 2010 census it had a population of 7,891. Downingtown was settled by English and European colonists in the early 18th century and has a number of historic buildings and structures.-History:The town was...
on August 22, 1997.
Return to the independent circuit
Returning to the Mid-Eastern Wrestling Federation, Bad Crew would soon recapture the tag team titles defeating "Wiseguy" Jimmy CiceroJimmy Cicero
Matt Bowman, best known by his ring name "Wiseguy" Jimmy Cicero, is an American professional wrestler who has competed in several promotions on the independent circuit. He had also competed for the United States Wrestling Association, Extreme Championship Wrestling, and the World Wrestling Federation...
and Julio Sanchez
Brian Wohl
Brian Wohl is an American professional wrestler better known under his ring name Julio Dinero.-Career:Wohl debuted in 1994 after training at the Baltimore Wrestling Factory under Axl Rotten and Hack Myers...
in a championship tournament for the vacant titles on February 1, 1998. After a two month reign as champions, Bad Crew lost the titles to Jimmy Jannetty and "Ramblin'" Rich Myers on April 17, 1998.
They recapturing the titles defeating Bob Starr
Bob Starr (wrestler)
Robert A. "Bob" Starr is a semi-retired American professional wrestler, trainer and manager who has competed in numerous independent promotions throughout the United States since his debut in 1988...
and Joe Thunder
Joe Thunder
Joe Carter , better known by his ring name Joe Thunder, is a retired American professional wrestler and trainer who competed on the East Coast and Mid-Atlantic independent circuit during the 1990s and early 2000s, primarily working for the Mid-Eastern Wrestling Federation in Essex, Maryland during...
on September 18, they would hold the titles for over a year before losing the belts to Max Thrasher and Dino Casanova
David DiMeglio
David Mark DiMeglio was an American professional wrestler, best known by his ring name Dino Casanova, who competed in Northeastern independent promotions including the National Wrestling Alliance, Extreme Championship Wrestling and the Mid-Eastern Wrestling Federation, most notably as one half of...
in October 1998.
Forming "The Pack" with "Dirty Deeds" Darren Wyse
Darren Wyse
"Dirty Deeds" Darren Wyse is an American professional wrestler, manager, trainer and promoter who competes in Northeastern independent promotions including International World Class Championship Wrestling, Hardway Wrestling, the National Wrestling Alliance, National Championship Wrestling, Pro...
and The Hungarian Barbarian
The Hungarian Barbarian
The Hungarian Barbarian is an American professional wrestler who has competed in North American independent promotions including the Hardway Wrestling, National Championship Wrestling, the National Wrestling Alliance and World Xtreme Wrestling...
, the stable would dominate several East Coast independent promotions during the late 1990s including National Championship Wrestling
NWA Wildside
NWA Wildside was an American independent professional wrestling promotion based in Cornelia, Georgia, with an office in Atlanta, Georgia, operating between September 1999 and April 2005....
before the stable broke up with Bad Crew fighting Wyse and The Hungarian Barbarian for several years in one of the longest running feuds on the independent circuit.
They would also feud with The Samoans (Headshrinker Samu
Samula Anoa'i
Samula Anoa'i is a professional wrestler best known as one half of The Headshrinkers/Samoan Swat Team under the name Samu. His father is Afa Anoa'i who trained Samula for his professional wrestling debut....
and L.A. Smooth
Lloyd Anoa'i
Lloyd Anoa'i is a Samoan American professional wrestler and professional wrestling manager who has performed under numerous ring names. He is one of the three sons of professional wrestling patriarch Afa Anoa'i, and a member of the Anoa'i family.-Career:...
) in the Xtreme Wrestling Federation eventually losing to The Samoans in a steel cage grudge match at Sportsfest '99. According to the stipulations, Bad Crew were forced to leave the promotion.
Combat Zone Wrestling
In late 1999, Bad Crew began appearing in Combat Zone WrestlingCombat Zone Wrestling
Combat Zone Wrestling is a independent wrestling promotion. In 1999, John Zandig and four of his students, Ric Blade, Lobo, Nick Gage and Justice Pain began to run backyard wrestling shows in New Jersey and Delaware, showcasing a brand of hardcore wrestling dubbed as "ultraviolence"...
fighting to a no-contest with Mongoose and Z-Barr at CZW Pain in the Rain October 9, 1999. Although failing to defeating CZW Tag Team Champions brother Russ
Russ Haas
Thomas Russell "Russ" Haas was a professional wrestler. He is best known for his work alongside his brother Charlie in Memphis Championship Wrestling and Jersey All Pro Wrestling....
and Charlie Haas
Charlie Haas
Charles "Charlie" Doyle Haas II is an American professional wrestler and former collegiate amateur wrestler. He competes on the independent circuit, and is signed to Ring of Honor , where he is one-half of the reigning ROH World Tag Team Champions with Shelton Benjamin...
at CZW Xspelled on March 18, 2000, they would however defeat V.D. (Eddie Valentine and John Dahmer) at CZW Showdown in Sewell on November 10, 2001.
Championships and accomplishments
- American Commonwealth Wrestling
- ACW Tag Team Championship (1 time, first)
- Eastern Wrestling Federation
- EWF Tag Team Championship (1 time)
- Hardway Wrestling
- HW Tag Team Champions (6 times)
- Mid-Eastern Wrestling FederationMid-Eastern Wrestling FederationThe Mid-Eastern Wrestling Federation was a Mid-Atlantic independent professional wrestling promotion based in Essex, Maryland. Founded by promoter Dennis Wippercht and wrestler Tim "Lucifer" Burke in 1991, the MEWF was one of the leading independent promotions on the East Coast during the 1990s...
- MEWF Tag Team ChampionshipMEWF Tag Team ChampionshipThis is a chronological list of MEWF tag team champions. The MEWF Tag Team Championship is the oldest championship title in the Mid-Eastern Wrestling Federation having been established when the Lords of Darkness defeated Cream Team at the MEWF's first show in Pasadena, Maryland on August 2, 1991...
(3 times)
- National Championship Wrestling
- NCW Tag Team Championship (3 times)
- Regional Championship Wrestling
- RCW Tag Team Championship (1 time)
Further reading
- Loverro, Thom. The Rise & Fall of ECW: Extreme Championship Wrestling. New York: Simon & Schuster, 2006. ISBN 1-4165-1058-3