Maryland Championship Wrestling
Encyclopedia
Maryland Championship Wrestling is a regional independent wrestling promotion based in Dundalk, Maryland
, and has regularly run events in the Mid-Atlantic region since the late 1990s as well as participating in numerous fundraising events throughout the state.
Rivaling other east coast independent promotions such as East Coast Wrestling Association
, Jersey All Pro Wrestling
and the Mid-Eastern Wrestling Federation
, Maryland Championship Wrestling had many of the top cruiserweight and independent wrestlers in the region including current World Wrestling Entertainment
and Total Nonstop Action Wrestling
wrestlers such as Christian York
, Danny Doring
, Mickie James
, Amazing Red
, Orlando Jordan
, A.J. Styles
, Joey Matthews
, Samoa Joe
and The Hardy Boyz
with Amy Dumas
.
Wrestling Society X
wrestler, Ruckus
as well as many other popular independent wrestlers from the area and throughout the country are current regulars in the promotion. Other mainstays such as Axl Rotten
, Balls Mahoney
, Chris Chetti
, Mikey Whipwreck
and Stevie Richards
also regularly competed in the promotion while wrestling for Extreme Championship Wrestling
.
as an extension of the wrestling school Bone Breakers Training Center, Maryland Championship Wrestling held its first card at Baltimore's Patapsco Arena on July 19, 1998, featuring Jerry Lynn
, Devon Storm
, Little Guido
, Balls Mahoney
, manager Jim Cornette
and The Headbangers
.
During that event, MCW held a six man match to crown the first ever Light Heavyweight Champion. The winner of the match was Shane Shamrock
and due to his shooting death by police the following month, MCW named him as the lifetime Light Heavyweight Champion and replaced it with the Cruiserweight Championship.
Throughout the next year, the promotion featured veteran wrestlers such as Ricky Steamboat
, Ricky Morton
, Bobby Eaton
, Tito Santana
, The Iron Sheik, Sherri Martel
, the Road Warriors
, King Kong Bundy
and Jerry "The King" Lawler
, the latter two winning the promotion's heavyweight championship. Longtime mainstays such as Joey Matthews
, Jimmy Cicero
, Judus Young and Mickie James
also began gaining popularity in the promotion.
On March 27, 2002, Steve Wilkos
of the Jerry Springer Show made a one night appearance teaming with Gillberg
to defeat The Slackers, Chad Bowman and Dino Devine, in a tag team match in Glen Burnie, Maryland
; the 1,267 in attendance setting a new record for its home arena Michael's Eighth Avenue ballroom.
After holding its final card The Last Dance: Shane Shamrock Memorial Cup on July 16, 2003 at Michael's Eighth Avenue ballroom, in which over 1,000 fans were in attendance, the promotion announced its intentions to merge Maryland Championship Wrestling with its longtime rival the Mid-Eastern Wrestling Federation (McDevitt and Shrader had originally left the promotion due to a business dispute with half its roster subsequently leaving for the newly established Maryland Championship Wrestling).
Although operations officially ceased in 2003, McDevitt continued holding occasional cards exclusively at Fort Meade under the "Fort Meade Wrestling" banner during the next several years before returning booking regular MCW events again as of February 26, 2006.
MCW made Baltimore headlines in October, 2006, with the booking of WIYY
morning show personalities Kirk McEwen and Mark Ondayko
as part of an eight-man tag match. Participating would have been a breach of their contract with their radio station, however. In the ensuing controversy, the longtime DJs left WIYY for rival WHFS
.
Although MCW had reportedly been in negotiations to become a developmental territory for World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), the promotion has had a longtime working relationship with the WWE as early as 2000 when a number of former WWF wrestlers made an appearance at an event in Bally's At Ocean Downs. During the next several years, wrestlers such as Scotty 2 Hotty, Rikishi
and Batista have made appearances as well as a number of former WCW and ECW wrestlers following the closing of both promotions.
In December 2000, local television producer Natasha Small filed a complaint to city officials in Bowie, Maryland
in which she claimed she and her daughter had been subject to harassment stemming from a verbal confrontation with Rage TV host Jeff Jones during a television taping at the Bowie Community Television station on October 1, 2002. Although a written response by the city manager's office condemned both parties, no criminal or civil charges were filed against Jones or Maryland Championship Wrestling.
Small's claims were supported by former studio director Milly Hall who had previously filed a complaint accusing Jones of using the studio to produce tapes for sale over the internet and what she described as "pornographic-like images" appearing on the show's official website. Maryland Championship Wrestling denied these charges however and, while city officials admitted the possibility of the promotion using the show to "assist a commercial venture", the city notified producers of new policy updates to guard against such assistance.
In April 2011, Rage TV came back to the air waves taped from the hallowed halls of Gillberg's Professional Wrestling Academy in Severn, MD. Recapturing the magic of the small TV studio tapings that made territories like Memphis and Florida as well as the NWA and WWF shows in the 70's and 80's you'd see on Saturday mornings, MCW has a new web episode available Wednesday nights currently as well as an archived site www.ragetvonline.com for those who might have missed an episode. Hosted by up and coming country music singer and the voice of MCW, Mark Bray and Maryland Wrestling legend Duane "Gillberg" Gill, MCW Rage TV provides a hard hitting half hour of non stop excitement that is providing the best wrestling Maryland has to offer.
The tournament is named in honor of Shane Shamrock
, a popular MCW wrestler who was shot and killed during an altercation with police officers in 1998. The previous month, Shamrock had become first and only MCW Light Heavyweight Champion
, having won the belt in a six-way match and was retired following his death.
, when it made its debut in the Baltimore area, to carry on the tradition of the Shane Shamrock Cup. At ROH's The Last Stand, it was announced ROH would continue the Shane Shamrock Cup on June 24, 2004. In March 2004, Rob Feinstein
was forced to step down as owner of ROH when his legal problems became public. Less than a week before the tournament, Feinstein sold his share of ROH to Cary Silkin, proving he had actually had stake in the company for the past three months. This upset Maryland promoter Dick Caricofe, who was letting ROH use his Maryland Promoter's License, so he pulled out of the show. ROH was forced to move the show to Philadelphia, PA and renamed the show Survival of the Fittest. Survival of the Fittest has since become an annual ROH tournament.
, the 2006 Shane Shamrock Memorial Cup took place with Ruckus ending up winning the tournament. He also won the MCW Cruiserweight Championship during the tournament's finals.
and Tyler Hilton who were headed off by Cobian and Tommy Dreamer
) with the 450° Splash to become the new MCW Heavyweight Champion.
Defending tag-team champions Team MackTion would face off against The Hit Squad, CA Elliott and Nui Tofiga, and The Holy Rollers in a Fatal Four-Way Tag Team match
. As a result of an attack on Nui Tofiga by his partner, CA Elliot, The Holy Rollers were able to pin Nui Tofiga and become the new Tag Team Champions.
Later in the night, Adam Cole and Tyler Hilton would issue a challenge to Tommy Dreamer that if they won, they would be able to participate in the upcoming TNA Pay-per-view
event, Hardcore Justice
. Tommy Dreamer accepted under the provision that if he won, his tag team partner, Cobian, would become the new MCW Rage champion. Adam Cole would be made to submit by Cobian by way of a Backbreaker. MCW Shamrock Cup X also saw the return of Mickie James
to Maryland Championship Wrestling in a singles competition against Mia Yim, who she defeated with a Mickie-DT; and a "Battle of the Blogs" match featuring The Baltimore Sun's
sports columnist, Peter Schmuck, and Fed-Up who were defeated in a Six-Man Tag Team
match against The Baltimore Sun wrestling columnist, Kevin Eck, Cole Calloway, and Ronnie Zukko by way of a Cutter
from Kevin Eck to Peter Schmuck.
Prior to the nights events, several qualifying matches were held in a tournament to find out who would be participating in the six-man elimination-style bout. Because Ryan McBride had won the previous year, he did not have to qualify for the match. Rich Swann defeated Ruckus, Sami Callihan defeated Scott Reed, Teddy Stigma defeated Joe Ettell, and Tommaso Ciampa
defeated Bobby Shields to qualify for The Cup. Christian York, taking the place of a recently retired Jose Maximo, would qualify for the Shane Shamrock Memorial Cup by defeating The Best Around. He would then go on to defeat (in order of elimination from last to first) Ryan McBride, Teddy Stigma, Tommaso Ciampa, Rich Swann, and Sami Callihan to win the Shane Shamrock Memorial Cup, making him becoming the first man to do so three times.
Dundalk, Maryland
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 62,306 people, 24,772 households, and 16,968 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 4,689.5 people per square mile . There were 26,385 housing units at an average density of 1,985.9 per square mile...
, and has regularly run events in the Mid-Atlantic region since the late 1990s as well as participating in numerous fundraising events throughout the state.
Rivaling other east coast independent promotions such as East Coast Wrestling Association
East Coast Wrestling Association
East Coast Wrestling Association is an American professional wrestling promotion, founded by promoter Jim Kettner in 1967. It is home to the annual Super 8 Tournament, one of the longest-running independent wrestling tournaments in the country...
, Jersey All Pro Wrestling
Jersey All Pro Wrestling
Jersey All Pro Wrestling is an independent wrestling promotion based in New Jersey.-1997:Jersey All Pro Wrestling is an independent wrestling promotion that was founded by "Fat" Frank Iadeavia on April 19, 1997. This promotion was born out of a dream of "Fat" Frank. He wanted to take the promotion...
and the Mid-Eastern Wrestling Federation
Mid-Eastern Wrestling Federation
The 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...
, Maryland Championship Wrestling had many of the top cruiserweight and independent wrestlers in the region including current World Wrestling Entertainment
World Wrestling Entertainment
World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. is an American publicly traded, privately controlled entertainment company dealing primarily in professional wrestling, with major revenue sources also coming from film, music, product licensing, and direct product sales...
and Total Nonstop Action Wrestling
Total Nonstop Action Wrestling
Total Nonstop Action Wrestling is a privately held professional wrestling promotion founded by Jeff Jarrett and Jerry Jarrett. The company broadcasts its events on television and the Internet fifty two weeks a year with over a million weekly viewers on its primary television program, Impact...
wrestlers such as Christian York
Christian York
Jason Spence is an American professional wrestler, better known by his ring name, Christian York.-York and Matthews:...
, Danny Doring
Danny Doring
Dan Morrison is an American wrestler better known as Danny Doring, most known for his time in Extreme Championship Wrestling, as the tag team partner of Roadkill...
, Mickie James
Mickie James
Mickie Laree James , better known simply as Mickie James, is an American professional wrestler and singer of mixed Native American-Caucasian descent, currently signed to Total Nonstop Action Wrestling , where she is a former two-time TNA Women's Knockout Champion.James began her professional...
, Amazing Red
Amazing Red
Jonathan Figueroa is a professional wrestler better known by his ring name, Amazing Red, or simply Red for short. He is best known for working for Total Nonstop Action Wrestling, where he is a former three-time X Division Champion, while also working on the American independent circuit...
, Orlando Jordan
Orlando Jordan
Orlando Jordan is an American professional wrestler, most recently signed to Total Nonstop Action Wrestling. Jordan is best known for his tenure in World Wrestling Entertainment, where he was a one-time United States Champion....
, A.J. Styles
A.J. Styles
Allen Neal Jones , better known by his ring name A.J. Styles is an American professional wrestler currently working for Total Nonstop Action Wrestling...
, Joey Matthews
Adam Birch
Adam Birch is a retired American professional wrestler, best known for his tenure with World Wrestling Entertainment , and training in WWE's developmental territory Florida Championship Wrestling, as Joey Mercury...
, Samoa Joe
Samoa Joe
Nuufolau Joel "Joe" Seanoa is an American professional wrestler, better known by his ring name, Samoa Joe. He is currently under contract with Total Nonstop Action Wrestling....
and The Hardy Boyz
Hardy Boyz
The Hardy Boyz are a professional wrestling tag team, consisting of real-life brothers Matt and Jeff Hardy...
with Amy Dumas
Amy Dumas
Amy Christine Dumas , known by her primary stage name Lita, is the lead singer for the band The Luchagors as well as a retired professional wrestler and WWE Diva active from 1999 to 2006....
.
Wrestling Society X
Wrestling Society X
Wrestling Society X was a short-lived professional wrestling-based television series produced in 2006 by Big Vision Entertainment. The weekly television series formerly aired on MTV, MTV2, MTV Tr3s, and over a dozen other MTV outlets throughout the world...
wrestler, Ruckus
Claude Marrow
Claude Marrow is an American independent professional wrestler better known by his ring name Ruckus. Marrow current performs in Combat Zone Wrestling, Ring of Honor, Maryland Championship Wrestling, Chikara and Jersey All Pro Wrestling...
as well as many other popular independent wrestlers from the area and throughout the country are current regulars in the promotion. Other mainstays such as 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...
, Balls Mahoney
Balls Mahoney
Jonathan Rechner better known by his ring name Balls Mahoney , is an American professional wrestler...
, Chris Chetti
Chris Chetti
Christopher "Chris" Chetti is an American professional wrestler. He is perhaps best known for his appearances with Extreme Championship Wrestling between 1996 and 2000.-Extreme Championship Wrestling :...
, Mikey Whipwreck
Mikey Whipwreck
John Watson , better known by his ring name Mikey Whipwreck, is a retired American professional wrestler best known for his career with Extreme Championship Wrestling where he became the third ECW Triple Crown Champion....
and 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...
also regularly competed in the promotion while wrestling for Extreme Championship Wrestling
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...
.
History
Established by wrestlers Dan McDevitt and Mark ShraderMark Shrader
Mark "The Shark" Shrader is a retired American professional wrestler, trainer and promoter who competed in numerous independent promotions throughout the United States during the 1990s and early 2000s...
as an extension of the wrestling school Bone Breakers Training Center, Maryland Championship Wrestling held its first card at Baltimore's Patapsco Arena on July 19, 1998, featuring Jerry Lynn
Jerry Lynn
Jeremy "Jerry" Lynn is an American professional wrestler who is currently signed to Total Nonstop Action Wrestling ....
, 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...
, Little Guido
James Maritato
James Maritato is an American professional wrestler, of Italian origin, currently working on the independent circuit. He is best known for his work in World Wrestling Entertainment and Extreme Championship Wrestling under the ring names Little Guido Maritato and Nunzio.-Starting out:While...
, Balls Mahoney
Balls Mahoney
Jonathan Rechner better known by his ring name Balls Mahoney , is an American professional wrestler...
, manager Jim Cornette
Jim Cornette
James Mark "Jim" Cornette is an American professional wrestling manager, commentator, promoter, and booker. As a manager, he has worked for Jim Crockett Promotions, World Championship Wrestling and World Wrestling Federation and from 1991 to 1995, was the owner of Smoky Mountain Wrestling...
and The Headbangers
The Headbangers
The Headbangers is a professional wrestling tag team consisting of Mosh and Thrasher, best known for their work in the World Wrestling Federation...
.
During that event, MCW held a six man match to crown the first ever Light Heavyweight Champion. The winner of the match was Shane Shamrock
Shane Shamrock
Brian Stephen Howser was an American professional wrestler best known for wrestling in Maryland Championship Wrestling. In the promotion, he was the first and only wrestler to win the Light Heavyweight Championship and was nicknamed "The Lifetime MCW Light Heavyweight Champion" in tribute to his...
and due to his shooting death by police the following month, MCW named him as the lifetime Light Heavyweight Champion and replaced it with the Cruiserweight Championship.
Throughout the next year, the promotion featured veteran wrestlers such as Ricky Steamboat
Ricky Steamboat
Richard Henry Blood , better known by his ring name Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat, is a retired American professional wrestler. He is currently signed to WWE working as a road agent. He was one of the few wrestlers who stayed a babyface throughout his career...
, Ricky Morton
Ricky Morton
Richard Wendell "Ricky" Morton is an American professional wrestler who has worked for such wrestling organizations as Jim Crockett Promotions, the American Wrestling Association, Extreme Championship Wrestling, World Championship Wrestling, the World Wrestling Federation and Total Nonstop Action...
, Bobby Eaton
Bobby Eaton
Robert Lee "Bobby" Eaton is an American semi-retired professional wrestler, who made his debut in 1976. Eaton is most famous for his work in tag teams, especially his days as one-half of the team the Midnight Express. Under the management of Jim Cornette, Eaton originally teamed with Dennis...
, Tito Santana
Tito Santana
Merced Solis better known by his ring name Tito Santana, is an American professional wrestler whose heyday spanned from the late 1970s to the early 1990s, though he continues to appear on the independent circuit. He is best known from his time in the World Wrestling Federation...
, The Iron Sheik, Sherri Martel
Sherri Martel
Sherri Schrull was an American professional wrestler and manager, better known by her ring names, Sherri Martel and Sensational Sherri....
, the Road Warriors
Road Warriors
The Road Warriors were a professional wrestling tag team composed of Michael "Hawk" Hegstrand and Joseph "Animal" Laurinaitis. They performed under the name "Road Warriors" in the American Wrestling Association, the National Wrestling Alliance, and World Championship Wrestling, and the name Legion...
, King Kong Bundy
King Kong Bundy
Christopher Alan "Chris" Pallies is an American professional wrestler, stand-up comedian and actor, better known by his ring name, King Kong Bundy.-Personal:...
and Jerry "The King" Lawler
Jerry Lawler
Jerry O'Neil Lawler is an American professional wrestler, wrestling commentator, musician, businessman, commercial artist and film actor, known throughout the wrestling world as Jerry "The King" Lawler. He is currently signed to WWE, working on its Raw brand as the color commentator and occasional...
, the latter two winning the promotion's heavyweight championship. Longtime mainstays such as Joey Matthews
Adam Birch
Adam Birch is a retired American professional wrestler, best known for his tenure with World Wrestling Entertainment , and training in WWE's developmental territory Florida Championship Wrestling, as Joey Mercury...
, Jimmy Cicero
Jimmy 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...
, Judus Young and Mickie James
Mickie James
Mickie Laree James , better known simply as Mickie James, is an American professional wrestler and singer of mixed Native American-Caucasian descent, currently signed to Total Nonstop Action Wrestling , where she is a former two-time TNA Women's Knockout Champion.James began her professional...
also began gaining popularity in the promotion.
On March 27, 2002, Steve Wilkos
Steve Wilkos
Steven John "Steve" Wilkos is an American television personality, a former U.S. Marine and officer with the Chicago police. He currently hosts his own talk show, The Steve Wilkos Show, but is best known as the former director of security on The Jerry Springer Show...
of the Jerry Springer Show made a one night appearance teaming with Gillberg
Duane Gill
Duane Gill is an American professional wrestler. He is best known for his stint in the World Wrestling Federation as Gillberg, a parody of then-rival promotion World Championship Wrestling's top star Goldberg. During his tenure in the WWF, Gill became a one time Light Heavyweight Champion...
to defeat The Slackers, Chad Bowman and Dino Devine, in a tag team match in Glen Burnie, Maryland
Glen Burnie, Maryland
Glen Burnie is a census-designated place in Anne Arundel County, Maryland, United States, and is a suburb of Baltimore. The population was 67,639 at the 2010 census...
; the 1,267 in attendance setting a new record for its home arena Michael's Eighth Avenue ballroom.
After holding its final card The Last Dance: Shane Shamrock Memorial Cup on July 16, 2003 at Michael's Eighth Avenue ballroom, in which over 1,000 fans were in attendance, the promotion announced its intentions to merge Maryland Championship Wrestling with its longtime rival the Mid-Eastern Wrestling Federation (McDevitt and Shrader had originally left the promotion due to a business dispute with half its roster subsequently leaving for the newly established Maryland Championship Wrestling).
Although operations officially ceased in 2003, McDevitt continued holding occasional cards exclusively at Fort Meade under the "Fort Meade Wrestling" banner during the next several years before returning booking regular MCW events again as of February 26, 2006.
MCW made Baltimore headlines in October, 2006, with the booking of WIYY
WIYY
WIYY is a radio station in Baltimore, Maryland, USA, owned by the Hearst Corporation. WIYY broadcasts an Mainstream Rock format that mixes music popular in the modern rock, heavy metal and classic rock genres...
morning show personalities Kirk McEwen and Mark Ondayko
Mark Ondayko
Michael "Mark" Ondayko is a former American radio broadcaster and co-host of the Kirk and Mark morning show on Baltimore's radio station WHFS .Ondayko is a native of Middletown, Pennsylvania, and had worked in radio since 1978...
as part of an eight-man tag match. Participating would have been a breach of their contract with their radio station, however. In the ensuing controversy, the longtime DJs left WIYY for rival WHFS
WHFS
WHFS was the call sign for three different FM stations in the Washington, D.C./Baltimore, Maryland markets on various frequencies for nearly 50 years. The first and longest run was a progressive rock station and was usually, and affectionately, referred to as 'HFS...
.
Although MCW had reportedly been in negotiations to become a developmental territory for World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), the promotion has had a longtime working relationship with the WWE as early as 2000 when a number of former WWF wrestlers made an appearance at an event in Bally's At Ocean Downs. During the next several years, wrestlers such as Scotty 2 Hotty, Rikishi
Solofa Fatu
Solofa F. Fatu, Jr. is an American professional wrestler, best known under the ring name Rikishi.-The Samoan Swat Team:...
and Batista have made appearances as well as a number of former WCW and ECW wrestlers following the closing of both promotions.
Rage TV
The promotion also has a syndicated television show, Rage TV, which is also broadcast via the internet and now in its second season. Both prior to and following its reopening, episodes of Rage TV has also been released to DVD.In December 2000, local television producer Natasha Small filed a complaint to city officials in Bowie, Maryland
Bowie, Maryland
Bowie is a city in Prince George's County, Maryland, United States. The population was 54,727 at the 2010 census. Bowie has grown from a small railroad stop to the largest municipality in Prince George's County, and the fifth most populous city and third largest city by area in the state of...
in which she claimed she and her daughter had been subject to harassment stemming from a verbal confrontation with Rage TV host Jeff Jones during a television taping at the Bowie Community Television station on October 1, 2002. Although a written response by the city manager's office condemned both parties, no criminal or civil charges were filed against Jones or Maryland Championship Wrestling.
Small's claims were supported by former studio director Milly Hall who had previously filed a complaint accusing Jones of using the studio to produce tapes for sale over the internet and what she described as "pornographic-like images" appearing on the show's official website. Maryland Championship Wrestling denied these charges however and, while city officials admitted the possibility of the promotion using the show to "assist a commercial venture", the city notified producers of new policy updates to guard against such assistance.
In April 2011, Rage TV came back to the air waves taped from the hallowed halls of Gillberg's Professional Wrestling Academy in Severn, MD. Recapturing the magic of the small TV studio tapings that made territories like Memphis and Florida as well as the NWA and WWF shows in the 70's and 80's you'd see on Saturday mornings, MCW has a new web episode available Wednesday nights currently as well as an archived site www.ragetvonline.com for those who might have missed an episode. Hosted by up and coming country music singer and the voice of MCW, Mark Bray and Maryland Wrestling legend Duane "Gillberg" Gill, MCW Rage TV provides a hard hitting half hour of non stop excitement that is providing the best wrestling Maryland has to offer.
Shane Shamrock Memorial Cup
One of the premier events held by Maryland Championship Wrestling, the Shane Shamrock Memorial Cup is an annual tournament begun in 1999. The premise is that twelve wrestlers are placed in six one-on-one matches at the beginning of the show the tournament is held on, and the six winners advance to an elimination match, which is the show's main event.The tournament is named in honor of Shane Shamrock
Shane Shamrock
Brian Stephen Howser was an American professional wrestler best known for wrestling in Maryland Championship Wrestling. In the promotion, he was the first and only wrestler to win the Light Heavyweight Championship and was nicknamed "The Lifetime MCW Light Heavyweight Champion" in tribute to his...
, a popular MCW wrestler who was shot and killed during an altercation with police officers in 1998. The previous month, Shamrock had become first and only MCW Light Heavyweight Champion
MCW Light Heavyweight Championship
The MCW Light Heavyweight Championship was a professional wrestling light heavyweight championship owned by the Maryland Championship Wrestling promotion...
, having won the belt in a six-way match and was retired following his death.
Ring of Honor: Survival of the Fittest
When MCW closed its doors in 2003, an arrangement was made with Ring of HonorRing of Honor
Ring of Honor ' is an American professional wrestling promotion, founded in 2002 by Rob Feinstein and Gabe Sapolsky. From 2004 to 2011, the promotion was under the ownership of Cary Silkin before being sold to the Sinclair Broadcast Group in May 2011...
, when it made its debut in the Baltimore area, to carry on the tradition of the Shane Shamrock Cup. At ROH's The Last Stand, it was announced ROH would continue the Shane Shamrock Cup on June 24, 2004. In March 2004, Rob Feinstein
Rob Feinstein
Robert Feinstein is the owner and operator of RF Video , who were best known as the videographers of Extreme Championship Wrestling...
was forced to step down as owner of ROH when his legal problems became public. Less than a week before the tournament, Feinstein sold his share of ROH to Cary Silkin, proving he had actually had stake in the company for the past three months. This upset Maryland promoter Dick Caricofe, who was letting ROH use his Maryland Promoter's License, so he pulled out of the show. ROH was forced to move the show to Philadelphia, PA and renamed the show Survival of the Fittest. Survival of the Fittest has since become an annual ROH tournament.
Return of the Shane Shamrock Cup
When MCW reopened in February 2006, it was announced that they were bringing back the Shane Shamrock Cup. On July 9 in Dundalk, MarylandDundalk, Maryland
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 62,306 people, 24,772 households, and 16,968 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 4,689.5 people per square mile . There were 26,385 housing units at an average density of 1,985.9 per square mile...
, the 2006 Shane Shamrock Memorial Cup took place with Ruckus ending up winning the tournament. He also won the MCW Cruiserweight Championship during the tournament's finals.
MCW Shamrock Cup X
Maryland Championship Wrestling held its 10th Annual Shane Shamrock Memorial Cup (Branded as "MCW Shamrock Cup X") on July 31, 2010. The number one contender for the MCW Heavyweight Championship title, Ryan McBride opened the night in singles competition against reigning and defending champion Patrick Brink, defeating him (despite interference by Adam ColeAdam Cole
Austin Jenkins is an American professional wrestler, better known by his ring name Adam Cole. He competes for several independent promotions, including Combat Zone Wrestling, Maryland Championship Wrestling, Northeast Wrestling and Ring of Honor....
and Tyler Hilton who were headed off by Cobian and Tommy Dreamer
Tommy Dreamer
Thomas James "Tom" Laughlin is an American professional wrestler better known by his ring name Tommy Dreamer. He is currently working for various promotions on the independent circuit. He is best known for his time spent with Extreme Championship Wrestling and World Wrestling Entertainment...
) with the 450° Splash to become the new MCW Heavyweight Champion.
Defending tag-team champions Team MackTion would face off against The Hit Squad, CA Elliott and Nui Tofiga, and The Holy Rollers in a Fatal Four-Way Tag Team match
Tag team
Tag team professional wrestling is a variation in which matches are contested between teams of multiple wrestlers. A tag team may comprise two wrestlers who normally wrestle in singles competition, but more commonly are made of established teams who wrestle regularly as a unit and have a team name...
. As a result of an attack on Nui Tofiga by his partner, CA Elliot, The Holy Rollers were able to pin Nui Tofiga and become the new Tag Team Champions.
Later in the night, Adam Cole and Tyler Hilton would issue a challenge to Tommy Dreamer that if they won, they would be able to participate in the upcoming TNA Pay-per-view
Pay-per-view
Pay-per-view provides a service by which a television audience can purchase events to view via private telecast. The broadcaster shows the event at the same time to everyone ordering it...
event, Hardcore Justice
Hardcore Justice (2010)
Hardcore Justice was a professional wrestling pay-per-view event produced by Total Nonstop Action Wrestling , which took place on August 8, 2010 at the TNA Impact! Zone in Orlando, Florida...
. Tommy Dreamer accepted under the provision that if he won, his tag team partner, Cobian, would become the new MCW Rage champion. Adam Cole would be made to submit by Cobian by way of a Backbreaker. MCW Shamrock Cup X also saw the return of Mickie James
Mickie James
Mickie Laree James , better known simply as Mickie James, is an American professional wrestler and singer of mixed Native American-Caucasian descent, currently signed to Total Nonstop Action Wrestling , where she is a former two-time TNA Women's Knockout Champion.James began her professional...
to Maryland Championship Wrestling in a singles competition against Mia Yim, who she defeated with a Mickie-DT; and a "Battle of the Blogs" match featuring The Baltimore Sun's
The Baltimore Sun
The Baltimore Sun is the U.S. state of Maryland’s largest general circulation daily newspaper and provides coverage of local and regional news, events, issues, people, and industries....
sports columnist, Peter Schmuck, and Fed-Up who were defeated in a Six-Man Tag Team
Tag team
Tag team professional wrestling is a variation in which matches are contested between teams of multiple wrestlers. A tag team may comprise two wrestlers who normally wrestle in singles competition, but more commonly are made of established teams who wrestle regularly as a unit and have a team name...
match against The Baltimore Sun wrestling columnist, Kevin Eck, Cole Calloway, and Ronnie Zukko by way of a Cutter
Cutter (professional wrestling)
In professional wrestling, a cutter is a common term that refers to the three-quarter facelock bulldog maneuver. The move is also described as an inverted neckbreaker, though it is not one, it only bears an inverted style to it...
from Kevin Eck to Peter Schmuck.
Prior to the nights events, several qualifying matches were held in a tournament to find out who would be participating in the six-man elimination-style bout. Because Ryan McBride had won the previous year, he did not have to qualify for the match. Rich Swann defeated Ruckus, Sami Callihan defeated Scott Reed, Teddy Stigma defeated Joe Ettell, and Tommaso Ciampa
Tommaso Ciampa
Tommasso Whitney is an American professional wrestler, better known by the ring name Tommaso Ciampa. He is currently signed to Ring of Honor, while also competing for several independent promotions, including Chaotic Wrestling, Top Rope Promotions, East Coast Wrestling Association and Northeast...
defeated Bobby Shields to qualify for The Cup. Christian York, taking the place of a recently retired Jose Maximo, would qualify for the Shane Shamrock Memorial Cup by defeating The Best Around. He would then go on to defeat (in order of elimination from last to first) Ryan McBride, Teddy Stigma, Tommaso Ciampa, Rich Swann, and Sami Callihan to win the Shane Shamrock Memorial Cup, making him becoming the first man to do so three times.
Match Results
| Matches | Stipulations |
|---|---|
| Ryan McBride Ryan McBride Ryan Cluney is an American professional wrestler who has worked for such independent wrestling promotions as Combat Zone Wrestling and Maryland Championship Wrestling.-Career:... defeated Patrick Brink (c) |
Singles match for the MCW Heavyweight Championship MCW Heavyweight Championship The MCW Heavyweight Championship is a professional wrestling heavyweight championship owned by the Maryland Championship Wrestling promotion. The title was created and debuted on October 11, 1998 at a MCW live event... |
| The Holy Rollers defeated Team MackTion (c), The Hit Squad The Hit Squad The Hit Squad is a low budget pixel art comedy movie due for release in late 2010. It is being written and directed by musician Chris Blundell.-Plot:... , CA Elliott & Nui Tofiga |
Fatal Four-Way Tag Team match Tag team Tag team professional wrestling is a variation in which matches are contested between teams of multiple wrestlers. A tag team may comprise two wrestlers who normally wrestle in singles competition, but more commonly are made of established teams who wrestle regularly as a unit and have a team name... for the MCW Tag Team Championship MCW Tag Team Championship The MCW Tag Team Championship is a professional wrestling tag team championship owned by the Maryland Championship Wrestling promotion. The title was created and debuted on August 18, 1998 at a MCW live event.... |
| Tommy Dreamer Tommy Dreamer Thomas James "Tom" Laughlin is an American professional wrestler better known by his ring name Tommy Dreamer. He is currently working for various promotions on the independent circuit. He is best known for his time spent with Extreme Championship Wrestling and World Wrestling Entertainment... defeated Adam Cole Adam Cole Austin Jenkins is an American professional wrestler, better known by his ring name Adam Cole. He competes for several independent promotions, including Combat Zone Wrestling, Maryland Championship Wrestling, Northeast Wrestling and Ring of Honor.... (c) and Tyler Hilton Tyler Hilton Tyler James Hilton is an American singer-songwriter and actor. Hilton began his professional career in music in 2000. Rolling Stone Magazine compared him to his contemporary, Howie Day, while others have compared Hilton to Elton John, both vocally and instrumentally... >Tag Team Hardcore match Tag team Tag team professional wrestling is a variation in which matches are contested between teams of multiple wrestlers. A tag team may comprise two wrestlers who normally wrestle in singles competition, but more commonly are made of established teams who wrestle regularly as a unit and have a team name... |
|
| Mickie James Mickie James Mickie Laree James , better known simply as Mickie James, is an American professional wrestler and singer of mixed Native American-Caucasian descent, currently signed to Total Nonstop Action Wrestling , where she is a former two-time TNA Women's Knockout Champion.James began her professional... defeated Mia Yim |
Singles match |
| Kevin Eck, Ronnie Zukko, and Cole Calloway defeated Peter Schmuck Peter Schmuck Peter Gilray Schmuck is an American sportswriter.Peter Schmuck has been a reporter and sports columnist for the Baltimore Sun since 1990, and has been named Maryland Sportswriter of the Year five times by the National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association... and Fed-Up |
Six-Man Tag Team Tag team Tag team professional wrestling is a variation in which matches are contested between teams of multiple wrestlers. A tag team may comprise two wrestlers who normally wrestle in singles competition, but more commonly are made of established teams who wrestle regularly as a unit and have a team name... match |
| Christian York defeated Ryan McBride, Teddy Stigma, Tommaso Ciampa, Rich Swann, and Sami Callihan Sami Callihan Sam Johnston is an American professional wrestler, better known by his ring name "The New Horror" Sami Callihan. He competes for promotions including Combat Zone Wrestling, Dragon Gate USA, NWA Force One Pro Wrestling, EVOLVE Wrestling, Ring of Honor, Absolute Intense Wrestling, and Insanity Pro... |
Six-man Elimination-Style Competition for the Shane Shamrock Memorial Cup |
Shamrock Cup Results
| Competitor | Eliminated by |
|---|---|
| Sami Callihan | Rich Swann |
| Rich Swann | Tommaso Ciampa |
| Tommaso Ciampa | Christian York |
| Teddy Stigma | Ryan McBride |
| Ryan McBride (p) | Christian York |
| Christian York | Winner |
MCW Shane Shamrock Cup 11
The 11th MCW Shane Shamrock Cup was held on July 30, 2011.Scheduled matches
| # | Match | Stipulations |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nui Tofiga vs. Ronnie Zukko (with Candie & Jessie Kaye) (c) | Singles match for the MCW RAGE TV Championship |
| 2 | Fed-Up vs. The Holy Rollers (with J.P. Callahan) (c) | Leather strap Belt (clothing) A belt is a flexible band or strap, typically made of leather or heavy cloth, and worn around the waist. A belt supports trousers or other articles of clothing.-History:... , No Disqualification, No time-limit, Tag Team Match Professional wrestling tag team match types Much like singles matches, tag team professional wrestling matches can and have taken many forms. Just about any singles or melee match type can be adapted to tag teams; for example, hardcore tag team matches are commonplace... match for the MCW Tag Team Championships. * If Fed-Up loses, they must disband forever. If The Holy Rollers lose they must retire from Professional Wrestling forever. |
| 3 | The Bruiser vs. Eric Cobian (c) | Singles match for the MCW Heavyweight Championship |
| 4 | Country Strong, Black Wallstreet, The Darque Karnival, RK Blues, Zachary Shane. | Battle Royal Battle royal (professional wrestling) In professional wrestling, a battle royal is a multi-competitor match type in which wrestlers are eliminated until one is left and declared winner... |
| 5 | Kirby Mack, Sami Callihan, Josh Daniels, Oliver Grimsley, A.R. Fox Alexander James, Nathan Crown, Mike Posey, Kyle Matthews, Corey Hollis, Aden Chambers, Black Barrett, Ricky Reyes, and Vordell Walker | Shane Shamrock Memorial Cup |
Current championships
| Championship | Champion(s) | Previous champion(s) | Date won | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MCW Heavyweight Champion MCW Heavyweight Championship The MCW Heavyweight Championship is a professional wrestling heavyweight championship owned by the Maryland Championship Wrestling promotion. The title was created and debuted on October 11, 1998 at a MCW live event... |
Cobian | Tyler Hilton | May 19, 2011 | Baltimore, MD |
| MCW Tag Team Championship MCW Tag Team Championship The MCW Tag Team Championship is a professional wrestling tag team championship owned by the Maryland Championship Wrestling promotion. The title was created and debuted on August 18, 1998 at a MCW live event.... |
The Holy Rollers | Team Macktion | July 31, 2010 | Dundalk, MD |
| Shane Shamrock Memorial Cup | Sami Callihan Sami Callihan Sam Johnston is an American professional wrestler, better known by his ring name "The New Horror" Sami Callihan. He competes for promotions including Combat Zone Wrestling, Dragon Gate USA, NWA Force One Pro Wrestling, EVOLVE Wrestling, Ring of Honor, Absolute Intense Wrestling, and Insanity Pro... |
Christian York | July 30, 2011 | Dundalk, MD |
| MCW Rage Championship MCW Rage Television Championship The MCW Rage Television Championship is a professional wrestling television championship owned by the Maryland Championship Wrestling promotion... |
Ronnie Zukko | Cobian | April 2, 2011 | Severn, MD |
Retired championships
| Championship | Champion(s) | Previous champion(s) | Date won | Location | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MCW Light Heavyweight Championship MCW Light Heavyweight Championship The MCW Light Heavyweight Championship was a professional wrestling light heavyweight championship owned by the Maryland Championship Wrestling promotion... |
Shane Shamrock | Dundalk, MD Dundalk, Maryland -Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 62,306 people, 24,772 households, and 16,968 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 4,689.5 people per square mile . There were 26,385 housing units at an average density of 1,985.9 per square mile... |
Shane Shamrock was the only champion. Shamrock was named lifetime Light Heavyweight Championship after his passing due to being shot. The Light Heavyweight Championship was replaced with the Cruiserweight Championship. | ||
| MCW Cruiserweight Championship MCW Cruiserweight Championship The MCW Cruiserweight Championship is a professional wrestling cruiserweight championship owned by the Maryland Championship Wrestling promotion... |
Ryan McBride | Adam Cole | 12/26/2009 | Dundalk, MD | After McBride won the Rage Championship, the Cruiserweight championship was combined with the Rage TV title since he held both titles. |
Shane Shamrock Memorial Cup Winners
| Year | Name | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 1999 | Christian York Christian York Jason Spence is an American professional wrestler, better known by his ring name, Christian York.-York and Matthews:... |
|
| 2000 | Qeenan Creed | |
| 2001 | Joey Matthews Adam Birch Adam Birch is a retired American professional wrestler, best known for his tenure with World Wrestling Entertainment , and training in WWE's developmental territory Florida Championship Wrestling, as Joey Mercury... |
|
| 2002 | Reckless Youth | July 17, 2002 |
| 2003 | Christian York | July 16, 2003 |
| 2006 | Ruckus | July 7, 2006 |
| 2007 | Josh Daniels | July 8, 2007 |
| 2008 | Derek Frazier Derek Frazier (wrestler) Derek Frazier is an independent American professional wrestler, appearing frequently in Combat Zone Wrestling. Derek Frazier has also appeared in Maryland Championship Wrestling where he was their cruiserweight champion.... |
July 19, 2008 |
| 2009 | Ryan McBride Ryan McBride Ryan Cluney is an American professional wrestler who has worked for such independent wrestling promotions as Combat Zone Wrestling and Maryland Championship Wrestling.-Career:... |
July 11, 2009 |
| 2010 | Christian York | July 31, 2010 |
| 2011 | Sami Callihan | July 30, 2011 |
Media
- MCW: Xtreme Measures II DVD. Maryland Championship Wrestling, 2007.
- MCW: Shane Shamrock Tribute Show, 9/20/98. DVD. Maryland Championship Wrestling, 2007.
- MCW: Aggravated Assault. DVD. Maryland Championship Wrestling, 2007.
- MCW: Anniversary 2007. DVD. Maryland Championship Wrestling, 2007.
- MCW: 6th Shane Shamrck Memorial Cup DVD. Maryland Championship Wrestling, 2006.
- MCW: Guerrilla Warfare. DVD. Maryland Championship Wrestling, 2006.
- MCW: Holiday Homecoming. DVD. Maryland Championship Wrestling, 2006.
- MCW: March Madness. DVD. Maryland Championship Wrestling, 2006.
- MCW: Monster Mash. DVD. Maryland Championship Wrestling, 2006.
- MCW: Phenomenal Final Four. DVD. Maryland Championship Wrestling, 2006.
- MCW: Red, White, Black & Bruised. DVD. Maryland Championship Wrestling, 2006.
- MCW: Resurrection. DVD. Maryland Championship Wrestling, 2006.
- MCW: Tribute to the Legends. DVD. Maryland Championship Wrestling, 2006.
- MCW: Xtreme Measures. DVD. Maryland Championship Wrestling, 2006.
- MCW: The Last Dance. DVD. Maryland Championship Wrestling, 2003.
Further reading
- "Wrestling, all pumped up The violent, adult themes of today's pro wrestling are a far cry from the cartoonish characters of the 1980s. Should parents let their kids watch?". York Daily Record. 23 July 2001
External links
- Maryland Championship Wrestling
- Maryland Championship Wrestling at MySpaceMySpaceMyspace is a social networking service owned by Specific Media LLC and pop star Justin Timberlake. Myspace launched in August 2003 and is headquartered in Beverly Hills, California. In August 2011, Myspace had 33.1 million unique U.S. visitors....
- Maryland Championship Wrestling at Online World of Wrestling
- http://www.marylandwrestling.com/