Tony Kozina
Encyclopedia
Tony Kozina is an American professional wrestler who is best known for his work in the Pacific Northwest especially in Extreme Canadian Championship Wrestling
and National Wrestling Alliance
. He has also made appearances in Ring of Honor
, Pro Wrestling Guerrilla
, Full Impact Pro
, IWA-Mid South, and World Wrestling Entertainment
.
Kozina than received additional training from fellow ECCW alumnus "Maniac" Matt Borne and helped train others at North American Wrestling Asylum.
losing to El Antorcha
. The two young wrestlers set the pace of what would become an explosive junior division in western Canada in the years ahead.
In 1998, Kozina would start winning championships for the first time in his career. On October 20, 1998, Kozina defeated Torch in Lillooet, British Columbia
for the newly created NWA Pacific Northwest Junior Heavyweight Championship in what would be his first championship. One day later on October 21, Kozina would lose the championship to Torch in 100 Mile House, British Columbia. Kozina would regain the title for a second time two days later on October 23, in Fraser Lake, British Columbia
. The next on October 24 in Burns Lake, British Columbia
, Kozina once again lost the belt to Torch. Under a month later on November 20 in a ladder match
in Campbell River, British Columbia
, Kozina won the NWA Pacific Northwest Junior Championship by once again defeating Torch. On January 29, 1999, he would lose the title to Ladies Choice in a lumberjack match in New Westminster, British Columbia
. Less than a month later, on February 26 in New Westminister, Kozina regains the title for the 4th time by defeating Ladies Choice. In a three-way match in Maple Ridge, British Columbia
which also included Torch, Disco Fury won the title. Kozina would only have to wait two days two for another title shot. On May 15, Kozina win the title for a fifth time defeating Disco Fury in Powell River, British Columbia
. Follwing the match, Kozina immediately issues a challenge to NWA Canadian Junior Heavyweight Champion
Robby Royce. The challenge was recorded and put on the ECCW, NWA, and many other websites.
to capture his first NWA Canadian Junior Heavyweight Championship. Once again, immediately records a challenge in the backroom hallway demanding a match again NWA World Junior Heavyweight Champion
Logan Caine. On July 22, 1999, Kozina vacated the NWA Pacific Northwest Junior Heavyweight Championship to concentrate on solely defending the NWA Canadian Junior Heavyweight Championship. On September 25 at the NWA 51st Anniversary Show's Kozina competed in an 11 man battle royal in Charlotte, North Carolina
. The winner became the number one contender and got a shot at the NWA World Junor Heavyweight Championship later that night. Twiggy Ramirez eliminated Kozina. After Kozina's first unsuccessful run at the NWA World Championships, Kozina losses the NWA Canadian Junior Heavyweight Championship in New Westminster, British Columbia on November 12 to "Playboy" Buddy Rose, Jr. in a bloody match. A little over two weeks later, on November 28, he regains the NWA Canadian Junior Heavyweight Championship from Rose in Victoria, British Columbia
.
On January 14, 2000, Kozina wins his first NWA World Junior Heavyweight Championship by defeating Vince Kaplack in North Versailles, Pennsylvania
. In Surrey, British Columbia
on July 22, in steel cage match, Rockford 2000 successful defeated Kozina to become the next NWA World Junior Heavyweight Champion. Kozina became the NWA World Junior Heavyweight Champion for the second time on August 30 when the NWA Board of Directors reviewed a tape of a rematch between Kozina and Rockford 2000. After the tape was reviewed, the Board of Directors awarded the belt to Koznia. At the NWA 52nd Anniversary Show held in Nashville, Tennessee
on October 20, Kaplack defeated Kozina to once again become the NWA World Junior Heavyweight Champion.
. On February 24, 2001, Kozina was eliminated in the first round in a loss to Jayson Reign in Newark, Delaware
. In May 2001, Kozina returned to ECWA and faces Reckless Youth
and Amazing Red
in a three-way match. Amazing Red goes on to win the bout. In 2002, Kozina returned to ECWA and faces off against A.J. Styles
and Amazing Red in a three-way match which was won by Amazing Red.
April 28 Competes in a three-way match in Vancouver, WA. to determine a new NWA Pacific Northwest Jr. Champion against Scotty Mac and Disco Fury. Scotty Mac wins the event after pinning Disco Fury.
May 2001 Faces Sabu in Eugene, Oregon, at Mac court, in the biggest pro wrestling card in Oregon in over 10 years. Sabu defeats Kozina vis submission with the camel clutch.
May 21 Defeats Scotty Mac to claim a 6th NWA Pacific Northwest Jr. Title in Vancouver, WA.
Aug. 15th faces The Amazing Red and Billy Bax to unify the IWA and PWF Junior Heavyweight titles in Pottstown, PA. Bax wins the match and walks off with Tony's NWA-PNW Jr. Heavyweight title belt as well, although that title was not on the line, since it was out of the PNW jurisdiction.
Aug. 16th Reading, PA. Kozina faces Bax for his newly won IWA and PWF Jr. titles. They wrestle to a 20 minute draw.
Sept. 2001 Surrey, B.C. Canada. Defeats "American Dragon" Bryan Danielson by pinfall to retain the NWA Pacific Northwest Jr. title. (This marks Kozina's last title defense. It was later stripped off him due to inactivity).
Sept. 2001 Tours across Canada for Western Extreme Championship Wrestling. Competes in Red Deer, AB. Edmonton, AB. Swift Current, SK. Lethbridge, AB. and Calgary, AB., where Kozina faced Highlander and "Hot Shot" Johnny Devine in a three-way match, which was won by Devine.
Nov. 2001 Debuts for Big Time Wrestling in the San Francisco area defeating Wildstorm by pinfall in Newark, CA.
Dec. 2002 Kozina competes in APW's Golden Gate Invitational Tournament, losing to Super Dragon in the first round. Hayward, CA.
Feb. 22nd teams with Adam Firestorm and Bryan Danielson, and cornerman "Rowdy" Roddy Piper to main event the final episode of Portland Wrestling TV again "The Army Of Darkness" (Dr. Luther, Damon Scythe, and Black Dragon (Brett Como)) The team of Kozina, Firestorm and Danielson defeat the A.O.D. when Danielson pins Scythe to close the short lived show.
On August 10, 2003, Tony Kozina teamed up with Buddy Wayne on an episode WWE Heat
. They lost to the team of Mark Jindrak
and Garrison Cade
.
, Kozina captures a third NWA Canadian Junior Heavyweight Championship
defeating Major Hardway.
May 7, 2004 Kozina and Adam Firestorm compete in the first ECCW Pacific Cup Tag Team Tournament. The duo defeat Memphis Raines and MR2 in Vancouver, B.C. Canada.
May 8, 2004, Firestorm and Kozina lose to Asian Cougar and Ueno Yukihide in New Westminster, B.C. Canada, and are eliminated from the tournament
May 22 Returns to PWG in Santa Ana, CA. Kozina is defeated by Puma.
In June, debut's for Pro Wrestling IRON, in the San Francisco area, scoring a win over Vito Thomaselli.
July 2004 debuts for Ring Of Honor in Elizabeth, NJ with a pinfall victory over Azriel at ROH Do Or Die.
July/August Kozina travels to Santa Monica, CA. to work for New Japan Pro Wrestling U.S.A. as both a wrestler, and an agent behind the scenes. The shows are filmed for the NJPW USA Toukon Fighting Spirit TV show.
August 20 Kozina faces NWA Pacific Northwest Champion Vance Nevada in Nanaimo, B.C. Canada in Champion versus Champion main event. Kozina scores a victory via dq.
August 21 NWA Canadian Jr. Heavyweight title defense versus Ice. Retains title via pinfall. Nanaimo, B.C. Canada.
August 22 NWA Canadian Jr. Heavyweight title defense versus Mike Dempsey. Retains title via pinfall. Nanaimo, B.C. Canada.
Oct. 23rd, 2004 loses the NWA Canadian Junior Heavyweight Championship to Disco Fury in Vancouver, B.C. Canada.
and El Generico
in a triple threat match.
He started to do some work for Full Impact Pro
. On March 25, Kozina would defeat Don Juan in his debut match. The next night on March 26, 2005, he would be defeated by Steve Madison.
Kozina would continue to work the independent circuit by working a match for NWA Central States on May 21. He would fall in defeat to Jaysin Strife in Lawrence, Kansas.
On June 10, Kozina was entered into the Jeff Peterson Memorial Cup which was put on by NWA Florida. Kozina would fall in defeat to Matt Sydal in the first round. The next night on June 11, Kozina teamed up with Sal Rinauro
to defeat the team of Fast Eddie Vegas and Todd Sexton. Kozina would return to Full Impact Pro in the month of June. On June 24, Kevin Dunn of The Ring Crew Express
would defeat Kozina in a singles contest. The Next night on June 25, Spanky
would also defeat Kozina in a singles contest.
October 21 would see Kozina return to Pro Wrestling WAR. He took on Austin Aries
which ended in a no contest. The next night on October 22, Kozina teamed up with Davey Richards
to take on the team of Aaron Aguilera
and Al Katrazz in the southern California promotion Alternative Wrestling Show, but would end up falling in defeat.
May 13 Kozina wins the NWA Virginia State Junior Heavyweight Championship defeating Rex Sterling, Grail, and Mike Vaughan in a four-way match in Martinsville, VA.
Competes in the 2006 Jeff Peterson Memorial Cup in Florida, under the mask as Canadian Cougar. Defeats Jake Manning with an armbar submission in round one, and falls in defeat to Ruckus on the second night.
Aug. 31st-Sept. 2nd Competes in PWG 2007 Battle Of Los Angeles Tournament. Kozina is defeated in the first round by El Generico.
Oct. 19th Las Vegas, NV. Returns to Ring Of Honor at the 2007 Survival of the Fittest. Loses to Human Tornado and Shane Hagadorn in a three-way match.
Oct. 21st San Francisco Cow Palace- Teams with TJ Perkins vs. The No Remorse Corps (Rocky Romero and Davey Richards). NRC defeats Kozina and Perkins when Richards taps out Perkins with a kimura shoulder-lock.
Jan. 19th Bellingham, WA. NWA Washington State. Kyle O'Reilly defeats Kozina with a sunset flip.
Dec. 5th Kozina returns to Ring Of Honor in Collinsville, IL. Kozina is defeated by Bao Nguyen with a German suplex.
Oct. 10th vs. Grizzly Redwood. Ring Of Honor. Collinsville, IL. Defeated via pinfall.
Feb. 4th Kozina becomes number one contender to the NWA World Junior Heavyweight Championship after beating TW3, and Chase McCoy in a three-way bout in Waukesha, WI.
Feb. 5th Kozina wrestles Craig Classic for the NWA World Junior Heavyweight Championship in Streator, IL. Classic secures the pinfall, but the referee fails to see Kozina's foot over the bottom rope. Tony protests the decision to the local promoter, and NWA Midwest management, seeking a rematch.
April 9 Vandelia, IL. Confronts NWA Midwest X Champion Oliver Cain after Cain's title defense. No physical contact was made, and it's unknown what was said before the confrontation was broken up by Davey Richards, who talked Tony down, and walked him outside.
April 23rd Kozina defeats Ace Hawkins in Red Bud, IL. for IHW wrestling.
May 28th victory in Streator, IL. over Shank Barzini and Jimmy Karryt to become number one contender to the NWA Midwest X Championship, currently held by Oliver Cain, Tony Kozina got the news he had been waiting for since February.
The NWA Board Of Directors had reviewed his appeal of the Feb. 4-5 weekend and granted him another match against NWA World Junior Heavyweight Champion, Craig Classic.
"In regards to the disputed dates of Feb. 4th and Feb. 5th, the NWA Board Of Directors finds the following.
DISPUTE OF FEB. 4th: Craig Classic misses flight due to weather. Planned championship match between Tony Kozina and Craig Classic is canceled.
CONCLUSION: Contract states that the terms of this agreement are void in the event of an "act of God". Mr. Classic was delayed in New Jersey on Feb. 4th, due to weather. Therefore, on grounds of "act of God" this rematch request is denied.
DISPUTE OF FEB. 5th: Kozina is pinned, but has foot visibly on ropes. Referee doesn't see this and counts to three. Referee is made aware of the situation by Kozina, but stands by his decision, and awards the match to Craig Classic via pinfall.
CONCLUSION: After reviewing the footage, the claims are found valid, therefore the NWA Board Of Directors grant a championship rematch of Tony Kozina and Craig Classic for the NWA World Junior Heavyweight Championship."
When asked about the Midwest X title, Kozina politely answered "Let me say that I've had my eye on the NWA Midwest X title since I moved to St.Louis. But it was always as a stepping stone to getting the World Junior title back. That's been my goal from day one. I'm certain Oliver Cain has no shortage of hungry contenders. I'm going to start making the calls to secure a date and a city for the world title match and then it's back to training harder than ever before, so there's no point in looking at the X title right now."
August 4th Kozina debuts for NWA Smoky Mtn. in Kingsport, TN. Teams with Sigmon in an attempt to capture the vacant NWA-SMW tag titles. The are eliminated in the 4-way tag team bout.
August 6th Kozina takes part in the NWA Future Legends Cup in Carrolton, GA during the NWA fanfest weekend. He is defeated by Zack Salvation in 7:50.
Sept. 7th Kozina is announced as the third entrant for the tournament to crown a new NWA World Junior Heavyweight Champion. Tournament is to be held on October 7th in Charlotte, NC.
NWA: Extreme Canadian Championship Wrestling
Extreme Canadian Championship Wrestling is a Western Canadian-based professional wrestling promotion, operating as a member of the National Wrestling Alliance...
and National Wrestling Alliance
National Wrestling Alliance
The National Wrestling Alliance is a wrestling promotion company and sanctions various NWA championships in the United States. The NWA has been in operation since 1948...
. He has also made appearances in Ring of Honor
Ring 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...
, Pro Wrestling Guerrilla
Pro Wrestling Guerrilla
Pro Wrestling Guerrilla is a professional wrestling promotion that is run by wrestlers themselves as it was created by Southern California wrestlers Disco Machine, Excalibur, Joey Ryan, Scott Lost, Super Dragon, and Top Gun Talwar...
, Full Impact Pro
Full Impact Pro
Full Impact Pro is an American independent professional wrestling promotion based in Florida. Their shows are taped and then sold as DVDs. Full Impact Pro was the sister promotion of Ring of Honor until 2009...
, IWA-Mid South, and 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...
.
Training and debut
In the summer of 1996 Kozina started training with Billy Jack Haynes and refing for Championship Wrestling USA in Washington.Kozina than received additional training from fellow ECCW alumnus "Maniac" Matt Borne and helped train others at North American Wrestling Asylum.
Extreme Canadian Championship Wrestling (1997-???)
In the spring of 1997, Kozina makes his debut for Extreme Canadian Championship WrestlingNWA: Extreme Canadian Championship Wrestling
Extreme Canadian Championship Wrestling is a Western Canadian-based professional wrestling promotion, operating as a member of the National Wrestling Alliance...
losing to El Antorcha
Adam Firestorm
Adam T. Dykes was a New Zealand-Canadian professional wrestler, known by his ring name Adam Firestorm, who competed in North American independent promotions in the Pacific Northwest and Western Canada during the late 1990s and early 2000s, most notably as a mainstay of Extreme Canadian...
. The two young wrestlers set the pace of what would become an explosive junior division in western Canada in the years ahead.
In 1998, Kozina would start winning championships for the first time in his career. On October 20, 1998, Kozina defeated Torch in Lillooet, British Columbia
Lillooet, British Columbia
Lillooet is a community on the Fraser River in western Canada, about up the British Columbia Railway line from Vancouver. Situated at an intersection of deep gorges in the lee of the Coast Mountains, it has a dry climate- of precipitation is recorded annually at the town's weather station,...
for the newly created NWA Pacific Northwest Junior Heavyweight Championship in what would be his first championship. One day later on October 21, Kozina would lose the championship to Torch in 100 Mile House, British Columbia. Kozina would regain the title for a second time two days later on October 23, in Fraser Lake, British Columbia
Fraser Lake, British Columbia
Fraser Lake is a village in northern British Columbia, Canada. It is located on the southwest side of Fraser Lake between Burns Lake and Vanderhoof alongside the Yellowhead Highway....
. The next on October 24 in Burns Lake, British Columbia
Burns Lake, British Columbia
thumb|309px|right|Burns Lake's welcome signBurns Lake is a rural village in the North-Central Interior of British Columbia, Canada, incorporated in 1923...
, Kozina once again lost the belt to Torch. Under a month later on November 20 in a ladder match
Ladder match
A ladder match is a type of match in professional wrestling that is most commonly used to describe a match where an item is hung above the ring, and the winner is the contestant who climbs a ladder and retrieves the item...
in Campbell River, British Columbia
Campbell River, British Columbia
Campbell River is a coastal city in British Columbia on the east coast of Vancouver Island at the south end of Discovery Passage, which lies along the important coastal Inside Passage shipping route...
, Kozina won the NWA Pacific Northwest Junior Championship by once again defeating Torch. On January 29, 1999, he would lose the title to Ladies Choice in a lumberjack match in New Westminster, British Columbia
New Westminster, British Columbia
New Westminster is an historically important city in the Lower Mainland region of British Columbia, Canada, and is a member municipality of the Greater Vancouver Regional District. It was founded as the capital of the Colony of British Columbia ....
. Less than a month later, on February 26 in New Westminister, Kozina regains the title for the 4th time by defeating Ladies Choice. In a three-way match in Maple Ridge, British Columbia
Maple Ridge, British Columbia
Maple Ridge is a District Municipality in British Columbia, located in the northeastern section of Metro Vancouver. Maple Ridge has a population of approximately 68,949.-History:...
which also included Torch, Disco Fury won the title. Kozina would only have to wait two days two for another title shot. On May 15, Kozina win the title for a fifth time defeating Disco Fury in Powell River, British Columbia
Powell River, British Columbia
Powell River is a city on the northern Sunshine Coast of southwestern British Columbia, Canada. Most of its population lives near the eastern shores of Malaspina Strait, that part of the larger Georgia Strait between Texada Island and the Mainland...
. Follwing the match, Kozina immediately issues a challenge to NWA Canadian Junior Heavyweight Champion
NWA Canadian Junior Heavyweight Championship
The NWA Canadian Junior Heavyweight Championship is the present-day, National Wrestling Alliance Board-controlled version of the Canadian Junior Heavyweight title. Previous non-NWA versions of the title also existed in Alberta, Ontario and Manitoba...
Robby Royce. The challenge was recorded and put on the ECCW, NWA, and many other websites.
National Wrestling Alliance (1997-Present)
On June 26, 1999, Kozina defeated than NWA Canadian Junior Heavyweight Champion Robby Royce and Tony McGuire in a three-way match in Winnipeg, ManitobaWinnipeg
Winnipeg is the capital and largest city of Manitoba, Canada, and is the primary municipality of the Winnipeg Capital Region, with more than half of Manitoba's population. It is located near the longitudinal centre of North America, at the confluence of the Red and Assiniboine Rivers .The name...
to capture his first NWA Canadian Junior Heavyweight Championship. Once again, immediately records a challenge in the backroom hallway demanding a match again NWA World Junior Heavyweight Champion
NWA World Junior Heavyweight Championship
The NWA World Junior Heavyweight Championship is a professional wrestling world championship and secondary title in the National Wrestling Alliance that was for the lighter wrestlers. It started in 1945 and still exists today. The title was unified with the National Boxing/Wrestling Association's...
Logan Caine. On July 22, 1999, Kozina vacated the NWA Pacific Northwest Junior Heavyweight Championship to concentrate on solely defending the NWA Canadian Junior Heavyweight Championship. On September 25 at the NWA 51st Anniversary Show's Kozina competed in an 11 man battle royal in Charlotte, North Carolina
Charlotte, North Carolina
Charlotte is the largest city in the U.S. state of North Carolina and the seat of Mecklenburg County. In 2010, Charlotte's population according to the US Census Bureau was 731,424, making it the 17th largest city in the United States based on population. The Charlotte metropolitan area had a 2009...
. The winner became the number one contender and got a shot at the NWA World Junor Heavyweight Championship later that night. Twiggy Ramirez eliminated Kozina. After Kozina's first unsuccessful run at the NWA World Championships, Kozina losses the NWA Canadian Junior Heavyweight Championship in New Westminster, British Columbia on November 12 to "Playboy" Buddy Rose, Jr. in a bloody match. A little over two weeks later, on November 28, he regains the NWA Canadian Junior Heavyweight Championship from Rose in Victoria, British Columbia
Victoria, British Columbia
Victoria is the capital city of British Columbia, Canada and is located on the southern tip of Vancouver Island off Canada's Pacific coast. The city has a population of about 78,000 within the metropolitan area of Greater Victoria, which has a population of 360,063, the 15th most populous Canadian...
.
On January 14, 2000, Kozina wins his first NWA World Junior Heavyweight Championship by defeating Vince Kaplack in North Versailles, Pennsylvania
North Versailles, Pennsylvania
North Versailles is a first class township in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 10,229 at the 2010 census.-History:...
. In Surrey, British Columbia
Surrey, British Columbia
Surrey is a city in the province of British Columbia, Canada. It is a member municipality of Metro Vancouver, the governing body of the Greater Vancouver Regional District...
on July 22, in steel cage match, Rockford 2000 successful defeated Kozina to become the next NWA World Junior Heavyweight Champion. Kozina became the NWA World Junior Heavyweight Champion for the second time on August 30 when the NWA Board of Directors reviewed a tape of a rematch between Kozina and Rockford 2000. After the tape was reviewed, the Board of Directors awarded the belt to Koznia. At the NWA 52nd Anniversary Show held in Nashville, Tennessee
Nashville, Tennessee
Nashville is the capital of the U.S. state of Tennessee and the county seat of Davidson County. It is located on the Cumberland River in Davidson County, in the north-central part of the state. The city is a center for the health care, publishing, banking and transportation industries, and is home...
on October 20, Kaplack defeated Kozina to once again become the NWA World Junior Heavyweight Champion.
East Coast Wrestling Association (2000-2002)
In December 2000, Kozina is officially invited to participate in the 2001 ECWA Super 8 TournamentECWA Super 8 Tournament
The Super 8 Tournament is an annual professional wrestling tournament held by the East Coast Wrestling Association. The tournament is contested by eight wrestlers in a one-night single-elimination format.-History:...
. On February 24, 2001, Kozina was eliminated in the first round in a loss to Jayson Reign in Newark, Delaware
Newark, Delaware
Newark is an American city in New Castle County, Delaware, west-southwest of Wilmington. According to the 2010 Census, the population of the city is 31,454. Newark is the home of the University of Delaware.- History :...
. In May 2001, Kozina returned to ECWA and faces Reckless Youth
Reckless Youth
Thomas Carter is an American professional wrestler, better known by his ring name Reckless Youth. He has competed in numerous North American independent promotions including the East Coast Wrestling Association, Combat Zone Wrestling and Chikara, where he was one of the original founders alongside...
and 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...
in a three-way match. Amazing Red goes on to win the bout. In 2002, Kozina returned to ECWA and faces off against 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...
and Amazing Red in a three-way match which was won by Amazing Red.
2001
6 weeks before the Super 8 Tournament, defeats the 2000 Super 8 Winner, Christopher Daniels, by pinfall in Auburn, Washington.April 28 Competes in a three-way match in Vancouver, WA. to determine a new NWA Pacific Northwest Jr. Champion against Scotty Mac and Disco Fury. Scotty Mac wins the event after pinning Disco Fury.
May 2001 Faces Sabu in Eugene, Oregon, at Mac court, in the biggest pro wrestling card in Oregon in over 10 years. Sabu defeats Kozina vis submission with the camel clutch.
May 21 Defeats Scotty Mac to claim a 6th NWA Pacific Northwest Jr. Title in Vancouver, WA.
Aug. 15th faces The Amazing Red and Billy Bax to unify the IWA and PWF Junior Heavyweight titles in Pottstown, PA. Bax wins the match and walks off with Tony's NWA-PNW Jr. Heavyweight title belt as well, although that title was not on the line, since it was out of the PNW jurisdiction.
Aug. 16th Reading, PA. Kozina faces Bax for his newly won IWA and PWF Jr. titles. They wrestle to a 20 minute draw.
Sept. 2001 Surrey, B.C. Canada. Defeats "American Dragon" Bryan Danielson by pinfall to retain the NWA Pacific Northwest Jr. title. (This marks Kozina's last title defense. It was later stripped off him due to inactivity).
Sept. 2001 Tours across Canada for Western Extreme Championship Wrestling. Competes in Red Deer, AB. Edmonton, AB. Swift Current, SK. Lethbridge, AB. and Calgary, AB., where Kozina faced Highlander and "Hot Shot" Johnny Devine in a three-way match, which was won by Devine.
Nov. 2001 Debuts for Big Time Wrestling in the San Francisco area defeating Wildstorm by pinfall in Newark, CA.
2002
In late 2002 Kozina ventures out to Woonsocket, Rhode Island to compete in the NWA Super X tournament, hosted by NWA New England. Kozina makes it to the final four, alongside, Reckless Youth, Jason Rumble, and Kahagas.Dec. 2002 Kozina competes in APW's Golden Gate Invitational Tournament, losing to Super Dragon in the first round. Hayward, CA.
2003
Jan. 4th debuts for the brand new Portland Wrestling TV show in Portland, Oregon. Defeats Damon Scythe by pinfall.Feb. 22nd teams with Adam Firestorm and Bryan Danielson, and cornerman "Rowdy" Roddy Piper to main event the final episode of Portland Wrestling TV again "The Army Of Darkness" (Dr. Luther, Damon Scythe, and Black Dragon (Brett Como)) The team of Kozina, Firestorm and Danielson defeat the A.O.D. when Danielson pins Scythe to close the short lived show.
On August 10, 2003, Tony Kozina teamed up with Buddy Wayne on an episode WWE Heat
WWE HEAT
WWE Heat was a professional wrestling television program produced by World Wrestling Entertainment...
. They lost to the team of Mark Jindrak
Mark Jindrak
Mark Robert Jindrak is an American professional wrestler, best known for his appearances with World Championship Wrestling and World Wrestling Entertainment...
and Garrison Cade
Lance Cade
Lance Kurtis McNaught was an American professional wrestler. He was best known for his time in World Wrestling Entertainment where he performed under the ring names Garrison Cade and Lance Cade....
.
2004
April 2, 2004 Surrey, B.C.Surrey, British Columbia
Surrey is a city in the province of British Columbia, Canada. It is a member municipality of Metro Vancouver, the governing body of the Greater Vancouver Regional District...
, Kozina captures a third NWA Canadian Junior Heavyweight Championship
NWA Canadian Junior Heavyweight Championship
The NWA Canadian Junior Heavyweight Championship is the present-day, National Wrestling Alliance Board-controlled version of the Canadian Junior Heavyweight title. Previous non-NWA versions of the title also existed in Alberta, Ontario and Manitoba...
defeating Major Hardway.
May 7, 2004 Kozina and Adam Firestorm compete in the first ECCW Pacific Cup Tag Team Tournament. The duo defeat Memphis Raines and MR2 in Vancouver, B.C. Canada.
May 8, 2004, Firestorm and Kozina lose to Asian Cougar and Ueno Yukihide in New Westminster, B.C. Canada, and are eliminated from the tournament
May 22 Returns to PWG in Santa Ana, CA. Kozina is defeated by Puma.
In June, debut's for Pro Wrestling IRON, in the San Francisco area, scoring a win over Vito Thomaselli.
July 2004 debuts for Ring Of Honor in Elizabeth, NJ with a pinfall victory over Azriel at ROH Do Or Die.
July/August Kozina travels to Santa Monica, CA. to work for New Japan Pro Wrestling U.S.A. as both a wrestler, and an agent behind the scenes. The shows are filmed for the NJPW USA Toukon Fighting Spirit TV show.
August 20 Kozina faces NWA Pacific Northwest Champion Vance Nevada in Nanaimo, B.C. Canada in Champion versus Champion main event. Kozina scores a victory via dq.
August 21 NWA Canadian Jr. Heavyweight title defense versus Ice. Retains title via pinfall. Nanaimo, B.C. Canada.
August 22 NWA Canadian Jr. Heavyweight title defense versus Mike Dempsey. Retains title via pinfall. Nanaimo, B.C. Canada.
Oct. 23rd, 2004 loses the NWA Canadian Junior Heavyweight Championship to Disco Fury in Vancouver, B.C. Canada.
2005
Kozina would work in many independent promtions. On January 14, Kozina would work a match for Pro Wrestling WAR where he teamed up with Chris Bosh in tag team match against B-Boy and Scorpio that ended in a no contest. The next night on January 15, 2005, Kozina would also work a match in Southern California Championship Wrestling. He would go onto defeat Davey RichardsDavey Richards
Wesley David Richards is an American professional wrestler, better known by his ring name Davey Richards.Richards is currently under contract with Ring of Honor, where he is the current ROH World Champion, but also wrestles for several companies on the independent circuit, including Pro Wrestling...
and El Generico
El Generico
Rami Sebei is a Canadian professional wrestler, better known by his ring name El Generico. Sebei uses the gimmick of a luchador from Mexico...
in a triple threat match.
He started to do some work for Full Impact Pro
Full Impact Pro
Full Impact Pro is an American independent professional wrestling promotion based in Florida. Their shows are taped and then sold as DVDs. Full Impact Pro was the sister promotion of Ring of Honor until 2009...
. On March 25, Kozina would defeat Don Juan in his debut match. The next night on March 26, 2005, he would be defeated by Steve Madison.
Kozina would continue to work the independent circuit by working a match for NWA Central States on May 21. He would fall in defeat to Jaysin Strife in Lawrence, Kansas.
On June 10, Kozina was entered into the Jeff Peterson Memorial Cup which was put on by NWA Florida. Kozina would fall in defeat to Matt Sydal in the first round. The next night on June 11, Kozina teamed up with Sal Rinauro
Sal Rinauro
Salvatore "Sal" Rinauro is an American professional wrestler. He is best known for his work in Ring of Honor and Full Impact Pro in addition to being a member of The Embassy.-Ring of Honor:...
to defeat the team of Fast Eddie Vegas and Todd Sexton. Kozina would return to Full Impact Pro in the month of June. On June 24, Kevin Dunn of The Ring Crew Express
The Ring Crew Express
The Ring Crew Express is the professional wrestling tag team of Kevin Dunn and Kirby Marcos, better known simply as Dunn and Marcos. They are best known for their work in Ring of Honor but have also wrestled for other promotions, such as Full Impact Pro, Chikara, Buffalo Championship Wrestling,...
would defeat Kozina in a singles contest. The Next night on June 25, Spanky
Brian Kendrick
Brian David Kendrick is an American professional wrestler currently signed to Total Nonstop Action Wrestling under his real name. Before joining TNA he spent several years wrestling for World Wrestling Entertainment, where he wrestled under his name, as Spanky, and finally as "The" Brian Kendrick...
would also defeat Kozina in a singles contest.
October 21 would see Kozina return to Pro Wrestling WAR. He took on Austin Aries
Austin Aries
Daniel Healy "Dan" Solwold, Jr. better known by his ring name Austin Aries, is an American professional wrestler, currently signed to Total Nonstop Action Wrestling , where he is the current X Division Champion...
which ended in a no contest. The next night on October 22, Kozina teamed up with Davey Richards
Davey Richards
Wesley David Richards is an American professional wrestler, better known by his ring name Davey Richards.Richards is currently under contract with Ring of Honor, where he is the current ROH World Champion, but also wrestles for several companies on the independent circuit, including Pro Wrestling...
to take on the team of Aaron Aguilera
Aaron Aguilera
Aaron Aguilera , is a Mexican American professional wrestler and actor best known as Jesús and Uno on World Wrestling Entertainment and MTV's Wrestling Society X...
and Al Katrazz in the southern California promotion Alternative Wrestling Show, but would end up falling in defeat.
2006
March 11 Kozina debuts for NWA Virginia, defeating Chris Escobar in Chilhowie, VA.May 13 Kozina wins the NWA Virginia State Junior Heavyweight Championship defeating Rex Sterling, Grail, and Mike Vaughan in a four-way match in Martinsville, VA.
Competes in the 2006 Jeff Peterson Memorial Cup in Florida, under the mask as Canadian Cougar. Defeats Jake Manning with an armbar submission in round one, and falls in defeat to Ruckus on the second night.
2007
June 10 returns to PWG in Burbank, CA. vs. TJ Perkins. TJ defeats Kozina, and the two get a standing ovation from the crowd.Aug. 31st-Sept. 2nd Competes in PWG 2007 Battle Of Los Angeles Tournament. Kozina is defeated in the first round by El Generico.
Oct. 19th Las Vegas, NV. Returns to Ring Of Honor at the 2007 Survival of the Fittest. Loses to Human Tornado and Shane Hagadorn in a three-way match.
Oct. 21st San Francisco Cow Palace- Teams with TJ Perkins vs. The No Remorse Corps (Rocky Romero and Davey Richards). NRC defeats Kozina and Perkins when Richards taps out Perkins with a kimura shoulder-lock.
2008
Kozina wrestled only twice in 2008. Frustrations after not breaking through to the next level, saw him return to school, and leave wrestling behind until the end of the year.Jan. 19th Bellingham, WA. NWA Washington State. Kyle O'Reilly defeats Kozina with a sunset flip.
Dec. 5th Kozina returns to Ring Of Honor in Collinsville, IL. Kozina is defeated by Bao Nguyen with a German suplex.
2009
April 29, 2009 Tony Kozina faces Mil Mascaras in Ottawa, Kansas. The bout is featured on the Mexican feature film Mil Mascaras: Aztec Revenge.Oct. 10th vs. Grizzly Redwood. Ring Of Honor. Collinsville, IL. Defeated via pinfall.
2011
January Kozina faces Davey Richards for Ring of Honor's last TV taping in Philadelphia, PA for HDNet. The two square off in a "pancrase rules" match up in which they lay into each other with stiff strikes, kicks and submissions holds. Richards wins via knockout when the referee stopped the bout in just under 5 minutes.Feb. 4th Kozina becomes number one contender to the NWA World Junior Heavyweight Championship after beating TW3, and Chase McCoy in a three-way bout in Waukesha, WI.
Feb. 5th Kozina wrestles Craig Classic for the NWA World Junior Heavyweight Championship in Streator, IL. Classic secures the pinfall, but the referee fails to see Kozina's foot over the bottom rope. Tony protests the decision to the local promoter, and NWA Midwest management, seeking a rematch.
April 9 Vandelia, IL. Confronts NWA Midwest X Champion Oliver Cain after Cain's title defense. No physical contact was made, and it's unknown what was said before the confrontation was broken up by Davey Richards, who talked Tony down, and walked him outside.
April 23rd Kozina defeats Ace Hawkins in Red Bud, IL. for IHW wrestling.
May 28th victory in Streator, IL. over Shank Barzini and Jimmy Karryt to become number one contender to the NWA Midwest X Championship, currently held by Oliver Cain, Tony Kozina got the news he had been waiting for since February.
The NWA Board Of Directors had reviewed his appeal of the Feb. 4-5 weekend and granted him another match against NWA World Junior Heavyweight Champion, Craig Classic.
"In regards to the disputed dates of Feb. 4th and Feb. 5th, the NWA Board Of Directors finds the following.
DISPUTE OF FEB. 4th: Craig Classic misses flight due to weather. Planned championship match between Tony Kozina and Craig Classic is canceled.
CONCLUSION: Contract states that the terms of this agreement are void in the event of an "act of God". Mr. Classic was delayed in New Jersey on Feb. 4th, due to weather. Therefore, on grounds of "act of God" this rematch request is denied.
DISPUTE OF FEB. 5th: Kozina is pinned, but has foot visibly on ropes. Referee doesn't see this and counts to three. Referee is made aware of the situation by Kozina, but stands by his decision, and awards the match to Craig Classic via pinfall.
CONCLUSION: After reviewing the footage, the claims are found valid, therefore the NWA Board Of Directors grant a championship rematch of Tony Kozina and Craig Classic for the NWA World Junior Heavyweight Championship."
When asked about the Midwest X title, Kozina politely answered "Let me say that I've had my eye on the NWA Midwest X title since I moved to St.Louis. But it was always as a stepping stone to getting the World Junior title back. That's been my goal from day one. I'm certain Oliver Cain has no shortage of hungry contenders. I'm going to start making the calls to secure a date and a city for the world title match and then it's back to training harder than ever before, so there's no point in looking at the X title right now."
August 4th Kozina debuts for NWA Smoky Mtn. in Kingsport, TN. Teams with Sigmon in an attempt to capture the vacant NWA-SMW tag titles. The are eliminated in the 4-way tag team bout.
August 6th Kozina takes part in the NWA Future Legends Cup in Carrolton, GA during the NWA fanfest weekend. He is defeated by Zack Salvation in 7:50.
Sept. 7th Kozina is announced as the third entrant for the tournament to crown a new NWA World Junior Heavyweight Champion. Tournament is to be held on October 7th in Charlotte, NC.
In wrestling
- Finishing moves
- Sky Twister
- Figure Four leglock
- Vortex (Spinning Facebuster)
- Managers
- Kharma
- Wrestlers managed
- Kyle O'ReillyKyle O'ReillyKyle Greenwood is a Canadian professional wrestler, better known by his ring name Kyle O'Reilly. He competes for several independent promotions including Extreme Canadian Championship Wrestling, Evolve, and signed a contract with Ring of Honor in September 2010.- Extreme Canadian Championship...
- Davey RichardsDavey RichardsWesley David Richards is an American professional wrestler, better known by his ring name Davey Richards.Richards is currently under contract with Ring of Honor, where he is the current ROH World Champion, but also wrestles for several companies on the independent circuit, including Pro Wrestling...
- Wrestlers trained
- Kyle O'Reilly
- Davey Richards
- Damon Scythe
- Dustin Snyder
- Eric Baeden
- Nicknames
- "Tornado" Tony Kozina
Championships and accomplishments
- AWA Pinnacle
- AWA Pinnacle Light Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
- AWA Washington
- AWA Washington Tag Team Championship (2 times) with - Davey RichardsDavey RichardsWesley David Richards is an American professional wrestler, better known by his ring name Davey Richards.Richards is currently under contract with Ring of Honor, where he is the current ROH World Champion, but also wrestles for several companies on the independent circuit, including Pro Wrestling...
(1), Mr. Phil Goode (1)
- AWA Washington Tag Team Championship (2 times) with - Davey Richards
- Extreme Canadian Championship WrestlingNWA: Extreme Canadian Championship WrestlingExtreme Canadian Championship Wrestling is a Western Canadian-based professional wrestling promotion, operating as a member of the National Wrestling Alliance...
- NWA Canadian Junior Heavyweight ChampionshipNWA Canadian Junior Heavyweight ChampionshipThe NWA Canadian Junior Heavyweight Championship is the present-day, National Wrestling Alliance Board-controlled version of the Canadian Junior Heavyweight title. Previous non-NWA versions of the title also existed in Alberta, Ontario and Manitoba...
(3 times) - NWA Pacific Northwest Junior Heavywight Championship (6 times)
- National Wrestling AllianceNational Wrestling AllianceThe National Wrestling Alliance is a wrestling promotion company and sanctions various NWA championships in the United States. The NWA has been in operation since 1948...
- NWA World Junior Heavyweight ChampionshipNWA World Junior Heavyweight ChampionshipThe NWA World Junior Heavyweight Championship is a professional wrestling world championship and secondary title in the National Wrestling Alliance that was for the lighter wrestlers. It started in 1945 and still exists today. The title was unified with the National Boxing/Wrestling Association's...
(2 times) - NWA Virginia Junior Heavyweight ChampionshipNWA Virginia Junior Heavyweight ChampionshipThe NWA Virginia Junior Heavyweight Championship was formed in the World Wrestling Coalition promotion in 1994 when Erik Idol won a tournament...
(1 time) - Pro Wrestling IllustratedPro Wrestling IllustratedPro Wrestling Illustrated is a professional wrestling magazine. PWI is currently based in Blue Bell, Pennsylvania and published by Kappa Publishing Group.-History:The first issue of Pro Wrestling Illustrated was released in 1979...
- PWI ranked him #179 of the 500 best singles wrestlers of the year in the PWI 500 in 2002
- Slam! Wrestling
- Slam! Wrestling Canadian Hall of Fame