Shin'ya Hashimoto
Combat Zone Wrestling and NWA East both put on big shows this past weekend on the East Coast. The CZW show, dubbed "Cage Of Death 3" was the first truly hardcore show to return to the ECW Arena since the arena's namesake was folded. The Cage of Death is an inventive match, as the ring is filled with weapons, surrounded by a steel cage with a scaffold on the top of it. Now think of the ladder match stipulation and substitute the ladder for the scaffold and you have the idea. CZW refuses to use just WWF-esque weaponry such as chairs and tables. They have to use cacti, explosives, and plenty glass and barbed wire. The NWA show was highlighted by a one-night, four man Ironman competition for the vacant NWA WORLD championship. This event was also the return of a former NWA champion and WWF superstar to attack the new champion. (More on that later.) Gary Steele, Shin'ya Hashimoto, and Steve Corino competed for the World championship, and Hashimoto came out on top at the end. The next night, these three men and Dylan Night (from PWF) had a WWF-style Ironman match for Hashimoto's World Championship. Results on that event after the CZW and NWA East results.
Combat Zone Wrestling: Cage Of Death 3
Ty Street vs. Mongoose (no contest)
Nick Gage and Nate Hatred d. The Briscoe Brothers
(Three Way Match) Joey Corman d. Samir, Brad Michaels
S.A.T. d. Quiet Storm, Brian XL, and Chris Devine
Eddie Valentine and Jon Dahmer d. Chris Cash and GQ
(BJW/CZW Junior Heavyweight Championship) Trent Acid d. Ruckus (c)
Johnny Kashmere d. Menace
Mad Man Pondo d. Z-Barr
(CZW Ironman Championship; Three Way Match) Adam Flash d. Nick Berk (c), Nick Mondo
(CZW Heavyweight Championship; Cage Of Death) Justice Pain (c) d. Wifebeater
After this match, the lights dropped, and Tod Gordon (former ECW promoter) came out and told CZW that this was the ECW arena, and that CZW crossed the line. He had Pitbull #1, Blue Meanie, Rocco Rock (Public Enemy) and Rockin' Rebel backing his words. Then, out of nowhere, the CZW locker room emptied (heels and faces) to fight for CZW's pride. Then the lights went out again. This time, the Sandman was standing in the ring with a CZW t-shirt and shared a beer with CZW owner Zandig.
NWA East; International Ironman Challenge
(NWA East Three Rivers Championship) Daron Smythe d. Sean Stylez, Bison, and Dash Bennett
(NWA East Tag Team Championship) Mad Mike and Powerhouse Hughes d. Dale Price and Jimmy Angel (countout)
Axl Law and Scott Venom d. Dale Price and Jimmy Angel (c)
(NWA WV/OH Championship) Magnum (c) d. Fabulous Frederick
(NWA East Triple Jeopardy Championship) Paul Atlas d. Nikita Allanova, and Hosakawa
(NWA North American Champion) Quinn Magnum (c) d. Brandon K
Homicyde d. Crusher Hansen
(NWA World Junior Heavyweight Championship) Jason Rumble (c) d. JB Destiny
Steve Corino d. Gary Steele
Shin'ya Hashimoto d. Gary Steele
(NWA WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP) Shin'ya Hashimoto d. Steve Corino
After the match, as Hashimoto celebrated his win over Corino, a masked man stormed the ring and attacked Hashimoto. After the brawl was broken up, the masked man was revealed to be Dan "The Beast" Severn.
Premiere Wrestling Federation; International Ironman Challenge
Quiet Storm d. Chris Devine
S.A.T. d. The New Era Horsemen (Paul Atlas and Jimmy Angel)
The Damned (Mad Dog and Draven) d. The New Era Horsemen
Red and Hosakawa d. S.A.T.
Red and Hosakawa d. The New Era Horsemen
S.A.T. d. The Damned
S.A.T. d. The Damned
(NWA WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP; WWF Style Ironman Match) Shin'ya Hashimoto d. Dylan Night, Gary Steele, and Steve Corino
Post game notes: Each show was pretty well booked, both using similar talent. I'll be reviewing videotapes from these promotions for this website soon. If you would like to learn more about the independent promotions, check out the Independent Follower.