Classic Championship Wrestling - Event Wrap-up 1.9.07

Thomas Keister
With the memory of CCW's huge 2006 finale still fresh in the fans minds, the seats were going fast as bell time approached on another exciting year from the fastest growing independent professional wrestling promotions in the region. With new CCW Heavyweight Champion "Smooth" Johnny Spade now in the position of being the hunted, and tension brewing among CCW Tag Team Champions The Fat N The Furious, the new year looked not to miss a beat for Classic Championship Wrestling.

Live action kicked off with Commissioner Chris Alexander greeting the crowd and announcing the former CCW Champion, Dynamite Derrick. Not in the best of moods, Derrick wasted little time assigning blame for his title loss December 19, and even less in calling out Johnny Spade. Dealing with "The Old School Player's" demand for a rematch, Spade flat said no. After months of battling for the championship, Spade let Derrick know in uncertain terms he would have to work his way up from the very bottom to earn his shot at regaining the belt!

The exchange between Spade and Derrick continued until heckling, noticeable even over the packed house, drew the attention of all three men in the ring. Standing up, the heckler revealed himself to be none other than Vic the Bruiser! Receiving a microphone from ringside security, Vic started off by letting both men know he, for one, was tired of the two of them "crying like schoolgirls" week in and week out! The verbal assault was not finished there, as Vic, a long-revered figure in the Kentucky wrestling scene, is not known for pulling punches in or out of the ring. To Dynamite Derrick, Vic broke down his "Old School" ways, informing Derrick that he wouldn't know "old school" if it bit him in sensitive areas (more or less)!

Turning his attention to Spade, Vic told the "Backstreet Boy" that he'd challenge him for the CCW Heavyweight title! Spade, not one to turn away any challenge, said that was no problem at all. The trash talk would go back and forth a few more minutes, until Vic bottom-lined it for Spade, Derrick, Alexander, and the CCW faithful, pronouncing that neither Spade nor Derrick, and damn straight Classic Championship Wrestling was "not ready for Vic the Bruiser!" before leaving the CCW Arena! What Vic may have made clearest of all is what he didn't actually say - CCW has not yet seen the last of Vic the Bruiser...

Apollo vs. Elmore Fudd (w/Mrs. Elma Fudd) vs. Jason X:

It was real apparent that turning the other cheek to the fans in Portland was not one of Apollo's new year's resolutions as the HNIC powerhouse made his way to ringside for a triple threat match to kick off 2007. Right behind him was Elmore Fudd, along with Mrs. Elma Fudd. The Fudds ended 2006 on a high note, and 2007 looks to be no different. The fans may underestimate Fudd, but all that does in the long run is make him more dangerous. Jason X, a CCW prospect that we saw some good signs from at the advent of his career, rounded out a match that showcased an eclectic group of in-ring styles.

Fudd and Apollo immediately went after Jason X, double-teaming the inexperienced newcomer to an extent that could lead one to believe that the two men may have mapped out something beforehand. Actually taking turns wearing down Jason, the two looked to totally eliminate him as a factor, although before long, Fudd would have the advantage all to himself. With Jason on the floor and Apollo taking shots from Elmore in the ring and Elma from the outside, things were looking very good indeed for the Fudds.

Returning to the ring, Jason X would rally, but exuberance may have caught up with him, as celebrating would cost him the match, as a savvy Apollo schoolboyed Jason X to score the pin (although a handful of tights didn't hurt). It's hard to hold this match against either Elmore Fudd or Jason X, as the match ended in the blink of an eye, but you have to think this is just the beginning of what could be a big year for Apollo. Success has come to him in every territory he has wrestled in, and it's hard to see CCW being the exception to that rule.

Winner of the Match: Apollo, by pinfall

CCW Tag Team Champion Vito Andretti vs. The Regulator:

Returning to action, The Regulator looked like he had nothing but business on his mind. Facing Vito Andretti, that's a good mindset to have. Andretti may have had a rocky holiday break, as there are cracks beginning to show within The Fat N The Furious, and an odd sign for the match was the absence of his CCW Tag Team championship belt as he entered the CCW Arena. This was definitely not shaping up to be a technical showcase. The two big men would test their power early on in the contest, with Regulator throwing a couple of hard right hands to try a gain control from the tie-up, although Andretti was not going to be caught by too many cheap shots. A quick-thinking Regulator would get a boot up on a charging Vito Andretti, proceeding to wear him down with an punishing array of power and brawling tactics.

The offensive would be short-lived, as Andretti would begin pulling back to even and building momentum in what was turning into a pretty solid back and forth match-up. You could have flipped a coin to try and get at least some kind of odds on favorite, but in the time that would have taken, Andretti took the match, scoring the pin after a big neckbreaker!

Winner of the Match: Vito Andretti, by pinfall

As Vito was regaining his footing following the win, Jack Black would emerge from ringside. Not looking like he was in too good a mood, the other half of The Fat N The Furious (with tag belt in hand) immediately took to the microphone, berating Andretti for "stumbling around getting his ass kicked," while Black was "cleaning up after him!" Still trying to get an answer from Black as to what has caused the recent change of attitude, all Vito would get for his troubles as the two continued to argue was a warning from Black to "stay out of his business!" While they may still be the CCW Tag Team Champions, it may not be looking optimistic for The Fat N The Furious...

Jebediah Blackhawk vs. Dynamite Derrick:

2007's off to a rocky start for Dynamite Derrick, and the long road back started tonight, with "The Old School Player" in one-on-one action against Jebediah Blackhawk. Blackhawk looked more than willing to tangle with Derrick again, championship or not.

Trying to gain the upper hand, Dynamite Derrick was finding Blackhawk a hard sell early on. Persevering would pay off, as Derrick baited the bigger man into a chase around the ring, leading him into a sneak attack. Using the momentum, Derrick would then deliver a devastating chop block, not only taking away Blackhawk's vertical base, but showing the lengths Derrick will go to to make it back to the top again! Furthering the damage, the "Old School Player" would take Blackhawk out of the ring, using the ring apron and cornerpost to torture his opponent!

Catching a second wind, Blackhawk would rally, threatening to pull back into the match, but thinking three moves ahead, Derrick used a moment of confusion with referee Paul Wood to land a low blow, leading to the Super Playa Kick, and a win for Dynamite Derrick. The road to the CCW Championship may not as short for Derrick as it was in the championship tournament last October, but it is more than apparent he is more than willing to drive a little left of center once again, as long as it takes him back into the Heavyweight title picture.

Winner of the Match: Dynamite Derrick, by pinfall

CCW Tag Team Champion Jack Black vs. El Oro Grappo:

El Oro Grappo and Tim the Baker caught up with me before tonight's show, and after letting me know about the masked man's recent tour of Mexico's EUCLL promotion, they chided me for the misspelling of El Oro Grappo's name. What can I say, between the masked man and Tim the Baker, anything was possible after attempting to translate their conversion. Unfortunately for the two of them, El Oro's opponent was none other than Jack Black, and from what the audience had already seen, that was not going to bode well for Tim the Baker's client. And it didn't.


All Jack Black. From bell to bell, ALL Jack Black. This time around, Vito Andretti would hit ringside, pressing his partner to explain the sudden change in tactics from the big man as of late. The tension between the two is growing by the minute, and as Black let Andretti know he's "starting to get soft," he added another warning about "staying out of his business!" Obviously, the recent holiday break did little to settle things between these two, and anyone's guess is a good one as to what will happen next in this rapidly developing story.

Winner of the Match: Jack Black, by pinfall

Match Three of the Best of Three #1 Contender Series: The Prophet (with JesseBell) vs. Kliff Hanger:

Before this match could begin, CCW Commissioner Chris Alexander was in the ring, introducing JesseBell, who had requested some interview time. Playing coy, the beautiful (if conniving) manager was vague at best, saying she was getting a "playboy," in addition to expressing disappointment in The Prophet's loss in Match 2 to draw the series even, saying she had invested quite a bit in Prophet, and was growing tired of "playing in teepees!" This would, of course, bring out The Prophet, puzzled to no end as to the cold shoulder he has been receiving from his valet in recent weeks. As Kliff Hanger emerged to a rousing ovation, you know he was re-formulating his game plan to account for the added pressure in the corner of the big man.

This highly anticipated match served as the first potential classic of the year, as both were prepared to give no quarter with a shot at the CCW Heavyweight Championship riding on the outcome. Locking up, neither man was able to gain the advantage at first, but perhaps playing to a distracted Prophet, Kliff Hanger soon had him thrown for a loop with a high-octane set of moves, relentless in his quest for the gold.

At ringside, JesseBell was not her usual supportive self, even taunting Prophet during a rough spot. Maybe she was distracted by other business...Taking control, The Prophet would batter Kliff, focusing in on the left knee as JesseBell barked orders to "finish him!" Refusing to stay down, Kliff would battle back, only to fall victim to another big offensive outburst from Prophet. Whatever either man had left after the previous two matches, it was going to be left in the ring when this one was all said and done. Prophet would start pouring it on down the stretch, but a missed moonsault would spell disaster.

Catching his second wind, Kliff would swarm The Prophet, ultimately scoring the pin following a bulldog headlock. In a surprising show of respect, the two men would shake hands following the match, having been in a war over the last three matches. I couldn't get confirmation as this was going to press, but I believe Kliff may have promised The Prophet the first shot at the CCW Championship, should "The Black Redneck" defeat Spade for the belt! This was not a popular move in the eyes of JesseBell, who climbed in the ring to not only give The Prophet what for, but to also berate Kliff Hanger!

Winner of the Match: Kliff Hanger, by pinfall to win the series 2-1 and become the #1 Contender to the Classic Championship Wrestling Heavyweight Championship

"Playboy" Scott Hayes vs. Biff Wellington III:

Hayes looks like a playboy and acts like a playboy. It would then come as little surprise to see that he was, in fact, the "playboy" that JesseBell had acquired! Since the braille version of this column didn't pass the censors, let's just say that JesseBell's wardrobe change definitely fit the mood in Hayes' corner.

Keg in hand, Biff Wellington III never leaves a New Year's party far behind, whether it's January 9 or August 23, and the party always seems to overflow into the crowd as he makes his way to the ring.

Hayes, looking to set the pace one way or another, started off by stalling as he demanded a "sobriety" test for the frat packer. While Hayes was unsuccessfully trying to convince referee Paul Wood of Wellington's alleged tactics, BW3 was controlling the opening minutes, including scoring the dreaded Ole! kick. Hayes would soon gain the upper hand, but by that point in the match, that wasn't what the majority of the crowd had their attention locked on to. The Prophet had come to ringside, trying to find out what was going on with his manager, as of late. The confrontation continued even after JesseBell fired off with a brisk slap across Prophet's face! Finally, referee Paul Wood had no choice but to order the Warrior Chief back to the locker rooms, leaving the fans even more curious as to what the next chapter in this saga is going to be.

For the "Playboy," it was first things first, as he set up Wellington for a big tornado DDT, only to have BW3 counter, reversing into a northern lights suplex, leaving both men struggling to beat the 10 count. Making it to their feet, Hayes and BW3 would slug it out, as Wellington tried to turn up the volume in the latter half of the match. Just when BW3 thought he had a handle on things, the "Playboy" would take flight, scoring with an off the top rope dive into a DDT to put Wellington down for good!

It's going to be interesting to see what new dynamic Hayes and JesseBell will put together with this new partnership, even as The Prophet looms ahead, looking for either an answer, or payback, whichever will come easier in the end.

Winner of the Match: "Playboy" Scott Hayes, by pinfall

CCW Heavyweight Championship: CCW Champion "Smooth" Johnny Spade (with Miss Holly Wood) defending against Randy Royal (with Guido Andretti):

Accompanied by Guido Andretti, Randy Royal was as game face, as usual, as he stepped into the ring as the first challenger to the newly won CCW Heavyweight title of "Smooth" Johnny Spade.

Tossing Spade from the ring, Royal would intimidate Miss Holly Wood as Andretti threatened to intervene on Spade, prone on the outside. Using this to his advantage, Royal would then score the first near-fall of the match. Obviously taking delight in trying to disassemble Spade, Royal stayed on the assault, doing whatever he could to keep Spade grounded, and more importantly, down for good.

Literally from out of nowhere, Spade would connect with a blockbuster, igniting a big-time rally, but no sooner did the rally start than fate threatened to intervene, as an irish whip resulted in a nasty collision with referee Jeremy McKenzie. Where opportunity presents itself, you can rest assured that Guido Andretti is not far behind, and sliding under the bottom rope, the intent was clear. Miss Holly Wood hit the ring at the same time, looking to try and run interference, although Andretti brushed off the attack, grabbing the petite blond to set her up for a cheap shot from Royal! Wriggling free, Royal would instead blast Guido! In the chaos, Spade recovered, picking his moment perfectly, rolling up Royal and throwing in a bridge for good measure to take the match and retain the CCW title in his first defense. Obviously not happy with the way things went down, Royal and Andretti would squabble in the ring, but Andretti wasn't sticking around for it too long, leaving Royal to stew over what could have been by himself in the ring!

Winner of the Match: "Smooth" Johnny Spade, by pinfall, retaining the CCW Heavyweight Championship

With new stars being added to the CCW title chase, and the emergence of Vic the Bruiser, not to mention the increasing tension between The Fat N The Furious, and JesseBell showing she's more than just another pretty face at ringside, the fan are in no danger of being short on action as 2007 gets underway with the one of the fastest growing independent wrestling promotions around - Classic Championship Wrestling!
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Thomas Keister

The author is the host of Probably Uncalled For, an Internet radio show airing live Wednesday nights on Blog Talk Radio. In addition, he co-owns Free Rein Media, a publishing, retail, and merchandising company and serves as Chief Executive Officer.

Politically active, Keister served as Vice-Chairman of the Libertarian Party of Floyd County from 2007-2009. Prior to that, Keister served as Treasurer from 2004-2007.

The author of six books, Keister currently resides in New Albany, Indiana, just across the Ohio River from Louisville, Kentucky. His latest book, The Devil's in the Details, co-written with Darrell Mays, is available through Lulu.com