July
1999
Previous TRIBUNE Stories from 7/9/99
Missing In
Action?
|
Sources close to the TRIBUNE
are reporting that CSWA superstar Sunshine Del Payne has not been seen since CSWA
PRIMETIME in Tampa. A police report was filed the day following the card,
when Ms. Del Payne was reported as missing by former CSWA World Champion Mark Vizzack. |
Witnesses
reported seeing Sunshine after the card; one witness reported seeing Sunshine with Damien
Xeno, the new manager of Deacon, although this report has not been substantiated. We
could not reach Mr. Xeno or Deacon for comment, although the police advise that the have
been in contact with Deacon's new manager. How this will affect the ANNIVERSARY
IRONMAN of CHAMPIONS remains to be seen.
Unholy Alliance?
As if the CSWA didn't have a
sordid enough alliance in the "Unholy" led by Dante Inferno and Apocalypse,
Tampa seemed to concrete a new alliance between four strange bedfellows.
In what some are calling the
"New America's Team", a reference to the old teaming of Hornet and Mark Windham,
it looks like this new alliance puts Hornet and Poison Ivy in cahoots with Billy Starr and
Aaron Douglas.
Douglas, who won the
Greensboro Title with an assist from Hornet, announced Hornet as his 'mystery opponent'
for Apocalypse, while Douglas was seen on Hornet's lear jet. Billy Starr came to
Hornet's aid in an obviously preset attack on Apocalypse during the Main Event.
If the history between
Hornet and Ivy weren't strange enough, the details between Ivy and Starr are even
stranger. Ivy has no love lost for the man formerly managed by Teri Melton.
This strange collusion seems
to have been going on since BATTLE OF THE BELTS XVI...and who knows where it may lead.
Shepherd's Crook?
Chris Shepherd was arraigned
in a preliminary hearing Tuesday in Long Island, New York. The man known as Deacon's
previous manager Shepherd in the CSWA, was arrested just hours before SHOWTIME in Long
Island for the apparent murder of a young woman found in the backstage area.
Odd circumstances continue
to surround this case. The body of the young woman, still unidentified, has been
missing from the county morgue. Some analysts advise that this could kill the
prosecution's case against Shepherd.
June 1999
Previous TRIBUNE Stories from 6/20/99
Ch...Thomas In
Charge?
|
With the apparent ousting of former CSWA
Co-Commissioner Merritt at Battle of the Belts XIV, Stephen Thomas
o-fish-ally takes over the reins of the company as the sole president and commish.
No word has been given on whether Merritt still has ownership in the CSWA's parent
company, CS Enterprises. Rumor is that Merritt has taken off
out of the country, although we here at the TRIBUNE have been unable to confirm such a
rumor. |
Thomas
in charge? |
|
Thomas
has apparently launched a campaign to get Troy Windham to return to the CSWA. Troy
left wrestling all together in mid-1998, just before the 'death' of Timmy Windham.
It is
also rumored that Thomas is trying to renegotiate Mark Windham's contract, including
appearance bonds for certain major appearances.
Another Murder?
Just when it looked like the
CSWA might rack up some 'safe working hours without a murder' for OSHA, a horrible tragedy
apparently occured prior to CSWA SHOWTIME in Long Island last weekend.
Chris Shepherd, known as
Deacon's manager Shepherd in the CSWA, was arrested just hours before SHOWTIME.
Eyewitnesses, as well as a CSWA camera crew, saw Shepherd chasing a young woman into the
backstage area. The young woman was found injured, apparently dead, as Shepherd
stood over her, bloody knife in hand.
At this point, we have no
details on exactly what Shepherd has been charged with, or if bail has been set. He
has been suspended from the CSWA pending further review. No information has come
forward regarding the victim's identity, relationship with Shepherd, or cause of death.
At BOB16, it first
looked like we'd see a Hornet/Godreign
IRONMAN of CHAMPIONS IV
At BOB16, it first looked like we'd see a Hornet/Godreign confrontation as
the Main Event at ANNIVERSARY. But along with stripping Hornet of the title,
Merritt announced the IRONMAN of CHAMPIONS to fill the vacated title. The field as
announced by Commissioner Thomas includes: former four-time CSWA World Champion Hornet,
former World Champions Mark Vizzack and Eddy Love, former US Champion Kevin
Powers, and perennial top contender Deacon.
Thomas also announced an open sixth spot
to be determined by a battle royal at SHOWTIME in Long Island.
The IOC has a long tradition in the CSWA,
who has played part-host to the three former events. The round-robin style tournament
features huge matchups between the top contenders in the world. With six competitors
however, one slight change has been announced. Each participant will wrestle four
matches, rather than a true round-robin format against all five participants. The order of
the matches is determined by random drawing. The entire IRONMAN will take place at CSWA
ANNIVERSARY 1999: Revelation.
TRIBUNE Launches
Backpage!
After months upon months of promises, we here at
the TRIBUNE have finally launched "The Backpage," a CSWA event archive.
Including events from 1994 through 1998, The Backpage gives a small part of the CSWA's
voluminous history, including famous cards such as Winter's Warriors VII,
FISH FUND XI, and much more.
This month's featured archive is FISH FUND X: Mine Eyes Have Seen
The Glory from July 4, 1995. FFX features the second IRONMAN of CHAMPIONS,
as well as Mark Windham's famous match against "Mickey's Choice."
Catch the archive by clicking here.
Previous TRIBUNE
Stories from 6/10/99
Windhams AWOL?
Rumor
around the CSWA offices is running rampant that CSWA Commissioner Stephen Thomas has the
Windham family on the top of his agenda. Mark Windham, his brother Timmy, and cousin
Troy have all been champions in the CSWA, but have also been scarce lately.
Thomas
has apparently launched a campaign to get Troy Windham to return to the CSWA. Troy
left wrestling all together in mid-1998, just before the 'death' of Timmy Windham.
It is
also rumored that Thomas is trying to renegotiate Mark Windham's contract, including
appearance bonds for certain major appearances.
May 1999
Previous TRIBUNE Stories
from May 1999
In With The...Old?
BOB16 also saw the
return of some familiar faces to the CSWA. Eli Flair made his return from major
knee surgery, revealing himself as the special referee in the mixed tag Main Event.
Flair's payback was cut short, however, when former Presidential Champion Billy Starr
made a surprise appearance as well. Starr came to the aid of Hornet against Eli Flair.
In another surprise return, former USN
Champion Julius Godreign returned to the ring at the side of CSWA Co-Commissioner
Stephen Thomas. Godreign not only carried his old USN Title, but apparently played a role
in helping Thomas oust CSWA Co-Commissioner Chad Merritt from his position at the top of
the organization. Godreign was last seen in the CSWA a year ago, when he returned to the
ring as a part of Troy Windham's "Frat" after serving a small stint as a front
office employee.
Merritt Ousted?
Various CSWA officials have reported to the TRIBUNE that Chad Merritt has not
been seen in the CSWA main offices in Greensboro, NC since BOB16. Merritt's
whereabouts are unknown following his confrontations with Hornet and then with Thomas and
Godreign.
Details regarding what seeme to be a
corporate takeover by Thomas are sketchy; we cannot confirm what the piece of paper was
that Thomas showed Merritt at BOB16. Whatever it was...it seems to have sent Merritt
packing.
April 1999
Previous TRIBUNE Stories from 4/23/99
Making a
New "Brand" Name
Throughout
his eleven year career, Hornet has competed in various leagues around the world, from the
NWC to the AAWC. But his star has risen and fallen with the company he started with,
the CSWA. At SHOWTIME in San Antonio, Hornet captured his fourth
CSWA World Title. But in a way that we've never seen before...by a man we've never
seen before.
Hornet's
past title wins were accompanied with huge cheers; this time, nothing but boos. Many
of the fans threw things; while a few even jumped the rail.
Hornet's
use of a branding iron reminded any long-time CSWA fan of another time...a time when
Hornet was on the receiving end of a similar branding iron. Jim Williams caused an
injury that forced Hornet to relinquish his Unified World Title. No one who knows
anything about wrestling, or about Hornet himself, believed he could do what he did at
SHOWTIME....brand a man.
The
mark is permanent, irreversable. Just like the feud between Hornet and Vizzack seems
destined to come. The two meet again in a mixed tag match at BATTLE OF THE BELTS XVI
in just over two weeks, along with Sunshine and Poison Ivy. You thought Hornet/GUNS
was titanic? We haven't seen anything yet.
Lawsuits Abound
Benson Files Motion Against CSWA
Former CSWA commentator and CS TRIBUNE
columnist Sammy Benson filed a motion against the CSWA earlier this week for undisclosed
damages. The motion charges the CSWA wrongful dismissal regarding Benson's firing
during the ELVIS LIVES XI event in January.
Many pundits have
commented that Benson doesn't have a legal leg to stand on, since his contract expired at
the event, and he was not able to negotiate a new one with CSWA officials.
Benson's suit comes
on the heels of the ongoing saga between Aaron Douglas and the CSWA, specifically CSWA
Co-Commissioner Chad Merritt. The arbiter in that case, Judge Antonio Connor
attended CSWA PRIMETIME in Santa Fe. No further announcements have been made
regarding Douglas's lawsuit, which charges the CSWA of harassment and seeks over ten
million dollars in damages. The lawsuit is scheduled for another hearing in early
May.
Unified Tag Tournament
Round One Completed; Finale at BOB16
The first round of
the tournament to fill the vacated Unified Tag Team Championships took place at SHOWTIME
in San Antonio. A couple of surprise wupsets started the tournament, which
is set to conclude at BATTLE OF THE BELTS XVI, where the second round,
semifinal and final rounds will take place. Below is a list of the second round
pairings.
#1 Disco Express vs. #9 Lunar Express
#3 Arrogance vs. #5 Razor Meltdown
#2 Powers of Love vs. #10 Crippler/Bobby Jackson
#4 Black Army vs. #6 Privateers
Inferno Returns?
Dante
Inferno, along with his manager, Silky Rose, made their re-appearance at SHOWTIME
in San Antonio. Inferno's last go-round with the CSWA cost a bundle in an
out-of-court settlement with a young man Inferno tossed out of the balcony while he was
attending a CSWA live event. Apparently CSWA officials are looking to recoup some of
those funds...or else Inferno is back without a contract. Either way, he's a
dangerous man, especially for Mark Vizzack and Sunshine Del Payne.
Previous TRIBUNE Stories from 4/15/99
Broken Glass
CSWA
PRIMETIME in Santa Fe gave us something we've never seen. Something no one
ever thought we'd see. CSWA World Champion Mark Vizzack threw the World Title at
Hornet following Hornet's interference in his match with "Hurricane" Eddy Love.
Vizzack is fed up with Hornet's interference...and that's why the two men have
their own war to settle the score coming up in San Antonio. Word has it the
Commissioner Merritt wanted to save the big Vizzack/Hornet match for BATTLE OF THE BELTS
or even ANNIVERSARY... but things have gotten out of hand.
Speaking
of out of hand...Randy Harders and Aaron Douglas have just about killed each other over
the past two months. Harders finally gets his win, and the Greensboro Championship,
but at what cost? And what will the loss of the title do to Douglas? He's
already suing the CSWA for ten million dollars...is this the straw that breaks the camel's
back?
Unified Tag Team Tournament
CSWA
officials finally announced the seeds and first-round pairings for the upcoming tournament
to determine the new Unified Tag Team Champions.
The
titles were vacated by commissioners' decree at a press conference following ELVIS
LIVES, where Merritt announced that he was stripping Disco Express of
the Unified Tag Team Titles. When questioned over the decision he cited the ELXI
match with former champs ARROGANCE as "one of the most embarrassing
displays I've ever seen." Merritt added, "I've now seen the rulebook
broken in every way known to man.
Former
champions Disco Express, do, however, get the top seed in the tournament. They are
followed by the Powers of Love, former multi-time champions ARROGANCE, and the Black Army.
(Note:
Complete brackets are available in RP Central's "SHOWTIME in San Antonio
topic)
Douglas' Lawsuit Continues
Judge
Antonio Connor attended CSWA PRIMETIME in Santa Fe, apparently getting a bird's eye view
of the ongoing confrontation between Aaron Douglas and CSWA Co-Commissioner Chad Merritt.
In mid-February, Judge Connor refused to dismiss the lawsuit against the CSWA by
Aaron Douglas during a preliminary hearing, stating, "While the damages sought by the
client may be extreme, the court finds no reason to dismiss the lawsuit. The
plantiff has demonstrated enough evidence to meet this court's criteria for
continuance," Judge Connor expounded.
Douglas
upped his damages sought in the case from over three million dollars to just over ten
million dollars. Douglas maintains that the CSWA, including CSWA co-owner Chad
Merritt, has systematically tried to damage his career. Further hearings have been
scheduled for later in the month.
February 1999
Previous TRIBUNE Stories from 2/19/99
With Malice Towards All?
CSWA
PRIMETIME in Lincoln saw its share of injuries. Unholy member Nemesis
was attacked by Powers and Love in the back before his Barbed Wire Ladder Match for the US
Title, in retaliation for the Unholy's attack in Kansas City. The mild concussion
did not hinder Nemesis from winning the US Title, however.
Randy
Harders seemed ready to overcome a concussion and injuries sustained in a car accident
last week to win the Greensboro Title, before CSWA co-owner Chad Merritt tossed a baseball
bat amiss. Harders was judged the winner of the match by DQ, thanks to Merritt's
overruling of the referee.
Steve
Radder once again took a beating from members of the Unholy. There is not a current
report on his condition.
Former
US Champ Eli Flair will undergo arthroscopic surgery this week in order to determine the
extent of his injuries. Flair's knee has been bothering him for months, but the
damage it sustained in Kansas City as the hands of Powers and Hornet was multiplied by a
grueling barbed wire ladder match, along with a singapore cane shot and another Scorpion
Deathlock. Flair may be out for months.
Peyton
Wright also sustained a mild concussion in the Main Event against PLR, when he was hit in
the head with a chair.
Signed, Sealed, Delivered
CSWA
officials announced a change in the upcoming SHOWTIME card in Reno, Nevada, as well as the
main event for the CSWA PRIMETIME in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
Newly-crowned
United States Champion Nemesis will defend against Hornet in Reno.
In
Santa Fe, Mark Vizzack will defend the World Title against Eddy Love, in the rematch from
ELVIS LIVES XI. Should Deacon win the title in Reno, he'll go on to face Love...in a
long-awaited match between these two men.
World Tag Tournament?
In
a post-SHOWTIME press conference last week, Merritt expounded on his
previous intent to hold a tournament for the Unified World Tag Team Titles.
"We're looking to use this event as a way to bring in some of the top names in the
business, as well as to allow some of our current stars to get more notice," Merritt
said. He announced that the tournament may begin at next week's CSWA PRIMETIME in
Santa Fe.
This
follows a previous press conference after ELVIS LIVES, where Merritt
announced that he was stripping Disco Express of the Unified Tag Team
Titles. When questioned over the decision he cited the ELXI match
with former champs ARROGANCE as "one of the most embarrassing
displays I've ever seen." Merritt added, "I've now seen the rulebook
broken in every way known to man."
Douglas' Lawsuit Continues
Judge
Antonio Connor refused to dismiss the lawsuit against the CSWA by Aaron Douglas during a
preliminary hearing held last week in the Guilford County courtroom.
"While
the damages sought by the client may be extreme, the court finds no reason to dismiss the
lawsuit. The plantiff has demonstrated enough evidence to meet this court's criteria
for continuance," Judge Connor expounded.
Douglas
upped his damages sought in the case from over three million dollars to just over ten
million dollars. Douglas maintains that the CSWA, including CSWA co-owner Chad
Merritt, has systematically tried to damage his career. Further hearings have been
scheduled for later in the month.
Previous TRIBUNE Stories from 2/14/99
Showtime for Hornet?
Apparently
the new 'it's nothing personal' Hornet couldn't get enough of himself in Kansas City.
After delivering a long diatribe to Rudy Seitzer, he found his way into the final
two matches of the night.
We
currently have no update on Eli Flair, who went into his US Title match with Kevin Powers
already injured. A hard-fought match with Powers, plus a steel-plated baseball bat,
as well as a Scorpion Deathlock, may have put the already-injured knee out of commission.
SHOWTIME
also saw the bizarre beginning of a new group called "The Unholy." Led by
Lady Death, this group of Apocalypse, Blade, Pat Black and Nemesis seem to be something
that would've have made the mysteriously-departed Dante Inferno proud.
Elimination Squad Eliminated
In
an post-SHOWTIME press conference held Sunday night, CSWA co-owner Chad
Merritt announced that the CSWA had decided not to renew the contracts of the Eliminator,
Rap Man, Enforcer, and the rest of the Elimination Squad. "In order to make it
in this business," Merritt said, "you have to have some degree of charisma, and
more importantly, some degree of talent."
Eliminator
was treated and released by a local Kansas City hospital for his injuries sustained at
SHOWTIME.
Previous TRIBUNE Stories from 2/4/99
New World Champion!
"Daredevil"
Mark Vizzack took the CSWA World Heavyweight Championship from "Hurricane" Eddy
Love in the steel cage Main Event at ELVIS LIVES XI on Sunday night.
A
more-than-capacity crowd of 36,012 with over 35,000 paid was announced for the
pay-per-view megaevent, eclipsing the crowd for the SuperPRIMETIME in
Memphis card held Saturday. Early reports project the buyrate for the show
as a 30% increase from FISH FUND XII and almost 40% from ANNIVERSARY
1998.
Vizzack's
victory was multiplied by the fact that his valet/manager Sunshine Del Payne, found her
way to arena, despite the devices of the man claiming to be her half-brother. The
victory party was short-lived, however, as former champion Hornet
brutally attacked Vizzack, along with the help of Poison Ivy.
Also
on the card, Eli Flair took the United States Championship in a brutal
Triangle match, defeating both Kevin Powers and the Eliminator. Aaron
Douglas became the first Greensboro Champion since 1997, despite being attacked
afterwards by Randy Harders.
Check
the Main Event for a full run-down from ELXI.
Windham Lives?!
Those
of you who were fortunate enough to see ELVIS LIVES XI Sunday night saw
the bizarre events that occurred. As if the Hornet turn on Mark Vizzack wasn't
shocking enough, it appeared as if Timmy Windham returned from the grave,
with the assistance of Mickey Benedict, Mark Windham's former
arch-nemesis!
We'll
have more on this bizarre story as information becomes available.
Benson Released
Sammy
Benson's contract was not extended, as he and CSWA co-owner Chad Merritt could come to no
middle ground. Merritt asked Benson to leave during the ELVIS
LIVES XI card on Sunday. We'll bring more information to you about Benson's
future endeavors as they become available.
January 1999
Previous TRIBUNE Stories from 1/16/99
Lawsuit Sees Light of Day
Preliminary Hearing Scheduled for Next Week
Aaron Douglas's 4.8 million dollar lawsuit
pending against the CSWA will begin being heard by a judge in the Guilford County
Courthouse in Greensboro, NC.
"We expect the
court will quickly see the unfair, conspiratorial manner in which Mr. Douglas has been
treated by the CSWA's top brass, and compensate him accordingly," said Douglas's
attorney Jake Stribling of the law firm Whee, Cheatam, and Howe.
CSWA officials made
no comment on the civil suit. Behind the scenes, many have speculated on a possible
settlement between Douglas and the CSWA.
Fallout from Baltimore
A series of events followed the
CSWA's recent successful two-stop on the East Coast. Yet another fine was levied on
Eli Flair's manager and mentor, Poison Ivy, following her use of the singapore cane.
Mark Windham was taken into custody,
but released on his own recognizance, following an incident outside the arena in
Baltimore.
Sunshine Del Payne was taken into
custody and committed into the Green Valley Home For The Mentally Deranged.
Officials have been told that she was committed based on the breech of a previous court
decision regarding her welfare; although no details have been released on exact what
caused the violation. Ms. Del Payne is not being allowed any outside visitors at
this time.
Co-Commissioner Chad Merritt signed
Dante Inferno and his manager, Silky Rose, to a CSWA contract of undisclosed length and
amount. When questioned on the contract signing, Merritt had no comment.
Inferno is still facing charges from
an incident at CSWA SuperPRIMETIME in Charleston where he is alleged to have thrown a fan
over the balcony in Charleston. Darren Thompson, 29, was severely injured when he
apparently attempted to stop Inferno from making his way down to the floor area.
Previous TRIBUNE Stories from 12/98
Benson
Extended...Again
CSWA
officials announced today that commentator Sammy Benson's contract has been extended
through ELVIS LIVES XI while contract negotiations continue.
Benson's
future with the CSWA was in doubt until "Remembering Timmy", when
Co-Commissioner Merritt elected to extend Benson's contract by two events. That
extension ended with SuperPRIMETIME in Charleston.
Benson
is apparently on paid leave. He is obligated only to attend the events up to and
including ELXI. His other duties have been transferred elsewhere.
Starr's Colors?
Corporation member Billy Starr made his
presence felt at this week's SuperPRIMETIME event, interfering in the Steve Radder/Joey
Melton match, which was already charged with emotion.
Appearing to come to
the aid of Radder, who has not officially joined to Corporation, but is a member of the
'sub-group' PLR, Starr attacked Joey Melton, who defeated Starr to regain leadership of
the Corporation at PRIMETIME in Seattle. Following the attack on Melton, and after
helping the fallen Radder to his feet, Starr immediately attacked Radder, delivering a
Powerbomb, and leaving the ring.
For more
information, check out the SuperPRIMETIME in Charleston card.
Fan Critical, Family Sues
SPT in
Charleston Aftermath Could Pose Major Problems For CSWA
The mysterious appearance of Dante
Inferno and Silky Rose could pose major problems for CSWA
Co-Commisioner Chad Merritt, who is already embroiled in a major lawsuit with Aaron
Douglas. As of press time, we have no further information on the Douglas
matter, although preliminary hearings are scheduled for later this month.
Inferno is alleged to have thrown a
fan over the balcony in Charleston. Darren Thompson, 29, was severely injured when
he apparently attempted to stop Inferno from making his way down to the floor area at CSWA
SUPERPRIMETIME. Thompson's fall was broken by other fans in seating below.
Thompson remains in critical condition with a collapsed lung at Charleston's Hoover
Medical Centar.
Surprisingly enough, it is not
Thompson, but the family of one of the fans in the lower level, Marc Stearns, that is
suing the CSWA. Stearns suffered a dislocated shoulder when Thompson fell.
Sweet
Home, Greensboro
Merritt Auditorium Hosts
SHOWTIME
For the first time since CSWA
ANNIVERSARY 1998, the CSWA holds a card at the Merritt Auditorium when CSWA
SHOWTIME turns out the corporate home of the CSWA on December 18.
Featuring a strange pairing of Kevin
Powers and Eli Flair actually tagging against the Elimination Squad, CSWA officials have
also announced that hometown favorite Hornet will be in attendance.
They have not announced what role Hornet will play in the event.
The CSWA has already sold out the
35,000+ seat arena for the event, netting a gate of over $900,000.
|
CSWA
fans around the world and in Charleston were given their money's worth as SuperPRIMETIME
in Charleston was presented on cable's U-62. Scoring a rating of 15.6, SPT was the
highest rated cable program this week, toppling Monday's broadcast of Monday Night
Football on network television. |
The
Main Event saw Mark Vizzack challenge for Eddy Love's CSWA World Championship, and
featured an ending which is sure to cause controversy in the weeks and months ahead.
In
what is being billed as a startling upset victory, "Iceman" Steve Radder
defeated "ARROGANCE" Joey Melton after interference from Billy Starr, among
others.
Several
new wrestlers also made their debuts in Charleston, and the Greensboro Tournament moved
one step closer to completion.
Check
out the Main Event for the full card, and for information on
upcoming events.
|
The Ivy League" from
June 20th