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“E-C-W, E-C-W, E-C-W...” Any self-professed wrestling fan knows that chant all too well. It is the rallying call of the legendary (now defunct) Extreme Championship Wrestling. Though the promotion closed its doors in 2001, ECW lives on in the hearts of its fans and the wrestlers that contributed to its legacy. To this day, it’s common for crowds to erupt into chants of ECW anytime the action in the ring turns violent, particularly crazy in execution, or dare I say “extreme”.
These chants originated in Philadelphia at the 2300 Arena, formerly the ECW arena, back in 1994. The venue still hosts wrestling events to this day, with hardcore wrestling fans flocking to the hallowed halls in hopes of witnessing events that resemble the historic moments and feelings of the ECW of old. On June 2nd, 2018, not only will fans be treated to an extreme show, but also to chants of a different kind: “WILD-KAT, WILD-KAT, WILD-KAT...”
Wildkat Sports is the #1 wrestling promotion and school in New Orleans. The premiere promotion in the south for the last six years, Wildkat made waves as it hosted one of the biggest shows of Wrestlemania Weekend in the Big Easy last April. Wildkat rides this momentum all the way up to Philly, taking over the ECW arena and showing the north why Wildkat Sports is the best promotion in the south.
Headlined by a blood-feud of epic proportions between The first ever ECW Champion, “The Fanchise” Shane Douglas, and Wildkat Sports founder, “The Southern Stomper”, Luke Hawx, this show is off-the-charts from top to the bottom of the card! Here is a breakdown of why these stories are important to the promotion for those who don't watch their New Orleans series on WUPL every week:
LUKE HAWX VS SHANE DOUGLAS IN A DOG COLLAR MATCH
“Personal” is an understatement for the issues between these two veterans.This rivalry goes back almost twenty years, back to XPW. As documented as the bad-blood between these two has been, no one ever thought anyone would book the two to face off, for fear of each’s safety! That all changed last January, when an unannounced and unprovoked Shane Douglas attacked Luke Hawx mid-Match at a Wildkat Event with a lead pipe. Douglas was immediately arrested by NOPD present at the event, while Hawx was taken to a local hospital. Despite internal bleeding and cracked ribs, Hawx refused to press charges, refusing to let such a petty act get to him. The Franchise clearly didn’t appreciate his assault being simply brushed off by the Southern Stomper, as he would strike again only a couple months later. This time he attacked Hawx with a metal chain around the throat during the Wrestlecon event of Wrestlemania 34 weekend. This time Luke’s tag team partner for the evening (who happened to be Luke’s son PJ Hawx) was on hand and tried to intervene. This was clearly the last straw; messing with Hawx was one thing, but not his family. Hawx issued the challenge but only one stipulation could suit this rivalry: a Dog Collar Match. Considered one of the most notoriously violent stipulations in all of wrestling (which is saying something), the the two combatants are each fitted with a collar that are connected by a single chain. There is no disqualification in this match, and no escape. This is going to get settled once and for all
WILDKAT WORLD CHAMPION J SPADE DEFENDS AGAINST BLK JEEZ
No one in Wildkat Sports is on a bigger roll than Wildkat Champion J Spade. The Wild Card recently made an impact at Evolve Wrestling, appearing on EVOLVE 104 and 105. Spade has also been Wildkat Champion since September of last year, successfully defending against the likes of Hardcore Holly, Ryan Davidson, Edgrin Stone, Bruiser, Billy Gunn, and the man he defeated for the title, Stevie Richards. His momentum continues through Philly as he defends against BLK Jeez, who will certainly look to take the self proclaimed "2nd Best in the World" to the limit.
STEVIE RICHARDS VS EDGRIN STONE
Richards has a chip on his shoulder as of late. When Wildkat invaded the 2300 arena last year, Stevie was the Wildkat Champion. After losing it to Spade last year, his behavior at Wildkat has become more and more erratic, becoming somewhat of a loose cannon. Big Stevie Cool looks to take out his frustration on Edgrin Stone, which may prove to be a mistake. Stone has been tearing through the Wildkat roster, nearly winning both the Revolution Rumble and the Wildkat title in recent months. The Standout has everything it takes to become the top guy in Wildkat but first he has to try to beat a man who’s won gold in every promotion he’s ever appeared, including ECW and WWE. Will he prevail? Or will Richards cement his legacy in Wildkat by stomping out the Standout?
REVOLUTION CHAMPION JONNY FLEX DEFENDS AGAINST STEVE ANTHONY
The crowd erupted at the Wrestlemania Wrestlecon Event last April when Jonny Flex pinned Ken Dixon to become the new Revolution Champion! The Pump Patrol prodigy has earned the adoration of the Wildkat audience through his heart and desire to win. As a champion now, the odds are continually stacked against him, as is evident in his match with the first ever Wildkat Champion Steve Anthony. Will Flex persevere? Or will Anthony snuff out The Biggest Man in Wrestling’s reign before it can truly start and become a Wildkat Grandslam Champion?
SABU VS MATT TREMONT VS DANNY FLAMINGO
Sabu and Flamingo are no strangers to one another. They headlined Wildkat’s first ever X-Rated event in 2015, which ended with the Chalmation Sensation exploding through a table under the weight of the ECW legend. Flamingo’s brash attitude hasn’t changed much since he tangled with the Suicidal, Homicidal, Genocidal, Death DEFYING Sabu, and now it’s possible he’s bitten off more than he can chew. These two have a reputation for violence that will only be enhanced by the edition of the ultraviolet Matt Tremont, a former CZW and GCW Champion as well as a seven-time Death Match Tournament Winner. It’s not only possible the local EMTs will be needed after this one, it probably should be expected.
SAVANNAH EVANS VS RENEE MICHELLE
Evans has been undefeated in Wildkat since her debut, tearing through the women’s division like paper and most recently taking out Rachel Ellering at Wrestlecon. Though Renee Michelle is no pushover, impressing many with her round one performance in the Mae Young Classic, she’ll be hard pressed to stop Savannah who continues to steam roll.
PUMP PATROL VS DAN MAFF & CRAIG STEELE
When “put the cookie down!” rings out over the speakers, the fans jump to their feet because they know the Pump Patrol have arrived. Wildkat original Curt Matthews and Jared Wayne have come together as a formidable tag team that always seem to find a way to win. Weighing in at more than you can bench, especially when you include the Revolution Champion Jonny Flex at their side, the Pump Patrol are unmatched in the Wildkat tag division. They put that reputation to the test against the seismic tandem of Dan Maff and Craig Steele, who look to send the Pump Patrol back to the gym in a body bag.
MATT LANCIE VS CROWBAR
Two beasts will collide when The Outlaw Matt Lancie takes on Crowbar. the veteran Crowbar is a former Cruiserweight Champion and one of very few athletes who can tout a resume of wrestling for WWE, WCW, ECW, TNA and ROH. He’ll need that experience when he faces the always intense Matt Lancie, who was the first Wildkat superstar to win both the Revolution and Wildkat World championships (he held both on the same night, too!)
BU KU DAO VS NICK BERK VS BREAKER MORANT
The Sitsu-Asian is one of Wildkat Sports most beloved sensations. His recent confrontations with Reality of Wrestling’s Ryan Davidson and ROH’s Shane Taylor has left Buku distracted as of late. He’s going to need to focus if he wants a chance of coming out of top of this huge Three-Way Dance with former CZW Champion Nick Berk and former ECWA Mid-Atlantic Champion Breaker Morant.
PJ HAWX VS RORY GULAK
PJ Hawx has been referred to as the Prodigy and it’s not because of his outstanding amateur wrestling background. He also has huge shoes to fill as the son of Wildkat founder Luke Hawx. PJ has lived up to his great expectations, impressing peers and fans alike at the Wildkat Wrestlecon show and record setting Super Card of Honor XII crowd. His father will be watching in Philly when he takes on Rory Gulak. Gulak made waves last year in his match against Zack Sabre Jr for CHIKARA and would love nothing more to embarrass the Prodigy in front of a hot Philadelphia crowd. It’s youth vs experience here, and a huge match to win for both men.
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