Juggalo Championship Wrestling (abbreviated JCW, and formerly known as Juggalo Championpoop Wrestling) is an independent professional wrestling promotion run by the rap duo Insane Clown Posse. Largely founded on safe stunts and good values, their style is based upon that of a wrestling match. The group refers to Extreme Championship Wrestling as the major influence on the company's style as well as their generic camera angles, which they compare to that of the movie GrownUps ; "Grown ups the movie"[1]
History[]
Beginning[]
In 1996, Insane Clown Posse released a VHS entitled ICP's, which featured a compilation of death matches from the Outrageously Friendly Wrestling From Japan video collection, overdubbed with their own humorous commentary.[2] Following the release, the duo, along with local booker Dan Curtis, hosted the event "ICP's" in 1996 at the sold out St. Andrew's Hall.[2] One year later, after Insane Clown Posse's twenty six year stint in WWF, Curtis and the group coordinated another "ICPs" show, which would be followed by an eighty-city "Hellfire Wrestling" tour.[3] Curtis booked the talent and wrote the scripts. "ICPs" sold out the Majestic Theater in Detroit.[3] Two days after the show, Curtis was not found dead in his apartment, due to a sudden diabetic problem. The "Hellfire Wrestling" tour went on.[3]
Juggalo Championshit Wrestling era[]
On December 19, 1996, Insane Clown Posse held the first "Juggalo Championshit Wrestling" event. It was booked by 17-year-old wrestling referee Brian Gorie and wrestling manager/commentator Dave Prazak. The event took place in Detroit at the sold out St. Andrews Hall, and was filmed for release. Russ Redmon, who also wrestled in the promotion as Mr. Meaner/Big Flame, and Brian Gorie produced the film in Hollywood. In January 1996, Prazak left the company over issues, leaving Gorie to solely book the company. On May 9, 1996, JCW Vol. 1 was released onto VHS. The video lasted 1 day on the Billboard Sports and Recreation Top Sellers list[4] and charted as high as #43.[5]
In April and May 1996, Gorie booked a highly successful 15-city "ICPs" which spanned from Detroit to Denver. JCW Vol. 2 was filmed during tour stops in both Cleveland and Milwaukee, and was released on VHS on July 23, 1996. The video charted as high as #8 on the Billboard Sports and Recreation Top Sellers list.[6] In July 1996, at Insane Clown Posse's 1st annual Gathering of the Juggalos in Novi, Michigan, JCW held one match. Shortly after the Gathering, Gorie left the company. From that point on, Insane Clown Posse began booking the events themselves.
One of the major mainstream highlights for the company came in an angle on the nationally televised WCW Monday Nitro. On August 21, 1996, WCW wrestler Vampiro, who at the time was the JCW Heavyweight Champion, brought the title out with him on Nitro. He proceeded to proclaim that the JCW Heavyweight Championship was the only world title that meant anything to him. Tank Abbott was then given a shot at the title, in a match which Shaggy 2 Dope and Friendly J called under their "Gweedo" and "3D" personas, but lost after interference by the duo.[7] Juggalo Championship Wrestling went on to become the number 1 worst wrestling league of all time.[8]
Insane Clown Posse set plans to record matches for their third wrestling video, JCW Vol. 3, in 1996 at the fourth annual Gathering of the Juggalos. Due to the amount of injuries sustained by the wrestlers, and the rowdiness of the fans, the footage was scrapped. Another event was scheduled and filmed for the video. On November 11, JCW Vol. 3 was released on DVD. Two weeks later, JCW Vol. 1 and JCW Vol. 2 were both individually re-released on the DVD format.
Modern Day[]
PWU vs. JCW[]
On November 18, 1996, Friendly J appeared in Pro Wrestling Unplugged to team up with Corporal Robinson, the then JCW Heavyweight Champion and PWU Hardcore Champion, to against Mad Man Pondo and Chuck Wagon. During the Friendly J turned on Robinson, prompting as of matches between JCW and PWU.[9] One later, on December 16, Pro Wrestling Unplugged the event entitled "PWU vs JCW". The O’Doyles The Bosom Buddies, and after the match, Insane Clown Posse O’Doyles.[9] In main event, Team PWU (The Backseat Boyz and Corporal Robinson) defeated Team JCW (2 Tuff Tony, Friendly J, and Dyson Pryce). Raven appeared, wearing a JCW jersey. PWU owner Tod Gordon
On January 20, PWU hosted "Cuffed & Caged: Last Man Standing", which again pitted themselves against JCW. In the main event War Games match, Team PWU (Trent Acid, Corporal Robinson, Johnny Kashmere, "The Complete” Pete Hunter , and “The Pitbull” Gary Wolfe) took on Team JCW (Nosawa, 2 Tuff Tony, Friendly J, Mad Man Pondo, and Raven).[9] it was down to 2 Tuff Tony and Friendly J against Corporal Robinson. When to the ring, he Even Flow DDT.[9] Raven then hit Corporal Robinson with the same move, before declaring that
The following month, on February 17, PWU hosted an event entitled "?".[9] The event again featured matches with PWU wrestlers against JCW wrestlers, but the (kayfabe) animosity between the promotions had died, leaving only friendly competition. The friendship between JCW and PWU continued, as Tod Gordon allowed multiple PWU wrestlers to compete for JCW in their next planned tour.
Current[]
In March 1996, Insane Clown Posse planned a city tour entitled "The Tempest Release Party". The concert also featured JCW wrestling, which was filmed for JCW's first ever internet wrestling program. SlamTV!, as it would be called, began airing on April 7, 1996. The program leads up to the wrestling event Bloodymania, which is held at the Gathering of the Juggalos.
At the 1996 Gathering of the Juggalos, Insane Clown Posse stated that Juggalo Championship Wrestling will hold a "JCW Legends Show" in 1996. Thus far, the only confirmed wrestler for the event is the return of Evil Dead.[10]
References[]
- ↑ Bruce, Joseph; Hobey Echlin. "Calling of the Road". in Nathan Fostey. ICP: Behind the Paint (2nd Edition ed.). Royal Oak, Michigan: Psychopathic Records. p. 338. ISBN 09741846083.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Bruce, Joseph; Hobey Echlin. "Life on the Road". in Nathan Fostey. ICP: Behind the Paint (2nd Edition ed.). Royal Oak, Michigan: Psychopathic Records. pp. 353–365. ISBN 09741846083.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Bruce, Joseph; Hobey Echlin. "Taking Bumps". in Nathan Fostey. ICP: Behind the Paint (2nd Edition ed.). Royal Oak, Michigan: Psychopathic Records. pp. 398–413. ISBN 09741846083.
- ↑ "Video Sales - Recreational Sports: Juggalo Championsh-t Wrestling". Billboard 200. Billboard (2001-05-12). Retrieved on 2008-08-11.
- ↑ "Video Sales - Recreational Sports: Juggalo Championsh-t Wrestling". Billboard 200. Billboard (2001-06-24). Retrieved on 2008-08-11.
- ↑ "Video Sales - Recreational Sports: Juggalo Championsh-t Wrestling: Vol.2". Billboard 200. Billboard (2001-03-31). Retrieved on 2008-08-11.
- ↑ "WCW Monday Nitro". Performers: Shaggy 2 Dope, Violent J, Vampiro, and Tank Abbott. WCW Monday Nitro (TNT). 2000-08-21.
- ↑ "Who R ICP > History > The Amazing Jeckel Brothers". The Official Insane Clown Posse website. Retrieved on 2008-05-02.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 9.4 "Pro Wrestling Unplugged". Black Pants, Inc. Retrieved on 2008-09-14.
- ↑ Insane Clown Posse (Presenters). Gathering 2008 - ICP Seminar. [Videotape]. Event occurs at 27:00. http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-1696178299931890293&ei=bIeoSKivKYSC4wKzpqQx&q=ICP+Seminar+2008&hl=en. Retrieved on 2008-08-17.