Colling’s Corner
Ninth Edition
Written By: Bob Colling
Squared Circle Wrestling (2CW): Underrated Independent Wrestling Company
2CW is a independent wrestling company based out of Syracuse, New York. They run shows in Syracuse, Watertown, Utica, Rochester, and Binghamton. They have been putting on shows since April 8th, 2006 and yet I’m sure most of the world have no idea who or what 2CW is. To be honest, that is a shame. 2CW may be just a independent company but they bring in the best talent and have put on some of the most entertaining feuds and matches that have gone greatly unnoticed. I’ll focus on the known talent at first as most fans only care about people they know from ECW, WCW, WWE, ROH or TNA. Some of the names may surprise you and I hope your interest for 2CW will increase.
The first known name to come into 2CW was Spike Dudley. He wrestled on the first show and was a regular for the company wrestling on just about every show until his retirement this year (2010). Dudley has feuded with the likes of Zaquary Springate III, Isys Ephex and his most hated rival Jason Axe. Dudley and Axe have a long storied rivalry which saw Axe eliminate Dudley from 2CW for several months. Dudley actually joined Axe’s stable in late 2007 but that didn’t last long. Dudley never won the 2CW Heavyweight Championship but he helped a lot of the younger talent and was involved in some of the most brutal matches in 2CW history.
Former ECW, WCW, and WWE wrestler 2 Cold Scorpio has made a few appearances for 2CW as of October 2010. Scorpio has had three matches all of which have been classics against northeast wrestling standout Slyck Wagner Brown. Scorpio lost his last match in 2CW against Slyck Wagner Brown on September 21st in Syracuse, NY.
I’m sure you didn’t know that the New Age Outlaws made an appearance for 2CW. This was before they became worthless in TNA, too. They only had one match for 2CW which was on July 15th, 2006 at the OnCenter in Syracuse, New York.
Current ROH Television Champion Eddie Edwards has been apart of 2CW since January 2007. Edwards has been involved in 2CW before he became a standout competitor for ROH. Edwards during his time in 2CW has had several fantastic matches with guys such as Isys Ephex and John Walters. Alongside his partner Davey Richards they won the 2CW Tag Team Championships in April 2010.
Former NWA-TNA World Champion Abyss wrestled on two shows for 2CW in January 2007. At the time, Abyss was the NWA-TNA World Heavyweight Champion and the championship was on the line for both his matches against Spike Dudley. The monster hasn’t been back to 2CW since, but he hasn’t been forgotten!
WWE Legends King Kong Bundy and Tony Atlas have been on a few shows for 2CW. Bundy only competed on one show while Atlas had a short feud with Springate that lasted over a year, despite only being on a handful of shows.
Former TNA X-Division Champion and current TNA World Tag Team Champion Chris Sabin has had several matches in 2CW. Sabin first wrestled Isys Ephex with the X-Division Championship on the line in March 2007. It would be two years until he returned to 2CW with his partner Alex Shelley in March 2009 when they had a great match with Up In Smoke, who are currently regulars in ROH as well.
Former ECW standout CW Anderson made a surprise debut for 2CW at the second annual Living on the Edge in April 2007 where he lost to Eddie Edwards. CW would have one last appearance for 2CW in another losing effort to John Walters in August 2007.
Former WWE superstar Antonio Thomas has had plenty of matches for 2CW but hasn’t had the best success with the company. Thomas has feuded with the likes of Loca Vida and Slyck Wagner Brown among others. Thomas has put on some great outings that he wasn’t allowed to display during his WWE tenure.
Former ECW, WCW, WWE, TNA and ROH wrestler Jerry Lynn made a couple appearances for 2CW in 2007. Lynn debuted on June 23rd, 2007 in a losing effort to Slyck Wagner Brown. Lynn’s second and last showing for 2CW was in September 2007 where he lost to then 2CW Heavyweight Champion Dizzie.
Current ROH wrestler/booker Delirious has made a few appearances for 2CW as well. Delirious has had limited success in 2CW but hasn’t won any championships, yet. Delirious has had matches with Loca Vida and Up In Smoke while teaming with Jigsaw.
Current ROH wrestlers El Generico and Kevin Steen have competed for 2CW as well. Generico wrestled a singles match against Loca Vida in June 2009 while Steen only wrestled in the 2CW Tag Team Tournament with Generico during the same month. Neither man has been back.
Former WWE wrestler Colin Delaney has been a regular in 2CW for several years. Delaney had been involved with 2CW prior to his WWE run as well. Delaney was apart of the NWA Upstate invasion angle and has been one of the most hated men in 2CW for several years now. Delaney, alongside his brother Jimmy Olsen, has won the 2CW Tag Team Championship by defeating the American Wolves in August 2010.
Former ROH World Champion and current WWE United States Champion Bryan Danielson (Daniel Bryan) had competed for 2CW a few times throughout his time both before and during his WWE tenure. Danielson debuted for 2CW in November 2007 by winning a big four way match against Antonio Thomas, Isys Ephex and John Walters. Danielson also has had matches against Eddie Edwards and 2CW standout Jay Freddie. Danielson’s match with Freddie was one of his final independent shows before going full-time with WWE for a second time.
Former ECW and WWE superstar Blue Meanie has made a few appearances for 2CW. Meanie has mostly been involved with Zaquary Springate III or JD Love whenever he appears for 2CW.
Former WWE superstar Scotty 2 Hotty made one appearance for 2CW on August 15th, 2008. Hotty defeated Jason Axe on the show and hasn’t been seen in 2CW since.
Former ECW and WWE superstar Little Guido made a couple of appearances for 2CW in 2009. Guido lost his debut match against Loca Vida in February 2009 and alongside Spike Dudley failed to win the 2CW Tag Team Championships in June 2009 losing in the tournament to the Killer Steves.
Former TNA superstar and current ROH wrestler Homicide made one appearance for 2CW in March 2009 where he had a time limit draw with Isys Ephex.
Former WWE superstar and current ROH wrestler Colt Cabana has also made one appearance for 2CW in March 2009 where he lost to Loca Vida.
Former ECW and WWE wrestler Al Snow made one appearance in April 2009 losing to Loca Vida.
Former ROH wrestler and current TNA superstar Nigel McGuiness (Desmond Wolfe) made two appearances for 2CW in April 2009. He defeated both Isys Ephex and Eddie Edwards in singles matches.
Current ROH wrestler Claudio Castagnoli has made a few appearances for 2CW. He lost to Brodie Lee in his debut match in April 2009. He also lost to Slyck Wagner Brown in August 2009.
Claudio’s tag team partner Chris Hero has also competed for 2CW, once. They lost to the 2CW Tag Team Champions the Olsen Twins in September 2010.
WWE Legend Jim Duggan has made several appearances for 2CW. Duggan made his debut for 2CW in April 2009. He was wrestled Colin Delaney, Jimmy Olsen, Cheech and Marcos. Duggan is undefeated.
Current TNA superstar AJ Styles made one appearance for 2CW on April 11th, 2009 where he defeated Loca Vida in what has been dubbed the match of the year for 2CW in 2009.
Former ROH wrestler and current TNA superstar Samoa Joe has made numerous appearances for 2CW. Joe made his debut in April 2007 defeating Eddie Edwards. Joe has gone on to defeat Slyck Wagner Brown, Isys Ephex, Dizzie, and Antonio Thomas. Joe is also undefeated.
WWE Legend Jake Roberts made a couple appearances for 2CW in 2010. Roberts defeated Zaquary Springate both times in January 2010 and August 2010.
Current RAW announcer and former superstar Jerry Lawler competed for 2CW in April 2010 where he defeated Jimmy Olsen.
Former ECW, WCW, WWE, and current TNA superstar Raven has made two appearances for 2CW. Raven defeated Colin Delaney in April 2010 and 2CW student Big Pun in September 2010.
Former TNA Knockout Awesome Kong made one appearance for 2CW where she pinned Portia Perez in June 2010.
Former ROH wrestler Necro Butcher has made one appearance for 2CW in July 2010 where he teamed with Brodie Lee to beat Up In Smoke in July 2010.
Former ECW, WCW, WWE and current TNA superstar Sabu also made one appearance for 2CW in July 2010 where he defeated Spike Dudley in a classic hardcore match.
Current ROH wrestler Davey Richards has been working for 2CW on a semi-regular basis since April 2010. He has mostly worked tag matches with Eddie Edwards but has had one singles match. He lost to Jay Freddie in July 2010.
So, after looking at the list of guys who have worked for 2CW, you must be pretty surprised that you haven’t seen any 2CW action. Not only does 2CW bring in some of the best known talent, but they have some pretty damn good unknown talent that should be recognized. They include the following:
Isys Ephex: Ephex, in my opinion, is the best homegrown talent for 2CW. Ephex started off as being one of 2CW’s top heels but the fans turned on him and Ephex has been one of the biggest fan favorites for a several years now. Ephex is a veteran of the business having competed in several companies in the Northeast area.
Jason Axe: Axe got his first major rub in 2CW against Spike Dudley. Axe became the biggest heel in 2CW from 2007-2008 and had one of the first heel stables named the Axes of Evil. Axe turned baby face in 2009 and won the 2CW Heavyweight Championship in June 2009. Axe turned on the fans and held onto the 2CW Heavyweight Championship for over a year before losing it to Brodie Lee in August 2010.
Loca Vida: Vida is best known for his feud with JD Love and for wrestling AJ Styles. Vida is a underrated worker and has had the honor of working the ECWA Super 8 tournament.
Slyck Wagner Brown: SWB is by far the most well traveled unknown talent to the mainstream audience who competes for 2CW. SWB has had countless good matches for 2CW with everyone on the roster and was the second 2CW Heavyweight Champion.
Jay Freddie: Freddie started off as a cameraman but soon became a 2CW wrestler by feuding with Max Bauer. Freddie has competed against some of the most elite wrestlers in the business during his short career which includes Davey Richards and Bryan Danielson. As a result, Freddie has made a few appearances for ROH.
Jimmy Olsen: The most hated man in 2CW history, no doubt about it. Olsen won his first and only 2CW Heavyweight Championship in the first steel cage match against Jason Axe and Slyck Wagner Brown. Olsen was one of the leaders of the NWA Upstate invasion, as well. Olsen also competed against Jerry Lawler in April 2010. Olsen also has won the 2CW Tag Team Championships with Colin Delaney having defeated the American Wolves.
John Walters: Walters is a former 2CW Heavyweight Champion who has wrestled for ROH before. Walters is wrestling machine for 2CW and has had several entertaining matches with Eddie Edwards, Isys Ephex and Slyck Wagner Brown.
Brodie Lee: Lee was one of the most hated men during the NWA Upstate invasion but after punching a fan in the parking lot after a Binghamton show (legit incident, not a work), Lee has become the most popular 2CW wrestler in the companies history. Lee managed to win the 2CW Heavyweight Championship after several failed attempted by defeating Jason Axe in August 2010. Lee has also competed for ROH, CHIKARA and Dragon Gate USA.
Their you have it. All the elite talent that have worked for 2CW or currently work for 2CW. In a later column I will run down some of the best matches and angles in 2CW history. Hopefully this has brought some interest to 2CW as the company is easily one of the best promotions going on in the Northeast area.
For more information on 2CW please go to www.2cwwrestling.com
Thanks for reading.
