Assault Championship Wrestling

Assault Championship Wrestling is an American independent wrestling promotion originally based in Connecticut, more recently Milford Pa and promoted by Jason Knight, a pro wrestler and manager, best known for his time in the ECW. The first major independent promotion to operate in Connecticut, Assault Championship Wrestling became important on the independent circuit particularly after the close of Extreme Championship Wrestling in 2002 and featured many former ECW veterans including Danny Doring, Kid Kash, Justin Credible, Little Guido, Tony DeVito, Balls Mahoney, John Kronus, Francine and Joel Gertner who acted as its commissioner.[1]

Assault Championship Wrestling
AcronymACW
Founded2000
StyleAmerican Wrestling
HeadquartersMilford PA
Owner(s)Jason Knight (2001- Current)
ParentJason Knight Productions
SisterNew England Championship Wrestling
FormerlyAcid Pro Wrestling
WebsiteAssaultWrestling.com
AcidWrestling.com (original website) http://www.assaultchampionshipwrestling.com (current website 2023)

New England Championship Wrestling, a rival promotion, often held inter-promotional events as well as allowing its champions to defend their titles at ACW cards. They also had a working arraignment with Knight's wrestling dojo. A number of independent wrestlers also made frequent appearances including Matt Stryker, Julio Dinero, Wagner Brown, Matthew Kaye, Homicide, Jeff Rocker,[2] Scotty Charisma[3][4] and The Backseat Boyz (Trent Acid and Johnny Kashmere). Popular female wrestlers included Mercedes Martinez,[5] Becky Bayless,[6] April Hunter, Nikki Roxx, Talia Madison, Ana Rocha and Angel Orsini.[7][8]

ACW was re-launched by Knight on Aug 12, 2023 in Williamstown NJ and is currently running primary in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and returning to Connecticut in 2024.

History

Originally established under Acid Pro Wrestling, the promotion began operating in central Connecticut in early 2000 and held its first supercard, The Best Things In Life Are Free!, in Waterbury, Connecticut on May 26, 2000. It also held its first televised event in Waterbury featuring Angel Orsini, Joel Gertner and Jason Knight on November 12, 2000.

The promotion would continue holding shows in Plainville, Southington, Naugatuck and Meriden, Connecticut during 2001 with appearances by Homicide, the F.B.I., Francine, Christian York, Chris Hamrick, Julio Dinero, New Jack, Chris Candido and Tammy Lynn Sytch. On April 8, 2001, an Evening Gown match between Foxxy Dreams and Missy Hyatt took place at an ACW show in East Hartford. Hyatt was originally scheduled to face another female wrestler, however Dreams took her place when Hyatt's opponent did not arrive. Although Foxxy Dreams technically defeated Hyatt after tearing off her gown, the match official Joel Gertner stopped the match and awarded the win to Hyatt deciding to change the stipulations for the winner to be the first to lose her dress.[9][10]

Knight had originally been the booker for the promotion, however he left to start a rival promotion after a falling out with the owners.[11] After Knight took over the promotion in August 2001, the promotion was renamed Assault Championship Wrestling and followed up on the success of the previous supercard with Second Wave and Hell to Pay later that year.

In 2002, the promotion expanded holding events in New Britain and North Haven, Connecticut. The promotion also began The House of Pain Dojo in nearby Waterbury, Connecticut. On August 9, 2002, Knight and several ACW wrestlers were at New England Championship Wrestling's second annual Birthday Bash at the Goodtimes Emporium in Somerville, Massachusetts. Knight, who was a guest commentator for iMassRadio.com, was the first ever guest celebrity to attend the event along with Traci Brooks. Students from the House of Pain Pro Wrestling school were also at the event.[12]

The following year, its main heel stable La Familia, led by assistant ACW booker Mike E. Milano, appeared on several shows with Connecticut Championship Wrestling. Although speculated that their arrival might lead to an "invasion" storyline, ACW abruptly stopped future appearances due to Knight's refusal to work with certain people in charge at CCW.[11]

In early-May, an unexpected cancellation of an outdoor show as well as its website going offline prompted internet rumors that the promotion was shutting down. This was denied by officials, specifically wrestler and part-time road agent Bulldog Blanski, who explained the show had been originally canceled due to rain and that the venue had decided to cancel its next show the following week on Mother's Day. He further explained that the website had been changing servers and announced the promotion would continue holding shows with the next event being held at Riders Cafe in Waterbury on June 6, 2003.[11]

However, the company began suffering financial trouble during its last year and held its last event in New Britain on March 21, 2004. The card featured Chi Chi Cruz, Dances with Dudley, Tony DeVito, Scotty Charisma, Mercedes Martinez and Justin Credible vs Kid Kash in the main event.

Knight's wrestling school remained open however and, in late 2004, several former ACW mainstays including Bulldog Blanski and Mike E. Milano decided to start another promotion, Defiant Pro Wrestling. The promotion was initially successful, but ran into a bump in the road causing an 8-month hiatus. Jason Knight appeared at its return show Burning Bridges in Southington, Connecticut on November 19, 2005, as the new Commissioner of the company. Knight would remain with DPW through 2008 when he and Milano parted ways once again.[13]

In August 2008 after Knight purchased DPW's Proving Grounds Dojo from Milano, ACW tried to relaunch in Waterbury, CT and started training a few wrestlers. They managed to only have 2 shows with very little attendance. They went bankrupt for a second time in December 2008, also losing the building, which has since become a church.

On March 12, 2023 Jason Knight announced the re-launch of ASSAULT CHAMPIONSHIP WRESTLING, on his official Facebook page & website

https://assaultchampionshipwrestling.com/

Alumni
Slyk Wagner Brown
Fred Curry Jr.
Jason Knight
Johnny Heartbreaker

Male wrestlers

Birth name: Ring name(s): Tenure: Notes
Louis Ayala Boogalou 2001
Nicholas Barbieri Nick Richards 2002–2004 [14]
Jeremy Barron Dr. Reginald Heresy 2003–2004 [14]
Beau Bedugnis Beau Douglas 2002 [15]
Michael Bell† Mike Bell 2004 [14]
Nicholas Berk Nick Berk 2002 [15][16]
Adolfo Bermudez Dances with Dudley 2004
Wagner Brown Slyk Wagner Brown 2002–2003 [15][17][18]
George Caiazzo† John Kronus 2002
Chris Candido † Chris Candido 2001
David Cash Kid Kash 2001
2003–2004		 [16][19][20]
Dennis Cardona Abunai 2002–2004 [14][21][22]
Steven Carrasquillo Monsta Mack 2001 [23][24]
Fred Koury Jr. Fred Curry 2001 [23][25]
Fred Koury III Fred Curry Jr. 2001–2002 [15][23][24][26]
John Cybart IV Nocturne 2003
Tony DeVito Tony DeVito 2001–2004 [18][23][27]
Eddie Edwards Eddie Edwards 2002–2004 [15][14][21]
Nelson Erazo Homicide 2001–2003 [18][23][24]
Paul Fuchs III Paul E. Normous 2002–2003 [15][17]
John Gill Johnny Thunder 2002–2004 [14][15][17][18]
Chris Hamrick Chris Hamrick 2001–2003 [17][19][23][28]
Johnny Kashmere Johnny Kashmere 2002 [15][26][29]
Matthew Kaye Matt Striker 2003 [26][30]
Ronald Knight Jason Knight 2001–2003 [15][24]
Dave Liptack Dave Power 2000–2001 [24]
Dean Liptack Dean Power 2000–2001 [24]
Dan Lopez Mafia 2001 [23][24]
James Maritato Little Guido 2002
Dan Morrison Danny Doring 2002 [31][32]
Corey Peloquin Chi Chi Cruz / Debonair Cruz 2002–2004 [14][15][21][24][23]
Peter Polaco Justin Credible 2003–2004
Daniel Quirk† Spider 2003
Louie Ramos Louie Ramos 2002
Jonathan Rechner† Balls Mahoney 2001–2004 [17][19][31][33]
Billy Reil Billy Reil 2001 [23][24]
Giovanni Roselli Johnny Heartbreaker 2001–2002 [23][34][35][36][37]
Joseph Rugliano Joe Rules 2002
Andrew Santos Andy Jaxx 2002–2003 [15][26]
John Stagikas John Walters 2003
Michael Verdi† Trent Acid 2002 [15][16][26][29]
Brian Wohl Julio Dinero 2001
2003		 [23]
Scott Wright Scotty Charisma 2002–2004 [15][21][26][38]
Jerome Young New Jack 2001–2002 [16][23]
Unknown A.C. Coaltrain 2002
Unknown Adam Booker 2001
Unknown Andre Lyons 2004 [14]
Unknown Apollo 2001–2003 [15][16][23][24][25][26]
Ed Avery Avil Graves 2002–2004 [26][15][14][16]
Unknown Big Daddy 2001 [24]
Unknown Big Jay 2002–2004 [14][15][16][26]
Unknown The Black Dragon 2001 [24][25]
Unknown Black Ice 2001 [23][24]
Unknown Bobby Panther 2002–2003 [15]
Unknown Bull Dredd 2001–2003 [16][18][23][25][31]
Unknown Bulldog Blanski 2000–2001 [14][23][24][39][13][40][41]
Unknown Cheech 2004
Unknown Chris Dynasty 2003
Unknown CueBall 2002–2003 [15]
Unknown Curt Daniels 2002–2003 [15][26]
Unknown Curtis Slamdawg 2001
2004		 [23][24]
Unknown Damien Rage 2003
Unknown Danny Gonzalez 2003
Unknown Danny Morales 2004
Unknown Dave Donovan 2003–2004 [14]
Unknown D.C. Dillinger 2002–2003 [15]
Unknown Del Tsunami 2002–2003 [14][15][16][21][26]
Unknown Dylan Kage 2001–2004 [17][23][26][42]
Unknown Eddie Giuliani 2003
Unknown El Boriqua 2003
Unknown El Tigre 2001 [25]
Unknown Frankie Starz 2001–2002 [21][23][24][25][39]
Unknown Hale Collins 2003–2004
Unknown IceBerg 2001–2003 [16][15][23][24]
Unknown Jamie Pain 2002–2004 [14][16][31]
Unknown Jay Lover 2001 [23][25]
Unknown Jay Sull 2003
Unknown Jay Wood 2001 [23][25]
Unknown Jeff Douglas 2002 [15]
Unknown Jeff Rocker 2000–2003 [17][18][43][44]
Unknown Jeff Starr 2002
Unknown Jerk Jackson 2004
Unknown Jim Nastic 2002–2004 [14][15][16][21]
Unknown The Juice 2001 [23][34]
Unknown Judas Young 2001 [23][24]
Unknown Judge Dredd 2002
Unknown Kaguchi 2003
Unknown Kevin Landry 2000–2001 [23][24][39]
Unknown Kurt Adonis 2001–2002
2004		 [14][23][25]
Unknown Laithon 2000–2001 [23][34][39]
Unknown Luis Ortiz 2003–2004 [14]
Mark Ricardo Mark Gore 2003
Unknown Matt Lariat 2002–2004 [14][15][16][26]
Unknown Matt Nelson 2003
Unknown The Mercenary 2001
2004		 [18][23]
Unknown Michael Crimson 2002
Unknown Mighty Mini 2004 [14]
Unknown Mike Roos 2003
Unknown Mike Xylas 2002–2004 [14][15]
Unknown Mo' Sexy 2003–2004 [14]
Unknown Necromancer 2001 [24]
Unknown Nemesis 2002–2004 [14][15]
Unknown The Panther 2002 [16]
Unknown Pat Gunner 2001–2002 [23][25][26]
Unknown Pepsi Boy 2001
2003		 [23][24][25]
Unknown The Prowler 2003
Unknown Ragin' Ryan Cox 2001 [25]
Unknown Red Hot Russ 2002–2004 [14][15]
Unknown Riot 2002 [15]
Unknown Ron Zombie 2001–2004 [14][15][16][17][23][25][31][45]
Unknown Scott Cardinal 2004
Unknown Shabba White 2001–2004 [14][15][16][23][24]
Unknown Shamir Hussein 2004
Unknown Shockwave 2002
Unknown Thunder 2000–2001 [25]
Unknown Thunderbolt 2003
Unknown Tiger Mulligan 2002–2003 [14][21][23]
Unknown Tony Blaze 2003
Unknown Tony Cianci 2003
Unknown Troy Nelson 2003
Unknown Ultimate Male #1 2002 [15]
Unknown Ultimate Male #2 2002 [15]
Unknown Ultimate Male #3 2002 [15]
Unknown Vic Gun'R 2003–2004 [14]
Unknown Wiqued 2002–2004 [14][15]
Unknown Wrecka 2001–2002 [31]

Female wrestlers

Mercedes Martinez
Birth name: Ring name(s): Tenure: Notes
Jasmine Benitez Mercedes Martinez 2001–2004 [14][15][46][47]
Veronica Carrejo Simply Luscious 2004 [14]
Stephanie Finochio Trinity 2002–2003
April Hunter April Hunter 2002 [46][47]
Melissa Hiatt Missy Hyatt 2001 [23][34][9][10]
Cynthia Lynch Bobcat 2002
Angel Orsini Riptide 2002–2003 [15][16]
Ana Rocha Ariel 2002–2003 [15][46][47][48]
Sumie Sakai Sumie Sakai 2003–2004 [14][34]
Unknown Foxy 2001 [23][9][10]
Unknown Lizzy B. Sweet 2002
Unknown Sweet Destiny 2001 [23][34]
Unknown THC / Trinity H. Campbell 2001–2002 [23][24][34]

Stables and tag teams

Tag team/Stable(s) Members Tenure(s)
The Backseat Boyz Johnny Kashmere and Trent Acid 2002
Cold Front Black Ice and Iceburg 2001
The Coven Jason Knight, Dave Donovan and The Deranged Freaks 2003
Da Hit Squad Monsta Mack and Mafia 2001
Demented & Twisted Dave Donovan and Avil Graves 2003
Dreddlox Bull Dredd and Shabba White 2002
Mind & Matter Dr. Reginald Heresy and Adam Booker 2001
The Deranged Freaks Balls Mahoney and Ron Zombie 2003
Heart and Soul Johnny Heartbreaker and Devin Cruz 2001
Heavy Artillery Apollo and Pat Gunner 2002
Hot Commodity Julio Dinero and Chris Hamrick 2003
Kappa Tappa Kegga Andy Jaxx and Curt Daniels 2002–2003
La Familia Bulldog Blanski, Bull Dredd, Eddie Edwards, Dylan Kage, Del Tsunami, The Prowlers, Mercedes Martinez, Riptide, Talia and Mike E. Milano 2002–2004
The Mutilators Jaimie Pain and Nemesis 2002–2003
The Natural Born Sinners Boogalou and Homicide 2001
The Nelson Brothers Matt Nelson and Troy Nelson 2003
The New Strike Force Matt Striker and Scotty Charisma 2003
The New York Elite 2003
The Panther Brothers Bobby Panther and 2002
The Power Company Dave Power and Dean Power 2000–2001
The Prowlers Prowler #1 and Prowler #2 2002–2003
Rednecks from Hell Big Jay and Matt Lariat 2002–2003
The Ultimate Males Ultimate Male #1. Ultimate Male #2 and Ultimate Male #3 2002

Managers and valets

Birth name: Ring name(s): Tenure: Notes
Stephanie Finochio Trinity 2003
Francine Fournier Francine 2001–2002 [49]
April Hunter April Hunter 2002 [15]
Nicole Raczynski Nikki Roxx 2003
Ana Rocha Ariel 2002–2003
Tammy Lynn Sytch Tammy Lynn Sytch 2001
Jamie Lynn Szantyr Talia 2002–2004 [14][15]
Rebecca Treston Becky Bayless [50]
Lance Wright Lance Wright 2001 [24]
Unknown Alura 2002–2003 [15]
Unknown Barry Ace 2001
Jason Phillip Ward Jay P. Ward 2001–2002
Unknown Jessica Jaguar 2001–2002
Unknown Mike E. Milano 2002–2004 [14][15][31][13]
Unknown Miss DeVille 2003 [46]
Unknown Sheik Ali Abdullah 2003–2004

Commentators and interviewers

Birth name: Ring name(s): Tenure: Notes
Joel Gertner Joel Gertner 2001–2002 [19][24][34][9][10]
Unknown Doug Dearborne 2003 Ring announcer
Unknown James Deckert
Unknown Mike E. Milano
Unknown P.J. 2002–2003 Color commentator

Referees

Birth name: Ring name(s): Tenure: Notes
Unknown Jeff "The Ref" Corona 2000–2002 Senior official
Unknown Holyoke Joe 2001–2004 [14]
Unknown Ref Hanson 2001 [51]

Other personnel

Birth name: Ring name(s): Tenure: Notes
Ronald Knight Jason Knight 2001–2004 Booker[23][39]
Promoter[13][40]
Unknown Bulldog Blanski 2001–2004 Assistant booker
Road agent[13][40]
Unknown Johnny Promo 2003–2004 ACW Commissioner[14]
Unknown T. Gregs 2001 ACW Commissioner[25]
Company name to Year
Company name: Years:
Acid Pro Wrestling 2000–2001
Assault Championship Wrestling 2001–2004
Notes
† ^ Indicates they are deceased.
‡ ^ Indicates they died while they were employed with Assault Championship Wrestling.

Championships
Championship: Last Champion(s): Active From: Active Till: Notes:
ACW Heavyweight Championship Ron Zombie February 15, 2004 March 21, 2004 [52][17]
ACW Junior Heavyweight Championship Abunai February 15, 2004 March 21, 2004 [52][21]
ACW Television Championship Scotty Charisma July 19, 2003 March 21, 2004 Won battle royal to become first champion.[52][38]
ACW Hardcore Championship Jamie Pain September 7, 2003 March 21, 2004 [52][53]
ACW Great American Championship Tony Devito June 8, 2003 March 21, 2004 Defeated Jeff Rocker in tournament final to win the vacant title.[52][18]
ACW Tag Team Championship Kappa Tappa Kegga (Andy Jaxx and Curt Daniels) June 8, 2003 March 21, 2004 [52][26]

References
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