Colossal Championship Wrestling returned to the hallowed Queens Elk Lodge on July 19th- former home to ECW and a slew of indies, bringing a hot card on a hot summer night to a satisfied crowd.
With affordable tickets, the audience reminded me very much of the old WWWF Queens’ Sunnyside Garden and other 1970s NYC area fans.
A loud and lively group of working-class families, of every age, race, creed, and color, enjoyed the indie grapplers giving their all, and everyone had a rousing good time.
Part of the fun of the CCW shows is that it feels like the old sitcom Cheers. “Everybody knows your name.” The audience “all” know each other, as well as the wrestlers and the crew.
The excellent ring announcer, who was addressed by all as simply Richie, saw his new suit and haircut teased in good fun.
Top-notch quality heel manager, The Greek Savage, drew the wrath of the crowd throughout the night and wasn’t shy about lobbing insults right back at his attackers.
It was straight out of the Lou Albano playbook and brought back fond memories of just how important a role heel managers play in the sport.
The lively and wildly entertaining event went like this:
Colossal Championship Wrestling’s Heat Wave
The Revolution in action.
In an action-packed opener, the CCW Six-Man Tag Team Championship saw the colorful faction of The Revolution over Joe Trash, Robbie Rebel, and Benjamin White.
Led by heat magnet Dylon Woodword, The Revolution is an all-action team that has built a following in CCW where the lines between faces and heels seem to blur.
Sometimes while watching their cards live, I’m not quite sure who the faces and heels are supposed to be, and a few minutes in, I just said to my buddy, “What’s the difference anyway?” and enjoyed the mayhem.
The Trash/Rebel/White ensemble disintegrated by the time the wild and woolly bout ended. Robbie Rebel is a veteran on the NYC indie circuit and is always highly entertaining.
Colossal Championship Wrestling’s Heat Wave
Super Elevated vs. The Audacity
The following encounter saw CCW Tag Team Champions Super Elevated doing a wild-looking Road Warriors-type entrance over The Audacity via DQ in a fun and chaotic encounter.
Colossal Championship Wrestling’s Heat Wave
Phenomenal Beast Chris Angels versus Supa Nitro
Phenomenal Beast Chris Angels versus Supa Nitro saw two burly battlers who can brawl and move well for their size in a fun clash.
Angel took the win while drawing a ton of heat from the vociferous crowd, as Nitro is a beloved figure on the area circuit.
This was more the meat and potatoes, clearly defined heel versus face bout that I was weaned on, and I enjoyed the bruising battle.
Colossal Championship Wrestling’s Heat Wave
Big Oxx Adams vs. Rage
Speaking of popular locals, the colorful Rage, with his dramatic face paint, and accompanied by manager Kaos, went up against the massive Big Oxx Adams.
I’m not sure just how tall Adams is, but he towered over the muscular Rage and at least seemed to be in that elusive Big John Studd, Ernie Ladd, Killer Kowalski, Don Leo Jonathan, Big Show size range. More importantly, Adams wasn’t “just big”- he had an impressive arsenal of moves that led him to victory.
Colossal Championship Wrestling’s Heat Wave
Simply Splendid Bobby C vs. Boricua Bad Boy Jeremy
A more intense than usual Simply Splendid Bobby C- accompanied to the ring by La Luz- still taunted the “peons” in the audience but cut some of the comical elements of his persona.
The splendid one even forgot his blond wig after the match that rested on the ring post. It was a different Bobby C and seemed to work as the fans were clearly on the side of Boricua Bad Boy Jeremy, who lost the entertaining bout.
Ghost Shadow’s victory over Blind Fury Mel Ramos saw an impressive repertoire of moves exhibited by both veterans. Ghost Shadows’ wild facial expressions were particularly effective and original, and elicited a reaction from the amused crowd.
Colossal Championship Wrestling’s Heat Wave
Ghost Shadow vs. Blind Fury Mel Ramos
The returning Dylon Woodword, probably the best heel on the card with his wild energy and sharp and funny smack talk, won the CCW Global International Title in a wild three-man bout over Max Capacity and Joey Rockstar Sins.
Colossal Championship Wrestling’s Heat Wave
CCW women’s champion Roxxi vs. Tiphanni Grady
CCW women’s champion Roxxi pinned Tiphanni Grady in a very good bout that flowed well as the crowd adores Puerto Rico’s Roxxi, and Grady is an excellent heel.
The Greek Savage managed Grady, and when he pummeled Roxxi, boasting he was “equal opportunity,” it was old school heat at its best. Kudos to all involved in this one- it simply worked.
Colossal Championship Wrestling’s Heat Wave
Cha Cha Charlie vs. Tommy Invincible
The main event of Cha Cha Charlie vs. Tommy Invincible featured two competitors putting on a match of WWE/AEW/TNA PPV/PLE caliber- actually BETTER than some I’ve seen from the major promotions.
These two look the part – in tremendous shape – with charisma, quality “gimmicks,” and intensity. They had the fans in the palm of their hands. Both are total packages who left it in the ring, and deserve their shots in the big time.
Interview with Cha Cha Charlie: https://youtu.be/79LxA0HyIQI?si=YNqStlcVRCVl-qkm
While wrestling fans will spend up to $17,000 a ticket for WWE’s upcoming SummerSlam in this area, CCW’s family-friendly $25 tickets and $1 snacks at the concession stand make for a fun, fairly priced, exciting night out.
Plus, you get to meet the wrestlers, shake hands, get autographs and photos, and pick up some merch. It’s everything a night at an indie should be.
And most importantly, the fans walked out happy and smiling.
I know I did.
See you at the next Colossal Championship Wrestling show at the Elks Lodge. You missed the birth of your mother and father- don’t you dare miss it.
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Evan Ginzburg is a contributor for Pro Wrestling Post. He was an Associate Producer on the movie “The Wrestler” and “350 Days,” starring Bret Hart and Superstar Billy Graham. He is a 30-year film, radio and TV veteran.
Check out his Evan Ginzburg’s Old School Wrestling Memories page on Facebook and his new radio show Wrestling and Everything Coast to Coast with Buddy Sotello. His new book is Wrestling Rings, Blackboards and Movie Sets. He can be reached on Twitter @evan_ginzburg or by e-mail at evan_ginzburg@yahoo.com.
