At certain points in their careers, professional wrestlers have moments or matches that change their career trajectory. Moments that can send them into the stratosphere as certifiable main event players. For Central Empire Wrestling Heavyweight Champion JT Energy, two of these moments came within a month of each other. Let’s go back to the December 23, 2019 episode of WWE Monday Night Raw. Emanating from the Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines, Iowa, this was to be a huge moment for JT Energy. Wrestling under the name Travis Horn, JT Energy was booked in a match vs former WWE Tag Team Champion Erick Redbeard ‘Rowan’. Unfortunately, his moment quickly soured when he was defeated in under three minutes.
Watch Travis Horn vs. Erick Rowan here.
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It was a humbling loss on national TV, but the “Six Star Booty” didn’t let it derail his career. No, JT Energy used the loss as a beacon of inspiration, something to motivate him to reach new heights.
“I knew I had one option after that match ended and that was adapt and change. I had to take the biggest loss of my career and use it as a tool to motivate myself to take my singles career to a new level.”
The opportunity to ascend to that new level was just around the corner. Less than a month after his Monday Night Raw loss, JT Energy was scheduled to take on WWE Hall of Famer Jerry “The King” Lawler.
The contest was a featured bout of CEW Bridge City Slam 2 and was Energy’s opportunity for redemption. In front of a jam-packed crowd, Energy did what many thought impossible; he defeated Jerry Lawler.
It was the biggest win of his career and one that stoked his motivational fire.
“Without that victory, JT Energy would not be your CEW Champion. Bridge City Slam 2 was a stacked card from top to bottom, but that night I knew after defeating The King, that JT Energy had just solidified himself as a main event superstar who could hang with Hall of Fame Pro Wrestlers and perform on another level that you only get with experience.”
With even more confidence than ever, the newly dubbed “Booty King” set his sights on the CEW Heavyweight Championship. At CEW’s 11-Year Anniversary Show, Energy’s boisterous claims about winning the CEW Championship came to fruition when he defeated “Pop Icon” Donnie Peppercricket.
It was to be the start of a reign of dominance for the new champion, but the COVID pandemic got in the way. With the world basically shutting down, so did CEW; however, in the fall of 2020, CEW PowerSlam emerged. PowerSlam was a four-episode run of CEW action live on Facebook. Not one to let his promotion move on without him, JT Energy set his sights on the CEW Tag Team Titles.
By the end of PowerSlam season, one of his quests to win tag team gold ultimately failed. When PowerSlam season two premiered in January of 2021, JT Energy’s Heavyweight Championship was the center of attention. Both Tag Team Champions Rory Fox and Jared Thumb were looking to make his championship their own.
Against all odds, JT Energy emerged from the PowerSlam season two finale with his championship intact.
“When the world shut down during this championship reign, I knew it was my opportunity as a performer to take a deeper look at myself and truly take my perception of JT Energy to a new level. I have evolved in many ways over the past year and the CEW fans have seen a new JT Energy emerge.”
During the summer, CEW returned to shows in front of fans, and Energy successfully defended his championship against Curt Gannon. Following that, Donnie Peppercricket came calling for his rematch.
It was in this rematch that Energy proved his first victory over Peppercricket was no fluke as he defeated the CEW Hall of Famer. Again, no outside interference was used as the two put on absolute classic Last Man Standing Match.
Despite all the accomplishments over the past two years, some fans have fixated on that loss to Erick Rowan.
“The fans look at any match with WWE as the pinnacle of your career regardless of the outcome. People sit at home and see mainstream entertainment as the only option to success. The world of Pro Wrestling is changing and eventually performers will be viewed by their entire body of work, but until the day changes where TV is not the end all be all, matches that are televised to a national audience can define who you are.”
Which brings us to Saturday in Ottumwa, Iowa, and Bridge City Slam 3. The saga of JT Energy comes full circle when he is set to defend his championship against Erick Redbeard (formerly Erick Rowan). It is the show’s main event and JT Energy’s ultimate opportunity for redemption.
“I’m not taking the easy way out just to get my victory back. I know I could win via count out or disqualification but that does nothing to change my career. You can expect all options to be exhausted and things you’ve never seen before. I will have many plans in place to make sure the CEW fans don’t get what they want. At the end of Saturday night, 500 plus fans will be giving me every ounce of respect I deserve as still the Central Empire Wrestling Heavyweight Champion!”
While JT Energy versus Erick Red Beard is the main event of Bridge City Slam 3, Central Empire Wrestling has a show for the ages planned around it. First, let’s look at the rest of the card.
JT Energy vs Erick Redbeard Headlines
CEW Bridge City Slam 3
CEW Tag Team Championship Match
Rory Fox & Jared Thumb © vs. Damien Saint & Gangrel
Since his CEW debut during the season two finale of PowerSlam, Damien Saint has been obsessed with winning the CEW Tag Team Titles. Not only does he want to win the belts, but he wants to make Rory Fox’s life a living hell any chance he can.
Unfortunately for Saint, his two attempts with partner Mason Reaper were failures. Now, he has enlisted the services of former WWE Superstar Gangrel. Even with facing Saint and a new partner, the champs will be more than ready to meet the challenge. It will be the darkness versus the light, and it will be interesting to see if Gangrel is the key to Saint finally accomplishing his goal.
Central Empire Wrestling Bridge City Slam 3
CEW Women’s Championship
Valentina Loca © vs Sage Hale
At the very first Bridge City Slam, Valentina Loca came up short in her quest to win the CEW Women’s Championship. A year later, when opportunity knocked once again, Loca answered, winning the Women’s Championship at Bridge City Slam 2.
Since winning the CEW Women’s Championship, Valentina Loca has been on a roll. Willing to take on all comers, new and old, Loca has represented CEW with passion and pride. This Saturday, she returns to the place she won the championship to take on a new challenger. That challenger is Sage Hale, who is making her CEW debut.
Hale is no stranger to championships, having held the Impact Pro Wrestling Women’s Championship. But, one thing is for sure, Loca has her hands full come Saturday night.
JT Energy vs Erick Redbeard Headlines
Central Empire Wrestling Bridge City Slam 3
Instant Ticket Triple Threat Match
Donnie Peppercricket vs. Curt Gannon vs. Big Bad Wallace
The three competitors in this match are staples of Central Empire Wrestling. Donnie Peppercricket is a former CEW Heavyweight Champion and CEW Hall of Famer. Curt Gannon has been a mainstay of CEW shows for years now, and Big Bad Wallace is a former champion as well.
Saturday, the winner earns the opportunity to wrestle anyone on the CEW roster at the time of their choosing. Peppercricket and Gannon both want another opportunity at the CEW Championship.
Both lost the last time they vied for the title, and each feels they should be next in line. Wallace is the wild card. With his new look and attitude, nobody can be sure who he would challenge if he comes out on top Saturday night.
Central Empire Wrestling Bridge City Slam 3
Special Attraction Match
Storm Thomas vs. JTG
If you’re looking for a possible show-stealer Saturday night, look no further than this match. Storm Thomas is a beloved wrestler within the CEW fanbase. The former CEW Heavyweight Champion takes great pride in his years in CEW and returns home when he can.
Currently the Full Throttle Pro Wrestling Golden Challenge Champion, this marks Thomas’ third time competing at Bridge City Slam. Standing across the ring from Thomas Saturday night will be former WWE Superstar and current NWA wrestler JTG.
Wrestling fans the world over know JTG from his run in WWE. With the late Shad Gaspard, the two formed the uber-popular tag team Cryme Tyme. Since his WWE time, JTG has continued making a name for himself on the indie scene and most recently became a top contender in the National Wrestling Alliance. The amount of athleticism, determination, and experience in this make this a must-see match.
Central Empire Wrestling Bridge City Slam 3
Grudge Match
The Barbarian vs. Koda Jacobs
Koda Jacobs and the Barbarian know each other all too well. Having interacted in multiple promotions, they bring their simmering rivalry to CEW Saturday night. Jacobs next stop on the “Brighter Future in Pro Wrestling” campaign brings him to Iowa to take on the former WWE/WCW legend. The Barbarian was last seen in CEW in 2019 during ManCountry Mania when he and the Warlord competed in a tag match. However, the grudge between Jacobs and The Barbarian will be settled Saturday in Ottumwa, Iowa.
Central Empire Wrestling Bridge City Slam 3
Full Throttle Pro Wrestling Tag Team Championship Match
The Metro Brothers w/ Skinny Vinny © vs. Saieve Al Sabah & Treehouse Lee
The current Full Throttle Pro Wrestling Tag Champion Metro Brothers are making their return to Bridge City Slam. At Bridge City Slam 2, they fought tooth and nail with the Snake Pit in a champion versus champion match. Unfortunately, neither team captured the other’s gold that night, and now the champs return to put their straps on the line.
Their challengers come Saturday night are real-life brothers in Saieve Al Sabah and Treehouse Lee. Looking to make their own name in tag team wrestling, the first step is winning the FTPW Tag Team Titles.
JT Energy vs Erick Redbeard Headlines
Central Empire Wrestling Bridge City Slam
“Ottumwa’s Own” TJ Wilt vs. Justin Decent
Wrestling in front of your hometown isn’t something all wrestlers get the opportunity to do. But, for TJ Wilt, it is an opportunity that comes this Saturday. Still, in the early stages of his pro wrestling career, Wilt comes in ready to show his potential. Chomping at the bit to ruin the hometown hero’s moment is the rough and tumble outlaw, Justin Decent.
With the reputation of a tough as nails brawler, Decent is a wrestling veteran who is also making his CEW debut. Wilt definitely has a tough task in front of him; luckily, he will have the backing of his people Saturday night.
Bridge City Slam 3 isn’t just a wrestling show; there will be a fan fest before the matches begin. A fan fest featuring all the wrestlers booked to compete along with the likes of Rikishi, Candace Michelle, and others as JT Energy vs Erick Redbeard headlines CEW Bridge City Slam 3.
