C3W Super Valentine’s Day ’22

Date:               February 13, 2022

Venue:              C3W Boiler Room
                    8925 D'Arcy Road
                    Upper Marlboro, Maryland 20774

Tickets:            Front Row          $50
                    Ringside           $35
                    General Admission  $25

Parking:            Business Complex Lot

Snacks:             Pizza              $1
                    Water              $1

Merch:              C3W T-Shirt        $20

Promoters:          Richie Fingaz
                    Casino Haze
                    DJ Quicksilva

Referee:            Kaci Dillon

Commentary:         The Pharmacist
                    GPostal

Ring Announcer:     Richie Fingaz

Social:             facebook.com/C3WLive/
                    twitter.com/C3WLive
                    instagram.com/c3wrestling/
                    youtube.com/channel/UCiEJPzrWb09UgVN_UB3JzMQ
                    c3wrestling.com

Streaming:          independentwrestling.tv/ 
                    ($9.99 per month)

________________________________________________________________
                            

Capital Combat Championship Wrestling (C3W) is a Washington, D.C. area promotion started in 2019 by co-owners DJ Quicksilva, CaSino Haze and Richie Fingaz. In a 2019 interview with Champagne in the Locker Room, the founder explained that “most of the other indies in Maryland, such as MCW, Crab Wrestling, EWA and Prime Time Wrestling are usually too far for people in PG County to go travel to, so I wanted to put my brand in the hat and bring it to the people.”

The C3W Boiler Room is located at 8925 D’Arcy Road in Upper Marlboro, Maryland, just a stone’s throw from the Washington, D.C. line. The building used to house Just Us Nation Sports Facility, but has been the home to Capital Combat Championship Wrestling since 2020. The business complex can be a little confusing the first time you attend an event. The C3W Boiler Room is located on the back/northwest side of the U-shaped complex on the right.

Inside the arena before the show, there were two tables set up in the near right corner which sold C3W merchandise as well as pizza and bottled water. Later, during the intermission, some performers set up at a third table in the back right corner to sell their merchandise and meet with fans. Other performers set themselves up around the ring for the same purpose. The C3W champion, “The Savage Gentleman’ Victor Benjamin set up on my side of the ring. I could see him urging kids from the crowd to come up and take pictures holding his championship belts, which was a really nice touch.

MATCH #1
“THE SAVAGE GENTLEMAN” VICTOR BENJAMIN vs. RAYO
C3W CHAMPIONSHIP & BUTTERFINGER CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH

This show hit the ground running with a huge double championship match between the reigning, defending C3W and Butterfinger Champion, “The Savage Gentleman” Victor Benjamin, and Rayo, who I first saw at MCW Pro Wrestling, but many fans know from his time in Ring of Honor. The fans seemed firmly behind the champ who initially appeared in no hurry to get started. After a few moments relaxing in the corner, Benjamin walked to the center of the ring and extended his hand to the challenger.

Rayo reluctantly reached out to shake The Savage Gentleman’s hand. As he started to pull away, though, Victor pulled Rayo in close and the two exchanged heated words nose-to-nose. Benjamin shoved Rayo. Rayo fought back. No man could gain an advantage, which led the two men back to the center of the ring nose-to-nose. This time, the two men locked up but, still, neither could gain the edge. Benjamin reached out for another handshake, but Rayo slapped his hand away.

Victor Benjamin reached his hand out again, this time for a test of strength. Being much taller than Rayo, the champ taunted the challenger by raising his hand higher in the air than Rayo could reach. In response, Rayo kicked Benjamin in the stomach and clasped his hands when the champ doubled over. Rayo attempted to leverage the exercise into a monkey flip, but the champ held on even after hitting the mat and the test of strength continued

When they finally broke, the champ would take control. The referee admonished him as he placed Rayo’s neck on the ropes and stood on his back. From the apron, Rayo tried a shoulder block, but the champ retaliated with a punch that sent Rayo to the floor. Victor followed Rayo outside the ring and hit him with a huge uppercut which sent Rayo rolling back into the ring.

The champion continued his dominance inside the ring. He grabbed a rear choke on Rayo which he converted into a crossface stretch move in order to land elbows to the chest of Rayo. From there, the champ tried to roll Rayo into a pin, but garnered only a one count. Rayo tried to fight back, but Benjamin used a knee to the stomach and running knee to the face to slow Rayo’s rally.

Rayo kept fighting with four consecutive forearms to the face of Victor Benjamin, but the champion returned fire with just one punch that leveled Rayo. Benjamin added insult to injury by placing one foot on Rayo’s chest for the pin attempt. After a one count, Benjamin nailed Rayo with a lariat but managed just a two-count near fall.

Frustrated, Victor stomped on Rayo’s chest repeatedly and went to the corner. Victor grabbed the championship belt and looked to use it to finish off Rayo, but referee Kaci Dillon took the belt from Victor before he could use it. While the champ argued with the referee, Rayo snuck in and rolled the champion up for a two count.

When Victor missed with another lariat, Rayo connected with a hurricanrana and a Konnan-style rolling clothesline. Rayo repeatedly stomped on the chest of Benjamin then climbed to the top rope. Victor Benjamin caught Rayo’s flying cross-body attempt mid air, set him down, and connected with a massive Trouble in Paradise spinning kick. Still, the champion could not get the pin.

Rayo crawled into the corner as Benjamin yelled for him to “GET UP!!” Victor stomped on Rayo’s back on the mat and landed an upper cut when Rayo stood up. From the other corner, Benjamin charged with a running knee but missed. Sensing an opportunity, Rayo climbed back to the top and hit the flying cross body followed by a nasty Canadian Destroyer.

After a near fall, Rayo hit a series of chops and forearms, then a double underhook suplex and a running knee to the champion. When Rayo’s spinning kick from the corner missed, The Savage Gentleman hit a roundhouse kick and a powerslam to retain the championships.

As a defeated Rayo limped from the ring, Mr. Grim came out from the back with Postman Vam and approached the champion. Grim challenged Benjamin to a title match right there and then. However, Richie Fingaz announced that Grim would face The Savage Gentleman for the C3W championship at the next C3W show in two weeks.

WINNER: “THE SAVAGE GENTLEMAN” VICTOR BENJAMIN

MATCH #2
THEO IVORY vs. “MR. FANTASTIC” WILL KNOX

The fans were firmly behind local veteran, “Mr. Fantastic” Will Knox is this match against the British Tea Time Champion, Theo Ivory. Ivory was scared off simply by Mr. Fantastic’s attempt to lockup at the start of the match. Ivory looked to the referee and explained that he just had his hair done.

The next lockup resulted in Fantastic grabbing a headlock on Ivory. Theo pushed Knox into the ropes, but Mr. Fantastic leveled Ivory with a shoulder tackle which sent Ivory into the corner for another timeout. Ivory fooled Mr. Fantastic who confidently approached Ivory in the corner, only to find himself on the receiving end of some Theo Ivory upper cuts. When Fantastic reversed and reigned blows upon Ivory, the British Tea Time Champion shrieked in fear. More punches followed by a hip toss, sent Ivory out of the ring completely.

Mr. Fantastic followed Theo outside the ring where the pair brawled for a long time as the referee started to count both men out. Eventually, a Theo Ivory knee stunned Mr. Fantastic allowing Ivory to roll him back into the ring. Ivory would immediately go to work on Fantastic’s leg. He dropped a knee on the leg, then lifted up the same leg and pounded Fantastic’s knee into the mat. From there, Ivory locked Knox into a camel clutch.

Mr. Fantastic was able to escape from the hold and roll Ivory up for a two count, but Ivory stalled Knox’s momentum with a poke to the eye. Ivory capitalized with a face buster, then locked Mr. Fantastic in a figure four leg lock. Fantastic reached the ropes and the referee called for a break. Ivory complied, but also kicked Mr. Fantastic in the knee as he let go. A 360 tornado DDT by Ivory made it seem like the end was near. However, Ivory missed a strike after sending Knox into the ropes. This allowed Knox to hit Ivory with a double underhook suplex and lock him in a guillotine choke from which there would be no escape.

WINNER: “MR. FANTASTIC” WILL KNOX

PROMO SEGMENT

The Stompers made their way to the ring to let the fans know they were still here and expect to be tag team champions very soon. Before they could elaborate, Jessup entered the arena and destroyed The Stompers. They grabbed the microphone and explained to the crowd that, ten years ago, they were the hottest team on the indies and now they are back to do it again. Whether you like them or not, Jessup are here to take out the best. More to come from these guys for sure…

MATCH #3
THE W.O.A.D. vs. SHALONCE ROYAL
BELLADONNA DIVISION & SHINE NOVA CHAMPIONSHIP
TITLE FOR TITLE CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH

It was a pleasant surprise to see a BellaDonna Division championship match on this card after having been at the tournament to crown the Forbidden Elegance Champion in Gadsden, Alabama the month before. That night, Cassandra Golden was crowned the first ever champion. However, by the time this event rolled around, Golden had already lost the title to Shalonce Royal. Royal said that if she had been there the night of the tournament, she would have been the first and only champion.

Royal’s opponent on this night was one of The Indy Wrestling Experience’s favorite performers on the indy scene, the current SHINE NOVA Champion, the Weapon of Ass Destruction, The W.O.A.D. The match was announced as a title for title match, with the winner taking home all of the gold.

The initial lockup ended with The W.O.A.D. throwing Royal to the mat. Royal rose and looked for a belly to back suplex, but The W.O.A.D. was having none of it. With Royal’s arms still clasped around her waist, The W.O.A.D. spun around until Royal’s grip released and she flew toward the corner.

Royal finally grabbed a headlock on The W.O.A.D., then hit a huge kick off the ropes and tried for a crucifix. The W.O.A.D. would not allow it. The W.O.A.D. stopped and sat straight down, but Royal moved before The W.O.A.D.’s main weapon landed on top of her. With Royal in the corner, The W.O.A.D. charged for a hip attack, but missed. Royal responded with several kicks to The W.O.A.D. Royal charged from one corner, but The W.O.A.D. connected with a hip strike as Royal approached.

The W.O.A.D. slapped her rear end as she appeared to be engaging the Weapon of Ass Destruction. The W.O.A.D. asked the crowd, “Y’all wanna see it?” and charged at Royal. Unfortunately, The W.O.A.D. telegraphed the move which allowed Royal to pull the middle rope down and send The W.O.A.D. to the floor. A baseball slide drop kick by Royal from inside the ring, started a brawl on the outside of the ring.

Once order was restored, The W.O.A.D. caught Shalonce in a fireman’s carry, but Royal was able to elbow her way out, throw The W.O.A.D. into the corner and land a back handspring elbow. The W.O.A.D. fell to the mat where Royal connected with a series of elbow drops, singing and hitting a high note before each one. The third attempt missed, however. The W.O.A.D. rose with a hard forearm, but Royal maintained control. She told the fans to “SHUT UP!” as she pressed her knee into the back of The W.O.A.D. with The W.O.A.D.’s neck on the ropes.

Soon, Royal would find herself on the back of The W.O.A.D. like she was Westley battling Andre the Giant in the movie The Princess Bride. The W.O.A.D. backed up and used her weight to smash Royal into the turnbuckles. This broke the hold, but did not stall Royal’s momentum as she landed several kicks, some knee shots to the midsection and a snap mare to end up with a choke hold on The W.O.A.D.. Royal continued to torture the fans with her singing as she tortured The W.O.A.D. with the submission hold.

The W.O.A.D. escaped with a back body drop which left both competitors on the mat exhausted. The W.O.A.D. rose first and hit a knee strike and a headbutt to Royal, then placed her neck on the ropes and pushed into her back to choke her. The W.O.A.D. connected with a hip attack in the corner, but missed on the second attempt. This allowed Royal to hit a running clothesline from the corner for a two count.

Frustrated, Royal pulled and snapped The W.O.A.D.’s eye patch, which stopped The W.O.A.D. momentarily. Royal kicked The W.O.A.D. and cartwheeled herself into a knee drop, as well. Royal tried what looked like an Oklahoma Roll for a pin and turned it into a choke submission. Again using her strength, The W.O.A.D. lifted Royal up and transitioned her into a side slam.

When that garnered just a two count, the competitors found themselves back outside the ring. The W.O.A.D. followed Royal outside and the two champions brawled. They paid no attention to the referee’s count of ten, however, and the match ended without a title change.

RESULT: DOUBLE COUNTOUT

MATCH #4
MOUNT IVAN ALI vs. TYREE TAYLOR
C3W SUPER HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP

The first match following the intermission would be contested for the vacant C3W Super Heavyweight Championship, and wow, did these two wrestlers fit the bill. Tyree Taylor is thick, muscular and strong as hell. His opponent, Mount Ivan Ali is just that…a mountain of a man who stands 6’7″ tall.

The two behemoths slowly walked to the center of the ring, stared each other in the eye, and began whaling on each other. Tyree Taylor stunned Ali with a headbutt and tried to ram his head into the turnbuckle. Ali blocked and, with Tyree Taylor on the apron, knocked him onto the floor. Ali followed outside where the two men began brawling again. The two men exchanged chops, punches, and forearms until Ivan charged at Tyree Taylor. Taylor moved and Ivan Ali slammed into the ring post, which allowed Tyree to get back in the ring.

Ali returned to the ring with a huge kick to Taylor, but when he tried to lift Taylor up into a power slam, Taylor escaped. Tyree pushed Ivan Ali into the corner and connected with an enziguri and a running boot, but managed just a two count. Taylor prepared Ali to be lifted into a power bomb, but, the powerful Ivan Ali showed incredible strength as he stood up and lifted Tyree Taylor high into the air in a fireman’s carry. Taylor was able to wriggle out, send Ivan Ali into the ropes with an Irish Whip and connect with a massive lariat.

In the corner, Taylor attempted a spinning forearm which Ali blocked. Taylor pushed Mount Ivan into the corner and connected on a second forearm. From the other corner, Taylor charged, but Ali was ready. Ivan lifted Taylor up and almost drove him through the mat with a powerslam to win the vacant Super Heavyweight Championship.

As the defeated Tyree Taylor made his way back to the dressing room, Noah Snatch, who had joined the commentary team for this match, started exchanging heated words with Taylor from the booth. Moments later, the diminutive Noah decided it would be a smart idea to run in and attack the new Super Heavyweight champion. To no one’s surprise, Ali destroyed Noah. Ivan slammed him into the mat with a powerbomb, then lifted his lifeless body into the air and hit one more for good measure.

WINNER AND NEW CHAMPION: MOUNT IVAN ALI

MATCH #5
SCHWARTZY & RANDI WEST vs. PRETTY PROPER
MIXED TAG TEAM MATCH

The much-anticipated main event of the evening featured some performers that wrestling fans are already familiar with. IMPACT’s Lady Frost joined her husband, “The Savage Gentleman” Victor Benjamin in this mixed tag team match to take on the “Queen of the Deathmatch” Randi West and Schwartzy.

As many of you are aware, in a mixed tag match, the women only wrestle the women and the men wrestle the men. This became important in the opening moments of the match. The ladies started in the ring, but Lady Frost did not like the looks of things and decided to tag in Victor Benjamin, which brought Schwartzy into the ring. Schwartzy immediately tagged out to West, bringing the ladies back in. This went back and forth several times until the men finally decided to lock up.

In the center of the ring, Schwartzy grabbed a headlock while Benjamin was talking trash to him. Victor reversed into a headlock of his own, but Schwartzy reversed into a Half Nelson then a rear choke. Victor managed to escape and force a reset and ended up in one corner. Schwartzy landed several forearms that seemed to have no effect on Benjamin. Schwartzy tried palm strikes…still nothing. When Schwartzy tried to put Benjamin in an ankle lock, Victor kicked him into the corner. Confused and frustrated, Schwartzy tagged in Randi West.

West and Lady Frost locked up and ended up in the ropes to force a break. Lady Frost looked to capitalize with a sneaky kick as the pair broke, but Randi anticipated it and connected with a knee strike. Angered, Frost pulled Randi’s hair until she tagged Schwartzy back into the match.

Schwartzy immediately charged at Victor in the corner, but missed. Benjamin responded with a snap mare, a kick to the back of the head, and two stomps on Schwartzy’s hand. Victor secured Schwartzy in a choke submission which transitioned into a headlock. When Schwartzy escaped, Benjamin punished him with stiff European Upper Cut. With Schwartzy knocked out on the mat, Victor Benjamin pulled out the old Garvin Stomp, hitting each and every body part with hard boots.

Benjamin tried an illegal leg lock hold, but the referee forced a break and Benjamin tagged in Lady Frost. Frost went on the offensive instantly with a Meteora and several punches to the back of Randi West. Frost maintained control as she used a standing boot to the throat to choke West until the referee forced another break. After a kick and a snap mare, Frost caught West in a rear choke. Soon, though, West would reverse by standing up, still locked in the choke, and sitting back down to ram her head into the chin of Lady Frost.

With Lady Frost stunned, West attempted to tag out. Frost caught West in time to prevent the tag and stomped on her back. In the corner, Frost pummeled West with kicks and two spears then did a cartwheel senton onto West. When Frost’s pin attempt was unsuccessful, she became visibly angered.

At that moment, Schwartzy entered and looked to attack Frost himself. Instead, Schwartzy got behind his partner, grabbed each of her hands and began using Randi’s fists to punch Lady Frost. Benjamin entered to even up the score and, the next thing I know, the two men have the two ladies on their respective shoulders for what appeared to be a game of chicken.

West was the first one down and connected with a kick and some hard punches. Schwartzy left the ring to receive the tag from his partner. Schwartzy came into the ring like a ball of fire. Schwartzy hit two upper cut and reverse spinning neck breaker. As the ladies re-entered the match, Benjamin countered with a spinning kick to Schwartzy while Lady Frost hit a charging strike to Randi West from the opposite corner to secure the victory.

WINNERS: PRETTY PROPER

I am ashamed to say that I had no idea this promotion existed in my own backyard until I started covering the indies with this blog. Now, that I have seen their product, I will certainly be back. If you have never been to a C3W show, I highly recommend you check one out in the future. This is not the DMV’s fastest growing promotion for nothing.

The thing that stood out to me about the show was the high quality of the actual wrestling. Many promotions will give you short matches and fill time with announcements or fluff segments. There were only five matches on this card, but they were each substantial. well organized, stories that played out in the ring exceptionally. The matches were given time, and, as a result, the fans got to see some impressive performers do what they do in impressive fashion.