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CZW News and Notes: Kingston returns and Moore debuts Print E-mail
Sunday, January 13, 2008

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Photo: Lyle C. Williams
For CZW fans, Combat Zone Wrestling is known almost as much for it's less than stellar January shows as it is for the previous months crowd pleasing "Cage of Death" show. It was clear though that this year would be different. Just days after CZW's "Cage of Death" the company had announced matches for their first show of the new year, and by the nights show the main card had already been announced and announced long enough before the show that it was able to cause a lot of anticipation even amongst hardcore CZW critics who had lost hope in the company. Not only was the card announced well in advance of the show, but the card itself was stacked. It quickly became clear the company was sending a strong message to its fans, including its most critical ones: we hear you.

Indeed, CZW did hear them. They even went as far as saying on their website that in 2008 they would listen to their fans more and that 2008 would bring some major changes to the company. If there was any doubt it was short lived when CZW began announcing matches that fans had been requesting for it's January show, including the Heavyweight title defense of Nick Gage versus Danny Havoc. Interest for the show was way up from normal levels, and as a result CZW drew a larger than normal crowd to its first show of the year.

The company kicked the year off last night at the New Alhambra, formerly the ECW Arena, in South Philadelphia and before the event could even finish online fans were buzzing with excitement as they read live results from CZWfans.com poster T-Mack. The excitement, both online and at the arena, would only increase when Pro Wrestling Unplugged favorite Devon Moore got involved in the main event and made his debut, and when Eddie Kingston, who fans had been begging for, made his return to the company after 8 months following an incident with owner John Zandig. The title match was scheduled to be Nick Gage versus Danny Havoc, but Ruckus and then Drake Younger, who were scheduled to have a match where the winner would get a title shot of their choice, were added to the match. The lights then went out and when they came back on there was Devon Moore making his CZW debut. Moments later, just as the match was about to get going, the lights again went out and when they came back on there was Eddie Kingston making his return to a huge reaction. The match became a six-way for the Heavyweight title, and was eventually won by champion Nick Gage after pinning Ruckus following his chokebreaker.

Devon Moore had been rumored to be "jumping" to the company from rival Pro Wrestling Uplugged for a while. When a mystery opponent was announced for the CZW Heavyweight title at "Cage of Death" fans thought there was a good chance it was Moore, though it turned out to be the returning Messiah and long time CZW favorite Nick Gage. Moore even received yellow and black streamers, the colors of CZW, at a recent PWU show from fans who wanted him make the jump. What kept him from working for both companies was a rivalry between PWU's Johnny Kashmere and John Zandig, which dates back over 7 years as the two, even when working together, didn't get along well. Unless something happens to change it, Devon Moore is still with PWU and will be allowed to work for both companies, which is likely due to Kashmere having a very diminished role in PWU right now. Moore's next appearance is next Saturday's PWU show at the New Alhambra.

Eddie Kingston's return was also something that had been talked about for a while, and a sign that it was going to happen was at a recent International Wrestling Syndicate show in Canada where Kingston, after a match with Frankie the Mobster, got on the microphone and proceeded to "shoot" on John Zandig. The clip was then put on the internet and circulated amongst fans. It helped build a potential Kingston/Zandig feud, while also making his return a little more surprising for fans who had seen the clip. It'll be interesting to see what direction they take Kingston in.

As it stands right now Devon Moore Vs. Eddie Kingston is still scheduled fort next weekends Pro Wrestling Unplugged show. 

In other news there was an incident between Ruckus and Danny Demanto regarding Niles Young, however it's being blown out of proportion by other websites. Ruckus thought Demanto was going into business for himself, which he's done in the past, when he "fired" Niles in the ring. There was an argument and that was about it. My personal opinion is while Niles Young certainly isn't known for his professionalism, Demanto has been a part of several incidents in the last couple of months that would make me, if I were a promoter, not use him. Frankly, considering the track record of both men, I don't know that I'd use either. I also think it's a shame that people are paying more attention to this instead of what was, from all accounts, a really good show, with some fans going as far as to say that "the real CZW is back".

For results for the show, click here.

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