It's April of 2006 and after participating in and coming out on the losing end of a 6-way Money in the Bank ladder match at Wrestlemania 22, Chris Benoit has had enough of the rigorous WWE schedule. He asks for his release, which is granted on good terms, and leaves the company, although he still has ties.

Benoit decides to start up his own wrestling promotion, Crippler Crossface Wrestling, or CCW, in his hometown of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. A school is also opened up alongside the promotion, with talent from this school eventually being filtered onto the CCW shows themselves. Head trainers at the school are Benoit himself, Dean Malenko (fresh off his road agent job), Steve Regal (fresh off his WWE release), and later Dave 'Fit' Finlay. Taking a page right out of the New Japan Dojo book, all trainees are required to wear plain black trunks and boots until they "graduate" to CCW.

In addition to ties with WWE (various minor talent exchanges), the promotion also has a working relationship with New Japan Pro Wrestling in Japan. Various NJPW wrestlers will make special guest appearances as trainers at the school, as well as appearing in special attraction matches at the CCW shows.

A local TV deal is signed, with pre-taped shows airing weekly in most of Canada. A tape/DVD deal is also signed, sold through Benoit's and CCW's websites, with profits funding the school. Shows are taped once a month and divided into four TV blocks for that month.

Benoit also goes out of his way to bring in top free agents from various independent promotions in the U.S. and Canada to help round out the roster.

At the end of April the school is opened, and CCW is soon to follow...

TALENT SIGNED FOR CCW DEBUT TAPINGS:

Harry Smith, son of the legendary "British Bulldog" Davey Boy Smith
WWE's own Jamie Noble
ROH Champion Bryan Danielson
NJPW's Black Tiger IV
TJ Wilson

Plus More! Be on the look out for updates including scheduled matches in the next few days.

***FINAL UPDATE; MATCHES SIGNED***

The CCW debut tapings are tomorrow night in Edmonton. Doors open at 5:30 with a belltime of 6:00 pm. Tickets are only $10 and will be sold at the door, so come out and show your support. The following matches will take place (card subject to change):

Harry Smith vs. Chris Benoit

Steve Regal vs. Bryan Danielson

WWE's Jamie Noble vs. NJPW's Black Tiger IV

ALSO SCHEDULED TO APPEAR: Dean Malenko, "The Stampede Kid" TJ Wilson, Tommy Williams, Chad Collyer, Brad Bradley and more.

PLUS MUCH, MUCH MORE. This is a TV taping, so the show will last 4+ hours. Shows will air every Friday night from 8-9 pm. Check local listings.

As seen on the CCW Message Board: NO WAY! DANIELSON LOST! BULLS**T! MAN! I CAN'T BELIEVE THIS! IM GOINDING BACK TO THE ROH BOARDZ!



No, seriously. Cool premise. I'll keep checking this out.

CCW TV Debut Report

CCW TV Results - 5/12/06
Taped From: Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Commentator: Rod Hellington (?)

-No video package or anything to start, lighting doesn't look to be the greatest, although the ring looks brand new. Looks to be 100 or more people in the crowd. Reminds me a lot of the old Wildside TV episodes.

-The commentator, who I've never heard nor seen before, welcomes us to the debut show. He seems decent enough, so far.

Eric Matlock vs. Dave "Fit" Finlay
Hellington explains that Finlay is one of the four head trainers at the CCW school. Matlock is currently training at the school. Teacher versus student.

They lock up and Matlock delivers a quick armdrag. Finlay quickly gets up and slaps the taste out of Matlock's mouth. Finlay with some forearms, and a boot to the head of a kneeling Matlock. Finlay chokes Matlock on the ropes and delivers some stiff crossfaces, before being backed off by the referee. Finlay talking trash to the referee, and now Matlock. Finlay delivers a body slam, and pulls Matlock up by the hair. Matlock hits a dropkick, and follows with another one, sending Finlay into the turnbuckles. Finlay dodges a charge and delivers a snapmare, followed by a sick knee to the face. Cover gets two. Finlay with some European uppercuts, and a back suplex. Finlay hits a jumping butt splash and covers again for two. Finlay talking more trash as we take a break.

--COMMERCIAL BREAK--

We return with Matlock reversing an irish whip and hitting a shoulder block. Running legdrop misses however, and Finlay delivers a brutal boot to Matlock's head for two. More European uppercuts follow, and Finlay exposes the BOTTOM turnbuckle. Odd. Finlay pulls Matlock up by his hair again and tosses him into the corner. With Matlock facefirst against the exposed bottom turnbuckle, Finlay stands on the back of his head. Finlay signaling for the end. He picks Matlock up for a tombstone, but Matlock slips out the back and runs off the ropes, nailing a tornado DDT! Cover gets two. Matlock heading up top now, and he tries a flying crossbody, but Finlay simply moves out of the way as Matlock crashes to the mat. Finlay jawing with some fans. Finlay tries a short-arm clothesline only for Matlock to duck and get a waistlock. Finlay kicks Matlock low out of the ref's vision and gets a waistlock into a rollup for the three count.

Winner: Dave Finlay

-Hellington did a decent job calling the match, although he went a little too far calling the low blow "despicable."

--COMMERCIAL--

-We return as Hellington notes that Dean Malenko has joined him on commentary. Hellington says it's time for the main event, twenty minutes into the show. Benoit and Regal. This should rock.

Steve Regal vs. Chris Benoit
Hellington calls this a grudge match between two of the best in the world, with nothing but respect on the line. Malenko agrees, adding "set your VCRs, this will be a good one."

Knucklelock starts us off, and Regal gets a back heel trip, into a cover for two, pinning Benoit down in the knucklelock. Benoit bridges up, and Regal applies a hammerlock. Benoit looks for an escape, before eventually reaching through his legs and pulling Regal down. Regal quickly kicks Benoit away before Benoit can try anything, and they have a standoff. They lock up again, this time with a collar and elbow. Benoit gets an armwringer, and Regal rolls through into his own. Regal now stepping on the back of Benoit's knee, forcing Benoit onto the mat on both knees. Regal then segues into a Mexican surfboard, stretching Benoit big time! The crowd gives a polite applause. Benoit won't tap, so Regal rolls Benoit into a pinning predictament, with a kickout at two. Both back off, Benoit selling his back a little.

--COMMERCIAL--

We return as Regal gets a drop toe hold, and rolls over Benoit's back into a grounded side headlock. Benoit rolls Regal over into a pin, but Regal kicks out at one and rolls back into the headlock. Benoit somehow powers to his feet, and kicks Regal's knee out from under him, effectively breaking the headlock, and sending Regal to the mat. Benoit applies his own grounded side headlock, but Regal's in the ropes and a break is forced. Both men get to their feet to a slight applause. They try another knucklelock, and exhange some brutal headbutts. If you've read Regal's book, you know all about this sequence. Benoit and Regal have a thing where they see who can bust the other open with a headbutt in all of their matches. The last Benoit one is especially sick, as it hits Regal in the jaw, effectively breaking the knucklelock. Benoit with a stiff chop that echoes throughtout the building. Regal fires back with a European uppercut, and it looks like Regal is bleeding from the nose. Benoit wins that little contest. They trade chops and uppercuts briefly, before Regal gets knocked down by a chop, and rolls out of the ring. Benoit patiently waits for Regal to get back in the ring as we go to another break.

--COMMERCIAL BREAK--

We return as Regal has Benoit in a keylock, really wrenching back. Regal somehow transfers the keylock to his feet and he now has Benoit in a unique submission, sort of like a hammerlock on a grounded Benoit with Regal using his feet to wrench the arm back. Regal uses his free hands to then cross Benoit's legs up and pull back on them as well in a sick submission move I've never seen before! Benoit screams in pain as Regal wrenches back on the legs even harder. Realizing Benoit won't quit, Regal segues the move into the Regal Stretch! But no, Benoit's fighting it off, into a fujiwara armbar! He's looking for the Crossface! Regal somersaults out of the armbar, but Benoit quickly drop toe holds Regal and tries the Crossface again! This time Regal's in the ropes though, and Benoit is forced to break the hold. We have to take our final break!

--COMMERCIAL BREAK--

Both men up now, and Benoit gets some knees to the gut, followed by some more headbutts. Regal fires back with some forearms and a big time European uppercut, knocking Benoit down. Regal picking Benoit up and delivering some brutal MMA-style knees to the face, followed by a jumping double knees to the face! Cover gets two. Regal targeting Benoit's lower back with some knee drops now. Benoit into the corner, and Regal delivers some shoulderblocks to the gut. Benoit placed on the top rope, and Regal follows with a double underhook superplex! Benoit barely gets the shoulder up. Regal tries the Regal Stretch again, but Benoit again fights it off. Benoit up to his feet and they exchange forearms and chops, with Benoit getting the better of it. Benoit with a northern lights suplex bridge for two! On the kickout, Regal turns it into a front facelock. Benoit looks to be going for another northern lights, but before he can, Regal drops down to both knees, before delivering a brutal European uppercut! Regal locks on the Regal Stretch! Benoit fighting with all his might! Brutal back elbows by Benoit trying to break the submission! Regal's grip is loosening, and Benoit rolls into a cover for a VERY convincing nearfall. Both men up and Regal gets a judo throw of sorts, but Benoit brings him down with him, into a cross armbreaker! Again, however, Regal is in the ropes. Both men up now, Benoit off the ropes with a high-speed school boy for two! Benoit tries a sunset flip, but Regal drops down for two! Regal tries a backslide for two more! On the kickout, Benoit quickly into the Crossface! Regal nearing the ropes, but Benoit pushes the rope further away with his foot! And now the bell rings, signaling a 30 minute draw.

Winner: Time-limit draw

-Both shake hands afterwards, as Malenko calls the match a clinic.

-Hellington hypes next week's show and we're out.

Finlay needed a low blow to beat a student? Only two matches? Hmmm. Interesting. Keep it up.

Finlay didn't NEED the low blow to beat the student, he was just playing the dickhead heel of sorts.

And only having two matches comes from only having a one hour timeslot, WITH commercials. Plus one of the matches went 30 minutes.

Thanks for reading.

I would check this fed out in reality but there isn't enough strong wrestlers character-wise. This would be be great for all of the extra things (stiffness, execution, moveset, technique etc), but you'd need some people to carry it emotionally. But reading this is fun, keep it up.

Yeah, hopefully I'll be able to develop the characters a little more throughout the next few tapings, especially the younger guys. Thanks for reading.

This promotion needs the Boogeyman.

CCW TV Report

CCW TV Results - 5/19/06
Taped From: Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Commentator: Rod Hellington

-Once again no video package or anything, just an indy-level graphic telling us what match is next.

-We get right to the action, as Chad Collyer takes on Dean Malenko.

Chad Collyer vs. Dean Malenko
Hellington mentions that Malenko trained Collyer at his school, and also that Collyer has competed before under the name Chad Malenko as an homage to his trainer.

Collar and elbow tie-up to start, and Malenko gets a hammerlock. Hellington mentions that Malenko has not competed regularly in quite some time, but is still in excellent shape. Malenko wrenching in the hammerlock, but Collyer rolls forward to successfully break the hold. Collyer sweeps the legs and covers for a quick 1, before applying a headlock. Malenko works his way to a vertical base, still in the headlock, before shooting Collyer off into the ropes. Collyer rebounds with a shoulderblock, knocking his mentor to the mat. Off the ropes again, and Malenko rolls to his stomach, as Collyer leaps over him. Collyer off the other side as Malenko leapfrogs him and on the rebound Malenko hits a beautiful leg lariat. Cover gets 1. Malenko drops the elbow on the knee of Collyer and it looks like he's going to work. Malenko transitions into a legbar as Collyer tries to reach the ropes. Slowly but surely Collyer gets to the ropes, and Malenko waits until 4 to break. Malenko backs off as we take a our first break.

--COMMERCIAL BREAK--

We return as Malenko is dropping some vicious elbows on the inside of the leg of Collyer. A figure four now being applied by Malenko, right in the middle of the ring. Collyer now screaming in pain. Collyer reaching out towards the ropes which are nowhere close. Crowd getting behind Collyer with claps, as he attempts to turn the figure four over. He almost gets it reversed, but Malenko seems to just be toying with him as he quickly gets back into position and applies even more pressure in the figure four. Crowd clapping even louder now, and with one last burst of energy Collyer is able to turn the move on Malenko! Malenko quickly untangles his legs, releasing the pressure, as Collyer hobbles to his feet. Collyer connects with a dropkick, but is selling his leg big time. Collyer hobbling off the ropes, but Malenko with a knee-cap dropkick, sending Collyer to the mat, screaming in pain and clutching his knee. Malenko tries to apply the figure four again, but this time Collyer kicks it off. Collyer up to his feet and he connects with another dropkick. Collyer with a northern lights suplex into a bridge! But he can't hold the bridge as his knee gives out on him at 1! Collyer now firing away with forearms, all the while selling the leg. Big clothesline by Collyer and he looks to be going for a superplex. Nope, Malenko fights it off. Malenko off the second rope, right into a dropkick from Collyer! Cover gets 2. Collyer heading up top, and he comes off with a beautiful missile dropkick, but Malenko moves out of the way! Malenko with the Texas Cloverleaf right in the middle of the ring, and Collyer's forced to tap out.

Winner: Dean Malenko

-Malenko helps Collyer up after the match, and raises his arm to a nice ovation.

--COMMERCIAL BREAK--

-We return as Bryan Danielson is cutting a promo backstage. It goes nowhere pretty fast until Steve Regal interrupts to mention that they have a match next week, and that Danielson better bring his "A Game". Danielson says he always does and that next week the best man will win. Regal agrees.

-Main event time. NJPW's Black Tiger IV (who's Rocky Romero under a mask for those who don't know) takes on the WWE's Jamie Noble.

Black Tiger IV vs. Jamie Noble
We actually get entrances for this one, must have some extra time to fill. Tiger is out first to a decent reaction. Noble follows, and he's decked out in the Wild Pegasus tights. Awesome. In another neat touch, he's announced as "Redneck Pegasus" Jamie Noble. Hellington fills us in on the history of Black Tiger vs. Wild Pegasus, with the late Eddie Guerrero playing the role of Tiger and Benoit as Pegasus in Japan in the mid-90's.

--COMMERCIAL BREAK--

We return just as the bell rings, and we're underway. Feeling out process to start, with Noble eventually getting a single leg, but Tiger kicks it off. They run through a brief MMA section with each struggling for position. Noble eventually gets a mount, but Tiger once again kicks him away while on his back on the mat. Noble backs off as Tiger gets to his feet and we get a standing ovation. Test of strength now, with Noble gaining a brief advantage before Tiger dropkicks his legs, sending Noble flying over Tiger and to the mat. Both men now flat on their backs, still in the knucklelock. They somehow both get to their feet with the knucklelock still applied, and Noble delivers a northern lights suplex with the knucklelock still on. It barely gets a 1 count as Tiger rolls out of the cover and gets a monkey flip on Noble. Both men on their backs again, STILL in the knucklelock! Tiger finally breaks the knucklelock and goes for a cross armbreaker, but Noble clinches his hands together to fight it off. Noble with a roll up for 1. Both men to their feet and Tiger grabs a side headlock, but Noble quickly pushes him off into the ropes and takes Tiger down with a Benoit-esque knockdown. Tiger rolls out of the ring, frustrated. Tiger now mocking some fans, but he turns around right into a tope suicida from Noble! Crowd with a loud "Noble!" chant as both men are down and we have to take a commercial break.

--COMMERCIAL BREAK--

As we come back Black Tiger is laying in some stiff kicks on Noble. Romero still mocking the fans, and now with the Eddie Guerrero spinning bootscrape on Noble. Tiger with the Eddie slingshot senton for a 2 count on Noble. Tiger goes for the cross armbreaker again, and this time he gets it locked in! Noble struggling to break free, but he can't find an escape. Eventually he just picks Tiger up with the cross armbreaker applied and powerbombs him down to the mat, successfully breaking the hold! Noble selling the arm, and he hits a snap suplex for a 2 count. Noble with a whip into the ropes and he throws Tiger up into the air, but Tiger comes down with a beautiful hurricanrana, rolled right into a cross armbreaker! Noble screaming in pain, but slowly inching his way to the ropes. Noble eventually gets to the ropes as Tiger reluctantly lets go of the hold. Tiger still working the arm, now with a keylock. Noble forearms his way out of the hold, but Tiger responds with some more stiff kicks. Tiger now off the ropes, right into a knee to the gut from Noble. Cover gets 2. Noble trying for a german suplex, but Tiger grabs the ropes and holds on for dear life. Noble with some forearms to the back, followed by a back suplex for 2. Noble sets Tiger up top, possibly looking for a superplex. They trade some shots on the top rope, and Tiger gets a top rope sunset flip powerbomb for a close 2 count! Noble rolls out of the ring, selling his back and arm, as we take our last break.

--COMMERCIAL--

We return as Tiger hits a back suplex, planting Noble on his head! Tiger up top now, but he misses a frogsplash! Noble slowly getting to his feet, still selling the arm, and Tiger follows. Noble with another Benoit-style knockdown, followed by a german suplex bridge! Tiger kicks out at 2, and both men are down. Both men up, and Noble bounces off the ropes, right into a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker from Black Tiger! Cover gets 2. Tiger AGAIN going for the cross armbreaker, but Noble turns it into a roll up for a nearfall. Tiger sets Noble on the top rope, facing away from the ring, now. He looks to be going for a Super Black Tiger Bomb! As Tiger goes for the crucifix powerbomb off the top, Noble somehow backflips over Tiger and lands on his feet on the mat! Tiger quickly kicks Noble in the gut, however, and delivers a nice tornado DDT out of the corner! Cover, but Noble kicks out at 2! Tiger with a brainbuster! Again Noble kicks out at 2! Tiger looks frustrated again, holding up three fingers to the referee, to no avail. Tiger heading up top again, possibly for another frogsplash, but Noble cuts him off. After a brief struggle on the top rope, Noble eventually delivers a second rope tombstone piledriver! The crowd is going crazy, and the pin is academic.

Winner: Jamie Noble

-Both men slowly get to their feet afterwards, Noble still selling the arm, and Tiger looking half conscious. They shake hands as the crowd erupts in a loud "Please Come Back!" chant.

-Hype for next week, and we're out.

This diary is really, really great. I am a big fan. I love the development, and can't wait for Regal/Danielson. Should be great.

I'm totally liking this diary dude, excellent.

Word. I like how you're bringing in Talent, but not necessarily the talent you'd expect to have brought in in an Indy Diary.

What's kind of scary is I had thoughts to try to continue this the day before Benoit died. So I'm thinking I'll scrap the idea of writing future shows.

I am however, planning on starting another fantasy booking project, so be on the lookout for that, you 0/1/2 people who still read this folder.

Tempest and I look forward to it.