Combat Zone Wrestling Celebrates 26th Anniversary in Atlantic City

ATLANTIC CITY - For more than two decades, Combat Zone Wrestling (CZW) has remained a staple of the independent wrestling scene, renowned for its brutal, high-impact style that once defined the hardcore wrestling genre.

Celebrating his 26th Anniversary at ACX1 Studios, CZW owner D.J. Hyde, said that he is looking forward to revamping his long-term expansion plan.

"I'm in the process of rebuilding our entire system," said Hyde. "The venue has limitless potential. Now it's trying to find sponsors, build relationships and establish partnerships."

Founded in 1999 by John Zandig, CZW carved out a niche with its brand of "ultraviolence," thrilling fans with extreme matches featuring ladders, barbed wire, light tubes, and even weed whackers. However, as the wrestling landscape evolved, so did CZW, transforming from a blood-soaked spectacle into a promotion that embraces a wider range of wrestling styles.

Origins of the Combat Zone

CZW's roots trace back to its Pro Wrestling Academy, established in 1998 in New Jersey. Led by Zandig, the academy produced notable names like Nick Gage, Justice Pain, and Ric Blade, who helped define the promotion’s early hardcore reputation.

"The talent we have produced, made stars or trained is exceptional," Hyde said..

By the early 2000s, CZW was filling the void left by the collapse of Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW), hosting violent, weapon-heavy matches that drew hardcore wrestling loyalists.

A partnership with Japan's Big Japan Pro Wrestling (BJW) further solidified CZW’s place in deathmatch wrestling history. Talent exchanges between the promotions led to brutal cross-promotional battles, including a controversial 2001 match in which Wifebeater and Ryuji Yamakawa's botched move resulted in a career-altering injury for Yamakawa.

Expansion and Controversy

CZW’s rise coincided with the "Indy Wars" of the early 2000s, as promotions vied for control of the former ECW Arena (now the 2300 Arena) in Philadelphia. In 2001, CZW debuted in the venue with Cage of Death 3, drawing the first sold-out crowd since ECW’s heyday. However, competition with promotions like XPW and 3PW led to a tumultuous period.

The promotion continued to push boundaries with events such as Tournament of Death, a notorious annual showcase of ultraviolent wrestling, and Best of the Best, which highlighted technical and high-flying talent. However, New Jersey’s ban on ultraviolent weapons in wrestling forced CZW to move its most extreme matches to Delaware.

A Shift in Direction

In 2009, Zandig sold CZW to wrestler D.J. Hyde, ushering in a new era. While hardcore wrestling remained a staple, Hyde gradually diversified CZW’s programming, bringing in international talent and emphasizing a mix of styles.

"I've been with the company for more than two decades," Hyde explained. "I've been in the wrestling industry long than the company has been around."

Throughout the 2010s, CZW partnered with German promotion Westside Xtreme Wrestling (wXw) and maintained ties with BJW, keeping its ultraviolent legacy alive.

The promotion even caught mainstream attention in 2016 when Vice Media documented Tournament of Death in the Bloodlust documentary, exposing a wider audience to the extreme nature of CZW’s legacy.

Challenges and Resurgence

Like many wrestling promotions, CZW faced major setbacks due to the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to a long hiatus.

Before COVID-19, CZW had 40 people working behind the scenes, Hyde said. After COVID, the staff shrank to as few as five, but has now grown to seven, still forcing Hyde to master the art of extreme multi-tasking.

"I wear more hats than I ever have," Hyde said. "Talent, director, the list goes on and on."

In 2021, the promotion made its return, though with a noticeable change: apart from Tournament of Death, CZW moved away from its signature hardcore matches, shifting towards a more traditional independent wrestling product.

Today, CZW hosts events in Blackwood, and Havre de Grace, MD, and more recently, here at ACX1 Studios, continuing its legacy as a proving ground for rising talent. While the ultraviolent days may be fading, CZW's history remains deeply ingrained in the world of independent wrestling, a reminder of an era when blood and barbed wire ruled the ring.

"Time is the most valuable asset that we have," Hyde said. "It's a testament to the work that we've done and to the people who have been involved behind the camera, and in front of it."

Please enjoy our photo gallery from CZW's 26th Anniversary on February 22, 2025.

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