Crockett Cup (2025)

Crockett Cup
Promotional poster featuring various NWA wrestlers
PromotionNational Wrestling Alliance
DateMay 17, 2025
CityPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania
Venue2300 Arena
Supercard chronology
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Hard Times V
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The 2025 iteration of the Crockett Cup was a professional wrestling tag team tournament produced by the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA). The event took place on May 17, 2025, at the 2300 Arena in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Production

Background

The Crockett Cup is a tag team tournament first held in April 1986.[1] National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) member Jim Crockett Promotions (JCP), headed by Jim Crockett Jr., hosted the Crockett Cup, held in honor of Crockett's father, JCP founder Jim Crockett Sr. and saw participation of teams from various NWA territories. JCP held the tournament again in 1987[2] and 1988,[3] before JCP was sold to Ted Turner later that year.[4] In July 2017, the Crockett Foundation, with Classic Pro Wrestling, held the "Crockett Foundation Cup Tag Team Tournament" in New Kent, Virginia, which was not affiliated with the NWA. Bobby Fulton, The Barbarian, and The Rock 'n' Roll Express, all former Crockett Cup participants, took part in the event as a link to the original tournaments.[5]

The original concept of the Crockett Cup was a single elimination tag team tournament, with the storyline prize of $1,000,000.00 given to the winning team along with a large trophy.[6] The 1986 and 1987 tournaments featured 24 teams,[1][2] while the 1988 version had 22 teams competing.[3] Each tournament was split over two shows to encompass all 23 tournament matches as well as non-tournament matches; in 1986, JCP held a show in the afternoon and another in the evening,[1] while the 1987 and 1988, the tournament was spread out over two days instead.[2][3]

On March 4, 2025, it was announced that the Crockett Cup would return and would be held in on May 18, at the 2300 Arena in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.[7][8]

Storylines

The event will feature a number professional wrestling matches with different wrestlers involved in pre-existing scripted feuds, plots, and storylines. Wrestlers are portrayed as either heels (those that portray the "bad guys"), faces (the "good guy" characters), or tweeners (characters that are neither clearly a heel or a face) as they follow a series of tension-building events, which culminate in a wrestling match or series of matches as determined by the promotion. Storylines were played out on the twenty-third season of the NWA's weekly series, Powerrr.[9]

Upon the announcement of the annual event, it was confirmed that WWE's Natalya would compete at the Crockett Cup.[7][8] The NWA would later announce that Natalya would be facing Kenzie Paige for the NWA World Women's Championship.[10] Originally, the NWA announced that wrestling legend Gail Kim, who was previously announced for an autograph signing at the event, would also serve as the special guest referee for this match, but had to pull out of the event due to illness.[11]

At Hard Times V, Thom Latimer successfully defended the NWA Worlds Heavyweight Championship against Carson Bartholomew Drake. As he was celebrating, however, the lights went out; when they came back on, former NWA Worlds Heavyweight Champion Rhino appeared in the ring. Rhino attacked Drake and allies The Slimeballz (Sage Chantz and Tommy Rant) before confronting Latimer.[12] The NWA would later announce that Rhino would challenge Latimer for the world title at the Crockett Cup, which was taking place at the 2300 Arena, the main venue of Rhino's former home promotion Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW).[13][14] However, on May 15, the NWA announced that Philadelphia native Colby Corino, who won the Dane Memorial Heavyweight Tournament at Hard Times V to earn a world title shot, would invoke his opportunity at the Crockett Cup, officially making the world title bout a three-way match.[15]

Results

No.ResultsStipulations
1The Slimeballz (Sage Chantz and Tommy Rant) wonDavid Crockett Invitational Tag Team Battle Royal to determine the #12 seed in the Crockett Cup
2The Slimeballz (Sage Chantz and Tommy Rant) defeated Blunt Force Trauma (Carnage and Damage) (with Aron Stevens) by pinfallCrockett Cup first round match
3EC3 and Pretty Boy Smooth (with Pastor C-Lo) defeated The Lost (Alex Misery, Lev, and/or Gaagz the Gymp) (with Father James Mitchell) by pinfallCrockett Cup first round match
4Bryan Idol defeated Carson Bartholomew Drake (c) by pinfallSingles match for the NWA World Television Championship[16]
5Daisy Kill and Talos defeated The Nightmare Syndicate (Zyon and Frank) (with Austin Idol) by pinfallCrockett Cup first round match
6Mike Mondo and Slade (with Rolando) defeated The Country Gentlemen (AJ Cazana and KC Cazana) (with Joe Cazana) by pinfallCrockett Cup first round match
7Natalia Markova defeated Kylie Paige by pinfallNo Limits match[17]
8TVMA (Tiffany Nieves and Valentina Rossi) (c) (with Miss Starr) defeated The Island Twins (Ta'ahine Tonga and Tala-vou Tonga) by pinfallTag team match for the NWA World Women's Tag Team Championship[18]
9The Immortals (Kratos and Odinson) defeated The Slimeballz (Sage Chantz and Tommy Rant) by pinfallCrockett Cup quarterfinal match
10EC3 and Pretty Boy Smooth (with Pastor C-Lo) defeated The Southern Six (Kerry Morton and Alex Taylor) by pinfallCrockett Cup quarterfinal match
11Wrecking Ball Legursky defeated Jay Bradley by pinfallChain match[19]
12The Colóns (Eddie Colón and Orlando Colón) defeated Daisy Kill and Talos by pinfallCrockett Cup quarterfinal match
13Knox and Murdoch defeated Mike Mondo and Slade (with Rolando) by pinfallCrockett Cup quarterfinal match
14Mims (c) (with BLK Jeez) defeated Max the Impaler by pinfallSingles match for the NWA National Heavyweight Championship[20]
15"Thrillbilly" Silas Mason defeated Alex Hammerstone by pinfallSingles match[21]
16The Colóns (Eddie Colón and Orlando Colón) defeated EC3 and Pretty Boy Smooth (with Pastor C-Lo) by pinfallCrockett Cup semifinal match
17The Immortals (Kratos and Odinson) defeated Knox and Murdoch by pinfallCrockett Cup semifinal match
18Kenzie Paige (c) defeated Nattie Neidhart by pinfallSingles match for the NWA World Women's Championship[7][10]
19Thom Latimer (c) defeated Rhino and Colby Corino by pinfallThree-way match for the NWA Worlds Heavyweight Championship[15]
20The Immortals (Kratos and Odinson) defeated The Colóns (Eddie Colón and Orlando Colón) by pinfallCrockett Cup final
(c) – the champion(s) heading into the match

Crockett Cup tournament brackets

First round Quarter-finals Semi-finals Final
1 Knox and Murdoch
8 The Country Gentlemen
(AJ Cazana and KC Cazana)
9 Mike Mondo and Slade
9 Mike Mondo and Slade 1 Knox and Murdoch
4 The Immortals
(Kratos and Odinson)
4 The Immortals
(Kratos and Odinson)
5 Blunt Force Trauma
(Carnage and Damage)
12 The Slimeballz
(Sage Chantz and Tommy Rant)
12 The Slimeballz
(Sage Chantz and Tommy Rant)
4 The Immortals
(Kratos and Odinson)
2 The Colóns
(Eddie Colón and Orlando Colón)
2 The Colóns
(Eddie Colón and Orlando Colón)
7 Daisy Kill and Talos 7 Daisy Kill and Talos
10 The Nightmare Syndicate
(Zyon and Frank)
2 The Colóns
(Eddie Colón and Orlando Colón)
6 EC3 and Pretty Boy Smooth
3 The Southern Six
(Kerry Morton and Alex Taylor)
6 EC3 and Pretty Boy Smooth 9 EC3 and Pretty Boy Smooth
11 The Lost
(Alex Misery, Lev, and/or Gaagz the Gymp)

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c "1st Annual Crockett Cup". Pro Wrestling History. April 19, 1986. Retrieved March 5, 2025.
  2. ^ a b c "2nd Annual Crockett Cup". Pro Wrestling History. Retrieved March 5, 2025.
  3. ^ a b c "3rd Annual Crockett Cup". Pro Wrestling History. Retrieved March 5, 2025.
  4. ^ R.D. Reynolds; Bryan Alvarez (October 1, 2014). Death of WCW, The: 10th Anniversary Edition of the Bestselling Classic - Revised and Expanded. ECW Press. p. 34. ISBN 978-1-77090-642-6.
  5. ^ "Crockett Foundation Cup Tag Team Tournament is One Week Away". The Mid-Atlantic Gateway. July 7, 2017. Archived from the original on November 4, 2024. Retrieved March 5, 2025.
  6. ^ Cawthon, Graham (2013). the History of Professional Wrestling Vol 3:Jim Crockett and the NWA World Title 1983-1989. CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform. ISBN 978-1494803476.
  7. ^ a b c "NWA Brings 2025 Crockett Cup to Philly's 2300 Arena May 17, WWE Superstar Natalya Competes". National Wrestling Alliance. March 4, 2024. Archived from the original on March 5, 2025. Retrieved March 5, 2025.
  8. ^ a b Carey, Ian (March 4, 2025). "WWE's Natalya announced for NWA Crockett Cup". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Archived from the original on March 30, 2025. Retrieved March 5, 2025.
  9. ^ Grabianowski, Ed (January 13, 2006). "How Pro Wrestling Works". HowStuffWorks. Discovery Communications. Archived from the original on November 29, 2013. Retrieved March 26, 2025.
  10. ^ a b "Instagram Announcement". nationalwrestlingalliance.com. April 25, 2025. Retrieved April 25, 2025.
  11. ^ Russell, Skylar (May 13, 2025). "Gail Kim To Serve As Special Guest Referee For Kenzie Paige vs. Natalya At NWA Crockett Cup". Fightful. Retrieved May 13, 2025.
  12. ^ Brennan, Corey (March 23, 2025). "NWA Hard Times 2025 Taping Spoilers From Dothan, Alabama (3/22)". Fightful. Archived from the original on March 23, 2025. Retrieved March 26, 2025.
  13. ^ Lambert, Jeremy (March 23, 2025). "Rhino To Challenge For NWA Worlds Heavyweight Title At NWA Crockett Cup". Fightful. Archived from the original on March 23, 2025. Retrieved March 26, 2025.
  14. ^ "Thom Latimer Defends NWA World's Title Against Rhino at The Crockett Cup". National Wrestling Alliance. March 27, 2024. Archived from the original on March 30, 2025. Retrieved March 29, 2025.
  15. ^ a b "Instagram Announcement". nationalwrestlingalliance.com. May 15, 2025. Retrieved May 16, 2025.
  16. ^ "Instagram Announcement". nationalwrestlingalliance.com. May 6, 2025. Retrieved May 7, 2025.
  17. ^ "Instagram Announcement". nationalwrestlingalliance.com. May 3, 2025. Retrieved May 3, 2025.
  18. ^ "Instagram Announcement". nationalwrestlingalliance.com. May 15, 2025. Retrieved May 16, 2025.
  19. ^ "Instagram Announcement". nationalwrestlingalliance.com. May 1, 2025. Retrieved May 3, 2025.
  20. ^ "Instagram Announcement". nationalwrestlingalliance.com. May 9, 2025. Retrieved May 11, 2025.
  21. ^ "Instagram Announcement". nationalwrestlingalliance.com. May 2, 2025. Retrieved May 3, 2025.