Carolina Championship Wrestling (CCW) is a small regional promotion that runs a constant loop of shows throughout the Carolinas.
In September of 1984, Ellis Watson became the Carolina Champion when he used his Crossface Chickenwing to separate the shoulder of fan favorite Buddy Olsen, forcing a shocking submission. Watson’s victory sparked a lengthy title reign that many in the Carolinas still call one of the most dominating runs ever seen by a professional wrestler in the area.
An over six year title reign was ended on Thanksgiving night 1990 when Watson fell to long-time rival and Olympic strongman Curtis Martin. Martin’s devastating bear hug broke several of Watson’s ribs, forcing the now-former champion out of action for much of 1991.
Martin’s title reign, however, was short-lived when he suffered a knee injury in a Battle Royal on Christmas Day. Many believed he would need to vacate the title but Martin gutted out a title defense on New Year’s Day that saw him fall victim to the spinning toehold of Texan Terry “Six Gun” Slater. Martin would undergo knee surgery the following day. He eventually would return from the injury but many felt he was never the same after it and he never again approached championship status.
“Carolina Crusher” Jeff Jagger debuted in CCW on his 18th birthday in 2009, becoming an instant fan favorite and winning the Carolina Championship in six months’ time. Shortly after, his father, a referee for CCW called an old friend, AWA announcer Gordon Myers, and got Jeff a tryout with the AWA’s training school – the Combat Corner.
CCW TITLE HISTORIES
Carolina Championship
Buddy Olson listed as champion prior to September 1984
Ellis Watson defeated Olson – September 1984
Curtis Martin bested Watson – Thanksgiving 1990
Terry Slater defeated Martin by submission – New Year’s Day 1991
[GAP IN HISTORY]
Jeff Jagger listed as champion sometime in 2009-10