MCW Pro Wrestling (formerly known as Maryland Championship Wrestling) is a regional independent wrestling promotion based in Joppa, Maryland. It has regularly run events in the Mid-Atlantic region since the late 1990s.
History Maryland Championship Wrestling (MCW) was originally established by wrestlers Dan McDevitt and Mark Shrader as an extension of the wrestling school Bone Breakers Training Center. MCW held its first card at Baltimore's Patapsco Arena on July 19, 1998, featuring Jerry Lynn, Devon Storm, Little Guido, Balls Mahoney, manager Jim Cornette and The Headbangers. During that event, MCW held a six-man match to crown the first ever Light Heavyweight Champion. The winner of the match was Shane Shamrock and due to his shooting death by police the following month, MCW named him as the lifetime Light Heavyweight Champion and replaced it with the Cruiserweight Championship.
Throughout the next year, the promotion featured veteran wrestlers such as Ricky Steamboat, Ricky Morton, Bobby Eaton, Tito Santana, The Iron Sheik, Sherri Martel, The Road Warriors, King Kong Bundy and Jerry "The King" Lawler, the latter two winning the promotion's heavyweight championship. Longtime mainstays such as Joey Matthews, Jimmy Cicero, Judas Young and Mickie James also began gaining popularity in the promotion.
On March 27, 2002, Steve Wilkos of The Jerry Springer Show made a one night appearance teaming with Gillberg to defeat The Slackers (Chad Bowman and Dino Devine) in a tag team match in Glen Burnie, Maryland; the 1,267 in attendance setting a new record for its home arena Michael's Eighth Avenue ballroom.
After holding its final card, The Last Dance: Shane Shamrock Memorial Cup, on July 16, 2003, MCW announced its intentions to merge with its longtime rival the Mid-Eastern Wrestling Federation. McDevitt and Shrader had originally left Mid-Eastern due to a business dispute with half its roster subsequently leaving for the newly established MCW.Snyder, Ron. "Wrestling fans bid adieu to MCW". Maryland Gazette. 19 Jul 2003 Although operations officially ceased in 2003, McDevitt continued holding occasional cards exclusively at Fort Meade under the "Fort Meade Wrestling" banner during the next several years before returning booking regular MCW events again.
MCW made Baltimore headlines in October 2006, with the booking of WIYY morning show personalities Kirk McEwen and Mark Ondayko as part of an eight-man tag match. Participating would have been a breach of their contract with their radio station, however, in the ensuing controversy, the longtime DJs left WIYY for rival WHFS.
On April 22, 2016, it was announced that the promotion was changing its name from Maryland Championship Wrestling to MCW Pro Wrestling.
The company's YouTube Channel is MCW Pro Wrestling.
Rage TV The promotion also has a syndicated television show, Rage TV, which is also broadcast via the internet. Episodes of Rage TV have also been released on DVD.
In December 2000, local television producer Natasha Small filed a complaint to city officials in Bowie, Maryland in which she claimed she and her daughter had been subject to harassment stemming from a verbal confrontation with Rage TV host Jeff Jones during a television taping at the Bowie Community Television station on October 1, 2002. Although a written response by the city manager's office condemned both parties, no criminal or civil charges were filed against Jones or Maryland Championship Wrestling. Small's claims were supported by former studio director Milly Hall who had previously filed a complaint accusing Jones of using the studio to produce tapes for sale over the internet and what she described as "pornographic-like images" appearing on the show's official website. Maryland Championship Wrestling denied these charges however and, while city officials admitted the possibility of the promotion using the show to "assist a commercial venture", the city notified producers of new policy updates to guard against such assistance.
In April 2011, Rage TV taped shows at Duane "Gillberg" Gill's Professional Wrestling Academy in Severn, Maryland. The show was hosted by country music singer Mark Bray and Gill.
Shane Shamrock Memorial Cup The Shane Shamrock Memorial Cup is an annual tournament held since 1999. The format of the tournament sees twelve wrestlers competing in six one-on-one matches, with the six winners advancing to an elimination match finale. The tournament is named in honor of Shane Shamrock, the inaugural MCW Light Heavyweight Champion who was shot and killed during an altercation with police officers in 1998.
When MCW closed its doors in 2003, an arrangement was made with Ring of Honor (ROH) that when ROH made its debut in the Baltimore area, it would carry on the tradition of the Shane Shamrock Cup. At Ring of Honor: The Last Stand, it was announced ROH would continue the Shane Shamrock Cup on June 24, 2004. In March, however, Ring of Honor owner Rob Feinstein was forced to step down from his position after being caught in a Perverted-Justice conducted sting operation, allegedly trying to meet an underage boy for sex (no criminal charges were ever filed against Feinstein, as it was not a dual sting operation with law enforcement). Less than a week before the tournament, Feinstein sold his share of ROH to Cary Silkin, causing Maryland promoter Dick Caricofe to pull out of the show. ROH was forced to move the show to Philadelphia and renamed the show Survival of the Fittest.
When MCW reopened in February 2006, it was announced that they were bringing back the Shane Shamrock Cup.
Shamrock Cup (2006) MCW held its 6th Shane Shamrock Memorial Cup on July 6, 2006.
Competitor Eliminated bySteve AnthonyChris SabinJerry LynnPetey WilliamsPetey WilliamsChris SabinChris SabinDerek FrazierDerek FrazierRuckusRuckusWinner
Shamrock Cup (2007) MCW held its 7th Shane Shamrock Memorial Cup on July 8, 2007.
Competitor Eliminated byDeliriousJosh DanielsSonjay DuttChristopher DanielsHuman TornadoRuckusRuckus (p)Christopher DanielsChristopher DanielsJosh DanielsJosh DanielsWinner
Shamrock Cup (2008) MCW held its 8th annual Shane Shamrock Memorial Cup (branded as "Shamrock VIII") on July 18 and 19, 2008.
Day 1
Day 2
Competitor Eliminated byRhett TitusDerek FrazierDevon StormJoey MatthewsJosh Daniels (p)Derek FrazierClaudio CastagnoliJoey MatthewsJoey MatthewsDerek FrazierDerek FrazierWinner
Shamrock Cup (2009) MCW held its 9th annual Shane Shamrock Memorial Cup (branded as "MCW Shamrock Cup 9") on July 11, 2009.
Competitor Eliminated byAden ChambersRyan McBrideKenny DykstraAdam CarelleAdam CarelleQenaan CreedQenaan CreedKirby MackKirby MackRyan McBrideRyan McBrideWinner
Shamrock Cup X (2010) MCW held its 10th annual Shane Shamrock Memorial Cup (branded as "MCW Shamrock Cup X") on July 31, 2010.
Competitor Eliminated bySami CallihanRich SwannRich SwannTommaso CiampaTommaso CiampaChristian YorkTeddy StigmaRyan McBrideRyan McBride (p)Christian YorkChristian YorkWinner
Shamrock Cup XI (2011) MCW held its 11th annual Shane Shamrock Memorial Cup (branded as "MCW Shamrock Cup XI") on July 30, 2011.
Competitor Eliminated byVordell WalkerSami CallihanAlex ColonKirby MackKirby MackSami CallihanRicky ReyesJosh DanielsJosh DanielsSami CallihanSami CallihanWinner
Shamrock Cup XII (2012) MCW held its 12th annual Shane Shamrock Memorial Cup (branded as "MCW Shamrock Cup XII") on July 7, 2012.
Competitor Eliminated byDeliriousJosh DanielsRuckusJosh DanielsJosh DanielsRicky ReyesRicky ReyesAdam ColeSami Callihan (p)Adam ColeAdam ColeWinner
Shane Shamrock Cup (2013) The 13th MCW Shane Shamrock Cup was held on August 10, 2013.
Competitor Eliminated byMike MondoPapadonPapadonDerek FrazierDerek FrazierDrolixDrolixAdam ColeAdam Cole (p)Luke HawxLuke HawxWinner
Shane Shamrock Memorial Cup (2014) The 14th Shane Shamrock Memorial Cup was held on July 19, 2014, in Joppa, Maryland.
Competitor Eliminated byBo NekodaBu Ku DaoBolt BradyPapadonPapadonShane StricklandShane StricklandBu Ku DaoBu Ku DaoDrolixDrolixWinner
Shane Shamrock Memorial Cup XV (2015) The 15th annual Shane Shamrock Memorial Cup took place on July 18, 2015, at the MCW Arena in Joppa, Maryland.
Competitor Eliminated byEddie EdwardsShane StricklandBrandon ScottDrolixMatt CrossLio RushDrolix (p)Shane StricklandShane StricklandLio RushLio RushWinner
Shane Shamrock Memorial Cup XVI (2016) The 16th annual Shane Shamrock Memorial Cup took place on July 16, 2016, at the MCW Arena in Joppa, Maryland.
Competitor Eliminated byJoe KeysJason KincaidSonjay DuttTravis GordonJason KincaidLio RushTravis GordonTommaso CiampaTommaso CiampaLio RushLio Rush (p)Winner
Shane Shamrock Memorial Cup XVII (2017) The 17th annual Shane Shamrock Memorial Cup took place on July 14 and 15, 2017 at the MCW Arena in Joppa, Maryland.
Day 1
Day 2
Competitor Eliminated byShaheem AliJoey MatthewsBrandon ScottLio RushAnthony HenryJoey JanelaJoey JanelaLio RushLio Rush (p)Joey MatthewsJoey MatthewsWinner
Shane Shamrock Memorial Cup XVIII (2018) The 18th annual Shane Shamrock Memorial Cup took place on July 13 and 14, 2018 at the MCW Arena in Joppa, Maryland.
Day 1
Day 2
Competitor Eliminated byAnthony Henry2 Cold ScorpioJohn SkylerBrandon Scott2 Cold ScorpioJoe KeysDante CaballeroJoe KeysBrandon ScottJoe KeysJoe KeysWinner
Shane Shamrock Memorial Cup XIX (2019) The 19th annual Shane Shamrock Memorial Cup took place on July 13, 2019, at the MCW Arena in Joppa, Maryland.
Competitor Eliminated byAnthony GangoneWill FerraraJoe Keys (p)VSKVSKKekoaWill FerraraBrandon ScottKekoaBrandon ScottBrandon ScottWinner
Shane Shamrock Memorial Cup XX (2021) The 20th annual Shane Shamrock Memorial Cup took place on November 12, 2021, at the MCW Arena in Joppa, Maryland.
Competitor Eliminated byBrandon Scott (p)Shannon MooreKC NovarroPJ HawxShannon MoorePJ HawxPJ HawxNinja MackNinja MackAction AndrettiAction AndrettiWinner
Shane Shamrock Memorial Cup XXI (2022) The 21st annual Shane Shamrock Memorial Cup took place on July 23, 2022, at the RJ Meyer Arena in Joppa, Maryland.
Competitor Eliminated byJack EvansJoey JanelaJoey JanelaAction AndrettiAction Andretti (p)Brandon ScottBrandon ScottRich SwannRich SwannFlip GordonFlip GordonWinner
Shane Shamrock Memorial Cup XXII (2023) The 22nd annual Shane Shamrock Memorial Cup took place on July 22, 2023, at the RJ Meyer Arena in Joppa, Maryland.
† Lio Rush suffered an injury which forced him to withdraw. Therefore, in the Triple Threat match, whomever was NOT pinned would also advance to the finals.
Competitor Eliminated byJack CartwheelKekoaMarcus MathersFlip GordonKekoaFlip GordonFlip Gordon (p)Mike BaileyMike Bailey’Miami’ Mike Walker’Miami’ Mike WalkerWinner
Shane Shamrock Memorial Cup XXIII (2024) The 23rd annual Shane Shamrock Memorial Cup took place on July 13, 2024, at the RJ Meyer Arena in Joppa, Maryland.
Competitor Eliminated byChris SladeMyles HawkinsMyles HawkinsAlex DivineAlex DivineLSG’Miami’ Mike Walker (p)LSGLSGIchiban IchibanWinner
Shane Shamrock Memorial Cup XXIV (2025) The 24th annual Shane Shamrock Memorial Cup will take place on July 19, 2025, at the RJ Meyer Arena in Joppa, Maryland.
Competitor Eliminated byJadis QuinnIchibanJake St. PatrickSidney AkeemIchiban (p)Sidney AkeemSidney AkeemAlex DivineAlex DivineChris SladeChris SladeWinner
Shane Shamrock Memorial Cup XXV (2026) The 25th annual Shane Shamrock Memorial Cup will take place on July 18, 2026, at the RJ Meyer Arena in Joppa, Maryland.
Competitor Eliminated byDaron RichardsonRaheem RoyalRaheem RoyalDanny GrandviewDanny GrandviewTyler BreezeTyler BreezeChris SladeChris Slade (p)Alex DivineAlex DivineWinner
Bruiser Strong Rumble