2 Cold Scorpio

2 Cold Scorpio
2 Cold Scorpio in 2013
Birth nameCharles Bernard Scaggs
Born (1965-10-25) October 25, 1965 (age 59)
Denver, Colorado, U.S.
Professional wrestling career
Ring name(s)2 Cold Scorpio/Too Cold Scorpio[1]
2 Gold Scorpio
Black Wazuma[1]
Flash Funk[1]
Flyin' Scorpio
Flying Wazuma[1]
Scorpio
2 Old Scorpio
Billed height5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)[2]
Billed weight243 lb (110 kg)[2]
Billed fromDenver, Colorado
Trained byNew Japan Pro-Wrestling
Debut1985[1]

Charles Bernard Scaggs (born October 25, 1965)[1] is an American professional wrestler, better known by the ring name 2 Cold Scorpio (sometimes spelled Too Cold Scorpio). He is best known for his appearances in World Championship Wrestling, Extreme Championship Wrestling, and World Wrestling Federation (as Flash Funk) throughout the 1990s, along with his appearances in Japan for New Japan Pro-Wrestling and Pro Wrestling Noah.[1]

Championships held by 2 Cold Scorpio over the course of his career include the ECW World Tag Team Championship, ECW World Television Championship, GHC Tag Team Championship and WCW World Tag Team Championship.

Professional wrestling career

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Early career (1985–1992)

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Scaggs made his professional wrestling debut in 1985, adopting the ring name 2 Cold Scorpio. He wrestled in various independent promotions in the United States until he decided to join New Japan Pro-Wrestling on the recommendation of Big Van Vader, where he trained in the NJPW Dojo. He also wrestled in Europe and Mexico.[3]

World Championship Wrestling (1992–1994)

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2 Cold Scorpio debuted in World Championship Wrestling (WCW) on November 18, 1992, as Ron Simmons' mystery partner at Clash of the Champions XXI. In June 1993, he challenged Barry Windham for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship but lost to Windham at Clash of the Champions XXIII. He had a brief reign as World Tag Team Champion with Marcus Alexander Bagwell in October 1993.[4] Although he was eliminated in April 1994, 2 Cold Scorpio competed on the WCW-promoted pay-per-view When Worlds Collide in November 1994 and the WCW/New Japan produced pay-per-view Collision in Korea in April 1995.[3]

Extreme Championship Wrestling (1994–1996)

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2 Cold Scorpio debuted in Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW) in 1994, where he had four reigns as World Television Champion and one reign as World Tag Team Champion with The Sandman.[4] He had feuds with wrestlers such as Taz, Shane Douglas, Sabu, and Mikey Whipwreck.[3] In August 1994, Scorpio had another chance at the NWA World Heavyweight Championship, progressing to the finals before losing to Shane Douglas. Following his departure from the WWF, 2 Cold Scorpio returned to ECW for one night at House Party in 1998 as a mystery opponent for Taz.[5] In 1996, he would return to Japan to wrestle for Tokyo Pro Wrestling, under the masked alter ego, Black Wazuma.[1][6]

World Wrestling Federation (1996–1999)

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See also: The J.O.B. Squad

2 Cold Scorpio made his WWF debut on November 17, 1996, at Survivor Series, under the name Flash Funk. His gimmick involved wearing tights with large lapels and entering the arena dancing with a pair of "Fly Girls" or "Funkettes" while wearing a large hat and fur coat.[7] Towards the end of his first WWF run, Funk reverted to his 2 Cold Scorpio name, later shortening it to "Scorpio", and began teaming up with former WCW teammate and friend Ron Simmons, as well as Terry Funk, through most of 1998. In mid-1998, he competed in the WWF's Brawl for All tournament, replacing Ken Shamrock. He lost in the quarterfinals to The Godfather.

In late 1998, Scorpio became a member of Al Snow's J.O.B. Squad, often being a regular on WWF Shotgun Saturday Night. In February 1999, 2 Cold Scorpio requested time off due to personal problems, but was instead released from the WWF.[7] Scorpio's last WWF match would be him and Hardcore Holly losing to Owen Hart and Jeff Jarrett on February 6, 1999, edition of Shotgun Saturday Night, ultimately being the J.O.B. Squad's last televised match.[8]

Return to ECW (1999–2000)

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2 Cold Scorpio next made sporadic appearances for ECW, which included a challenge against then-champion Mike Awesome for the ECW World Heavyweight Championship on December 10, 1999, edition of ECW on TNN. His last ECW match was a loss to Masato Tanaka at CyberSlam (2000).

Pro Wrestling Noah (2000–2006)

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2 Cold Scorpio competed for All Japan Pro Wrestling until native members of its roster defected to form Pro Wrestling Noah in 2000, and both Scorpio and Vader followed.

Scorpio would team with Vader when he debuted in October 2000. Both had a strong dominance in the tag team division, where they had a great number of victories on television and pay-per-views. Like Vader, Scorpio earned many singles victories against several of the rosters Japanese wrestlers. At this time Scorpio would receive major pops and fanfare from the Japanese audience, who would often cheer and jive for his charismatic entrances and root for him in matches as a babyface. Because Vader already had a grudge feud with Jun Akiyama, Scorpio would take Vader's side and help him defeat Akiyama and whatever Japanese wrestler Akiyama teamed with at the moment.

Vader and Scorpio would emerge victorious in the grudge feud by defeating Jun Akiyama and Akitoshi Saito on an October 19, 2001, pay-per-view, where they became the inaugural GHC Tag Team Champions.[9][10][11] They would lose the titles to Mitsuharu Misawa and Yoshinari Ogawa on November 30.

Scorpio and Vader continued teaming throughout 2002, and despite them not winning the titles again, they continued having many victories in the tag team and singles division throughout 2002. Vader's last appearance in NOAH was in January 2003,[12] and Doug Williams would become Scorpio's replacement that spring.

Scorpio and Doug Williams won the GHC Tag Team Championship in January 2005.[4] On November 5, 2005, Scorpio won the GHC Openweight Hardcore Championship against Yoshinobu Kanemaru in a pay-per-view match.[4][13]

Return to WWE (2006–2007)

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In 2006, 2 Cold Scorpio signed a contract with World Wrestling Entertainment. Upon joining the promotion, he returned to using his Flash Funk character in the WWE developmental promotion Deep South Wrestling until he was released on May 11, 2007, without ever appearing on WWE television.[14] On the 15th anniversary of WWE Raw on December 10, 2007, 2 Cold Scorpio participated in a battle royal as "Flash Funk",[15] eliminating Steve Blackman while eliminating himself in the process.[16]

Independent circuit (2005–present)

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2 Cold Scorpio making his entrance at a show in March 2013

On June 10, 2005, 2 Cold Scorpio wrestled at the ECW reunion event Hardcore Homecoming, defeating Kid Kash.[17][18][19][20] In late 2007, 2 Cold Scorpio joined Booker T's Pro Wrestling Alliance promotion, based in Houston, Texas. He wrestled occasionally in Pasadena, Texas, at the city's convention center, and he participated in a feud with heel wrestler and student Gustavo Mendoza. His last PWA match was on February 16, 2008, at Texas Tapout against Chris Adams.[21] On August 8, 2010, 2 Cold Scorpio wrestled at Total Nonstop Action Wrestling's ECW reunion show, Hardcore Justice, defeating C. W. Anderson.[22] On April 28, 2012, 2 Cold Scorpio wrestled Shane Douglas in the main event of Extreme Reunion (a wrestling event promoted by Douglas) in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. During the match, two masked men got involved. One was Kevin Sullivan, who attacked Douglas. The other was former ECW owner Tod Gordon, who hugged 2 Cold Scorpio. Douglas pinned 2 Cold Scorpio with a twisting sunset flip.[23] 2 Cold Scorpio made his debut for Chikara in September 2012, when he, Jerry Lynn and Tommy Dreamer entered the 2012 King of Trios as "The Extreme Trio", defeating Team WWF (1–2–3 Kid, Aldo Montoya and Tatanka) in their first round match.[24][25] The following day, The Extreme Trio was eliminated from the tournament by Team ROH (Mike Bennett, Matt Jackson and Nick Jackson).[24][26]

On February 2, 2013, 2 Cold Scorpio defeated A. C. H. in the main event of the first ever National Pro Wrestling Day to become the 2013 Rey De Voladores.[27] On June 23, 2013, 2 Cold Scorpio was defeated by John Hennigan in a match for the FWE Heavyweight Championship at House of Hardcore 2.[28] On September 2, 2017, 2 Cold Scorpio unsuccessfully challenged Hannibal for the Great North Wrestling Canadian Championship at the Hawkesbury Bike Fest 2017 in Hawkesbury, Ontario.[29] On February 18, 2018, 2 Cold Scorpio won the WPW Heavyweight title at Cheltenham Town Hall by defeating Kendo Kashin. On August 3, 2018, 2 Cold Scorpio competed in the 2018 Scenic City Invitational Tournament held in Soddy Daisy, Tennessee, losing in the first round to AJ Gray. The following night Scorpio defeated Darius Lockhart in non-tournament action.[30] As of July 2019, 2 Cold Scorpio has taken the role of head trainer at the Rocky Mountain Pro Wrestling Academy in Golden, Colorado. Within the Rocky Mountain Pro promotion, he also has a large role in producing the live television product they air on Right Now TV, Fight Network UK and Twitch.tv. 2 Cold Scorpio is also the current Rocky Mountain Pro tag team champion alongside tag team partner Airborne Alex Anthony after winning the championship at their Milestone 9 Pay Per View on June 30, 2019.[31] On September 10, 2020, 2 Cold Scorpio made his debut for Game Changer Wrestling as part of their for the Culture event. He was defeated by AR Fox. On October 22, 2021, he debuted with PCW Ultra in a losing effort as he was defeated by The Blood Hunter with Kevin Sullivan.

Personal life

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In a 2004 Ring of Honor Straight Shootin' interview, Scaggs admitted to using crack cocaine during his time with ECW and the WWF. He noted that his usage significantly increased while in the WWF, as his higher earnings provided greater access to the drug. Scaggs expressed regret for his actions, explaining that he did not overcome his addiction to crack until after being released from the WWF in early 1999 due to drug-related issues. He remains a regular user and advocate of marijuana.[32]

On June 15, 2024, Scaggs was arrested in Jackson County, Missouri, for allegedly stabbing a man at a Love's Travel Stop in Kansas City. At the time, Scaggs was working as a security guard for the store. He claimed that he confronted a man who had lit a cigarette inside the store and asked him to extinguish it. According to Scaggs, the man became erratic, made threats, and attempted to wrestle him to the ground. Scaggs stated that a physical altercation ensued, during which he drew a knife from his pocket and used it in self-defense. The alleged victim sustained stab wounds to the head, chest, abdomen, legs, and buttocks. Scaggs was released on bail and entered a not-guilty plea.[33]

Championships and accomplishments

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m "Too Cold Scorpio Profile". Online World Of Wrestling. Archived from the original on March 10, 2008. Retrieved March 20, 2008.
  2. ^ a b Shields, Brian; Sullivan, Kevin (2009). WWE Encyclopedia. DK. p. 103. ISBN 978-0-7566-4190-0.
  3. ^ a b c Leroux, Yves (June 29, 2015). "Too Cold Scorpio heads back onto the road". Canadian Online Explorer. Archived from the original on July 3, 2015.
  4. ^ a b c d Tello, C. (September 21, 2006). "Too Cold for WWE". WWE. Archived from the original on May 27, 2007. Retrieved May 16, 2007.
  5. ^ Keith, Scott (May 11, 2002). "The SmarK Retro Rant For ECW House Party 98". 411Mania.com. Retrieved June 23, 2018.
  6. ^ Rippa, Phil (September 25, 2016). "1001 MATCHES: 2 COLD SCORPIO". DeathValleyDriver.com. Death Valley Driver Video Review.
  7. ^ a b c d e Molinaro, J. (May 19, 1999). "Scorpio to take flight in Japan". Canadian Online Explorer. Archived from the original on February 15, 2005. Retrieved May 16, 2007.
  8. ^ "Job Squad [Their last TV match] vs. Owen Hart & Jeff Jarrett (w/ Debra)". June 11, 2019. Archived from the original on September 6, 2021 – via YouTube.
  9. ^ "NOAH Tug of War tour results". Green Destiny. Archived from the original on September 29, 2007. Retrieved August 31, 2007.
  10. ^ "Vader: Profile & Match Listing – Internet Wrestling Database (IWD)".
  11. ^ "Team KAOS (Scorpio/Vader) vs. STERNNESS (Saito/Akiyama) c (NOAH 2001/10/19) [GHC Tag Championship!]". YouTube. Archived from the original on November 23, 2020. Also archived at Ghostarchive: [1]
  12. ^ "Vader: Profile & Match Listing – Internet Wrestling Database (IWD)".
  13. ^ "NOAH 3rd Great Voyage '05 at Budokan Hall wrestling results – Internet Wrestling Database".
  14. ^ "Charles Scaggs released". World Wrestling Entertainment. Archived from the original on November 13, 2007. Retrieved December 23, 2007.
  15. ^ Cawthon, Graham (2017). "Yearly Results: 2007". TheHistoryOfWWE.com.
  16. ^ "WWE RAW RESULTS". Online World Of Wrestling.
  17. ^ Lacroix, C. (December 20, 2005). "Have a jolly Hardcore Homecoming Christmas". Canoe.ca. Archived from the original on January 15, 2013. Retrieved May 16, 2007.
  18. ^ "Have a jolly Hardcore Homecoming Christmas - Slam Wrestling". December 21, 2005.
  19. ^ Kapur, B. (June 11, 2005). "Hardcore Homecoming a memorable night". Canoe.ca. Archived from the original on January 15, 2013. Retrieved May 16, 2007.
  20. ^ "Hardcore Homecoming a memorable night - Slam Wrestling". June 11, 2005.
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  22. ^ Caldwell, James (August 8, 2010). "Caldwell's TNA Hardcore Justice PPV results 8/8: Ongoing "virtual time" coverage of ECW-themed PPV headlined by RVD vs. Sabu". Pro Wrestling Torch. Archived from the original on August 16, 2010. Retrieved August 8, 2010.
  23. ^ Csonka, Larry (April 28, 2012). "Complete Results From Extreme Reunion 4.28.12". 411mania.com.
  24. ^ a b "Past results". Chikara. Archived from the original on October 17, 2013. Retrieved September 14, 2012.
  25. ^ Namako, Jason (September 15, 2012). "9/14 Chikara "King of Trios: Night 1" Results: Easton, PA". WrestleView. Archived from the original on September 19, 2012. Retrieved September 15, 2012.
  26. ^ Namako, Jason (September 15, 2012). "9/15 Chikara "King of Trios: Night 2" Results: Easton, PA". WrestleView. Archived from the original on September 19, 2012. Retrieved September 16, 2012.
  27. ^ a b Johnson, Mike (February 2, 2013). "Former ECW Arena to reopen". Pro Wrestling Insider. Retrieved February 2, 2013.
  28. ^ Gee Schoon Tong, Chris (June 23, 2013). "Show results – 6/22 HOH in Philadelphia, Pa.: MVP vs. Sami Callihan, Dreamer vs. Storm main event, Steiners, J-Mo, more". Pro Wrestling Torch. Archived from the original on June 26, 2013. Retrieved June 23, 2013.
  29. ^ "GNW Wrestling Bike Fest Full Event Video – 6 Matches!". September 17, 2017. Archived from the original on December 13, 2021. Retrieved December 22, 2019 – via www.youtube.com.
  30. ^ "Scenic City Invitational 2018 Results". August 5, 2018.
  31. ^ a b "Rocky Mountain Pro – Pro Wrestling.....Elevated".
  32. ^ Woodward, Buck. "LOOKING AT ROH'S 'STRAIGHT SHOOTIN' WITH 2 COLD SCORPIO'". PWInsider. Retrieved September 26, 2015.
  33. ^ Bill Pritchard (June 24, 2024). "2 Cold Scorpio Arrested After Stabbing A Man At Gas Station, Claims Self-Defense". Wrestle Zone. Retrieved June 25, 2024.
  34. ^ "German Wrestling Federation Title Histories". titlehistories.com. Archived from the original on August 8, 2008. Retrieved July 11, 2008.
  35. ^ "Matches « GWF Heavyweight Title Tournament « Tournaments Database « CAGEMATCH – the Internet Wrestling Database".
  36. ^ Csonka, Larry (June 12, 2014). "ECW Arena's Hardcore Hall of Fame Inductees Revealed". 411mania.com.
  37. ^ Royal Duncan & Gary Will (2000). Wrestling Title Histories (4th ed.). Archeus Communications. ISBN 0-9698161-5-4.
  38. ^ "Pro Wrestling Illustrated's Top 500 Wrestlers of the PWI Years". Wrestling Information Archive. Archived from the original on May 16, 2008. Retrieved May 4, 2008.
  39. ^ "Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) 500 for 1995". The Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved November 6, 2021.
  40. ^ "NOAH Navigation Tug of War 2001 – Tag 10 « Events Database « CAGEMATCH – the Internet Wrestling Database".
  41. ^ Meltzer, Dave (January 20, 1993). "Jan. 20, 1993 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: 10th Annual Newsletter Awards Issue". Wrestling Observer Newsletter.
  42. ^ Meltzer, Dave (January 19, 1998). "Jan. 19, 1998 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: 18th Annual Newsletter Awards Issue". Wrestling Observer Newsletter.
  43. ^ "WPW Superclash – Event". Cagematch. Retrieved May 16, 2022.
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