In April 8th 2006, Squared Circle Wrestling (2CW) made their debut in Syracuse, NY holding a show headlined by former ECW/WWE superstar, Matt “Spike Dudley” Hyson. Over the course of the next ten years, 2CW regularly held shows in Syracuse, Watertown, Binghamton, Oswego, Rome, Elmira, Amsterdam and Utica. Over their existence, many top names that are highlighted on both WWE and AEW television had came through 2CW and entertained the audience. But, none of them would have had the opportunity without Spike Dudley’s initial involvement.
On a recent interview with Chris Van Vliet, Spike talked about his love for 2CW and said that 2CW is right at the top of the list of special places in his heart next to ECW. Considering the impact ECW had on the business, that is quite praise for 2CW and its fans. 2CW thrived despite not getting the same level of promotion that other indies would despite continually putting on some of the better indie shows at the time.
Fresh off a four year run in the WWE, Spike continued his career on the indies, and unlike most veterans, Spike actively put over the local talent. On 2CW’s first show, Spike lost to Zachary Springate III, before getting revenge the following month in a street fight.
Spike’s first major feud in 2CW was with Isys Ephex, with their first encounter taking place at 2CW’s biggest show in their short existence at the OnCenter where Spike won a tables match. However, Ephex won a dog collar match in September, and soundly beat Spike in thirty minute Iron Man match eighteen falls to two, due to Spike brutally attacking Ephex with weapons and deciding to punish Ephex instead of winning the match.
After failing to beat NWA World Champion Abyss in two matches, Spike spent the first half of 2007 feuding with ‘Main Event’ Jason Axe. Axe was a young, arrogant, egotistical wrestler who felt that he belonged in the main event scene. Spike, being the veteran, was the target of Axe’s desire to be at the top. Axe dominated the feud winning each of their battles, which culminated in a loser leaves 2CW bout on June 8th. With the defeat, Spike could never compete in 2CW ever again.
However, that didn’t end being the case. Instead, Spike aligned himself with Axe and Gory Wallace for the second half of 2007 feud with All Money Is Legal and Steve McKenzie. The union between Spike and Axe wouldn’t last, and they ended battling it out in a Last Man Standing match at 2CW’s Living On The Edge on April 11th, 2008. Spike ended up defeating Axe for the first time in his career. Spike continued to feud with Axe during the remainder of his appearances in 2008, winning each encounter whether it be singles or tag. Spike also won a match against Colin Delaney in September 2008.
Entering 2009, Spike found himself in the mix for the 2CW Heavyweight Championship for the first time. After failing to win the 2CW Tag Team Championships with Little Guido, Spike competed in a wild eight man tag anything goes match for the 2CW Heavyweight Championship on June 5th, 2009. Spike was on the same side of a newly babyface Jason Axe, who would end up winning the 2CW Heavyweight Championship and solidify himself as a main event act for 2CW.
Spike wouldn’t return to 2CW until April 3rd 2010 for the Living on the Edge V weekend. Spike again challenged for the 2CW Heavyweight Championship in a wild four way encounter failing to win the title. The same four way occurred in May with no rules, and Spike failed to win the title, but Spike led a chair throwing incident in Binghamton, which was quite dangerous. As noted in his CVV interview, Spike battled Sabu on July 10th, 2010 at Show #50, in a great throwback ECW style match.
Spike took time away from wrestling shortly following the bout, and didn’t have a recorded match in 2011. Spike returned to 2CW in November 2012, losing to 2CW Heavyweight Champion Kevin Steen (Kevin Owens) in Watertown, and losing a four way match the following night. Spike continued to have bouts in 2013 competing mostly against Jason Axe and MASADA in hardcore style matches. Spike lost to MASADA in a no holds barred match at LOTR VIII night two, which was a successful online stream, something 2CW got right before anyone else ever did, and it’s never acknowledged.
In July 2014, Spike returned for one night teaming with Sean Carr to defeat the team known as Team CK. It was the same night as the Dudley Boys made their 2CW debut, so it was quite the moment for 2CW fans. Spike didn’t compete for 2CW again until 2CW’s final regular event took place at 2CW 2Sets on December 20th, 2015. It was the perfect main event to end their run. Spike won a three way bout against Jimmy Olsen (criminally underrated), and his longtime rival, Jason Axe.
Spike’s involvement in 2CW helped catapult the careers of Isys Ephex and Jason Axe as main event acts for 2CW in the beginning years. Axe became the best heel in 2CW history, and his work with Spike solidified him as a force for the entire 2CW run. Spike wasn’t greedy with his star power, and he generosity to put over talent helped 2CW have a strong local group that never gets the attention it should get.
Just as how ECW likely doesn’t thrive without Terry Funk for the first few years of its existence, I’m not entirely sure how well 2CW does without Spike Dudley. Spike is not only an ECW legend, but a 2CW legend. He is 2CW’s Terry Funk.
Thank you, Spike.
Thank you for reading.