Crockett Cup (2023)

The 2023 iteration of the Crockett Cup (formerly known as the Sixth Annual Jim Crockett Sr. Memorial Cup Tag Team Tournament) was a two-day professional wrestling tag team tournament produced by the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA). The event took place on June 3 and 4, 2023, at the Winston-Salem Fairgrounds Annex in Winston-Salem, North Carolina in the United States. It was the sixth iteration of the Crockett Cup.

Crockett Cup
Promotional poster
Promotion	National Wrestling Alliance
Date	June 3–4, 2023
City	Winston-Salem, North Carolina
Venue	Winston-Salem Fairgrounds Annex
Event chronology
← Previous NWA 312 Next → NWA 75th Anniversary Show
Crockett Cup chronology
← Previous 2022 Next → 2024

Production

Background

The Jim Crockett Sr. Memorial Cup Tag Team Tournament 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 April 7, 2023, at NWA 312, it was announced that the Crockett Cup would return and would be held in on June 3–4, at the Winston-Salem Fairgrounds Annex in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.^[7]

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.^[8] The thirteenth season of the NWA's weekly flagship program, Powerr, will feature storylines leading up to the event along with the seventh season of NWA USA.

Tournament matches

The main feature of the event is the titular Crockett Cup, a tag team tournament where, in addition to the namesake trophy, the winners will earn a match for the NWA World Tag Team Championship. 27 teams will be involved in the tournament.

The following twenty three teams have been announced or have qualified for the tournament:

• The Midnight Riders (NWA Worlds Heavyweight Champion Tyrus and Chris Adonis)^[9]
• The Mortons (Ricky Morton and NWA Junior Heavyweight Champion Kerry Morton)^[9]
• Magnum Muscle (Dak Draper and Mims)^[9]
• SVGS (Blake Troop and Jax Dane)^[9]
• Mike Knox and Trevor Murdoch^[9]
• The Country Gentlemen (AJ Cazana and Anthony Andrews) (NWA United States Tag Team Champions)^[9]
• The Spectaculars (Brady Pierce and Rush Freeman)^[9]
• The Warriors from the Wasteland (Judais and Max the Impaler)^[9]
• La Rebelión (Bestia 666 and Mecha Wolf) (NWA World Tag Team Champions)^[9]
• Jinetes del Aire (Myzteziz Jr. and Octagón Jr.) (Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide)^[9]
• Los Vipers (Arez and Toxin) (Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide)^[9]
• A Cut Above (NWA World Television Champion Thom Latimer and Rhett Titus)^[10]
• The Brothers of Funstruction (Yabo the Clown and Ruffo the Clown)^[10]
• The Fixers (Jay Bradley and Wrecking Ball Legursky)^[10]
• The Heatseekers (Elliot Russell and Matt Sigmon)^[10]
• Blunt Force Trauma (Carnage and Damage)^[10]
• Flippin' Psychos (Flip Gordon and Fodder^[11])^[10]
• The Immortals (Kratos and Odinson)^[10]
• Idolmania Sports Management (Cyon and Jordan Clearwater)^[10]
• TNT (Terrell Hughes and Terrence Hughes)^[10]
• "Magic" Jake Dumas and Brian Brock^[10]

Seeding was announced during a May 18th special YouTube show where it was also announced that the 24th seed would be determined in a four-way tag team match between the following teams:

• The Miserably Faithful (Sal Vation and Gaagz the Gymp)
• Daisy Kill and Talos
• Jeremiah Plunkett and Eric Jackson
• The Outrunners (Turbo Floyd and Truth Magnum)

Other matches

At NWA 312, EC3 defeated Cyon to win the NWA National Heavyweight Championship. Later in the night, "Thrillbilly" Silas Mason won the Bob Luce Memorial Battle Royal to earn a match for the championship on Night 1 of the Crockett Cup.^[12]

During the May 15th episode of "This is the NWA" podcast/YouTube show, it was announced that on night one of Crockett Cup that a women's hardcore team war match would happen pitting all 4 members of Pretty Enpowered (Ella Envy, Roxy, Kenzie and Kylie Paige) against the team of Samantha Starr, La Rosa Negra, and the NWA Women's World Tag Team Champions M95 (Madi Wrenkowski and Missa Kate). Also it was announced that on night two that Kenzie Paige would defend the NWA World Women's Television Championship against an as of yet unnamed opponent and that the new championship belt would be unveiled before the match.

Results

Night 1

No.	Results	Stipulations	Times
1D	Magnum Muscle (Dak Draper and Mims) defeated The Spectaculars (Brady Pierce and Rush Freeman) (with Rolando Freeman) by pinfall	Crockett Cup first round match	—
2D	The Outrunners (Turbo Floyd and Truth Magnum) defeated Daisy Kill and Talos, Eric Jackson and Jeremiah Plunkett (with Danny Dealz), and The Miserably Faithful (Sal the Pal and Gaagz the Gymp)	Four-way tag team elimination match Play-In Match to determine the 24 seed in the Crockett Cup tournament.	—
3D	The Warriors from the Wasteland (Judais and Max the Impaler) (with Father James Mitchell) defeated The NOW (Hale Collins and Vik Dalishus) by pinfall	Crockett Cup first round match	—
4P	Flippin' Psychos (Flip Gordon and Fodder) (with Angelina Love) defeated Sent2Slaughter (Dan Maff and Shawn Donavan) by pinfall	Crockett Cup first round match	7:16
5P	SVGS (Jax Dane and Blake "Bulletproof" Troop) (with Chris Silvio, Esq.) defeated TNT (Terrell Hughes and Terrence Hughes) by submission	Crockett Cup first round match	6:37
6P	The Brothers of Funstruction (Yabo the Clown and Ruffo the Clown) defeated The Fixers (Jay Bradley and Wrecking Ball Legursky) by pinfall	Crockett Cup first round match	6:59
7P	Los Vipers (Arez and Toxin) defeated The Heatseekers (Elliot Russell and Matt Sigmon) by pinfall	Crockett Cup first round match	6:26
8P	The Immortals (Kratos and Odinson) defeated Brian Brock and "Magic" Jake Dumas (with CJ) by pinfall	Crockett Cup first round match	4:24
9P	The Outrunners (Turbo Floyd and Truth Magnum) defeated Idolmania Sports Management (Cyon and Jordan Clearwater) (with Austin Idol) by pinfall	Crockett Cup first round match	8:51
10	Blunt Force Trauma (Carnage and Damage) (with Aron Stevens) defeated The Outrunners (Turbo Floyd and Truth Magnum) by pinfall	Crockett Cup second round match	4:28
11	The Immortals (Kratos and Odinson) defeated The Country Gentlemen (AJ Cazana and Anthony Andrews) (with Joe Cazana) by pinfall	Crockett Cup second round match	7:57
12	Joe Alonzo (with Jamie Stanley) defeated Alex Taylor (with Danny Dealz) by submission	Singles match Winner advances to the six-way scramble match on Night 2.	7:47
13	The Mortons (Ricky Morton and Kerry Morton) defeated Los Vipers (Arez and Toxin) by pinfall	Crockett Cup second round match	7:21
14	The Brothers of Funstruction (Yabo the Clown and Ruffo the Clown) defeated A Cut Above (Thom Latimer and Rhett Titus) by pinfall	Crockett Cup second round match	9:27
15	Jinetes del Aire (Myzteziz Jr. and Octagón Jr.) defeated SVGS (Jax Dane and Blake "Bulletproof" Troop) (with Chris Silvio, Esq.) by pinfall	Crockett Cup second round match	5:46
16	Ruthie Jay, Samantha Starr, and M95 (Madi and Missa Kate) (with Baby Doll) defeated Pretty Empowered (Ella Envy, Kenzie Paige, Kylie Paige, and Roxy)	Hardcore Team War[13]	14:05
17	Knox and Murdoch defeated Magnum Muscle (Dak Draper and Mims) by pinfall	Crockett Cup second round match	5:53
18	The Midnight Riders (Tyrus and Chris Adonis) defeated The Warriors from the Wasteland (Judais and Max the Impaler) (with Father James Mitchell) by disqualification	Crockett Cup second round match	9:31
19	EC3 (c) defeated "Thrillbilly" Silas Mason (with Pollo Del Mar) by pinfall	Singles match for the NWA National Heavyweight Championship	12:56
20	La Rebelión (Bestia 666 and Mecha Wolf) defeated Flippin' Psychos (Flip Gordon and Fodder) (with Angelina Love) by pinfall	Crockett Cup second round match	11:45
(c)  – the champion(s) heading into the match D  – this was a dark match P  – the match was broadcast on the pre-show

Night 2

No.	Results	Stipulations	Times
1P	The Country Gentlemen (AJ Cazana and Anthony Andrews) (c) (with Joe Cazana) won by last eliminating SVGS (Jax Dane and Blake "Bulletproof" Troop) (with Chris Silvio, Esq.)	Gauntlet match for the NWA United States Tag Team Championship	17:42
2P	"Thrillbilly" Silas Mason (with Alex Taylor) defeated Dan Maff by pinfall	Singles match	5:42
3P	M95 (Madi and Missa Kate) (c) defeated Angelina Love and Max the Impaler (with Father James Mitchell) by pinfall	Tag team match for the NWA World Women's Tag Team Championship	7:08
4P	Ruthie Jay defeated Kenzie Paige (c) by disqualification	Singles match for the NWA World Women's Television Championship[13]	5:02
5	Jinetes del Aire (Myzteziz Jr. and Octagón Jr.) defeated The Brothers of Funstruction (Yabo the Clown and Ruffo the Clown) by pinfall	Crockett Cup quarterfinal match	4:10
6	Knox and Murdoch defeated The Mortons (Ricky Morton and Kerry Morton) by pinfall	Crockett Cup quarterfinal match	5:03
7	The Midnight Riders (Tyrus and Chris Adonis) defeated The Immortals (Kratos and Odinson) by pinfall	Crockett Cup quarterfinal match	7:43
8	Blunt Force Trauma (Carnage and Damage) (with Aron Stevens) defeated La Rebelión (Bestia 666 and Mecha Wolf) (with Vampiro) by pinfall	Crockett Cup quarterfinal match	5:56
9	EC3 (c) defeated Thom Latimer by pinfall	Singles match for the NWA National Heavyweight Championship	11:37
10	Colby Corino (with Jamie Stanley) defeated Flip Gordon, Eric Jackson, Joe Alonzo, Gaagz the Gymp, Jarron Fulton, and PJ Hawx by pinfall	Seven-way Scramble to determine the #1 contender to the NWA World Junior Heavyweight Championship[13]	10:52
11	Blunt Force Trauma (Carnage and Damage) (with Aron Stevens) defeated Jinetes del Aire (Myzteziz Jr. and Octagón Jr.) by pinfall	Crockett Cup semifinal match	6:00
12	Knox and Murdoch defeated The Midnight Riders (Tyrus and Chris Adonis) by pinfall	Crockett Cup semifinal match	7:53
13	The Masked Mystery Man defeated Cyon (with Austin Idol) by technical knockout	Unsanctioned match	8:05
14	Kamille (c) defeated Natalia Markova by pinfall	Singles match for the NWA World Women's Championship[14]	12:54
15	Knox and Murdoch defeated Blunt Force Trauma (Carnage and Damage) (with Aron Stevens) by pinfall	Crockett Cup final	9:55
(c)  – the champion(s) heading into the match P  – the match was broadcast on the pre-show

2023 Crockett Cup tournament bracket

First round Night 1 (June 3)

Round of 16 Night 1 (June 3)

Quarterfinals Night 2 (June 4)

Semifinals Night 2 (June 4)

Finals Night 2 (June 4)

1

La Rebelión (Bestia 666 and Mecha Wolf)

Pin

16

Flippin' Psychos (Flip Gordon and Fodder)

Pin

16

Flippin' Psychos (Flip Gordon and Fodder)

11:45

17

Sent2Slaughter (Dan Maff and Shawn Donovan)

7:16

La Rebelión

5:56

Blunt Force Trauma

Pin

8

Blunt Force Trauma (Carnage and Damage)

Pin

9

Idolmania Sports Management (Cyon and Jordan Clearwater)

8:51

24

The Outrunners (Turbo Floyd and Truth Magnum)

4:28

24

The Outrunners (Turbo Floyd and Truth Magnum)

Pin

Blunt Force Trauma

Pin

Jinetes del Aire

6:00

4

Jinetes del Aire (AAA) (Myzteziz Jr. and Octagón Jr.)

Pin

13

SVGS (Jax Dane and Black Troop)

Sub

13

SVGS (Jax Dane and Black Troop)

5:46

20

TNT (Terrell Hughes and Terrence Hughes)

6:37

Jinetes del Aire

Pin

The Brothers of Funstruction

4:10

5

A Cut Above Thom Latimer and Rhett Titus)

9:27

12

The Fixers (Jay Bradley and Wrecking Ball Legursky)

6:59

21

The Brothers of Funstruction (Yabo the Clown and Ruffo the Clown)

Pin

21

The Brothers of Funstruction (Yabo the Clown and Ruffo the Clown)

Pin

Blunt Force Trauma

9:55

Knox and Murdoch

Pin

2

The Midnight Riders (Tyrus and Chris Adonis)

DQ

15

The Warriors from the Wasteland (Judais and Max the Impaler

Pin

15

The Warriors from the Wasteland (Judais and Max the Impaler

9:31

18

The NOW (Hale Collins and Vik Dalishus)

-

The Midnight Riders

Pin

The Immortals

7:43

7

The Country Gentlemen (AJ Cazana and Anthony Andrews)

7:57

10

The Immortals (Kratos and Odinson)

Pin

10

The Immortals (Kratos and Odinson)

Pin

23

Brian Brock and "Magic" Jake Dumas

4:24

The Midnight Riders

7:53

Knox and Murdoch

Pin

3

Knox and Murdoch

Pin

14

Magnum Muscle (Dak Draper and Mims)

Pin

14

Magnum Muscle (Dak Draper and Mims)

5:53

19

The Spectaculars (Brady Pierce and Rush Freeman)

-

Knox and Murdoch

Pin

The Mortons

5:03

6

The Mortons (Ricky Morton and Kerry Morton)

Pin

11

Los Vipers (AAA) (Arez and Toxin)

Pin

11

Los Vipers (AAA) (Arez and Toxin)

7:21

22

The Heatseekers (Elliot Russell and Matt Sigmon)

6:26

Hardcore Team War match

Eliminated	Wrestler	Eliminated by	Method	Team
1	Missa Kate	Roxy	Pinned after a Codebreaker	Team Jay, Starr and M95
2	Roxy	Madi	Pinned after the Reality Check	Team Pretty Empowered
3	Kylie Page	Madi	Submitted after being locked in a hockey stick-assisted camel clutch	Team Pretty Empowered
4	Madi	Kenzie Paige	Pinned after Paige hit a cookie tray on her head	Team Jay, Starr and M95
5	Ruthie Jay	Kenzie Paige	Pinned with a schoolgirl	Team Jay, Starr and M95
6	Kenzie Paige	Samantha Starr	Eliminated after being thrown over the top rope	Team Pretty Empowered
7	Ella Envy	Samantha Starr	Pinned after being knocked out with a coal miner's glove	Team Pretty Empowered
Winner	Samantha Starr	N/A		Team Jay, Starr and M95

NWA United States Tag Team Championship gauntlet match

Eliminated	Team	Entered	Eliminated by	Method	Time
1	The NOW (Hale Collins and Vik Dalishus)	2	Magnum Muscle	Pinfall	2:22
2	The Fixers (Jay Bradley and Wrecking Ball Legursky)	3	Magnum Muscle	Pinfall	4:51
3	Magnum Muscle (Dak Draper and Mims)	1	Daisy Kill and Talos	Pinfall	7:08
4	Daisy Kill and Talos	4	TNT	Pinfall	9:05
5	TNT (Terrell Hughes and Terrence Hughes)	5	The Spectaculars	Pinfall	11:03
6	The Spectaculars (Brady Pierce and Rolando Freeman)	6	SVGS	Pinfall	13:05
7	Los Vipers (Arez and Toxin)	8	SVGS	Pinfall	14:52
8	SVGS (Jax Dane and Blake "Bulletproof" Troop)	7	The Country Gentlemen	Pinfall	17:42
Winner	The Country Gentlemen (AJ Cazana and Anthony Andrews) (c)	9	—