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|members=]<br>] |members=]<br>]
|names=The Eliminators |names=The Eliminators
|heights={{height|ft=5|in=10}} – Saturn<br>{{height|ft=6|in=3}} – Kronus |heights={{height|ft=5|in=10}} – Saturn<br>{{height|ft=6|in=4}} – Kronus
|weight= |weight=
|debut=1993 |debut=1993
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|hometown=] |hometown=]
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'''The Eliminators''' were a ] tag team that consisted of ] and ] who were best known for their time in ] (ECW) between 1995 and 1997. '''The Eliminators''' were a ] tag team which consisted of ] and ] who were best known for their time in ] (ECW) between 1995 and 1997.


==History== == History ==

=== Formation ===
While working as the manager of a nightclub in ], ] met bouncer ], who expressed an interest in becoming a ]. Satullo sent Caiazzo to ]'s school to train, and then offered to form a tag team with him.<ref name=RiseAndFall>{{cite book|title=The Rise and Fall of ECW|last=Loverro|first=Thom|pages=|publisher=]|year=2006|isbn=978-1-4165-1058-1|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/risefallofecw00thom/page/107}}</ref> Satullo took the name ], after the ] god of agriculture and the harvest, and Caiazzo took the name of Saturn's ] equivalent ], with the spelling slightly altered as "Kronus". Satullo proposed that the team be known as "The Harvesters of Sorrow" due to the significance of their ring names, but promoter ] advised Satullo that the significance would not be evident to many fans. The team then became known as "The Eliminators". While working as the manager of a nightclub in ], ] met bouncer ], who expressed an interest in becoming a ]. Satullo sent Caiazzo to ]'s school to train, and then offered to form a tag team with him.<ref name=RiseAndFall>{{cite book|title=The Rise and Fall of ECW|last=Loverro|first=Thom|pages=|publisher=]|year=2006|isbn=978-1-4165-1058-1|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/risefallofecw00thom/page/107}}</ref> Satullo took the name ], after the ] god of agriculture and the harvest, and Caiazzo took the name of Saturn's ] equivalent ], with the spelling slightly altered as "Kronus". Satullo proposed that the team be known as "The Harvesters of Sorrow" due to the significance of their ring names, but promoter ] advised Satullo that the significance would not be evident to many fans. The team then became known as "The Eliminators".


===United States Wrestling Association=== === United States Wrestling Association (1993–1995) ===
The Eliminators wrestled their first match together at a ] house show in 1993.<ref name=RiseAndFall/> They were hired at a starting salary of $40 a week, and shared an apartment with Brendan Shanahan and James Lewis. After working with the USWA for a while, gaining experience as a team the two managed to negotiate a 100% pay rise. The team's first brush with tag-team gold came when they made it all the way to the finals of a tournament to crown new ] but lost in the finals to ] and Saturn's mentor ] in April 1994. The team kept pursuing the titles and a few weeks later on May 2, 1994 Saturn and Kronus beat Christopher and Gilbert for the titles. The Eliminators wrestled their first match together at a ] house show in 1993.<ref name=RiseAndFall/> They were hired at a starting salary of $40 a week, and shared an apartment with Brendan Shanahan and James Lewis. After working with the USWA for a while, gaining experience as a team the two managed to negotiate a 100% pay raise. The team's first brush with tag-team gold came when they made it all the way to the finals of a tournament to crown new ] but lost in the finals to ] and Saturn's mentor ] in April 1994. The team kept pursuing the titles and a few weeks later on May 2, 1994, Saturn and Kronus beat Christopher and Gilbert for the titles.


The Eliminators held the gold for about 6 weeks until they came up against ] on June 13, 1994 who beat them for the titles. The Eliminators stuck around the USWA for the remainder of 1994 working both as a tag-team and in individual competition. The Eliminators held the gold for about 6 weeks until they came up against ] on June 13, 1994, who beat them for the titles. The Eliminators stuck around the USWA for the remainder of 1994 working both as a tag-team and in individual competition.


=== WAR (1995) ===
In 1995, Saturn and Kronus branched out and traveled to ] to work for the Japanese promotion ]. On one WAR card they tangled with wrestling legends ], ] and ]. In 1995, Saturn and Kronus branched out and traveled to ] to work for the Japanese promotion ]. On one WAR card they tangled with wrestling legends ], ] and ].


===Extreme Championship Wrestling=== === Extreme Championship Wrestling (1995–1997) ===
During their tour of Japan the compactly-built and heavily tattooed Saturn and the high-flying Kronus caught the attention of booker ]. Heyman signed the two with ] when they were originally brought in to job to ] when he thought they were staying with the company for a lengthy period, however they would later defeat The Steiner Brothers and ] at ] on September 16, 1995.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.softwolves.pp.se/wrestling/ecw/1995#gangsta95|title=Extreme Championship Wrestling: Gangsters Paridise 1995|accessdate=2007-05-07|author=Nelson, Phil|author2=Peter Karlsson |date=2005-08-23|publisher=American Wrestling Trivia}}</ref> Heyman initially planned on giving the Eliminators a ] gimmick and but soon changed his mind and presented the duo as an unstoppable force ala ]. He also gave them a manager, ],<ref name=RiseAndFall/> to compensate for their weak interview skills. During their tour of Japan the compactly-built and heavily tattooed Saturn and the high-flying Kronus caught the attention of booker ]. Heyman signed the two with ] when they were originally brought in to job to ] when he thought they were staying with the company for a lengthy period, however they would later defeat The Steiner Brothers and ] at ] on September 16, 1995.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.softwolves.pp.se/wrestling/ecw/1995#gangsta95|title=Extreme Championship Wrestling: Gangsters Paridise 1995|access-date=2007-05-07|author=Nelson, Phil|author2=Peter Karlsson |date=2005-08-23|publisher=American Wrestling Trivia}}</ref> Heyman initially planned on giving the Eliminators a ] gimmick and but soon changed his mind and presented the duo as an unstoppable force ala ]. He also gave them a manager, ],<ref name=RiseAndFall/> to compensate for their weak interview skills.


The Eliminators started a violent feud with ] whom they clashed with repeatedly between October 1995 and April 1996 losing to them at the ] ]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.softwolves.pp.se/wrestling/ecw/1995#nov95|title=Extreme Championship Wrestling: November To Remember 1995|accessdate=2007-05-07|author=Nelson, Phil|author2=Peter Karlsson |date=2005-08-23|publisher=American Wrestling Trivia}}</ref> although they would defeat them in rematches at ]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.softwolves.pp.se/wrestling/ecw/1995#dec95|title=Extreme Championship Wrestling: December To Dismember 1995|accessdate=2007-05-07|author=Nelson, Phil|author2=Peter Karlsson |date=2005-08-23|publisher=American Wrestling Trivia }}</ref> and ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.softwolves.pp.se/wrestling/ecw/1995#hell95|title=Extreme Championship Wrestling: Holiday Hell 1995|accessdate=2007-05-07|author=Nelson, Phil|author2=Peter Karlsson |date=2005-08-23|publisher=American Wrestling Trivia}}</ref> The Eliminators started a violent feud with ] whom they clashed with repeatedly between October 1995 and April 1996 losing to them at the ] ]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.softwolves.pp.se/wrestling/ecw/1995#nov95|title=Extreme Championship Wrestling: November To Remember 1995|access-date=2007-05-07|author=Nelson, Phil|author2=Peter Karlsson |date=2005-08-23|publisher=American Wrestling Trivia}}</ref> although they would defeat them in rematches at ]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.softwolves.pp.se/wrestling/ecw/1995#dec95|title=Extreme Championship Wrestling: December To Dismember 1995|access-date=2007-05-07|author=Nelson, Phil|author2=Peter Karlsson |date=2005-08-23|publisher=American Wrestling Trivia }}</ref> and ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.softwolves.pp.se/wrestling/ecw/1995#hell95|title=Extreme Championship Wrestling: Holiday Hell 1995|access-date=2007-05-07|author=Nelson, Phil|author2=Peter Karlsson |date=2005-08-23|publisher=American Wrestling Trivia}}</ref>


During their feud, the teams clashed in both in regular tag-team competition such as during ] when teaming with ], ] and ] in an Ultimate Jeopardy Steel Cage match against the Pitbulls, ] and ] on December 9, 1995. After The Pitbulls' manager ] cut Saturn's hair, he shaved his head completely in a homage to Mickey Knox, the character depicted by ] in '']'' (in reality, Saturn was beginning to go bald). During their feud, the teams clashed in both in regular tag-team competition such as during ] when teaming with ], ] and ] in an Ultimate Jeopardy Steel Cage match against the Pitbulls, ] and ] on December 9, 1995. After The Pitbulls' manager ] cut Saturn's hair at ] in February 1996, he shaved his head completely in a homage to Mickey Knox, the character depicted by ] in '']'' (in reality, Saturn was beginning to go bald).


On February 2, 1996 the Eliminators beat ] and ] to win the ] at a house show in ].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/ecw/results/1996a.html#020396|title=Extreme Championship Wrestling: January-March 1996|accessdate=2007-05-07|publisher=Prowrestlinghistory.com}}</ref> After disposing of the longtime rivals the Pitbulls at ''Big Ass Extreme Bash'' on March 8<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/ecw/results/1996a.html#030896|title=Extreme Championship Wrestling: Big Ass Extreme Bash - March 8, 1996|accessdate=2007-05-07|publisher=Prowrestlinghistory.com}}</ref> (although the team defeated the Pitbulls in later house shows), the Eliminators were targeted by ] setting off a bloody feud between the two teams facing them in a 6-man tag team match with ] against The Gangstas and ] at ]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.softwolves.pp.se/wrestling/ecw/1996#respect96|title=Extreme Championship Wrestling: A Matter of Respect 1996|accessdate=2007-05-07|author=Nelson, Phil|author2=Peter Karlsson |date=2005-08-23|publisher=American Wrestling Trivia}}</ref> and later faced them in title defences at ''Fight The Power''<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.softwolves.pp.se/wrestling/ecw/1996#power96|title=Extreme Championship Wrestling: Fight The Power 1996|accessdate=2007-05-07|author=Nelson, Phil|author2=Peter Karlsson |date=2005-08-23|publisher=American Wrestling Trivia}}</ref> and ],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.softwolves.pp.se/wrestling/ecw/1996#hard96|title=Extreme Championship Wrestling: Hardcore Heaven 1996|accessdate=2007-05-07|author=Nelson, Phil|author2=Peter Karlsson |date=2005-08-23|publisher=American Wrestling Trivia}}</ref> the latter a resulting in a no contest. On February 2, 1996, at ] the Eliminators beat ] and ] to win the ].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/ecw/results/1996a.html#020396|title=Extreme Championship Wrestling: January-March 1996|access-date=2007-05-07|publisher=Prowrestlinghistory.com}}</ref> After disposing of the longtime rivals the Pitbulls at ] on March 8<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/ecw/results/1996a.html#030896|title=Extreme Championship Wrestling: Big Ass Extreme Bash - March 8, 1996|access-date=2007-05-07|publisher=Prowrestlinghistory.com}}</ref> (although the team defeated the Pitbulls in later house shows), the Eliminators were targeted by ] setting off a bloody feud between the two teams facing them in a 6-man tag team match with ] against The Gangstas and ] at ]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.softwolves.pp.se/wrestling/ecw/1996#respect96|title=Extreme Championship Wrestling: A Matter of Respect 1996|access-date=2007-05-07|author=Nelson, Phil|author2=Peter Karlsson |date=2005-08-23|publisher=American Wrestling Trivia}}</ref> and later faced them in title defences at ]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.softwolves.pp.se/wrestling/ecw/1996#power96|title=Extreme Championship Wrestling: Fight The Power 1996|access-date=2007-05-07|author=Nelson, Phil|author2=Peter Karlsson |date=2005-08-23|publisher=American Wrestling Trivia}}</ref> and ],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.softwolves.pp.se/wrestling/ecw/1996#hard96|title=Extreme Championship Wrestling: Hardcore Heaven 1996|access-date=2007-05-07|author=Nelson, Phil|author2=Peter Karlsson |date=2005-08-23|publisher=American Wrestling Trivia}}</ref> the latter a resulting in a no contest.


On August 13, 1996 the Gangstas beat the Eliminators for the tag-team titles in a four corners elimination match with the ] and the ] at the supercard ]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.softwolves.pp.se/wrestling/ecw/1996#doctor96|title=Extreme Championship Wrestling: The Doctor Is In 1996|accessdate=2007-05-07|author=Nelson, Phil|author2=Peter Karlsson |date=2005-08-23|publisher=American Wrestling Trivia}}</ref> and, although defeated in subsequent rematches, The Gangstas managed to hold on to the gold until the Eliminators regained the titles at a house show in ] on December 20, 1996.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/ecw/results/1996a.html#122096|title=Extreme Championship Wrestling: October-December 1996|accessdate=2007-05-07|publisher=Prowrestlinghistory.com}}</ref> On August 13, 1996, the Gangstas beat the Eliminators for the tag-team titles in a four corners elimination match with the ] and the ] at the supercard ]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.softwolves.pp.se/wrestling/ecw/1996#doctor96|title=Extreme Championship Wrestling: The Doctor Is In 1996|access-date=2007-05-07|author=Nelson, Phil|author2=Peter Karlsson |date=2005-08-23|publisher=American Wrestling Trivia}}</ref> and, although defeated in subsequent rematches, The Gangstas managed to hold on to the gold until the Eliminators regained the titles at a house show in ] on December 20, 1996.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/ecw/results/1996a.html#122096|title=Extreme Championship Wrestling: October-December 1996|access-date=2007-05-07|publisher=Prowrestlinghistory.com}}</ref>


As the Eliminators/Gangstas feud continued into 1997, another team entered the fray making it a three way between the Eliminators, the Gangstas and ]. After defenses against teams such as ] and ] and ] and ], the Dudley Boys won the tag-team titles from the Eliminators at ] on March 15, 1997<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.softwolves.pp.se/wrestling/ecw/1997#hostile97|title=Extreme Championship Wrestling: Hostile City Showdown 1997|accessdate=2007-05-07|author=Nelson, Phil|author2=Peter Karlsson |date=2005-08-23|publisher=American Wrestling Trivia}}</ref> only to lose them back to the Eliminators at ECW's first PPV ] on April 13, 1997.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.softwolves.pp.se/wrestling/ecw/1997#bare97|title=Extreme Championship Wrestling: Barely Legal 1997|accessdate=2007-05-07|author=Nelson, Phil|author2=Peter Karlsson |date=2005-08-23|publisher=American Wrestling Trivia}}</ref> As the Eliminators/Gangstas feud continued into 1997, another team entered the fray making it a three way between the Eliminators, the Gangstas and ]. After defenses against teams such as ] and ] and ] and ], the Dudley Boys won the tag-team titles from the Eliminators at ] on March 15, 1997<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.softwolves.pp.se/wrestling/ecw/1997#hostile97|title=Extreme Championship Wrestling: Hostile City Showdown 1997|access-date=2007-05-07|author=Nelson, Phil|author2=Peter Karlsson |date=2005-08-23|publisher=American Wrestling Trivia}}</ref> only to lose them back to the Eliminators at ECW's first PPV ] on April 13, 1997.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.softwolves.pp.se/wrestling/ecw/1997#bare97|title=Extreme Championship Wrestling: Barely Legal 1997|access-date=2007-05-07|author=Nelson, Phil|author2=Peter Karlsson |date=2005-08-23|publisher=American Wrestling Trivia}}</ref>


On May 31, 1997 in ], during a three-way dance with the Dudley Boyz and ], Saturn tore his ] when he landed on a crutch while executing a kick on ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/ecw/results/1997a.html#053197|title=Extreme Championship Wrestling: April-June 1997|accessdate=2007-05-07|publisher=Prowrestlinghistory.com}}</ref> Despite the injury, Saturn continued to compete and defeated the Dudley Boyz at ]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/ecw/results/1996a.html#060797|title=Extreme Championship Wrestling: January-March 1996|accessdate=2007-05-07|publisher=Prowrestlinghistory.com}}</ref> and Kronus continued defending the title in handicap matches against the ] before Saturn competed in a match that saw the Eliminators drop the tag-team titles back to the Dudley Boyz at a house show in ] on June 20, 1997.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/ecw/results/1997a.html#020396|title=Extreme Championship Wrestling: April-June 1997|accessdate=2007-05-07|publisher=Prowrestlinghistory.com}}</ref> On May 31, 1997, in ], during a three-way dance with the Dudley Boyz and ], Saturn tore his ] when he landed on a crutch while executing a kick on ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/ecw/results/1997a.html#053197|title=Extreme Championship Wrestling: April-June 1997|access-date=2007-05-07|publisher=Prowrestlinghistory.com}}</ref> Despite the injury, Saturn continued to compete and defeated the Dudley Boyz at ]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/ecw/results/1996a.html#060797|title=Extreme Championship Wrestling: January-March 1996|access-date=2007-05-07|publisher=Prowrestlinghistory.com}}</ref> and Kronus continued defending the title in handicap matches against the ] before Saturn competed in a match that saw the Eliminators drop the tag-team titles back to the Dudley Boyz at a house show in ] on June 20, 1997.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/ecw/results/1997a.html#020396|title=Extreme Championship Wrestling: April-June 1997|access-date=2007-05-07|publisher=Prowrestlinghistory.com}}</ref>


After intense reconstructive surgery, Saturn was given a recovery time of as much as a year. He began rehabilitating after two months and returned to action in August although in a diminished capacity due to his knee problems. Saturn had become impatient with what he regarded as Kronus' lack of motivation and dedication, and refused to reform the Eliminators.<ref name=RiseAndFall/> Paul Heyman offered to release him from his contract if he could find alternate employment. Saturn entered into negotiations with ] (WCW) and signed a contract with them while not being 100% recovered from his knee injury. After intense reconstructive surgery, Saturn was given a recovery time of as much as a year. He began rehabilitating after two months and returned to action in August although in a diminished capacity due to his knee problems. Saturn had become impatient with what he regarded as Kronus' lack of motivation and dedication, and refused to reform the Eliminators.<ref name=RiseAndFall/> Paul Heyman offered to release him from his contract if he could find alternate employment. Saturn entered into negotiations with ] (WCW) and signed a contract with them while not being 100% recovered from his knee injury.
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After Saturn left, Kronus began teaming with various wrestlers, including former enemy ] to form ] but never achieved the same success as he did together with Saturn. After Saturn left, Kronus began teaming with various wrestlers, including former enemy ] to form ] but never achieved the same success as he did together with Saturn.


==Championships and accomplishments== == Championships and accomplishments ==
*''']''' *''']'''
**] (]) **] (])
*''']''' *''''']'''''
**PWI ranked them #'''89''' of the 100 best tag teams of the "PWI Years" in 2003 **PWI ranked them #'''89''' of the 100 best tag teams of the "PWI Years" in 2003
*''']''' *''']'''
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*<u> Shoot with Scott Steiner. </u> Perf. ]. DVD. RF Video, 2006. *<u> Shoot with Scott Steiner. </u> Perf. ]. DVD. RF Video, 2006.


==External links== == External links ==
*
*
{{ECW World Tag Team Championship}} {{ECW World Tag Team Championship}}
{{USWA World Tag Team Championship}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Eliminators, The}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Eliminators, The}}
] ]
] ]
]

Latest revision as of 01:40, 4 October 2024

Professional wrestling disbanded tag team This article is about the pro-wrestling tag team. For the song, see The Best of Mickey Hart: Over the Edge and Back. For other uses, see Eliminator (disambiguation). Professional wrestling tag team
The Eliminators
Tag team
MembersPerry Saturn
John Kronus
Name(s)The Eliminators
Billed heights5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) – Saturn
6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) – Kronus
HometownBoston, Massachusetts
Debut1993
Disbanded1997

The Eliminators were a professional wrestling tag team which consisted of Perry Saturn and John Kronus who were best known for their time in Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW) between 1995 and 1997.

History

Formation

While working as the manager of a nightclub in Boston, Perry Satullo met bouncer George Caiazzo, who expressed an interest in becoming a wrestler. Satullo sent Caiazzo to Killer Kowalski's school to train, and then offered to form a tag team with him. Satullo took the name Saturn, after the Roman god of agriculture and the harvest, and Caiazzo took the name of Saturn's Greek equivalent Cronus, with the spelling slightly altered as "Kronus". Satullo proposed that the team be known as "The Harvesters of Sorrow" due to the significance of their ring names, but promoter Jerry Lawler advised Satullo that the significance would not be evident to many fans. The team then became known as "The Eliminators".

United States Wrestling Association (1993–1995)

The Eliminators wrestled their first match together at a United States Wrestling Association house show in 1993. They were hired at a starting salary of $40 a week, and shared an apartment with Brendan Shanahan and James Lewis. After working with the USWA for a while, gaining experience as a team the two managed to negotiate a 100% pay raise. The team's first brush with tag-team gold came when they made it all the way to the finals of a tournament to crown new USWA Tag Team Champions but lost in the finals to Brian Christopher and Saturn's mentor "Hot Stuff" Eddie Gilbert in April 1994. The team kept pursuing the titles and a few weeks later on May 2, 1994, Saturn and Kronus beat Christopher and Gilbert for the titles.

The Eliminators held the gold for about 6 weeks until they came up against PG-13 on June 13, 1994, who beat them for the titles. The Eliminators stuck around the USWA for the remainder of 1994 working both as a tag-team and in individual competition.

WAR (1995)

In 1995, Saturn and Kronus branched out and traveled to Japan to work for the Japanese promotion WAR. On one WAR card they tangled with wrestling legends Mil Máscaras, Bob Backlund and Jimmy Snuka.

Extreme Championship Wrestling (1995–1997)

During their tour of Japan the compactly-built and heavily tattooed Saturn and the high-flying Kronus caught the attention of booker Paul Heyman. Heyman signed the two with Extreme Championship Wrestling when they were originally brought in to job to the Steiner Brothers when he thought they were staying with the company for a lengthy period, however they would later defeat The Steiner Brothers and Taz at Gangstas Paradise on September 16, 1995. Heyman initially planned on giving the Eliminators a sadomasochism gimmick and but soon changed his mind and presented the duo as an unstoppable force ala The Road Warriors. He also gave them a manager, Jason Knight, to compensate for their weak interview skills.

The Eliminators started a violent feud with The Pitbulls whom they clashed with repeatedly between October 1995 and April 1996 losing to them at the supercard November To Remember 1995 although they would defeat them in rematches at December to Dismember and Holiday Hell 1995.

During their feud, the teams clashed in both in regular tag-team competition such as during December To Dismember when teaming with Raven, Stevie Richards and The Heavenly Bodies in an Ultimate Jeopardy Steel Cage match against the Pitbulls, Public Enemy and Tommy Dreamer on December 9, 1995. After The Pitbulls' manager Francine cut Saturn's hair at Big Apple Blizzard Blast in February 1996, he shaved his head completely in a homage to Mickey Knox, the character depicted by Woody Harrelson in Natural Born Killers (in reality, Saturn was beginning to go bald).

On February 2, 1996, at Big Apple Blizzard Blast the Eliminators beat Cactus Jack and Mikey Whipwreck to win the ECW World Tag Team Championship. After disposing of the longtime rivals the Pitbulls at Big Ass Extreme Bash on March 8 (although the team defeated the Pitbulls in later house shows), the Eliminators were targeted by The Gangstas setting off a bloody feud between the two teams facing them in a 6-man tag team match with Brian Lee against The Gangstas and Tommy Dreamer at A Matter of Respect 1996 and later faced them in title defences at Fight The Power and Hardcore Heaven 1996, the latter a resulting in a no contest.

On August 13, 1996, the Gangstas beat the Eliminators for the tag-team titles in a four corners elimination match with the Bruise Brothers and the Samoan Gangsta Party at the supercard The Doctor Is In and, although defeated in subsequent rematches, The Gangstas managed to hold on to the gold until the Eliminators regained the titles at a house show in Middletown, New York on December 20, 1996.

As the Eliminators/Gangstas feud continued into 1997, another team entered the fray making it a three way between the Eliminators, the Gangstas and The Dudley Boyz. After defenses against teams such as Axl Rotten and D-Von Dudley and Sabu and Rob Van Dam, the Dudley Boys won the tag-team titles from the Eliminators at Hostile City Showdown 1997 on March 15, 1997 only to lose them back to the Eliminators at ECW's first PPV Barely Legal on April 13, 1997.

On May 31, 1997, in Trenton, New Jersey, during a three-way dance with the Dudley Boyz and PG-13, Saturn tore his ACL when he landed on a crutch while executing a kick on Big Dick Dudley. Despite the injury, Saturn continued to compete and defeated the Dudley Boyz at Wrestlepalooza 1997 and Kronus continued defending the title in handicap matches against the F.B.I before Saturn competed in a match that saw the Eliminators drop the tag-team titles back to the Dudley Boyz at a house show in Waltham, Massachusetts on June 20, 1997.

After intense reconstructive surgery, Saturn was given a recovery time of as much as a year. He began rehabilitating after two months and returned to action in August although in a diminished capacity due to his knee problems. Saturn had become impatient with what he regarded as Kronus' lack of motivation and dedication, and refused to reform the Eliminators. Paul Heyman offered to release him from his contract if he could find alternate employment. Saturn entered into negotiations with World Championship Wrestling (WCW) and signed a contract with them while not being 100% recovered from his knee injury.

After Saturn left, Kronus began teaming with various wrestlers, including former enemy New Jack to form The Gangstanators but never achieved the same success as he did together with Saturn.

Championships and accomplishments

See also

References

  1. ^ Loverro, Thom (2006). The Rise and Fall of ECW. Pocket Books. pp. 107–108. ISBN 978-1-4165-1058-1.
  2. Nelson, Phil; Peter Karlsson (2005-08-23). "Extreme Championship Wrestling: Gangsters Paridise 1995". American Wrestling Trivia. Retrieved 2007-05-07.
  3. Nelson, Phil; Peter Karlsson (2005-08-23). "Extreme Championship Wrestling: November To Remember 1995". American Wrestling Trivia. Retrieved 2007-05-07.
  4. Nelson, Phil; Peter Karlsson (2005-08-23). "Extreme Championship Wrestling: December To Dismember 1995". American Wrestling Trivia. Retrieved 2007-05-07.
  5. Nelson, Phil; Peter Karlsson (2005-08-23). "Extreme Championship Wrestling: Holiday Hell 1995". American Wrestling Trivia. Retrieved 2007-05-07.
  6. "Extreme Championship Wrestling: January-March 1996". Prowrestlinghistory.com. Retrieved 2007-05-07.
  7. "Extreme Championship Wrestling: Big Ass Extreme Bash - March 8, 1996". Prowrestlinghistory.com. Retrieved 2007-05-07.
  8. Nelson, Phil; Peter Karlsson (2005-08-23). "Extreme Championship Wrestling: A Matter of Respect 1996". American Wrestling Trivia. Retrieved 2007-05-07.
  9. Nelson, Phil; Peter Karlsson (2005-08-23). "Extreme Championship Wrestling: Fight The Power 1996". American Wrestling Trivia. Retrieved 2007-05-07.
  10. Nelson, Phil; Peter Karlsson (2005-08-23). "Extreme Championship Wrestling: Hardcore Heaven 1996". American Wrestling Trivia. Retrieved 2007-05-07.
  11. Nelson, Phil; Peter Karlsson (2005-08-23). "Extreme Championship Wrestling: The Doctor Is In 1996". American Wrestling Trivia. Retrieved 2007-05-07.
  12. "Extreme Championship Wrestling: October-December 1996". Prowrestlinghistory.com. Retrieved 2007-05-07.
  13. Nelson, Phil; Peter Karlsson (2005-08-23). "Extreme Championship Wrestling: Hostile City Showdown 1997". American Wrestling Trivia. Retrieved 2007-05-07.
  14. Nelson, Phil; Peter Karlsson (2005-08-23). "Extreme Championship Wrestling: Barely Legal 1997". American Wrestling Trivia. Retrieved 2007-05-07.
  15. "Extreme Championship Wrestling: April-June 1997". Prowrestlinghistory.com. Retrieved 2007-05-07.
  16. "Extreme Championship Wrestling: January-March 1996". Prowrestlinghistory.com. Retrieved 2007-05-07.
  17. "Extreme Championship Wrestling: April-June 1997". Prowrestlinghistory.com. Retrieved 2007-05-07.

Further reading

  • Funk, Terry and Scott E. Williams. Terry Funk: The Hardcore Legend. Champaigne, Illinois: Sports Publishing LLC, 2005. ISBN 1-58261-991-3
  • Loverro, Thom. The Rise & Fall of ECW: Extreme Championship Wrestling. New York: Simon & Schuster, 2006. ISBN 1-4165-1058-3
  • Williams, Scott E. Hardcore History: The Extremely Unauthorized Story of the ECW. Champaign, Illinois: Sports Publishing L.L.C., 2006. ISBN 1-59670-021-1
  • Shoot with Ian Rotten. Perf. Ian Rotten. DVD. RF Video, 2005.
  • Shoot with Team 3-D: Brother Ray & Devon. Perf. Dudley Boys. DVD. RFvideo, 2006.
  • Shoot with Sabu. Perf. Sabu. DVD. RF Video, 2006.
  • Shoot with Scott Steiner. Perf. Scott Steiner. DVD. RF Video, 2006.

External links

ECW World Tag Team Champions
1990s
2000s
USWA World Tag Team Champions
1980s
1990s
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