2 Cold Scorpio Explained

2 Cold Scorpio
Birthname:Charles Bernard Scaggs
Names:2 Cold Scorpio/Too Cold Scorpio
2 Gold Scorpio
Black Wazuma
Flash Funk
Flyin' Scorpio
Flying Wazuma
Scorpio
2 Old Scorpio
Height:[1]
Weight:243lb
Birth Date:25 October 1965
Birth Place:Denver, Colorado, U.S.
Billed:Denver, Colorado
Debut:1985
Trainer:New Japan Pro-Wrestling

Charles Bernard Scaggs (born October 25, 1965) 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 with 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.[2]

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

Early career (1985–1992)

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, on the recommendation of Big Van Vader, he decided to go to New Japan Pro-Wrestling, where he trained in the NJPW Dojo. He also wrestled in Europe and Mexico.[3]

World Championship Wrestling (1992–1994)

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. Although he was released 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)

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, this time in a tournament; he made it all the way 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.[2] [6]

World Wrestling Federation (1996–1999)

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 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)

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)

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)

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)

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

During a Ring of Honor Straight Shootin shoot interview in 2004, Scaggs admitted to using crack cocaine while he was in ECW and the WWF, but that it was significantly accelerated during his stint in WWF due to the fact that he was making more money, and thus, had the opportunity to use more. Scaggs expressed regret, and stated that it wasn't until after being released from the WWF in early 1999 due to his drug use that he got clean from his crack addiction. Scaggs still regularly uses and is an advocate for marijuana.[32]

On June 15, 2024, Scaggs was arrested in Jackson County, Missouri for allegedly stabbing a man at a Kansas City Love's Travel Stop. Scaggs, who was working for the store as a security guard, claimed that he saw a man inside the store light a cigarette and that when he approached the man and asked him to put the cigarette out, the man became erratic, made threats, and attempted to grapple Scaggs to the ground. Scaggs claimed a fight then ensued, and asserted that he pulled a knife out of his pocket and used it in self defense. The alleged victim had stab wounds on his head, chest, abdomen, legs, and buttocks. Scaggs was released from custody on bail and entered a not guilty plea.[33]

Other Media

In 2003, he appeared in the video game All-Star Pro Wrestling 3.

Championships and accomplishments

Notes and References

  1. Book: WWE Encyclopedia . Shields . Brian . Sullivan . Kevin . 103 . . 2009 . 978-0-7566-4190-0 .
  2. Web site: Too Cold Scorpio Profile . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20080310205034/http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/profiles/t/too-cold-scorpio.html . March 10, 2008 . March 20, 2008 . Online World Of Wrestling.
  3. Web site: Too Cold Scorpio heads back onto the road . Leroux . Yves . June 29, 2015 . . https://web.archive.org/web/20150703114822/http://slam.canoe.com/Slam/Wrestling/2015/06/27/22476141.html . July 3, 2015 .
  4. Web site: Too Cold for WWE . Tello, C. . WWE . May 16, 2007 . September 21, 2006 . https://web.archive.org/web/20070527045815/http://www.wwe.com/inside/news/archive/toocoldsigned . May 27, 2007 . live.
  5. Web site: The SmarK Retro Rant For ECW House Party 98 . June 23, 2018 . May 11, 2002 . 411Mania.com . Keith . Scott.
  6. Web site: 1001 MATCHES: 2 COLD SCORPIO . Rippa . Phil . September 25, 2016 . DeathValleyDriver.com . Death Valley Driver Video Review .
  7. Web site: Scorpio to take flight in Japan . Molinaro, J. . . May 16, 2007 . https://web.archive.org/web/20050215200702/http://www.canoe.com/SlamWrestlingArchive/may19_scorpio.html . February 15, 2005 . dead . May 19, 1999.
  8. Web site: Job Squad [Their last TV match] vs. Owen Hart & Jeff Jarrett (w/ Debra) ]. June 11, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210906074251/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RCevXu6yDMc. September 6, 2021 . YouTube . live.
  9. Web site: NOAH Tug of War tour results . August 31, 2007 . Green Destiny . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20070929083558/http://noah.puroresufan.com/results/tugofwar01.php . September 29, 2007.
  10. Web site: Vader: Profile & Match Listing – Internet Wrestling Database (IWD).
  11. Web site: Team KAOS (Scorpio/Vader) vs. STERNNESS (Saito/Akiyama) c (NOAH 2001/10/19) [GHC Tag Championship!] ]. https://web.archive.org/web/20201123171433/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0QTHc2wxNQE . 23 November 2020 . YouTube. Also archived at Ghostarchive: https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211205/0QTHc2wxNQE
  12. Web site: Vader: Profile & Match Listing – Internet Wrestling Database (IWD).
  13. Web site: NOAH 3rd Great Voyage '05 at Budokan Hall wrestling results – Internet Wrestling Database.
  14. Web site: Charles Scaggs released . December 23, 2007 . . https://web.archive.org/web/20071113191346/http://www.wwe.com/inside/news/archive/charlesscaggs . November 13, 2007 . live.
  15. Web site: Yearly Results: 2007 . Cawthon . Graham . 2017 . TheHistoryOfWWE.com .
  16. Web site: WWE RAW RESULTS . Online World Of Wrestling.
  17. Web site: Lacroix, C. . December 20, 2005 . Have a jolly Hardcore Homecoming Christmas . dead. https://archive.today/20130115102452/http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/Reviews/2005/12/20/1361661.html . January 15, 2013 . May 16, 2007 . Canoe.ca.
  18. Web site: Have a jolly Hardcore Homecoming Christmas - Slam Wrestling . December 21, 2005 .
  19. Web site: Kapur, B. . June 11, 2005 . Hardcore Homecoming a memorable night . dead. https://archive.today/20130115110149/http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2005/06/11/1082775.html . January 15, 2013 . May 16, 2007 . Canoe.ca.
  20. Web site: Hardcore Homecoming a memorable night - Slam Wrestling . June 11, 2005 .
  21. Web site: Booker T's Pro Wrestling Alliance . 2008 . Online World Of Wrestling.
  22. Web site: Caldwell's TNA Hardcore Justice PPV results 8/8: Ongoing "virtual time" coverage of ECW-themed PPV headlined by RVD vs. Sabu . James . Caldwell . August 8, 2010 . August 8, 2010 . Pro Wrestling Torch . https://web.archive.org/web/20100816153204/http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/tnappvs/article_42979.shtml . August 16, 2010 . live.
  23. Web site: Complete Results From Extreme Reunion 4.28.12 . Csonka . Larry . April 28, 2012 . 411mania.com .
  24. Web site: Past results . . September 14, 2012 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20131017033657/http://www.chikarapro.com/results.php . October 17, 2013.
  25. Web site: 9/14 Chikara "King of Trios: Night 1" Results: Easton, PA . Namako . Jason . September 15, 2012 . September 15, 2012 . WrestleView . https://web.archive.org/web/20120919191854/http://www.wrestleview.com/viewnews.php?id=1347717623 . September 19, 2012 . dead.
  26. Web site: 9/15 Chikara "King of Trios: Night 2" Results: Easton, PA . Namako . Jason . September 15, 2012 . September 16, 2012 . WrestleView . https://web.archive.org/web/20120919191838/http://www.wrestleview.com/viewnews.php?id=1347767033 . September 19, 2012 . dead.
  27. Web site: Former ECW Arena to reopen . Johnson . Mike . Pro Wrestling Insider . February 2, 2013 . February 2, 2013.
  28. Web site: Show results – 6/22 HOH in Philadelphia, Pa.: MVP vs. Sami Callihan, Dreamer vs. Storm main event, Steiners, J-Mo, more . Gee Schoon Tong . Chris . June 23, 2013 . Pro Wrestling Torch . June 23, 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20130626112108/http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/Arena_Reports_10/article_71469.shtml . June 26, 2013 . live.
  29. Web site: GNW Wrestling Bike Fest Full Event Video – 6 Matches! . https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211213/FbaCDDDczdw . December 13, 2021 . live . September 17, 2017 . December 22, 2019 . www.youtube.com.
  30. Web site: Scenic City Invitational 2018 Results . August 5, 2018.
  31. Web site: Rocky Mountain Pro – Pro Wrestling.....Elevated.
  32. Web site: Woodward . Buck . LOOKING AT ROH'S 'STRAIGHT SHOOTIN' WITH 2 COLD SCORPIO' . September 26, 2015 . PWInsider.
  33. Web site: 2 Cold Scorpio Arrested After Stabbing A Man At Gas Station, Claims Self-Defense. Wrestle Zone. Bill Pritchard. June 24, 2024. June 25, 2024.
  34. Web site: German Wrestling Federation Title Histories . July 11, 2008 . titlehistories.com . https://web.archive.org/web/20080808112136/http://www.titlehistories.com/German_Wrestling_Federation.htm . August 8, 2008 . dead.
  35. Web site: Matches « GWF Heavyweight Title Tournament « Tournaments Database « CAGEMATCH – the Internet Wrestling Database.
  36. Web site: ECW Arena's Hardcore Hall of Fame Inductees Revealed . Csonka . Larry . June 12, 2014 . 411mania.com .
  37. Web site: ECW Legend, Chilly Willy is the 2017 High Volume Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame inductee. He joins Steve Corino (2016), 2 Cold Scorpio (2015), and Ivan Koloff (2014) . Facebook . High Volume Pro Wrestling . March 24, 2022.
  38. Book: Royal Duncan & Gary Will . Wrestling Title Histories . Archeus Communications . 2000 . 4th . 0-9698161-5-4.
  39. Web site: Pro Wrestling Illustrated's Top 500 Wrestlers of the PWI Years . May 4, 2008 . Wrestling Information Archive . https://web.archive.org/web/20080516091626/http://www.100megsfree4.com/wiawrestling/pages/pwi/pwi500yr.htm . May 16, 2008 . dead.
  40. Web site: Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) 500 for 1995 . The Internet Wrestling Database . November 6, 2021.
  41. Web site: NOAH Navigation Tug of War 2001 – Tag 10 « Events Database « CAGEMATCH – the Internet Wrestling Database.
  42. Jan. 20, 1993 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: 10th Annual Newsletter Awards Issue . Meltzer . Dave . January 20, 1993 . Wrestling Observer Newsletter.
  43. Jan. 19, 1998 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: 18th Annual Newsletter Awards Issue . Meltzer . Dave . January 19, 1998 . Wrestling Observer Newsletter.
  44. Web site: WPW Superclash – Event . Cagematch . May 16, 2022.