Combat Zone Wrestling
Combat Zone Wrestling (CZW) is an American independent wrestling promotion. In 1998, John Zandig and five of his students, Ric Blade, T.C.K, Lobo, Nick Gage and Justice Pain, along with trainer Jon Dahmer, began to run professional wrestling ...
's Best of the Best is a
professional wrestling tournament
On various occasions in professional wrestling, a single-elimination tournament of varying match types are held, often to determine a championship or number-one contendership therein. It has been known for promotions to use title tournament that a ...
and supershow held in the CZW promotion. The annual ''Best of The Best'' was originally a
junior heavyweight tournament, which in 2005 was repurposed as an all weight tournament.
The first four tournaments saw 12 men first compete in elimination style 3-way matches in the first round before then single elimination matches until a winner was determined. During the 2005 tournament, which was held on May 14, 2005, the winner was determined by all single elimination matches. The original tournament structure returned in 2006, but saw the last four men face off in one match to determine the winner.
Winners
Participants
Results
Best of the Best
CZW's first Best of the Best tournament took place on May 19, 2001, at the
Champs Soccer Arena
Combat Zone Wrestling (CZW) is an American independent wrestling promotion. In 1998, John Zandig and five of his students, Ric Blade, T.C.K, Lobo, Nick Gage and Justice Pain, along with trainer Jon Dahmer, began to run professional wrestling sh ...
in
Sewell, New Jersey
Sewell ( ) is a census-designated place and unincorporated community within Mantua Township in Gloucester County, New Jersey. It is named for United States Senator William Joyce Sewell. Sewell is served as U.S. Postal Service ZIP Code 0808 ...
.
Best of the Best II
CZW's second Best of the Best tournament took place on June 8, 2002, at the “CZW Arena” ( Viking Hall) in Philadelphia
Philadelphia, often called Philly, is the largest city in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the sixth-largest city in the U.S., the second-largest city in both the Northeast megalopolis and Mid-Atlantic regions after New York City. Since ...
, Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania (; ( Pennsylvania Dutch: )), officially the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, is a state spanning the Mid-Atlantic, Northeastern, Appalachian, and Great Lakes regions of the United States. It borders Delaware to its southeast, ...
.
Best of the Best III
CZW's third Best of the Best tournament took place on April 12, 2003, at the “CZW Arena” ( Viking Hall) in Philadelphia
Philadelphia, often called Philly, is the largest city in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the sixth-largest city in the U.S., the second-largest city in both the Northeast megalopolis and Mid-Atlantic regions after New York City. Since ...
, Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania (; ( Pennsylvania Dutch: )), officially the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, is a state spanning the Mid-Atlantic, Northeastern, Appalachian, and Great Lakes regions of the United States. It borders Delaware to its southeast, ...
. Due to the show starting late, all the matches had a strict 15 minute time limit.
Best of the Best IV
CZW's fourth Best of the Best tournament took place on July 10, 2004, at the “CZW Arena” (New Alhambra Sports & Entertainment Center
2300 Arena is a multipurpose indoor arena in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania used primarily for professional wrestling, boxing, mixed martial arts, and concert events. Originally known as Viking Hall, the venue has since been named Alhambra Aren ...
) in Philadelphia
Philadelphia, often called Philly, is the largest city in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the sixth-largest city in the U.S., the second-largest city in both the Northeast megalopolis and Mid-Atlantic regions after New York City. Since ...
, Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania (; ( Pennsylvania Dutch: )), officially the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, is a state spanning the Mid-Atlantic, Northeastern, Appalachian, and Great Lakes regions of the United States. It borders Delaware to its southeast, ...
.
Best of the Best V: I Can Feel It in the Air Tonight
CZW's fifth Best of the Best tournament took place on May 14, 2005, at the “CZW Arena” (The Arena
An arena is an enclosed area that showcases theatre, musical performances or sporting events.
Arena, ARENA, or the Arena may also refer to:
Places and jurisdictions
* Arena, Saskatchewan, Canada
* Arena, Iran
* Arena, Calabria, Italy
* La ...
) in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, often called Philly, is the largest city in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the sixth-largest city in the U.S., the second-largest city in both the Northeast megalopolis and Mid-Atlantic regions after New York City. Since ...
. This was the first Best of the Best tournament to allow heavyweight wrestlers to compete. Also, this Best of the Best tournament did not have the traditional 3-way elimination opening round match. Instead, the final match was a 4-way elimination match.
Best of the Best VI: CZW vs. ROH
CZW's sixth Best of the Best tournament took place on May 13, 2006, at the “CZW Arena” (New Alhambra Arena
2300 Arena is a multipurpose indoor arena in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania used primarily for professional wrestling, boxing, mixed martial arts, and concert events. Originally known as Viking Hall, the venue has since been named Alhambra Arena, Th ...
) in Philadelphia
Philadelphia, often called Philly, is the largest city in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the sixth-largest city in the U.S., the second-largest city in both the Northeast megalopolis and Mid-Atlantic regions after New York City. Since ...
, Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania (; ( Pennsylvania Dutch: )), officially the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, is a state spanning the Mid-Atlantic, Northeastern, Appalachian, and Great Lakes regions of the United States. It borders Delaware to its southeast, ...
. This Best of the Best tournament saw the return of 3-way elimination match for the opening rounds, as well as keeping 4-way elimination match for the final match.
Best of the Best VII
Best of the Best 7 took place on July 14, 2007, at the “CZW Arena” (New Alhambra Arena
2300 Arena is a multipurpose indoor arena in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania used primarily for professional wrestling, boxing, mixed martial arts, and concert events. Originally known as Viking Hall, the venue has since been named Alhambra Arena, Th ...
) in Philadelphia
Philadelphia, often called Philly, is the largest city in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the sixth-largest city in the U.S., the second-largest city in both the Northeast megalopolis and Mid-Atlantic regions after New York City. Since ...
, Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania (; ( Pennsylvania Dutch: )), officially the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, is a state spanning the Mid-Atlantic, Northeastern, Appalachian, and Great Lakes regions of the United States. It borders Delaware to its southeast, ...
.
Best of the Best 8
The eighth Best of the Best took place on May 10, 2008, at the “CZW Arena” (The Arena
An arena is an enclosed area that showcases theatre, musical performances or sporting events.
Arena, ARENA, or the Arena may also refer to:
Places and jurisdictions
* Arena, Saskatchewan, Canada
* Arena, Iran
* Arena, Calabria, Italy
* La ...
) in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, often called Philly, is the largest city in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the sixth-largest city in the U.S., the second-largest city in both the Northeast megalopolis and Mid-Atlantic regions after New York City. Since ...
, and featured the first female competitor for a Best of the Best tournament in LuFisto
Genevieve Goulet (born February 15, 1980), better known by the ring name LuFisto, is a French Canadian professional wrestler.
Professional wrestling career
Independent circuit (1997–present)
LuFisto began training when she was 17 years old in ...
.
Best of the Best 9
Best of the Best 9 took place on June 13, 2009, at the “CZW Arena” (The Arena
An arena is an enclosed area that showcases theatre, musical performances or sporting events.
Arena, ARENA, or the Arena may also refer to:
Places and jurisdictions
* Arena, Saskatchewan, Canada
* Arena, Iran
* Arena, Calabria, Italy
* La ...
) in Philadelphia
Philadelphia, often called Philly, is the largest city in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the sixth-largest city in the U.S., the second-largest city in both the Northeast megalopolis and Mid-Atlantic regions after New York City. Since ...
, Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania (; ( Pennsylvania Dutch: )), officially the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, is a state spanning the Mid-Atlantic, Northeastern, Appalachian, and Great Lakes regions of the United States. It borders Delaware to its southeast, ...
.
Best of the Best X
The tenth Best of the Best took place on April 9, 2011, at the Asylum Arena
2300 Arena is a multipurpose indoor arena in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania used primarily for professional wrestling, boxing, mixed martial arts, and concert events. Originally known as Viking Hall, the venue has since been named Alhambra Arena, The ...
in Philadelphia
Philadelphia, often called Philly, is the largest city in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the sixth-largest city in the U.S., the second-largest city in both the Northeast megalopolis and Mid-Atlantic regions after New York City. Since ...
, Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania (; ( Pennsylvania Dutch: )), officially the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, is a state spanning the Mid-Atlantic, Northeastern, Appalachian, and Great Lakes regions of the United States. It borders Delaware to its southeast, ...
.
Best of the Best 11
Was held on April 14, 2012, at the Flyer's Skate Zone in Voorhees, New Jersey. In addition to the non-tournament matches, Drew Gulak
Drew Gulak (born April 28, 1987) is an American professional wrestler and professional wrestling trainer. He is currently signed to WWE, where he performs on the NXT brand. He is a former one-time WWE Cruiserweight Champion and an eight-time ...
and Danny Havoc
Grant Amos Berkland (May 19, 1986 – May 31, 2020), better known by his ring name Danny Havoc, was an American professional wrestler. He was best known for his work in Combat Zone Wrestling (CZW), and was noted for mixing his technical style wi ...
signed a contract for a No Ropes Barbwire match that took place on May 12th.
Best of the Best 12
Took place April 13, 2013 at the Flyer's Skate Zone in Voorhees, New Jersey.
Best of the Best XIII
The 13th Best of the Best took place on April 12, 2014, at the Flyer's Skate Zone in Voorhees, New Jersey.
Best of the Best 14
The 14th Best of the Best took place on April 11, 2015, at the Flyer's Skate Zone in Voorhees, New Jersey. During the event, Nick Gage
Nicholas William Wilson (born September 22, 1980), better known by his ring name Nick Gage, is an American professional wrestler. He is signed to Game Changer Wrestling (GCW), where he is the current GCW World Champion in his record-setting t ...
made his return to CZW after spending four years in prison.
Best of the Best 15
The 15th Best of the Best took place on April 9, 2016, at the Flyer's Skate Zone in Voorhees, New Jersey.
Best of the Best 16
The 16th Best of the Best took place on April 1, 2017, in Orlando
Orlando () is a city in the U.S. state of Florida and is the county seat of Orange County. In Central Florida, it is the center of the Orlando metropolitan area, which had a population of 2,509,831, according to U.S. Census Bureau figures re ...
, Florida
Florida is a state located in the Southeastern region of the United States. Florida is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the northwest by Alabama, to the north by Georgia, to the east by the Bahamas and Atlantic Ocean, and ...
Best of the Best 17
The 17th Best of the Best took place on April 14, 2018, at The Coliseum in Voorhees, New Jersey.
Best of the Best 18
The 18th Best of the Best took place on April 13, 2019, at Colossal Sports Academy in Voorhees, New Jersey.
References
External links
Tournament resultsOnline World of Wrestling - CZW Results Archive
{{Combat Zone Wrestling
Combat Zone Wrestling shows
Professional wrestling tournaments
Recurring events established in 2001