2018 CATCH WRESTLING WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP RESULTS! 

THE 2018 CATCH WRESTLING WORLD CHAMPION, CURRAN JACOBS

The 2018 Catch Wrestling World Championship will go down in history as one of the most incredible Grappling tournaments EVER! Nobody could have predicted what was about to transpire and the eight warriors that fought their hearts out on this hot summer night, will forever be known as Catch Wrestling’s Murderers’ Row! Every match had the audience on the edge of their seats right from the get go, and in one day, Catch Wrestling had finally reclaimed its throne as the King of all things Wrestling!

1st Round of the World Championship, 8-Man Bracket: 

KENNY LESTER vs. NICHOLAS CAGGIA

The evening kicked off with Kenny Lester A/K/A ”Gorilla Blanco” taking on New Jersey’s very own BIG Nick Caggia. These two warriors set the tone for the entire event. Many questioned whether there would be a ring left to compete in after this match, due to the combined weight of these two monsters totaling nearly 700 pounds! Lester would go on to secure the win via pin, but the night’s action was just getting started. “Gorilla Blanco” had without a doubt secured a ton of fans with his showmanship and athletic prowess, while Nick Caggia once again proved to be a worthy challenge for any man.

BRANDON RUIZ vs. JON ZANG

The second match saw Philadelphia native and Military Veteran, Jon Zang take on U.S. Grappling Champion Brandon “The Strangler” Ruiz. The match started with a solid exchange of tie-ups and then Ruiz lived up to his nickname when he locked in an extremely tight strangle hold. Zang refused to tap and found himself unconscious being awakened by Head Referee, David Elias of Primal Gym. Most assumed Zang would not be able to continue, but Big Jon picked himself up and launched himself into the next round with unrivaled focus and aggression. Ruiz snared a takedown, but Zang exploded to his feet and followed up with his own takedown, then proceeded to take the U.S. Champ’s back and assumed control for the remainder of the round.  The match went the distance, but Ruiz had already secured the win achieving the only submission of the match.

PAT STANO vs. ERIK HAMMER

Next up was Legendary Grappler Pat Stano, who at 53 years of age stepped in with only one week notice to replace an injured competitor. Stano, who is well known for his competitive career, which saw him go 20 matches in World Championship Competition in Brazil without giving up a single point, faced Josh Barnett’s understudy, Erik Hammer. Little was known about Hammer, but he suddenly became a potential “dark horse” in the show. Hammer tied up with Stano and the two fought for position on their feet until Hammer was able to pressure the Old Champion against the ropes in an attempt to force him into a state of exhaustion. This strategy proved quite effective for the younger Hammer, when well into the second round Stano began to wear. Hammer secured the takedown and Stano was forced to throw in the towel due to complete exhaustion. We salute Pat Stano for coming out of retirement and immediately taking on anyone we gave him with zero hesitation. It was a treat for all of us in attendance to see this warrior one more time. Hammer now looked to be a serious threat to anyone he might face in the next round.

CURRAN JACOBS vs. JOHNNY BUCK

The evening’s fourth match was an absolute war between two fearsome rivals, Curran Jacobs and Johnny Buck. These two had been exchanging heated words for weeks leading up to the event everywhere on social media and couldn’t wait to get in the ring. This one went into sudden death extra rounds with neither athlete giving an inch of ground to his opponent. Every round was as good as the last. Both Catch Wrestlers looked impressive throughout their exchanges, with several uncanny escapes and takedowns that stirred several rounds of applause from the audience. Jacobs would go on to win on this night, in a blistering 1st round battle that nobody in attendance will soon forget.In the end, Buck and Jacobs both had resolved their differences and displayed true character and sportsmanship.

2nd Round: 

BRANDON RUIZ vs. KENNY LESTER

The first match of the second round of this tournament saw two old teammates face one another in what shaped up to be a hard earned victory for Ruiz. Lester suffered an injury which cut his night short and ultimately moved him into 4th place. Rest assured, the mighty “Gorilla Blanco” will return!

CURRAN JACOBS vs. ERIK HAMMER

There had been four years of build up for the potential Josh Barnett vs. Curran Jacobs match and now with Barnett out of the big show due to a torn up hamstring sustained during training, his understudy Erik Hammer would replace him and face Barnett’s nemesis in his stead. With Hammer refusing to shake hands with Jacobs at the beginning, the tone of the match had been set. The two would battle from rope to rope on all sides and even through the ropes out into the crowd at one point. Hammer secured slam after slam, but Jacobs stayed the course and persevered to victory well into the sudden death overtime rounds. With Hammer still ready to go after the match and Lester out, Hammer secured himself a hard but well earned 3rd place finish.

 THE FINALS:

BRANDON RUIZ vs. CURRAN JACOBS

The Title Match proved to be absolutely unforgettable. Ruiz, the 260lb Greco & Freestyle 8-time All American vs. Jacobs, the 200lb Michigan State College & Catch Wrestling Winning Machine. Both these juggernauts had rightfully earned their spot in the finals, and neither had shown any signs of slowing down. The first few rounds consisted of Ruiz evading Jacobs’ takedown attempts, while securing many of his own. Each time, Jacobs managed to escape bottom position on the mats and get back to his feet. Several times it seemed Ruiz had his adversary pinned, but the crafty Jacobs somehow finagled his way out. At the end of three rounds neither had secured a pin or a submission. Round 4 passed and the wear, and tear of the evening began to show on both athletes, but neither gave in. At one point in the 5th round it seemed Ruiz had finally worn Jacobs out. At this point, Jacobs had already fought for 90 minutes. The crowd seemed to think Jacobs was done for. How could anyone keep going against such an immovable opponent, after so much time already spent in the ring in previous matches, and now headed into a 6th five minute round in this match? The sixth round proved to be the last as Jacobs dug down deep inside and showed the world how big his heart is. Ruiz began to fade near the end of the round, and could barely move well enough to defend any longer. Jacobs scrambled to take his opponent’s back and secured a Rear Naked Choke and along with it the World Championship Title! Again NO match was a disappointment. Champions were solidified, feuds were squashed, and Catch Wrestling firmly reestablished itself as the King of all things Wrestling. The roughest & toughest sporting event is back! Don’t believe me? Wait till you see the footage!

1ST PLACE: THE 2018 WORLD CHAMPION, CURRAN JACOBS

2ND PLACE: BRANDON “THE STRANGLER” RUIZ

JOSH BARNETT & CURRAN JACOBS

VIDEO FOOTAGE OF THE HISTORIC EVENT IS ON THE WAY! Special thanks to all the fans and athletes who made this amazing event possible. Together with Primal Promotions, Scientific Wrestling, Xtreme Couture, CSW and Legit Pro Wrestling, we at Snake Pit U.S.A. were able to do what nobody has been able to accomplish in over 100 years. THIS ONE IS FOR YOU, COACH BILLY ROBINSON AND FOR ALL OF YOU, WHO LOVE CATCH AS CATCH CAN WRESTLING!

W.A.R. CATCH! #DOITAGAIN

By: Joel Bane, Head Coach, Snake Pit U.S.A. “The World’s Premier Catch Wrestling Organization!”