Opinion

EA’s The Underrated Files: 2 Cold Scorpio

Published

7 years ago

July 1, 2018

In the year 2018, high-flying aerial offense or top rope maneuvers seem to have lost their aura. The days of a 450 splash being innovative are long gone. A generation of new performers were influenced growing up watching stars like Billy Kidman, Rey Mysterio, Juventud Guerrera and a plethora of others taking to the skies during the Monday Night Wars, but years before that, there was one man that was breaking the mold in the early 90’s here in America. While men like Owen Hart were giving us glimpses in the late 80’s as The Blue Blazer, there was one guy that seemingly had no fear when it came to taking to the air. It seemed he had nerves of ice. Perhaps, he turned a “cold” shoulder to the typical styles of the time. You could even say, “2 Cold”. That man was 2 Cold Scorpio.

Born in Denver, Colorado on October 25th, 1965, Charles Scaggs broke into the wrestling business in 1985, an era that was dominated by larger than life builds and characters who didn’t have to do much in the ring to get themselves over. He adopted the name 2 Cold Scorpio and performed for various independent entities before making his way to New Japan Pro Wrestling and training at the famous NJPW Dojo following a recommendation from one of the biggest American stars to ever step foot in ‘The Land Of The Rising Sun’, the late, great Big Van Vader. This is where Scorpio really found himself as an in-ring performer, where you didn’t need to have “24-inch pythons” to be successful, eventually working his way into Europe and Mexico as well.

In the early 1990’s, a shift in the size of wrestlers was just formulating with World Championship Wrestling really leading the charge. Competitors such as ‘Flyin’ Brian Pillman were becoming very popular with fans and the company would open a working relationship with NJPW. At Clash Of The Champions XXI, Scorpio finally was seen by a much larger audience, making his WCW debut as Ron Simmons’ mystery partner and awing spectators young and old with acrobatics that had never really been seen on such a large stage. While Pillman could perform some springboard maneuvers that were rarely seen in the States, nobody could do what Scorpio pulled off with his Scorpio Splash (450 Splash) and the even more impressive Tumbleweed, a corkscrew somersault leg drop. Speaking for myself only as a youngster, my jaw would drop.

2 Cold Scorpio would quickly grow what you could call an “underground” following, always impressing even though he never made it past a mid-card status. He did however earn some gold after pairing up with a young Marcus Alexander Bagwell to win the WCW World Tag Team Championships. For reasons unknown (which can often be said about any decisions made by WCW), Scorpio was released in 1994. It wouldn’t take long for his talents to be recognized by other organizations, quickly jumping on-board with a company that was very quickly growing in popularity, Extreme Championship Wrestling.

The ECW crowd is widely-known for its love of blood and guts, but it’s often forgotten that their rabid fans greatly appreciated straight-up good wrestling and technical skills. People often forget that future industry Superstars Chris Jericho, Eddie Guerrero, Chris Benoit, Dean Malenko, Rey Mysterio and Psicosis all made names for themselves after being brought in by Paul Heyman. This is where Scorpio earned his biggest successes as a 4-time ECW World Television Champion (a title that was highly respected, unlike what was becoming of WCW’s formerly prestigious TV Championship), in addition to a Tag Team Title reign with ECW icon, The Sandman. His feuds with Sabu, Taz and Shane Douglas will live forever in the minds of die-hard ECW fans. I’d highly recommend checking them out on the WWE Network.

In 1996, 2 Cold Scorpio got his chance with the “big leagues” after signing with the WWF, undergoing a complete character change and taking on the name Flash Funk. Sporting a zoot-suit and flanked by his dancers The Funkettes, it was a gimmick that really fit his flashy style and tendency for busting the occasional move in the ring. The wrestling industry was in the midst of a complete overhaul however and despite impressing crowds with his pension for popping flashbulbs by defying gravity, the gimmick and weakness on the microphone made his run fairly forgettable. It was very hard to get behind Flash Funk with Superstars like The Undertaker, Mankind, Shawn Michaels, Bret Hart and of course, ‘Stone Cold’ Steve Austin leading the charge for the company. He would eventually drop the character and simply be called Scorpio, but the quintessential damage had been done and although he still was earning television time after starting to team-up with fellow ECW alum Terry Funk, the writing was on the wall. After requesting some time away in 1999 to deal with personal issues, the WWF instead decided to cut ties altogether and ultimately released him.

Since then, 2 Cold Scorpio has continued his ring work, making sporadic appearances for ECW before their demise in 2001 and then continuing to work on the independent scene to this day, even at the age of 52. Admittedly, it’s very likely that what we saw from Scorpio was not even the best of him, as he’s been very open about his time in ECW and the WWF being a stage when he struggled with hard drug use. A recipe for disaster if you’re looking to become a top star in the business, but unfortunately not uncommon in eras past.

The next time you see Ricochet squash an opponent with a 630 Splash, Lince Dorado execute a Shooting Star Press or even current WWE Champion AJ Styles hit his springboard 450 Splash, maybe you will remember the name 2 Cold Scorpio. I highly recommend firing up the WWE Network and checking out his work, then remembering that everything you see today had to start somewhere. While he may be mostly forgotten or even unknown by younger fans, I pride myself on being a bit of a wrestling historian and will always remember the men who helped to usher in gravity-defying moves. You can call him “Funky” or even a “Flash” in the pan, but you cannot discount the innovations of one 2 Cold Scorpio.

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Opinion

Chairshot Staff Picks: Money In The Bank

Extra, extra read all about it… Chairshot Staff picks are in!!!

Published

2 weeks ago

June 6, 2025

PC Tunney

Sing it with me… money money money money moneeeeeeeeeyeeeeee… everybody’s got a price! MONEY IN THE BANK is here!!! How money will our staff picks be?!?

AJ – Roxanne Perez
Andrew – Stephanie Vaquer – *Bubba Sparxxx Impression* I don’t tell stories, I let them tell theyself.
Dave – Guilia – A stacked field but I just like her here.
DJ – Naomi
DPP – Roxanne Perez
Jason – Alexa Bliss
Patrick – Roxanne Perez
Rey – Naomi – If Naomi loses, we riot!
Rob – Naomi
Greg – Alexa Bliss – Bliss has had huge reactions since returning and is moving a ton of merch. While I can see them wanting to build Roxanne Perez, Giulia, or Stephanie Vaquer, I think Alexa Bliss.

Tunney’s Take: Rhea Ripley – I’ll make my case short and sweet… Mami in the Bank! You can’t leave that money on the table.

Chairshot Pick – Tie – Naomi 3 & Roxanne Perez 3 (Alexa Bliss 2, Giulia 1, Rhea Ripley 1, Stephanie Vaquer 1)

AJ – LA Knight
Andrew – El Grande Americano – Feels correct given his push and the fact he’s over.
Dave – Seth Rollins – Got to push that new faction.
DJ – LA Knight
DPP – El Grande Americano
Jason – LA Knight
Patrick – Solo Sikoa
Rey – LA Knight – Looks like another push, and he does have history with Cena.
Rob – Solo Sikoa
Greg – Seth Rollins – This company is extremely high in the El Grande Americano gimmick, but this match comes down to Seth Rollins or LA Knight. Given the Rollins storyline, it’s his briefcase to win.

Tunney’s Take: El Grande Americano – Picture this: Chad Gable wins the AAA Mega Championship and El Grande Americano wins MITB! WHAT A SATURDAY in LA!!!

Chairshot Pick – LA Knight 4 (El Grande Americano 3, Seth Rollins 2, Solo Sikoa 2)

AJ – Becky Lynch – Sadly
Andrew – Becky Lynch – I still don’t care about Lyra.
Dave – Lyra Valkyria – Starting to warm up to her and Becky has a lot to do with that.
DJ – Lyra Valkyria
DPP – Becky Lynch
Jason – Becky Lynch
Patrick – Lyra Valkyria
Rey – Becky Lynch – Put some fire on the Irish Beef.
Rob – Becky Lynch
Greg – Becky Lynch – I don’t think you do a rematch here just to have Becky lose again. Unless Bayley shows up to help Lyra.

Tunney’s Take: Becky Lynch – A big part of me feels that winning this title checks off a major box for Becks in her HOF career.

Chairshot Pick – Becky Lynch 8-3

AJ – Cena & Paul
Andrew – Rhodes & Uso – Easy way for Cena to lose without eating the pinfall.
Dave – Rhodes & Uso – Get the QB back on the winning track.
DJ – Rhodes & Uso
DPP – Rhodes & Uso
Jason – Cena & Paul
Patrick – Cena & Paul
Rey – Rhodes & Uso – Heels usually lose these kinds of matches. Logan takes the pin.
Rob – Cena & Paul
Greg – Rhodes & Uso – I hope Jey isn’t an afterthought here like Cody was last fall when he was paired up with Roman. I think Cody pins Cena to set up Cody-Cena 2 at SummerSlam.

Tunney’s Take: Cena & Paul – I don’t think Cena is involved in another loss until he loses the WWE Championship. I also think Logan Paul is NOT done trying to capture Jey Uso’s World Heavyweight Championship. …Travis Scott in the house?

Chairshot Pick – 6-5 Rhodes & Uso

In closing I want to thank everyone on the panel for participating with their picks! You can follow each prognosticator/podcaster on X @ the handles below. We all enjoy Pro Wrestling so remember three things… be respectful of others, comparison is the thief of joy and HAVE FUN!

AJ – @PhenomenalAJB
Andrew – @IWCWarChief
Dave – @AttitudeAgg
DJ – @TheMindlessPod
DPP – @itsmeDPP
Jason – @JediFett
Patrick – @WrestlngRealist
Rey – @itsreycash
Rob – @rbonne1
Greg – @gregdemarco44
PC – @PCTunney
TheChairshot.com – @ChairshotMedia

prowrestlingtees.com/TheChairshot – a PLETHORA of GREAT designs…MAKES A GREAT GIFT!

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About Chairshot Radio Network

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CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS

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Opinion

Chairshot Staff Picks: Backlash St. Louis

Chairshot Staff picks!!!

Published

1 month ago

May 9, 2025

PC Tunney

May is upon us and with that, so is Backlash from St. Louis! What does the first PLE after WrestleMania have in store for the WWE Universe? Let’s see if the Chairshot Staff can properly interpret the crystal ball of rasslin’ future.

AJ – Pat MacAfee – Gunther has to start losing control and who better than an announcer.
Andrew – Pat MacAfee – Goldberg getting involved does seem correct here.
Dave – Gunther – He’s not losing to a broadcaster.
DJ – Gunther – Pat is sent to the shadow realm until football season is over.
DPP – Gunther – Post match beat down leads to Pat time off.
Jason – Gunther – One massive spot and or bump from Pat.
Patrick – Gunther
Rey – Gunther – RIP MacAfee, t’was a good life.
Rob – Gunther
Greg – Pat MacAfee – Why? Goooooldbeeerrrrrgggggg!

Tunney’s Take: Gunther – Seems like the right pick here. Pat may be getting some time off and Gunther needs more heat.

Chairshot Pick – GUNTHER 8-3

AJ – Lyra Valkyria – Becky’s hopefully putting her over, still mad about Dakota.
Andrew – Becky Lynch – I have no real interest in Lyra currently.
Dave – Becky Lynch – Lyra is boring AF!
DJ – Lyra Valkyria – Bayley interferes.
DPP – Becky Lynch – Becky cheats and steals the title.
Jason – Lyra Valkyria – Bayley costs Becks.
Patrick – Becky Lynch
Rey – Becky Lynch – Story needs to jump up a bit, Becky Charlotte’s Lyra.
Rob – Lyra Valkyria
Greg – Becky Lynch – It’s been fun, Lyra. (It kinda hasn’t)

Tunney’s Take: Lyra Valkyria – Bayley’s interference should set up some type of program with Becky as we head towards Summer(Slam).

Chairshot Pick – BECKY LYNCH 6-5

AJ – Jacob Fatu – Great way to put him over w/ two former WHCs and LA Knight.
Andrew – Jacob Fatu – He’s Jacob Fatu!
Dave – Jacob Fatu – Too soon to pull the belt off him.
DJ – Jacob Fatu – Priest and LA can’t decide who’s is bigger.
DPP – Jacob Fatu – Your hardcore match, tables and chairs involved.
Jason – Jacob Fatu – The Champ retains due to or in spite of Solo.
Patrick – Jacob Fatu
Rey – Jacob Fatu – All gas. No brakes. Ain’t losing.
Rob – Jacob Fatu
Greg – Jacob Fatu – Someone from The Samoan Dynasty ain’t winning a title just to drop it.

Tunney’s Take: Jacob Fatu – Uncle Mo is on Fatu’s side and other than Knight, I don’t see Drew or Priest holding the US title in the current circumstances of this title’s landscape.

Chairshot Pick – JACOB FATU 11-0

AJ – Dominic Mysterio – Judgement Day shenanigans just leading up to Finn turning on Dom later.
Andrew – Penta – Dom’s fine having a short reign, could also work for pushing AAA.
Dave – Dominic Mysterio – He’s probably more over than Penta.
DJ – Dominic Mysterio – Dirty Dom takes home the gold and the girl.
DPP – Dominic Mysterio – Big Head helps Dom pull out the win.
Jason – Dominic Mysterio – By hook and crook.
Patrick – Dominic Mysterio
Rey – Dominic Mysterio – Latino Heat keeps burning. Finn gets closer to the edge.
Rob – Dominic Mysterio
Greg – Dominic Mysterio – Someone from The Guerrero Dynasty ain’t winning a title just to drop it.

Tunney’s Take: Dominic Mysterio – That belt looks good with the king of chicken tendys. I can see Penta and Rey reforming as a tag team sooner than later.

Chairshot Pick – DOMINIC MYSTERIO 10-1

AJ – John Cena – Why? Cena wins, lol.
Andrew – John Cena – Shenanigans ensue so it’s not a clean win.
Dave – John Cena – The last time is now.
DJ – John Cena – Randy hears voices telling him he needs an Attitude Adjustment.
DPP – John Cena – Cena tries to cheat but the ref doesn’t call for a DQ.
Jason – John Cena – Nefarious means, Randy not ready for Evil John Cena.
Patrick – John Cena
Rey – John Cena – Cena just counting down the dates. Should be fun though.
Rob – John Cena
Greg – John Cena – You know they want Cody to be the hero in the end.

Tunney’s Take: Randy Orton – Once upon a time Randy got himself intentionally disqualified and it cost John. Saturday, history repeats itself with a 180-degree twist. Cena retains via Orton DQ victory. This time, Travis Scott’s appearance takes care of that task.

Chairshot Pick – JOHN CENA 10-1