Some pro wrestlers like to brag that they caused riots when in the ring.
Chris Ford can say he prevented one.
Ford, better known as his wrestling persona “Crowbar,” was wrestling for Extreme Rising at the armory in Northeast Philadelphia.
Ford was wrestling in the second-to-last match of the night, and most of the night was not too appealing to hardcore wrestling fans.
Then Ford and his opponent, Jerry Lynn, got to the ring and the fans had one request.
“Save the show,” the crowd chanted.
Ford and Lynn put on a classic match, and while Crowbar didn’t get his hand raised, he once again proved to his Philly fans that he’s one of the best in the sport.
“We had been downstairs the entire night, the locker room was three levels down, you couldn’t hear the crowd,” said Ford, who also had his match changed at the last minute from a three-way match with Lynn and Justin Credible to a singles bout with Lynn. “We were up there, had a very enthusiastic crowd, I was thrilled to work with him, I’m a huge Jerry Lynn fan. I worked him briefly in one of the early TNA shows, but never had a singles match. I’m probably the biggest Jerry Lynn fan and I get to work with him.
“We walk up and we hear the crowd chanting, ‘This show sucks.’ So we’re like, ‘What is going on?’ We had no idea. You couldn’t hear the main level. We’re screwed. We go out, a hostile crowd and Jerry gets there and I’m in the ring and they start chanting, ‘Save the show.’
“It was an injection of adrenaline. Let’s go! We worked our butts off. I’m asked often about that one and it was special, one it was awesome to get to work with Jerry Lynn and have the notoriety of saving the show.”
That was 11 years ago, but Ford still loves coming to Philadelphia.
And on Saturday night, he’ll get a chance to wrestle in front of the crowd he loves at an arena he’s been at as many times as anyone.
Ford, who starred in Extreme Championship Wrestling and World Wrestling Entertainment as Devon Storm and Crowbar in World Championship Wrestling and All Elite Wrestling, will take on Facade on Saturday at the 2300 Arena at Battleground Championship Wrestling’s event.
Other matches include Battleground Championship Wrestling champion Brian Kendrick defending his title against Lance Anoa’i, Mr. USA Tony Atlas taking on Traxx, Mayla Grace to face Leva Bates and VSK will battle Peter Avalon.
Two big guys will be there to celebrate the season: Santa Claus and Meanie Claus, better known as the Blue Meanie.
This match is one Ford is looking forward to, not only because Facade is one of the top independent stars out there, but he’s a guy Ford considers a friend.
“We’ve known each other for a while, he reminds me of a young me, even the same colors, neon green and back,” Ford said of his foe. “Incredible athlete, at this stage of my career, he’s just a good guy and I like working with good people. This guy can go, he can wrestle, he can fly, he does fantastic things.
“The best part is, I like to wrestle people I like as a person. When you get older, we have jobs, we have families, I’m not making a living off this in any way. Not many people are. I’m out there because I enjoy performing, I think I do it at a high level. And I’m excited because I know I can wrestle Facade and have fun. He’s just a quality wrestler and person.”
This time, Ford doesn’t anticipate having to save the show.
But his match very well could steal the show.
Battleground Championship Wrestling has been running shows in Philadelphia for a few years now, and Ford debuted at its last event, wrestling Johnny Swinger.
“I did the one show so far, I worked Johnny Swinger last show and it was a lot of fun,” Ford said. “They’re giving me great opponents like Facade. And Wrestlemania week, they’re letting me do a very creative thing that I’ve dreamed up. Anyone that lets me work hard and be who I am, gives me a license to have fun, that’s a home run for me. And getting Facade, I’ve been wanting to work (with) him for a long time. I’m finally getting to do it.”
For tickets, visit http://battlegroundcw.com/.
Prior to the show at the same building, Icons of Wrestling will hold a convention featuring stars of yesterday and today. Among the stars appearing are Booker T, Greg “The Hammer” Valentine and Wendi Richter.
For more information, visit http://www.iconsofwrestling.net/.
