Mike Law Returns To ECWA
Joey Ace faces a colossal challenge at PretzelMania.
After a grueling victory over Sam Shields at the 2020 Super 8, Joey Ace climbed the turnbuckle and hoisted the ECWA Heavyweight Championship high above the crowd. Thrilled to be back at a professional wrestling event, witnessing a great match and title change was the cherry on top for many fans. As Ace soaked in the adulation, Billy Squier’s “The Stroke” blasted throughout The Jersey Dugout. The Champagne Papi’s smile turned to confusion – that song could mean the arrival of only one man: Mike Law.
The former ECWA Heavyweight Champion hadn’t been seen since last year’s Super 8. He was involved in a six-way scramble, in which Ace emerged with the title for the first time. Hurting his foot during the fracas, Law limped to the back, frustrated with himself, as well as the powers that be for failing to promote such a historic event properly. Only 125 people showed up to South Philadelphia High School for the promotion’s biggest event of the year, a far cry from the hundreds who would pack the Boys & Girls Club in Newark, DE, a decade earlier.
“I remember at one point being so frustrated that I was like, just let it die already,” Mike Law told The Wrestling Estate. “If you’re not going to care and take the time and effort to promote these things properly, if you’re not going to get a viewing audience that will appreciate these boys and girls, then what’s the point?”
The 2019 Super 8 was the tipping point in former ECWA owner Mike Tartaglia’s eternal struggle over getting out of the independent wrestling business. He cancelled the next event scheduled for June and suspended operations for the summer. ECWA returned that September, but Law, an almost 20-year veteran who had been a staple of the company since 2016, was no longer on the roster.
“I feel I present a great value to anywhere that I’ve ever wrestled, maybe now more than ever,” Law says. “I’m a young veteran who can bring the best out of younger guys and even guys who have already established themselves. The previous management didn’t see it that way. That’s their perspective, but I don’t agree with it and that’s why I left. No harm, no foul. I don’t hold anything against anyone pretty much these days. It was completely a business decision on both ends.”
In December, Tartaglia sold the company. Longtime matchmaker Joe Zanolle, supported by an undisclosed, highly influential investor with industry experience, has since taken over. Despite the restrictions imposed by COVID-19, ECWA has been rejuvenated. The promotion has finally moved into the 21st century with active social media accounts, a completely revamped website and past footage being digitally transferred, making it more accessible for fans. Its first event since the coronavirus pandemic – the 2020 Super 8 – was streamed live for the first time in the tournament’s 24-year history.
“Partnering up with IWTV was brilliant,” Law says. “Right off the bat, it got an audience that the previous management had completely ignored. Super 8 was even trending at one point.”
We’re still here. We are #forevercolossal #WorldPremiere #FridayVibes #FridayFeeling #AEWDynamite #smackdown #RawUnderground #IMPACTonAXSTV #WWENXT #mlw #Brooklyn #ny #colossal pic.twitter.com/UdQdGI0Gel
— THE COLOSSAL ONE ™️ (@COLOSSALMIKELAW) October 16, 2020
With a fresh vision behind the scenes and plenty of fresh blood in the ring, ECWA once again became an attractive promotion for Mike Law to ply his trade. Unappreciated his first go-around, he’s come back with a chip on his shoulder. He also has some unfinished business with Ace, who he’ll challenge for the ECWA Heavyweight Championship at PretzelMania IV on Nov 7.
“I don’t think Joey Ace is the guy to carry this company to the next level,” Law says. “I admire his tenacity, gusto and the fact that he’s been doing this for as long as he has. Not as long as I have, mind you. It’s not that I don’t think Joey is a premiere athlete able to attain success, I just don’t think his time is now. I’m the guy that needs to take that belt and lead the charge.”
Animosity has been brewing between Law and Ace and their former teammate Azrieal for years. The three workhorses, managed by AJ Pan, comprised the PCA, which has had a stranglehold on the ECWA Heavyweight Championship since 2017. With all three considering themselves top guys, it was only natural for jealousy to fester.
“There were some hard feelings about things that weren’t communicated,” Law says. “The people that didn’t communicate it thoroughly should probably sit down some day and have a discussion. I’ve been so willing to help everybody else and it’s never really been reciprocated in the same light. I’ve come to the realization that nobody is going to look out for you more than you’re going to look out for yourself. I can’t afford to take another year to look back; I have to keep moving forward.”
Pan is no longer with ECWA and as a result, the PCA is finished in the company. With that said, Law still considers Pan one of his great friends, even outside the wrestling business. They plan on working together in other independent promotions.
“Mike is one of the most overlooked and underutilized individuals in the business,” Pan says. “He definitely deserves this opportunity and I hope he knows it’s make or break. Joey has sacrificed a lot to regain the title, including friends. Mike needs this and he’ll be on the top of his game. May the best man win.”
According to Zanolle, Law has always had a bit of a chip on his shoulder despite being a former ECWA Heavyweight Champion and former Super 8 competitor. “Everyone on the ECWA roster wants to be the man,” Zanolle says. “Ace has been a machine of late and had one helluva of a match with Sam Shields to recapture Big Red at the Super 8. Whatever past friendship or association Mike Law and Joey Ace have had in the past is out the window. Both guys want it. Eye of the tiger. Question is, which one wants it more? I can’t wait to find out. ECWA fans will not be disappointed!”
Regardless of the outcome at PretzelMania, Mike Law is glad to be back at ECWA. While the company was on the brink of extinction just last year, new management has the veteran excited for the future.
“You’ll see a concentration on the importance of storytelling, storylines and continuity,” Law says. “That’s something that can still be done in this day and age. I know it’s a hard concept of bringing fans back and having them be emotionally invested, but it can still be done. It’s still ECWA, but with the people now in charge, you’ll see a lot of vast improvements.”
PretzelMania IV takes place Saturday, Nov. 7, at The Jersey Dugout in Morganville, New Jersey.
ECWA events are also available on IWTV.
For tickets and more information, visit ecwaprowrestling.com.
You can also join the ECWA Pro Wrestling Facebook group for the latest news, match announcements, promos and more.
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