The Triple Threat

Last updated
The Triple Threat
Stable
Members See below
Former
member(s)		Shane Douglas (leader)
Dean Malenko
Chris Benoit
2 Cold Scorpio
Chris Candido
Brian Lee
Bam Bam Bigelow
Lance Storm
Supreme
Lizzie Borden
Dread King Logan
Mitch Hewitt
Debut1995
Disbanded2013

The Triple Threat was a professional wrestling villainous stable that existed in Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW) from 1995 to 1998. It was Shane Douglas's answer to Ric Flair's Four Horsemen. Douglas disliked Flair since he felt that Flair had held him back during his first run in World Championship Wrestling (WCW), when Flair was one of the bookers in WCW at the time.

Contents

History

First incarnation

The original Triple Threat consisted of Shane Douglas, Chris Benoit and Dean Malenko in ECW. At one point they dominated ECW, as Douglas was ECW World Heavyweight Champion, and Benoit and Malenko were ECW World Tag Team Champions. Malenko also became a two-time ECW World Television Champion. The group developed a hand signal – the three outer fingers raised with palms facing outward.

During the summer of 1995, Douglas left for the World Wrestling Federation (WWF), thus disbanding the Triple Threat. However, for a brief time 2 Cold Scorpio was added as a member of the Triple Threat (at least one episode of ECW Hardcore TV had Scorpio, Benoit, and Malenko cutting a promo together stating they were the Triple Threat).

Nevertheless, when Benoit and Malenko left for WCW, the Triple Threat ceased to exist until Douglas returned to ECW. During their time in WCW, Benoit and Malenko were both members of the prominent Four Horsemen stable and often teamed together.

Second incarnation

In late 1996, approximately a year after his return to ECW, Douglas and his valet Francine formed an alliance with Chris Candido and the man for hire "Bulldozer" Brian Lee. In January 1997 at House Party, they formally dubbed themselves The Triple Threat. Douglas held the ECW World Television Championship, but sought to regain the ECW World Heavyweight Championship. In early 1997, a masked man (who displayed the mannerisms of Rick Rude) began stalking Francine. At ECW's first pay-per-view event Barely Legal, the man was revealed to be Brian Lee, who was kicked out of the Triple Threat for betraying Douglas.

Bam Bam Bigelow joined the group shortly after when Douglas introduced him as his tag team partner for a match at Chapter 2 in May 1997. [1] Douglas lost the ECW World Television Championship to Taz, but won the ECW World Heavyweight Championship at Hardcore Heaven. Rick Rude eventually was persuaded by Shane Douglas to align with the Triple Threat. Rude promoted Chris Candido in his match against Taz at Hardcore Heaven 1997. Rude then began selecting Douglas's opponent to help Douglas become the greatest world champion in ECW. However, this turned out to be a ruse when Rude selected Triple Threat member Bam Bam Bigelow as Douglas's next opponent. Bigelow then challenged Douglas for the title and won, but forfeited his membership in the group in the process. Lance Storm took his place, but it was short-lived, despite being tag team champions, Storm and Candido did not get along thus, Storm was kicked out. In January 1998, Bigelow was re-admitted to the group by helping Douglas defeat Taz.

Taz began a protracted feud with the entire stable, as he wanted a shot at Douglas's world title, but was repeatedly denied and instead being forced to wrestle matches against the other members of The Triple Threat. His frustration led to his creation of the Fuck The World Heavyweight Championship in defiance.

Another angle had Candido and Storm winning the ECW World Tag Team Championship together, and were forced to defend it despite their hatred for one another. During their reluctant title defenses, each man tried to one-up the other, and showed more concern for retaining the championship than for their partner's well-being.

For a brief time in 1998, once again every member of the group had an ECW title, with Douglas holding the ECW World Heavyweight Championship, Bigelow holding the ECW World Television Championship, and Candido holding one half of the ECW World Tag Team Championship with Triple Threat prospect Lance Storm. The group disbanded completely after Bigelow left for WCW, and Candido and Douglas went their separate ways after Douglas lost the ECW World Heavyweight Championship to Taz at Guilty as Charged.

Later incarnations

The New Triple Threat (ECW)

In late 1998, Rob Van Dam, Sabu and Taz teamed up to form The New Triple Threat. They wrestled Douglas, Candido and Bigelow at November to Remember on November 1, 1998 and were able to defeat them. The New Triple Threat then disbanded due to inner dissension.

The Revolution (WCW)

In 1999, the three original members again teamed up, joining forces with Perry Saturn and Asya to form the group The Revolution.

Douglas, Candido and Bigelow in WCW

In 2000, Douglas, Candido and Bigelow were briefly reunited in a group together in WCW. Despite not using the name Triple Threat, they imitated the mannerisms of the group. The group was disbanded shortly after, when Candido left WCW.

Triple Threat reunited in XPW

In 2002, the Triple Threat reunited as Douglas, Lizzie Borden and Supreme, and went by the name The Irish Guys and Gals. The three dominated the singles division in Xtreme Pro Wrestling (XPW), with Douglas holding the XPW World Heavyweight Championship and Supreme holding the XPW King of the Deathmatch Championship. Douglas would feud with Candido in XPW until XPW folded in 2003.

Douglas, Candido and Bigelow in JAPW

In 2004, Douglas, Candido and Bigelow reunited at a Jersey All Pro Wrestling (JAPW) show just one year before Candido's death in 2005.

New Triple Threat in TKW

On 10/14/20 Shane Douglas reformed the Triple Threat on a Total Kaos Wrestling event in Taylor, Michigan, with Dread King Logan and Mitch Hewitt

Deaths

Three members of the Triple Threat died in a three-year span from 2005–2007. First on April 28, 2005, Candido would die of a blood clot from foot surgery. Then on January 19, 2007, Bigelow would die of heart disease and an overdose of cocaine. On June 25, Benoit killed himself after strangling his youngest son Daniel and his wife Nancy.

Members

Championships and accomplishments

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Taz (wrestler)</span> American professional wrestler, color commentator, and radio personality

Peter Senerchia, better known by the ring name Taz is an American radio personality, color commentator, and retired professional wrestler signed to All Elite Wrestling (AEW) as a commentator and manager.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shane Douglas</span> American professional wrestler and promoter

Troy Allan Martin is an American professional wrestler and promoter, better known by his ring name Shane Douglas. He is best known for his tenures in Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW), World Championship Wrestling (WCW), World Wrestling Federation (WWF) as Dean Douglas, and Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA), where he worked as a wrestler and manager.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dean Malenko</span> American professional wrestler

Dean Simon, better known by the ring name Dean Malenko, is an American retired professional wrestler. He is currently signed with All Elite Wrestling (AEW) as a senior producer. He is best known for his time with Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW) and World Championship Wrestling (WCW). He is also known for his time in the World Wrestling Federation as a wrestler and a road agent and New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chris Candido</span> American professional wrestler (1972–2005)

Christopher Barrett Candito was an American professional wrestler. Candito is best remembered for his tenures with promotions such as World Championship Wrestling (WCW), Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW), New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW), Total Nonstop Action Wrestling and Smoky Mountain Wrestling, where he performed under the ring name Chris Candido, as well as for his appearances in the World Wrestling Federation under the ring name Skip, one-half of the tag team The Bodydonnas. For much of his career, he performed alongside his real-life partner, Tammy "Sunny" Sytch, who acted as his valet.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bam Bam Bigelow</span> American professional wrestler (1961–2007)

Scott Charles Bigelow was an American professional wrestler, better known by the ring name Bam Bam Bigelow. Recognizable by his close to 400-pound frame and the distinctive flame tattoo that spanned most of his bald head, Bigelow was hailed by Ryan Murphy as "the most natural, agile and physically remarkable big man of the past quarter century", while former co-worker Bret Hart described him as "possibly the best working big man in the business."

<span class="mw-page-title-main">It Ain't Seinfeld</span> 1998 Extreme Championship Wrestling supercard event

It Ain't Seinfeld was a professional wrestling supercard event produced by Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW). It took place on May 14, 1998 in the Elks Lodge #878 in Elmhurst, Queens, New York City, New York.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">NWA World Title Tournament</span> 1994 Eastern Championship Wrestling supercard event and tournament

The NWA World Title Tournament was a live supercard held by the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States-based professional wrestling promotion NWA Eastern Championship Wrestling (ECW) on August 27, 1994. The event featured a tournament for the vacant NWA World Heavyweight Championship. The commentator for the event was Joey Styles. Highlights from the event aired on the August 29, 1994 episode of ECW Hardcore TV, while the tournament final and the bout between Shane Douglas and 2 Cold Scorpio appeared on the 2012 WWE DVD and Blu-ray release ECW Unreleased: Vol 1; the bout between 911 and Doink the Clown appeared on the 2013 WWE Blu-ray release ECW Unreleased: Vol 2; and the bout between Cactus Jack and Mikey Whipwreck and the Public Enemy was included in the 2005 compilation DVD BloodSport - The Most Violent Matches of ECW.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Living Dangerously (1998)</span> 1998 Extreme Championship Wrestling pay-per-view event

Living Dangerously (1998) was the inaugural Living Dangerously professional wrestling pay-per-view (PPV) event produced by Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW). It took place on March 1, 1998 from the Asbury Park Convention Hall in Asbury Park, New Jersey.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">CyberSlam (1998)</span> 1998 Extreme Championship Wrestling supercard event

CyberSlam (1998) was the third CyberSlam professional wrestling event produced by Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW). The event took place on February 21, 1998 at the ECW Arena in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

November to Remember (1997) was the fifth November to Remember professional wrestling event produced by Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW) and the first edition of November to Remember to be broadcast on pay-per-view. The event took place on November 30, 1997 from the Golden Dome in Monaca, Pennsylvania.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hostile City Showdown (1998)</span> 1998 Extreme Championship Wrestling supercard event

Hostile City Showdown was the fifth Hostile City Showdown professional wrestling supercard produced by Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW). It took place on January 31, 1998 in the ECW Arena in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in the United States. Excerpts from Hostile City Showdown aired on the February 4, February 11, and February 18 episodes of the syndicated television show ECW Hardcore TV.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">November to Remember (1998)</span> 1998 Extreme Championship Wrestling pay-per-view event

November to Remember (1998) was the sixth November to Remember professional wrestling pay-per-view (PPV) event produced by Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW). The event took place on November 1, 1998 from the Lakefront Arena in New Orleans, Louisiana.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Heat Wave (1997)</span> 1997 Extreme Championship Wrestling supercard event

Heat Wave (1997) was the fourth Heat Wave professional wrestling live event produced by Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW). The event took place on July 19, 1997 in the ECW Arena in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in the United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Heat Wave (1998)</span> 1998 Extreme Championship Wrestling pay-per-view event

Heat Wave (1998) was the fifth Heat Wave professional wrestling pay-per-view (PPV) event produced by Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW). The event took place on August 2, 1998 from the Hara Arena in Dayton, Ohio. This was the first edition of Heat Wave to be broadcast on pay-per-view. The event also featured talent from Frontier Martial-Arts Wrestling (FMW) due to partnership between ECW and FMW.

Hardcore Heaven (1997) was the fourth Hardcore Heaven professional wrestling event produced by Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW), as well as ECW's second ever pay-per-view event. The event took place on August 17, 1997 at the War Memorial Auditorium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Joey Styles provided commentary for the event. This was the first edition of Hardcore Heaven to be broadcast on pay-per-view and ECW's second ever pay-per-view following Barely Legal in April.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hardcore Heaven (1995)</span> 1995 Extreme Championship Wrestling supercard event

Hardcore Heaven (1995) was the second Hardcore Heaven professional wrestling event that took place on July 1, 1995, in the ECW Arena in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in the United States.

Wrestlepalooza (1998) was the third Wrestlepalooza professional wrestling event produced by Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW) and the only edition of Wrestlepalooza to be broadcast on pay-per-view (PPV). The event took place on May 3, 1998 in the Cobb County Civic Center in Marietta, Georgia. Joey Styles provided commentary for the event. The PPV was billed as ECW "invading enemy territory", since the state of Georgia was the home of World Championship Wrestling (WCW) in nearby Atlanta.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">UltraClash (1998)</span> 1998 Extreme Championship Wrestling supercard event

UltraClash (1998) was the second and final UltraClash professional wrestling supercard event produced by Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW). It was held on September 19, 1998 in the ECW Arena in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in the United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Orgy of Violence</span> 1997 Extreme Championship Wrestling supercard event

Orgy of Violence was a professional wrestling live event produced by Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW) on June 28, 1997. The event was held in the ECW Arena in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in the United States. Excerpts from Orgy of Violence aired on episodes #219 and #220 of ECW Hardcore TV on July 5, 1997 and July 12, 1997.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">ECW Chapter 2</span> 1997 Extreme Championship Wrestling live event

Chapter 2 was a professional wrestling live event produced by Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW) on May 10, 1997. The event was held in the ECW Arena in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in the United States. Excerpts from Chapter 2 aired on episode #212 of the syndicated television show ECW Hardcore TV on May 15, 1997.

References

  1. ↑ Kreikenbohm, Philip. "ECW Chapter 2 « Events Database « CAGEMATCH - The Internet Wrestling Database". www.cagematch.net.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.