Is there contention in the ranks of Ultimate Championship Wrestling's Board of Directors?

Rumors are flying about the group that is in charge of what goes on at the action-packed UCW shows. In particular, there is talk that some members of the board are not particularly happy with its highest-ranking member, Chairman "The Big Poppa" Scarface.

"Hey, it's all rumor at this point, that's all I can tell you," said UCW Wrestling Analyst "Big Jigger" Jeff Barton. "The conversations I've had with some of the board members haven't revealed much, but I get this sneaking feeling that there's something going on.

"But we may never find out," Barton added, "because this is the Board of Directors we're talking about."

If one thing does define the board, it's their relative quietness. The group is notorious for not making waves and not doing anything to stand out in public. So it would be outlandish for the Board to not talk publicly about any sort of internal friction.

"That's just their style," said UCW play-by-play commentator David Alexander, another person quite knowledgable about the board but also not sure how serious these rumors of a rift are. "It's their feeling that the wrestling, not the administration, is what brings the fans out. Therefore, the focus should be on the wrestling and not the Board."

That is contrast to the brash, bold chairman Scarface. The former UCW World Heavyweight Champion wants to make sure people know he's around – along with his Web sites, podcasts and whatever else he's been working on.

The contrast has worked well for the company. But following the Souled Out 2007 show in November, the rumors began flying that some of the Board was frustrated with the turn competition has been taking.

"I would say if there is anything that would get the Board arguing, it's been the sneak attacks," Barton said. "We've had several shows in a row end with a wrestler getting attacked by someone they're not supposed to be facing. I can't imagine that's going over well with many of the board members."

But, will the rumors turn out to be true?

"I say it could go either way," Alexander said. "And to tell you the truth, I wouldn't be surprised one way or the other. The only we're going to know, though, is if the Board decides it's in the best interest of UCW for the public to know. I can tell you that for sure."

The journey to the marquee event in Ultimate Championship Wrestling, March Madness, has begun.

At 7 p.m. On Jan. 11, that journey makes a stop at Calvary Christian Center in Yuba City for Thrash N Bash 2008, where one of the key pieces of the historic March Madness X will be decided: Just who will get the chance to wrestle for the UCW World Heavyweight Championship.

It's a no-brainer that challenging for the biggest wrestling championship in Yuba-Sutter during the biggest annual event in Yuba-Sutter sports entertainment, particularly during its amazing tenth anniversary, needs to be truly earned. That's where Thrash N Bash comes in – in particular, the event's Rumble match.

Anybody that's part of UCW– even cameramen have entered in the past – can enter the Rumble. Competitors are eliminated by getting thrown over the top rope and having both feet touch the floor. The last one remaining in the ring wins and earns the March Madness title shot.

Sounds simple, but past winners of the rumble well tell you it's definitely not.

"Usually, you've got to plan on facing one, maybe two guys on any night," said UCW icon Stingray, a two-time World Heavyweight Champion and previous Rumble winner. "But for the Rumble, you've got to think about how you're going to beat every other wrestler in the locker room – plus whoever the heck else shows up."

Along with strategy, there's also an element of luck when it comes to winning the Rumble. Not everybody gets into the ring at once. Instead, competitors enter throughout the match, with the order of entry done by a random drawing.

The higher the number an entrant draws, the later they enter into the Rumble match. Conventional wisdom says the later a wrestler enters the Rumble, the better their odds of winning the match. But when Stingray won the Rumble, he was actually the first man in the ring.

"Entry position isn't the only factor in winning the match," said the winner of last year's Rumble, "The Knockout" Dave Rockwell. "But it definitely helped me out. I was the last person to get into the ring during the Rumble last year, and I won it all. Thanks to that, I got my title shot and became World Heavyweight Champion."

Of course, the Insider pointed out to Rockwell, the last person he eliminated, current champion "Submission Technician" Ryan Pyles, had volunteered for the 1 entry position. And, to get Pyles out, he had to rely on some outside help from his then-associate, "The Ladies' Champion" Kraven. Pyles got his revenge a few months later at D-Day 2007 by beating Rockwell for the title.

"Oh," Rockwell said. "Yeah, that was my bad with that whole thing. Sorry about that, Pyles."

But, no matter what number this year's Thrash n Bash rumble winner draws on Jan. 11, the fact of the matter remains that with a title shot on the biggest stage UCW offers on the line, the desire of everyone involved to be the last one in the ring makes the match one of the highlights of the year and brings out the best UCW has to offer.

"If a wrestler in the locker room can't get pumped up for this match, they're in the wrong company and probably the wrong business," Rockwell said.

UCW's icon agreed with that knockout statement.

"Winning the Rumble at Thrash N Bash is probably the best way around to make your name in UCW," Stingray said. "To beat out that many people at once sends a statement that you can handle anything anybody can throw at you."

This is usually the point, in the time, with less than a week remaining until Souled Out 2007 at Calvary Christian Center, that The Insider would have some intriguing insights into one of the big matches.

The Insider would also probably have a thing or two about other exciting matches also on the card.

Not this time around, though.

In an uncharacteristic move, there has been zero information flowing out of the Ultimate Championship Wrestling offices about the match lineup for Friday's Souled Out event.

Nothing. Not a thing.

And it's not like The Insider hasn't been trying to get the inside scoop. We've tried contacting the usual folks, plus also asking around the stars of the UCW roster to see what they've heard as far as a Souled Out card. The answers have all been the same. Nobody even knows anything.

Even requests to get in touch with the UCW Chairman, "The Big Poppa" Scarface, have been met with silence.

So, the story of Souled Out thus far is not what we've learned about the matchups. It's the lack of known matchups that have become the story.

This is particularly frustrating for the wrestlers, since the gameplan element of an event like Souled Out has been taken away.

If you're a UCW title holder, that lack of knowledge is even more frustrating.

Probably frustrated more than anyone else in UCW by this turn of events is T-Roy Thomas. The self-proclaimed "Baddest Boy from the Bay" survived as much as won a ladder match at the inaugural Trial By Fire in September over "Supersonic" Alex Cross to become UCW International Champion.

"Now I'm supposed to defend the International title at Souled Out, something I've never done before, and I've got no idea how to plan for it or even who I'm facing?" a clearly angry Thomas told The Insider. "This is messed up."

UCW World Heavyweight Champion "Submission Technician" Ryan Pyles has defended his title successfully, so that part of the game is at least familiar to him. As a former International Champion as well, he knows what Thomas is going through in the unfamiliar situation of having a big target on his back.

But just because he's a little more comfortable doesn't mean there's no discomfort in not knowing who he'll have to face.

"The fact of the matter is this," Pyles said to personal interviewer Double A. "I like to have a gameplan going into a match. Now, since I'm always thinking, I'll still do great even if I don't know whom I'm going to face. But I might as well be thinking about the match beforehand. So yeah, I'd like to know what the Souled Out card is."

Yet Pyles doesn't know the card. Nobody knows the card. If anything breaks before the opening bell at 7 p.m. Friday, The Insider will be sure to let UCW fans know.

Tick. Tick. Tick.

Boom.

The time bomb that has been the showdown between Z-Force and Ultimate Championship Wrestling stars Tony Dreamer and World Heavyweight Champion "Submission Technician" Ryan Pyles exploded at the end of Ultimate Championship Wrestling's Trial By Fire, when the group attacked the two wrestlers in the midst of their submissions-only main event for the title.

Pyles had his keystone Gates of Texas hold locked on the UCW Hall of Famer in what had been a see-saw battle of expert mat wrestling when the attack occurred, leaving the two a little worse for the wear and the smug young stable gloating about earning the "respect they deserved" they mentioned to Pyles in a backstage confrontation earlier in the day.

The match came about from a couple surprise announcements. The first surprise was Pyles offering the title shot to Dreamer in what the champion said was a return of respect for what Dreamer did for him when he started his UCW career three years ago. Dreamer then threw in another twist by adding the win-by-submission-only stipulation.

While it looked early on that the veteran had tipped the match into the champ's favor, Dreamer turned the tables on Pyles by hitting a monstrous Back Cracker, leaving the Submission Technician's spine open to some serious abuse later on in the match.

Z-Force's invasion of the ring was only quelled when UCW Arena security jumped into the fray, forcing the faction of tag champs "Supersonic" Alex Cross and "Poetry in Motion" Haiku and handlers Jamoa Brown and Larizza out of the squared circle and declaring one victory in what had been a rotten Saturday afternoon for the team up to that point.

With the match declared a no contest, Pyles maintains the title.

In other action from Trial by Fire:

T-Roy is I-Champ: Sweet revenge four months in the works finally came about T-Roy Thomas and manager Cordell Williams in the ladder match for the International Championship.

In one of the most brutal contests UCW has seen, Thomas successfully nudged "Supersonic" Alex Cross off the top of a ladder to the unforgiving ring floor and unhooked the International belt from its position high above the ring to become its new owner.

The belt has held a particularly poignant spot in Thomas' life in recent months. His former tag-team partner, Kevin K., held the title for a year before losing it to Cross at March Madness IX.

Cross then used the belt to clock Kevin K. in the tag team title match at D-Day to force him into retirement, leaving T-Roy a solo competitor. Supersonic then hit Thomas with the belt in their title match at Wrestlestock, but referee Eli Whatley caught Cross gold-handed and disqualified him, setting up the suggestion by Williams to keep the belt out of Cross' grasp the next time the two met by having the ladder match.

Williams then sacrificed his presence at ringside alongside T-Roy in order to successfully negotiate an agreement with Cross to keep the rest of Z-Force away as well, giving Thomas fair odds in the matchup.

Dark Clouds Over Calgary?: The rough times for Z-Force continued as "Poetry in Motion" Haiku felt the power of Captain Canada after the superhero hit the Japanese sensation with the Canadian Destoryer, but lingering questions continued about what battles the Captain is facing.

Early on, the Captain was fairly dominant, until – just like that – a mysterious video showing a shadowy figure appeared on the UCW Arena jumboscreen.

The video completely took Canada's attention, allowing Haiku's tag partner "Supersonic" Alex Cross to sneak in with what is rapidly becoming his trademarked tactic of a shot with a title belt.

But somehow, Canada manged to kick out after the belt shot and later nailed the Destroyer for the win.

A Knockout Return: The last time UCW fans saw "3 Count Knockout" Dave Rockwell, he lost the UCW World Heavyweight Championship to Ryan Pyles.

But in his triumphant return, a suddenly fan favorite Rockwell withstood a tough showdown with UCW rookie T.J. Walters.

Walters, despite being a tremendous size, strength and experience disadvantage to the former champion, capitalized on a mistake by the Knockout to focus his attacks on a vulnerable left shoulder.

But Rockwell fought through the pain to eventually deliver a 3 Count Knockout and earn the win.

Starting With A Bang: After El Cholo and Adam Blank finally got to face off with each other, the general consensus was Alcatraz really ripped people off in 2007.

The two UCW newcomers were scheduled to wrestle each other at Wrestlestock but never got the chance, after UCW's resident monster came in right after the opening bell and annihilated them, courtesy of 25 to Life.

On the second try, however, the rookies demonstrated a number of high-risk, high-reward attacks ranging from springboard dropkicks to standing moonsaults to all the hurricanranas and swantons any fan could want.

But it was a counter pin that managed to let El Cholo escape with the win, giving the kid from Sacramento the higher early rung on the UCW ladder.

The Captain is still making it happen.

It's been more than five months since Captain Canada lost the Ultimate Championship Wrestling's World Heavyweight title to "The Knockout" Dave Rockwell inside a steel cage at March Madness IX.

An impromptu rematch two months later at D-Day saw UCW's resident superhero fare no better.

But besides the Rockwell hump, Canada has been fairly successful in the ring, including a victory over impressive rookie T.J. Walters at Wrestlestock.

With a little more than a week to go before the inaugural Trial by Fire event, The Insider managed to get an Q & A session with Captain Canada, his faithful sidekick Calgary Kid alongside. The interview, which covered both what was up with the masked hero himself and his thoughts on the company in general, was held at the Captain's super-secret hideout. He had just gotten back from some particularly intense training at the secondary frozen hideout in Nunavut.

Insider: Captain, good to see you.

Captain: Good to see you as well, fair citizen. I'm glad you found the place.

Kid: Hey, see any evildoers along the way for me and the Captain to whoop up on?

Insider: (laughs) No, Calgary Kid, I didn't. So Captain Canada, tell me, do you have any thoughts about your last match at Wrestlestock with T.J. Walters?

Captain: Well, Citizen Walters was definitely a worthy opponent. He impressed me early on with his skills. But in the end…

Kid:--in the end, T.J. was no match for the superhuman might of CAPTAIN CANADA! Oh sure, the Captain let him hang for a while, but once he decided playtime was over, a mighty leap off the top rope finished T.J. off! BAM! BOOM! POW!

Captain: Whoa there, Calgary Kid. Calm down a little. I was going to say, "But in the end, it was the support of all the good citizens of UCW that motivated me to dig deep inside for the win."

Kid: Yeah, I guess that works, too.

Insider: Either way, I guess. Now, I'm sure you've been paying attention to the new UCW Heavyweight Champion, Ryan Pyles. Any thoughts on his title reign, especially after coming out on top in that brutal match against Alcatraz?

Captain: Citizen Pyles has, thus far, been a noble and worthy champion. If I cannot be champion, he is my first choice of anyone around here to have the title. Besides Stingray, of course…

Kid: But even Stingray is no match for CAPTAIN CANADA! BANG! WHAM!

Captain: Alright, Calgary Kid. Alright.

Kid: Sorry.

Insider: Alright, next question. There's a new rising faction in UCW— Z-Force. What are your thoughts on this new team, which managed to have two of this company's three titles at this point?

Captain: Something about Z-Force doesn't seem right. I sense great evil coming from them, especially the round one in the bright shirts. I'm telling you, Citizen, I don't trust that Jamoa Brown character as far as I can throw him.

Kid: …But the Captain could take them all down! With both arms tied behind his back and blindfolded! BIP! POW! THWACK!

Insider: Okay! Next question!

Kid: Oh, alright…

Insider: While you're showing a lot of respect for Ryan Pyles, I'm sure you'd love to be the Heavyweight Champion again yourself. What does the future hold for Captain Canada?

Kid: Don't worry, Captain, I'll answer this one for you. It's easy.

Captain: Uh, Calgary Kid…

Kid: No, no, I got this one. (clears throat) Beware, Ryan Pyles! Because standing before you and your not-quite evil reign as UCW World Heavyweight Champion is an even greater champion! He fights for TRUTH! He fight for JUSTICE! He fights for THE AMERICAN/CANADIAN WAY! He's CAPTAIN CANADA! WORD TO YOUR MOTHER! BAM! SOCK! WHAM!

Captain: CALGARY KID!

Kid: …what?

Captain: (deep breath) I think it's time for you to get some additional training. Go spend a while in the technologically advanced, highly beneficial and most importantly, soundproof Superhero Simulation Room.

Kid: Right now? Do I have to?

Captain: Yes. Yes you do.

Kid: Oh, alright. (slowly walks off)

Insider: Okay, how about you give answering that question a shot this time?

Captain: Very well. At this point, Captain Canada feels as though he's ready to make his next move. His next push to be a hero. No matter what those voice mails might say…

Insider: Wait. What voice mails?

Captain: Huh?

Insider: You just said something about voice mails.

Captain: I did? (sighs) Well, cat's out of the bag now. My mild-mannered alter ego has been getting some very strange voice mails. I can't seem to trace them.

Insider: What are these voice mails saying?

Captain: It's hard to figure out. Something like "It's time to let it out" and "Become what you're really meant to be."

Insider: Sounds encouraging.

Captain: I…I'm not so sure. Something about them doesn't seem like it's in the spirit of truth, justice, and…and…and…

Insider: …The American-Canadian Way?

Captain: Yeah. That's right. (long silence) Citizen, I think I'm going to go join Calgary Kid in the simulation room. Can you find your own way out?

Insider: I'm sure I can. Thank you for the time, Captain.

Captain: Good. (turns and walks away slowly) Good. (continues to walk) Good.

The clock is ticking and Ultimate Championship Wrestling is changing things up for the next show, Trial By Fire, on Sept. 8.

Check your calendars, folks: That's a Saturday. Trial By Fire is blazing a trial for UCW as the first Saturday event in company history.

As more details on this big first for UCW come to light, UCW fans can count on UCW Insider for more details.

The ladder match challenge answered (finally!)

Z-Force has been a regular presence about town since "Poetry in Motion" Haiku's big victory over Tony Dreamer at Ultimate Championship Wrestling's Wrestlestock show in July.

Well, most of Z-Force, at least. "Supersonic" Alex Cross has been somewhat — well, entirely — absent from the public appearances of his Z-Force teammates.

The Z's have been big on "explanations" for why the double title holder had not been seen much – well, at all – since he got caught gold-handed using one of those championship belts to clock T-Roy Thomas in the two's International Title Match.

Apparently, Supersonic had a really bad hangnail. Then he injured himself while washing his truck. Then he went on a promotional tour for Jamoa Juice to Equatorial Guinea.

But, Z-Force members swore, Supersonic's absence had nothing, nothing to do with the fact UCW Insider would undoubtedly ask him if he had an answer to the challenge from T-Roy Thomas and Cordell Williams to defend the International Title in a ladder match at Trial By Fire on Sept. 8.

Needless to say, it wasn't totally convincing.

But, the other day, that all changed, when Z-Force – Cross included – suddenly came storming into UCW Insider headquarters.

"T-Roy wants an answer?" Cross said. "Here's an answer. He wants a ladder match, he's got on — as long as there are certain stipulations."

Unfortunatly, as the question "What certain stipulations?" was being asked, Z-Force was already out the door. A follow-up to try to find out that answer brought the news that Cross was taking a regular scheduled vacation "somewhere where there's no phones, mail delivery or carrier pigeon routes."

So, one question's been answered. The International Title ladder match is on. But now, what are Supersonic's "stipulations?"

The fact of the matter is this: Champ's not saying

UCW Insider thinks leaving the hanging question could have another skill Alex Cross picked up from "Submission Technician" Ryan Pyles.

The current UCW World Heavyweight Champion has been saying he's going to have a "big announcement" for his next title defense, after he took down Alcatraz in more ways than one at Wrestlestock (more on that later).

But, as to what the "big announcement" is, the champ's not telling, nor is anybody else connected to Pyles.

Looks like another one to be found out at Trial By Fire itself.

A "3 Count Knockout" of an annoucement

Before this becomes all too disappointing, this edition of UCW Insider does have some actual news you can count on before TBF: The return of a former world champion.

The September show will mark the return of "The Knockout" Dave Rockwell to the UCW Arena at Calvary Christian Center.

Rockwell is the man who brought the one-year World Heavyweight title reign of Captain Canada to an end inside a steel cage at March Madness IX.

But it's been a bit tumultuous since. Rockwell promptly went on to lose the title at D-Day to Ryan Pyles and has also parted ways with UCW Legend "The Ladies' Champion" Kraven and his Kraven Sports Entertainment empire.

Rockwell's return instantly throws another player into the battle to be atop the UCW contender ranks. If that situation isn't jumbled enough already…

Not ribbing you: Alcatraz out of TBF

Alcatraz is a guy that's going to be in a foul mood no matter what.

But that mood is currently two stages fouler, which could be bad news for the rest of the UCW roster fairly soon.

The first stage happened when the big man's plan to gain an advantage over Pyles in the World Heavyweight Championship match at Wrestlestock backfired. The Submission Technician managed to survive a brutal beating in the no-holds-barred match Alcatraz requested and retain the title.

The second stage of Alcatraz's extra-bad mood was the result of the stage itself. Pyles could only finish Alcatraz off by dumping a large piece of the actual stage onto him.

The result. A rib injury which is keeping Alcatraz out of Trial By Fire.

All indications are that whomever has the (dis)pleasure of facing the biggest man on the roster when he's cleared to get back in the ring might want to talk to an insurance agent beforehand.

Actually, there's no "might" about it.

When Ryan Pyles had to face Alcatraz on the center stage of Wrestlestock 2007, it took using the stage itself for The Submission Technician to hold onto his gold during the no holds barred main event at Calvary Christian Center.

After getting beaten from pillar to post and even taking the devastating 25 to Life, Pyles dropped a massive, heavy metal stage scenery on top of a wounded Alcatraz to secure a three-count and retain the Ultimate Championship Wrestling World Heavyweight Championship.

Alcatraz laid down the no holds barred challenge to Pyles after grabbing the attention of the champion and the more than 250 in attendance by single-handedly destroying UCW rookies Adam Blank and El Cholo during a vicious in-ring attack.

The monster challenger used the lack of rules governing the match to his advantage early on, using every corner of the area — snack bar included — to beat Pyles to edge of consciousness.

But in the end, it was the always-thinking champion using the same lack of rules to his advantage, dropping the scenery on top to Alcatraz, injuring the big man's ribs in the process, to secure the win.

In other matches from Wrestlestock:

T-Roy Thomas def. "Supersonic" Alex Cross by disqualification in UCW International Championship Match: While the now-solo Thomas and manager Cordell Williams crashed Z-Force's fun and games with the surprise title match decision from the UCW Board of Directors, the new faction's numbers game and dirty tactics allowed Cross to retain the gold, even if he didn't win the match.

In a scene that brought back memories of the incident at D-Day which forced the retirement of Thomas' former tag-team partner Kevin K., Cross drilled Thomas with a title belt while his Z-Force teammates distracted referee Eli Whatley.

But as Whatley was counting a pinfall on Thomas with Cross hiding the belt behind his back, Supersonic accidentally dropped the belt, cluing the official on what was happening and ending the match with Cross being disqualified.

However, since a title can't change hands on a disqualification, Cross lost the match but not the belt.

A furious Williams demanded a rematch for the upcoming Trial By Fire event in September, even suggesting holding a ladder match, a way to keep the title belt from becoming a factor in the match by suspending it above the ring.

Cross, however, refused to give an answer as to whether he would accept the challenge from Thomas and Williams.

"Poetry in Motion" Haiku def. Tony Dreamer: Thomas wasn't alone in being a victim of Z-Force's numbers game, as Haiku avenged a March Madness defeat to the UCW Hall of Famer with the assistance of Cross and manager Clint Stevens (aka Jamoa Brown) holding Dreamer's legs down during a pinfall.

The shortcut by Z-Force was one of the few black marks on what was otherwise a potential Match of the Year candidate, with the youngster and veteran going blow-for-blow, with Haiku stepping up his roughneck wrestling skills and Dreamer keeping pace when the speedy Japanese grappler went for the unorthodox.

But in the end, even the legendary Dreamer couldn't survive the 4-on-1 mismatch he was essentially faced with.

Captain Canada def. T.J. Walters: The newcomer Walters might have wound up on the short end of his debut stick, but former UCW champion Canada had to reach deep into his extensive repertoire of moves to put T.J. away.

Walters managed to have on the upper hand on the Captain at several points during the match using an assortment of shootfighting techniques. But when the superhero took to the air and connected with a swanton, the Captain emerged victorious.

Tick-tock.

In less than 24 hours, Wrestlestock 2007 kicks off. The stars of Ultimate Championship Wrestling, old and new, will invade the Calvary Christian Center Gymnasium, pushing themselves to the limit simply because they can.

UCW stars are busy making their last-minute preparations, honing their gameplans for the July spectacular. But what exactly will fans get to see tomorrow night? Here's a preview of the scheduled card:

Captain Canada vs. T.J. Walter: The Captain's going to have a lot of unknowns going into this match, facing a UCW newcomer in Walter. Walter, an experienced shootfighter and mixed martial artist, will bring a style UCW's resident superhero and multiple former title holder likely never saw in the wrestling gyms of Calgary. But Walter never had to defend anything like a Canadian Destroyer or the top-rope attacks the Captain is so talented at in any octagons, either.

Adam Blank vs. El Cholo: A real mystery for UCW fans, as both Blank and Cholo are newcomers. Insider scouting reports say these are two young grapplers with exciting abilities sure to leave the fans on the edge of their seats. The future of UCW could be in the ring for this match.

Tony Dreamer vs. "Poetry in Motion" Haiku: A rematch of a March Madness thriller. Dreamer is Dreamer, enough said about the UCW Hall of Famer. Z-Force member Haiku has his first taste of gold and sees (thanks to Clint Stephens, aka Jamoa Brown) the three-time World Heavyweight Champion as blocking his way to more success.

UCW WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT TITLE: "Submission Technician" Ryan Pyles (c) vs. Alcatraz: What a main event. A challenger that loves nothing more but to inflict pain facing a champion that has too many holds to choose from to cause it. The war of words has been plentiful (see a previous edition of UCW Insider for all the dirt) so there's no telling what these two might have up their sleeves.

And that's just what's planned. Who knows what could go down tomorrow night.

Of course, the only way to get the true UCW experience will be to show up at Calvary Christian Center. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., matches start at 7:00. Better be there.

One guaranteed way to get Tony Dreamer mad is to say he's a three-time former Ultimate Championship Wrestling World Heavyweight Champion.

That's because as far as the UCW Hall of Famer is concerned, he's a future four-time UCW World Heavyweight Champion. But before that happens, Dreamer feels the need to take care of a little unfinished business with Z-Force at Wrestlestock 2007.

The new stable of "Supersonic" Alex Cross and "Poetry in Motion" Haiku chose to "make an impact" at Dreamer's expense, crashing the legend's Hall of Fame induction ceremony at March Madness IX. The altercation led to a match later in the night pitting Dreamer against Haiku.

While Dreamer was able to gain the W over the young Japanese sensation, it wasn't as definitive as he would have liked. Dreamer wants to affirm he's still a contender by turning Haiku into sushi the second time around.

"In other words," Dreamer said, "If all the newer guys in the locker room start thinking I'm going to be their stepping stone to the top, they've got another thing coming."

Dreamer main evented the first-ever Wrestlestock in 1998, as the defending champ. He is the only person to ever hold the World Heavyweight Champion on three separate occasions. So when One-Way Tickets to Dreamland have been punched for UCW's elite for the better part of a decade, it's hard for the Hall of Famer to not have a target on his chest.

That's where Haiku comes in. There's some things he hasn't mastered—conversation, for starters. But when it comes to defying the laws of gravity and pulling off moves most other UCW stars could only dream about doing, the young grappler from Japan has that down pat. While he lost the match to Dreamer at March Madness IX, Haiku impressed many in attendance with just how tough he made it for the legend to put him away.

"Poetry in Motion" is confident that his time has come and Dreamer will succumb to his vastly superior ring ability—or at least that what Z-Force spokesman Clint Ste— er, Jamoa Brown — said for Haiku. The two were making themselves busy with a special "match preparedness kit" they planned on sending off to Dreamer, which included a jar of Metamucil, bifocals and an AARP application.

"Dreamer is done for," Brown said. "Hey, he's had his moment in the sun, he was a great champion, many times over, even if it was against talent far inferior to what is in UCW today, Z-Force in particular. Haiku's going to punch Dreamer his own one-way ticket, if you know what I mean."

"Si." Haiku said in agreement. "Violence."

Dreamer did agree with those words of his opponent July 13 at Calvary Christian Center.

"Violence is right," Dreamer said. "But not to me."

Alcatraz is angry about having to challenge "Submission Technician" Ryan Pyles for the Ultimate Championship Wrestling World Heavyweight Championship at Wrestlestock 2007.

Because as far as UCW's resident big man is concerned, he should be going into the match as champion instead of challenger.

"That title was mine!" Alcatraz said in an interview, literally jabbing his finger into the chest of this reporter. "I was cheated out of it!"

Track back to D-Day in May. In the match to determine the #1 contender, Alcatraz had the upper hand on Pyles — until getting disqualified for squashing the Submission Technician back-first against a ring post.

Despite the injury, Pyles went to beat "The Knockout" Dave Rockwell later in the night to win the gold.

So, according to Alcatraz, if an injured Pyles was able to beat a Rockwell that was less than 100 percent following a brutal impromptu match against Captain Canada, The Knockout wouldn't have stood a chance against him.

Hence Alcatraz being upset. Pyles, however, dismisses he won the title on a fluke.

"The fact of the matter is this," Pyles said, once again to personal announcer "Double A" Alex Arellano rather than the reporter who asked the question. "Yeah, Alcatraz tried to take me out. Then, I had to sign a waiver to even get into the ring. Then, Rockwell gives me the 3 Count Knockout. Then, I got up from that and took even more from Rockwell. But, then I slapped on the Gates of Texas, Rockwell tapped and here I am today, the World Heavyweight Champion."

"I do all that and some Neanderthal named after a rock tries to say I don't deserve the title?" Pyles added. "I'd like to see him try and take it from me."

Alcatraz is a handful for anyone stepping between the ropes. He's the biggest wrestler in UCW and isn't afraid to demonstrate just how easily he can overpower most wrestlers, especially with the devastating 25 to Life maneuver that's defeated many top UCW stars.

But Alcatraz is anything but your typical power-only wrestler. He possesses an intimidating arsenal of acrobatic attacks as well, including being able to pull off a running shooting star press and a willingness to go off the top rope if the situation calls for it.

Of course, there is that issue with the rules, which cost Alcatraz his last title opportunity.

"That was a joke," Alcatraz said of the disqualification. "A little tap against the ring is a DQ? The refs should only be there to count to three, as far as I'm concerned. That's the way a match ought to be."

Pyles wants Alcatraz to "quit his whining."

"If he thinks the rules were what got me this title, he's wrong," the champion said. "Even if he didn't get disqualified, the fact of the matter is I still would have beaten him."

This war of words will come to an end at Wrestlestock 2007, 7 p.m. July 13 inside the UCW Arena at Calvary Christian Center, when Pyles and Alcatraz meet — with the UCW World Heavyweight Championship up for grabs.