| John Corson | |
|---|---|
| Ring name(s) | The Icon John Zandig Zandig Sex Machine The Ultraviolent Icon |
| Billed height | 6 ft 2 in (188 cm) [1] |
| Billed weight | 256 lb (116 kg) |
| Born | Sewell, New Jersey[1] |
| Billed from | The Combat Zone[1] |
| Debut | 1996 |
John Corson was an American professional wrestler and promoter,[1] better known by his ring name, John Zandig. He is the founder and former owner of the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania-based promotion Combat Zone Wrestling (CZW).[1]
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Corson was born in Sewell, New Jersey. He was and still is a plumber before promoting wrestling. He began training as a wrestler in 1994 and adopted the ring name John Zandig in 1999.[1] Shortly after debuting, Zandig opened a professional wrestling school, in New Jersey in order to hone his skills. The school eventually evolved into a professional wrestling promotion, Combat Zone Wrestling, and relocated to Philadelphia in late 2001.[1]
From an early juncture, CZW was orientated towards hardcore wrestling, and Zandig himself has been involved in many ultraviolent matches since the company's inception, involving such objects as thumbtacks, fluorescent light tubes, barbed wire and even a weed wacker. On one occasion, Zandig was hung from meat hooks.[1]
Zandig wrestled in Japan as the leader of CZW to compete for Big Japan Pro Wrestling. In the early 2000s, Zandig appeared in a Japanese television commercial alongside the Japanese actress Ai Kato for a soft drink product named C1000 (by Takeda Food.Co), where he was knocked out by Ai's lariat.
At Cage of Death 8,[2] Zandig lost to Nick Gage in a four-way Cage of Death match that included Lobo and LuFisto. Due to a prematch stipulation, Zandig was forced to retire as a result of losing.[2] Since then he has wrestled two matches. On March 10, 2007, Zandig teamed with Toby Klein to face and defeat DJ Hyde and Mitch Ryder in a no rope barbed wire match.[3] Zandig was filling in for Necro Butcher, who couldn't make it to the show. After the match, Zandig stated that his return was for one night only.[3]
Zandig once again came out of retirement at Tournament of Death 6 to face the Necro Butcher in a no-rope barbwired match when Necro Butchers original opponent, Mitch Ryder, could not make the show due to travel issues.[3] He came out of retirement for the third time at Cage of Death X,[4] defeating Danny Havoc,[4]Brain Damage,[4] Drake Younger,[4]Sami Callihan and Devon Moore in the 10,000 dollar Cage of Death match.[4] That same night he was inducted into the New Alhambra Hardcore Hall of Fame.[4]
On August 8, 2009, John Zandig held a CZW Hall of Fame induction for Jon Dahmer, Hardcore Nick Gage, and Wifebeater; and recognition plaques for Mike Pancoast, Shawn and Sabine Kernaghan, WHACKS, and Maven Bentley. After announcing the Hall of Fame and special recognition plaques, Zandig announced that he was stepping down from CZW due to financial reasons and being too injured and tired to assume the duties that come with being the owner. Zandig announced that he had sold CZW, not for the price he wanted, but due to the economy it was enough to get him to sell. The new owner announced was CZW wrestler, DJ Hyde. On October 25, 2009, Nick Gage defeated Zandig in his retirement match.
On May 8, 2010, Zandig once again returned to the ring at CZW's "Fist Fight" and defeated Brain Damage in a Tournament of Death 9 qualifying match. Following his victory, Zandig was attacked by MASADA, setting up their first round meeting in June 2010's Tournament of Death 9 which Zandig no-showed due to injury.