Daniel Quirk
Encyclopedia
Daniel Michael Quirk was an American
professional wrestler, known by his ring name Spider, who competed in several Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic independent promotions including Assault Championship Wrestling
, CHIKARA
, the Millennium Wrestling Federation
, the National Wrestling Alliance
, World Wrestling Alliance
and World Xtreme Wrestling
. As Spider, Quirk would be known on his local independent circuit
for his matches with longtime friend and trainer, John Brooks.
Quirk's ring death in 2005 was the first major death to occur on the independent circuit
as the result of an in-ring accident and concern was voiced by many in the professional wrestling industry including Al Snow
, Percy Pringle
and Dan Mirade over negligence and regulation of independent wrestling in the United States
.
and grew up in Shelton, Connecticut
. According to Quirk, he initially became interested in wrestling when a friend showed him action figures of Demolition
in second grade
. He began watching the World Wrestling Federation
around 1990. Bret Hart
, Mr. Perfect
and The Rockers
(Marty Jannetty
& Shawn Michaels
) would later influence his ring style. He was involved in "backyard wrestling
" with his brothers and friends as a teenager and, in early 2002, Quirk began training under John Brooks and Bert Centano at the USA Pro Wrestling School in West Haven, Connecticut
. He also attended clinics held by Christopher Daniels
, Mike Quackenbush and Tom Prichard
.
Quirk began appearing in local wrestling shows as Stuart the manager of the Scottish Gigolo. On July 21, 2002, Quirk made his professional debut against Bo Douglas in a gauntlet match for Jason Knight
's Assault Championship Wrestling
. A month later, he appeared on another gauntlet match for ACW teaming with trainer John Brooks in a tag team match against Bulldog & Shabba on August 24. He also lost a match to the Scottish Gigolo in Worcester, Massachusetts
at the end of the month. He would spend much his early career on the road with frequent rival and a later personal friend, Nocturne.
on October 20. In mid-November, he lost to "Beautiful" Billy Body at a show for Afa
's World Xtreme Wrestling
on November 23 and teamed with Mark Gore against WXW Tag Team Champions Tommy Suade & Supreme Lee Great the following night. On December 1, he returned to ACW for another gauntlet match defeating Pepsi Boy but losing to DC Dillinger later on that night.
During the next year, he would quickly become a regular on the independent circuit. On February 23, he took part in a gauntlet match for Pro Wrestling Alliance defeating Slate, Wicked before being eliminated by J-Busta. Quirk would trade matches with him at a PWA and NAWF show the next month. He also feuded with Mark Gore over the NAWF Junior Heavyweight Championship and eventually defeated him for the title in a ladder match
on April 27, 2003.
He would once again team with John Brooks defeating Leroy & Genesis at an NAWF event on May 21. The following week for South Coast Championship Wrestling, Quirk lost a five-way match for the SCCW Lightweight title against Stevie Sky, Derrick Destiny, The Kreeper and Kid Capri on May 30. Entering a championship tournament for the MWF Heavyweight Championship
the next night, he was eliminated by John Brooks. On June 8, he also lost a four-way match to Jeff Rocker, Shabba White and Wiqued at an ACW show.
On July 26, he won his first major title when he and Captain Charisma defeated NWA New England Junior Heavyweight Champion Jason Rumble & Paulie Gilmore
in a tag team match. As a result of the pre-match stipulations ordered by NWA Commissioner Marc Greene, both Quirk and Captain Charisma are named co-champions. This is one of the very few, if any, that a title was defended by two wrestlers at once. Although the two would defend the title in a handicap match against Rumble on September 20, the title would eventually be vacated and declared inactive within another month.
Successfully defending his NAWF title in a three-way match against Nocturne and Genesis, he lost to Genesis in a non-title match on September 6. The next night, he also failed to defeat Eddie Edwards
for the ACW Junior Heavyweight Championship. On September 28, he lost a four-way match against J-Busta, Luis Ortiz and Mikey Whipwreck
at an XBoku event. On October 5, he fought two matches in one night at an MWF show losing to Mighty Mini, Eddie Edwards and participating in a battle royal
. At an October 18 East Coast Pro Wrestling show, he lost a three-way match to John Brooks and Genesis. On October 30, he lost a match to SSCW Lightweight Champion The Kreeper. In November, he lost to Supreme Lee Great at a November 16 show for LXW but defeated J-Busta at a CCW show a week later. He also made a brief appearance for the World Wrestling Alliance
at the end of the month.
On February 29, 2004, Quirk teamed with Ultramantis and Mr. Zero to defeat Nocturne, Jigsaw
and Rorschach at an LXW show. Feuded with Gran Akuma
over the NAWF Junior Heavyweight Championship, he defeated him for the title on April 4. He held the title for two months before losing the title back to Akuma. On July 10, 2004, he also lost to Gran Akuma
in the opening rounds of CHIKARA
's Young Lions Cup
tournament. He and Dave Cole were also given a title shoe against UCW Tag Team Champions The Millennium Killaz later that month, but failed to defeat them.
Quirk would spend the rest of the year in Connecticut Championship Wrestling, East Coast Pro Wrestling and World Xtreme Wrestling
. On September 10, he lost to Low Ryda in a match for the WXW Cruiserweight Championship. He also lost to CCW Northeast Champion Dave Cole two months later. On April 2, 2005, he teamed with Jason Blade and Nocturne against Mr. Zero, Rorschach and Ultramantis defeating his former allies. He also appeared in Assault Championship Wrestling, Powerhouse Wrestling and Ultimate Championship Wrestling during early-2005.
. After being thrown to the floor, Quirk's opponent Hi-Lite Kid went for a Piscada but Hi-Lite Kid's foot became caught the top rope. Quirk tried to compensate for his falling opponent by catching him unusually high, this would result in Hi-Lite Kid's ribs falling against Quirks head and Kid's entire bodyweight forcing Quirk into the floor head-first. Quirk would be unable to use his hands to brace the fall and the entire impact of Hi-Lite Kid's fall was caught by Quirk's head, with blood
visible on the floor, and the match was stopped. An ambulance was called, but all efforts to revive Quirk were unsuccessful. According to eyewitnesses, no mats had been provided outside the ring and may have been the deciding factor resulting in his fatal injuries.
majoring in graphic arts
and communications. Quirk had studied graphic design at Northeastern University and the University of New Haven
and later designed websites for various independent wrestlers and promotions in addition to being the webmaster of NAWF's official website.
On June 11, 2005, Connecticut Championship Wrestling dedicated its WrestleJam 2 supercard to Quirk's memory. Prior to the show, a special ceremony was held at the ACES Collaborative Alternative Magnet School for Leadership in Northford, Connecticut while promoter Joe LaChance and Bulldog Blanski both gave a speech to the crowd. The entire CCW roster, including Matt Hardy
, was present during the ceremony. Quirk's death, according to Blanski, prompted he and Mike Milano to contact Jason Knight
whom they had not spoken to since leaving Assault Championship Wrestling
to form their own promotion. Among the wrestlers who headlined the event included April Hunter
, Ariel
, Cindy Rogers
, Scotty Charisma
, Rob Eckos, Jay Lethal
, Slyck Wagner Brown, The Logan Brothers (Bryan and Matt), The Outkast Killaz (Diablo Santiago and Oman Tortuga) and All Money Is Legal
(K-Pusha and K-Murda). The main event featured a tribute ten man tag match featuring the team of Nocturne,Ron Zombie, Mark Gore, Bulldog Blanski and Jose Perez against the Iron Eagle, Dave Cole, Anthony Michaels, J Busta and Tim Kilgore. Both Monsta Mack and Low Ki made a surprise appearance on the show. John Brooks, also made an appearance at the event alongside Matt Hardy
.
On the one year anniversary of his death, All Out Mayhem held a 10-bell salute to Quirk at a show in South Portland, Maine
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
professional wrestler, known by his ring name Spider, who competed in several Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic independent promotions including Assault Championship Wrestling
Assault Championship Wrestling
Assault Championship Wrestling was an American independent wrestling promotion based in Connecticut and promoted by Jason Knight, a retired wrestler and manager, during the early 2000s...
, CHIKARA
Chikara
Chikara may refer to:*力, , the Japanese word meaning power, capability, or influence* Chikara, a Shona word meaning "carnivore"* Chikara - A stringed instrument from India.*Chikara-mizu , a ritual at the beginning of a sumo match...
, the Millennium Wrestling Federation
Millennium Wrestling Federation
The Millennium Wrestling Federation is a New England independent professional wrestling promotion based in Melrose, Massachusetts. Founded in January 2001 by promoters Dan Mirade & Neil Manolian, the MWF is one of the top promotions in the Northeastern United States along with Chaotic Wrestling,...
, the National Wrestling Alliance
National Wrestling Alliance
The National Wrestling Alliance is a wrestling promotion company and sanctions various NWA championships in the United States. The NWA has been in operation since 1948...
, World Wrestling Alliance
World Wrestling Alliance (Massachusetts)
The WWS World Wrestling Stars formerly the WWA World Wrestling Alliance now WWA NEWENGLAND is a New England-based American independent professional wrestling promotion located in Massachusetts. Founded by former WWF referee Fred Sparta and his brother Mike in 1996. Fred retired in the year 2000 and...
and World Xtreme Wrestling
World Xtreme Wrestling
World Xtreme Wrestling is a Northeastern-based independent professional wrestling promotion which has held events across the United States and have toured in Japan, the Middle East and South Pacific region including American Samoa and Guam....
. As Spider, Quirk would be known on his local independent circuit
Independent circuit
In professional wrestling, the independent circuit or indy circuit refers to the many independent promotions which are much smaller than major televised promotions. They are roughly analagous to a minor league for pro wrestling, or community or regional theatre.Specific promotions on the...
for his matches with longtime friend and trainer, John Brooks.
Quirk's ring death in 2005 was the first major death to occur on the independent circuit
Independent circuit
In professional wrestling, the independent circuit or indy circuit refers to the many independent promotions which are much smaller than major televised promotions. They are roughly analagous to a minor league for pro wrestling, or community or regional theatre.Specific promotions on the...
as the result of an in-ring accident and concern was voiced by many in the professional wrestling industry including Al Snow
Al Snow
Allen Ray Sarven is an American professional wrestler and actor better known by his ring name of Al Snow. He is best known for his work in Extreme Championship Wrestling and World Wrestling Entertainment and currently works for Total Nonstop Action Wrestling as a road agent.-Early career:Sarven...
, Percy Pringle
Percy Pringle
William Alvin "Bill" Moody , better known by his ring name Paul Bearer, is a professional wrestling manager and former wrestler best known for his time in World Class Championship Wrestling and World Wrestling Federation, later known as the WWE.-Early career:He entered the wrestling business in...
and Dan Mirade over negligence and regulation of independent wrestling in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
.
Early life and career
Daniel Quirk was born to Mike Quirk and his wife in Bridgeport, ConnecticutBridgeport, Connecticut
Bridgeport is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Connecticut. Located in Fairfield County, the city had an estimated population of 144,229 at the 2010 United States Census and is the core of the Greater Bridgeport area...
and grew up in Shelton, Connecticut
Shelton, Connecticut
Shelton is a city in Fairfield County, Connecticut, United States. The population was 39,559 at the 2010 census.-Origins:Shelton was settled by the English as part of the town of Stratford, Connecticut, in 1639...
. According to Quirk, he initially became interested in wrestling when a friend showed him action figures of Demolition
Demolition (professional wrestling)
Demolition is a professional wrestling tag team most prominent during the late 1980s / early 1990s in the World Wrestling Federation made up of Ax , Smash , and later Crush . In WWF, Demolition were three-time Tag Team Champions, and hold the records for both the single longest tag title reign...
in second grade
Second grade
In the United States, second grade is a year of primary education. Second grade is the second school year after kindergarten. Students are traditionally 7–8 years old, depending on when their birthday occurs....
. He began watching the World Wrestling Federation
World Wrestling Entertainment
World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. is an American publicly traded, privately controlled entertainment company dealing primarily in professional wrestling, with major revenue sources also coming from film, music, product licensing, and direct product sales...
around 1990. Bret Hart
Bret Hart
Bret Hart is a Canadian on-screen personality, writer, actor and Semi-retired professional wrestler. Like others in the Hart wrestling family, Hart has an amateur wrestling background, including wrestling at Ernest Manning High School and Mount Royal College...
, Mr. Perfect
Curt Hennig
Curtis Michael "Curt" Hennig , also known by the ring name Mr. Perfect, was an American professional wrestler, manager and color commentator who worked for, among other promotions, Total Nonstop Action Wrestling , the American Wrestling Association , World Championship Wrestling and the World...
and The Rockers
The Rockers
The Rockers were a professional wrestling tag team consisting of Shawn Michaels and Marty Jannetty that teamed from 1985 to 1992. The team worked for Central States Wrestling, the American Wrestling Association, Continental Wrestling Federation, Continental Wrestling Association and the World...
(Marty Jannetty
Marty Jannetty
Frederick Marty Jannetty is an American professional wrestler, best known for his time in the World Wrestling Federation as part of tag team The Rockers with partner Shawn Michaels, and later as a singles competitor. While in the WWF, he became a one time Intercontinental Champion and a one time...
& Shawn Michaels
Shawn Michaels
Michael Shawn Hickenbottom , better known by his ring name Shawn Michaels, is an American television host and retired professional wrestler. He presents the Outdoor Channel show MacMillan River Adventures, and is currently signed to WWE, where he has served in an ambassadorial role since December...
) would later influence his ring style. He was involved in "backyard wrestling
Backyard wrestling
Backyard wrestling , and also referred to as yarding or backyarding is a controversial underground recreation based on the usually untrained practice of professional-style wrestling in a typically low budget environment between predominantly 12 to 30 year old males. Some practitioners have attended...
" with his brothers and friends as a teenager and, in early 2002, Quirk began training under John Brooks and Bert Centano at the USA Pro Wrestling School in West Haven, Connecticut
West Haven, Connecticut
West Haven is a city in New Haven County, Connecticut, United States. According to 2006 Census Bureau estimates, the population of the city is 52,721.-History:...
. He also attended clinics held by Christopher Daniels
Christopher Daniels
Daniel Christopher Covell is an American professional wrestler, best known in the United States by his ring name "The Fallen Angel" Christopher Daniels. He is also known for performing under the ring name Curry Man. He is currently under contract with Total Nonstop Action Wrestling , while also...
, Mike Quackenbush and Tom Prichard
Tom Prichard
Thomas Prichard is an American professional wrestler currently signed to WWE, working in their developmental territory, Florida Championship Wrestling as a trainer using his ring name Tom Prichard...
.
Quirk began appearing in local wrestling shows as Stuart the manager of the Scottish Gigolo. On July 21, 2002, Quirk made his professional debut against Bo Douglas in a gauntlet match for Jason Knight
Jason Knight
Ronald Jason Knight is an American professional wrestler and manager. He is best known for his stints in Eastern / Extreme Championship Wrestling, where he was a one time World Television Champion.-World Wrestling Federation :...
's Assault Championship Wrestling
Assault Championship Wrestling
Assault Championship Wrestling was an American independent wrestling promotion based in Connecticut and promoted by Jason Knight, a retired wrestler and manager, during the early 2000s...
. A month later, he appeared on another gauntlet match for ACW teaming with trainer John Brooks in a tag team match against Bulldog & Shabba on August 24. He also lost a match to the Scottish Gigolo in Worcester, Massachusetts
Worcester, Massachusetts
Worcester is a city and the county seat of Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States. Named after Worcester, England, as of the 2010 Census the city's population is 181,045, making it the second largest city in New England after Boston....
at the end of the month. He would spend much his early career on the road with frequent rival and a later personal friend, Nocturne.
Independent circuit
Later that year, he made his first appearance for the New Age Wrestling Federation when he defeated White Blaze and later participated in a battle royalBattle royal (professional wrestling)
In professional wrestling, a battle royal is a multi-competitor match type in which wrestlers are eliminated until one is left and declared winner...
on October 20. In mid-November, he lost to "Beautiful" Billy Body at a show for Afa
Afa Anoa'i
Arthur "Afa" Anoa'i, Sr. is a Samoan American retired professional wrestler and professional wrestling manager. Since retiring in the 1990s, he has operated the World Xtreme Wrestling promotion and trained wrestlers at the Wild Samoan Training Facility.-Early life:Anoa'i was born in Samoa, but...
's World Xtreme Wrestling
World Xtreme Wrestling
World Xtreme Wrestling is a Northeastern-based independent professional wrestling promotion which has held events across the United States and have toured in Japan, the Middle East and South Pacific region including American Samoa and Guam....
on November 23 and teamed with Mark Gore against WXW Tag Team Champions Tommy Suade & Supreme Lee Great the following night. On December 1, he returned to ACW for another gauntlet match defeating Pepsi Boy but losing to DC Dillinger later on that night.
During the next year, he would quickly become a regular on the independent circuit. On February 23, he took part in a gauntlet match for Pro Wrestling Alliance defeating Slate, Wicked before being eliminated by J-Busta. Quirk would trade matches with him at a PWA and NAWF show the next month. He also feuded with Mark Gore over the NAWF Junior Heavyweight Championship and eventually defeated him for the title in a ladder match
Ladder match
A ladder match is a type of match in professional wrestling that is most commonly used to describe a match where an item is hung above the ring, and the winner is the contestant who climbs a ladder and retrieves the item...
on April 27, 2003.
He would once again team with John Brooks defeating Leroy & Genesis at an NAWF event on May 21. The following week for South Coast Championship Wrestling, Quirk lost a five-way match for the SCCW Lightweight title against Stevie Sky, Derrick Destiny, The Kreeper and Kid Capri on May 30. Entering a championship tournament for the MWF Heavyweight Championship
MWF Heavyweight Championship
The MWF Heavyweight Championship is a professional wrestling title in American independent promotion Millennium Wrestling Federation. The title was created when Tiger Mulligan defeated John Brooks in a 17-man "Soul Survivor" competition in Lynn, Massachusetts on May 31, 2003. The title is primarily...
the next night, he was eliminated by John Brooks. On June 8, he also lost a four-way match to Jeff Rocker, Shabba White and Wiqued at an ACW show.
On July 26, he won his first major title when he and Captain Charisma defeated NWA New England Junior Heavyweight Champion Jason Rumble & Paulie Gilmore
Paulie Gilmore
James E. Allen is an American professional wrestler and promoter, best known by his ringname "Big" Paulie Gilmore or Gilmorea, who wrestled on the New England independent circuit for the Century Wrestling Alliance, the National Wrestling Alliance, the Millennium Wrestling Federation and the World...
in a tag team match. As a result of the pre-match stipulations ordered by NWA Commissioner Marc Greene, both Quirk and Captain Charisma are named co-champions. This is one of the very few, if any, that a title was defended by two wrestlers at once. Although the two would defend the title in a handicap match against Rumble on September 20, the title would eventually be vacated and declared inactive within another month.
Successfully defending his NAWF title in a three-way match against Nocturne and Genesis, he lost to Genesis in a non-title match on September 6. The next night, he also failed to defeat Eddie Edwards
Eddie Edwards (wrestler)
Eddie Edwards is an American professional wrestler. He is best known for wrestling with Ring of Honor , where he is a former ROH World Champion. He also had previous reigns as a former ROH World Tag Team Champion with his partner Davey Richards as The American Wolves and as the inaugural ROH World...
for the ACW Junior Heavyweight Championship. On September 28, he lost a four-way match against J-Busta, Luis Ortiz and Mikey Whipwreck
Mikey Whipwreck
John Watson , better known by his ring name Mikey Whipwreck, is a retired American professional wrestler best known for his career with Extreme Championship Wrestling where he became the third ECW Triple Crown Champion....
at an XBoku event. On October 5, he fought two matches in one night at an MWF show losing to Mighty Mini, Eddie Edwards and participating in a battle royal
Battle royal (professional wrestling)
In professional wrestling, a battle royal is a multi-competitor match type in which wrestlers are eliminated until one is left and declared winner...
. At an October 18 East Coast Pro Wrestling show, he lost a three-way match to John Brooks and Genesis. On October 30, he lost a match to SSCW Lightweight Champion The Kreeper. In November, he lost to Supreme Lee Great at a November 16 show for LXW but defeated J-Busta at a CCW show a week later. He also made a brief appearance for the World Wrestling Alliance
World Wrestling Alliance (Massachusetts)
The WWS World Wrestling Stars formerly the WWA World Wrestling Alliance now WWA NEWENGLAND is a New England-based American independent professional wrestling promotion located in Massachusetts. Founded by former WWF referee Fred Sparta and his brother Mike in 1996. Fred retired in the year 2000 and...
at the end of the month.
On February 29, 2004, Quirk teamed with Ultramantis and Mr. Zero to defeat Nocturne, Jigsaw
Jigsaw (wrestler)
Jigsaw is an American professional wrestler currently competing in the Chikara and Dragon Gate USA professional wrestling promotions...
and Rorschach at an LXW show. Feuded with Gran Akuma
Gran Akuma
Gran Akuma is a professional wrestler who currently works for Chikara and Combat Zone Wrestling, where he uses the ring name AKUMA. He has also worked for the Florida based Full Impact Pro. In Chikara, he was a member of the Kings of Wrestling stable, while also being a part of Team F.I.S.T. with...
over the NAWF Junior Heavyweight Championship, he defeated him for the title on April 4. He held the title for two months before losing the title back to Akuma. On July 10, 2004, he also lost to Gran Akuma
Gran Akuma
Gran Akuma is a professional wrestler who currently works for Chikara and Combat Zone Wrestling, where he uses the ring name AKUMA. He has also worked for the Florida based Full Impact Pro. In Chikara, he was a member of the Kings of Wrestling stable, while also being a part of Team F.I.S.T. with...
in the opening rounds of CHIKARA
Chikara
Chikara may refer to:*力, , the Japanese word meaning power, capability, or influence* Chikara, a Shona word meaning "carnivore"* Chikara - A stringed instrument from India.*Chikara-mizu , a ritual at the beginning of a sumo match...
's Young Lions Cup
Young Lions Cup
The Young Lion Cup is an in-frequent professional wrestling tournament promoted by New Japan Pro Wrestling as a means of showcasing the younger talent on their roster. The tournament is the successor to the Karl Gotch Cup that NJPW promoted in the 1970s. The Young Lion Cup is a round-robin...
tournament. He and Dave Cole were also given a title shoe against UCW Tag Team Champions The Millennium Killaz later that month, but failed to defeat them.
Quirk would spend the rest of the year in Connecticut Championship Wrestling, East Coast Pro Wrestling and World Xtreme Wrestling
World Xtreme Wrestling
World Xtreme Wrestling is a Northeastern-based independent professional wrestling promotion which has held events across the United States and have toured in Japan, the Middle East and South Pacific region including American Samoa and Guam....
. On September 10, he lost to Low Ryda in a match for the WXW Cruiserweight Championship. He also lost to CCW Northeast Champion Dave Cole two months later. On April 2, 2005, he teamed with Jason Blade and Nocturne against Mr. Zero, Rorschach and Ultramantis defeating his former allies. He also appeared in Assault Championship Wrestling, Powerhouse Wrestling and Ultimate Championship Wrestling during early-2005.
Death
Dan Quirk died after suffering fatal injuries at a Ultimate Championship Wrestling event in Taunton, MassachusettsTaunton, Massachusetts
Taunton is a city in Bristol County, Massachusetts, United States. It is the seat of Bristol County and the hub of the Greater Taunton Area. The city is located south of Boston, east of Providence, north of Fall River and west of Plymouth. The City of Taunton is situated on the Taunton River...
. After being thrown to the floor, Quirk's opponent Hi-Lite Kid went for a Piscada but Hi-Lite Kid's foot became caught the top rope. Quirk tried to compensate for his falling opponent by catching him unusually high, this would result in Hi-Lite Kid's ribs falling against Quirks head and Kid's entire bodyweight forcing Quirk into the floor head-first. Quirk would be unable to use his hands to brace the fall and the entire impact of Hi-Lite Kid's fall was caught by Quirk's head, with blood
Blood
Blood is a specialized bodily fluid in animals that delivers necessary substances such as nutrients and oxygen to the cells and transports metabolic waste products away from those same cells....
visible on the floor, and the match was stopped. An ambulance was called, but all efforts to revive Quirk were unsuccessful. According to eyewitnesses, no mats had been provided outside the ring and may have been the deciding factor resulting in his fatal injuries.
Aftermath
In the days following his death, it was announced on his former website that the Daniel Michael Quirk Memorial Scholarship Fund would be set up in his memory. His father, Mike Quirk, said that the fund would be available for a graduating senior from Shelton High SchoolShelton High School (Connecticut)
Shelton High School is a public high school in Shelton, Connecticut. The school is located in eastern Fairfield County, Connecticut. It has a student body of approximately 1700 from grades 9 through 12. Other nearby High Schools are Trumbull High School & St...
majoring in graphic arts
Graphic arts
A type of fine art, graphic art covers a broad range of art forms. Graphic art is typically two-dimensional and includes calligraphy, photography, drawing, painting, printmaking, lithography, typography, serigraphy , and bindery. Graphic art also consists of drawn plans and layouts for interior...
and communications. Quirk had studied graphic design at Northeastern University and the University of New Haven
University of New Haven
The University of New Haven is a private university that combines a liberal arts education with professional training. The university comprises five colleges: the College of Arts and Sciences, the College of Business, the Tagliatela College of Engineering, the Henry C...
and later designed websites for various independent wrestlers and promotions in addition to being the webmaster of NAWF's official website.
On June 11, 2005, Connecticut Championship Wrestling dedicated its WrestleJam 2 supercard to Quirk's memory. Prior to the show, a special ceremony was held at the ACES Collaborative Alternative Magnet School for Leadership in Northford, Connecticut while promoter Joe LaChance and Bulldog Blanski both gave a speech to the crowd. The entire CCW roster, including Matt Hardy
Matt Hardy
Matthew Moore "Matt" Hardy is a semi-retired American professional wrestler. He is best known for his stints in World Wrestling Entertainment and Total Nonstop Action Wrestling ....
, was present during the ceremony. Quirk's death, according to Blanski, prompted he and Mike Milano to contact Jason Knight
Jason Knight
Ronald Jason Knight is an American professional wrestler and manager. He is best known for his stints in Eastern / Extreme Championship Wrestling, where he was a one time World Television Champion.-World Wrestling Federation :...
whom they had not spoken to since leaving Assault Championship Wrestling
Assault Championship Wrestling
Assault Championship Wrestling was an American independent wrestling promotion based in Connecticut and promoted by Jason Knight, a retired wrestler and manager, during the early 2000s...
to form their own promotion. Among the wrestlers who headlined the event included April Hunter
April Hunter
April Hunter is an American professional wrestler, professional wrestling valet and fitness and glamour model. She has appeared in many publications, from MuscleMag International to Playboy Magazine and even has her own comic book series, Code Red by Pickle Press.-World Championship Wrestling :In...
, Ariel
Ana Rocha
Ana Rocha is an Portuguese-American professional wrestler and manager known by her ring name "The Portuguese Princess" Ariel, who has competed in Northeastern independent promotions including Ring of Honor, IWA Mid-South and the National Wrestling Alliance.-Early life and career:Born in São...
, Cindy Rogers
Cindy Rogers
Cindy Rogers is a retired American professional wrestler. She is known for performing on the independent circuit for World Xtreme Wrestling and Shimmer Women Athletes, among others.-Professional wrestling career:...
, Scotty Charisma
Scott Wright (wrestler)
Scott Wright is an American professional wrestler and bodybuilder, better known by his ring name Scotty Charisma. He currently performs on the independent circuit under his real name or as Mr. Scott Wright.-Early career:...
, Rob Eckos, Jay Lethal
Jay Lethal
Jamar "Jay" Shipman better known by his ring name Jay Lethal, is an American professional wrestler currently signed to Ring of Honor , where he is the ROH World Television Champion...
, Slyck Wagner Brown, The Logan Brothers (Bryan and Matt), The Outkast Killaz (Diablo Santiago and Oman Tortuga) and All Money Is Legal
All Money Is Legal
All Money Is Legal is the debut album by Amil. Lyrically, Amil impressed many of her fans with the song, "Smile 4 Me," where she turns her personal struggles into a heartfelt rhyme. On "I Got That," featuring Beyonce, Amil raps about independent women who do not need men to help them in life...
(K-Pusha and K-Murda). The main event featured a tribute ten man tag match featuring the team of Nocturne,Ron Zombie, Mark Gore, Bulldog Blanski and Jose Perez against the Iron Eagle, Dave Cole, Anthony Michaels, J Busta and Tim Kilgore. Both Monsta Mack and Low Ki made a surprise appearance on the show. John Brooks, also made an appearance at the event alongside Matt Hardy
Matt Hardy
Matthew Moore "Matt" Hardy is a semi-retired American professional wrestler. He is best known for his stints in World Wrestling Entertainment and Total Nonstop Action Wrestling ....
.
On the one year anniversary of his death, All Out Mayhem held a 10-bell salute to Quirk at a show in South Portland, Maine
South Portland, Maine
South Portland is a city in Cumberland County, Maine, United States, and is the fourth-largest city in the state. Founded in 1895, as of the 2010 census, the city population was 25,002. Known for its working waterfront, South Portland is situated on Portland Harbor and overlooks the skyline of...
.
In wrestling
- Finishing moves
- Arachnophobia (Running shiranui)
- Signature moves
- 203 (Tiger Feint Kick)
- Kryptonite Krunch
- MoonsaultMoonsaultA moonsault, moonsault press, or back flip splash is a professional wrestling aerial technique. Much of its popularity in American wrestling is attributed to The Great Muta, despite it being used in North America by "Leaping" Lanny Poffo years before Muta came from Japan.In a standard moonsault,...
- Split-leg moonsault
- Springboard kick
- Springboard leg drop
Championships and accomplishments
- New Age Wrestling Federation
- NAWF Junior Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
- National Wrestling AllianceNational Wrestling AllianceThe National Wrestling Alliance is a wrestling promotion company and sanctions various NWA championships in the United States. The NWA has been in operation since 1948...
- Regional
- NWA New England Junior Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
Further reading
- Muchnick, Irvin. Wrestling Babylon: Piledriving Tales of Drugs, Sex, Death, and Scandal. Toronto: ECW Press, 2007. ISBN 1-55022-761-0