CZW & Johnny Kashmere Issue Statements On Trent Acid’s Death

It is with deep regret that CZW management has the unfortunate duty to report on the passing of one of it’s own. Early this morning, Michael “Trent Acid” Verdi passed away in his home in South Philadelphia at the age of 29, just blocks away from the building where he helped revolutionize the business he so deeply loved. The entire extended CZW family is in mourning over the loss of one its true homegrown stars, and a man who was a friend to so many, both inside the business and out. We extend our deepest condolences and sympathies to his family and friends as they grieve for his loss.

Trent Acid lived to wrestle. From the time he first stepped thru the curtain at the world famous “ECW Arena”, it was clear that he was no ordinary wrestler. This kid from the streets of South Philly was born to entertain, and for more than a decade, he did all that and more. In his storied career, Trent Acid won titles all over the world, but the ones that meant the most to him were those that came in his own neighborhood. In 2002, Trent acheived what many would consider to be the highlight of his career when he defeated Jody Fleisch in front of a capacity crowd at the Arena to become CZW’s second ever “Best of the Best” Champion. Trent was also a gifted tag-team wrestler, tagging with longtime friend and partner Johnny Kashmere to form the “Backseat Boyz”, together changing the tag-team game as we knew it, while taking their act all over the world in the process. In addition to his contributions in the ring, Trent gave back to the business outside the ring. As a trainer, he helped mold the careers of many of the next generation of professional wrestlers. His advice was priceless, and it was sought by many who wanted to be the very best at their craft.

For over a decade, we watched as he grew from the flashy, energetic youngster with the infectious smile, to becoming a certifiable International Superstar. Now, for many years to follow, we will remember him as one of the greatest independent wrestlers of all time, and his memory will never die.

I just got off the Phone with the new CZW Owner DJ Hyde and we have come to a joint agreement to hold “Acid-Fest: A Tribute to Trent Acid” at the former ECW Arena on Saturday afternoon July 10th with a 2:30pm belltime. Admission will be FREE with a $10 Donation to the Trent Acid Memorial Fund to help his family pay his funeral costs. Seating will be on a first come first serve basis, there will be no GA or Front Row seats. The event will consist of SIX wrestling matches featuring all of Trent’s best friends. One of the matches will be the Trent Acid Battle Royal!

Already guaranteed to be there include: (in no particular order)

Johnny Kashmere
Nick Berk
Bboy
Brian Logan
The Rockin’ Rebel
ZBARR
Ruckus
Billy Reil
Don Montoya
Flash Wheeler
Mike Kehner
Aramis
Matt Walsh
Big Mac Smack
Doomsday Danny Rose
Ian Knoxx
Stephen DeAngelis
Ron Starr
Kwame
The Messiah
Nate Hatred
John Dahmer
DJ Hyde
Adam Flash
John House
Joe Ettell
Nick Gage
and many more TBA as they confirm their attendance. Also all of The PWU Students of Trents are invited to attend this to pay their tribute to Trent.

Please help us spread the word and remember to thank DJ HYDE of CZW and of course ROGER of THE ARENA for helping make this all possible. Very selfless of them, and I really wish them the best always. This will be a great afternoont to honor Trent Acid. We will all wrestle as if Trent was watching from the balcony and our goal is to make him laugh. Trent really had a huge personality and an amazing sense of humour, and we will honor those qualities on July 10th at the Arena.

*I am also contacting Trent’s Family about attending so they can accept the donation live in person. Also we are going to induct a very special honorary member to The BackSeat Boyz on this special afternoon.