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Issue # 2: 2015

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Welcome to the 2014 Snake Pit U.S.A. Catch Association’s Year in Review. In this issue we will cover our accomplishments, news, future plans and big events scheduled for 2015.

TABLE OF CONTENTS:

Pg. 2: The World’s Premier Catch Wrestling Organization is Just Getting Started!

Pg. 3: The Passing of a Legend: Our Coach

Pg. 5: THE LEGEN: Billy Robinson “The British Lion”

Pg. 8: SP USA in Combat Sports 2014 (MMA/)

Pg. 11: 2014 Training & Seminar Photos

Pg. 18: Snake Pit U.S.A. Catch Wrestling World Championship at the 2014 World MMA Expo in New York City

Pg. 19: News & Upcoming events

Pg. 20: Best Meme’s of 2014

Pg. 21: COMING IN 2015 from Snake Pit U.S.A.!

Pg. 24: Membership & Affiliation Info

Pg.27: Special Thanks P a g e | 2

The World’s Premier Catch Wrestling Organization is just getting started!

In 2014 Snake Pit U.S.A. became the World’s Premier Catch Wrestling organization by expanding nationwide with affiliate clubs at an astonishing rate with more social media followers than all its predecessors, and by furthering their DVD series with Skill Level DVDs Ripper levels I & II and the one of a kind Specialty DVD “The Front Headlock” which was made FREE to all Silver Level Team Snake Pit U.S.A. members. Not only that, but we delivered the first Catch as Catch Can World Championship tournament in over 90 years! What are we up to? The primary goal at SP USA is to put a REAL Catch Wrestling school in EVERY Major city in the United States and in many countries overseas. Sound crazy? You bet, but that’s exactly how we operate. Our goal is to push the boundaries and expand Authentic Catch as Catch Can Wrestling like no one has ever done before, and we have the right people and means to accomplish it. By the end of 2014 SP USA racked up 14 Affiliate locations including Canada with more on the way. Expect BIG things from Snake Pit U.S.A. in 2015 with several exciting new projects in the works!

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The Passing of a Legend

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This past year we lost our good friend, mentor and coach. On March 3rd 2014 Coach Billy Robinson passed away and the Catch Wrestling community lost its revolutionary leader. Ceremonies were held all over the world from here in the U.S. to England and . The thought of “if I could have only trained with him a few more times,” or “if I had just gotten to meet him and train with him once” ran through people’s minds and I still here it all the time at seminars and private lessons. I personally have said it. Several times making future plans to travel to Arkansas and then life managed to keep getting in the way. What he left us with is more than technique. He left his burning desire to educate people about what real Catch Wrestling is. How to “Learn how to Learn’ and apply the Concepts he taught us to continue on our mission. In the late Spring Coach John Potenza and I decided to dedicate Snake Pit U.S.A.’s works to Coach Robinson and take it upon ourselves to make sure the finest details are maintained from his lessons and only those techniques would remain the foundation of our program. Last year we featured Coach Robinson as our annual Legend and this year we will run his “LEGENDS” write up one more time for you Coach. You are sorely missed, God bless. - Coach Joel M. Bane

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THE LEGEND: Billy Robinson

“The British Lion”

18 Sept, 1939 - 3 March, 2014 Born in England in 1939 Billy Robinson dreamed of becoming a boxer until a childhood accident damaged his eye and took away that dream. Luckily his family was full of competitive athletes and his uncle, who was an outstanding wrestler himself, introduced him to wrestling. He fell in love with it from the very first workout and the rest is history. Billy Spent eight years under the watchful eye and expert tutelage of Legendary Coach Billy Riley at the original “Snake Pit” Gym in Wigan, England and as an amateur wrestler he achieved notable success when he won the 1957 British National Wrestling Championship and the 1958 European Open Wrestling Championship in the light Heavyweight Class, defeating an Olympic Bronze medalist in the finals. P a g e | 6

During the 1960s he firmly established himself on the British circuits as one of, if not the best of the best wrestlers around. He was the golden boy of British Heavyweight Wrestling and arguably the best wrestler that ever came out of Wigan. Of his contemporaries (the likes of Geoff Portz, Georgios Gordienko and Billy Joyce) there were few who could beat him and none who could match his technical skill. There was little doubt he would be British Heavyweight Champion before long and indeed he lived up to the expectations when he captured the Title on January 18, 1967 from Billy Joyce and would hold it for slightly over three years before he vacated the title so that he could travel to America and join the AWA. In the AWA he established himself as one of the best wrestlers in a promotion known for hiring great wrestlers. In the AWA captured numerous Tag Team Titles and held hold the AWA British Empire Heavyweight Title three times. While with the AWA he also travelled to Japan and Canada and became a major success in those areas, winning the Stampede North American Heavyweight Title and the IWA Heavyweight Title in Japan and Australia. He also had a legendary match against that was billed as “The Match between the World’s top two technicians.” Robinson made his name as a Catch Wrestling icon along with Karl Gotch by helping create the world of Mixed in Japan. He became a major influence in the “Shoot” style of wrestling leading and coaching the UWF Snake Pit in Japan and also trained several legends such as , Kiyoshi Tamura and , just to name a couple. P a g e | 7

Up until his passing in March 2014 he was still actively training new talent, traveling the world working with Coach Jake Shannon at Scientific Wrestling and overseeing and working with the Head Coaches at Snake Pit U.S.A. Note: For a more historical look into the amazing life of Billy Robinson, check out his book “Physical Chess” by Jake Shannon at: www.Amazon.com

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2014 TEAM SNAKE PIT U.S.A. in COMBAT SPORTS

SP USA 2014 Catch Wrestling World Championships in New York City

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SP USA Coach, Billy Warlock and his “Virginia Shooters Challenge”

NAGA P a g e | 10

NAGA

N.A.C.W.A./Scientific Wrestling’s “KING OF CATCH”

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2014 TEAM SNAKE PIT U.S.A. TRAINING & SEMINARS

Rusnock Sports Performance in Greensburg, PA

Modern Martial Arts in Englishtown, NJ P a g e | 12

Gold Medal Crossfit in Boston, MA

Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, NJ. P a g e | 13

Kai Thai Martial Arts Academy in Wilson, NC

Rusnock Sports Performance, Greensburg, PA P a g e | 14

Modern Martial Arts, Englishtown, NJ

Razors Edge MMA & Fitness Hammonton, NJ.

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Scientific Wrestling East Coast Camp: Modern Martial Arts, Englishtown, NJ.

Combat Submission Wrestling (CSW) Seminar Modern Martial Arts, Englishtown, NJ.

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What SP USA Head Coach John Potenza was considering before EVERY class and seminar………… Coach Potenza broke his hand during the filming of the Ripper II Skill Level DVD, yet never missed one day of training, filming or coaching.

Snake Pit USA Coaches Pat Stano, Floyd Winter and Joel Bane with Coach Winter’s former Wrestler, MMA Legend and fellow Catch Wrestler Randy “The Natural” Couture: at the 2014 CISM Military World Championship at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, NJ. P a g e | 17

SP USA Head Coaches, John Potenza and Joel Bane alongside SP USA Coaches Association members Derrick Waldroup, Matt Lindland & Floyd Winter at Joint Base McGuire-Dix- Lakehurst, NJ.

Captain Catch also made his first appearance in 2014, terrorizing friendly Jiu-jitsu students and their Gi’s (if left lying around) with little to no regard for life or limb! Keep an eye out for this maniac in 2015! P a g e | 18

2014 WORLD MMA EXPO & THE CATCH WRESTLING WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

Catch Wrestling WORLD TITLE Returns to New York after 94 years!

In 2014 Team Snake Pit U.S.A. hit the road to New York City to launch the first real Catch Wrestling World Championship in NYC in 94 years! The event was packed with non-stop action and excitement as competitors battled through their divisions in pursuit of their respective weight class Championship Plaques and the Absolute Championship Belts!

The finals included a quick victory in the women’s bracket by Ms. Jamie Driver and the men’s finals took over the event as Heavyweight Nicholas Caggia and Snake Pit U.S.A.’s own, Featherweight Phil Carracappa battled it out in memorable fashion. This match had everyone gathered as the classic David vs. Goliath battle ensued.

The match went into sudden death overtime with a 4th round as Heavyweight Nicholas Caggia secured a to win the Championship Belt.

To view The World Championship highlights check them out at: https://youtu.be/WuMIGuNG8qQ P a g e | 19

NEWS & UPCOMING EVENTS 2015 OLYMPIA CATCH WRESTLING CHAMPIONSHIP

The Snake Pit U.S.A. Catch Wrestling Association Presents: The 2015 Olympia Catch Wrestling Championship, Submission Grappling Tournament in Las Vegas! Sept 19th at the Las Vegas Convention Center! P a g e | 20

BEST MEME’s from 2014

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COMING in 2015! Snake Pit U.S.A. Catch Wrestling DVD’s

1.) Old School Submissions and “The Old School Catch Wrestling DVD Set!”: Old School Submissions Catch as Catch Can Style DVD Details: Prepare to step back in time for a history lesson you will never forget as Snake Pit U.S.A. Head Coach John Potenza walks you through some of the most iconic & brutal submissions documented in the archives of Catch As Catch Can Wrestling. Travel through the history archives and revisit some of the most famous Old School Catch as Catch Can Wrestling Submissions with the highly acclaimed “Smoothest Submission Coach in North America” Coach John Potenza. Coach Potenza is one of very few select individuals that were promoted to Assistant Coach by the Legendary Catch Wrestling Coach Billy Robinson, and is regarded as one of the top Combat Submission Wrestling (CSW) Representative Coaches around with over 16 years of training under CSW founder, and Snake Pit U.S.A. Coaches Association Coach, Erik Paulson.

Techniques covered in this DVD: Legendary Strangle holds, Neck Cranks, Double Wrist Locks, Head Scissors, Body Scissors, Spine Locks, Hammer Locks, Nelsons, Leg Locks and plenty of Vicious Submission Pins! Get the Set (Old School Submissions & Old School Takedowns) and save $$! Available at: http://snakepitusa.com/shop/specialty-dvds/

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2.) Shooter Level I Skill Level DVD: Shooter Level I Skill Level Requirements DVD details: Welcome to the World’s Premier Catch Wrestling Association. Snake Pit U.S.A. is back with their 5th installment in their highly acclaimed Catch as Catch Can Skill Level DVD Collection. Once again the Head Coaches step up their game and bring the BEST in Catch Wrestling right to your door step!

Shooter 1 takes you step by step through 10 exciting new chapters and then finishes up on point with this level’s grand finally, the ruthless “Bad News” Position/ Drill. Named in honor of their Legendary Olympic Wrestling Coach, Floyd “Bad News” Winter.

Techniques Covered in this DVD: Advanced Pummeling, Takedowns from the Underhook, Counters and Finishes, Tilts, Rides, Fighting from the Defensive Positions, Escapes, Saturday Night ride Domination, the SP USA Classic Defense Position Leg Lock Attack Chain and the “Bad News” Position Drill!

Available at: http://snakepitusa.com/shop/videosdvd/

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SNAKE PIT U.S.A. MEMBERSHIP INFO

As a member of the Snake Pit U.S.A. team, you will have access to the best techniques available 24/7. With online special technique, and student and coach level videos waiting for you in our member’s area, you will be able to study and review whenever your personal schedule allows.

At Snake Pit U.S.A. we use a fair promotion system focusing on, and stressing strong fundamentals and precision technique. As you progress through the skill levels; Journeyman, Ripper, Shooter, Hooker and Assistant Coach you will have the opportunity to become a Catch as Catch Can Certified Coach and even start your own Snake Pit U.S.A. affiliate gym

Silver Membership only $75.00 annually!

. Full access to Members Area with High Definition Member’s Videos OVER 120+ . Personalized Snake Pit U.S.A. Membership Certificate . Earn Real Catch Wrestling Skill Level Certification . Snake Pit U.S.A. Members/Banner Shirt . Snake Pit U.S.A. Official logo sticker P a g e | 24

. Admission to the “Team Snake Pit U.S.A. official members Facebook page” for 24/7 support . 10% off All Merchandise in “Members Shop” including seminar registration . FREE Specialty DVD downloads! Special FREE downloads for specific DVDs for members ONLY!

Gold Club Affiliation/Representative Coach: Become an Official Catch as Catch Can Wrestling School & Representative Coach with Snake Pit U.S.A. TODAY!

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Get started as an Official Snake Pit U.S.A. Catch Wrestling School/Affiliate & Representative Coach Today for ONLY $750.00 a year! If you are interested in becoming an Official Snake Pit U.S.A. Catch Wrestling School/Affiliate Gym/Representative Coach or just want more information on this exciting opportunity check out our page at: http://snakepitusa.com/shop/join-snake-pit-u- s-a/ Or email us at: [email protected]

NOBODY ELSE OFFERS ANYTHING CLOSE!

Join Team Snake Pit U.S.A. Today at: http://snakepitusa.com/membership/

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SPECIAL THANKS A VERY Special thanks goes out to so many, starting out with our Lord and savior Jesus Christ, without whom we would not be doing what we do. Special thanks to Sandra Potenza and LaShawn Bane, and the Head Coach’s children; John, Anthony, Victoria and last but certainly not least, Alexandria. Also there were many important people who made this year a great success that inspired and motivated this organization to continue on its path towards becoming the leader of the Catch Wrestling Revolution. Again, a very special thanks to those individuals starting with: Ms. Dalva Fernandes, Coach Floyd Winter, Coach Stephanie Keenan, Coach Sean Daugherty, Coach Chris Benavides, Coach Pat Stano, Coach Erik Paulson, Coach John D’Amato, Coach Dan Bocelli, Ms. Mindi Cahill, A.J. Sherman, and the unforgettable Coach Billy Robinson. May God bless you all, and thank you for your unfaltering support!

Snake Pit U.S.A. is a Limited Liability Company. All logos (including the “Catch X” and “Not All Grappling”) are internationally registered trademarks. Copyright 2015 Snake Pit U.S.A.