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{{short description|American professional wrestler (1980–2010)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=November 2024}}
{{Infobox professional wrestler
|name        = Trent Acid
|image       = RIP Trent Acid (Mike Verdi) -crop.jpg
|caption     = Acid at an independent show
|image_size  = 220px
|names       = Trent Acid
|birth_name  = Michael Verdi
|height      = {{height|ft=5|in=11}}<ref name="AlmanacStats">{{cite news |author=PWI Almanac Staff |title=Statistics for Professional wrestlers |work=PWI Presents: 2007 Wrestling Almanac and book of facts |publisher=Kappa Publications |id=2007 Edition |page=38}}</ref>
|weight      = {{convert|180|lb|kg|abbr=on}}<ref name="AlmanacStats"/>
|birth_date  = November 12, 1980<ref name="OWOW">{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/profiles/t/trent-acid.html|title=Trent Acid|access-date=2010-06-27|publisher=Online World of Wrestling}}</ref>
|birth_place = [[Philadelphia, Pennsylvania]], U.S.<ref name="OWOW"/>
|death_date  = {{death date and age|2010|6|18|1980|11|12}}
|death_place = Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
|death_cause = [[Drug overdose]]
|billed      = [[Catholic Church|The Vatican in South Philadelphia]]<ref name="JCW SLAM TV, Volume 1">{{cite video|date=2007-09-18|title=JCW SLAM TV, Volume 1|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1194583|medium=DVD|publisher=Psychopathic Video|location=Royal Oak, Michigan|access-date=2008-06-06}}</ref>
|debut       = May 20, 1995<ref name="OWOW"/>
|retired     = 
}}
'''Michael Verdi''' (November 12, 1980 – June 18, 2010), best known by his [[ring name]] '''Trent Acid''', was an American [[Professional wrestling|professional wrestler]].

He worked as a [[tag team]] wrestler for most of his career, primarily as part of [[The Backseat Boyz]] with [[Johnny Kashmere]], in several American [[Independent circuit|independent promotions]], including [[Combat Zone Wrestling]] and [[Ring of Honor]]. He also worked a singles career with several promotions, including [[Juggalo Championship Wrestling]].

==Early life==
Verdi was childhood friends with Rocky Ciarrocchi (better known as fellow wrestler Helter Skelter).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://411mania.com/wrestling/complete-acid-fest-results-7-10-10/|title=Complete Acid-Fest Results 7.10.10|date=July 11, 2010|author=Larry Csonka|access-date=2019-05-21|publisher=[[411Mania]]}}</ref>

==Professional wrestling career==
{{moresources|section|date=August 2022}}
=== Early career (1995–1999) ===
Acid wrestled at the age of 14. He wrestled in independent promotions only in Philadelphia, Delaware and New Jersey.{{cn|date=August 2022}}

===Combat Zone Wrestling (1999–2004)===
[[File:GWF Battle of the Champions - Trent Acid.jpg|thumb|Acid in 2002]]
Acid debuted in [[Combat Zone Wrestling]] (CZW) in 1999 and competed mostly in singles matches. At the first ''Cage of Death'', he teamed with White Lotus to face the Kashmerinoes ([[Johnny Kashmere]] and Robbie Mireno). Acid wrestled many matches against Kashmere before teaming up with him to form [[The Backseat Boyz]].

The Backseat Boyz won the [[CZW World Tag Team Championship|CZW Tag Team Championship]]. While part of this team, Acid still wrestled in the singles division and won the [[CZW World Junior Heavyweight Championship]] three times, competing against the likes of [[Ruckus (wrestler)|Ruckus]] and Justice Pain for the title. He also became the second [[CZW Best of the Best|Best of the Best]] winner by defeating [[Jody Fleisch]] in the final match at ''Best of the Best 2''. In September 2003, Acid won the vacant [[CZW Iron Man Championship]] by defeating [[Nick Gage]] and [[Jimmy Rave]] in a three-way match.

Around this time, Acid, along with Johnny Kashmere, joined the Hi-V stable and feuded with [[John Zandig|Zandig]] and his ultraviolent team. This feud came to an end at ''[[Cage of Death V]]'' in the Cage of Death match. However, before competing in the Cage of Death match, Acid first had to defend his Iron Man Championship against Jimmy Rave. The match went to a time limit draw with each man scoring one fall, but the match was ordered to restart and Rave won the title. Acid went on to the Cage of Death but was eliminated and his team eventually lost. The Hi-V broke up after this and The Backseat Boyz soon left CZW. Acid returned to CZW later in 2004 and feuded with [[Teddy Hart]] and Messiah. He left again shortly after.

=== Big Japan Pro Wrestling (2000–2002) ===
At the young age of 19, Acid would go to Japan to work for [[Big Japan Pro Wrestling]]. They had a working relationship with CZW. Acid would drop the [[CZW World Junior Heavyweight Championship]] to Winger on July 2 in Tokyo. He would feud with [[Ryuji Ito]]. Then on August 19, 2001, he beat [[Jun Kasai]] for the CZW World Junior Heavyweight Championship. On December 2, 2001 he defeated [[Ruckus (wrestler)|Ruckus]] for the [[BJW Junior Heavyweight Championship (1998–2002)|BJW Junior Heavyweight Championship]] in Philadelphia at [[Combat Zone Wrestling|CZW Cage of Death III]]. He would drop the title to The Winger at Harder Than Hardcore Series 2002 on March 3, 2002, in Yokohama.

===Ring of Honor (2002–2004)===
Acid joined [[Ring of Honor]] (ROH) in 2002, when he and Johnny Kashmere defeated [[Homicide (wrestler)|Homicide]] and [[Steve Corino]] in an interpromotional match between ROH and CZW at the first ''Glory By Honor''. The Backseat Boyz would go on to work for ROH permanently. They continued wrestling together and competed in many scramble matches against the likes of [[The S.A.T.|The SAT]], [[The Carnage Crew]] and Special K. However, Acid is perhaps best known from ROH for his feud with Homicide which ended in a [[Fight Without Honor]] match on May 28, 2003, at'' Wrestlerave 03'' which Acid would win.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gumgod.com/derek_roh_wrestlerave03.htm|title=ROH: WrestleRave '03|website=www.gumgod.com|access-date=2010-08-15|archive-date=2021-08-25|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210825030805/http://www.gumgod.com/derek_roh_wrestlerave03.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref>

After this feud, The Backseat Boyz won the [[ROH World Tag Team Championship|ROH Tag Team Championship]] by defeating Special K in the final round of a gauntlet match for the vacant title.<ref name="ROHtag">{{cite web|url=http://www.rohwrestling.com/rohworldtagteamtitles.php|title=Ring Of Honor Tag Team Championship|access-date=2010-04-05|publisher=[[Ring of Honor]]|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100412035856/http://www.rohwrestling.com/rohworldtagteamtitles.php|archive-date=2010-04-12}}</ref> This made The Backseat Boyz the first team to win both the CZW and ROH Tag Team Championships. Acid and Kashmere lost the title to Special K at the next show.<ref name="ROHtag"/>

Later, Kashmere left ROH and Acid would continue as a singles wrestler. At ROH's ''Reborn: Completion'', Acid fought with Jimmy Rave but he lost after Rave hit the Rave Clash on him. At ''Testing The Limit'', he challenged [[Samoa Joe]] for the [[ROH World Championship]], but did not win. He was also part of the ''Scramble Cage Melee'' main event in the scramble cage. Acid had his last ROH match at ''Final Battle 2004'' against [[Jimmy Jacobs]]. After losing this match, he quit ROH.{{cn|date=August 2022}}

===Pro Wrestling Unplugged (2004–2009)===
Acid joined Pro Wrestling Unplugged at its inception in 2004, eventually feuding with Homicide, [[2 Cold Scorpio]], and Devon Moore over the PWU World Heavyweight Title. In 2005, Trent feuded with his old friend and new rival, Hellter Skelter. The feud lasted a few months, starting with Hellter claiming that Trent turned his back on their friendship and made him the evil person he is today. After months of feuding, Acid defeated Skelter in a "Philadelphia Street Fight" match on August 20, 2005. The feud continued in 2007, with Hellter wanting a rematch, and recording disturbing promos on PWU ''Surge TV'', calling out Acid and claiming he would "carve [Acid's] flesh". Finally on November 23, 2007, Acid accepted the rematch and lost to Skelter, who had outside help from [[Tammy Lynn Sytch|Sunny]].

Acid made his return to PWU, following knee surgery, on March 16, 2008, at the event ''Haunted'', wrestling Television Champion ZBarr to a time-limit draw. Since the departure of [[Tod Gordon]], and subsequent handoff of sole ownership to tag-team partner Johnny Kashmere, Acid has been named co-owner of the company.

===WWE appearance (2006)===
Acid made a one night appearance for [[WWE]] on January 9, 2006, in a dark match on ''[[Sunday Night Heat]]'' teaming with Bison Bravado as they lost to [[3-Minute Warning]] ([[Rosey (wrestler)|Rosey]] and [[Umaga (wrestler)|Jamal]]).

===Juggalo Championship Wrestling (2006–2007)===
Acid debuted in [[Juggalo Championship Wrestling]] (JCW) in 2007 under the [[gimmick]] of an arrogant [[priest]].<ref name="JCW SLAM TV, Volume 1"/> Acid, the self-proclaimed "Savior of JCW", cut a [[Glossary of professional wrestling terms#Promo|promo]] against the [[Juggalo]] fanbase, the company, and [[Insane Clown Posse]] ([[Legit (professional wrestling)|real-life]] owners of JCW) in the first episode of [[Juggalo Championship Wrestling#SlamTV!|SlamTV!]].<ref name="JCW SLAM TV, Volume 1"/> He continued to badmouth the company in the following weeks while having confrontations with several heroes.<ref name="JCW SLAM TV, Volume 1"/> On the fourth episode, Acid won a 10 Man [[Battle royal (professional wrestling)|Battle Royal]] to become the number one contender for [[Steve Robinson (wrestler)|Corporal Robinson]]'s [[JCW Heavyweight Championship]].<ref name="JCW SLAM TV, Volume 1"/> In their first match, Acid temporarily blinded Robinson with [[holy water]], causing the referee to end the match.<ref name="JCW SLAM TV, Volume 1"/>

Two weeks later at ''West Side Wars'', Acid pinned Robinson after using Robinson's championship belt as a weapon, becoming the new JCW Heavyweight Champion.<ref name="JCW SLAM TV, Volume 1"/> Corporal Robinson received his rematch at ''East Side Wars'' in a [[Professional wrestling match types#Cage of Death match|Steel Cage match]] and regained the championship.<ref name="JCW SLAM TV, Volume 2">{{cite video|date=2007-10-30|title=JCW SLAM TV, Volume 2|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1194584/|medium=DVD|publisher=Psychopathic Video|location=Royal Oak, Michigan|access-date=2008-06-06}}</ref> At [[Bloodymania (2007)|Bloodymania]], Acid and The Young Alter Boys lost a Six Man Tag Team match against the team of Insane Clown Posse and [[Sabu (wrestler)|Sabu]].<ref name="JCW SLAM TV, Volume 2"/>

=== Pro Wrestling Syndicate (2007–2009) ===
Acid also worked for the new promotion Pro Wrestling Syndicate where he had matches with [[Alex Shelley]], [[Human Tornado]], [[Danny Doring]], [[Justin Credible]] and Sabu. On May 29, 2009, Acid won a four-way match to win the PWS Heavyweight Championship.<ref name="OWOW"/>

=== Later career (2007–2010) ===
In April 2007, Acid worked a couple of matches in England in the King of Europe Cup. In April 2008, he wrestled for Nu-Wrestling Evolution in Spain.{{cn|date=August 2022}} Acid took a hiatus from wrestling from July 2008 to May 2009, after he got into trouble with the law after assaulting a neighbour. He was in prison for 9 months. Then he wrestled for Fight The World Wrestling and National Wrestling Superstars.{{cn|date=August 2022}}

===Return to Combat Zone Wrestling (2008–2009)===
On June 14, 2008, Acid made his return to CZW when he faced World Champion Nick Gage in a non-title match. At 'An Eye for an Eye' on April 11, 2009, Acid made his full-time return to CZW. It was the main event of the evening as [[Sami Callihan]] and [[Dean Ambrose|Jon Moxley]] took on [[Brain Damage (wrestler)|Brain Damage]] and [[Drake Younger]].

His last appearance for CZW was on October 10, 2009 as he lost to Greg Excellent at Served Ties.

===Return to Juggalo Championship Wrestling (2009–2010)===
Acid returned to JCW at [[Bloodymania III]], where he teamed with the Alter Boys (Tim, Tom, Terry, and Todd).<ref name="BloodymaniaIIIInfomercial">{{cite video|people=The Rude Boy (Presenters)|date=28 July 2009|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NHsNw47ZFMc|title=Bloodymania 3 Infomercial|medium=internet production|publisher=Psychopathic Records|access-date=28 July 2009}}{{cbignore}}{{Dead Youtube links|date=February 2022}}</ref> The group lost to the [[Juggalo World Order]] (Corporal Robinson, [[Scott Hall (wrestler)|Scott Hall]], [[Shaggy 2 Dope]], [[Violent J]], and [[Sid Vicious (wrestler)|Sid Vicious]]) in the main event.<ref name="BloodymaniaIIIInfomercial"/>

His last match in JCW was a loss to [[2 Tuff Tony]] at Oddball Bonanza in a barbed wire boards and baseball bats match on March 20, 2010.

==Personal life==
On April 2, 2010, Verdi was arrested for possession of [[heroin]]. This charge combined with other previous charges, which included possession of drug paraphernalia and public intoxication. On May 12, he was sentenced to a maximum of 23 months of confinement, in addition to court mandated rehab, after reaching a plea deal. He had another trial set for July 13.<ref>{{cite news|last=Lash|first=Adam|title=Trent Acid pleads guilty, sentenced to maximum of 23 months|url=http://indywrestlingnews.com/newswire/8318-trent-acid-sentenced-to-maximum-of-23-months.html|newspaper=Indy Wrestling News|date=2010-05-23}}</ref><ref name=Death>{{cite web|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/Other_News_4/article_42042.shtml|title=Other News: Former ROH tag champion Trent Acid reportedly found dead this morning at age 29|last=Caldwell|first=James|date=2010-06-18|work=Pro Wrestling Torch|access-date=2010-06-18}}</ref>

==Death==
On the morning of June 18, 2010, Verdi was found dead at his [[Philadelphia]] home by his grandmother.<ref name=Death/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.indywrestlingnews.com/newswire/8499-trent-acid-passes-away-at-the-age-of-29.html|title=Trent Acid passes away at the age of 29.|last=Lash|first=Adam|date=2010-06-18|work=Indy Wrestling News|access-date=2010-06-18|archive-date=2017-02-11|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170211080121/http://www.indywrestlingnews.com/newswire/8499-trent-acid-passes-away-at-the-age-of-29.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> The Philadelphia medical examiner's office determined that he had died because of a [[drug overdose]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wrestleview.com/viewnews.php?id=1294933225|title=Indy wrestler's death ruled accidental|date=2011-01-13|last=Gerweck|first=Steve|access-date=2010-01-13|work=WrestleView |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110121135225/http://www.wrestleview.com/viewnews.php?id=1294933225 |archive-date=21 January 2011}}</ref>

At an ROH show in [[Buffalo, New York]] that night, ROH held a [[ten-bell salute]] to honor Verdi.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wrestleview.com/viewnews.php?id=1276920835|title=6/18 ROH Results: Buffalo, NY|date=2010-06-19|last=Gerweck|first=Steve|access-date=2010-06-19|publisher=WrestleView}}</ref> At [[CZW Tournament of Death]] show on June 26 in [[Townsend, Delaware]], CZW honored him with a ten bell salute before the show. On June 28, it was announced that a tribute show, ''[[Acid-Fest: A Tribute to Trent Acid]],'' would be taking place at [[The Arena (Philadelphia)|The Arena]] in Philadelphia on July 10. The show featured several of Verdi's friends within professional wrestling along with some of his students from PWU, which raised over $7,000 for the Trent Acid Memorial Fund, helping his family with his funeral costs.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wrestleview.com/viewnews.php?id=1277748854|title=Trent Acid tribute event on July 10 in Philadelphia|date=2010-06-28|last=Martin|first=Adam|access-date=2010-09-02|publisher=WrestleView}}</ref> During the event Verdi was inducted into the [[Hardcore Hall of Fame]].<ref name=HardcoreHallofFame>{{cite web|url=http://www.411mania.com/wrestling/news/145046/Trent-Acid-Inducted-Into-The-Hardcore-Hall-Of-Fame.htm|title=Trent Acid Inducted Into The Hardcore Hall Of Fame|date=2010-07-10|last=Csonka|first=Larry|access-date=2010-07-11|publisher=411Mania}}</ref>

Verdi was featured in the documentary ''Card Subject to Change'', which documented the independent wrestling scene, primarily on the East Coast. Verdi talked candidly about his addiction and waking up three days after an overdose. He died before filming was completed, and the film was dedicated to his memory.{{cn|date=August 2022}}

==Championships and accomplishments==
*'''[[Assault Championship Wrestling]]'''
**[[ACW Tag Team Championship]] (1 time) – with [[Johnny Kashmere]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.solie.org/titlehistories/ttacw.html|title=Solie's Title Histories: ACW - Assault Championship Wrestling|website=www.solie.org}}</ref>
*'''[[Big Japan Pro Wrestling]]'''
**[[BJW Junior Heavyweight Championship]] ([[BJW Junior Heavyweight Championship#Title history|1 time]])<ref name="OWOW"/>
*'''[[Combat Zone Wrestling]]'''
**[[CZW Iron Man Championship]] ([[CZW Iron Man Championship#Title history|1 time]])<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.solie.org/titlehistories/imtczw.html|title=Solie's Title Histories: Combat Zone Wrestling|website=www.solie.org}}</ref>
**[[CZW World Junior Heavyweight Championship]] ([[CZW World Junior Heavyweight Championship#Title history|3 times]])<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.solie.org/titlehistories/lhwtczw.html|title=Solie's Title Histories: Combat Zone Wrestling|website=www.solie.org}}</ref>
**[[CZW World Tag Team Championship|CZW Tag Team Championship]] ([[List of CZW World Tag Team Champions|3 times]]) – with Johnny Kashmere<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.solie.org/titlehistories/ttczw.html|title=Solie's Title Histories: Combat Zone Wrestling|website=www.solie.org}}</ref>
**[[CZW Best of the Best|Best of the Best]] ([[CZW Best of the Best#2002|2002]])
**[[CZW Hall of Fame]] (2019)
*'''[[East Coast Wrestling Association]]'''
**[[ECWA Tag Team Championship]] ([[ECWA Tag Team Championship#Title history|1 time]]) – with Johnny Kashmere<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.solie.org/titlehistories/ttecwa.html|title=Solie's Title Histories: ECWA - EAST COAST WRESTLING ASSOCIATION|website=www.solie.org}}</ref>
*'''Eastern Wrestling Federation/Hardway Wrestling'''
**HW Tag Team Championship (3 times) – with Johnny Kashmere{{Citation needed|date=July 2010}}
*'''Grande Wrestling Alliance'''
**GWA Lightweight Championship (1 time){{Citation needed|date=July 2010}}
*'''[[Hardcore Hall of Fame]]'''
**Class of 2010<ref name=HardcoreHallofFame/>
*'''[[Indie Wrestling Hall of Fame]]'''
**[[Indie Wrestling Hall of Fame#Class of 2024|Class of 2024]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://pwinsider.com/article/180549/trent-acid-to-be-inducted-into-2024-indie-wrestling-hall-of-fame.html?p=1|title=TRENT ACID TO BE INDUCTED INTO 2024 INDIE WRESTLING HALL OF FAME &#124; PWInsider.com|website=pwinsider.com}}</ref>
*'''[[Jersey All Pro Wrestling]]'''
**[[JAPW Tag Team Championship]] ([[JAPW Tag Team Championship#Title history|3 times]]) – with Johnny Kashmere (2) and Billy Reil (1)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.solie.org/titlehistories/ttjapw.html|title=Solie's Title Histories: JAPW - Jersey All Pro Wrestling|website=www.solie.org}}</ref>
*'''[[Juggalo Championship Wrestling]]'''
**[[JCW Heavyweight Championship]] ([[JCW Heavyweight Championship#Title history|1 time]])
*'''National Championship Wrestling'''
**NCW Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Johnny Kashmere<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.solie.org/titlehistories/ttncw.html|title=Solie's Title Histories: NCW - NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP WRESTLING|website=www.solie.org}}</ref>
*'''New Millennium Wrestling'''
**NMW Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Billy Reil{{Citation needed|date=July 2010}}
*'''[[Phoenix Championship Wrestling]]'''
**[[PCW Tag Team Championship]] (1 time) – with Johnny Kashmere
*'''Pro Wrestling Syndicate'''
**PWS Heavyweight Championship (1 time)<ref name="OWOW"/>
*'''Pro Wrestling Unplugged'''
**PWU Heavyweight Championship (1 time)<ref name="OWOW"/>
*'''[[Ring of Honor]]'''
**[[ROH World Tag Team Championship|ROH Tag Team Championship]] ([[List of ROH World Tag Team Champions|1 time]]) – with Johnny Kashmere<ref name="ROHtag"/>
*'''United States Xtreme Wrestling'''
**UXW Heavyweight Championship (1 time)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.solie.org/titlehistories/htusapw.html|title=Solie's Title Histories: USAP - USA PRO WRESTLING|website=www.solie.org}}</ref>
**UXW Xtreme Championship (1 time)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.solie.org/titlehistories/xtusapw.html|title=Solie's Title Histories: UXW USA Xtreme Wrestling|website=www.solie.org}}</ref>
**UXW United States Championship (1 time)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.solie.org/titlehistories/ustusapw.html|title=Solie's Title Histories: USAP - USA PRO WRESTLING|website=www.solie.org}}</ref>
**UXW Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Mike Tobin<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.solie.org/titlehistories/ttusapw.html|title=Solie's Title Histories: USAP - USA PRO WRESTLING|website=www.solie.org}}</ref>
*'''Urban Wrestling Alliance'''
**UWA Light Heavyweight Championship (2 times)
**UWA Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Billy Reil

==See also==
* [[List of premature professional wrestling deaths]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* {{professional wrestling profiles}}
*{{commonscatinline}}

{{Navboxes|
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{{BJW Junior Heavyweight Championship (1998–2002)}}
{{CZW Iron Man Championship}}
{{CZW World Junior Heavyweight Championship}}
{{CZW World Tag Team Championship}}
{{Indie Wrestling Hall of Fame}}
{{JCW Heavyweight Championship}}
{{ROH World Tag Team Championship}}
}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Acid, Trent}}
[[Category:1980 births]]
[[Category:2010 deaths]]
[[Category:American male professional wrestlers]]
[[Category:American people convicted of drug offenses]]
[[Category:Drug-related deaths in Pennsylvania]]
[[Category:Professional wrestlers from Philadelphia]]
[[Category:20th-century male professional wrestlers]]
[[Category:20th-century American professional wrestlers]]
[[Category:21st-century male professional wrestlers]]
[[Category:21st-century American professional wrestlers]]
[[Category:ROH World Tag Team Champions]]
[[Category:BJW Junior Heavyweight Champions (original version)]]
[[Category:CZW Iron Man Champions]]
[[Category:CZW World Tag Team Champions]]