 Most of the active MEWF roster, including booker Axl Rotten, followed Shrader and McDevitt to their new promotion following a walkout in December 1997.Seven months later, on July 19, 1998, MCW's first show was held at Baltimore's Patapsco Arena and attended by nearly 1,200 fans.The event featured manager Jim Cornette, Little Guido, Balls Mahoney, Jerry Lynn, Crowbar, and The Headbangers.