Break the Barrier was a professional wrestling supercard event held at Viking Hall, better known as the "ECW Arena", in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on May 15, 1999. The event was organized by the founders of Scoopswrestling.com, Al Isaacs, Remy Arteaga and Barbi Bistrowitz, and brought together some of the top independent wrestlers from around the country.[1] It was one of the biggest interpromotional events in the United States and saw the participation of 13 independent promotions including Allied Powers Wrestling Federation, Combat Zone Wrestling, Extreme Championship Wrestling, Independent Pro Wrestling, Independent Professional Wrestling Alliance, Maryland Championship Wrestling, Music City Wrestling, NWA New Jersey, New Dimension Wrestling, South's Greatest Wrestling Fans, Steel City Wrestling, World Legion Wrestling, and World Wrestling Organization.[2] Pro Wrestling Illustrated has called it "one of the greatest Supercards of all time".[1]
Tom Brandi won the main event, an interpromotional battle royal, and was presented a trophy from the promoter Al Isaacs. Instead of accepting the award, Brandi attacked Isaac and powerbombed him through a table. The undercard featured an interpromotional First Blood match between Fang (Allied Powers Wrestling Federation) and Blade Boudreaux (South's Greatest Wrestling Fans). Ten minutes into the match, Abdullah the Butcher came out and attacked both men.[1][2] Abdullah cut Fang with a fork and then placed him into a coffin, which he rolled backstage.
Four new champions were also crowned at the event. Mike Quackenbush defeated Lou Marconi and Don Montoya to become the first SCW Lord of the Dance Champion, Nick Gage defeated Justice Pain in an impromptu staple gun match to become the first CZW Interpromotional Hardcore Champion, Scab defeated Natrone Steele in a ladder match to become the WWO Heavyweight Champion, and Stevie Richards defeated Jimmy Cicero and Tom Brandi in a Three Way Dance to win the APWF Heavyweight Championship.[2] The event also saw the reunion of The Headbangers, and Shane Douglas, who was scheduled to represent Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW), delivering a controversial "shoot" interview which ended with his quitting ECW one day before its Hardcore Heaven pay-per-view.[1][3]
One of the great moments in Scoops history came when the group decided to promote their own show. Considered impossible at the time, BREAK THE BARRIER brought together independent wrestlers from over twelve different organizations from across the country for one historical night in Philadelphia in 1999. To this day PRO WRESTLING ILLUSTRATED lists BARRIER as one of the greatest Supercards of all time.