 In 1997, he wrestled for the West Virginia-based Championship Pro Wrestling.He competed against his former student Christian York and defeated him at the promotion's "Hot August Night" event.He was also scheduled to compete at a fundraising event at Chantilly High School in Chantilly, Virginia, but it was cancelled due to concerns about the "cartoonish stereotyping" of gimmicks such as Cicero's "Wiseguy" persona.