hat
was one of the most anticipated one-on-one meetings in recent
memory: The man who has rightfully been dubbed "The Baddest Man
in IWC" Ray Rowe, with Cleveland Mafia partner J-Rocc in his
corner, taking on the current TNA X Division Champion "The
Samoan Submission Machine" Samoa Joe. Two men with an intensity
and a style like no other. Both men refused to give an inch to
the other in what quickly turned into a highly physical contest.
After Rowe was dropped ribs-first into the steel turnbuckle
bolt, it
was feared the match may end prematurely. As Rowe's corner man
J-Rocc prepared to throw in the towel, Rowe physically stopped
his partner, demanding the match continue. Rowe would recover in
superhuman like fashion, kicking out of the muscle buster and
escaping the Kokina Clutch. However, once Joe was able to lock
in the Kokina Clutch for the second time, Rowe's body finally
gave out, and Samoa Joe was deemed the victor. However, it took
everything Joe had within him and a broken rib to stop the
suplex machine known as Ray Rowe.
IWC
Champion Dennis Gregory's true colors continued to shine through
at Summer Sizzler. Just two months after using his longtime
friendship with promoter Norm Connors to manipulate Norm into
firing other heavyweight title contenders, and deeming Gregory
the number one contender, only to see Gregory capitalize on
these shortcuts to capture the IWC Title, Gregory sank even
further. Apparently the firings of past champions weren't the
only strings he was able to pull, as from the front door of the
building came Sebastian Da
rk
and crooked referee Steven Colter, apparently re-instated into
the company. When Norm Connors attempted to object, he was
handed a mysterious envelope by Dark, the contents of which
seemed to make the esteemed promoter quite upset. With HENTAI
already in the ring as well, Gregory announced the reformation
of the Unholy Alliance, and that the entire Alliance would be
there in person on August 4 at No Excuses 3. While HENTAI's body
language seemed to indicate a few reservations of some of
Gregory's proclamations, its apparent the most lethal and
dangerous faction in IWC history is now back and as strong as
ever, thanks to the man who had fought harder than anyone to rid
IWC of the Alliance last year, Dennis Gregory.
Gregory
wasted no time organizing deals for himself, striking in the
Super Indy Title defense of "Sweet & Sour" Larry Sweeney against
"Fabulous" John McChesney. McChesney had become consumed in
recent months over his inability to recapture his fourth Super
Indy title, and Gregory picked the opportune time to persuade
the Fabulous One, interjecting in the match behind the
official's back, and bloodying Sweeney badly on the outside.
Gregory and McChesney shook hands, cementing McChesney's
apparent arrival to the Unholy Alliance as well, as McChesney's
ob
session
over the Super Indy Title seemed to overrule his loyalty to the
IWC brand and locker room. Sweeney fought through the pain,
fought through the loss of blood, but as McChesney opened the
wound further, the champion only grew weaker. After a McChesney
frog splash, Sweeney had no more left in his system, and
McChesney had captured his fourth Super Indy Title in very large
part to Dennis Gregory. After the match, Chris Hero, a close
friend of Sweeney's who was actually brought back into IWC by
Dennis Gregory, was noticeably very upset about Gregory's
actions toward Sweeney. The situation erupted into a violent
brawl backstage later in the show that needed several members of
the locker room to step in between.
Gregory's
Heavyweight Title defense later that night against previous
champion Ricky Reyes was conveniently officiated by longtime
Alliance sympathizer Steven Colter. But as Colter began to show
signs of his old biased ways, promoter Norm Connors summoned
referee CJ Sensation to oversee the action. However the numbers
game became too much, and Sebastian Dark's involvement, as well
as John McChesney's blatant interference led to Dennis Gregory
retaining the championship. The entire newly-reformed Unholy
Alliance, minus HENTAI who
was sitting in on commentary for the DVD release, took liberties
on Reyes, and also Bolen who had attempted to make the save but
was also outnumbered. However, Sterling James Keenan made his
long-anticipated IWC return, clearing the ring of Gregory and
company, and the battle lines had officially been drawn again.
SJK accepted Norm Connors' personal apology, and also accepted a
proposed shot at the IWC Heavyweight Title, but first SJK wanted
the other individual directly responsible for SJK losing his
title opportunity: Brent Albright.
IWC
Tag Team Champions Michael "The Bomber" Façade and Johnny
Gargano shocked the IWC world by surviving the Tag Team Title
Gauntlet at Super Indy VI to become the new tag team champions.
Façade & Gargano were out to prove it wasn't just a fluke, but
had their work cut out for them against former three-time
champions Mickey & Marshall Gambino, along with Viki Gambino at
ringside. The Gambinos were indeed able to end the Façade/Gargano
feel-good story
,
despite J-Rocc at ringside personally endorsing and aiding the
new champions. J-Rocc was able to temporarily counter-act the
involvement of Viki Gambino until The Hollywood Balds made their
presence known, allowing Viki to inflict more damage, spraying
an unknown substance into Gargano's eyes, leaving him
temporarily blind. Mickey & Marshall took advantage of a 2-on-1
situation, and annihilated Façade with a super bomb en route to
victory. After the match, the assault continued, with all five
members of The Family standing tall. 
However,
The Hollywood Balds defeated Sexual Harassment in a #1 Tag Title
Contender Match earlier in the night thanks to a
miscommunication between Eric Xtasy & Justin Idol. Xtasy & Idol
had already hit their signature move "The Rose Creeper" to cap
off one of the most bizarre and unusual tag team encounters in
IWC history. However, with Eric Xtasy on the ropes celebrating
instead of attempting a cover, the Balds recovered and scored a
shocking win. With The Hollywood Balds earning the right to the
next tag team title shot in that match, will the glory of the
gold re-create a rift in the Gambino Family? 
k
in IWC, defeating Chris Hero who was hired by Dennis Gregory to
dispose of Bolen, who had ruined Gregory's victory celebration
and post-match attack on Ricky Reyes at Super Indy VI. Bolen
scored the win with his patented Meltdown maneuver. 
moved
one step closer to Super Indy Title contention by defeating
former champion "Balls Hot" Troy Lords. Azrieal shoved the
referee into the ropes, dropping Lords. Whether it was
intentional or not, Azrieal capitalized with his signature
double stomp off the top to score the win. In spite of losing,
Lords showed an increased aggressive streak and heightened
determination to once again wear IWC singles gold. 
After
absolutely stellar nights in singles competition at Super Indy
VI, Shiima Xion & Jason Gory reformed their Babyface Fire tag
team to great success, defeating young ROH prospects Ernie
Osiris & "Sugarfoot" Alex Payne. While the young Austin Aries
students looked impressive in their IWC debu
t,
the former IWC Tag Champs were able to dispose of them with From
Lust To Dust from Shiima followed by a swanton from Jason Gory.
After the match, Payne & Osirus ran down the IWC fans and the
company itself, obviously frustrated after their losing effort.
HENTAI hit the ring, disposing of them, and telling them that
after what he went through last month, newcomers like them would
not be tolerated.
Questions? Comments? Suggestions? Send feedback to
iwcmc_dombrowski@yahoo.com