Controversy.

In any sport, controversy reigns.

Take UFC, for example.

As I write this, I've just finished watching the Tito Ortiz-Forrest Griffin fight from Saturday night. Follow me on this.

After splitting the first two rounds, Griffin dominated the first four minutes of the final round. He stuffed takedowns, connected more on strikes, and had a great submission attempt. Ortiz got mount and was raining down blows, but Griffin escaped and finished strong.

An easy win for Griffin, right???

Wrong.

Ortiz wins by split decision.

Two of the judges disagreed with the majority of the live crowd, the internet community, and myself.

Opinion is everything.

This leads me to Super Indy V.

Did Troy Lords deserve to be in Super Indy V? A lot of people say no, but I disagree.

When CJ Sensation was in Super Indy I, there were some people that complained. The result? One of the most memorable matches in IWC history against Low Ki.

Sterling James Keenan in Super Indy II, after only being in IWC for seven months, was criticized. He went on to be one of the biggest stars in IWC for a time.

Shiima Xion and Jason Gory competing in Super Indy IV was questioned. This year, people were upset that they WEREN'T in the tournament.

Lords has been in IWC since 2001. He is a former tag team champion. He took IWC champion Shirley Doe to the limit at last year's Super Indy in a title match. He went to a draw with John McChesney in a match for the Super Indy title back in January.

He doesn't belong? Looking at this evidence, how can he not?

I've known Troy for over five years now. I have also been a big fan of us since I first saw him compete. Over the last year or so, I have seen Lords step-up his game, and he has honestly became one of my favorites to watch.

What I saw from him this past Saturday night were three career performances. You mean to tell me that Lords didn't prove himself in that ring? He hung in there with Claudio Castagnoli, Ricky Reyes, and Delirious. Do you realize just how many countries, promotions, and opponents those three men represent? Lords not only hung with all three, he put forth the greatest effort of his career when it counted most.

I was watching the finals from the balcony of the Court Time Sports Center. There were quite a bit of fans that were on the edge of their seats pulling for an upset win. Granted, more people had wanted Delirious to win the whole thing, but there were definitely more than just a smatter of "Balls Hot" fans in the crowd.

Say what you want, but the applause that Troy Lords received from the majority of the locker room showed me that he has stepped up in more ways than one.

Call me a company shill. I call myself a fan that knows what he likes, and likes what he saw. Does that mean I know what I saw???
Next week, I'll have more coverage from behind-the-scenes at Super Indy V, including a gripe I have that deals with certain people in power, and how they look the other way at opportune times.

However, that will have to wait. Before I go, I do have one last thing to say.

Sure, maybe he was a little overwhelmed. I'll agree with that point. However, Lords is now no longer one of the "young lions" in IWC. Now, he is one of the "top dogs".
 
-Steven Colter