Complete results by Joe Dombrowski
A Weekend of Change; A Celebration That Transcends Time
It was perhaps the most newsworthy, eventful, and unpredictable weekend in IWC history. It was a weekend that changed the face of professional wrestling in this area forever quite literally. By the time the final bell had sounded on Saturday night, a 16-year era came to a close, a dynasty came to its end, a soldier began another heroic journey, and genesis of a new age was thrust upon us in an unforgettable fashion.
IWC A Call to Arms 2009 Night One – Prelude
Quick & Dirty Results:
Low Rider def. Chest Flexor in a pre-show match
“Fabulous” John McChesney def. Ricky Reyes
Johnny Gargano def. Jimmy Jacobs
Delirious & Daizee Haze def. Switchblade Conspiracy
The Sandman def. Jimmy Vega$
Dean Radford def. Logan Shulo
IWC Super Indy Champion Super Hentai def. Michael “The Bomber” Facade
The Cleveland Mafia (Ray Rowe & J-Rocc) def. Jimmy DeMarco & Marshall Gambino, BabyFace Fire (Shiima Xion & Jason Gory), and Sexual Harassment (Eric Xtasy & Justin Idol)
This historic weekend featured so many matches that combined elements of the past, present, and future, including our main event to cap off night 1, the latest in the line of high-octane adrenaline-fueled four-team tag matches, pitting the four best teams in recent history – The Gambino Family (represented by Marshall Gambino & Jimmy DeMarco), Sexual Harassment (Eric Xtasy & Justin Idol), Cleveland Mafia (Ray Rowe & J-Rocc), and a very divided Babyface Fire (IWC Champion Shiima Xion & Jason Gory). Xion spent the entire contest avoiding the wrath of his scorned one-time close friend Jimmy DeMarco, and DeMarco’s rage combined with Xion’s distractions led to Ray Rowe pinning DeMarco with Death Rowe as Shiima looked on triumphantly. Would Shiima be as successful in escaping in tact when DeMarco challenged him one-on-one a night later?
The Super Indy Innovator and man who personifies the division, Super Hentai emerged victorious after a hard fought battle with frequent protégé Michael “The Bomber” Façade, to retain the championship. While Façade proved himself formidable, it was only fitting that the final Super Indy Champion of the Norm Connors era was the man who made the championship what it is today.
The rivalry between former multiple time IWC Champion Jimmy Vega$ and multiple time former ECW World Champion The Sandman was arguably IWC’s hottest rivalry in the early part of the decade, and tonight The Sandman emerged from retirement to battle Vega$ one final time. While Vega$ has had success in defeating The Hardcore Icon in the past, it was The White Russian Legsweep leading to one last Sandman victory under the Norm Connors banner.
Delirious & Daizee Haze scored a measure of revenge over the sick & sadistic Switchblade Conspiracy of Sami Callihan & Jon Moxley. Callihan had spent months targeting and stalking the two, but a victory here finally puts closure and relief to the duo from the Edge of Sanity.
Johnny Gargano spoiled the IWC homecoming of the one-time “Barbaric Berzerker” with a victory over Jimmy Jacobs. While Jacobs has done little to endear himself to fans in recent years, the IWC faithful still welcomed him with open arms. The win that night went to “The Whole Shebang” but would not be the last altercation the two would have.
“Fabulous” John McChesney lived up to his reputation of matching and overcoming some of the most lethal and vicious athletes in the sport with a victory over former IWC Champion “Cuban Crippler” Ricky Reyes.
Another former IWC Champion made his return in the form of Dean Radford. Now dubbed the “East Coast Killer” after two years of dominating the southwest & far east, Radford bested a man many compare to Dean in terms of size & agility in Logan Shulo. Shulo showed great tenacity, but in the end Dean showed him Radication.
Plus in a special pre-show match, Low Rider, the teenage prospect from the DTU promotion in Mexico, defeated one of IWC’s most unusual personalities but also among the toughest in Chest Flexor.
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IWC A Call To Arms 2009: Full Circle
Quick & Dirty Results:
Jimmy Jacobs def. Johnny Gargano
Shane Douglas & The BWO (Blue Meanie & Nova) def. Lord Zoltan, Frank Staletto, & Lou Marconi
Jon Bolen def. Ray Rowe via DQ
Team Hentai (Super Hentai, Eric Xtasy, Kato, Dean Radford, & Jason Gory) def. Team Vega$ (Jimmy Vega$, Justin Idol, Michael “The Bomber” Facade, Low Rider, & Logan Shulo)
AJ Styles def. Delirious
Colt Cabana def. “Fabulous” John McChesney
IWC Tag Team Champions Irish Airborne (Dave & Jake Crist) def. The Gambino Brothers (Mickey & Marshall Gambino) in a Losers Leave Town Match
“DeeeeeeeLicious” Jimmy DeMarco def. IWC World Heavyweight Champion Shiima Xion to win the title
Sixteen years came down to one night, as a special feeling was in the air all evening. The stage was set with the return of the most infamous broadcast trio in IWC history, as the original voice of IWC Jeff Gorman, along with Anthony Kingdom James, re-joined Joe Dombrowski (who would also be re-joined by J Worthington Farnsworth for the main event) for a one-night reunion at the broadcast booth.
Without question, the departure of Norm Connors from his 16 year perch atop the regional wrestling scene will be long-remembered for the emotion and impact that came with it. A from-the-heart speech by Connors with his roster and staff surrounding ringside, followed by words from some of his most longstanding employees, a plaque presentation, and even a cake, all accompanied the praise and adulation that came with thanking one of the business’ sharpest businessmen and successful promoters. As Norm exited one final time, he said he was doing it “his way”. But the question lingered – With Norm’s way now literally going out the front door, who was the new owner of IWC and how and when would they make their presence felt? It would not take us long to find out.
Fourteen months of anticipation, years of friendship, narrowed down to one night of brutal and barbaric action. For Shiima Xion, it was about the spotlight, the adulation, the insecurity that went with his model-like personality, and how consumed he became with the fact he was not the most popular man in IWC. For Jimmy DeMarco, it was about sacrifice. Over his IWC career, perhaps no one has worked harder, sacrificed more of himself physically and mentally, and endured more injuries and hardship than “DeeeLicious” Jimmy DeMarco. Until recently, he was a diamond in the rough, often underrated, underappreciated, or overlooked. On this night, both Shiima Xion and Jimmy DeMarco had the opportunity to each right their own respective wrongs and stand atop IWC as the face of the company leading into our 2010 kickoff.
Shiima & DeMarco, quite simply, put each other through hell. The phrase “The ones you love can hurt you the most” has applied to this rivalry, but was taken to staggering and uncomfortable new heights. DeMarco lived up to his reputation, sacrificing his body and well-being to continue to fight on, as Shiima lived up to his by decimating his former friend to prove that he himself is without peer and deserving of all the spotlight. Undeterred, DeMarco fought back, as Shiima pushed aside his usual prima donna personality to pour his heart and soul into finishing what he had started. Shocking appearances by Shiima’s original manager Chris Maverick and Jimmy’s most famous tag partner Vendetta only added to the chaos and the personal animosity. Injuries were incurred, and officials tried to intervene, only to become casualties of this war as well. With every referee incapacitated, and DeMarco seemingly seriously injured, Shiima demanded ring announcer Chuck Roberts announce Shiima as the victor and retaining champion. Roberts refused, dropping the bombshell that when Norm left the building… Chuck Roberts himself officially became the new owner of IWC. Chuck ordered the match to continue, himself serving as referee, and after several more moments of intense physicality, multiple signature maneuvers, and both men pushing themselves beyond their normal limits, DeMarco’s C4 lead to a career, and perhaps life-defining, moment. With an ecstatic and electric crowd on their feet, and many of Jimmy’s peers in and around the ring to congratulate him, Jimmy DeMarco was officially crowned the man and new IWC Champion. Years of sacrifice have finally paid off for a man many once thought was incapable of reaching such levels. On this night it wasn’t about “The Prime Minister of Perversion”, or about comedy, or about a reputation, it was about Jimmy DeMarco the man reaching his goal of becoming the best wrestler in this portion of this country. And nobody deserves it more.
It wasn’t all good news within The Gambino Family however. We sadly had to say goodbye to “Nice Guy” Mickey & Marshall “The Bull” who ended their near-six year journey and the most dominant faction in IWC history when Dave & Jake Crist, Irish Airborne, defeated them in the “Losers Leave IWC” Tag Title Match. The brothers Gambino were able to gain a measure or revenge by letting their turncoat sister Vicki feel The Curse of the Gambino, but the distraction ultimately may have cost them the war and the championships. An emotional Gambino team thanked the fans and said goodbye, and if this is indeed the end of The Gambinos, tag wrestling in IWC may never be quite the same. But the question now is who will step up and challenge the still-reigning champions Irish Airborne?
We also had to say goodbye to 5-time IWC Champion Dennis Gregory, who departs to serve his country in battle overseas in Afghanistan next month. Dressed head-to-toe in his combat gear, Gregory spoke of the importance of his son & his country, and how proud he is to serve this great nation. Dennis Gregory will be missed, and IWC wishes him nothing but the best.
IWC fans were fortunate enough to watch current TNA World Heavyweight Champion “The Phenomenal” AJ Styles grow up before their eyes from his IWC debut in November 2002, and its only fitting Styles appear one final time under the Norm Connors banner. Styles defeated Delirious in an epic battle with the finishing maneuver that helped lead AJ to 2 IWC Super Indy Titles, among countless other accolades, The Styles Clash. After the match, Styles complimented Delirious and his ringside translator & tag partner, women’s wrestling stand-out Daizee Haze by stating they’d be a perfect fit in the promotion he calls home, TNA.
Colt “Boom Boom” Cabana, another former IWC Champion, bested the only 4-time Super Indy Champion in history “Fabulous” John McChesney in another battle of two men who have matured and prospered to huge lengths while in IWC. Following the bout, Cabana had his own personal thank you for Norm Connors, and also delivered a message on behalf of a close friend. Cabana relied the sentiments of the one and only CM Punk, who spoke of having very fond memories in the International Wrestling Cartel. Cabana mentioned Norm was the first promoter to ever spend money on a plane ticket for Punk & Cabana, again showing the great contributions he’s made in developing some of the best talent all around this world.
Jon Bolen defeated Ray Rowe via disqualification in a battle of IWC’s two most intimidating and dominant behemoths. Unfortunately, the involvement of J-Rocc & Shane Taylor of The Cleveland Mafia prevented us from getting the closure we wanted, and prevented Bolen from getting a victory the way he wouldn’t preferred. No one was happy with this ending, least of all Jon Bolen, so this very physical rivalry is no doubt far from over.
Traditionally IWC’s most chaotic and unpredictable match delivered once again as our annual ten man tag saw Super Hentai, Jason Gory, Dean Radford, Eric Xtasy, and Kato defeat Jimmy Vega$, Low Rider, Justin Idol, Michael Façade, and Logan Shulo. The match was mass chaos, spilling all over the building, and even destroying the table of special guest wrestling superstar Virgil. Vega$ and Hentai battled up into the balcony, which saw Vega$ launch Hentai from the balcony, down twenty feet onto the eight athletes below. With all ten men dazed and injured, it was the returning Dean Radford re-cementing himself as a major player, scoring the winning fall for his team.
Jimmy Jacobs evened the odds with Johnny Gargano by defeating him in a rematch from a night ago. Jacobs utilized the famed Contra Code that won him so many battles in his time in IWC some years ago, and tonight was no different.
In the special Steel City Wrestling retro match, “The Franchise” Shane Douglas joined The Blue Meanie & Hollywood Nova of the bWo (Blue World Order) to defeat the timeless and legendary veteran Lord Zoltan (w/ the diabolical Mayor Mystery) and the most prolific tag champions in SCW history, “Beef Stew” Lou Marconi & “Handsome” Frank Staletto
A Call to Arms 2009 was historic and unforgettable and a MUST-own DVD on so many different levels. But with the momentum in tact, the players in place, and the time drawing near to the 2010 kickoff, what changes will be made? Who will be a part of the new era IWC… and who won’t be? And what will IWC be like with “DeeeLicious” Jimmy DeMarco as heavyweight champion? January 30, a whole new rollercoaster ride is set to begin.
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