What’s up guys, David Wells here again with another edition of the Independent Run Down. This week’s edition will be special to some and might not interest others because this week I will be highlighting IWA-MS’ Royal Death Match Weekend which includes the King of the Death Match tournament and the Queen of the Death Match tournament.
For those of you who are unfamiliar with IWA-MS, it’s a promotion which runs in the mid-west (primarily in Indiana and Illinois)and it’s owned by Ian Rotten. IWA-MS is most well known for it’s major yearly tournaments which are the King of the Death Matches and the Ted Petty Invitational. The product can be best described as a hybrid product. There’s a nice blend of everything in the IWA-MS product, from hardcore, to high flying, and to pure wrestling.
IWA-MS has been in business for over 11 years and many of this businesses stars have made their way through the Mid South and they include CM Punk, Samoa Joe, Chris Hero, Alex Shelley, Colt Cabana, Matt Sydal, Jimmy Jacobs, and the legendary Eddie Guerrero just to name a few. But, as those stars have come and gone, others have stepped up and made a name for themselves in IWA-MS. Guys like Chuck Taylor, Drake Younger, Dingo, Josh Abercrombie, and the Thomaselli to name a few.
Currently IWA-MS has 6 championships and they include, heavyweight championship (held by Chuck Taylor), tag team championships (held by Cheech & Cloudy), women’s championship (held by Mickie Knuckles), light heavyweight championship (held by Jason Hades), death match championship (held by Danny Havoc), and strong style championship (held by Michael Elgin).
Before we get to tournament talk, let me tell you the tournaments will take place over the course of two days, June 20th and 21st. Also, let me give you some information regarding the format of each tournament. Firstly, the KOTDM will feature 18 of the best death match workers around and will follow the format of, six three-way dances in round one (man who takes the fall is eliminated), six one-on-one matches in round two, two three-way elimination matches in round three, and finally the last two men standing will fight it out for the KOTDM crown. Now, the QOTDM will feature 8 of the best female death match workers and will follow the normal format that a 8-person tournament would. Now, onto the brackets of the KOTDM and my predictions.
Night One
-Drake Younger vs. “Diehard” Dustin Lee vs. Scotty Vortekz
-Corey Shaddix vs. Tank vs. Necro Butcher
-Buzz Jones vs. Insane Lane vs. Deranged
-Whacks vs. Danny Havoc vs. Nick Gage
-Freakshow vs. Mad Man Pondo vs. Viper
-C.J. Otis vs. Dysfunction vs. Devon Moore
Also, in non-tournament action, you will see…
-Mickie Knuckles vs. Sara Del Ray
-Chuck Taylor defending the IWA-MS Heavyweight Championship vs. Dingo
-Ego Fantastico vs. Toby Klein
Night Two
-Conclusion of the KOTDM tournament
-Other special attraction matches
-Special appearance by the homicidal, suicidal, genocidal Sabu
That’s the line-up for the KOTDM and now it’s time for the QOTDM. As I mentioned the tournament will feature 8 women and here they are…
-Mickie Knuckles
-Monique
-Annie Social
-Rachel Summerlynn
-Rebecca Payne
-Tasha Simone
-Diss Lexia
-Ann Brookstone (Anthraxx)
It’s now time for my King of the Death Match predictions. In the first round, I see the following advancing, Drake Younger, Scotty Vortekz, Tank, Necro Butcher, Insane Lane, Deranged, Danny Havoc, Nicks Gage, Freakshow, Mad Man Pondo, CJ Otis, and Dysfunction. From there, I’m unsure how the bracket will break down but in the end I see Freakshow emerging victorious.As far as the Queen of the Death Match is concerned, I believe Rachel Summerlynn will come out on top.
If you’re unfamiliar with IWA-MS and want to see the product or just a fan in general head over to SmartMarkVideo.com for all your IWA-MS needs. You can also head over to iwamidsouthwrestling.com for more info on the Royal Death Match weekend and future shows (including the Ted Petty Invitational).
Well that about wraps things up for this week’s edition and as always thanks for reading and your feedback is greatly appreciated. If you’re attending this week’s Royal Death Match Weekend, have fun and be safe. Also, be sure to check back here next week for yet another installment of the Independent Run Down.
