Corporal Punishment Results

Matt Morgan Vs Samoa Joe ( * * * 3/4)
The show kicked off with this Satan's Return Grudge Match between Matt Morgan and Samoa Joe. Morgan's claims that he would have won the Satan's Cage match at Breaking Point if it had not been for the untimely influence of Joe may be strictly true, but Joe hasn't seemed to care and only seemed intent tonight on winning the match, and thus advancing as well to the Robo Rumble. This was one of Morgan's better matches in quite some time being as he was able to go toe-to-toe with the Samoan submission machine and take most of Joe's brutal offence. Of course Morgan was also happy to dish out some brutality as well and the result was a hard hitting and realistic looking bout in which both men took some stiff blows. It looked for all the world as if Joe was going to get the victory but he couldn't quite finish Morgan off. With the crowd firmly behind Morgan he lifted up Joe and hit the "Morgasm" for the 1-2-3, which not only won him the match but booked his place in the Rumble. Mission accomplished in all senses then for Morgan, and Joe did himself no harm at all with a credible display here.

Krissy Vaine Vs Rebecca Knox Vs Trinity ( * * )
How these three were supposed to follow that is anybody's guess, but they made a fair fist of it; all the more so considering that Vaine, at this early stage of her career, is not really good enough to be in the position she is in. But that didn't mean she was going down for the count here as a falling apart between Knox and Trinity enabled Vaine to get just enough of an advantage to get a cheeky schoolgirl roll up for the 1-2-3 that retained her title. Knox and Trinity didn't look pleased; I doubt any fans who like good women's wrestling were too chuffed either.

Kendrick & Hoyt Vs Love & Delgado ( * * * 1/4)
Noises coming from the IWF bookers suggest that they intend 2007 to be a year of Tag Team renaissance and whilst a full scale revival will take time, this was an entertaining European Tag Team title match which had been backed up by, yes, a storyline. Which meant that the fans were looking forward to this; I suspect not many would have been disappointed by what they got. Love & Delgado put forward perhaps their most coherent performance yet and Kendrick and Hoyt showed that they'd put their house show matches to good use by using them as an opportunity to really gel as a team. The result was only harmed by the fact the two teams were only given around 9 minutes to wrestle (although with Joe/Morgan, Reso/Orton and the Rumble you can see why) but the ending sequence was one of the hottest of the evening, culminating with Hoyt & Kendrick finishing Delagdo off with a version of the old "Hart Attack" Hart Foundation finisher.

Elijah Burke Vs Carlito (Sq)
Well Carltio may well regret his unscheduled appearance on TWA-Today TV. As a punishment he was chosen as the victim for Elijah Burke's debut. He was squashed unceremoniously and we wouldn't be at all surprised if this is his last ever IWF appearance (incidentally many believe that after sitting out the last few months of his contract here in the IWF he will indeed "return" to the TWA). Still Burke looked competent, and his mic work was superb both before and after the match. Many high up in the IWF feel Burke has that superstar quality and whilst it may be early days yet, he certainly was able to make a good first impression.

Jay Reso Vs Randy Orton ( * * * )
Admit it, you were surprised when Jay Reso left Satan's Cage as the new IWF World Champion, but credit where credit is due; outside the ring, at least, he has carried himself well in recent weeks on Warfare & Impact. This was his first big chance to shine however and it came against former Champion Randy Orton who was telling the world that this would be the night when he would regain what was rightfully his. He didn't, but he came mightily close in this hard-fought battle. Both men exchanged the advantage in the early going until Orton's experience led to him take control. The fans had decided that Reso was the lesser of two evils (which may not be a good thing if you think about it) and, as such, were behind him in his quest and they weren't disappointed. Orton went for an RKO but it was blocked and Reso hit back with The Unprettier to get the pinfall that retained him his World Title. It was a good match, with credible heat; whether it was quite the barn-storming performance Reso needed on top is another matter.
ROBO RUMBLE 2007 (* * * 1/2)

Order Of Entry

1) Joey Mercury
2) Johnny Nitro
3) Mantorras Figueirdo
4) Steve Lewington
5) Titi Buengo
6) Barabus Lashley
7) Gregory Helms
8) Kane
9) Austin Aries
10) Paul Wardle
11) Matt Morgan
12) Paul London
13) Chris Benoit
14) CM Punk
15) William Regal
16) James Storm
17) Rhino
18) John Cena
19) Shinya Makaybe
20) PJW
21) Burchill
22) Edge
23) Abyss
24) Chris Harris
25) The Big Gee
26) Mario Lama
27) Phil Jackson
28) Triple H
29) Xavier
30) Finlay
31) Bobby Roode
32) Oleg Prudius
33) Sting
34) Dave Proud
35) Umaga
36) Matthew Mercy
37) Peter Turner
38) Eric Young
39) Shelton Benjamin
40) Deuce Shade

ORDER OF ELIMINATION

1) Steve Lewington (Joey Mercury)
2) Gregory Helms (Barabus Lashley)
3) Mantorras Figueirdo (Barabus Lashley)
4) Joey Mercury (Barabus Lashley)
5) Titi Buengo (Kane)
6) Johnny Nitro (Kane)
7) Austin Aries (Barabus Lashley)
8) Paul Wardle (Kane)
9) Paul London (Chris Benoit)
10 & 11) Barabus Lashley & Kane (CM Punk)
12) Shinya Makaybe (Matt Morgan)
13) William Regal (CM Punk)
14) Rhino (Matt Morgan)
15) Burchill (James Storm)
16) Chris Benoit (Abyss)
17) John Cena (Edge)
18) PJW (James Storm & Chris Harris)
19) James Storm (CM Punk)
20) Phil Jackson (The Big Gee)
21) Mario Lama (Matt Morgan)
22) Chris Harris (Triple H)
23 & 24) Abyss & Xavier (double elimination)
25) Oleg Prudius (Matt Morgan)
26) The Big Gee (Triple H)27) Bobby Roode (Sting)
28) Peter Turner (Umaga)
29) Edge (Umaga)
30) CM Punk (Matthew Mercy)
31) Deuce Shade (Matt Morgan)
32) Shelton Benjamin (Matt Morgan)
33) Eric Young (Triple H)
34) Dave Proud (Umaga)
35) Umaga (Matt Morgan)
36) Sting (Matthew Mercy)
37) Finlay (Matthew Mercy)
38) Triple H (Matt Morgan)
39) Matt Morgan (Matthew Mercy)
WINNER – MATTHEW MERCY

Shawn Michaels Takes Hiatus

The IWF have today learned that former World Champion Shawn Michaels has chosen to take a break from the wrestling ring.

"It's time to spend some quality time with my family again" said Shawn.

We here at the IWF wish him all the best.

Roode CONFIRMED for Celebrity Big Brother

We can today confirm that IWF superstar Bobby Roode will be entering the Celebrity Big Brother household in the new series.

"It's going to be a blast" said Roode. "I can't wait".

Carlito - The IWF Board Speaks

Contracted IWF superstar Carlito tonight made an appearance on the Total Wrestling Action - Today! show and we have received numerous emails from IWF fans asking the Board Of Control to comment.

They have released the following statement.

We have been informed that Carlito Colon, a contracted IWF superstar,
tonight appeared on the TWA - Today wrestling programme on the Bravo network
this evening. Carlito was not authorised by anyone in the IWF to appear on
this show and is in breach of his IWF contract for doing so.

We have advised the TWA that they legally cannot parade Carlito on their
show and that no further reference may be made to a contracted IWF talent.
We have suspended Carlito and, if neccessary, will be filling for compensation
against the TWA for using talent that not legally able to appear on their show
due to the terms of his contract.

More on this news as it breaks.

Helms Hammers It

Sources have led the International Wrestling Federation to believe that a sex-tape on the Internet that was purported to "star" Gregory Helms is indeed the genuine article.

Helms was unavailable for comment so we quizzed Melinda, an IWF office worker who has seen the movie. "I'd certainly like to be hit by Helms' hammer" said Melinda.

CORPORAL PUNISHMENT CARD

SUNDAY 27TH JANUARY 2007
NOTTINGHAM ARENA

IWF Unified World Heavyweight Title;
Vs
Jay Reso Vs Randy Orton

Jay Reso took the Unified title at Breaking Point in the brutal and hellacious Satan's Cage match, but his first port of call as defending champion is to take on former champion Randy Orton. Orton states the odds were stacked against him at Breaking Point and now that it's one-on-one he will regain what is "rightfully" his. Reso says that Orton is old news and that this match will only reinforce that fact. Whoever is true, this is sure to be an epic battle.

Satan's Return Grudge Match;
Vs
Matt Morgan Vs Samoa Joe

Some say that Samoa Joe arguably cost Matt Morgan the opportunity to leave Satan's Cage as the Unified World Champion; Morgan says there is no "arguably" about it. He insists that without Joe's "nieve" actions, he would have won the gold. Joe, for his part, merely says he was doing what he had every right to do in a "every man for himself" match. The two are on a collision course that is set to explode at Corporal Punishment. In a unique twist, IWF Commissioner Eric Bischoff has decreed that only the winner of this match can take a spot in the 40 Man Robo Rumble match. So it really is ALL at stake in this one.

40 Man Robo Rumble;
THE WINNER GETS WORLD TITLE SHOT AT MUSCLEMANIA XVI

Participants;

Triple H, The Big Gee, Abyss, Xavier, Matthew Mercy
Sting, Burchill, Edge, CM Punk, Barabus Lashley
Chris Harris, James Storm, Joey Mercury, Johnny Nitro, Eric Young
Bobby Roode, Rhino, Shinya Makaybe, Shelton Benjamin, Paul Wardle,

Phil Jackson, Finlay, Kane, Chris Benoit, Paul London,

Gregory Helms, Oleg Prudius, Mario Lama, Mantorras Figueirdo, Titi Beungo,
William Regal, Steve Lewington, Peter Turner, Austin Aries, John Cena

PLUS:

Matt Morgan OR Samoa Joe

The IWF In-Ring Returns of

Dave Proud & PJW

AND

The debut's of

Umaga & ???

World Women's Title;
Vs Vs
Krissy Vaine Vs Rebecca Knox Vs Trinity

Rebecca and Trinity were the two survivors at the Elimination match at Breaking Point, which earned both of them a shot at Women's Champion Krissy Vaine. Vaine has been a dominant champion but her reign could be under it's biggest threat here.

European Tag Team Titles;
Brian Kendrick & Lance Hoyt Vs Flavio Love & Loco Delgado

The Bang Gang go for the gold in what is sure to be a dynamite match. Kendrick and Hoyt are undefeated as a tag team here in the IWF but they are under no illusions at how tough Love and Delgado are.

PLUS:
The Debut of Elijah Burke

New signing Elijah Burke has received quite the fanfare upon his arrival here in the IWF and Corporal Punishment sees the first chance to catch him in in-ring action.

Boxing Day Warfare SHOCKER

IWF fans were looking forward to the return to TV of "The Icon" Dean Roberts at tonight's special Boxing Day edition of Warfare but things didn't turn out quite the way anyone thought they would.

At the beginning of the show, IWF Commissioner Eric Bischoff, in his last week in charge before his month's holiday, welcomed Dean and his wife Annalise to the show but things immediately took a strange turn as Dean thanked Eric for inviting him to the show and Eric replied that it had all been Annalise's suggestion.

Throughout the show Dean mingled with some of the IWF superstars at the show and even managed a handshake with the man who had retired him at Heat Wave, Matthew Mercy (despite the fact Mercy had, of course, broken Annalise's leg earlier in the year).

At the climax of the show, Dean and Annalise made their way to the ring to soak in the cheers of the crowd but that's when it turned really strange. Annalise took the microphone and said she had an announcement to make. George Minister speculated she might be pregnant, but instead she took out an envelope, gave it to Dean and told him it contained...DIVORCE PAPERS!

As the show went off the air, Annalise walked out of the ring leaving a stunned Dean Roberts alone in the ring!

Who knows what will happen next?

Breaking Point Review

Eric Young Vs Brian Kendrick (Ladder, * * * 1/4)
Well if you wanted a fast-paced start to a pay-per-view then these were definitely the two men to give it. Admittedly it was little more than insane Ladder-based high spots are a very brief feeling out period, but both men put their bodies on the line to give the fans some excitement. The atmosphere only heightened when, firstly, Bobby Roode and, secondly, Lance Hoyt made their way into the ring as chaos ensued. The referee let it go however and that made the difference in the end as Bobby Roode managed to send Hoyt and Kendrick through a ringside table (a move which took Roode out himself as well) and then Young climbed the ladder to retain his Cruiserweight title.

America's Most Wanted Vs MNM ( * * * )
This was billed as the Final Chance match, as in IWF Commissioner Eric Bischoff had decreed that if MNM didn't win the title in this match they would never get another tag team championship shot whilst AMW hold the belts. So the pressure was on, and they came out of the blocks firing and really took the battle to the erstwhile Team Orton members. But, alas, it wasn't to be. America's Most Wanted have been labelled the best regular team going in the business today and they proved it by winning this one when Chris Harris pinned Joey Mercury. MNM looked deflated afterwards, as well they might.

Xavier Vs Abyss (First Blood, * * * 1/4)
This is a feud that has been going ever since Xavier made his IWF return at Neon Blue and this First Blood match promised to be another thriller, even if Xavier was at a distinct disadvantage against the masked Abyss purely because Xavier had more flesh on display to cut. The two went at it with a fury and slowly brought out more and more brutality (and weaponry) in an attempt to make their opponent bleed. In the end though it was Abyss who made the killer blow as he hit Xavier with a barbed-wire covered baseball bat. So he'd won the match; but the onslaught didn't stop there as Abyss continued the carnage until a posse of security men finally managed to drag Abyss away. Xavier was carted off on a stretcher...he didn't look a pretty sight!

10 Women Elimination Match ( * * )
As you might expect with all the less than talented "workers" in here this was pretty much a match of two halves. The first section was pretty painful as women who shouldn't really be in the ring in the first place battled, but once the dead wood was eliminated this at least sped it's way to an exciting conclusion. Order of elimination was as follows;
I) Maria (pinned by Christy Hemme)
II) Riley Mason (pinned by Rebecca Knox)
III) Carina (pinned by Trinity)
IV) Jenny Taylor (pinned by Alexis Laree)
V) Melina (pinned by Krissy Vaine)
VI) Christy Hemme (pinned by Trinity)
VII) Alexis Laree (pinned by Krissy Vaine)
VIII) Krissy Vaine (pinned by Rebecca Knox)
SURVIVORS - Rebecca Knox & Trinity

The Undertaker Vs Edge ( * * 3/4 )
You may wonder why Edge, a man who hasn't had a sniff of top-line material for at least a year, was going up against the veteran Undertaker. Well you might be surprised. It seems as if Edge might be about to fully come out of the purgatory he's been stuck in. Yes, The Undertaker controlled the majority of the match but when push, ahem, came to shove it was Edge who won. Yes, he had to hit Taker with the ring bell, but lets face it, that was always going to be about as clean as you get in this case. Who knows, maybe 2007 will be the year of the Edge. I mean it probably won't, but you never know do you?

Triple H Vs The Big Gee (I Quit, * * 1/2)
So onto the eagerly awaited "feud ender" between these two? Did anyone else watching feel a slight surreal twinge, remembering all those years back when these two were fighting over the World Title to almost no semblance of main event heat at all? Well fear not folks, the action in this may have been average, but there was impressive heat and the entertainment factor was good enough to keep you entertained. The ending did little to save face for the Gee though (yes indeed it was the Geester who uttered the words "I Quit") as he was forced to say the words "I Quit" so that his girlfriend Riley Mason didn't get the living daylights knocked out of her courtesy of one of Triple H's sledgehammer shots. Still, it should get him over with the soap opera loving ladies in the audience I suppose.

Matthew Mercy Vs Sting ( * * 3/4)
They may have strongly inferred in the build up that these two had never met in the IWF before (which is not only complete bollocks by the way, but also unbelievable because surely the previous meetings could have been used to help with the hype for this one) and they may have led the unsuspecting fan to believe that Sting hasn't wrestled since the fall of the PWF (again total bollocks, but you can hardly expect them to publicise the TWA can you?) but whatever the intention was, the crowd was certainly hot for this one. The two men worked a good match too, with Sting in particular proving that he was here to work and not just to pick up a pay cheque to help his church ministry. (Although we really have no idea how he felt following a match where a man threatened to smash a porn-star's face in with a sledgehammer). And I hope you are sat down reading this as you might be in for a shock. After a hard-fought battle, Matthew Mercy laid down for the pinfall (come on, you didn't expect him to submit to the Scorpion Deathlock did you?), 1-2-3. Now that most certainly IS NOT something you see every day.

Satan's Cage Match (* * * * 1/4)
So it was onto the main event of the evening, and the Satan's Cage structure looked a treat. The best way of describing would be some kind of hellish mix of the Hell In A Cell Structure and the Elimination Chamber. All six men loooked somehwat apprehensive as they made their way into the Cage...well all except Randy Orton, who looked his usual cocky self every step of the way. By the end of the evening however he was looking less cocky and was a little lighter around the waist. All six men put forward spirited displays and it seemed like the fans in the arena did indeed believe in the "any man could win" spirit that the booking squad has spent a month trying to instill. Still there could only be one winner in this brutal and bloody match, and it was none other Jay Reso. He actually won it by pinning Randy Orton, albeit after Matt Morgan had hit the Morgasm on Orton. He couldn't get the pinfall himself as Samoa Joe waffled Morgan just after he had hit the move, leaving Reso to take advantage.

A good show to end the year with, which asked as many new questions as it answered old ones. 2007 is looking like it could be quite a year indeed!

Chavo Guerrero Released

Today the IWF announced that Chavo Guerrero has been released from his IWF contract. It is known that Chavo recently failed a test under the IWF's Wellness and Welfare programme but it is not known at this time what bearing this had on the decision to release Chavo from his contract.

We wish Chavo all the best in his future endeavours.

Britney Undertaker?

We've all seen the shots of Britney on the Internet recently, but the IWF have been sent paparazzi pictures that show Britney was accompanied by The Undertaker on a recent night out.

As you can see, The Undertaker also apparently accompanied her back to her hotel room and spent the night.

William Regal Controversy

Newspaper reports are stating that in the early hours of Thursday morning, IWF Superstar William Regal was involved in an altercation with Bolton Wanderers football star Kevin Nolan in the Icon Nightclub in Bolton.

We have been advised that Mr Regal was at the nightclub at the time in question, but due to the ongoing investigation by Greater Manchester Police he is unwilling to make any further comment at this time.

Lance Storm Injury - Retirement Announced

On the recent North American Tour, Lance Storm suffered a serious back injury. Upon consultation with doctors it was diagnosed as dual vertebrae fractures and upon hearing that it would be 12 months before Lance would even be in a position to start training for a return to the ring, he decided that his time was up in the Wrestling ring and announced his retirement today.

We here at the IWF wish Lance all the best.

Titles Held;
World Tag Team Championship (w/Charles Haas x 3)
European Championship
European Tag Team Championship (w/Simon Starshot x 1),(w/Charles Haas x 1)
UK Championship ( x 2 )

McCool In The House

The IWF can today announce it's newest Diva. Michelle McCool has put pen to paper on a long term deal this morning.

ELIJAH BURKE INKS DEAL

The IWF can today proudly announce that Elijah Burke has signed a deal with the IWF.

Breaking Point CARD

International Wrestling Federation presents...

Saturday 23rd December 2006
NEC Arena, Birmingham

Unified World Heavyweight Triple Crown;
SATAN'S CAGE MATCH:


Randy Orton
Vs

Matt Morgan
Vs

Samoa Joe
Vs

CM Punk
Vs

Barabus Lashley
Vs

Jay Reso

For the first time ever Satan's Cage is unleashed on the IWF. One tonne of steel, two and a half miles of chain, no escape. Fought under first pinfall wins rules, which leaves current champion Randy Orton at a distinct disadvantage. Former world Champion Matt Morgan wants to return to the top of the mountain whilst Jay Reso wants to take advantage of another opportunity to lift the title for the first time. CM Punk and Samoa Joe get their first chance at World Title glory, whilst Barabus Lashley once again has a choice of defending his boss or chasing personal glory. So many questions, and only one place to find the answer.

Legend Vs Legend
Vs
Matthew Mercy Vs Sting

For the first time in 8 years, Sting enters an IWF ring and his opponent is the legend that is Matthew Mercy. For the past six weeks, Sting has been playing a psychological mind-game against Mercy and seemingly has the upper-hand, but Mercy is a big-match player and cannot be counted out on the big-stage.

I QUIT MATCH:
Vs
Triple H Vs The Big Gee

This intense and epic feud has been boiling over for months and even when HHH was suspended from IWF TV, many still claim he was the masked man who cost The Big Gee his World Title match with Randy Orton at No Remorse. HHH insists that it wasn't him and that there is no direct evidence to prove that it was. Nevertheless, IWF Commissioner Eric Bischoff belives he was the man behind the attack and has thus sanctioned this I Quit match where the only way to win is to make your opponent say the words "I Quit".

FIRST BLOOD MATCH:
Vs
Xavier Vs Abyss

Since Xavier returned at Neon Blue he has waged a war with the monster Abyss. After a chaotic "Falls Count Anywhere In Greensboro" match at No Remorse, Xavier pleaded with IWF Commissioner Eric Bischoff to make one more match and even offered to let Abyss choose the stipulation. Abyss, through his manager James Mitchell, accepted and the challenge and chose a First Blood match; pinfalls and submissions don't count, the first person to make his opponent bleed is the winner.

World Tag Team Championship;
Vs
America's Most Wanted Vs MNM

The two premier teams in the International Wrestling Federation meet for one last time in a match which has been decreed a "one last chance" match. If MNM do not defeat America's Most Wanted they cannot gain another title shot as long as AMW remain champions. So it's now or never for Mercury and Nitro.

Vs

The Undertaker Vs Edge
Edge bemoaned the fact that he hadn't been given a match for Breaking Point but he soon lived to regret his public outburst as his challenge was met by IWF legend, The Undertaker. Now Edge must go through hell at Breaking Point!

World Cruiserweight Title;
LADDER MATCH:
Vs
Eric Young Vs Brian Kendrick

After a thrilling European tag team title match involving Bobby Roode and Lance Hoyt at No Remorse, Eric Young and Brian Kendrick meet one on one for the Canadian's World Cruiserweight Title. The title will be held 10 feet in the air and the only way to win the match is climb the ladder and grab the gold.

5-on-5 ELIMINATION MATCH:
Refereed by Shantelle Taylor

Krissy Vaine, Christy Hemme, Carina, Jenny Taylor & Riley Mason
Vs

Alexis Laree, Melina, Rebecca Knox, Maria & Trinity

The Diva's of the International Wrestling Federation collide in this Super-Series-Style 10 women elimination match. World Champion Krissy Vaine leads her warriors into battle against Alexis Laree and her vixens. The action continues until all the members of one team have been eliminated.

NO REMORSE Review

Jay Reso Vs Edge (* * * 1/4) - Well it seems like Edge is still employed by the IWF after all. The build up to this has been pretty simple; long-term friends they may be, but Reso decided the time was right to tell Edge some home-truths - namely that he's let his career go to waste. Which might be the truth but doesn't really rally you to Edge's side does it? Still this was a good opener as the two displayed the chemistry that has been evident between the two over the years. Whether or not it's enough to bring Edge back into the land of a wrestler with prospects is open to question, but this was a hard-fought bout which was keenly contested. Of course in the end it was Reso who got the pinfall, with the aid of a handful of tights. A good match, but what it will acheive for either man is a question that doesn't appear to have a suitable answer.

CM Punk & Maria Vs Colt Cabana ( * * 1/4) - An intriguing encounter, albeit one that suffered mainly due to the fact that Maria seems to have no aptitude whatsoever for this "wrestling" lark. The heat was impressive though, and Punk and Cabana put in enough effort to cover the weak link. Still the end result showed just who the IWF management see as the weak link from the old Second City Saints; yes, Maria pinned Colt Cabana to finish this one off. It's difficult to see where CC can go from here.

Barabus Lashley & AMW Vs Samoa Joe & MNM ( * * * ) - This was an intriguing six-man match up on paper and it turned out to be quite an intriguing one as well. This was fought super-stiff style (indeed Lashely and the AMW seemed to be fighting fire with fire as far as Samoa Joe was concerned) and the hard-hitting exchanges went over well with the crowd (even if it all did seem to make MNM look a little out of their depth). In the end it was the good guys who prevailed over Team Orton when Samoa Joe pinned Lashley after a positively evil spinebuster-type move. I suppose we'll soon get to see if that will be effective in a one-on-one match against Lashely.

Shelton Benjamin Vs Rhino ( * * * ) - Two guys who really needed a BIG performance here, especially as the whole booking scenario for this match has been built around these two being chokers who can never rise to the occasion. Although this viewer for one can't actually recall a time when Shelton has really been given an occasion to rise to. As it stood this was a decent match, which peaked well towards the end, and even got the crowd involved as well. As well they should given that this was a hot finish, which could have gone either way. In the end it went Rhino's way as he polished off Shelts with the Gore for the 1-2-3.

Eric Young & Bobby Roode Vs Brian Kendrick & Lance Hoyt ( * * * 1/4) - Three of these men weren't a part of the IWF as recently as the beginning of the summer so it was to little suprise that the reaction of the crowd was a little muted. But as per the previous match the action did warm the crowd up as the Cruisers especially took some big bumps. And as it was it was one of those big bumps that won the match as Lance Hoyt hit the Dominator off the top-rope on Young and got the pinfall that won his team the European tag team titles. A great little fast-paced match.

Abyss Vs Xavier (FCA, * * * *) - After seeing a couple of distinct mid-card matches the fans were going wild for these two...and both men delivered. This was a brawling tour de force as they two went all of the arena exchanging brutal and insane moves right into the crowd. But the fun didn't stop there. In fact the only thing that stopped this match getting an even higher rating was the absolutely BARMY finish. They literally put the "anywhere" into Falls Count Anywhere as they ended up outside the arena...and on a Greyhound bus. And as this bus continued on it's merry way (luckily a camera man managed to get on the bus as well) without any police trying to stop the chaos the two battled on. We then "lost transmission" and so went onto the next match....but we'd be back.

Matt Morgan Vs The Bang Gang ( * * 1/2) - Well with Morgan in full blown pyscho mode here, it looked like a pretty even battle. Fought under elimination rules this perhaps lacked a bit of tension in the early going (I mean, come on, did anyone seriously think that Morgan wouldn't eliminate any of them?) but the fans seemed to lap it up. And there did seem to be a genuine wish to see the Bang Gang get creamed. Morgan duly provided that. He wasted, and we do mean wasted, Mantorras Figueiredo, Titi Buengo, Loco Delgado and Flavio Love, before Mario Lama decided he'd had enough and took a countout loss. Of course where all this leaves the Bang Gang is open to question, but it certainly made Morgan look the part.

Throughout that match we'd heard tales of the Xavier/Abyss bus fight but finally we got transmission back as the two were still fighting. Finally Xavier hit a Xav attack (don't ask) on Abyss and got the pinfall, 1-2-3. But then the referee realised that the bus had gone past the Greenboro limits and as such, the pinfall couldn't count and the match was a no-contest. In my 30 years or so of watching wrestling, this may have been the most bizarre match finish yet!

Randy Orton Vs The Big Gee ( * * * ) - Was this the least anticipated ppv main event of the year? Quite possibly. This is not to belittle either man, but there has been precious little build up for this one and Gee is far too early into his new-found facedom to warrant such a high profile title opportunity. Even Riley Mason's promise to strip on Warfare if the Gee won the title seemed a lame attempt to inject some life into proceedings. As it turns out, we won't be seeing Riley's puppies just yet as Orton managed to retain his world title again, but only after the interference of a masked man...a masked man who looked remarkably like Gee's nemesis Triple H, especially when he hit Gee with The Pedigree. Of course we never found how exactly who it was, as the masked man disappeared as quickly as he appeared, but the attack was enough for Orton to hit an R-K-O and take the pinfall victory.

Ok, so it wasn't the most anticipated IWF pay-per-view in history , but it was entertaining enough in execution and had it's moments. Admittedly though, other than the insane ending of the Xavier/Abyss fight this isn't destined to be remembered in the history books.

STING signs deal with the IWF

In one of the biggest talent acquisitions ever seen in International Wrestling Federation history, we can exclusively reveal that former PWF World Heavyweight Champion STING has made a deal with the IWF Board of Directors to return to the ring.

Sting has not wrestled for a major company since the PWF folded back in 2001, but the reports are that he has been keeping in shape. No news is yet available on when Sting will make his first appearance in an IWF ring but it is thought that he will be in the IWF before the end of the year.

Booker T departs

IWF.com today learned that Booker T has chosen not to renew his contract with the IWF.

We wish Booker all the best in his future endeavours.

Steve Lewington Signs With IWF

British Wrestling superstar Steve Lewington has signed a deal with the Internation Wrestling Federation to bring his talents to a worldwide stage.

Born in Ascot in 1984, Steve has travelled the world to hone his skills and feels that now is the perfect time to test his skills on a bigger stage.

"All my career has been building up to this moment" said Steve when we contacted him this morning. "It's not going to be easy, I know that, but I feel I can be a success here in the IWF."

Chris Kanyon departs.

Today we have been informed that CHris Kanyon requested a contract release from the IWF and his request was granted by the IWF Board of Directors.

We wish Chris all the best in his future endeavours.