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Chapter 8 - --8--(Rewritten)

The show had just come back from a commercial break, and the camera cut to the backstage area where Vince Maston was standing near the gorilla position. The tag teams from that wild segment—the Steel Titans, Apex Predators, and Flashpoint Brothers—were making their way through the curtain, drenched in sweat and panting, still shooting daggers at each other.

Vince stepped forward, clapping his hands together. "That's exactly what I needed!" he exclaimed with a nod of approval. "Great energy, everyone. That's how we keep the crowd fired up."

Brock Steele flashed a smirk as he wiped his face with a towel. "The crowd's loving it out there. You really think that triple threat is a good idea?"

"Absolutely," Vince replied with conviction. "Three teams, one match, and a brand-new championship. This is going to put tag wrestling back in the spotlight." He turned to Marcus Vane from the Apex Predators. "And Marcus, Cal—you two? Go all out next week. Be full-on killers. Flashpoint, keep soaring and play those cocky roles. Titans, you're the heroes in this story. That dynamic is going to work like a charm."

Jett Flashpoint shot a cocky grin. "Looks like we finally have something exciting to do."

"Exactly," Vince said, clearly pleased. "Get some rest. We've still got two more matches tonight and a big main event coming up."

As the wrestlers scattered, Mark Rivera, the booker, stepped up next to Vince, clipboard in hand. "We're kicking off the first midcard bout next—Diego Cortez vs. Darren Cole. It's a high-flyer showcase."

Vince nodded in approval. "Perfect. Let's show the crowd what our guys can do outside of the main title picture."

_____

Dylan: "Alright, folks, get ready for an exciting match featuring two of IRW's fastest rising stars—Diego Cortez and Darren Cole!"

Noah: "These guys are both known for their incredible speed and high-risk moves, Dylan. Expect some serious action!"

Diego made his entrance first, his Latin-inspired music pumping up the crowd as they clapped along. He dashed down the ramp, pointing to the sky before leaping into the ring. Darren followed closely behind, his slick hair and confident demeanor shining through as he chatted with fans in the front row.

As soon as the bell rang, they dove into a rapid-fire exchange of chain wrestling, countering each other's moves until Darren pushed Diego away, flashing a smirk as he taunted him.

Dylan: "What a quick exchange! Neither of these guys is backing down!"

Diego responded with a burst of energy, springboarding off the ropes to deliver a headscissors takedown that sent Darren tumbling to the floor. The crowd erupted in cheers as Diego soared over the top rope with a stunning suicide dive, crashing into Darren and sending both men sprawling.

Luke jumped to his feet. "Wow! Did you see that?!"

Tony chuckled. "That's Diego for you. The guy's a total daredevil."

Back in the ring, Darren took control with a smooth dropkick, quickly following up with a running knee to Diego's jaw that nearly sealed the deal—

Noah: "Cover! One, two—Diego kicks out!"

The match escalated into a thrilling finale: Darren attempted his signature springboard cutter, but Diego ducked, landed a superkick, and then immediately followed up with a breathtaking 450 Splash off the top rope for the win.

Dylan: "Diego Cortez with an incredible victory!"

-----

The lights dimmed, and the ring announcer's voice boomed through the arena. "Ladies and gentlemen, it's time for the main event of the evening—the IRW Men's Championship!"

First to the ring was the challenger, "Iron" Eddie Price. He was a stocky brawler, built like a steelworker, with a tough-as-nails attitude. The crowd erupted in cheers, showing their love for their hometown hero.

And then, the champion made his entrance.

Mason Brooks walked through the curtain, the IRW Men's Championship proudly displayed around his waist. He exuded a quiet intensity, his presence impossible to ignore.

Dylan: "Mason Brooks has held that title for almost nine months now. He's powerful, precise, and nearly unbeatable."

Noah: "And Eddie Price is the toughest opponent he's faced so far. This is going to be a battle."

As the bell rang, the two wrestlers locked up in a fierce display of strength. Mason quickly took control, shoving Eddie into the corner with a punishing forearm smash. But Eddie fought back with sharp elbows, pushing Mason away.

The match unfolded gradually, with both heavy-hitters exchanging blows that resonated throughout the arena. Eddie landed a crushing spinebuster, almost sealing the deal.

Dylan: "One! Two! Mason kicks out!"

The crowd was buzzing with excitement. Eddie attempted his Iron Slam (a running powerslam), but Mason slipped away, delivering a devastating German suplex. Both men collapsed to the mat, and the crowd chanted, "This is awesome!"

Luke shouted above the noise, "Brooks is a beast!"

Tony nodded in agreement. "If the new owner is smart, he'll build the company around that guy."

The climax came when Eddie hit a massive clothesline and set up for the Iron Slam once more. Mason countered, spun out, and took Eddie down with a brutal Brooks Bomb (sit-out powerbomb).

The referee counted: One! Two! Three!

The crowd erupted as Mason stood tall, sweat dripping, holding his title high.

As the credits rolled and Mason's music faded, Luke and Tony left their seats, both buzzing with excitement.

Luke grinned ear-to-ear. "Dude, that was the best IRW show I've seen in years. That women's brawl, the tag chaos, those midcard matches—and Mason? Unreal."

Tony nodded, smirking. "Told you. New owner's cooking something. Next week? Triple threat tag title match? Maya versus Tracey heating up? I'm not missing it."

Luke shoved his hands into his jacket pockets, still smiling as they exited the arena into the Harborview night. "If this keeps up, IRW's about to become the place to be."

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