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My visit to IZW and The Impact Arena

My visit to IZW and The Impact Arena

Posted: Apr 29th 2011 By: mikeiles

I don't do a lot of the original writing here at Oklafan. I leave that up to Burnham. I am the guy that does all the "copy/paste" work on the site. I put together The Scoop every week for example. On Saturday, April 23rd I attended the Impact Zone Wrestling event in Lawton at The Impact Arena. I am no stranger to IZW, I was the commissioner there from 2007 to 2009 starting when the fed was based in Oklahoma City and then when they moved back home to Lawton. It had been 2+ years since I was "fired" from the fed and to be honest, 2+ years since I set foot in The Impact Arena and the city of Lawton. I have been invited several times to come down there to see how the company has evolved and I have also been offered a job with them again on more than one occasion. So me and my buddy Chris Stern made the trek. Chris had never seen IZW live but had watch some of their TV shows on You Tube.

We left Tulsa about 2:30 and headed on down the Turner Turnpike. The original plan was to have lunch with Bad Brad Michaels in Oklahoma City, but he was very busy so he gave us a raincheck. We arrived at The Impact Arena right at 6pm. The doors had just opened so we walked in. I was recognized by some of the staff and I slipped into the locker room area. I said my hellos and everyone made me feel welcome. I have only met Double D and Erica once before and even they acted like I was an old friend when they said hello. I slipped into the office to say hello to the technical crew and the bookers. It was great seeing Chris Matthews who I hadn't seen in probably 3 years. He is now assisting IZW as a backstage agent. Also there visiting was Gary Tool. It's always good to see Coach. He and I had a great time at a Compound Pro Wrestling show recently sitting in the crowd.

I went back out to my seat and Chris and I looked around at the setup of the arena. I was recognized by 2 fans and Paul, who used to ring the bell at IZW shows back in OKC. I have been gone 2 years and was still remembered by the fans. Pretty cool.

All the matches were solid. The main event of Impact, Inc. (Johnny Z, Randy Price, & IZW Champion Jermaine Johnson) vs. Aerial Assault (Ky-ote Joe & Eric Rose) & Double D was a great match and the fans took to it. The segment with Jordan Jacobs, poorly impersonating Montego Seeka, was entertaining. The show top to bottom was solid. The fans chanted for their favorites whether they were bad guys or good guys. It was my first time seeing the new gear that Kenny Campbell wears and his match with Michael Barry was top notch. Seeing how Campbell and Barry are two of my closest friends in wrestling, I was torn as to who to root for, but I rooted for Kenny as he was the good guy. Plus, I wanted to make sure the fans in The Impact Arena chanted "DINGLEBERRY" at Michael Barry. I started the chant and they chimed in. Hopefully it will stick in weeks to come.

Here are some other thoughts:

-The big screen above the rampway is a nice touch and the sound from the video is not distorted. They have speakers on both side of the arena and you can hear what is going on.

-I do like how they are using the steel cage as part of the decor so to speak

-Mark Wilson is one of the best referees I have ever worked with and may be the best in Oklahoma right now. But he comes to the ring with a scowl on his face looking like he isn't having fun. I still say "The Butterscotch Stallion" needs to lighten up a bit.

-I have seen a lot of these wrestlers compete in other feds around the state. Some of them do a good job, but at IZW they seem to step it up a notch or two. Maybe it is the fact they are on TV. Maybe IZW expects more. I don't know for sure.

-I liked the fact that everyone wore gear. No jeans, no clothes from Hot Topic or any other store at the mall. Also, all the established tag teams (Awesome X, Nemesis, & Aerial Assault) had matching gear. It reminded me of the time when the tag team division in wrestling had actual tag teams (Rock-N-Roll Express, Midnight Express, Fantastics, Freebirds, Rockers, Sheepherders, etc.).

-I liked Randy Price wearing a shirt and tie to the ring as part of his "rich kid" gimmick, then he removes that and wrestles in tights.

-I also liked Damon Windsor's tights with the "DW" on it that was made to look like the Warner Brothers logo. His faction of The Future Hall of Famers is pretty solid and their T-shirts are awesome. Sorry about the chant of "coat tails" Mr. Windsor.

-This was also my first time to see Jermaine Johnson as a bad guy. He has made the transition well. I remember his very first match and I remember his plancha over the top rope that didn't go so well and he went down face first like a lawn dart. That was a long time ago and he is a better wrestler now. He is doing a great job, and it really is "all about him".

-Bringing in Chris Matthews to help with development of the wrestlers is a great idea. Matthews spent 18 months at Ohio Valley Wrestling in Kentucky back when OVW was a developmental fed for WWE. He helped with camera work and post production.

I want to thank Johnny Z and all the staff and wrestlers at IZW for making feel at home. You had a great show and I hope to be back there for another soon.

IZW is doing all the right things to make their product the best in the state. If you have the time on a Saturday, head on down to Lawton to check out a show. You won't regret it.

 

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Spotlight in History

  • 1977 Dr. X & Porkchop Cash def. The Medics (Medic #1 & Medic #2) for the TSW United States Tag Team Titles
  • 1982 The Rat Pack (Ted DiBiase & Matt Borne) def. Junkyard Dog & Mr. Olympia for the MSW Mid-South Tag Team Titles
  • 1985 Brian Adias def. Gino Hernandez for the WCCW Texas Heavyweight Title
  • 1986 The Fantastics (Tommy Rogers & Bobby Fulton) def. Eddie Gilbert & Sting for the UWF Tag Team Titles
  • 2003 Brandon Groom became the SRPW Heavyweight Champion
  • 2003 Tarantula & X-Cal became the SRPW Tag Team Champions
  • 2003 Big Daddy Moore def. Dexter Hardaway for the SRPW Hardcore Title
  • 2008 Outlaw def. 3rd Rail for the SWCW Heavyweight Title
  • 2008 Rage Logan def. Sage for the SWCW Cruiserweight Title
  • 2008 Shank became the SWCW Luchadore Champion
  • 2008 Seth Allen def. Dustin Heritage for the IZW Impact Division Title
  • 2015 Lil Outlaw def. Little Nasty Boy for the EMWF Heavweight Title
  • 2015 King Midget def. Lil Outlaw for the EMWF Heavweight Title
  • 2019 Stephan Bonnar def. MVP for the WCR Imperial Title
  • 2025 Mitch Onyx def. Bishop Simon for the RWE Light Heavyweight Title
  • 2025 Triple Crown Tribe (Fuel & Koko) def. The Super Crash Brothers (Trench Blythe & Badger James) for the UWE Tag Team Titles
  • 2025 Birdman def. Anarchy [2nd] for the UWE Apex Title
  • 2025 Brandon Warhawk def. Faded Ghoul for the UWE Heavyweight Title
  • 2025 Sgt. Todd def. Floyd Maystorm for the WAH Hunger Dojo Title
  • 2025 L. C. Green def. Deacon Hendrix for the RWE Heavyweight Title
  • 2025 Will Chambers def. L. C. Green for the RWE Heavyweight Title

Week of Sun 09-27 to Sat: 10-03

  • 09-27 1977 Dr. X & Porkchop Cash def. The Medics (Medic #1 & Medic #2) for the TSW United States Tag Team Titles
  • 09-27 1982 The Rat Pack (Ted DiBiase & Matt Borne) def. Junkyard Dog & Mr. Olympia for the MSW Mid-South Tag Team Titles
  • 09-27 1985 Brian Adias def. Gino Hernandez for the WCCW Texas Heavyweight Title
  • 09-27 1986 The Fantastics (Tommy Rogers & Bobby Fulton) def. Eddie Gilbert & Sting for the UWF Tag Team Titles
  • 09-27 2003 Brandon Groom became the SRPW Heavyweight Champion
  • 09-27 2003 Tarantula & X-Cal became the SRPW Tag Team Champions
  • 09-27 2003 Big Daddy Moore def. Dexter Hardaway for the SRPW Hardcore Title
  • 09-27 2008 Outlaw def. 3rd Rail for the SWCW Heavyweight Title
  • 09-27 2008 Rage Logan def. Sage for the SWCW Cruiserweight Title
  • 09-27 2008 Shank became the SWCW Luchadore Champion
  • 09-27 2008 Seth Allen def. Dustin Heritage for the IZW Impact Division Title
  • 09-27 2015 Lil Outlaw def. Little Nasty Boy for the EMWF Heavweight Title
  • 09-27 2015 King Midget def. Lil Outlaw for the EMWF Heavweight Title
  • 09-27 2019 Stephan Bonnar def. MVP for the WCR Imperial Title
  • 09-27 2025 Mitch Onyx def. Bishop Simon for the RWE Light Heavyweight Title
  • 09-27 2025 Triple Crown Tribe (Fuel & Koko) def. The Super Crash Brothers (Trench Blythe & Badger James) for the UWE Tag Team Titles
  • 09-27 2025 Birdman def. Anarchy [2nd] for the UWE Apex Title
  • 09-27 2025 Brandon Warhawk def. Faded Ghoul for the UWE Heavyweight Title
  • 09-27 2025 Sgt. Todd def. Floyd Maystorm for the WAH Hunger Dojo Title
  • 09-27 2025 L. C. Green def. Deacon Hendrix for the RWE Heavyweight Title
  • 09-27 2025 Will Chambers def. L. C. Green for the RWE Heavyweight Title
  • 09-28 1979 Mike George & Bob Sweetan became the MSW Mid-South Tag Team Champions
  • 09-28 1982 Mr. Olympia def. Killer Khan for the MSW Mississippi Title
  • 09-28 1984 The Long Riders (Scott Irwin & Bill Irwin) def. The Rock & Soul Connection (Buck Zumhofe & King Parsons) for the WCCW American Tag Team Titles
  • 09-28 1986 Buddy Roberts def. Terry Taylor for the UWF Television Title
  • 09-28 2008 Striker def. Al Farat for the MSWA Mid-South Heavyweight Title
  • 09-28 2013 The C. I. A. (Trevor Mapleleaf & J. B.) def. The Oakhurst Fire Mafia (Keebler & Diamond) for the SRPW Tag Team Titles
  • 09-28 2019 Brixton Barricade def. Chaz Sharpe for the ASP Inter-County Title
  • 09-28 2024 Daniel Aaron Michalles def. Pastor Brent for the WAH Hunger Dojo Title
  • 09-28 2024 Shotgun Webber def. Zac Royal for the TIW No Pressure Title
  • 09-29 2007 Luc Lapointe & Beau Dalton became the SWCW Tag Team Champions
  • 09-29 2007 Kareem Sadat def. Kevin James Sanchez for the SWCW Hardcore Title
  • 09-29 2007 Beau Dalton def. Luc Lapointe for the SWCW Sooner Xtreme Title
  • 09-29 2007 Kunna Keyoh def. Joe Herell for the UWF06 Violent Division Title
  • 09-30 1963 Bill Miller def. Louie Tillet for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
  • 09-30 1965 The Daltons/The Fargos (Jim Dalton/Jim Fargo & Jack Dalton [1st]/Don Fargo) became the TSW United States Tag Team Champions
  • 09-30 1974 Blackjack Lanza def. Jose Lothario for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
  • 09-30 1977 Ox Baker def. Captain USA for the WCCW American Heavyweight Title
  • 09-30 1981 Great Kabuki def. Bob Roop for the MSW Louisiana Title
  • 09-30 1983 The Super Destroyers (Super Destroyer I & Super Destroyer II) def. Roddy Piper & Bulldog Brower for the WCCW American Tag Team Titles
  • 09-30 2006 The House of Strange (AWOL & Overdose) def. The Family (Beau Dalton & Luc Lapointe) for the AACW Tag Team Titles
  • 09-30 2007 Outlaw became the MSWA Oklahoma Champion
  • 09-30 2017 Los Loco Moscas (Elijah Sparks & El Greengo Loco) def. Legion (Rob Cabella & Shawn Shields) for the BPPW Oklahoma Tag Team Titles
  • 09-30 2023 The Psychotic Messengers (Tank Bryson & Malachi) became the MajCW Tag Team Champions
  • 09-30 2023 Romeo Reese def. Punk Synister for the MajCW Flawless Title
  • 09-30 2023 Nibira def. Skidz for the MajCW 24/7 On Call Title
  • 09-30 2023 Brandon Groom def. Nibira for the MajCW 24/7 On Call Title
  • 09-30 2023 Oscar Amazing def. Brandon Groom for the MajCW 24/7 On Call Title
  • 09-30 2023 Lunchador def. Oscar Amazing for the MajCW 24/7 On Call Title
  • 09-30 2023 John J. Bishop def. Lunchador for the MajCW 24/7 On Call Title
  • 09-30 2023 Lunchador def. John J. Bishop for the MajCW 24/7 On Call Title
  • 10-01 2002 Pimpology (Jeffrey Parker & Kool Ade) def. The Professionals (John Zorthos & Julian Wolfenbarger) for the ACW Tag Team Titles
  • 10-01 2002 Bitch the Clown def. HIMM for the ACW Hardcore Title
  • 10-01 2002 The Cookie Man def. Bitch the Clown for the ACW Hardcore Title
  • 10-01 2002 HIMM def. The Cookie Man for the ACW Hardcore Title
  • 10-01 2004 Beau Dalton def. Bobby Dalton for the SRPW Hardcore Title
  • 10-01 2011 Michael Barry def. Double D for the IZW Impact Division Title
  • 10-01 2011 Maniac Mike def. John E. Stone for the SWCW Heavyweight Title
  • 10-01 2011 Se7en def. Kareem Sadat for the SWCW Hardcore Title
  • 10-01 2011 Kevin James Sanchez & Kareem Sadat became the SWCW Tag Team Champions
  • 10-01 2011 Drake Gallows & Bobby Star became the SWCW All-American Champion
  • 10-01 2012 Brian Lakewood def. Brandon Walker for the ComPro Heavyweight Title
  • 10-01 2016 Dean Lambert def. Kareem Sadat for the EmpCW Independent Hardcore Title
  • 10-01 2016 Running Wolf became the NAW Heavyweight Champion
  • 10-01 2016 Thunder, Inc. (Rolling Thunder & Tim Bean) def. The Midnight Riders (The Unknown & The Midnight Rider) for the NAW Tag Team Titles
  • 10-02 2004 Missa Sparkle def. Beau Dalton for the SRPW Hardcore Title
  • 10-02 2004 Beau Dalton def. Missa Sparkle for the SRPW Hardcore Title
  • 10-02 2004 Codie Mullins def. Beau Dalton for the SRPW Hardcore Title
  • 10-02 2004 Beau Dalton def. Codie Mullins for the SRPW Hardcore Title
  • 10-02 2009 Aerial Assault (Montego Seeka & Ky-ote Joe) became the MSWA Mid-South Tag Team Champions
  • 10-02 2010 Outlaw def. Tyson Jaymes for the SWCW Heavyweight Title
  • 10-02 2010 Bleach, Ink (Draven Cross & Korvin Sage) def. The Hardcore Connection (Shane Sanchez & Maniac Mike) for the SWCW Tag Team Titles
  • 10-02 2010 Rage Logan def. Damien Morte for the SWCW Cruiserweight Title
  • 10-02 2010 David Kyzer def. Kareem Sadat for the SWCW All-American Title
  • 10-02 2010 Kevin James Sanchez def. Kareem Sadat for the SWCW Hardcore Title
  • 10-02 2010 Jasper Davis def. Kevin Douglas for the NWA Texas Junior Heavyweight Title
  • 10-02 2010 La Reina de Corazones def. Tasha Simone for the NWA World Womens Title
  • 10-02 2011 Nemesis (Damien Morte & Damon Windsor) def. The New Age Syndicate (Scott Sanders & Shawn Sanders) for the MSWA Mid-South Tag Team Titles
  • 10-02 2016 The Urban Misfits (Drake Gallows & Dean Lambert) def. The Mid-South Express (Tyson Jaymes & Will Chambers) for the MSWA Mid-South Tag Team Titles
  • 10-02 2020 Jerome Daniel Griffey def. Niles Plonk for the TexPro Red River Title
  • 10-02 2021 Step Brothas (Jermaine Johnson & Tego) def. Niles Plonk & Flex Zerba (substituting for Dexter Hardaway) for the BCW Tag Team Titles
  • 10-03 1967 Brute Bernard & Mike Paidousis def. The Von Erichs (Fritz Von Erich & Waldo Von Erich) for the WCCW American Tag Team Titles
  • 10-03 2008 Spoiler 2000 became the NWA-OK Oklahoma Heavyweight Champion
  • 10-03 2009 Arrogant Money (Austin Tacious & Randy Price) def. BLK-OUT (Jermaine Johnson & Montego Seeka) for the IZW Tag Team Titles
  • 10-03 2020 Classy & Sassy (Niles Plonk & Dexter Hardaway) def. The Brotherhood of Holy Hell (Terry Pantera & Dean Lambert) for the BCW Tag Team Titles
  • 10-03 2020 Super Beast def. Cody Burns for the BCW Heavyweight Title
  • 10-03 2025 Lola the Adventurer def. Skylar Slice for the CPW Women’s Title
  • 10-03 2025 The Super Crash Brothers (Trench Blythe & Badger James) def. The Sweet Life (Colt Killbane & Jake Swayze) for the CPW Tag Team Titles
09-27
  • Angel Camacho Sep 27th Today!
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  • Trey Count Sep 28th
  • Kamille Sep 28th
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  • Bang Bang Bennett Sep 29th
  • Ann Casey Sep 29th
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  • Hector Guerrero Oct 1st
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  • Waldo Von Erich Oct 2nd
  • Crystal White Oct 3rd
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  • Tim Geohagen Oct 4th
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