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Gauntlet Sets Up Iron Man Match For Showdown 4

Posted: Aug 16th 2013 By: CMBurnham

They are the two names most associated with the UWE Title. Both have held it 3 times. Now, Jon Cross and UWE Champion Anarchy 2nd are set to clash with each other at Showdown 4. But before that epic confrontation, both men were set to run a gauntlet of unknown opponents. The prize: Whichever competitor had the most victories in their gauntlet would be able to pick the stipulation for their championship match on October 19.

Both men knew they had to be prepared for anything. Anarchy was up first to run his gauntlet. His first opponent: the patriotic American Made. The patriotic superstar made a strong effort, but came up short in trying to beat the Thrill-Killer.

Next out was X-Statik. The Albino Assassin had come close to regaining the UWE Tag Team Titles earlier in the show, but was the lack of cooperation from his partner Keith Knight made that nearly impossible. And Knight was instrumental in in distracting X-Statik in this contest, allowing the champion to notch a 2nd win under his belt.

Talon Meyer made his UWE debut as the 3rd challenger in this gauntlet. The experience edge, combined with Anarchy's willingness to bend the rules put the newcomer at a severe disadvantage, one that proved impossible to overcome.

Then it appeared that things might get tricky for Anarchy as the next challenger was his own bodyguard, Zakk Sinizter. Sinizter arrived in the ring and seemed completely focused on the opportunity in front of him. Anarchy at first seemed concerned, then began barking orders for Sinizter to lay down. But then it became clear that it was all a game. Sinizter feigned a fit of choking and collapsed to the mat. Anarchy seemed to tentatively test the fallen monster, then lackadaisically covered him for the pin. A well-planned ruse had paid off in an effortless victory for the champion (and potential Academy Award nominations for both their performances).

As easy as that victory was, the last man to face Anarchy would be anything but simple. It was the man Anarchy beat for the title: The Mercenary. Mercenary certainly wanted some revenge for that loss and took everything he had to the champion. And it paid off, as The Mercenary was the only person to defeat the champion in his gauntlet match.

So the bar was set high for challenger Jon Cross. To win the gauntlet challenge, he would have to win all five matches. A difficult test, but not impossible for the man who entered first in the Sooner Stampede and won. It would not be easy for him as his first test would be UWE United States Champion Tim Rockwell. Rockwell focused on the mid-section, injuring his ribs. But he would be unable to pick up the victory as Kid Krazy appeared on the entrance ramp, causing a distraction and allowing Cross to succeed with an inside cradle.

Opponent number two was UWE newcomer Kyng Benjamin, accompanied by Sasha. Benjamin knew that a victory here would make him noticed by the UWE Championship committee. That was not in the cards for him as Cross forced Benjamin to tap out to an STF.

Next came Robert Lee, who had definitely NOT had a good night so far. Lee and his partner Ace Archuleta had been stripped of the UWE Tag Team Titles due to some comments Archuleta made on the "Roll Call" webshow that Nasty Swag hosted. UWE president Dale Robinson saw no choice but to strip them of the titles and suspend Archuleta for ninety days. So Lee came out with vengeance on his mind. He had already attacked The Static Knights and the K. C. Wolves earlier, depriving either team of the opportunity to win the vacant UWE Tag Team Titles. Now, he wanted to deprive Cross of the opportunity to win the gauntlet. And he would be indirectly responsible for Cross losing this match. Anarchy and Zakk Sinizter had come to ringside to provide guest commentary. Sinizter took an opportunity to jump on the ring apron and distract the referee. Lee slid out of the ring and grabbed a chair, but upon returning to the ring, Lee swung at Cross...and missed. Cross put Lee down in the middle of the mat, then grabbed the chair to remove it from the ring. But the referee, who apparently had heard the chair impact the mat when Lee missed Cross, saw Cross with the weapon and signaled for the DQ. It was a blatant miscarriage of justice, but it also put Cross in a bad situation. Now, the best he could hope for in the challenge was a tie, forcing them into a tie-breaker situation.

Cross was not deterred in his quest, though. His next opponent was Aaron Anders, another newcomer to UWE. It was a cerebral match, as Anders is an intelligent wrestler. But Cross sat down on a Sunset Flip attempt and took another victory.

Then, the biggest challenge. Once again, the shattered skull graphic appeared on the video screen and Zakk Sinizter made his way to the ring. But this time, there would be no performance, no agreement, no game. Just destruction. Cross fought valiantly, but after a vicious pumphandle slam, there was nothing he could do. And Cross suffered his second loss in the gauntlet, giving Anarchy the advantage.

Anarchy wasted no time in coming to the ring. He took the microphone and said that he was tired of hearing about Jon Cross and his 60-minute victory in the Sooner Stampede. Anarchy reminded Cross that 4 years ago, he beat Cross to become the initial UWE Champion in 27 minutes. After that victory, he told Cross that THAT was what it took to be champion. But now, 27 minutes is not enough. So, at Showdown, Anarchy announced that the stipulation for the UWE Title match was that it would be a 60-minute gauntlet match. But Anarchy did not want to give Cross a chance to make it to Showdown as he and Sinizter commenced a 2-on-1 beatdown until The Mercenary arrived and chased them off.

The 60-minute endurance of Cross in the Sooner Stampede is now an uneasy crown that sits on the head of Cross. In 2 months, he must again survive an hour in the ring. But this time, it will not be sufficient to just throw his opponent over the top rope. Now, he has to make sure that he can remain one pinfall or submission ahead of Anarchy in order to walk away as UWE Champion for a record setting 4th time. Then, the true Iron Man of UWE will be determined.