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IZW returns to Lawton and packs the house

Posted: Sep 15th 2008 By: mikeiles

Impact Zone Wrestling began on May 8, 2004. The company ran on a monthly basis at the Salvation Army Boys & Girls Club in Lawton, OK. They also had 2 huge supershows at the Great Plains Coliseum in Lawton where they drew over 1000 fans. But on March 17, 2007, IZW moved the state capital of Oklahoma hoping to establish themselves as a force in Oklahoma wrestling. While in OKC, they were first at the cavernous National Guard Armory before moving to Santa Fe School on Pennsylvania Ave. where they dubbed the building The Impact Arena. While never drawing the huge crowds, they were the only weekly wrestling fed in Oklahoma City and became a strong force in wrestling. After 1 year, 5 months, and 27 days, IZW returned back to Lawton, and the first night back in town, the fans returned in droves. Every seat was sold out and it was standing room only.

The walls are painted black and green, the official colors of IZW. They have a stage and a rampway. But the best thing about the new building, it is all theirs. They don't have to set up and take down the ring. The ZorthoTron 420 is no longer portable. The Impact Academy can train wrestlers for the future. IZW can runs the shows they want with matches they want. And the first night, they proved it.

Impact, Inc. (Johnny Z & Bernie D) are the most decorated tag team in the history of IZW. Coming into the show on September 13th, they had won the titles a record 4 times while the reigning champions, Nathan Sensation & Striker, came in on their 3rd reign. It was time to find out which team truly was the best. It was settled in a Steel Cage. Impact, Inc. showed the reigning champions why they were the best tag team in IZW history, winning the belts a 5th time.

Other News & Notes from the IZW show:
The show began with a 5-Way Ladder Match featuring Impact Division Champion Kenny Campbell defending the title against Dustin Heritage, Seth Allen, Jermaine Johnson, and Randy Price. It was a great match to start of the new era in IZW. All 5 men were battered and bruised by the end of the match. Heritage captured the first title in his young career when he pulled down the strap that was hanging from the ceiling.

Match #2 featured Austin Tacious vs. Montego Seeka. Neither man got much of a chance to impress the Lawton crowd as Carnage and his manager Christopher Bentley came out and Carnage choke slammed both competitors ending the match in a No Contest.

IZW Commissioner Mike Iles made an appearance after the second match and told the fans he would not allow IZW Owner Johnny Z "screw over the fans". Of course that brought out all 3 members of Impact, Inc. (Johnny Z, Bernie D, & Michael Barry). Johnny Z said that IZW Heavyweight Champion Angel Williams was not in the building so Iles should award Barry the title. Iles refused and instead made an impromptu match pitting Barry against Aaron Neil with the winner being named new #1 contender to the IZW Title. Barry won the hard fought match to continue on his quest to become the 2nd wrestler to hold the IZW Title on two different occasions (ironically the first being Aaron Neil).

Dane Griffin defeated Tyson Jaymes in our next match. Griffin has been impressive since coming to IZW. Jaymes, while showing some flashes of brilliance and always competitive, would probably be better served continuing his mentoring of young Jermaine Johnson in their tag team, Blackout.

Fans come on out to the new Impact Arena in Lawton at 1009 SW F Street. Admission is still just $5 and that is still the best value for your wrestling dollar. But get there early so you can get a seat. At this week's show, IZW Heavyweight Champion Angel Williams will address the fans concerning his absence this past Saturday. He will probably also have a lot to say about the new #1 contender Michael Barry as well.

IZW...FEEL THE IMPACT!!!

Tags: IZW, Impact, Inc., Johnny Z, Bernie D, Nathan Sensation, Striker, Kenny Campbell, Dustin Heritage, Seth Allen, Jermaine Johnson, Randy Price, Austin Tacious, Montego Seeka, Carnage, Mike Iles, Angel Williams, Michael Barry, Aaron Neil, Dane Griffin, Tyson