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Zorthos Wants First Singles Title; Targets Former Impact, Inc. Stablemate

Posted: May 14th 2009 By: CMBurnham

If you'd told wrestling fans 2 years ago that IZW owner John Zorthos and MSWA Mid-South & IZW Champion Aaron Neil would end up on the opposite side of the ring from each other, they'd have thought you were crazy.

Neil was one of the key people responsible for bringing IZW into the OKC area. Together with the other members of Impact, Inc., they brought terror to the fans and waged a promotional war with MSWA. The ironic issue here was that Neil was the MSWA Oklahoma Champion at the time. That war ended with MSWA apparently being put out of business, only to reveal that IZW had actually acquired their new venue (from that point on, known as the Impact Arena). For the rest of 2007 and the first half of 2008, IZW and MSWA engaged in a cautious truce. Both federations ran shows in the OKC area and shared some talent and MSWA titles were even defended on IZW shows, but it was clear that the two promotions had an uneasy co-existance at best.

In July 2008, Johnny Z packed IZW up and moved back to Lawton. But things would be different upon his re-arrival. The biggest difference was the absence of Aaron Neil from Impact, Inc. During the latter stages of the IZW/MSWA war, Aaron Neil had left wrestling and when he returned, it was exclusively for MSWA. Eventually, Neil did return to IZW, but surprisingly, he wasn't returning to IZW, instead declaring war on then-IZW champion Angel Williams and declaring his intent to become the 1st ever 3-time IZW Champion. That wish was fulfilled on February 14, 2009, despite the efforts of Johnny Z and IZW commissioner Steve O.

While Johnny Z has confronted Aaron Neil in IZW and has even extended his issue into the ring of GPCW, the one place no one expected to see his face again was MSWA. That changed on May 3.

Johnny Z appeared unannounced to the crowd at the MSWA show Sunday, May 3. Even MSWA ring announcer Milton Winkelman was shocked to see him, saying, "This isn't Lawton!". Johnny Z then entered the ring and began to remind the fans in attendance of his credentials. He also took credit for putting MSWA "on the endangered species list", then complained that somehow, MSWA Oklahoma Champion Bad Boy managed to keep it alive. Z claimed that Bad Boy was scared of Impact, Inc. and that all this made him "somebody" and "not a quitter." He then declared that it was his mission to make the crowd see how good he was and he wanted to face some MSWA competition.

The competition was provided by Jason Kirby. Kirby fought hard as always, but his lack of experience, compared to Johnny Z, made him no serious challenge. After disposing of Kirby, Johnny berated the fans, asking if this was the best MSWA had to offer. Then the recognisable sound of Aaron Neil's entrance music hit and the champion strode to the ring. Aaron took the mic and said that "the best" was standing in the ring and all Johnny had to do was get in with him. Johnny started to beg off and headed towards the entranceway, then returned and entered the ring. For the first time in an MSWA ring, Neil & Z stood face-to-face.

Z took the mic and demanded that Neil put the MSWA Title on the line. Neil pondered this, then took the mic and said that usually title shots had to be earned, but he was feeling generous and "nothing would make (him) happier than whipping (Johnny Z)s ass!"

The match was great as both men laid into each other with everything they had. But the champion knew all of the tricks that his former boss could pull and was able to prepare counters for all of them. Frustrated because he couldn't illicitly gain an upper hand, Johnny rolled out of the ring and took a count-out loss. As Aaron stood in the ring celebrating, Johnny reappeared from the back and tried to ambush Neil. Aaron ducked the attack, but Johnny then hit a low-blow, grabbed the MSWA Title belt and slammed it into the head of Aaron. Standing over the fallen champion, Johnny announced that he would be the next MSWA Champion.

Normally, MSWA competitors get a little time away from each other as they only run shows every other week. But with Neil also being the IZW Champion, he doesn't get that luxury. And while his main issue at this time is with MWA Champion Blake Albright, that doesn't prevent Johnny from getting involved. This issue is personal and has all the makings of a full-fledged war. And Neil should know better than anyone that Johnny will have back-up if it comes to that.

Tags: IZW, John Zorthos, Aaron Neil, MSWA, Impact, Inc., Steve O, Angel Williams, GPCW, Milton Winkelman, Bad Boy, Jason Kirby, MWA, Blake Albright