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Territorial Conflict! Can MSWA & IZW Co-exist?

Posted: Feb 28th 2007 By: CMBurnham

Oklafan recently posted a poll question asking if the readers believed 4 federations in Oklahoma City were too many. Over 3/4 of the voting members said that it was. And that feeling seems to be supported by actions that occurred this past Sunday involving members of the MSWA roster and members of Impact, Inc.

Since IZW made the announcement that they were moving to Oklahoma City as their regular venue, owner John Zorthos, Bernie Donderwitz and Gary Tool had made quiet appearances in the backgrounds at the MSWA shows. MSWA owner and 1/2 of the MSWA Tag Team Champions Bad Boy had been kind enough to allow IZW to advertise their upcoming March 17 show at the MSWA shows, but with an in-ring announcement by MSWA ring announcer Jesse Storm and with paper advertisements on the cars of the fans in attendance. The members of Impact Inc. never came into the ring nor did they try to disrupt the show. But according to rumours that were announced by Jesse Storm on Sunday, Impact Inc. had been making some unfriendly statements about MSWA behind Bad Boy's back. And Storm called Zorthos on that when MSWA held their first show in their new location of Midwest City this past Sunday.

Zorthos, Donderwitz & Tool all came to the ring at Storm's request. Zorthos took the microphone and thanked Bad Boy for allowing IZW to promote their show at his venue, then quickly made it clear that he believed his promotion was the best in OKC. At this point, Bad Boy came out to the ring and said that he had heard that IZW had been talking about how they were better than MSWA, but MSWA had been there longer than IZW. Zorthos then struck the first low blow by asking Bad Boy when the last time was that they had a paying crowd or a steel cage match that sold out an arena. Bad Boy stated that it wasn't about the money for him, it was about the kids and the charities and the fun. Zorthos said that at the rate it's going, MSWA was going the same direction that Bad Boy's non-wrestling ventures had all gone; straight down the drain. Zorthos made it clear that he cares about money, but he also makes the effort to put the best talent and the best show in front of the fans. He's seen the locker room in MSWA and aside from 4 or 5 guys (which presumably include fellow Impact Inc. members Brad Michaels & Aaron Neil and IZW Impact Division & MSWA Champion Ryan Davidson), he wouldn't pay the rest of the guys to allow them in the IZW ring.

At this point a fight almost occurs as Bad Boy felt like his federation was being humiliated and insulted. He didn't care if he had face them 3-on-1, but that wasn't going to happen as the other half of the MSWA Tag Team Champions, Glen Steel, came to the ring along with Angel Williams. Williams stated that Bad Boy was not alone and Impact Inc. quickly decided that, with the odds no longer in their favour, they weren't interested in making caustic statements and stirring up any more trouble. Zorthos did get the last word in, saying that the IZW train was in town and OKC (and the surrounding area) could either get on or get run over. Bad Boy called in security at that point to make sure that Impact Inc. were escorted from the building.

But the war had only just begun as IZW had one last volley to fire. After The Patriots defeated Eric Rose & Shane Rawls, Jesse Storm told them that Zorthos had communicated an open challenge to the tag team champions for March 17. Two unannounced members of the IZW roster would face the Patriots in the first official battle between MSWA & IZW.

With most of the card announced, the question than arises as to who IZW has chosen to represent itself in this battle. And how do other talent like Michael Faith, John O'Malley & MSWA Oklahoma Champion Tyler Bateman, who have been regular competitors in both federations, feel about the new-found hostility present now? Which side will they choose? The scene looks to be set for a long and drawn out battle of egos and pride and hopefully the fans will get some outstanding shows from this unfriendly rivalry.