There is no question as to what the top story in NAPW for May is: the NAPW World title win by "LDK" Lloyd Rees over "The Ego Buster" Dan Ryan. But that wasn't the only story coming out of the fifth month of '08!The World Champion made history at Fracas on 4th Ave when he won his third World title. In doing so, Rees became the first wrestler to hold both the NAPW World and REBEL World Heavyweight titles at the same time. Only Rex Caliber has had world title reigns in both promotions, but only Rees has done it at the same time. However, with that glory comes a price. There can be no doubt that Lloyd Rees is under tremendous pressure right now. He is facing a title defense schedule from hell over the next couple of weeks. After narrowly retaining the REBEL title against Stylin' Kyle Roberts and Thomas Young last night in Carolina, Rees will defend the NAPW World title on June 17th against the winner of the fan voting. Then he flies back down to North Carolina to defend the REBEL World title on June 21st against "Diamond" Derrick Steele, before flying right back up to to Alberta to - should be still be NAPW champ after the 17th - defend the title against the Heritage Champion at The 150th Show on June 24th! It will be three title defenses and thousands of miles within a seven day span. In addition to this, some critics have suggested that while Rees is great at WINNING title, he is less good at holding onto them. Rees' prior World Title reigns were very short without any successful defenses. Is this knowledge affecting Lloyd's mental preparation? Will he survive June with both or even one World title still over his shoulder?
After a strong spring that saw him nearly capture the NAPW World Title, "The Show" Chad Kurtis has hit a spell of bad luck. As a result of the actions of "The Dynasty" Dan Miller at TAGSTRAVAGANZA, The Show will be out for at least another month with a broken ankle. Dan Miller has continued to call out The Show despite knowing of the injury which HE caused. How long can Miller run his mouth before getting some payback from A Kurtis? Or will this obsession cost his team tag team gold, if it keeps Miller from focusing on Southern Destruction business?
Ravager & Dez Carter seem to be melding well as a tag team, but have yet to show a win for their efforts. They will be occupied with singles action at Chaos in Cowtown, but each man is determined to win the NAPW tag titles. With a little bit more time to gel and adapt to the tag team scene, there is no telling how good this hard-hitting, high-impact, Japanese-influenced team of shooters can be.
What is the Nation of Innovation's problem with the WGA? They have made a point of attacking Joey Malone's motley crue in each of their appearances, including a sickening squash of Stein by the... girthly... TONY's Mom. Stein & Chris Kamikaze remain the NAPW tag team champions to the surprise of many, but will the NoI's attacks result in losing the titles, one way or another? Or is there more to this story that has yet to be told?
Krusty Kid Paul shocked the Vancouver fans when he defeated - or destroyed - Tommy Deathrow in five minutes at the Russian Community Center. Paul poured alcohol into STD's eyes and then got the pin with his new finisher, the Krusty Bomb, after a brief but brutal assault. Then he added insult (and injury) to injury by delivering Tommy's own DEATHROW DRIVER to his former partner! Paul has decimated Tommy like no other man in NAPW has ever done. What will Tommy's response be, or did KKP succeed in running the Superstar out of the promotion?
A LOOK AT THE "CHAOS IN COWTOWN" VOTING!The Chaos in Cowtown event is shaping up to be one of the most exciting - and unique - events in NAPW history. Online fan voting will determine exactly what kind of matches we will see on June 17th! As of this writing, a couple things spring to mind:
*The fans REALLY want to see Prince Darko on a pole, that stipulation leading the polls with a whopping 75% of the vote! Nobody is sure exactly what Prince Darko on a Pole will look like, but it won't stop Ravager and KBOND from beating the crap out of each other after KBOND dropped Ravager throat-first on the guardrail in Vancouver.
*The other runaway vote determines the first-ever Women's singles match in NAPW! Barring a miracle turnaround, it will be "WHITE CHOCOLATE" Tiffany Macintyre (with 76% of the vote) challenging Lady Sparks. The two ladies will team with their respective boyfriends, Bruce "The Beast" Richards and Stone Zellor for a mixed tag at the 150th Show.
*The fans really hold the fates of NAPW superstars in their hands as they can decide the challengers to both the NAPW World and Tag Team titles. Currently, "The Falcon" Jacob Venar leads Dez Carter and the man Rees beat, Dan Ryan, but the vote is still close. Mystic Exposition appear poised to earn a chance to become five-time Tag Champions, but Nation of Innovation and Southern Destruction are breathing down their necks.
*Violence rules the day as BARBED WIRE FLAMING TABLES currently leads the vote, the final stipulation of many! The Heritage Title is on the line, as is the #1 Contendership to the World Title. It is a three-way dance between current champion Jake Phoenix, Matthew Kurtis and Krusty Kid Paul. Fans Bring The Weapons is a close second, with Falls Count Anywhere bringing up the rear.
*Fans may not have to wait til The 150th Show to see the return of Rex Caliber to NAPW! The Nexus One currently holds a strong lead in the vote for "Guest Referee" in the grudge match between Trent Daniels and D!. Terry Brandon and Jacob Venar, both men who have history and issues with D!. Rex Caliber and D! will square off for the first time EVER at The 150th Show in a battle of NAPW legends. If Rex is guest referee, will he be able to remain unbiased or will he use the opportunity to get into D!'s head?
And that's a look at things to come for the month of June here in NAPW, when we celebrate THE 150TH SHOW! Don't miss out on the Calgary or Edmonton events this month... history may yet again be made.
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