The energy inside the Golden Arena was absolutely electric.
Everyone in the crowd was glued to the scoreboard.
IRW: 2 Points
NPJW: 1 Point
All eyes were on the final match of the night.
Ross Bartley rose from the commentary table, letting the thunderous cheers of the crowd envelop him before lifting his microphone. "Ladies and gentlemen, it's time for tonight's main event!"
The reaction was so loud it felt like it could rattle the very walls. Kyle Crews chuckled, taking in the sight of fans jumping to their feet. "Looks like nobody's sitting down anymore, Ross."
"And honestly, who could blame them?" Ross replied, nodding in agreement. "Promotion Wars has been a rollercoaster all night, and now, everything hinges on this moment. A five-on-five Battle Royale!" He held up the official match card for all to see.
"The rules are straightforward: eliminate your opponents by tossing them over the top rope. Once both feet hit the floor, they're out. The last promotion standing takes it all."
In the glass-walled VIP section, Yoichi adjusted his suit jacket, feeling a tight knot in his chest as he took a deep, shaky breath. This was the moment they had been waiting for. If NPJW lost this match, it would be game over.
Next to him, his assistant quietly clasped his hands, already bracing himself for the worst.
"Introducing first..." Ross's voice boomed through the speakers, "...representing NPJW!"
Five men stepped out from behind the curtain. Four were well-known faces from NPJW's weekly lineup, flanking a stocky, fierce-looking Japanese wrestler at the center. They strode down the ramp with a fierce determination, climbing into the ring and raising their fists to the roaring crowd.
In the VIP section, Vince McMahon observed them with a cool demeanor.
"You seem a lot calmer than I thought you'd be," James Wilson remarked, leaning in closer. "Those five guys are no joke. They're bigger than just about anyone else on your typical roster."
Vince responded with a subtle, mysterious smile. "I have total faith in my team."
"That's all you've got? No elaborate plan?" Zach Sachman asked, raising an eyebrow in curiosity.
Vince simply shrugged. "I believe in their skills."
On the other side of the VIP section, Yoichi let out an annoyed snort. The glimmer of hope from Yokozuna's earlier win was quickly fading into frustration. He turned sharply to his assistant. "Why isn't Yokozuna in this match? If he were out there, this would already be a done deal!"
"The rules, sir," the assistant replied, sounding weary. "One match per wrestler tonight."
Ross Bartley's voice sliced through the tension. "And now... representing IRW!"
The arena plunged into darkness, and the first theme song blared.
"First... Steve Austin!"
The crowd went wild as the young Texan—formerly known as Grant Austin—burst through the curtain, proudly flaunting his new name. He dashed down the ramp, high-fiving fans along the way.
Next up was the powerhouse, Victor Cross, exuding confidence. Following him was Diego Cortez, the masked high-flyer who wowed the audience with a stunning, gravity-defying front flip off the stage, sending the crowd into a frenzy. Then came Hogan Hornet, one of IRW's top stars, who paused to flex his muscles, earning a thunderous ovation.
Suddenly, the music cut out. The lights dimmed even lower.
A heavy, rhythmic thud reverberated through the arena, mimicking the footsteps of a giant. The curtain parted.
Out stepped a figure so enormous it seemed to absorb the very light around it.
For a brief moment, the Golden Arena was enveloped in complete silence. It wasn't that the crowd lacked excitement; it was pure, unfiltered shock.
Andre made his way onto the stage, moving slowly.
Standing at over seven feet tall and impossibly broad, he made the guardrails and entry ramp look like they belonged in a playground. Each step he took highlighted his massive presence.
The entire arena erupted to their feet in unison. Kyle Crews yanked off his headset, his mouth hanging open in disbelief. "My God..."
"Ladies and gentlemen," Ross stuttered, his seasoned voice wavering slightly. "I've been calling professional wrestling for nearly two decades... and I've never seen anyone like him."
(ANDRE IS MUCH TALLER THAN YOKOZUNA)
Inside the ring, the five NPJW wrestlers instinctively recoiled, their confidence evaporating in an instant. In the VIP box, Yoichi's jaw dropped so dramatically it seemed almost unhinged.
But Vince? He was beaming from ear to ear, a wild, triumphant glint in his eyes. This was the reaction he had been hoping for.
"Where on earth did you find him?" James Wilson asked, utterly stunned.
"A gym," Vince replied smoothly, his gaze fixed on the ring. "I saw the potential. I invited him."
"Good eye," James muttered, while Zach just chuckled in disbelief.
Andre stepped over the top rope as if it were nothing more than a curb. Suddenly, the 20-by-20-foot ring felt incredibly cramped.
The referee gathered both teams, delivered the final instructions, and rang the bell.
For three seconds, time stood still. Ten men were frozen, soaking in the electric atmosphere of the crowd.
Then, Steve Austin sprang into action.
The young Texan blindsided the nearest NPJW wrestler, tackling him to the mat and unleashing a flurry of furious punches. The match erupted into glorious chaos, with Hogan and Diego charging in, their punches igniting sparks across the ring.
Two of NPJW's fastest athletes spotted an opportunity. With Andre and Victor preoccupied, they climbed up opposite turnbuckles. One dove at Victor, while the other launched himself straight at the giant.
Victor effortlessly caught his attacker mid-air, lifting him onto his shoulders before slamming him down onto the canvas with a resounding powerslam.
Andre had no trouble with his opponent either. He looked down at the struggling lightweight with a hint of curiosity. As the man kicked in vain, Andre casually strolled toward the ropes and gave a simple, effortless toss.
The wrestler flew over the top rope, crashing hard onto the mats below.
"The first elimination!" Ross exclaimed.
"I don't think Andre even realized how hard he threw him!" Kyle shouted back over the deafening cheers of the IRW fans.
Now it was five against four.
Just moments later, Steve Austin found himself in the crosshairs of two NPJW competitors near the ropes. They lifted his legs, putting him in a precarious position, almost ready for elimination.
But before he could go down, Diego Cortez dashed across the ring, launching into a spectacular flying dropkick that broke up the double-team. Steve snapped back into the ring, grabbed his dazed opponent, and shoved him right into Andre's path.
The giant's massive hand closed around the man's throat. The crowd was already roaring with excitement before the lift even began. Andre hoisted him high above his head, walked to the ropes, and tossed him.
But he threw him just a bit too far.
The wrestler soared over the floor mats, crashing directly into the ringside barricade and tumbling into the front row. The audience gasped in shock.
Andre paused, his enormous eyes widening slightly as he looked genuinely apologetic. He glanced at the front row and gave a small, sheepish wave. "...Sorry."
That quiet apology sent the arena into fits of laughter and cheers.
"I don't think Andre knows his own strength!" Kyle chuckled.