May 16 will forever be marked as a day of infamy! When Shoe threw away his status as one of the rising competitors in The Great Arena, to become the most reviled man with blood on his hands! After killing The_Purple_Bunny and Mimik, he set his sights on Hokey. Were it not for the intervention of the Union of the Human League, there may be three corpses to answer for, but then, in these strange times, where the impossible does not exist, there is but one who remains beyond us.
Mimik has fought beyond the afterlife to return to the ranks of the living! Though there are honorable fighters who would have gladly done the deed for him, he has returned, ready to strike at the man who killed him! It began with The Rapture and The Madness -- where the dead did rise! Now it will end as it must, with Corporeal Punishment!
12. Cr0w d. Ratt in a Championship defense!
To become Champion at Supercard 5 -- Ratt first had to negotiate the Tower of Power! It was his victory over Cr0w that earned him the glory of becoming an Undisputed Champion who broke records with two defenses! At Tournament 5, the tables were reversed, where it was Cr0w's Semi Final victory against a determined secret entrant, Ratt (Darkrai), that earned a record setting second reign. With two defenses already behind him, Cr0w faces the prospect of setting an impressive three-defense record!
It was a determined Ratt who battled Cr0w, keen to reclaim a Championship he felt Cr0w was unworthy of. The sometimes impetuous Champion showed nerves ahead of the bout, but performed like a Champion when it mattered, solid in his fight with the fan-favourite contender! Ratt, affectionately known as "The Iron Man," was not about to disappoint, however! Truly, it was one of the most hard fought contests the title has seen in recent months, threatening an upset on any other day!
Alas; Ratt could not follow through on his impressive contendership match victory, surrendering a big win to Cr0w! The victory secures multiple records for Cr0w as champion, confirming a fifty-four day cumulative holding of the Undisputed Championship, along with a never-before achieved third defense. With the next scheduled event in July, Cr0w officially ends a tradition of monthly changes to the Champion! He now prepares for July 17 and a bout that seems very likely to be against a fighter he has had some big battles with in the past -- ElJobber!
11. Mimik d. Shoe in a decisive victory.
Few will forget the shocking announcement that The_Purple_Bunny and Mimik had been killed in battle with Shoe! Having fought his way through the afterlife to return to the ranks of the living, Mimik demands retribution through battle against the man who killed him!
For a fighter who had been among the top contenders, but was eliminated so swiftly outside The Great Arena, most would have expected a fiery decimation. Instead, it appeared to be a forgiving Mimik, who utterly humbled Shoe in a match that never could have gone any other way, but claimed very little of Shoe's energy. Mimik is back and perhaps that is enough. He can once again contend the Undisputed Championship that, for a time, looked to be well within his grasp.
It seems unlikely that the people will share Mimik's sentiments. Indeed, Shoe remains the most reilved fighter within The Great Arena. Unseen between organized bouts, he walks free without the weight of Mimik's ire, but there is still The_Purple_Bunny to be answered for, and an opportunity to do it all again...
10. Pink_Ranger d. CaTigeReptile in a +4 decimation!
It may have been the conclusion of an 18-Woman Battle Royal, but Supercard 7 must be recognised as the first official chapter in this fierce rivalry! As the two top fighting females in The Great Arena, they entered into a titanic struggle as the final two in the 18-Woman clash. At Pre-Show 8 they each did away with secondary rivals, but here, Supercard 8 gives CaTigeReptile and Pink_Ranger a grand stage to settle the score, woman-to-woman!
CTR has had the better of the womens division for quite some time, but since earning endorsement from Cr0w, Pink_Ranger has been able to put in the hard yards to assert herself as a worthy challenger! Indeed, in the clash between her and CTR, there could be no doubting who was the better woman on the night! CaTigeReptile may have won the Battle Royal and seen herself in the Quarter Finals of Tournament 5 -- but it was Pink_Ranger who emerged as Queen of The Great Arena!
With such bitter stakes fuelling the feud between these two femme fatales, it seems likely that the 'first lady of combat' will be an unofficial title still to be decided!
9. Hokey & Ninja_Mime d. Scott-Howell & Murdoink
"Sugar" Scott-Howell & Murdoink may have the affectionate status as the original duo of The Great Arena, but it was Hokey & Ninja_Mime who defeated them in the first-ever duo encounter, back at Supercard 3! The unwritten rivalry has continued as each team battled their emerging contemporaries, both teams enjoying dominant status, with Hokey & Ninja_Mime securing the distinction of being an undefeated team!
In this epic rematch between the best, it was a little bit of history repeating. Despite the experience Scott-Howell & Murdoink have gained as a team, it was still the overwhelming individual powers of Hokey & Ninja_Mime that serviced a decisive victory! Despite a clear cut result, the impact was a minimum, proving there is still legs in this on-going, friendly rivalry between the two top teams! With the likes of DECEPTION & Onryo eager to earn their place, the second rematch might have to wait, however!
8. Genku d. Toryn in a convincing win.
Unsuccessful in their three-way contender match with Kron, at Supercard 7, Genku and Toryn clash in a rematch to solidify their rebounding position within the top ten unofficial contender rankings!
As he had in the three-way battle, Genku asserted himself against Toryn early! Toryn was much more competitive than he had been in the three-way opportunity, but Genku's powers since returning from Revenant status appear to be well and truly returned. Genku has enjoyed consistent showings since his return, depiste losing out in his only Championship match, against rival and then-Champion Ratt, at Supercard 6. It will only be a matter of time before he returns to take another shot!
7. DECEPTION & Onryo d. DeathScepter & DaMo in a solid win.
It was a cordial affair as the bizarre brothership of DeathScetper & DaMo looked to test their tandem mettle against one of the surprising hot favourites of the duo division, DECEPTION & Onryo. Undefeated in their few bouts, DECEPTION & Onryo are biting at the heels of the top competitors -- something DeathScepter & DaMo have already experienced as surprise winners over Scott-Howell & Murdoink at Supercard 7!
The duo of "D&D" were impressive in their outing, but it seems DECEPTION & Onryo are determined to be among the best teams in The Great Arena! Making their fourth straight win, the pair have a case against their nearest rivals! With the top two teams facing-off later in Supercard 8, a chance to meet them is surely on the minds of these rising duo competitors!
6. ElJobber d. STEROLIZER in a +11 decimation!
Feeling that he has been unfairly overlooked since joining the winner's list, STEROLIZER demanded a match against contender-in-waiting, ElJobber! After his woeful performance at Pre-Show 8, STEROLIZER's claim was that ElJobber has simply gone past his prime, and that STERO would easily dominate the enfeebled competitor who suffered a +14 defeat against Ratt!
The bold (and familiar) claim made for infamous last words as ElJobber returned to a more respectable strength level, dishing out a devastating +11 decimation of the comically over estimating challenger! Despite losing out to Ratt at the Pre-Show, ElJobber remains most likely to assume the role of number one contender at Supercard 9, in July.
5. Chiefin d. Ken in a narrow fought shock upset!
Perhaps the biggest upset of Tournament 5, Ken went down to Chiefin in a staggering result from Round 2! Looking for a little overdue payback, Ken squares off on the back of a Pre-Show victory against SmokeRulz, but Chiefin too can claim a streak, having toppled fellow T5R3 surprise competitor, Chewwi!
Perhaps feeling the pressure, it was a well under strength Ken who entered the fray! He was forced to relive the nightmare of the unlikely upset as Chiefin battled beyond the far more experienced stalwart of competition, earning another narrow victory! How this relative newcomer continues to earn his victories is totally baffling and earning him the amazement and support of the fans!
4. Dolce & Bofh d. NovaStarr & Poasty in a narrow fought win!
With competition getting white hot in the womens division, NovaStarr and Dolce emerge from the Supercard 7 18-Woman Battle Royal to settle a grudge with a little help from their friends! Calling upon relative unknown competitor, Poasty, NovaStarr took it to her Battle Royal nemesis, who has experience in the duo division alongside Bofh.
Despite a background as tandem competitors, Dolce & Bofh must be recognised as still relatively young in the competitive ranks. It was a duo fight to the wire as all four competitors clashed at the maximum of their powers! A narrow victory can only have risen the ire of NovaStarr, who may yet seek a reprisal on solo terms!
3. TonyTheTiger d. Jammer2Omega in a comprehensive result.
At Supercard 7, Jammer2Omega confirmed his place as one of the next generation rising stars in The Great Arena. Leaving behind upstart status, he continues to fight like a giant killer, earning the respect and acknowledgment of peers and fans alike! Never one to pass up the opportunity to snatch away that kind of acclaim, TonyTheTiger returns to seek an opportunistic path back to the unofficial top ten rankings!
Down on his luck since being granted a contender match by Cr0w at Supercard 7, TonyTheTiger found himself able to capitalize on gaps in J2O's game, doing as he has before to take out a rising hopeful. It may not be enough to get him back into the graces of the unofficial top ten rankings, but TonyTheTiger is undeniably back on the radar thanks to this trixy win. You won't count Jammer2Omega out so easily, though...
2. SubMan799 & Casselman d. Liam & nif in a conclusive win.
Inducted into competition with Liam's debut at The Rapture & The Madness, it was another trial by fire for he and nif, making their official launch as a tandem against rising stars of The Great Arena, SubMan799 & Casselman! Having somewhat settled personal rivalries at Pre-Show 8, it was back to basic for the arena youngsters, who've been chasing big things in the duo division since uniting as members of Team Cr0w at Supercard 6!
Representing two of the more kindred duos, it was the more seasoned friends that took the day! SubMan799 & Casselman were comprehensive in their victory, harsh taskmasters against the newcoming team. Liam & nif will need to put the hard work in if they are to become a legitimate threat to the growing tandem ranks! Meanwhile, SubMan799 & Casselman circle like sharks, eager to get their shot at glory!
1. Kron d. m0s in a +4 decimation.
In recent times m0s has skirted the contender top ten, but as Kron searches for meaning since clawing his way back to the top of The Great Arena from exile, only to take a devastating tumble in the final of Tournament 5, it presents a daunting task for m0s!
Indeed, against one of the most powerful fighters in the arena, m0s simply didn't have the tools necessary to issue a legitimate challenge. Needing Kron to experience one of his trademark dips, it was certainly a far from full strength former-champion who went in to the clash, but even at 20%, Kron is a dangerous fighter. What he lacks is direction, and with a string of losses to arch-nemesis and reigning champion Cr0w, Kron faces a future uncertain.
The Great Arena enters a new era as Cr0w successfully defends the Undisputed Championship for a third time in a row, owning it across May and the entirety of June! His success seems likely to condemn Kron, who drifts through limbo, as contenders of mixed success shuffle in the form of Ratt and ElJobber! Genku makes a convincing argument for himself at the expense of Toryn, while Mimik returns to the living with mild results, and Pink_Ranger and CaTigeReptile do it for themselves!
The burgeoning Duo Division argues for the long talked about introduction of a 2-Man Championship, but would that not undermine the claims of an "Undisputed" Champion? Hokey & Ninja_Mime probably wouldn't care, the two most respected fighters who are yet to garner recorded accolades. With a five win undefeated streak as a tandem, they seem hot favourites for any emerging Duo Championship, compelling enough to make the unofficial top ten while DeathScepter (& DaMo) slip outside the ten.
Champion: Cr0w
#1 ElJobber
#2 Ratt
#3 Genku
#4 Hokey
#5 Ninja_Mime
#6 Kron
#7 Mimik
#8 Pink_Ranger
#9 Toryn
#10 CaTigeReptile
Pre-Show 8 and Supercard 8 seem to have set a new standard in swelling competition, making the unofficial ranks a very difficult decision for the council! July will struggle to top these events as July 10 unfolds Pre-Show 9 and July 17 delivers another Battle Royal, this time to name a new #1 contender at Supercard 9: Royal Roulette! Stay tuned!
