Supercard 90: Tower of Power XVIII

Since the earliest days of The Great Arena, the structure known as Tower of Power has beckoned to fringes of championship contention. It has served as a mighty erection paying homage to the gods with only the greatest contenders invited to form its body. At the top will always be perched wielders of gleaming championship gold -- the ultimate incentive for those chosen to challenge The Tower!

Through eighteen incarnations The Tower of Power has minted new contenders whose Promethean grit earned them a place among the chosen -- and crowned new champions in epic final battles. Yet, never has any one fulfilled the promise of this ultimate opportunity. Never has any one come close to conquering The Tower. That is - until now! This is Supercard 90: Tower of Power XVIII!

The Tower of Power:
54. "Team Xtreme" Marz & Violent`J (c) d. "The United" Shoe & Artanix (#1) [+1] [Undisputed Championship]
From October 2015 to December 2016: there was only one team synonymous with the Duo Division Championship! For an unrivalled 420 days, the Hall of Fame combination of "Team Xtreme" Marz & Violent`J reigned supreme! It was their first and only reign as Duo Division Champions in The Great Arena -- it was all they needed! To date, Marz & Violent`J still only have two defeats to their name! One of those defeats came out of the blue three months ago at Supercard 87: End Of Days -- and crowned Shoe & Artanix the first new champions in 14 months!

In 2017, Violent`J was waylaid -- caught up in the drama of a disintegrating Invasion, and his claims Genku won The Invasion Election by fraudulent means. At Supercard 89: Breaking Point, Team Xtreme finally set their focus on a championship rematch. In a competitive contest, the Hall of Fame pairing resumed their cumulative reign - reclaiming the Duo Division gold! A victory that set them up to carry the title into Ultimate Grand Prix VII -- provided they could survive Tower of Power!

In a rarity for the Tower of Power, the challengers weren't the only team to have fought earlier in the night! Team Xtreme's history-making defense against The Challenger 7 had tested them prematurely, and only added to the sense anything could happen when they faced The United! The two teams did not disappoint -- colliding at a super heavyweight standard rarely seen! Against any other combo The United would've been crowned champs, but Marz & Violent`J dug deep to deliver a scintillating title defense! Things between the two teams almost certainly aren't over, but will their next meeting come at Ultimate Grand Prix VII? Stay tuned for updates as we countdown to the biggest event on The Great Arena celandar -- Sunday, April 2nd!

53. "The United" Shoe & Artanix (#1) d. "The New Generation" Baraka_MK & Onryo (#2) [+1]
It was all just a little bit of history repeating for The New Generation and The United at Supercard 90! The two teams last met at Tower of Power XVII, where The United comfortably advanced from the #2 spot over their #3 opponents. Baraka_MK & Onryo managed to mitigate the damage, but they still struggled to match the expert excellence of former Champions: Shoe & Artanix! A tough result for the hopeful New Generation to swallow, but the perfect setup for a grudge match finish!

52. "The New Generation" Baraka_MK & Onryo (#2) d. "The Invasion" Jason_Voorhees & edge (#9) [+2]
Individually Onryo is known as a "Mad Dog", but together with Baraka_MK he suddenly became an underdog! A wave of momentum was building behind The Invasion as they stalked their way from the bottom of The Tower. They were riding their sixth consecutive win, improving on the five losses during The Challenger 7 to suddenly become championship favourites in the eyes of everyone watching! The atmosphere was electric, but seasoned Great Arena veterans The New Generation kept cool under the pressure. The Invasion were struggling to muster their best, but BMK & Onryo were amped up and ready to make up for their own earlier defeats. With devastating efficiency they ended the spectacular run of Jason_Voorhees & edge with a record of 7-6!

51. "The Invasion" Jason_Voorhees & edge (#9) d. Jammer2Omega & Porygonix (#3) [+1]
Few teams came into UGP Season with the momentum of Jammer2Omega & Porygonix! They started the year right, christened as one of the favourite teams of 2017 with a win at New Year's Resolution. At Battle Royale they came up short against benchmark rivals The New Generation, but with Tower of Power XVII eliminators CCShadow & Scott-Howell already out of the way, they seemed poised to do some damage. Only, the tidal wave of momentum at Supercard 90 was squarely behind Jason_Voorhees & edge! It was a competitive match, but The Invasion seemed to take their earlier losses to heart, powering towards the Duo Division Championship!

50. "The Invasion" Jason_Voorhees & edge (#9) d. CCShadow & Scott-Howell (#4) [+1]
Former Duo Division Champions CCShadow & Scott-Howell are usually one of the most feared combinations in the tandem ranks. They dominated at Supercard 80: Tower of Power XVI, but this time the elder statesmen were thoroughly disrespected with an effortless win by Jason_Voorhees & edge! The surprise result sent a wave of palpable anticipation through the audience. With so many historic performances in The Challenger 7, belief was now mounting behind The Invasion!

49. "The Invasion" Jason_Voorhees & edge (#9) d. KittyKat & JoelKatz (#5) [+1]
A string of victories, including one against Jason_Voorhees & edge at Pre-Show 89: Control II, had elevated KittyKat & JoelKatz to the #2 rank within the Duo Division! There was excitement around their contention prospects, but it evaporated with a fifth consecutive loss for the night. They looked out of their depth as The Invasion marched to another comprehensive conquest. Some critics may attribute the loss of focis to KittyKat's February 24th KFL Championship match.

48. "The Invasion" Jason_Voorhees & edge (#9) d. Politics & Menas (#6) [+1]
Politics & Menas showed they had plenty of grit in the opening phase of The Challenger 7, briefly slowing the efforts of most of the teams that came against them. With The Tower turning in on itself it was the perfect opportunity for them to capitalize on their Duo Division gains, but The Invasion upped their game against the #6 team, scoring a third consecutive win.

47. "The Invasion" Jason_Voorhees & edge (#9) d. Mark & Leroy (#7) [+1]
With The Greek Crisis forced out of The Tower due to proXade's earlier injury; The Invasion advanced straight to the #7 team of Mark & Leroy. If there was any concern the bye would cost them valuable momentum, it evaporated as they picked up another convincing victory.

46. "The Invasion" Jason_Voorhees & edge (#9) d. "Brexiteers" Liam & nif (#10) [+1]
Having faced the assault of one of the most successful Challenger 7 groups in history, it was time for the #10 and #9 teams to put-up - or shut-up. Each pair had earned a win in the early stages, but it was clearly "The Invasion" Jason_Voorhees & edge who'd got the most out of facing some of the best challengers in the Duo Division. They earned a hard fought victor over The Brexiters.

The Challenger 7:
45. "The United" Shoe & Artanix (#1) d. LordSkarlet & legoslayer10 [+2]
44. LordSkarlet & legoslayer10 d. "The New Generation" Baraka_MK & Onryo (#2) [+2]
43. LordSkarlet & legoslayer10 d. Jammer2Omega & Porygonix (#3) [+2]
42. LordSkarlet & legoslayer10 d. CCShadow & Scott-Howell (#4) [+1]
41. LordSkarlet & legoslayer10 d. KittyKat & JoelKatz (#5) [+2]
40. LordSkarlet & legoslayer10 d. Politics & Menas (#6) [+4]
39. LordSkarlet & legoslayer10 d. Mark & Leroy (#7) [+2]
38. LordSkarlet & legoslayer10 d. "The Invasion" Jason_Voorhees & edge (#9) [+1]
37. LordSkarlet & legoslayer10 d. "Brexiteers" Liam & nif (#10) [+2]
The apparent exchange continued as "American Nightmare" LordSkarlet emerged for the final run of the Challenger 7 with former partner legoslayer10! The reunion of old friends produced another big run to the top of The Tower -- now a rung shorter thanks to the forced exit of The Greek Crisis! LS & legoslayer10 dominated the competition, comprehensively defeating every team until a worthy challenge from CCShadow & Scott-Howell slowed them down. They charged up again to run through #3 and #2 -- until the tables were turned in an utter decimation at the hands of "The United" Shoe & Artanix! A slightly less impressive 8 win streak to the top of the contender list, but never the less another incredible moment to conclude a historic Challenger 7!

36. CCShadow & Scott-Howell (#4) d. Sekktor & hydraslash [+1]
35. Sekktor & hydraslash d. KittyKat & JoelKatz (#5) [+1]
34. Sekktor & hydraslash d. Politics & Menas (#6) [+2]
33. Sekktor & hydraslash d. Mark & Leroy (#7) [+2]
32. Sekktor & hydraslash d. "The Greek Crisis" maxilos & proXade (#8) [+1] [-1up]
31. Sekktor & hydraslash d. "The Invasion" Jason_Voorhees & edge (#9) [+1]
30. Sekktor & hydraslash d. "Brexiteers" Liam & nif (#10) [+1]
At Pre-Show 90, Sekktor & legoslayer10 earned qualification into The Challenger 7, momentarily putting aside their quest to purify Corrupted former ally: hydraslash. They'd fought him mere days earlier, during the February 24 edition of Friday Night Fights. It came as a considerable surprise, then, that Sekktor arrived for his opportunity with hydraslash! It was clear from the opening fight that the former Duo were once again simpatico! Their apparent reunion gave fuel to another impressive run for The Challenger 7! They survived a noteworthy clash with The Invasion, before The Tower of Power produced another decidedly grim first! "The Greek Crisis" maxilos & proXade struggled to make an impact in their 3 prior matches. Crisis struck as they faced Sekktor & hydraslash -- proXade buckling to surrender the fight with a devastating injury! Sekktor & hydraslash would fight their way to the #4 rung, before being dominated by CCShadow & Scott-Howell. They may not have reached the peak, but they had brought it one step closer to every one else.

29. Politics & Menas (#6) d. Oozaru & PaganFreak [+1]
28. Oozaru & PaganFreak d. Mark & Leroy (#7) [+2]
27. Oozaru & PaganFreak d. "The Greek Crisis" maxilos & proXade (#8) [+1]
26. Oozaru & PaganFreak d. "The Invasion" Jason_Voorhees & edge (#9) [+2]
25. Oozaru & PaganFreak d. "Brexiteers" Liam & nif (#10) [+1]
The vintage combination of Oozaru & PaganFreak had to have mixed feelings as they watched old friend Banging achieve historic success with his tormentor. The Invasion led Oozaru to an ambush at Pre-Show 90, where he meant to fight for his former partner's soul. Focusing on The Challenger 7, he and PaganFreak launched into their own campaign - blitzing the first four rungs! Politics & Menas had been a roadblock for The Invasion, and this time they weren't to be denied! The #6 team clamped down against former ICWW Tag Team Champions, shutting down another attempt at title glory with a solid victory!

24. "Team Xtreme" Marz & Violent`J (c) d. "The Invasion" DaemonX & Banging [+1] [Duo Division Championship]
23. "The Invasion" DaemonX & Banging d. "The United" Shoe & Artanix (#1) [+1]
22. "The Invasion" DaemonX & Banging d. "The New Generation" Baraka_MK & Onryo (#2) [+1]
21. "The Invasion" DaemonX & Banging d. Jammer2Omega & Porygonix (#3) [+1]
20. "The Invasion" DaemonX & Banging d. CCShadow & Scott-Howell (#4) [+1]
19. "The Invasion" DaemonX & Banging d. KittyKat & JoelKatz (#5) [+2]
18. "The Invasion" DaemonX & Banging d. Politics & Menas (#6) [+1]
17. "The Invasion" DaemonX & Banging d. Mark & Leroy (#7) [+1]
16. "The Invasion" DaemonX & Banging d. "The Greek Crisis" maxilos & proXade (#8) [+2]
15. "The Invasion" DaemonX & Banging d. "The Invasion" Jason_Voorhees & edge (#9) [+1]
14. "The Invasion" DaemonX & Banging d. "Brexiteers" Liam & nif (#10) [+2]
With the attending crowd still reeling from a historic performance just prior: "The Invasion" DaemonX & Banging stepped into the arena to do it all again! Some may not agree with DaemonX's domineering exploitation of Banging, but the tortured means of their team-up did not diminish their effectiveness. In fact, they hit even hard than Shen_DuHBK & AlbertBeefcake in the opening bouts! There wasn't even a shred of mercy for teammates Jason_Voorhees & edge! #6 Politics & Menas emerged as the first barrier to conquest -- forcing a hard fought match! #3 Jammer2Omega & Porygonix took the fight to the absolute edge as they tried to curb the challengers! The closest fight waited at #1 as "The United" Shoe & Artanix looked to again define history -- but in a near-draw it was The Invasion who eked out a win! Breaking a record set a mere ten fights earlier, DaemonX & Banging seized the opportunity that is the very foundation of Tower of Power! With the Duo Division Championship on the line, they took the battle to former allies "Team Xtreme" Marz & Violent`J! The Hall of Famers brought their A-Game, leaving nothing to chance in the unexpected title defense! DaemonX & Banging fought hard, but the champs were just too good. A historic match regardless of result - concluding a spectacular, never before seen 10-1 Challenger 7 run! A result that proves the promise that Tower of Power can truly offer a golden opportunity to any one who takes it!

13. "The United" Shoe & Artanix (#1) d. AlbertBeefcake & Shen_DuHBK [+1]
12. AlbertBeefcake & Shen_DuHBK d. "The New Generation" Baraka_MK & Onryo (#2) [+1]
11. AlbertBeefcake & Shen_DuHBK d. Jammer2Omega & Porygonix (#3) [+1]
10. AlbertBeefcake & Shen_DuHBK d. CCShadow & Scott-Howell (#4) [+1]
9. AlbertBeefcake & Shen_DuHBK d. KittyKat & JoelKatz (#5) [+2]
8. AlbertBeefcake & Shen_DuHBK d. Politics & Menas (#6) [+1]
7. AlbertBeefcake & Shen_DuHBK d. Mark & Leroy (#7) [+1]
6. AlbertBeefcake & Shen_DuHBK d. "The Greek Crisis" maxilos & proXade (#8) [+1]
5. AlbertBeefcake & Shen_DuHBK d. "The Invasion" Jason_Voorhees & edge (#9) [+1]
4. AlbertBeefcake & Shen_DuHBK d. "Brexiteers" Liam & nif (#10) [+2]
Under ordinary circumstances, AlbertBeefcake would've preferred to take the Tower of Power test with his long time Super Friend: The_Hurricane. Instead he was thrown into an unlikely pairing as sworn bodyguard to Invasion Election whistleblower Shen_DuHBK. Despite the unusual tension between them, the reluctant pair found they had incredible chemistry! They powered through The Tower with unprecedented efficiency, generating increasing excitement as they endured hard fought clashes with rivals "The Invasion" Jason_Voorhees & edge and highly touted #4 CCShadow & Scott-Howell! In the blink of an eye, they had reached the #1 team -- something never achieved in the Tower of Power format! With the realization that Duo Division gold was within reach, they faced "The United" Shoe & Artanix -- only for reality to come crashing down! With a phenomenal 9 win streak behind them, they succumbed to the heavyweight firepower of a superior enemy! The United sending an ominous warning to Team Xtreme with a dominant victory! It would not be their last...

3. "Brexiteers" Liam & nif (#10) d. McDaniel & fraysol [+1]
McDaniel & fraysol were one of the breakout teams of 2016, but at Tower of Power, they weren't able to turn a qualifying victory at Pre-Show 90 into title momentum. The Brexiteers were able to muscle out a solid win in the third bout of the night. It would be their first and last as The 18th Challenger 7 group opened up The Tower in historic ways.

2. "The Invasion" Jason_Voorhees & edge (#9) d. Benjamin & Mo2 [+1]
1. Benjamin & Mo2 d. "Brexiteers" Liam & nif (#10) [+1]
A qualifying match victory at Pre-Show 90 set Benjamin & Mo2 up for their first run at the structure called Tower of Power. The shift to the Duo Division has been a career challenge for 3-time Div.2 Champion Benjamin, who found good preparation with a win against Liam & nif on February 17. They managed to repeat the result, but were tidied up confidently by the #9 team.