Travis Banks faces the biggest threat to his IPW Championship reign tonight at Trial by Combat when he takes on The Investment in a gauntlet match.
The odds are stacked firmly against Banks retaining his title.
Banks holds victories over almost every member of The Investment, but never in back-to-back competition.
That said, the champ found a way to retain his title against Curt Chaos at Escalation earlier this month, proving he is capable of fighting through adversity.
“If you thought what I did at Escalation was impressive, wait ’til you see what I do to your boys at Trial by Combat,” he told IPW Director Daniel Burnell.
“I’m still walking out the New Zealand heavyweight champion, and you, my friend, can bank on that.”
Burnell has stacked the deck even further against Banks by announcing an added stipulation for the first of Banks’ defenses.
Banks will defend the IPW Championship against Curt Chaos once more in the first stage of his gauntlet, this time in a tables match.
Even if Banks can defeat Chaos a third time, the hard-hitting nature of a tables match will leave him at a significant disadvantage facing the next member of the Investment, whether that be Aaron Henry, Jakob Cross, or Pat Schisk.
IPW Trial by Combat takes place tonight, July 26, at the Mt Albert War Memorial Hall. Click here for a map. Doors open at 6.30pm with the first match scheduled for 7pm. Tickets are available on the door (Adults $15, Children $8). The card, subject to change, is listed below.
IPW Trial by Combat Card:
- IPW Championship, Gauntlet Match:
Travis Banks (c) vs. The Investment (Aaron Henry, Curt Chaos, Jakob Cross & Pat Schisk)
- Taped Fists Match:
Alfred Valentine vs. Vinny Dunn
- IPW Tag Team Championship:
TnT (c) vs. Khan & Taylor Adams
- Britenay & Carmen Rose vs. Evie & Olivia Shaw
- Brook Duncan vs. Johnny Idol