Hotaru overcame four wrestlers en route to winning the Jackson Shield at Maniacs United’s Supremacy event this past Saturday and then put the title on the line against “Rufguts” Roddy Gunn.
Rufguts made a surprise appearance before the Jackson Shield gauntlet got underway to warn its competitors that whoever won would have a target painted on their back.
“So after you win, whoever it may be, I challenge you, my NZWPW title versus your Shield.”
Hotaru pinned Shadow Ninja, won by disqualification when surprise entrant JPE attacked him with a folding chair, and then pinned JPE’s OCD stablemate Blake Kensington the Third before taking out Kingston Eclipse, the last man in the gauntlet, to claim the Jackson Shield.
After a brief intermission, Hotaru returned to the ring for a shot at the NZWPW Championship while Rufguts hoped to add the Jackson Shield to his collection.
Both titleholders squared off in a rematch from last month’s Thrills ‘n’ Chills event, where Rufguts had beaten Hotaru with the help of “Dream Catcher” Phil Woodgate.
Without Dream Catcher in his corner, Rufguts had a harder time overcoming Hotaru, and was thankful to hear the bell sound when the match reached its allocated time-limit.
Both Hotaru and the live crowd at Supremacy were keen to see the match given five more minutes, but Rufguts refused to continue and walked away from Hotaru – meaning both champions retain their titles as the result of a time-limit draw.
Maniacs United Supremacy Results:
- KPW Tag Team Championship:
The Tauranga Connection (c) def. Charlie Roberts & Dan Stryker - Jackson Shield Gauntlet Match:
Hotaru eliminated Kingston Eclipse to win - Jackson Shield & NZWPW Championship:
Time-Limit Draw: Hotaru (c) vs. “Rufguts” Roddy Gunn (c)