The lights went dark for the second time, and there was now an almost palpable weightiness to the atmosphere that had been created, adding to the anxiety created through the residual anger that lingered about the room.
At the commentator's table, Noah was leaning forward, "Well Ladies and Gentlemen... it's that time again."
Irvin stared at Noah and slowly nodded, "It's time, Noah. I mean, it's going to be good to see how this has been simmering for the last several weeks, and has created quite a bit of resentment, pride, and some rough egos between these two men."
The first song to play was Eddie Prince's.
A wave of boos quickly followed.
Eddie's appearance was through the curtain with the Men's Championship Title draped across his shoulder, stiff and focused, he did not take a moment to enjoy the initial reactions, rather his destination was moments away, and he walked down the ramp with intense focus with every step. Eddie shone bright under the arena lights, but he had his eyes planted on the ring.
Luke was sitting in the front row and had a clear view of Eddie on the ramp, "I still don't like him, even if he won that title."
"Tony shrugged. 'He earned it. Just because he earned it doesn't mean you have to like the way he earned it.' "
Justin leaned forward in anticipation. "This one's going to be a tough one."
Eddie stepped up into the ring and walked around the inside once, then twice. Finally, he stopped at the middle of the ring and faced the entrance.
The crowd was once again booing.
Then, Hogan Hornet's song started to play.
The crowd erupted.
Once Hogan stepped out, the sounds of thousands of cheering fans rang out as he kept time with the beat of his entrance song similar to a dance.
Although Hogan looked older than nearly all of the other competitors in this ring as far as the physical aspect, he had an impressive amount of presence. He was confident and familiar to all of the fans. As he walked down the ramp, he slapped hands with fans at the edge of the ramp and absorbed the crowd's energy the same way most of us get our energy from eating or drinking.
Noah smiled for no particular reason, "Listen to this reaction! Even if Hogan Hornet may not be the fastest in the sport today, he's still one of the most popular veterans to step into this arena!"
Irvin crossed his arms and shot a look at Noah. "Being loved doesn't win matches, Noah."
Hogan climbed the steps and stepped into the ring, slowly turning to face Eddie.
The staredown began.
They stood just inches apart—Eddie tense with anger, while Hogan seemed relaxed, almost amused. Hogan leaned in slightly, smirking as he tapped Eddie's title belt lightly with two fingers.
The crowd gasped in excitement.
Eddie quickly slapped Hogan's hand away.
The referee moved in between them, giving final instructions, but neither man broke their intense gaze.
The bell rang.
They didn't rush straight into action. Instead, they circled each other.
Two heavyweights sizing each other up, shoulders rolling, boots scraping against the canvas. Eddie struck first, landing a sharp forearm to Hogan's jaw—but Hogan quickly retaliated with a blow of his own, sending Eddie stumbling back a step.
The crowd erupted.
They exchanged blows again. Forearm. Forearm. Neither man willing to back down.
Noah shouted, "This is less about technique and more about who's willing to take the most punishment!"
Eddie swung with all his might, pushing Hogan back into the corner. He unleashed a flurry of body shots, each one met with a chorus of boos and groans from the crowd. Hogan took the hits, gritting his teeth, and then suddenly surged forward with a powerful shove that sent Eddie reeling.
Hogan charged at him.
Eddie ducked just in time.
Hogan hit the ropes and sprang back—right into a spine-jarring clothesline from Eddie.
Eddie quickly went for the cover.
"One!"
Hogan kicked out with force.
Irvin scoffed, "Way too early for that."
Eddie yanked Hogan up by the head, attempting to lift him—but Hogan stood his ground, countering with a sudden headbutt that left Eddie dazed. Hogan followed up with a short-arm clothesline that took the champion down hard.
The crowd erupted in cheers.
Hogan took his time. He lifted Eddie and slammed him down with a body slam, then followed it up with another. The ring shook with the impact.
Luke found himself clapping before he even realized it. "Wow… that was something."
Tony nodded in agreement. "Classic old-school strength."
Hogan went for the leg drop—but Eddie rolled out of the way just in time. Hogan hit the mat hard, grabbing his thigh in pain.
Eddie seized the moment, stomping on Hogan's leg repeatedly, focusing on the weak spot. He dropped down and twisted Hogan's ankle, pulling back as Hogan let out a roar of agony.
Noah winced. "Eddie Prince is playing it smart—taking down the veteran."
Irvin nodded with approval. "That's the mindset of a champion."
Hogan fought his way to the ropes, gripping the bottom strand with both hands as he pulled himself upright. The referee called for a break, counting loudly. Eddie held on until the count of four, finally stepping back with his jaw clenched, his chest rising and falling as he glared at Hogan.
But Eddie wasn't about to give him any breathing room.
He seized Hogan by the arm and whipped him hard toward the corner—but Hogan managed to reverse it at the last moment, sending Eddie crashing into the turnbuckles, chest-first.
Eddie groaned as he staggered back.
Hogan lumbered forward and smashed into him with a corner splash, then followed up with another, the impact reverberating through the ring. Eddie stumbled out, barely able to stay on his feet, and Hogan scooped him up with surprising strength, slamming him down with a thunderous body slam that earned a standing ovation from the crowd.
Noah: "The veteran still has power to spare!"
Irvin: "But how much longer can he keep this up?"
Hogan hooked Eddie's leg.
"One!"
"Two!"
Eddie kicked out.
The crowd let out a collective groan.
Hogan settled back on his heels, wiping the sweat from his brow, and nodded slowly—recognizing both the challenge and the moment. He pulled Eddie up again, wrapping his arms around his waist.
With a grunt, he hoisted Eddie onto his shoulders.
The crowd buzzed with excitement.
Hogan took off in a quick burst—aiming for the powerslam.
But at the last moment, Eddie slipped free, dropping behind Hogan and pushing him forward.
Hogan stumbled toward the ropes—
Eddie struck.
He landed a kick to Hogan's midsection and instinctively hooked him, trying to lift him for the Prince Bomb.
The crowd held its breath in anticipation.
Hogan blocked the move.
He widened his stance, grounded himself, and pushed Eddie back with sheer strength. Eddie gritted his teeth and tried again, but Hogan drove a shoulder into his chest, breaking free.
Hogan surged forward.
A thunderous powerslam sent Eddie crashing to the mat.
The arena erupted in cheers.
Hogan didn't hesitate.
He pushed himself up, took two heavy steps back, then charged forward, delivering a running knee drop right across Eddie's upper chest.
Eddie crumpled.
Hogan hooked the leg.
"One!"
"Two!"
"Three!"
The bell rang.
The crowd went wild.
Noah jumped to his feet. "Hogan Hornet has just pinned the men's champion!"
Irvin shook his head, his voice tight. "It's a non-title match—but that's a statement victory."
Hogan rolled off Eddie, his chest heaving as he lay back for a moment, staring up at the lights. Slowly, he pushed himself to his feet. The referee raised his hand, and the cheers grew louder.
Hogan turned to face the crowd—
And that's when Eddie sat up.
Hogan barely had time to react.
The championship belt slammed across his skull.
Cheers turned into gasps and boos.
Eddie stood over Hogan, breathing heavily, fury blazing in his eyes as he raised the title high. Officials rushed into the ring, grabbing Eddie by the arms, trying to pull him back.
Eddie resisted just long enough to shoot a glare down at Hogan, shouting something only he could hear.
He hadn't won the match.
But he had made sure the night ended on his terms.