When the broadcast came back from the commercial break, the camera had shifted focus—no longer capturing the ring.
Instead, it revealed pure chaos.
Hogan and Eddie found themselves on the first-floor concourse of the arena, surrounded by railings, concrete walls, and a sea of stunned fans who were being pushed back against barriers by security. The cameraman hurriedly jogged backward to keep them in the shot, while the referee trailed behind, breathless and eager to stay close enough to count a fall if it came to that.
Hogan seized Eddie by the shoulder and delivered a heavy punch right to the middle of his back.
The sound reverberated through the open space.
Eddie stumbled forward, almost losing his balance as he reached the edge of the stairway that led back down to the main floor. He steadied himself with one hand on the railing, his chest heaving.
Suddenly, he turned and swung at Hogan.
Hogan blocked the punch with his left hand.
The crowd reacted instantly.
Hogan responded with a powerful right hand.
The crowd erupted, shouting, "Yes!"
Another punch landed.
"Yes!"
Each blow echoed with a heavy thud that resonated throughout the arena. Hogan stood firm, his rhythm building as he soaked in the energy around him.
"Yes!"
Punch.
"Yes!"
Tony was in the lower section, joining the chorus of cheers. Justin watched in wide-eyed amazement, hardly blinking. Luke leaned forward, gripping the railing tightly.
Hogan pulled his arm back one last time, winding up with intention. The entire arena seemed to rise with him.
He unleashed that final punch with all his might.
Eddie's head snapped to the side.
He lost his balance.
He tumbled backward down the stairs.
A collective gasp swept through the crowd as he rolled down several steps before hitting the ground hard.
The referee hurried down the stairs to check on him, with Hogan right behind, not missing a beat.
Hogan reached for Eddie's shoulder and turned him over.
Cover.
One.
Two—
Eddie kicked out.
The reaction was pure disbelief.
Justin grabbed Luke's arm. "How?!"
Luke shook his head slowly. "He fell down the stairs…"
Tony exhaled sharply. "Champion's instinct."
Hogan stared at Eddie for a moment, completely stunned. He hadn't seen that coming.
He hoisted Eddie up again, pushing him toward the barricade that separated the ringside area from the crowd. With a grunt, Hogan tossed him over it and jumped right after.
They were back near the ring now.
Hogan turned his attention to the commentary table.
Noah and Irvin instantly got the message and stood up, stepping back as Hogan started clearing the monitors, tossing them aside. Papers went flying. The headset wires came loose.
The crowd buzzed louder.
Hogan shoved the remaining equipment off the table and glanced back at Eddie, who was slowly trying to get up on one knee.
Hogan wrapped his arms around Eddie's waist.
He was gearing up for a powerslam through the table.
The arena erupted in a chant of his name.
But Eddie wasn't finished.
Eddie unleashed a flurry of sharp punches into Hogan's ribs, one after another. Hogan let out a grunt, his grip starting to slip. With a twist of his hips, Eddie reversed the hold, and in an instant, it was Hogan who found himself being lifted off the ground.
The change happened in a heartbeat.
Eddie let out a roar and slammed Hogan down onto the table with a powerslam.
The table shook violently—but somehow held together.
Hogan arched his back in agony, clutching at his spine.
The crowd was already going wild.
Eddie climbed up onto the table beside him.
He leaned down, grabbing Hogan by the head. With a determined effort, he hoisted Hogan onto his shoulders. The noise in the arena reached a fever pitch as everyone sensed what was coming next.
"No way…" Justin breathed, barely able to believe it.
Eddie steadied himself on the table, his muscles straining under the weight.
Then he jumped.
Prince Bomb.
The powerbomb landed flawlessly.
The table shattered beneath them.
Wood splintered everywhere. Debris flew through the air. The impact sent shockwaves through the floor.
For a brief moment, neither man moved an inch.
Then Eddie rolled to the side, coughing as he crawled toward Hogan.
He draped an arm over him.
The referee slid into position.
One.
Two.
Three.
The bell rang.
The arena erupted in cheers and shouts.
Noah's voice cut through the chaos. "Eddie Prince retains the championship!"
Irvin, surprisingly, didn't argue this time.
Eddie rolled off Hogan and lay flat on his back, gazing up at the lights. He had done it. In what was undoubtedly the most brutal match IRW had ever put on.
The referee handed him the championship belt as he struggled to his feet. Eddie climbed into the ring slowly, feeling exhausted, bruised, but undeniably victorious.
He raised the belt high above his head.
The boos were still there, but now they were mixed with cheers. Respect had been earned.
In the crowd, Tony held out his hand with a big grin.
Luke let out a deep sigh and handed over the money.
Justin was laughing in disbelief. "That was insane! I've never seen anything like that!"
Outside the ring, Hogan began to stir.
He rolled onto his side and then pushed himself up slowly, using the ring for support. His back was clearly in pain, but he stood up anyway.
Inside the ring, Eddie was still holding the belt aloft when he noticed movement.
He turned to see Hogan standing there.
Eddie tensed up.
For a moment, the crowd fell silent, unsure of what would happen next.
Hogan stepped into the ring.
Eddie didn't back away, but he tightened his grip on the championship belt.
Then Hogan did something that took everyone by surprise.
He extended his hand.
The arena erupted into cheers.
"Shake his hand!" the crowd began to chant.
Eddie looked at Hogan's hand.
Then at the crowd.
Then back at Hogan.
There was a moment of hesitation.
Pride.
Thoughtfulness.
Slowly, Eddie reached out and took Hogan's hand.
The reaction was louder than anything else that night.
Hogan leaned in a bit, whispering something just for Eddie's ears.
Eddie's face changed—subtle, yet unmistakable.
Hogan lifted Eddie's hand high, pointing at the championship belt resting on his shoulder.
The message was crystal clear.
He was worthy.
The crowd felt it.
After a beat, Hogan let go and made his way out of the ring, walking up the ramp slowly but confidently.
Eddie stayed in the ring, raising the championship high once again, this time greeted by cheers instead of jeers.
Backstage, Lance was practically bouncing off the walls.
"All-time high," he exclaimed again, eyes glued to the numbers on the monitor. "We're giving WF a run for their money tonight."
Mark couldn't contain his grin. "We did it."
Vince stood quietly, watching the replay of the Prince Bomb through the table.
A smile crept across his face.
"The future... is looking bright."