One thing is for sure about NAPW in fall 2007: former World Champ DONOVAN ASTROS has made a lot of enemies. But topping the list are two men who many thought would never be spoken of in the same sentence again unless it was followed "beat the crap out of each other." These men are former REBEL World Heavyweight Champion STYLIN' KYLE ROBERTS and current NAPW World Champion BRUCE "THE BEAST" RICHARDS, the former five-time NAPW tag champion NEW & IMPROVED D-X.It has been almost a year since Kyle Roberts turned his back on Bruce Richards. The two met in a violent, emotion-filled affair in March at Sole Survivor II. Richards was victorious, completing his metamorphosis into a dominant force as a singles wrestler. Roberts left NAPW and headed down south to REBEL Pro. The dynasty was over; so was the feud.
Roberts struggled early in his REBEL career, being thwarted at every turn by then-champion Rex Caliber. Eventually, Roberts got his bearings in the Carolinas and upended the Crimes leader for the title. In NAPW, The Beast distinguished himself with epic contests against Dan Ryan & Sebastien Martyr, Simply Beautiful and against REBEL's monster Caliban. The machinations of Caliber in NAPW led to The Beast losing his job for a brief period, only to return and turn the tide against The Crimes. The Beast and other NAPW wrestlers ended The Crimes in NAPW inside the CAGE OF DEATH, and then Beast turned his attention to the NAPW Title. Fans expected that it would be The Beast challenging Ravager.
Then Donovan Astros happened. Astros beat the seeminginly unbeatable Ravager in a huge upset to win the championship. He took the title around the globe, making it a World Title, even beating Ravager a second time. The Beast was the favorite going into their title match at Lethal Lottery II, but it was Astros who got the last laugh, retaining the title when he was disqualified for assaulting several referees. The Beast was denied.
For the rematch, NAPW's commissioner Terry Brandon knew he needed a referee who could stand his ground against Donovan Astros and ensure a decisive finish. To the shock of many, Brandon's guest referee for the Astros/Beast title rematch was none other than Stylin' Kyle Roberts, making his first appearance in an NAPW ring over half a year.
Understandably, the wrestling world expected Roberts to screw The Beast out of the title. But Roberts, through his own intentions, determined to call the match directly down the middle. It was not The Beast who took exception to Roberts' officiating, but the champion himself, Donovan Astros. Astros grew infuriated with Roberts' perfect officiating throughout the match. It all culminated when Astros attempted to use the title belt for a weapon, only to be stopped by Roberts. Astros then attempted to take ROBERTS out. The Stylin' one defended himself with a sudden Styleskick, and then it was one Chart Attack later that Kyle counted the three-count that gave The Beast the NAPW World Title. The lasting image of Hostile Hangover II, Night 2, was that of Stylin' Kyle with the REBEL title and The Beast with the NAPW title. The New & Improved D-X were once again on top of the world, this time in singles competition in their respective feds.
And that is where things get interesting. In NAPW, Astros began his quest to get another shot at the world title (his rematch was stripped from him when he assaulted so many referees). But Astros wasn't done with Kyle Roberts, whom he felt had screwed him out of his title. Astros inserted himself into the REBEL World Title picture, becoming the guest referee for Roberts' defense against the badman MURCIELAGO. Astros' clear intention to screw Roberts, even though Roberts had called the NAPW title match earlier down the middle, was countered by the addition of CHRIS CASINO as outside enforcer. Despite Astros' "best" efforts, Roberts was able to retain the REBEL World Title.
Astros went back to NAPW, defeating Chris Casino and taking his spot as the most hated, manipulative man in the promotion - and winning a title shot in the process. His rematch with The Beast was set for the final show of the year, Black Thursday III. Then, at REBEL Pro's "TBA" event, Astros struck a huge blow against Stylin' Kyle. In a shocking turn of events, Astros ignored his distaste for "THE SHOW" CHAD KURTIS and advised him to use the #1 Contender's Trophy title shot to his advantage... immediately after Kyle wrestled to exhaustion against Thomas Young. Astros watched with sickening glee as Kurtis drove Roberts' head into a steel chair with the CK FINALE and became the REBEL World Heavyweight Champion.
At this point, NAPW and REBEL officials got together and determined that there had to be an end to this cross-country feud. The match was signed. Donovan Astros vs Stylin' Kyle Roberts for December 11th at the Fourth NAPW/REBEL Supershow.
Back in Alberta, Roberts crashed the first edition of "A Walk On The Astrocide," flattening Astros with the ring bell. The next week at "STAND YOUR GROUND," Astros reunited with JAKE PHOENIX and the pair attacked The Beast after a title defense, attempting to soften him up for Astros' later title shot (although Astros may have made the mistake of softening The Beast up for his next challenger, PRINCE W. DARKO).
Now it all comes to a head. On two consecutive events, Donovan Astros will face, in singles match, the two men who dominated the NAPW tag title scene for over one year, winning the tag titles five times. On December 11th, Astros faces Roberts. One week later, Astros faces The Beast for the World Title.
It would be an exaggeration to suggest that Kyle Roberts and The Beast have been "united" in their hatred of Donovan Astros. But it is not in correct to note that because of Donovan Astros, the members of D-X have been once again linked together as one force. The force opposing Donovan Astros. In the time since D-X ended, both men have become World Champions and forged their own paths in singles competition. Their individual feuds with Donovan Astros have led their careers to become intermingled once again.
In the month of December, Astros has a chance to make wrestling history by defeating D-X on consecutive shows, on top of regaining the World Title. And that may very well be the end of this saga. The Beast and Stylin' Kyle have little trust for one another, but the events of fall 2007 have given them a common goal, one all children of the world can get behind: beating the crap out of Donovan Astros.
One thing is for sure: a shared hatred has brought Roberts & Richards, though still distant from one another, closer together than they have been in over a year.
And you can send the "Thank You" cards C/O Donovan Astros.
LINK: Donovan Astros vs The Beast II12/11 in Calgary, SUPERSHOW IV: Stylin' Kyle Roberts vs Donovan Astros
11/20 in Edmonton, BLACK THURSDAY III: The Beast vs Donovan Astros, World Title Match
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