Iron Grip Pro Wrestling: Show 39 – “Blood in the Air”
Date: October 10, 2025
Location: Hammerstein Ballroom, NYC
Theme: Chaos is boiling over. The six Hell in a Cell competitors are circling each other, and the line between alliances and enemies is blurring.
Opening video package:
Dramatic slow-motion visuals of last week’s explosive moments: Punk and Hangman forming an uneasy alliance, Swerve’s meltdown after losing the World Title shot, Ospreay vs Black’s brutal stare-down, and the final image — a flickering, descending Hell in a Cell.Voiceover: “What happens when loyalty dies, trust is broken, and ambition outgrows restraint? In Iron Grip, you either survive… or you burn.”
1. Santos Escobar vs Dominik Mysterio
Match Type: Singles
Storyline: Escobar just kicked Dominik out of the Bullet Club.
Match Highlights:
- Dom enters with anger on his face.
- Escobar takes control early with crisp lucha libre sequences.
- Dom uses ref distractions and cheap shots (eye rake, rope leverage).
- Dom hits a 619 and Frog Splash for a very close near-fall.
- Escobar fires up with a top-rope Hurricanrana, Superkick, and Tope Suicida.
- Escobar finishes Dom clean with a Phantom Driver.
Winner: Santos Escobar
2. Cruiserweight #1 Contender Six-Way Match
Ricochet vs ELP vs Mustafa Ali vs Speedball Mike Bailey vs Alex Shelley vs Johnny Gargano
Match Type: Elimination Rules
Crowd: White hot from the start.
Highlights:
- Super fast-paced match. Shelley and Gargano focus on psychology while the rest fly.
- Gargano eliminates Ali with One Final Beat.
- Bailey eliminates Shelley with Ultima Weapon.
- ELP uses low blow + CR2 to eliminate Gargano.
- Ricochet hits Recoil + 630 Senton on Bailey to eliminate him.
- Final stretch: Ricochet vs ELP.
- ELP tries brass knuckles, but Ricochet counters with handspring kick, vertical suplex into turnbuckles, and the Benadryller.
- Ricochet finishes with 630 Senton.
Winner: Ricochet – New #1 Contender
3. Owens, Guevara, Jack Perry & Luchasaurus vs McIntyre, Jack Morris, Mark & Joe Coffey
Match Type: 8-Man Tag
Debut: Jack Morris
Storyline: McIntyre is building his own empire. Gallus reunites. Chaos vs order.
Expanded Match Detail:
- Opening Moments: KO starts with Joe Coffey — stiff, snug grappling. Joe overpowers Kevin with a deadlift suplex.
- Sammy tags in and hits a springboard cutter and a standing Shooting Star Press. Crowd is fired up.
- Jack Perry enters and goes after Jack Morris — the new debutant gets booed immediately, but shows off with explosive offense: Running Pump Kick, Snap Tiger Suplex, and a Pop-Up Spinebuster.
- Luchasaurus & Mark Coffey Face-Off: Crowd explodes with “HOSS FIGHT!” chants. They exchange massive shoulder tackles, then Mark gets flattened with a roundhouse kick.
Middle Stretch:
- Gallus controls the ring — quick tags between the Coffeys. They isolate Sammy with clubbing strikes and double-team throws.
- McIntyre tags in and chops Guevara’s chest red. He barks at KO on the apron: “THIS is your guy?”
- Sammy finally tags in Jack Perry, who flies in with a Slingshot DDT on Jack Morris and a Tope Suicida to Mark Coffey.
Hot Tag to KO:
- Kevin Owens storms in — hits a Pop-Up Powerbomb on Joe Coffey, Cannonball on Jack Morris in the corner.
- Superkick Party: Owens and Sammy deliver superkicks to everyone. Luchasaurus chokeslams Mark Coffey.
Finish:
- McIntyre dodges a Stunner from KO, then hits a Future Shock DDT.
- Jack Perry jumps in — McIntyre levels him with a Claymore Kick mid-air.
- Morris tags in and hits a ripcord knee + Burning Hammer combo on Jack Perry for the pin.
Winners: Drew McIntyre, Jack Morris, Mark & Joe Coffey
Post-Match: Drew raises Morris’ hand and mouths, “He’s next.” Gallus and McIntyre pose together — a growing faction of brutalists.
4. Hiromu Takahashi (c) vs Kevin Knight – Cruiserweight Title
Story: Knight has been on a breakout run, earning this title shot after 5 straight wins.
Match:
- Methodical start, Hiromu tests Knight’s speed.
- Knight impresses with explosive dropkicks, springboards, and a perfect Superfly Splash for 2.9!
- Hiromu unloads a Death Valley Driver into the turnbuckle, then a Time Bomb—only 2!
- Knight counters a second Time Bomb with a roll-up, then a Sky High Dropkick, but Hiromu hits a Rebound Lariat and Time Bomb II.
Winner: Hiromu Takahashi (STILL Cruiserweight Champion)
Post-match: Ricochet comes out, stares Hiromu down. Tension. Match confirmed for Hell in a Cell: Aftermath.
Absolutely. Below is the same full detailed recap of Matches 5–12 from IGPW Show 39 – “Blood in the Air”, with an even more in-depth breakdown of the Main Event (Match #12) — including pacing, tag psychology, spots, and character moments.
5. Lashley, Carmelo Hayes & Cedric Alexander (c) vs Wardlow & Paragon – Trios Titles
Storyline Background:
Wardlow has taken over Paragon (Strong & Bennett), turning them into his personal enforcers. He claims the Trios division is a joke unless it runs through him. Lashley, Hayes & Cedric are the high-performance champions trying to prove that speed and cohesion beat brute force.
Match Detail:
- Opening: Tension right away — Lashley and Wardlow come nose-to-nose. The crowd roars, chanting “MEAT!” and “SLAM HIM!”
- First Exchange: Lashley and Wardlow trade stiff shoulders, neither budging. Finally, they collide mid-ring — double knockdown. Massive pop.
- Pace Shift: Carmelo tags in, bringing fast offense — springboard clothesline to Bennett, dropkick to Strong. But Wardlow blindsides him with a big boot.
- Heat Segment: Paragon isolates Hayes. Quick tags between Strong and Bennett. Lots of suplex variations and ground work. Commentary highlights Strong’s NCAA background.
- Hot Tag to Cedric: He comes in flying — Tope con Hilo, Springboard Flatliner, then a Brainbuster to Strong — crowd is hyped, 2.9 count.
- Chaos Ensues: All six brawl. Hayes hits Nothing But Net on Bennett. Wardlow wrecks everyone with a triple Powerbomb Symphony on Hayes and Cedric. He goes for one on Lashley…
- Finish: Cedric blind tags mid-Powerbomb setup. While Wardlow poses, Cedric rolls up Strong with a schoolboy for the flash pin.
Winners: Lashley, Carmelo & Cedric (Still Champions)
Post-Match: Wardlow loses it, shoving Strong. Paragon looks uneasy under Wardlow’s control. Lashley motions for “one more match.”
6. Bullet Club (Okada, Adam Cole, Young Bucks) vs Rey Mysterio, Andrade, Dragon Lee & RUSH (debut)
Storyline Background:
Bullet Club has been mocking lucha traditions, stealing masks, and calling the Latino stars “relics of the past.” Rush’s return has reignited pride and fire in the group.
Match Detail:
- Start: Massive pop for Rush. Commentary notes he’s been gone for 11 months. Okada volunteers to start, surprising everyone.
- Opening Sequence: Okada and Rush circle — Okada smirks, Rush slaps him hard. Brawl breaks out!
- Lucha Showcase: Dragon Lee flies early with a Topé con Giro. Andrade and Cole have a stiff forearm exchange. Rey hits a Tilt-a-whirl headscissors on Matt Jackson.
- Comedy Spot: The Bucks try the “lucha taunt” and get triple dropkicked by the babyfaces. “You messed with the wrong culture!”
- Hot Tag Rush: Crowd explodes — Tope Suicida, Snap German, Bull’s Horns on Nick Jackson!
- Finish: Bucks try BTE Trigger on Rey, but he ducks. Andrade hits Hammerlock DDT on Cole. Rey 619s Matt, Dragon Lee hits Double Stomp, Rush takes out Nick with another Bull’s Horns.
Winners: Team Lucha (Rey, Andrade, Dragon Lee, Rush)
Post-match: Okada stares Rush down on the ramp. No words — just intensity. Hell in a Cell confirmed.
7. Damian Priest & Karrion Kross (c) vs Bronson Reed & Kyle Fletcher – Tag Titles
Storyline Background:
Fletcher and Reed are rivals turned uneasy partners. Priest and Kross have dominated the tag scene but are now openly aligned with Balor and Brody in the new “Dark Reign.”
Match Detail:
- Start: Reed overwhelms Priest with brute strength. Crowd reacts to the impact — loud “BRONSON!” chants.
- Tag to Fletcher: Kyle’s speed confuses Kross. He hits a Springboard DDT and a Snap Dragon Suplex — huge near fall.
- Momentum Turns: Kross no-sells a Superkick, hits a Saito Suplex, and roars. He stalks Fletcher while Priest boots Reed off the apron.
- Near Fall: Fletcher nearly gets it with a Moonsault on Priest, but Kross breaks it up.
- Finish: Reed fights off both men, but gets thrown into the steps. Kross locks in Kross Jacket on Fletcher. Ref calls it after Kyle passes out.
Winners: Priest & Kross (Still Champions)
Post-match: Balor and Brody walk down. All four men stand together. Priest declares: “Dark Reign controls gold now.” Fade to darkness briefly.
8. Swerve In-Ring Promo / LA Knight Interrupts
Promo Detail:
Swerve enters in all black. No music. His face is twisted with bitterness.
Swerve: “I beat legends. I sold out arenas. And I was a second away from immortality. Now? They say I’m too dangerous. I say I’m too damn real.”
LA Knight interrupts — mic in hand before he even hits the ring.
Knight: “Look at you. Crying in all black like a Hot Topic model, yeah? You want pity? I got two boots and a BFT waiting, YEAH!”
Crowd erupts with “YEAH!” chants.
Ref rushes in as the fight starts right then and there.
9. Swerve Strickland vs LA Knight
Match Detail:
- Start: Knight dominates early — heavy punches, throws Swerve into the barricade. Loud “YEAH!” with each strike.
- Swerve Turns It: Hits a low kick to the knee, then surgical targeting of Knight’s leg. Crowd boos his calculated coldness.
- Spot: Knight hits the BFT, but Swerve grabs the rope just in time.
- Finish: Swerve fakes a knee injury. Ref checks — he hits an eye poke, then hits House Call (Jumping Kick to the head). 1-2-3.
Winner: Swerve Strickland
Post-match: Swerve grabs a chair, wraps it around Knight’s leg. He teases a Pillman-style attack, but instead drops the chair and backs away with a smirk — whispering “Legacy waits for no one.”
10. Cody Rhodes vs Zack Sabre Jr.
Storyline:
Cody claims to represent pure wrestling. ZSJ mocks that, calling him “America’s acting champion.”
Match Detail:
- Start: Extremely technical. ZSJ spends the first 5 minutes twisting Cody’s wrist and neck in wild contortions. Crowd is split.
- Mid-Match: Cody starts firing up — Disaster Kick, Snap Powerslam, near fall with a Springboard Cody Cutter.
- False Finish: ZSJ hits Zack Driver — 2.99! Crowd gasps. Zack screams, “YOU’RE JUST DUSTY’S KID!”
- Finish: Cody fires back — Cross Rhodes x2, then pauses… crowd chants “DO IT FOR DUSTY!”
He lifts Zack — hits a Vertebreaker, a move Dusty once used.
Winner: Cody Rhodes
Post-match: Cody offers a handshake. ZSJ refuses, walks off yelling: “I’ll see you in Hell!” Commentary confirms both are locked in for the Hell in a Cell match.
11. Malakai Black vs Will Ospreay
Match Detail:
- Atmosphere: The arena dims. Black enters under flashing strobe lights and smoke. Ospreay’s entrance sees him wear the “Heaven Breaker” robe with celestial iconography — signaling this war is bigger than just wrestling.
- Opening: Artistic, stiff. They trade counters, neither blinking. Black hits a surprise Black Mass, but Ospreay kicks out at 2.99.
- Middle: Black targets the neck. Ospreay hits an Oscutter but sells the damage. Black laughs mid-match — unnerving the crowd.
- Finish: Ospreay counters a second Black Mass into Tiger Driver ‘91, Hidden Blade, and then hits Storm Breaker for the win.
Winner: Will Ospreay
Post-match: Black smiles from the mat. “See you in the Cell,” he whispers as lights flicker again.
12. CM Punk & Hangman Page vs Brody King & Finn Balor
Main Event — Chaos Incoming
Storyline Context:
Punk and Hangman — bitter enemies, now allies by necessity. Brody and Balor — apostles of chaos, preaching pain under the “Dark Reign” banner. The Cell looms over all of it.
Full Match Detail:
- Entrances:
- Hangman walks out
slowly, still favoring injuries from past weeks.
- Punk enters with his fists taped, eyes locked on the ring, dead serious.
- Balor’s entrance is eerie — glowing eyes, smoke trailing him.
- Brody stomps down like a monster, slow and deliberate.
Opening Minutes:
- Hangman starts with Balor. Tentative exchange turns into stiff slaps. Balor hits a Slingblade, but Hangman responds with a big fallaway slam and a Kip-up. Crowd is hot.
- Brody tags in and overwhelms Page with vicious chops and an avalanche in the corner.
- Page attempts Buckshot Lariat, but Brody decapitates him with a lariat of his own.
Middle Phase – Heat on Hangman:
- For several minutes, Hangman is isolated. Finn applies a grounded dragon sleeper, Brody hits multiple sentons.
- Punk paces furiously on the apron, shouting “TAG ME, DAMMIT!”
- Crowd chants “COWBOY SH*T!” as Hangman finally counters with a desperation Deadeye on Balor!
Hot Tag to Punk!
Punk’s Rampage:
- Punk charges in — knocks Brody off the apron, hits a neckbreaker to Balor, then a diving elbow.
- He lifts Balor for a Pepsi Plunge — hits it! Crowd erupts, but ref is slow to count — 1… 2… Brody breaks it up!
Chaos Unleashed:
- All four in now. Hangman dives over the top to Brody on the outside. Punk hits GTS on Balor — but the ref is pulled out by Kross!
- Priest and Kross hit the ring — Priest hits South of Heaven on Hangman.
- Kross hits Doomsday Saito on Punk into the turnbuckles.
Finish:
- Balor crawls onto Punk as the ref is rolled back in.
- 1… 2… 3.
Winners: Brody King & Finn Balor
SHOW CLOSER – “Dark Reign & Hell Descends”
- Lights dim fully.
- Priest stands over the bodies in the ring. Brody, Balor, Kross flanking him.
Priest: “This is no longer a wrestling federation… this is the Dark Reign.”
Suddenly…
Punk staggers to his feet.
🎵 ZSJ’s theme hits — he walks to the ring, glaring at Punk.
🎵 Ospreay appears next, wearing the same robe — he doesn’t blink.
🎵 Then Cody’s music hits, crowd explodes.
🎵 Finally, Malakai Black, walking slowly, calm in the storm.
Hell in a Cell Begins to Lower
- Security rushes out — too late.
- The Cell lowers fully as the six competitors stand inside the ring.
- Punk and Black. Cody and ZSJ. Ospreay and King.
- They separate to six corners.
Crowd chant: “HELL IN A CELL! HELL IN A CELL!”
Final shot:
Six gladiators, six paths, one battleground. The structure seals shut.
FADE TO BLACK.
