Vince found himself perched in the top VIP stand alongside other high-profile guests, gazing down at the throng of fans that had crammed into Golden Arena, filling it to the brim.
The energy in the air was electric, something IRW had never quite felt before.
Sure, their own arena had been getting louder month by month, but this was on a whole different level.
Fifty thousand people packed into one venue for a single night, all of them acutely aware that what they were about to witness could reshape two promotions in an instant.
Lance and Mark were back behind the scenes, tending to the wrestlers, and Vince didn't mind one bit. In fact, he relished the solitude up here. It allowed him to truly absorb the atmosphere of the arena, to feel the crowd's vibe, much like he used to do from behind the curtain.
A few seats away, Zach Sachman, the owner of ACW, sat with a grin that seemed a bit too wide for the occasion.
It made sense, though. Tonight, Golden Arena was his domain. While Promotion Wars wasn't ACW's fight, all the gate receipts, concessions, attention, and prestige from hosting this event were flowing right into his pockets.
Next to Zach was Yoichi, and even from a distance, Vince could sense the tension radiating off the NPJW owner.
Yoichi was fidgeting in his seat, stealing glances toward the entrance and then back at Vince, as if searching for any hint of unease on his rival's face.
James Wilson was a row below, leaning back just enough to catch Vince's eye.
"Ready?" he asked.
Vince offered a faint smile. "I trust my wrestlers."
James nodded slowly, as if he had anticipated that response. But Yoichi couldn't help himself; he let out a loud, derisive snort that echoed in the room.
Vince turned his gaze toward him, maintaining the same relaxed demeanor he had shown during the contract meeting.
"Is Zen wrestling tonight?" Vince inquired. "Or is his hand still giving him issues?"
Yoichi's expression shifted instantly.
Vince had hit the nail on the head with that question. Just weeks ago, backstage at IRW, Vince had deliberately smashed Zen's right hand after the ambush on live TV. It was a moment Yoichi hadn't forgotten, and he couldn't address it publicly without bringing up the embarrassing details of how his men had been caught off guard and beaten.
Yoichi shot up from his chair, his jaw clenched, but Zach quickly raised a hand.
"Not tonight," Zach said, his voice steady and resolute. "I'm not about to have a brawl in my VIP section before the match even starts."
Yoichi shot Vince one last glare before reluctantly sinking back into his seat.
Vince simply turned his attention away, looking down at the ring as if the whole situation no longer piqued his interest.
At ringside, the commentators for the evening were all set up and ready to go. Since ACW was playing the role of the neutral host, the commentary team was made up of their own: Ross Bartley and Kyle Crews.
Ross Bartley adjusted his headset, eager for the production cue to kick things off. Next to him, Kyle Crews leaned in over the desk, a wide grin spreading across his face as he soaked in the electric atmosphere of the Golden Arena.
The camera swept across the packed venue one last time before focusing on the commentary table.
"Ladies and gentlemen," Ross started, his smooth voice slicing through the crowd's cheers, "welcome to Golden Arena in Dodge, where tonight, two wrestling promotions are putting more than just pride on the line. This is Promotion Wars."
Kyle couldn't contain himself and slapped the desk with enthusiasm. "I've been itching to say this all week, Ross! IRW and NPJW, one night, one card, and by the end of it, someone's walking away with more than just bragging rights.
We're talking wrestlers, money, influence—this is about one company seizing the future of the other!"
Ross nodded, glancing at the notes in front of him before turning back to the camera.
"For those of you tuning in at home, let's be clear about the stakes. Promotion Wars will be decided match by match. Each victory adds to the final score. When the night wraps up, the promotion with the most wins will be crowned the champion."
Kyle jumped in right away. "And let's not forget, the loser doesn't just leave with their tail between their legs. That's the harsh reality.
The winning promotion gets to poach talent from the losing side, take a slice of their profits, and even gain a say in creative decisions moving forward."
The crowd's excitement grew louder as the camera panned over a sea of signs, banners, and fans crammed into the arena. Ross took a moment to soak in the atmosphere before continuing.
"And now, it's time to kick things off."
Kyle leaned in, practically bouncing in his seat. "What a way to start things off!"
Ross turned his attention to the entrance stage, raising his voice just a notch. "Our opening contest tonight features a champion versus champion showdown in the women's division. Representing IRW, we have the IRW Women's Champion, Maya Hart. And from NPJW, the NPJW Women's Champion, Kairi Rin."
Kyle let out a low whistle. "That's a powerful start. Vince Maston and IRW aren't holding back tonight. They're sending one of their biggest stars out first."
Ross nodded in agreement. "And she might just be their most unpredictable one too. Maya Hart has become a key figure in IRW's ascent, but she does it with a fierce style that's as aggressive as it is effective. She's not just looking to win, Kyle. She wants to inflict pain."
Kyle chuckled. "You can say that again. I've seen enough of Maya Hart over the past few months to know one thing—if you're in the ring with her, don't expect a friendly handshake and a clean match. You're in for a brawl."
As Maya reached the ring, she shrugged off her jacket and handed her title to the official. She glanced up toward the VIP section—not specifically at Vince, but in that general direction.
Then her demeanor shifted; the champion faded away, replaced by the fierce performer.
Kairi Rin made her entrance next, greeted by a more subdued response.
She was smaller than Maya, light on her feet, and carried herself with the quiet confidence of someone who's used to being underestimated until the bell rings.
Her robe was a striking white and red, trimmed in gold, and she moved with the precise efficiency of an athlete who knows how to make every moment count. When she stepped into the ring and locked eyes with Maya, there was no trace of fear on her face.
The bell rang.
Maya shot out of her corner like a rocket, catching Kairi completely off guard. She slammed into the NPJW champion, driving her back into the turnbuckles with a flurry of forearms and shoulder thrusts that had the crowd on their feet in no time.
Kyle slapped the desk in excitement. "And there it is! No feeling out process, no testing the waters—Maya Hart is on a mission to run her over!"
Ross kept up with the fast-paced action as Maya yanked Kairi out of the corner and tossed her to the mat, following up with stomps to her shoulder and side. "Maya is looking to assert her dominance right from the get-go. This is exactly the kind of intensity IRW wanted from their champion."
Kairi attempted to get back on her feet, but Maya was quick to grab her wrist and whip her hard into the ropes. When Kairi rebounded, Maya landed a forearm to her chest that sent her crashing down again.
Kyle was nearly in stitches. "Ross, this isn't a wrestling match anymore. This is Maya Hart collecting what's owed!"
The referee intervened briefly as Maya pinned Kairi in the corner, continuing her assault. Meanwhile, in the VIP section, Yoichi leaned forward, visibly upset, shouting that Maya was playing dirty.
Ross glanced at the monitor showing the VIP box and couldn't help but smirk. "Looks like Yoichi has some early complaints."
Kyle chuckled. "Yeah, and I bet Vince is just heartbroken to hear them."
Maya broke off at the referee's count, but only long enough to haul Kairi back up. She wrapped her arms around Kairi's waist, trying to muscle her toward the center of the ring, but Kairi twisted free and slipped under the bottom rope to the outside.
For just a moment, Maya hesitated.
But only for a heartbeat.
Then she was off after her.