The excitement from the Hart Brothers' victory had barely faded in the arena when Independent Ring Wrestling jumped right into the next match.
As the ring cleared and the Steel Titans disappeared backstage, Noah was still singing the praises of Bret and Owen's fantastic debut when a familiar theme blared through the speakers.
Victor Cross was the first to make his entrance.
Without the flashy flair of the Road Warriors, Victor didn't bother with any theatrics for the crowd. He strode down the aisle with purpose, slipped between the ropes, and immediately began to stretch against the corner pads, ready for his opponent.
Next up was Grant Austin, whose music brought a warm cheer from the audience.
Though Austin hadn't yet cracked into the top tier of IRW's roster, his gritty performances were earning him a solid reputation.
He was younger, quicker, and notably less seasoned than Victor—a difference that became glaringly obvious as the two men faced off.
Noah glanced between them as the referee completed the final checks. "Grant Austin has been on the rise with every match, but this could be his toughest challenge yet."
"Victor Cross isn't exactly the guy you want to face if you're hoping for an easy night," Irvin chimed in.
The bell rang.
Victor wasted no time, stepping forward to lock Austin in a collar-and-elbow tie-up. Austin dug in his heels, but Victor's sheer strength pushed him back with ease.
Using his size to his advantage, Victor slammed Austin hard against the ropes.
The referee intervened, calling for a clean break. Victor let go, but as soon as Austin took a breath, Victor unleashed a brutal kick to his midsection.
Austin doubled over in pain as Victor grabbed him by the tights and hurled him hard into the far corner.
With a sickening thud, Austin's back slammed into the turnbuckle just before Victor charged across the ring and crashed into him. The force of the impact knocked the wind out of Austin, leaving him gasping.
As Victor stepped back, Austin staggered forward, clutching his chest in agony.
"Victor Cross has controlled every moment of this match," Noah observed.
Looking to end things quickly, Victor lifted Austin by the throat and pulled back his fist, ready to deliver a heavy blow.
But just as the punch was about to land, Austin managed to twist away, dodging the attack. Victor's fist met nothing but air. Seizing the moment, Austin ducked under Victor's arm, landed a solid kick to his stomach, dropped to one knee, and then drove an uppercut right into Victor's nose.
Victor stumbled back, hands flying to his face.
Austin saw his chance and charged, delivering a running clothesline that sent Victor crashing over the top rope and onto the concrete below.
The crowd erupted in cheers. Austin glanced at the ropes, his eyes lighting up with determination.
"Don't tell me—" Noah exclaimed, sensing what was coming.
Austin sprinted to the far ropes, built up speed, and launched himself through the middle strands. His body collided with Victor, sending both men crashing to the floor in a chaotic tumble.
"Suicide dive!" Noah shouted. "Grant Austin just threw caution to the wind!"
"Emphasis on suicide," Irvin remarked dryly, watching the two bodies hit the mats.
Austin was the first to recover, quickly taking advantage of the momentum shift. He yanked Victor to his feet and sent him hurtling toward the steel ring post. Victor tried to brace himself, but the speed was too much—his head collided with the steel with a sickening thud.
As Victor slumped down onto all fours, clearly dazed, Austin took a step back, then sprinted forward, launching a running dropkick that connected squarely with Victor's jaw. Victor crumpled to the floor once again.
The crowd erupted in cheers as Austin rolled Victor under the bottom rope and slid in for the cover.
"One!"
"Two!"
With a fierce effort, Victor shot a shoulder up off the mat. Austin rolled away, unfazed, his confidence only growing.
Sensing the moment, Austin climbed the turnbuckles—one rope, then another—until he found his balance on the top turnbuckle.
As Victor staggered back to his feet, still dazed, Austin launched himself off with a high-angle crossbody. Both men crashed back-first onto the canvas.
Austin quickly hooked Victor's leg.
"One!"
"Two!"
But Victor kicked out again.
Austin slammed his fist against the mat in frustration.
"Grant Austin has come within a razor's edge twice now!" Noah exclaimed into his headset.
"And Victor is officially furious," Irvin added.
Victor rolled onto his stomach and pushed himself up, glaring through squinted eyes. Austin moved in to strike, but Victor caught him by the waist.
With a swift motion, Victor set up for his signature move.
"Crossbreaker! He just hit the Crossbreaker out of nowhere!" Noah shouted.
Just as Victor was about to go for the pin, a figure leaped into the ring: Randal Savage.
The arena exploded with excitement.
Savage blindsided Victor from behind, forcing him to release Austin and stumble forward. The referee rushed in, trying to regain control of the chaotic situation.
"What the heck is Savage doing out here?!" Noah shouted, his voice cutting through the tension.
The rivalry between Savage and Victor was far from settled. Just weeks ago, Victor had taken Savage down with the Crossbreaker, which had led to Savage unleashing a brutal attack on him after the match ended.
And now, Savage was back at it. Victor spun around, throwing a wild left hook in response. The referee was caught in the middle of the chaos as the two heavyweights exchanged punches, while Austin leaned against the turnbuckle, trying to catch his breath.
"Get him out of here!" the referee yelled, trying to regain control.
Savage lunged forward, but Victor was ready. He blocked the attack, grabbed Savage by the shoulders, and shoved him hard through the ropes, sending him crashing to the arena floor.
"You want another beating?!" Victor shouted, glaring down at Savage.
Savage picked himself up, a smirk on his face. But Victor was too focused on his rival, and that moment of distraction would cost him dearly.
As Victor turned back, Austin was right there, ready to strike.
A swift kick landed squarely in Victor's gut. Doubling over in pain, Victor found himself caught in a front facelock by Austin.
Irvin jumped out of his seat. "Austin's got him!"
In one smooth motion, Austin dropped to the mat, driving Victor's chin hard into his shoulder.
STUNNER!
Victor crumpled to the canvas, completely out cold. Austin quickly threw himself across Victor's chest and hooked the leg tightly.
Outside the ring, Savage didn't even flinch to intervene. Instead, his grin only grew wider.
"ONE!"
Victor lay there, motionless.
"TWO!"
Austin pressed down with all his weight.
"THREE!"
The bell rang out.
For a brief moment, Austin lay flat on the canvas, gazing up at the lights in sheer disbelief. Then, the referee grabbed his hand and lifted it high.
"Grant Austin has just taken down Victor Cross!" Noah shouted over the roaring crowd.
Irvin pointed toward the outside floor. "With a massive asterisk thanks to Randal Savage."
"Exactly," Noah replied. "Victor had Austin right where he wanted him before Savage barged in."
But Austin wasn't concerned with the drama—he was reveling in the biggest win of his life. He climbed up onto the middle turnbuckle, raising both arms in triumph as the crowd erupted.
Behind him, Victor started to regain his composure. He pulled himself up using the ropes, but his focus wasn't on the celebrating Austin. No, his eyes were fixed on Randal Savage, who stood nonchalantly by the barricade, arms crossed.
Savage's smirk said it all. He didn't need to defeat Victor tonight. He didn't even have to stay in the ring. All he needed was a moment of Victor's attention.
Weeks ago, Victor had embarrassed him during their match; tonight, Savage had turned the tables by snatching away Victor's sure victory.
Victor glared, taking a threatening step toward the ropes, but the referee quickly stepped in to intervene.
Savage merely pointed at Austin, let out a derisive laugh, and slowly retreated up the ramp, never breaking eye contact. Victor's expression turned deadly.
"I don't think Randal Savage came out here to support Grant Austin," Noah observed.
Irvin chuckled. "Nope. He's here because he absolutely loathes Victor Cross."
Savage vanished behind the curtain, leaving a seething Victor in his wake. Meanwhile, in the center of the ring, the referee raised Grant Austin's hand high once more.