After closing out 2022 in Worcester, Massachusetts during Wrestival, it is time for ICW No Holds Barred to open 2023 with a New Jersey homecoming! NHB 40, ICW’s first show of the new year is here. And with debuts, an international dream match and a title fight on the books, this show is already looking to be a memorable one. Here are the matches you’ll see when ICW goes live for NHB 40.
ICW American Deathmatch World Championship: Brandon Kirk (c) vs John Wayne Murdoch
This match comes as a result of two events coming out of NHB 39. Brandon Kirk finally rose to the mountain top as he defeated his wife Kasey to both save their marriage and win the ICW American Deathmatch World Championship in an emotional match. John Wayne Murdoch on the other hand, won the Aces Up Dog Collar Deathmatch against long time rival Eric Ryan to win contention for Brandon Kirk’s title. With this newfound mean streak in him, John is certainly looking to pick up where he left off as Champion. Can The Rogue overcome The Duke and keep this title run going?
Eric Ryan vs Toshiyuki Sakuda
Here we have another match coming off of the heels of NHB 39. Eric Ryan won second prize in losing the Aces Up Dog Collar Deathmatch against John Wayne Murdoch. But some might even say that Eric has the grand prize. The prize in question: a Deathmatch with Japan’s Toshiyuki Sakuda. This will be Sakuda’s second match of this US excursion and his debut inside The Chains at ICW. While Sakuda may not be fresh coming into this match, Eric Ryan is not going to want to underestimate the Psychopath Boy.
HoodFoot vs Matt Tremont
Here we have a super heavyweight showdown; and this isn’t even the first time that these two have met. Amid his incredible 2022 run, HoodFoot defeated Matt Tremont en route to winning the Battle of the Tough Guys last August. Now, being down 1-0 and with the IWTV Independent Wrestling World Championship on his shoulder, Matt Tremont is looking to even the score. Though its not a World Championship match, a win here could put HoodFoot right at the front of the line of contenders.
AKIRA vs Eric Dillinger
In a match that is sure to kick things off (with a bigity-bigity-bang!) we have AKIRA acting as the welcoming committee for “Public Enemy #1” Eric Dillinger. While this is their first time seeing each other in The Chains, this is far from their first encounter. AKIRA struck first blood by defeating Eric for the AWR Revolutionary Championship back in 2021. This past year, Dillinger would strike back by knocking AKIRA out of the Insane 8 tournament en route to winning it all. Now with the score evened up, Eric will have to muster up all he’s got to get a win over the Goddamn Motherfucking Death Samurai on his home turf.
Tommy Vendetta vs Crowbar
This might be one of the most out of left field matchups ever imagined for a No Holds Barred card. Tommy Vendetta, who has cemented himself as an ICW regular, will now step between The Chains against the timeless one, Crowbar. While Crowbar is now much more classical and down to the match, he still was once a WCW Hardcore Champion and can still get violent when the occasion calls. Crowbar vs Vendetta is sure to be one to watch; especially when you account for the presence of former Detroit Red Wing: Darren McCarty in Tommy’s corner.
Bobby Beverly vs Jeff Cannonball
This match marks the first time in over nine months that Jeff Cannonball has stepped into The Chains. Meeting Jeff at the door for his return is “The Bev” Bobby Beverly. Each man has motivation for the win here. With this being Cannonball’s return to ICW, he is certainly looking for the win here to reassert himself to the fans and roster. And with Bobby Beverly not having won a match since NHB 33 last October, this could be the match to put Bev back on the winning track.
Dr. Redacted vs Neil Diamond Cutter
Ugly. Chaotic. And violent. These are the only words that can come close to doing what this match is sure to be justice. Both Neil Diamond Cutter and Dr. Redacted are more than willing to put their own bodies and wellbeings on the line to win a match. And both have a high pain threshold; being able to eat punishment and then dish it right back out. There is no telling where or how or when this match will end. It may have to come down to the veteran instinct of the Honey Badger to take down the Mad Doctor.
And with that, we have the full line up for NHB 40! Be sure to check this show out when ICW goes live on IWTV on January 21st at 8 PM EST. And you can follow ICW on Twitter for updates on all future No Holds Barred events.
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