New England Championship Wrestling (NECW) returns to live action with the 2nd Annual IRON 8 Championship Tournament, a two night spectacular, taking place this Friday night, October 14 at 7:30 PM and this Saturday night, October 15 at 7:00 PM at the Framingham Civic League, 214 Concord Street in Framingham, MA.

The IRON 8 Championship is a two night tournament.  Eight of the top wrestlers in NECW, determined this year via a 16 man qualifying round which took place on NECW TV (The company’s weekly Internet television program), square off Friday night in four singles matches.  The four winners meet the following night in a four way, 45 minute Iron man match.  Whichever man scores the most pinfalls or submissions in 45 minutes is declared the winner.

Due to recent controversy in matches involving “The Pinnacle” Paul Lombardi, who won the NECW Heavyweight Championship last month in Framingham on a disputed call, and former champion, “Revolution” Chris Venom, NECW President, Sheldon Goldberg has declared the title vacant and the winner of this year’s IRON 8 Tournament will be declared the new NECW Heavyweight Champion.

The semi-final bouts, which take place Friday night, are: two-time former NECW Heavyweight Champion, “Brutal” Bob Evans vs. another former champion, “Big Guns” Frankie Arion; former NECW Heavyweight Champion, “Revolution” Chris Venom vs. “Rocket” Fred Curry, Jr.; former NECW Television Champion, Joe Chece vs. the Irish star and the new British Commonwealth Champion, Fergal Devitt (who regained that title this past weekend); and former NECW Heavyweight Champion, “The Pinnacle” Paul Lombardi vs. P.C. Cruz.

Each night will have a complete line up of supporting bouts and all NECW championships will be defended over the two night event.  Some of the additional matches scheduled for Friday include another chapter in the feud between NECW Tag Team Champions, The A List (Mark Bourne & Andre Lyons) and Afterburn (Ray Diamond & P.C. Cruz.  In order for Afterburn to get another shot at the titles, they must defeat The A List in singles matches on Friday.  It will be 

Mark Bourne vs. Ray Diamond and Andre Lyons vs. P.C. Cruz, who is also involved in the IRON 8 Tournament and will have to wrestle twice.

In a special challenge match, “The Epic” Mike Bennett faces former tag team partner, Pat Masters.  In a tag team grudge match, PRIDE (Dan Freitas & Brian Nunes) battle The Hot Shots (B.K. Jordan & Bryce Andrews).

Former NECW Heavyweight Champion, Michael Sain, managed by Alex Crowley takes on Jon Thornhill.

In a six man tag team challenge, all 3 members of D-Unit (Doug Summers, Rocco Abruzzi and Clip O’Reilly) collide with “Crusher” Sonny Goodspeed, Sid Momentum and K.L. Murphy.

There will be a fatal four way women’s elimination match featuring Nikki Roxx, Violet Flame, Jade and International Women’s Champion, Rebecca Knox from Ireland, making her NECW debut.  The winner of that match will face the new NECW Women’s Champion, Natalia on Saturday night.

NECW Television Champion, “The Egomaniac” Johnny Idol will defend his title and much more.

Advance tickets for the IRON 8 Championship are now on sale at all Strawberries locations, at Andrea’s Pizza, 847 Edgell Road in Framingham and online at NECWwrestling.com.  Tickets for Friday night are $15 for adults, $10 for kids under 12 and students with ID.  Tickets for Saturday night are $15 for adults, $10 for kids under 12 and students with ID.  A special adult two-night combo ticket is available for $25.

For more information, visit New England Championship Wrestling online at NECWwrestling.com.  To see NECW action anytime, watch NECW TV, our weekly Internet television program, available free, on demand and worldwide at www.NECW.tv.