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[center][h2][url=https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=HGnpwvw3cwM]A GAUNTLET OF CHAMPIONS…[/url][/h2][/center]

[center][img]https://i.ibb.co/JW6YhfsS/IMG-5950.jpg[/img][/center]

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[hr][center][h2]ENTERPRISE CENTER, 
SAINT LOUIS, MISSOURI[/h2][/center][hr]

[center][img]https://i.ibb.co/chS3tkWj/IMG-5951.jpg[/img][/center]

It was a cool night in Saint Louis, the first night of August. The city was lively as always and brilliantly lit up by the glow of skyscrapers, street lamps, and an endless flow of evening commuters coursing through the streets. Car horns blared, sirens wailed, and the voices of thousands of people carried high above the ground. Tonight, however, there was something that gave Saint Louis a “greater” energy. Something that had the eyes of sports entertainment fans and aficionados directed at the STL. - The Rubicon Gauntlet.

No Mercy Wrestling, the hottest new independent wrestling promotion, had been live for just one month now. And even with all the excitement of recent signings by new talent, rivalries building up in the ring, and the clear drama between management that the fans seem to be eagerly soaking in, there was something obvious lacking - reigning champions. The last two weeks of July had seen the NMW fans endlessly pleading to the see the metal and calling for the first title matches in the infant brands’ history. CEO Mark Trenton and General Manager Antonio Deguara “agreed” that there was no way to decide among both the men and women’s rosters which two rising stars would be best suited to be put forth up as potential champions. Even without considering the array of talent on both rosters, the executives in the company cherry picking two wrestlers from each division would just sew resentment among many of the fans as well as anger much of both rosters. After some discussion among upper management it was settled that a tournament would be the best way to decide who among the rosters would face off at a special PLE finale - another first for NMW - to crown the men and women’s champions. 

A poll was posted online to allow the fans to vote for their choice wrestlers and after sixty hours the decisions were in. Twelve men and twelve women were chosen by the NMW fans for a shot at the title by fighting their way through the aptly named Rubicon Gauntlet. The two who survived a variety of matches over three rounds in four weeks would face off in a final epic title match on August thirtieth at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, Nevada. The first half of the first round was to take place in Saint Louis, Missouri and would consist of normal rules matches. The Enterprise Center was sold out with every seat filled and plenty of fans crowded in the parking lot and surrounding areas, tailgating and enjoying the opening men’s match on the big screens outside. 

Tonight was the first night of what was expected to be a phenomenal few weeks for No Mercy Wrestling. The men and women that were part of this  tournament were all part of something historic for the brand and they would all be remembered for years to come.