ILH Rankings 9/27/14

New Imperial Light Heavyweight Champion- Tengu

C. Tengu
1.  Damien
2.  El Hijo Del Armas Archleta
3.  Francois le 'Chevalier
4.  Adrian Deicide
5.  Honey Broadway
6.  Konik
7.  Mercury
8.  Hotshot RL Bream
9.  The Alberta Kid
10. Hannibal
11. Mr. Fabulous MJ

The Improbable Journey of Ralphie Bloodthirst

From the asylum in Utah to the pinnacle of IWA glory, Ralphie Bloodthirst has not always been happy regardless of his monikor.  But he has been a young man on a journey- a journey where perceived mental illness gave way to salvation achieved through bloodletting, heartache and finally the most unexpected of championship victories.  The man with the cheese grater is the reigning World Heavyweight Champion. 

"Ya know it's not always about the very best grappler or fighter or technician.  It's often very much about the moment and being the unstoppable force for that brief moment in time.  Ralphie walked into the tournament unexpected; none of the other champions knew that he was going to be the representative for the Jade division.  And none of them prepared for the unconventional violence that he brings.  Bloodthirst was the source of a perfect storm on that night in Tokyo.  And when it was over, he was the one receiving that coveted title belt. I would be lying if I said that I wasn't jealous.  I am. He achieved glory when the chance was there.  And good for him and Lone Wolf for it." 
- Mr. Magnificent Jamie Montgomery

Happy Ralphie Bloodthirst joined Lone Wolf in the midst of a litany of image changes- he was always violent but one day there was face paint, another green hair and another a weird mask.  He did not know who he was or more the fact maybe did not know which voice inside of him was truly his own.  The evidence manifested itself via in-ring attacks on Starkiller and then in partnerships with the same victim.  The enigma was constant; his unnerving activity cripped friendships and alienated him in the locker room.  That is until he joined forces with Antler Jones.

"I didn't get it.  I mean Jones is this hulking outdoorsman with a vicious streak and a no nonsense attitude.  Ralphie was total nonsense as far as anyone in the company could tell.  They weren't yin and yang; they weren't oil and water.  They were Lithium and deer jerky." - Johnny Canuck

The tandem of Antler and Bloodthirst would become Bloodhunt.  And they would become one of the most successful tag teams in Lone Wolf history winning 6 tag team championships and additional 6-man championships with unlikely ally El Hijo Armas Archuleta.

For all of the tag team and medium-tiered success enjoyed, Bloodthirst wanted that personal glory of being the territory champion.  He sought it repeatedly working more matches per tour than anyone else.  But the Lone Wolf Championship escaped him despite his hunger.  The bloodshed and personal physical disregard could not bring him that taste of gold.  Then finally after over a year of battle, the ex-patient became the new champion (cycle 38).  His fever dream was a cool reality. And that victory achieved over his 6-man partner Archuleta. The reign ended in the next tour opposite Mr. Magnificent Jamie Montgomery.  But the taste of glory was now known to the Happy one. The hunger now even greater.  A second title victory occurred 6 months later.

"Ralphie Bloodthirst has always been an undervalued commodity in the Lone Wolf League. The first moment I saw him I realized the potential for greatness was there and wasted no time securing him as an ally. All he ever needed was focus. After I sprung him from the mental institution and gave him the specific task of destroying Flex Powers, Bloodthirst's focus was like a laser beam. He annihilated Powers and single-handedly paved the way for me to have a successful singles run. Teaming with Antler Jones he once again showed tremendous focus and Bloodhunt became arguably the best tag team in the league during their time together. But the crossroads of his career was when Bloodhunt had their falling out.  Even I wasn't sure if Ralphie's uncontainable rage would propel him to greater heights or lead to his demise. My brother walked through the flames and suffered much, but he emerged a stronger man and a better wrestler for it. A World Champion forged from pain, both physical and emotional. I dare say there will never be another one like him."
- El Hijo del Armas Archuleta

That great alliance yielded a familial realization that the partners were also half-brothers.  There was a family for the previous ward of the state.  Many wondered if the man in the straight jacket would normalize.  But even that did not last as Jones eventually tired of his brother's successes seemingly overshadowing his own.  What would Bloodthirst do?
The oddsmakers were split.  Many thought that the emotional grappler would crumble into obscurity; others assumed that the justice system would become involved due to unprecedented violence.  But what no one saw was a new focus on achievement. 

Finally a 1-day reign by Hot$tuff Adam Ca$h came to an abrupt end when an impromptu match happened in front of his home state fans in Salt Lake City.  The euphoria of victory combined with an immediate charter flight to Los Angeles for the grand tournament sealed Ralphie's fate- he defeated all Jade champions and flew to Tokyo, Japan.
In 60 hours time, the former mental patient with a penchant for savagery went from being a forsaken brother to being the IWA Champion. 

Anything is possible.