3. **Special**: The Top Champions of All Time

Introduction:

I have decided that it's time for a look at the top champions to ever wear gold in the IWL. Now, of course this essay is a complete matter of OPINION. My opinion is just based on many months of observation of IWL action and analysis. However, it is still a matter of opinion and I'm sure there will be many disagreements with my analysis, but hey that's ok, I love controversy. So, a warning before you go forward. If you're going to go apenuts over my opinion then save yourself the trouble of reading this article. Just skip it and pretend it was never written. There is a point system in place to help make this judgment more scientific. Up to thirty four points are given for dominance, how dominant the champion was during his/her reign, up to thirty three points are given for length and repitition as champion, and up to thirty three points are given for the contribution that wrestler has made to the IWL.

Greatest World Champions of All Time:

Oh, to be world champion is the greatest achievement a wrestler in the IWL can claim. Not many world champions have been crowned which goes to show that the title is very prestigious. Now, all the world champions the IWL has had are legends in their own right, but this breaks them down to the best of the best. Taken into consideration when judging these wrestlers are length of title reign, number of reigns, and the way they changed the sport as champion.

1. Nosferatu: I think it's pretty easy to justify why I would select Nosferatu as the greatest world champion of all time. This man simply dominated as champion and he held the title a record breaking 3 times. Though his title reigns were not very long, this man helped define the IWL in its crucial early days. His rivalries with the Vindicator and General Pentagon, his leadership of the Demonican Republic, and the fact that he captained the winning team at the IWL Olympics along with the Heartbreak Kid, General Pentagon, and Damnation all demonstrate that this guy was the MAN of the IWL while he was around...Points: 99/100: 33/34, 33/33, 33/33

2. General Ike D. Pentagon: On May 26, 1997, the reigns of the IWL were forever handed over from Nosferatu to General Pentagon. The General's legendary fights with Nosferatu helps define him as one of the greatest World Champions of all time. The General faced Nosferatu three times in his career, the first time Nosferatu retained the title thanks to help from Vindy, the second time IDP won the strap, and the third the General was the first to successfully defend the World Title. He then went on in the "Age of Might" to hold the World Title for the longest reign it has ever seen. In fact, he held the title for more time than Nosferatu did in all of Nosferatu's three reigns in his one. Points 98/100: 32/34, 33/33, 33/33

3. Oriana, the Empress of Darkness: Some may question placing Oriana below General Pentagon, but this analysis is being made just a few weeks into her second reign, she could surpass the General in this reign. The one who defeated the General must be considered one of the best champions the IWL has ever had. Her legendary rivalry with General Pentagon has helped shape the IWL. Her world title reign was cut short by Deatchall, but no one can deny that Oriana would hold the gold again. At War of the Ages 2, the Empress regained the title from the Capitol and proved once again that she is a legend in the making...Points: 96/100: 31/34, 32/33, 33/33

4. The Vindicator: Yes, his last title reign was only a day. But don't forget that that was his second reign as world champion. The Vindicator has been in the IWL for the longest amount of time out of all the current competitors. Rest assured, he is one of the foundations that the IWL stands upon. No matter how much his enemies hate that fact, the fact remains. The Vindicator won his first title in a triangle match and defeated Nosferatu to win the gold. He then went on to defeat Spazzz and to bring an end to the reign of his rival--Spazzz...Points: 93/100: 30/34, 30/33, 33/33

5. Spazzz: Spazzz may have started his career off in the IWL rather rockily, but it came into full swing when he managed to defeat Deathcall for the World Strap. Perhaps the most popular wrestler the IWL has seen, Spazzz defined what it meant to be a face here in the IWL. As one of the founding members of TIC he was the architect of the dominance that TIC managed during his reign. Spazzz's career in the IWL may have been cut short by the Capitol's betrayel, but his influence lives on...Points: 91/100: 31/34, 31/33, 30/33

Top Five Intercontinental Champions of All Time

1. General Ike D. Pentagon: This man's reign from January 31 to June 16 is the longest title reign of ANY title in the IWL. During his reign the word domination took on a whole new meaning. He managed in his Heavyweight to defend his title against Disciple, the Dark Jester, the Vindicator, Xavier Stone, and many others. He also managed to win the Gold Medal in the Olympics in the Power Bomb Competition, and came in second in the Olympic Battle Royal. Also during this reign he managed to defeat the Empress of Darkness in a gigantic Rematch of the Century at Apocalypse '98. His title reign was impeccable and serves as proof that big men in the IWL can and do dominate. Points: 99/100: 33/34, 33/33, 33/33

2. Destruction: Coming in a close second is the man who helped define the Heavyweight Title in the early days of the IWL. At one time known as Damnation, he served as a member of the Demonican Republic and held the title for the second longest reign it has ever seen. On top of that he held this title twice, the first man to have had more than one reign as champion. Though his second reign was not as prestigious near the end, he proved time and time again that Destruction is a name to fear..Points: 95/100: 32/34, 33/33, 30/33

3. The Capitol: The Capitol's reign of terror as Intercontinental Champion is well documented. His battles with the Vindicator, Heartbreak Kid, the Almighty V, Dale D'Amico, and more helped make his title reign one of the most feared. Yes, some of these battles may have been before the Capitol was the IC Champ, but they helped establish the fear factor once he was champion...Points: 94/100: 33/34, 30/33, 31/33

4. John "HBK" Marc: Who can forget the flamboyance? Who can forget the arrogance? Who can forget the ladies' man that was John Marc. The only other man besides Destruction to hold the Intercontinental Title twice the Heartbreak Kid's contribution to the title cannot be denied because of his incredible talent and the fact that he was the first Intercontinental Champion. The only one out of the group who is not a heavyweight, because he won it when the title was not exclusive to heavyweights, proved that style and success were two mutually inclusive items...Points: 92/100: 30/34, 32/33, 30/34

5. Dale D'Amico: Dirty tricks, the word "brother", arrogance, attitude, did I mention the word "brother"? All kidding aside, Dale D'Amico is definately a champion for all to contend with. His rivalry with John Marc, the Vindicator, and others made him a Intercontinental Champion that people feared. Of course, most feared him for his "below the belt" strategies, but, Dale D'Amico proved on countless occassions that he could take the match to power or technical skill if he needed to...Points: 90/100: 30/34, 30/33, 30/33

Top Five Cruiserweight Champions of All Time:

1. Deathcall: This cannot be a surprise to anyone who is on top of the cruiserweight division in the IWL. This man was a two time Cruiserweight Champion who not only dominated over the cruiserweight division but went on to win the World Championship WHILE Cruiserweight Champion. Obviously, a man on top of his game, who had a big mouth and a tendency to insult his opponents into oblivion, Deathcall will forever leave his mark: Points: 97/100: 33/34, 33/33, 31/33

2. Brett "Blood" Rose: Ok, this decision to make Brett Rose this high on the list may be controversial but as the Cruiserweight Champion this guy proved he has what it takes. His match with Arakida Yoshio for the Championship was just insane!!! As a member of TIC, he helped insure the longest duration of time when the stable held the top three singles titles. He also took on all comers and always ended up on top. Finally, thanks to the treachery of Jimmy Callahan's officiating, the Rose lost his strap to the Empress of Darkness: Points: 95/100: 33/34, 32/33, 30/33

3. Shooting Star: Oh the legend that is Shooting Star. Simply one of the best wrestlers that the IWL has seen, there is no way he could be denied a spot on the elite five. This man dominated as the Cruiserweight Champion and his flamboyance and air tactics have left an indelible mark on the IWL history books...Points: 93/100: 31/34, 32/33, 30/33

4. Spazzz: His cruiserweight reign was a great lesson in being a champion that Spazzz would later apply in his superior World Title reign. It provided him with the experience he would later need, and it planted the seeds of success he would later reach. He took on many challenges as the Cruiserweight Champion until finally being defeated by the Shooting Star...Points: 90/100: 30/34, 32/33. 28/33

5. Fire Mexica: Fire Mexica esta en fuego!! This great cruiserweight brought a lot of fire to the IWL and a lot of excitement. His devotion to the Inner Circle and to Spazzz was quite evident. His speed is the stuff of legends, moving around the ring with incredible dexterity...Points: 87/100: 29/34, 32/33, 26/33