PromoMania VIII (2023)PromoMania VIII was the forty-third Max Wrestling Podcast special, and eighth under the PromoMania chronology. It was be hosted by The Captain and Moses Marquez plus special guests including Beer, Chad Malcolm, Cypher, Daniel Crimmins, The Demoness, Kinny Killa, Mike Larkin, The Phoenix, Robert Davis, Tedd P Dinero and Travis "The Walker" Anderson. This event was also the first to be presented as a two-night event since the end of The Pre-Launch Show.
Night 1 aired on March 28th, 2023 and Night 2 aired on March 30th, 2023 on Facebook, YouTube, Soundcloud, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Castbox and Anchor. BackgroundThe event and logo was announced in January 2021 as part of a group announcement in line with WWE's WrestleMania group announcement.
On April 28th, 2022, Daniel Crimmins appeared on Max Wrestling to announce he would cash in his 2022 Iron Bank contract at PromoMania VIII. However, Crimmins chose to wave the contract's right to challenge the World, Knowledge or Television champion, and instead used it to guarantee himself the main event spot in a promo exhibition against The Demoness. At Podcast Promo Rumble 8 in January 2023, Crimmins defeated Cypher to win the Television Championship. He later announced he would defend the title against The Demoness. However, when Crimmins later announced the match result would be determined via judges, The Demoness refused to face judgement and stepped out of the match. On March 16th, The Captain announced that he would take her place and face judgement to challenge Crimmins. On the December 8th, 2022 episode of Max Wrestling, The Captain announced his new faction with The Phoenix and Chad Malcolm, Dragon Club. Along with the formation, he announced the Max Wrestling Tag Team Championships would be introduced at PromoMania as his alter-ego The Shape and The Phoenix would take on Cypher and Travis "The Walker" Anderson of the Modern Day Outlaws. At Podcast Promo Rumble 8, when Anderson and Phoenix's World Title match ended in confusion, it was later revealed that Phoenix used a weapon during the blackout before being attacked by Tedd P Dinero on Anderson's behalf. As both breached the rules of the match, Phoenix was disqualified and Anderson was stripped of the World Title, leaving Max Wrestling without a champion. In February, MDO leader, Moses Marquez announced he would step up and show them how its done, declaring himself in an open challenge for the vacant title. The challenge was later accepted when The Captain announced Chad Malcolm would face Marquez on behalf of Dragon Club. Despite being booked in the Tag Team title match, The Phoenix also issued a challenge to Dinero to meet him on Night 1 in a promo exhibition. After Fight For The Knowledge did not receive a Pre-Launch Show, it was announced the following week that Pre-Launch Shows were no longer being produced but PromoMania VIII would be a two-night event. EventNight 1In the opening bout, Mike Larkin and Robert Davis re-ignited their historic rivalry with personal jabs. Davis commented on his displeasure over how the presentation of promos has become, and also on Larkin's personal life. Meanwhile, Larkin built himself up with a hype package before making wisecracks at Davis' history on Max Wrestling.
In the Iron Bank Challenge, Anderson was eliminated after the first two rounds, leaving Marquez to defeat the previous year's winner Crimmins in the Five Or Die final. During The Phoenix and Dinero's exhibition, The Phoenix addressed being attacked by Dinero at Podcast Promo Rumble 8. In return, Dinero explained his actions before blowing harmful smoke at Phoenix - seemingly knocking him out. In the main event, The Captain made it clear he was not interested in being Television Champion until he placed himself in the spot for this match. He also stated that new TV Rules would be introduced should he win. Crimmins - like Davis - addressed his displeasure over cinematic matches and missing "old school" promos. The Captain then stated the judges would have 24 hours to make a decision. Night 2In the opening match, Killa successfully defended the Knowledge Championship after five rounds in Full Trivia Mayhem by the closest of margins.
In the first of two cinematic matches on the night, The Demoness made a surprise appearance as The Shape asked her for help in removing Anderson's voice. She obliged, handing him a mysterious hip flask to drink from. Anderson's house was then broken into and he was seen incapacitated. After finding Anderson laid out at home, Cypher called Maquez for help, but was told he had to go it alone. The Captain made his way to The Dragon's Lair to find Phoenix still suffering the effects from his match with Dinero. Phoenix was then thrown into a pit before The Captain made his way to North Carolina to battle Cypher in the woods. When The Shape refused to emerge from within, The Captain was knocked and beat down by Cypher before The Shape finally arrived and revealed his meeting in limbo with The Jester following Promo Series 7: Rising Storm. Back in the woods, The Shape chased and superkicked Cypher before draining back to The Captain. As Cypher moved in for the kill, The Phoenix emerged - recharged and took down Cypher with a Superman Punch before lighting a flame, signalling victory for Dragon Club. In the main event, Marquez broke into Malcolm's hotel room, forcing him to submit. Night 1 Matches
Night 2 Matches
(c) - refers to the champion heading into the match.
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THEME SONGS
"Hands Up" by Discrepancies "You Seem Proud" by Mad Kelly "Hollywood Nights" by The Firm SPECIAL CHRONOLOGY
PROMOMANIA CHRONOLOGY
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Full episodes
Night 1 |
Night 2 |