REVIEW: Kansas City Xtreme Wrestling - Destiny (2025)

A live professional wrestling event held in Independence, MO

Kansas City Xtreme Wrestling’s Destiny 2025 marks the one-year anniversary of attending my very first KCXW show, and I was overjoyed that this event took place right in my hometown. Let’s face it, like anyone, I can be selfish sometimes, and not having to drive over an hour to an event is always appreciated! After attending enough wrestling shows to hit a milestone of forty local events since starting this project, followed by a one-month break, I knew that 2025 was going to kick off with a bang! I’d been itching to go to a show throughout December but promised myself a much-needed break for the month. By the time January rolled around, I had a serious case of some wrestling version of cabin fever!

This show was held at a new venue for me called City House. From what I gather, it’s a repurposed former shopping center – possibly where a Babies “R” Us once stood – now functioning as a church and community center. The venue is impressively spacious, with a large auditorium. For the event, the ring was set up against one wall, with a massive section of theater-style seating providing an excellent view for everyone in attendance. I was not used to this set-up, but it worked pretty well for everyone as far as I could tell.

The event also featured some fantastic vendors and a showcase of a recent youth camp organized by the company. The camp offered children a chance to participate in professional wrestling training, potentially setting them on the path to becoming the future stars of wrestling. This show packed an incredible lineup, with seven thrilling matches, including three title defenses and two pre-show bouts that set the tone for the evening. Let’s dive into the action, break down the highlights, and speculate on what the future holds for KCXW!

If you were at the event, I’d love to hear your thoughts: what matches stood out to you, and what are you most excited to see from KCXW as 2025 unfolds? With Kansas City continuing to cement itself as one of the emerging hotspots for independent wrestling, the potential for growth feels limitless. As long as that keeps happening, I’ll be here to keep you in the loop and share the unforgettable moments. Here’s to another fantastic year for Kansas City wrestling!

For More about KCXW, check out their Facebook Page HERE, Their YouTube HERE. KCXW is also on Cagematch, HERE (although missing a few years). If you are a fan, make sure to drop likes, and reviews, or join their social media pages!

The Card:

KCXW Destiny 2025

City House – Independence, MO 1/11/2025

Tag Match – The United Patriots (Atlas Armstrong and Old Glory) defeated Trey Lind and Caden by Pinfall
Singles Match – “Hard Luck” Hal Rogers defeated Clayton Dyhouse by pinfall
After the preshow matches, The National anthem performed by local talent, The Banshee
Singles Match – “Mr. Unlimited” J. Moore Defeated “The Diamond” Marco Hendrixxx by pinfall
Singles Match – “The Polish Powerhouse” Gerard Jaworski defeated “The Young Bull” El Toro by pinfall
Segment – “Hard Luck” Hal Rogers blames the crowd for his loss and vows to get revenge on the KCXW fans.
Singles Match – For the Vacant KCXW Women’s Championship – Camron Branae VS “Shooter” Shylynn went to a no contest after an attack by The Xtremists – The title is still vacant.
Singles Match – For the KCXW Metro Championship – “Big Bruda” Clay Huna defeated “The Aztec Demon from the year 3000” El Diablo (C) by pinfall – New Champion!
Tag Match – Wild n’ Untamed (“All Slay” Angel Shay and Charlie Graham) Defeated The United Patriots (Atlas Armstrong and Old Glory) by pinfall
Singles Match – Talon Defeated Sykawtic by pinfall
Singles Match – For the KCXW Kansas City Championship – Tobias Storm (C) Defeated “The Iron Pitbull” Kenny Kingston by pinfall
After the show ended, Talon threw a fireball in Tobias Storm’s face to the shock ad dismay of the crowd. Two matches announced for the next show – Rogers VS El Diablo and Tobias VS Talon

DISCLAIMER:

I make it a point to cover most, if not all, of the matches and provide reports on what happened, along with any significance they may have to ongoing feuds. You might think some of my opinions are dumb, or the way I review things is dumb, and that’s OK! Diversity in preferences is what makes wrestling so great. I strive to maintain a positive outlook because there’s already enough negativity in the wrestling community (in my view), and we can all contribute to making it better. However, it doesn’t mean I won’t offer opinions or criticisms when warranted. Let’s cut the B.S. and, as the old saying goes, “Just enjoy Wrestling!”

My Thoughts:

As with most KCXW shows, Destiny 2025 kicked off with two pre-show matches, the first featuring the tag team of the United Patriots (Atlas Armstrong and Old Glory) against Caden and Trey Lind. I’ve mentioned before how I’ve been following Trey Lind’s journey, from having one of his very first matches at Destiny 2024 to becoming a rookie who continues to impress. Each time I see him, he’s better than before, and he’s already had some standout bouts, including one last year against “The Iron Pitbull” Kenny Kingston. His tag partner for this match, XWC trainee Caden, has been putting in the work and proving he’s in this for the long haul.

Their opponents, the United Patriots, are perhaps the most prominent tag team currently in KCXW. Initially formed as a fill-in pairing after “The Polish Powerhouse” Gerard Jaworski was sidelined by an injury last summer, the team quickly gained traction. Old Glory joined up with Armstrong as a substitute for a scheduled match against Sir Maximus Canine (Bigg Dogg) and instantly clicked with him during an episode of KCXW Showcase. Since then, the duo has dominated every tag team encounter they’ve participated in, solidifying their position at the top of the tag division.

For Caden and Lind, this was always going to be an uphill battle given the significant experience advantage of their opponents. Despite this, the younger team managed to land some solid offense, with Old Glory taking the brunt of a few impressive double-team moves. However, the tide turned when Atlas Armstrong hit Trey Lind with his devastating Running Somersault Neckbreaker, signaling the beginning of the end. The United Patriots stood tall in the middle of the ring, celebrating their victory to the sound of hundreds of loud “USA!” chants.

Next up was a match featuring Kansas City’s most hated wrestler, “Hard Luck” Hal Rogers, squaring off against the rather unfortunately booked XWC trainee, Clayton Dyhouse. I can’t say for sure, but this may have been Dyhouse’s debut match! When I say “unfortunately booked,” it’s not a jab at his abilities – far from it. But let’s be real- he must have drawn the short straw to end up facing a former Kansas City Champion who still hasn’t come to terms with losing that title. Rogers was also VERY furious that in the span of a few months, he went from champion to pre-show like his year-spanning reign never mattered.

To Dyhouse’s credit, he gave it his all. He did his best to keep Rogers off his feet and tried valiantly to counter an increasingly aggressive high-flying assault. Unfortunately, Rogers wasn’t in the mood to play nice. Enraged that a rookie dared to fight back, Rogers took out his frustrations on Clayton. The end came when Dyhouse fell victim to a brutal sit-out powerbomb, and Rogers sealed the deal with the old 1-2-3.

Later in the show, Rogers grabbed a mic and let the Independence, MO crowd have it. He ranted about how much he hated the incessant “Hard Luck Sucks!” chants and how disrespected he felt. Rogers vowed to return the favor, warning the crowd that he’d make sure they stopped having fun. “When bad things happen,” he snarled, “the blood’s on your hands!”

Here’s hoping someone gets Hal Rogers into therapy soon because, let’s be honest—this man is not in a good headspace.

This was followed by a performance of The National Anthem, by local singer “The Banshee”.

Next up was a match between “Mr. Unlimited” J. Moore and “The Diamond” Marco Hendrixxx. J. Moore, formerly known as “The Aerial Attraction” James Moore, has recently struck out on his own following the apparent dissolution of his former stable, “The Main Attractions.” With “The Realist” Calvin Aldridge losing a “loser leaves KCXW” match and Blaire Dior seemingly vanishing from the scene, Moore is now navigating solo waters.

I’ve always admired J. Moore for being one of the most impressive high-flyers in the area. He has a knack for stealing the show, as seen in his unforgettable falls count anywhere best-of-three match against El Diablo, which included the now-iconic moment of him leaping off a forklift to the delight of the crowd. Now, seeing him adopt a more “sportsman-like approach” to his persona is both refreshing and exciting, setting the stage for what could be a thrilling new chapter in his career.

His opponent for the night, “The Diamond” Marco Hendrixxx, has been on a tear lately, kicking ass and taking names despite being relatively new to the wrestling scene. Hendrixxx is nothing short of impressive, exuding charisma and a flair for showmanship that perfectly matched the Dennis Rodman T-shirt he wore to the ring. Confident and flamboyant, Hendrixxx clearly enjoys being the center of attention.

Being fun in the ring, however, doesn’t always compensate for years of experience, and J. Moore proved he was serious about his new mindset. “The Diamond” came out swinging, attempting to wear Moore down by targeting his back on the unforgiving ring apron and hitting him with massive power moves onto the cold concrete floors of the City House. Despite the onslaught, Moore’s agility and ring awareness shone through as he dodged most of Hendrixxx’s attacks and even countered one of his finishing moves.

Always one step ahead, Moore capitalized on his quick thinking and precision, ultimately securing a decisive win. If this match is any indication, 2025 is shaping up to be the year of Mr. Unlimited. I can’t wait to see what happens next!

Next up was a match that delivered the promised “destruction” by “The Polish Powerhouse” Gerard Jaworski as he defeated “The Young Bull” El Toro in what can only be described as record time. El Toro has been nothing short of impressive since his debut, adding to KCXW’s growing roster of talented luchadores and high-flyers. However, this time he faced off against pure, unbridled Polish Power. Jaworski dominated the match from start to finish, leaving little room for El Toro to gain any momentum. Better luck next time, El Toro! I wish I had more to say about this match, but I was simply left speechless at the end. Jaworski is back, and everyone on the roster should be on notice!

They always say, “Possession is nine-tenths of the law,” a tenuous legal argument that Lady Pride has built her entire career on since late last summer. “Shooter” Shylynn, the reigning KCXW Women’s Champion at the time, suffered a heartbreaking knee injury at the end of 2023, forcing her to sit out the entire following year. At the Xtreme Freedom show, KCXW officials were left with no choice but to step in and have her relinquish the belt – a decision that visibly devastated both Shylynn and the crowd packed into the National Guard Armory in Kansas City. Since then, Lady Pride has run the women’s division like her personal empire. Alongside her Xtremists stablemates, she has embarked on a quest for domination, aiming for a full-blown cultural reset of what values KCXW holds dear. One can only imagine how frustrating it must have been for Shylynn to watch Lady Pride’s reign of chaos unfold from the sidelines.

Destiny 2025 marked Shylynn’s triumphant return to the ring. After such a long absence, the big question on everyone’s mind was whether she could immediately reclaim her dominance in the women’s division or if a year of “ring rust” would prove to be her undoing. Her opponent for the night was none other than Camron Branae, a former WWE NXT superstar and a formidable competitor. Camron, while prone to theatrics and crowd-taunting antics, is not someone to be underestimated. Shylynn needed to stay sharp and focused to keep Camron from gaining the upper hand.

Unfortunately, none of these questions were answered because, as expected, Lady Pride inserted herself into Shylynn’s business once again. Alongside her Xtremists partners, “The Chain Wrestler” Jude Vice and “The King of Xtreme” David Cattin, Lady Pride stormed the ring, viciously attacking everyone in sight and causing a “no contest.” Lady Pride’s post-match declaration was loud and clear: the KCXW Women’s Championship was hers, and she had no intention of letting it slip away. It’s safe to say that this rivalry is far from over, and the fireworks between Shylynn and Lady Pride have only just begun.

El Diablo’s remarkable 450-day reign as KCXW Metro Champion ended in a way few anticipated and even fewer wanted. As the reigning “Aztec Demon from the year 3000”, El Diablo has been a fan favorite and a symbol of dominance in KCXW. However, the spotlight for this match shifted to “The Big Brudda” Clay Huna, a KCXW veteran known for his persistence and heart despite his struggles in major championship matches. After earning his shot at the Metro Championship with a grueling victory over “Iron Pitbull” Kenny Kingston at Xcellence, Huna’s dream of championship gold was within reach. But achieving it meant facing one of his best friends, El Diablo, in a match that seemed emotionally challenging for both competitors.

Initially hesitant to clash, the match eventually escalated into a hard-hitting affair with momentum shifting back and forth. As El Diablo looked poised to retain his title, the unthinkable occurred. “Hard Luck” Hal Rogers, who had promised to ruin the night, stormed the ring and attacked El Diablo while the referee was down. This interference left Huna with a moral dilemma: capitalize on the opportunity or step back and wait. Ultimately, he chose to seize the moment, securing the pin and becoming the new KCXW Metro Champion.

As Huna celebrated his victory with his young child by his side, fans couldn’t help but wonder how Rogers’ interference weighs on him. For now, though, it’s Huna’s time to shine. Meanwhile, El Diablo, showing no ill will toward Huna, has vowed to exact revenge on Rogers – the very man he defeated to win the Metro Championship in 2023. The score will be settled at KCXW Unleashed in what promises to be an explosive grudge match.

Making their tag team debut in KCXW were “All Slay” Angel Shay and Charlie Graham, now known as Wild N’ Untamed, who looked to turn a fresh page at Destiny. This journey began when Angel Shay seemed on the verge of retirement after a string of tough losses, including a brutal hardcore match against Lady Pride at Xtreme Liberty. But with the encouragement of her friend Charlie Graham, who reminded her of her resilience and past triumphs, the duo decided to team up and make a statement in the KCXW tag team division. Their first challenge? Facing The United Patriots, the most dominant force in the tag division.

The United Patriots, consisting of “The Natural” Atlas Armstrong and Old Glory, have been a formidable team for the past six months. However, cracks in their partnership seemed to show during this match. Wild N’ Untamed, energized by their optimism and new alliance, capitalized on the Patriots’ apparent miscommunication and claimed an impressive debut victory. Keep in mind, as well, that The United Patriots had wrestled once before in the night, another possibility that could have lead to the unfortunate outcome.

After the match, tensions between Armstrong and Old Glory were evident, with the two seemingly blaming each other for the loss. While Atlas took to social media to reassure fans, declaring, “The United Patriots are fine,” the uneasy atmosphere at ringside left many wondering about the future of the team. Meanwhile, Wild N’ Untamed’s win marked a promising start to their partnership, proving that in the KCXW tag division, persistence and friendship can lead to success.

Next up was a match I was particularly invested in – not just because I once again sponsored the show, but because I specifically chose this match to put my website’s name on. If you haven’t already noticed, I have a deep interest in watching rookie wrestlers develop their craft, earning their first big wins, and cementing their personas. Talon and Sykawtic are two rookies I’ve been keeping an eye on since last year, and their feud had all the makings of a breakout moment for both.

This rivalry began during the Checkpoint: Fate Patreon special, where Sykawtic had just finished a grueling match with Blaire Dior. Talon stormed the ring, berating the crowd before turning his focus to Sykawtic. He accused him of being a sellout or “a cog in the KCXW machine” who turned to face paint and theatrics just to cash a paycheck. To punctuate his point, Talon burned an envelope of money in the middle of the ring, declaring he wasn’t here for a paycheck; he was here for something bigger.

Their match was nothing short of chaotic. Talon showcased his high-flying prowess, executing jaw-dropping maneuvers, while Sykawtic’s unorthodox, almost serpentine style kept everyone on edge. At one point, Sykawtic crawled across the mat in a way that visibly rattled Talon, walking upside down like he was in The Exorcist, throwing him off his rhythm. It was a back-and-forth battle, with momentum swinging constantly. However, it became clear that Talon has been learning how to take shortcuts in matches. Just when it seemed Sykawtic was about to seal the win, Talon found an opening, countered a big move, and delivered his finisher for the victory. It feels like the era of Talon has officially begun in Kansas City, and I can’t wait to see where he takes this newfound momentum. Who’s next on his radar? With his sharp tongue and even sharper in-ring abilities, the possibilities are endless.

As always, a huge thank you to KCXW for providing the platform to bring electrifying wrestling action to fans across Kansas City. It’s an honor to support these shows and witness the rise of stars like Talon and Sykawtic firsthand!

The main event for this evening did not disappoint, delivering a spectacle that had been six months in the making and eagerly awaited by KCXW fans! The reigning and defending KCXW Kansas City Champion, Tobias Storm, squared off against the hulking behemoth “The Iron Pitbull” Kenny Kingston. Weighing in at over 340 pounds, Kingston is without a doubt the most imposing opponent Tobias has faced in his championship reign. Their showdown carried shades of the iconic Hulk Hogan vs. Andre the Giant clash at WrestleMania 3. The energy in the venue was electric, with the faceoff alone capturing the sheer magnitude of the moment and emphasizing how deceivingly outmatched Tobias might appear – that is, if he were just an ordinary man. But Tobias Storm is no ordinary competitor. Known as “Pound for Pound the Strongest Man in KCXW,” Tobias has dominated the company for months, holding both the Season of Xcellence Tournament title and the KCXW Kansas City Championship. On this show, he was determined to prove why he is the face of the promotion.

The match began with Kenny Kingston taking control, using his overwhelming size and strength to dominate Tobias early on. Kingston kept Tobias grounded, slamming him to the mat with authority and even launching him into a structural beam inside the venue. The most brutal moment came when Kingston flattened Tobias with a devastating splash, leaving the champion clutching his back in agony. Kingston looked poised to take the title in his first KCXW main event, his raw power on full display.

But Tobias Storm has never been one to back down. Fueled by the raucous cheers of the KCXW faithful, Tobias dug deep and pushed past the pain, seemingly running on pure adrenaline. As the match progressed, Tobias’s incredible stamina began to show, and the momentum shifted in his favor. A frustrated Kingston attempted to end things with a steel chair, but the referee intervened just in time, disarming the challenger and giving Tobias the opening he needed.

In a stunning display of strength, Tobias hoisted the gargantuan Kingston into the air, slamming him down before hitting his finisher to seal the victory. The crowd erupted as Tobias retained his championship, proving once again why he is the undisputed king of KCXW.

However, Tobias’s celebration was short-lived. Talon struck out of nowhere, launching a fireball into Tobias’s face and sending the champion writhing in pain. The shocking attack left no doubt about Talon’s intentions, solidifying him as Tobias’s next challenger and setting the stage for an explosive main event at KCXW Unleashed! This rivalry just became personal, and fans can’t wait to see what happens next.

Conclusion:

This show was an excellent way to kick off the new year, setting up fresh feuds for 2025 while shining a spotlight on the impressive talent coming out of the XWC training program. KCXW’s proactive approach to rebuilding the roster after 2020 is truly paying off, and events like this highlight just how much effort has gone into developing the next generation of wrestlers. The new venue took a bit of getting used to, but it’s a spacious building with plenty of potential for future growth, making it a great addition to their portfolio of partner venues. Every title match delivered on the hype, well, aside from the women’s match being derailed by the Xtremists, but that’s a story in itself. Regardless, the energy in the room was palpable, and it felt like everyone in attendance had an unforgettable time. With momentum like this, I’m eager to see how these storylines develop. April can’t come soon enough! KCXW is off to a strong start this year, and the future looks brighter than ever!