Revenge.
The opportunity to attain it often makes men act in a crazy manner. We've seen it time and time again in the wrestling business. Fan favorites will turn rulebreaker or they'll make the proverbial deal with a devil.
For Gran Akuma, it meant showing up at CHIKARA's High Noon internet pay-per-view (iPPV) last November after a 16 month absence during a match between Gregory Iron and Icarus - the source of Akuma's vengeance - and inadvertently costing "The Handicapped Hero" the match.
When Icarus and Akuma stepped inside the ring in January during the season 11 opener, The Thirteenth Hat, a double countout ended the bout but this time, it was Iron who sought revenge. He made his way from backstage and chopped Akuma across the chest for costing him the match a few months prior.
That's how "The Trial of Akuma" got its start. To get to Icarus, the former F.I.S.T. member would have to win a series of matches. Akuma faces off against Iron this weekend at I'll Be a Mummy's Uncle in the second while the first, against Chuck Taylor, is highlighted in this week's Podcast-A-Go-Go.
Also on tap is the showcase bout between The Batiri's Kobald and New York Wrestling Connection's Francis K. Stevens. Both these matches took place at Caught in the Spider's Den and you can check them out now.
Video after the jump!