The Legend of Zelda: The Ring of Destiny, Chapter 65

HPW begins year six, and the Triforce Tournament starts with a bang! GANON wants to win the Power Bracket, but who is he even facing?!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Bracket of Power: Groose VS Militron; Militron wins and advances.
• Bracket of Power: Ashei VS Odolwa; Ashei wins and advances.
• Bracket of Power: Yunobo VS Bad Croc Scaly; Yunobo wins and advances.
• Bracket of Power: GANON VS Gold Lynel; Ganon wins and advances.

PLAY BY PLAY

HPW and HXS TV set the scene!

Legends never die, but time waits for no one! That means time is of the essence if you want to become a legend! Corny platitudes aside, the SIXTH Triforce Tournament starts off with the Bracket of Power, just like before. And perhaps biggest of all, the Gerudo Ace is back in the tournament! And yet, no one knows who he’s facing! Will Ganon get lucky with an easy win in the opening round? Meanwhile, last year’s Bracket of Power winner, Yunobo, is back again, but he’s going against Arrow Club’s Swamp Boss! Yunobo didn’t like what that mask did to him, will he make sure Scaly understands that?

Ashei and Odolwa are a clash of styles and elements as the Lady of Snowpeak battles the God of Woodfall! Will Ashei be able to freeze Odolwa out of this tournament? Or will the Sword of the Swamp cut Ashei down? But first, The Studly Don’t Quit! Groose and his team may not have gotten the HPW World Trios Championships, but he’s back in the tournament! Will the Skyloft Stud finally live up to his potential? Or will Militron the Armored Annihilator  absolutely devastate him? The HPW Triforce Tournament begins again, and it’s now!

Bracket of Power: Groose VS Militron!

It’s a clash of Skyloft Stud and Armored Annihilator, each representing a faction in the larger picture of HPW! If The Studly Don’t Quit, then will nothing stop Groose from advancing? Or will one-third of the NEW HPW World Trios Champions set the tone for this tournament?

Groose’s hair is slowly coming back, he’s got a baby pompadour going. The bell rings, the two stare down and the fans rally up. The two slowly circle, then they feel things out. The two tie up collar ‘n’ elbow, and Militron powers Groose back to ropes right away. The ref counts, Militron lets off slowly, and he taunts Groose. The fans rally behind Groose, he resets with Militron, and they circle. They tie up again, and Militron pulls on the baby pompadour! The fans boo, the ref reprimands, but Militron lets go at 4. Then he BODY BLOWS Groose! The fans boo and the ref reprimands, but Militron stalks Groose to a corner.

Militron throws hands, the ref counts, but Militron stops at 4. Militron storms back up, but Groose turns things around! Groose JABS, JABS, JABS and the fans chant along, “GROOSE! GROOSE! GROOSE!” The ref counts, Groose stops at 4, then he winds up, but Militron gets up and under him first! Militron runs Groose all the way to the other corner! The fans boo but Militron RAMS into Groose again and again! The ref counts, Militron picks Groose up, and he goes back corner to corner! But Groose manages to sunset flip! Militron stays up, but Groose avoids the leg drop! Groose runs to SLIDING LARIAT! Cover, TWO!

Militron gets up, Groose ducks ‘n’ dodges, then RAMS Militron! Militron rebounds to RAM Groose! Groose staggers back to the ropes, steadies himself, and Militron eggs him on. The fans fire up and Groose storms up again. Groose throws hands, but Militron eggs Groose on some more! Groose winds up, but Militron catches the Right Hand o’ the Goddess and wrenches him! Militron short arm LARIATS! The fans boo but Militron drags Groose back up to short arm LARIAT again! Militron drags Groose up again, for a third short arm LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Groose stays in this and the fans fire up, but Militron drags Groose right up.

Militron whips Groose hard into a corner! Groose staggers forward, but Militron whips him to the other corner hard! Groose staggers forward again, and Militron reels him in. Militron suplexes, but Groose slips free! Groose LARIATS! Both men are down and the fans fire up! Groose rises first, and he grits his teeth as he huffs ‘n’ puffs. The fans chant, “Let’s Go, Groose! Let’s Go, Groose!” Militron slowly stands, Groose stalks behind him, and he hooks the arms! But Militron fights the chicken wings! Groose powers Militron through the turnaround, but Militron shoves Groose away! Groose ends up in a corner, Militron runs in and SPLASHES!

The fans boo as Groose sputters, and Militron brings Groose out. Militron suplexes, but Groose fights it! But Militron keeps Groose off the mat, and suplexes him up and over! The fans boo as Militron brings Groose back up. Militron suplexes again, for a DEVASTATOR!! Cover, ROPEBREAK!! The fans are thunderous and Militron is furious as Groose survives by a literal foot! Militron drags Groose up, reels him back in, but Groose is deadweight! Militron drops Gorose and tells the ref to check Groose. The ref does check, Groose sputters and is somehow okay to continue. Militron then hoists Groose back up!

Militron suplexes Groose, but Groose manages to slip free again! NECKBREAKER! Both men are down again and the fans fire back up! Wait, what’s Lupay doing coming out here? He’s in the Bracket of Courage, and that’s not until the 31st! The ref stops Lupay at the apron, they argue, but Harlequin slips in from the crowd side! The fans boo as he brings his Bokoblin Club into the ring! Groose stands, and Harlequin CLUBS him in the gut! Harlequin then slips out of the ring and hides under the apron skirt! The fans boo, and the Bokoblin Club is sticking out! Militron roars, brings Groose up, shoulder rack and PILEDRIVER!! Cover, Militron wins!!

Winner: Militron, by pinfall (advances to the next round)

Groose goes through the “Compactor” and can’t get up! The fans boo, this is an awful start to the tournament! But Lupay & Harlequin get to celebrate with their fellow Face of Evil, will they all soon be in the second round?

Bracket of Power: Ashei VS Odolwa!

The Lady of Snowpeak made a big return to HPW last year with this tournament, but had a roller coaster year that never saw her reach the top. The God of Woodfall is one of the original Dark Horses, but he hasn’t shone with any gold, either. Will this finally be Ashei’s time? Or is it Odolwa’s turn to unlock his potential?

The bell rings and the two circle. The fans rally, Ashei and Odolwa tie up, and Odolwa powers Ashei back. They end up in a corner, the ref counts, and Odolwa lets off at 4. Odolwa eggs Ashei on, she storms up, and the two tie up again. They go around in the collar ‘n’ elbow, but Odolwa again powers Ashei to a corner. The ref counts, Odolwa keeps pushing, but Ashei goes up the corner! The fans cheer as Ashei jumps to arm-drag Odolwa away! Odolwa gets right to his feet, and Ashei eggs him on now. The fans rally as Odolwa storms up, and then Ashei gets around him! Odolwa fights the waistlock, but Ashei ducks the elbow!

Ashei lifts but Odolwa CLUBS her on the back, KNEES her low, and then uses a gut wrench to THROW her aside! The fans boo but Ashei’s right to her feet. Ashei storms up now, shoots for a leg, but Odolwa blocks that with a facelock. Odolwa grinds Ashei to the mat, then gator rolls her! Odolwa deadlifts her, but Ashei knees free! Ashei then gets under Odolwa to NORTHERN LIGHTS! Bridging cover, TWO! Ashei hurries to keep Odolwa down with a facelock. Odolwa powers up, and he THROWS Ashei off! Ashei lands on her feet, but Odolwa BOOTS her down! The fans boo but Odolwa covers, TWO!

Odolwa drags Ashei up, whips her to ropes, but Ashei grabs ropes. Odolwa runs up, Ashei ELBOWS him away, then Ashei waistlocks. GERMAN- NO, Odolwa fights with more elbows! Odolwa standing switches, they go to ropes, Ashei bucks the O’Conner Roll. Ashei runs up to sunset flip! TWO, Odolwa high stacks Ashei, TWO! Odolwa deadlifts Ashei, but Ashei throws down hands! Ashei slips free of the bomb, kicks Odolwa low, and DDT! Fans let out an “OOF!” with how hard that DDT was! Ashei pushes Odolwa over to a cover, TWO! Odolwa seethes as he rises up. Ashei kicks, Odolwa blocks, and he KNEES her in return!

Odolwa reels Ashei in and fireman’s carries, GORON DROP! Cover, TWO! Ashei survives and Odolwa grows frustrated but the fans rally up. Odolwa stomps around, then goes to a corner. Odolwa waits on Ashei to stand. Odolwa runs up, but Ashei DROPKICKS him first! The fans fire up while both Odolwa and Ashei are down! Ashei and Odolwa crawl while the fans rally up again. They go to opposite ropes, and Odolwa seethes again. Odolwa shakes the ropes, fans boo, but he storms up on Ashei. Odolwa brings Ashei around, dragon sleepers, but Ashei fights the lift! Ashei snapmares free, then KICKS Odolwa in the back!

Odolwa just gets mad and stands back up! Odolwa ROCKS Ashei with a forearm and the fans boo! Ashei fires a forearm back and fans cheer, but Odolwa doesn’t budge! Odolwa ROCKS Ashei again! Ashei stumbles, Odolwa whips her to ropes, POP-UP GORON DROP! Cover, TWO! Odolwa is furious but the fans fire up! Odolwa looms over Ashei, drags her up, but Ashei fireman’s carries! SNOWPEAK GUT BUSTER! The fans fire up again, but Ashei can’t make the cover! Ashei crawls after Odolwa, but Odolwa rolls out of the ring! The fan can’t believe it, but Ashei is too sore to be upset! Ashei instead slides out to fetch Odolwa.

Ashei stalks Odolwa up the ramp, CLUBS him on the back, but that just sends him stumbling up the ramp. The ref says to bring this in the ring, then the count starts. Ashei fires forearms, then has him against the railing. Ashei fires more shots but we’re at 4 of 10! Ashei looks back and forth between ring and Odolwa, turns toward the ring, but Odolwa reels her back! Fireman’s carry and GORON DROP to the ramp! The fans lose their minds while Ashei and Odolwa both writhe! The count is 7! Odolwa stands and hurries back in at 8! Ashei crawls, hobbles, and we’re at 9! Ashei leaps in at 9.99!! The fans fire up but Odolwa is furious!

Odolwa storms up on Ashei, drags her up, dragon sleepers, and inverted suplexes! But Ashei thrashes around! Odolwa tries to bring her back up, but Ashei wrenches free! Ashei kicks, Odolwa ducks, but Ashei just steps over and MULE KICKS him in the face! Odolwa staggers, Ashei RAMS him into a corner! Ashei hoists him up top, UPPERCUTS, then climbs up to join him. The fans rally as Ashei goes for a fireman’s carry! Odolwa CLUBS Ashei, CLUBS her again, then again! Ashei drops down, but then RISING HEADBUTTS! The fans fire up, Ashei climbs the corner again, and she manages the fireman’s carry!

The fans are already going nuts as Ashei turns around, steadies herself, then gorilla presses Odolwa!! SUPER PRESS SLAM!! Cover, Ashei wins!!

Winner: Ashei, by pinfall (advances to the next round)

Ashei unleashes an Avalanche on Odolwa, and now she’s headed for the next round! But will Ashei be able to do the same thing to Militron? Or will she face her FOE and fail?

Bracket of Power: Yunobo VS Bad Croc Scaly!

Arrow Club tried to make “Yuno-bro” into a champion, but they also wanted to change him. There was something fishy about that mask they gave him, but Link helped get it off Yunobo so he’s back to his true self. Will Yunobo show he already has everything it takes to reach the top? Or will the Swamp Boss drag him down with the undertow?

The bell rings, the fans rally behind Yunobo, and the two tie up. They’re in a deadlock, break, then stare down. They go again in another collar ‘n’ elbow, are in another deadlock, but Scaly’s height acts as leverage. Scaly pushes Yunobo back step by step, but then Yunobo pushes Scaly back step by step! The fans rally, the two break again, and Scaly gets in Yunobo’s face. Scaly talks trash about how Yunobo’s a failure, and Yunobo shakes his head. Scaly SLAPS Yunobo! The fans boo and Scaly says Yunobo’s a letdown! A screw-up! He faced Link THREE TIMES, and never even came close to winning that Triforce Championship!

Yunobo seethes, swings on Scaly, but Scaly bobs ‘n’ weaves, then HEADBUTTS! The fans boo but Scaly wobbles a bit. Careful headbutting a Goron! Yunobo HEADBUTTS Scaly in return! Scaly staggers, Yunobo whips him, but Scaly grabs ropes. Yunobo runs up, but Scaly sidesteps and LARIATS him against the ropes! The fans boo but Scaly whips Yunobo to ropes, follows and KNEES him low! The fans boo more as Scaly whips Yunobo the other way for another KNEE down low! Scaly whips again, doesn’t follow, then fireman’s carries! But Yunobo slips free! Yunobo ROCKS Scaly, then reels him in for a fireman’s carry! GORON DROP!

The fans fire up while both men are down. Yunobo and Scaly stir, and Yunobo goes to ropes. Yunobo storms up on Scaly at center, but Scaly THROAT CHOPS! The ref reprimands Scaly while Yunobo sputters. Scaly runs, but Yunobo BODY CHECKS him out of the ring! The fans fire up, Yunobo goes to the apron, and he takes aim! FLYING SHOULDER off the apron! Scaly is sent into railing while fans fire up more! Yunobo spots Fin Balure in the crowd, and Fin just waves with a smug smile. Scaly comes back to CLOBBER Yunobo! The fans boo, Fin mockingly says, “Oops,” and shrugs. Scaly CLUBS Yunobo, then pushes him around the way.

Scaly fires body shots, the ref wants this in the ring, and fans boo more. Scaly soaks up heat, but Yunobo throws body shots in return! Yunobo fires forearms and he has Scaly against the apron. The fans fire up, the ring count is climbing, so Yunobo rolls in. Yunobo drags Scaly up, but Scaly HOTSHOTS Yunobo! The fans boo, Scaly storms in, and he fires more body shots and forearms on Yunobo! Scaly whips Yunobo to a corner but Yunobo reverses! Yunobo runs in, but Scaly dodges, so Yunobo POSTS himself! Yunobo slumps to the apron and Scaly storms out after him. Scaly drags Yunobo up, fireman’s carries, but Yunobo fights free!

Yunobo ROCKS Scaly, and Scaly wobbles on the apron! Yunobo ROCKS Scaly again, then runs! Yunobo BLASTS Scaly off the apron! Scaly hits the desk and almost takes commentary with it! The fans lose their minds, and even Yunobo is shocked to see what just happened. Yunobo hurries out after Scaly, drags him up from the wreckage, and puts him in the ring. Yunobo stomps Scaly into a drop zone, then he goes up the corner. The fans fire up, DIVING SPLASH FLOPS as Scaly moves in time! The fans boo but both men are down. Scaly drags himself up with the ropes, and he seethes as he storms back up on Yunobo.

Scaly stands Yunobo up, grabs him by the neck, and he powers up his thumb! GREN- NO, Yunobo ducks and comes back to HEADBUTT! Scaly wobbles, Yunobo runs to LARIAT him down! The fans are thunderous as Scaly rises again. Yunobo scoops and SLAMS Scaly!! Scaly’s back in the drop zone and Yunobo climbs the corner! DIVING SPLASH!! Cover, Yunobo wins!

Winner: Yunobo, by pinfall (advances to the next round)

Scaly could not survive “The Eruption,” and Yunobo is moving on! Will Yunobo return to the Triforce Tournament finals in back-to-back years?

Bracket of Power: GANON VS ???

The Gerudo Ace, the first-and-only HPW Triple Crown Winner, is back in the Triforce Tournament, looking to once again win this Bracket of Power! But because of his overwhelming confidence, he’s willing to take on whoever HPW sends at him! Will he turn high risk into high reward? Or will he regret taking such a gamble?

Ganon makes his entrance, but instead of what he wore for HyruleMania, he is back in his wild boar headdress from years past. Ganon puts the headdress aside, and he watches the stage for his opponent. Wait… That music! It can’t be! BUT IT IS! GOLD LYNEL IS BACK IN HPW! The fans are going nuts, and Ganon looks pissed! Gold Lynel stares Ganon down the entire time he walks to the ring. Lynel steps into the ring, but Ganon doesn’t even move back from the center. These two stare down while the fans continue to lose their minds, is The One True Monster about to trump the Gerudo Ace?

The bell rings, and the fans already fire up with “This is Awesome!” Ganon and Lynel stare down a little longer, then Lynel ROCKS Ganon with a forearm! The fans fire up, Ganon steadies himself, and he nods. Ganon winds up to ROCK Lynel! Lynel snarls and comes right back to stare Ganon down. Ganon eggs Lynel on, so Lynel winds up to ROCK Ganon again! Ganon comes back to ROCK Lynel! The fans fire up as the forearms go back and forth, faster and faster! Ganon gets the edge as he fires a flurry, then he winds up, but Lynel DROPKICKS him! Those front legs knock Ganon down and the fans fire up again!

Ganon sputters and Lynel eggs Ganon on now! Ganon pounds the mat in frustration and gets back to his feet. Ganon storms up and kicks Lynel low! Ganon fires haymakers, Lynel technically ends up in the corner because of his back legs, and the ref counts. Ganon lets off, but he’s frustrated that “this dumb SOB is so damn big!” Lynel storms back up on Ganon, but Ganon ELBOWS him! Lynel staggers, Ganon CLUBS Lynel on his horse back! Lynel goes to ropes, and Ganon hops onto his horse back! The fans are torn as Ganon clamps onto Lynel with a SLEEPER! Lynel endures, even tries to buck Ganon off, and now it’s like a rodeo!

The ref cowers into a corner to avoid getting hit! The fans count along, but Ganon falls off at 6! So close to that rodeo win! Lynel gets pissed now, and he aims at Ganon. Ganon stands, but he avoids the double mule kick! Ganon runs and LARIATS Lynel! Lynel stays up, grits his teeth, and he ROCKS Ganon with a forearm! Ganon rebounds to LARIAT again! Lynel staggers but stays up! Lynel ROCKS Ganon with a haymaker! Ganon staggers to a corner, Lynel storms up to fire body shots from all sides! The fans are torn, the ref reprimands, but Lynel treats Ganon like a heavy bag! The ref gets in there and tells Lynel to back off!

Lynel snarls but he obeys the ref. Ganon runs up to KICK OF CALAMITY!! The fans fire up as Lynel staggers and stumbles all the way to the other corner! Ganon then runs up to CLOBBER in the corner! The fans are torn as Ganon brings Lynel around, underhooks, DEMISE DRIVER! Cover, TWO!! Lynel survives and the fans are thunderous! Ganon is furious, and he HAMMERS away on Lynel’s head! The ref has Ganon back off to check Lynel. Lynel is a bit dazed, but he insists he can keep going. Lynel slowly rises, KICK OF CALAMITY!! Lynel was still on his knees as Ganon strikes again! Cover, GANON WINS!!

Winner: Ganon, by pinfall (advances to the next round)

HPW found the biggest, strongest, meanest competition they could, but not even Lynel could stop Ganon! Will everyone in this tournament face their own demise?

My Thoughts:

I apologize if these matches don’t quite measure up to an opening round, but once again, I’m crunched for time, and there’s still the other two brackets to do. At the same time, Ganon and his mystery opponent, Lynel, being a relatively short match fits given they’re very much HPW’s Drew McIntyre and Brock Lesnar, and that match-up in the real world was rather fast and furious, too. I also wanted to make sure I didn’t rehash overbooking concepts between Groose VS Militron and Yunobo VS Scaly, so Yunobo VS Scaly ended up a bit simpler, and perhaps not as “Big meaty men” as it could’ve been, too. Here’s hoping Bracket of Wisdom and Bracket of Courage can be more exciting.