DONOVAN VS PENA: Respected Vets Fighting of Magic's Dark Arts Title
I've followed the career of Mike Donovan since 2007.
When I started traveling to ACE Pro Wrestling shows at the ACE Arena in Union City, NJ, I had the opportunity to watch him grow into an excellent in-ring talent. Over a decade, I saw him rise from winning the Tag Team Titles with Rob Vegas and Ricky Richards to holding the Diamond Division Championship, the Fight For Flight Championship, and ultimately, the ACE Heavyweight Championship in 2018.
Becoming a well-respected veteran of the tri-state independent scene, Donovan has become a prominent performer for a multitude of promotions. There was even one point in 2020 that "the Brooklyn Outlaw" found his way to EVOLVE as a prospect of The Unwanted faction. Even though the company shut down shortly thereafter due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, Mike Donovan's reputation became solidified as a top-tier wrestler for people to watch.
Interestingly enough, many people are starting to say the same thing about Steve Pena.
Breaking into the independent wrestling scene in the mid-20, the tall brute from the South Bronx became a can't miss prospect. A former ACE Tag Team Champion in his own right, Pena broke out by the end of the 2010s, beginning to perform for various companies throughout the Northeast, from CZW to Beyond Wrestling. He was also a prospect for EVOLVE, as noted on a talent list released by Gabe Sapolsky in 2022, had the company continued.
Pena has also become a top-tier competitor on the Indy circuit, respected everywhere he goes.
This is what leads to Pro Wrestling Magic Kingdom IX.
A former Pro Wrestling Magic Champion, Pena defeated Smiley back at 9 Years of Magic on April 27, 2024, at "the Mecca" in Ridgefield Park, NJ to become Dark Arts Champion. One month later, "the Brooklyn Outlaw", a former PWM Champion in his own right, upended the new champion in his first defense at Beach Games in May to win the gold!
After surviving six months as Dark Arts titleholder, Pro Wrestling Magic management has decided to book the rematch at the final event of the year between Donovan and Pena on December 28, 2024. This match has the potential to be the show-stealer of the evening. Beach Games in May was the precursor to the "magic" preparing to take place.
Pro Wrestling Magic's two of the most decorated competitors and talented performers will do battle three days after Christmas. Who will head into the New Year as the king of Pro Wrestling Magic's Dark Arts?
More importantly, who will be the better man? The unorthodox "outlaw" Donovan or the pedigreed brute Pena? December 28, we will see.
Bankie Bruce
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