For years, the state of Iowa has been a hotbed for independent professional wrestling, particularly with Saturday, August 23rd’s Convergence Heroes For Hudson.
On any given weekend, fans can find multiple spots to take in some of the most exciting action that pro wrestling has to offer.
With so many promotions, competition obviously arises, but within that competition a fraternity has also formed—one that comes together when one of their own is in need.
That’s what’s happening this Saturday, August 23, in Des Moines at The Hall, during Convergence: Heroes for Hudson.
Six independent promotions—Absolute Pro Wrestling, Madhouse Wrestling, 3X Wrestling, Central Empire Wrestling, Social Experiment Wrestling and Impact Pro Wrestling—are coming together for a mega show, with all the proceeds going to support Ryan Hadley and his family.
Earlier this year, Ryan Hadley (known inside the squared circle as Leo Santel) and his family lost their sixth-month-old son, Hudson.
“My family and I have been overwhelmed with the outpouring of love and support from everyone during this time.
To have six wrestling promotions from the State of Iowa come together for our little family is incredible,” Hadley said.
“Words cannot begin to describe how much this means to us. We’re truly grateful. We miss our baby boy every single day, this will be a day to honor his memory, with professional wrestling, something I’m very certain he would have grown to love as he got older.”
With one of their own in need, Convergence began as a conversation on how to help. From there it morphed into an idea the promoters—Mike Vandy aka Jason Prentice (APW), Mike “Malice” Morgan (Madhouse), Luke Raven (Madhouse), Luke Dickens (3X), Austin Bayliss (CEW), Jason Pringle (Social X) and Troy Peterson (IPW)—agreed needed to be done.
Vandy and Morgan, both long-time mainstays in the Iowa independent wrestling scene, jumped at the opportunity to help a brother.
“We knew what this would mean to Ryan and Anna and Junebug. Ultimately, we knew what this would mean for Hudson too,” Vandy said.
This event means the world to me. The last time I was part of an event like this was my uncle’s memorial show.
It’s all hands on deck, it’s support beyond comprehension, it feels great to give back to a family that deserves the very best during a difficult time.”
“It’s about raising some money and hopefully bringing some much needed smiles to people’s faces who need them,” Morgan said. “I love it anytime we can use the Madhouse banner for some good.” – Mike Morgan
The in-ring action to come Saturday is as epic as it can get for an event of such magnitude. Fans can expect titles to be on the line, two teams of four engaging in battle, a sleeper singles match that could be one of the best of the night, a gigantic battle royal will be held and a notorious tag team will be lurking.
With such potential, It’s easy to consider this a front runner for show of the year.
Convergence Heroes For Hudson
Absolute Pro Wrestling Heavyweight Championship Match
Brandon “The Shank” Eubanks © vs Leo Santel
Since winning the APW Championship, The Shank has proudly carried the eagle-adorned APW Banner. A fighting champion, Shank has met all comers with a clenched fist, ready to defend his championship.
Saturday night he faces a man full of motivation in Leo Santel. With the recent implosion of the Free World within APW, Santel finds himself at somewhat of a crossroads within the promotion. This match, on such an emotionally-charged show, is easily Santel’s biggest match to date.
“It’s my first shot at the top prize in APW, something every wrestler on that roster dreams about,” Santel said.
“But the fact that it’s happening on a night where so many people are coming together for my family makes it mean even more.
It’s not just about chasing a championship—it’s about representing my family, showing my gratitude to everyone in the crowd, and proving that when life throws its hardest hits, we fight back even harder.”
Convergence Heroes For Hudson
Social Experiment Wrestling Red X Championship Match
Bryce Jordyn © vs AJ Smooth
Social Experiment Wrestling is the youngest of the six promotions coming together for Convergence. Still in their first year of existence,
Social X promoter Jason Pringle has put together a handful of solid shows in 2025, featuring the likes of Rhyno, Heath Slater and Chris Masters. Being able to be part of such an important show was something Pringle was more than proud of.
“It shows what wrestling is really about—community, heart, and stepping up when it counts,” Pringle said. “It will be emotional, powerful, and unforgettable. A night where wrestling makes a real difference.”
Over the course of the year their first championship debuted and it was dubbed the Red X Championship. Current Champion, Bryce Jordyn, won the title in an action-packed six-man scramble match.
Anyone who’s followed Jordyn’s career knows full well that holding gold, for the self proclaimed “Golden God,” is no new thing.
Awaiting Jordyn Saturday is no stranger, in AJ Smooth. These two have crossed paths across multiple promotions in Iowa.
Saturday is another chance for Smooth to add to his already impressive championship pedigree. Get your popcorn ready for this one!
Convergence Heroes For Hudson
Fatal Four Way
Ethan Everheart vs Gable Galileo vs Jimmy Wylde vs ???
Originally, this was scheduled to be a fatal four-way match for the 3X Heavyweight Championship. Unfortunately, in pro wrestling, the phrase “Card Subject to Change” is always in play.
3X Champion KJ Orso had to pull out due to a scheduling conflict. Now Everheart, Galileo and Wylde await to see who their fourth competitor will be.
Whoever it is will have their hands full when stepping into the ring with three of the most accomplished wrestlers within the Iowa Multiverse.
Everheart has held tag team gold in IPW and APW is also a former APW Heavyweight Champion. Galileo has held singles and tag team gold in IPW and Madhouse Wrestling and is a former Madhouse Wrestling Heavyweight Champion.
Wylde is also a former Madhouse Wrestling Heavyweight Champion and has held tag team gold in IPW. No matter who steps in the ring with these three, it’s going to make for an exciting contest.
Convergence Heroes For Hudson
Eight-Man Tag Match
Jared Thumb (CEW Champion), Austin Bayliss, Justin Decent, Max Chill vs Damien Saint, Viktor Payn, Rich Maxwell, Damon Dillinger
The Iowa Multiverse of Wrestling truly collides in this eight-man tag team match. In one corner you have CEW Champion Jared Thumb, CEW promoter Austin Bayliss, and two former Madhouse & IPW Tag Team Champions and (at times) rivals, Justin Decent and Max Chill.
Fighting out of the opposite corner will be Thumb’s biggest CEW rival Damien Saint, former APW Open Weight Champion Viktor Payn, CEW contender Rich Maxwell and APW up and comer Damon Dillinger.
With the various personalities in this one, fans can expect the unexpected, something Bayliss is more than ready for.
“You’re going to see a night of wrestling camaraderie,” Bayliss said. “You’re going to see an overwhelming support system with a lot of love and the occasional power bomb and punch to the face! I wouldn’t want it any other way.”
Convergence Heroes For Hudson
Singles Match
Jay Wesley vs Lars Metzger
This one when you look at it, is all about proving a point. Jay Wesley, still in the early portion of his in-ring career, has found success as a tag team wrestler.
He is currently one half of the APW Tag Team Champions with Ethan Everheart. This opportunity on such a big stage is a chance for him to prove his singles acumen is just as strong.
After suffering an injury and having time away from the ring, Metzger returned to the squared circle earlier this year. This is his chance to prove he’s still got it. Two men with a chip on their shoulder could leave to a classic.
Convergence Heroes For Hudson
Expect the Unexpected
Taking place Saturday is a battle royal that has been dubbed the largest battle royal in Iowa history. How many competitors will that be? No one truly knows.
Who will be in the match? Another mystery awaiting to be answered. One thing is for certain, the fans are going to be the real winners of this one.
Convergence Heroes For Hudson
“Troubles A-Brewin'”
Weeks after Convergence was announced, the current Madhouse Wrestling Tag Team Champions “Them Cooper Boys” Clay and Dalton Cooper announced that they were coming to the Hall on August 23rd.
They also plan to make their presence felt. Fans of Madhouse know that means only one thing, trouble is coming to Convergence. A point validated by Madhouse promoter Luke Raven.
“Them Cooper Boys are unpredictable,” Raven said. “They do what they want when they want. I don’t know what their plan is but I’m sure it will be intense.”
All the action goes down this Saturday night at The Hall in Des Moines. It will truly be an unforgettable night.
