These tournaments include the typical weapons used in hardcore wrestling such as barbed wire, nails, thumbtacks, fire, and light tubes, and are known for their large amount of blood loss.
Many of the cards have also included non-tournament matches featuring top indy wrestlers such as Nigel McGuinness, Colt Cabana, CM Punk, Tracy Smothers, Homicide, Jerry Lynn, Jimmy Jacobs, Alex Shelley, Sonjay Dutt, B. J. Whitmer, Matt Sydal, Delirious, Arik Cannon, Ray Gordy, Low Ki, Daizee Haze and MsChif.
October 21, 1997 saw the first annual IWA Mid-South King of the Deathmatch Tournament, held at the National Guard Armory in New Albany, Indiana.
[1] Competitors †Doug Gilbert refused to fight in the final After a 3-year break, the tournament returned in 2000, this time running over two nights (October 20 and 21) at the House of Hardcore in Charlestown, Indiana.
Toby Klein Competitors King of the Deathmatch 2001 was held over 2 nights (June 1 & 2) at the House of Hardcore in Charlestown, Indiana.
Jimmy Jacobs, Mickie Knuckles' debut match (and victory) against Hailey Hatred, Chris Hero def.
Alex Shelley & Jimmy Jacobs and Nate Webb & M-Dogg 20, Bull Pain vs Jim Fannin (no contest), Nigel McGuinness def.
Arik Cannon and Darrin Corbin (IWA-MS World title), The Children of Pain (Jacob Ladder & Darin Childs) def.
Insane Lane & Juggulator in a Flaming Tables Match Competitors †Prior to the tournament, three Bunkhouse Battle Royals were held at IWA Mid-South events, with the winners being awarded a bye in the first round.
Southern Rock in a Circle City Street Fight, Insane Lane & Danny Havoc def.
Non-tournament matched on Night Two included Jason Hades defeating Bryan Skyline to retain the IWA Mid-South Light Heavyweight Championship, Dingo's first successful IWA-MS Heavyweight Title defence against Toby Klein, and a four-way match during which Tank defeated Corey Shaddix, WHACKS and Viper.
In non-tournament action one night one, Johnathon Gresham defeated Drake Younger and Jimmy Jacobs in a 3-way dance and American Kickboxer stopped by on his bike ride from Ohio to California to raise concussion awareness.
On night 2, Bucky Collins defeated Markus Crane, Neil Cutter, Devin Cutter, and Joey Grunge beat Reed Bentley, Juicy Jimmy Feltcher, and Damian Payne in a 6 Man(Losers From Night 1) Tag Match, and B. J. Whitmer def.
Confirmed Competitors Was held June 28, 2014 as part of a doubleheader titled "Royal Day of Death" at the Rustic Frog in New Albany, Indiana.
†John Wayne Murdoch put the IWA-MS World Heavyweight title up for this match and lost, making Nick Gage the new champion.
Confirmed Competitors November 3, 2006 saw the first annual IWA Mid-South Queen of the Deathmatch Tournament, held at the Capital Sports Arena in Plainfield, Indiana.
October 27, 2007 saw the second annual IWA Mid-South Queen of the Deathmatch Tournament, again held at the Capital Sports Arena in Plainfield, Indiana.
[10] Once again there were last minute changes to the competitors, leading to a 6-woman tournament, with the winner of the first round match between Mickie Knuckles and "Glasses" Jones being awarded a bye into the Final.
During the match Levy "no sold" Mickie's offence, leading to a legitimate beatdown from Ian Rotten, Devon Moore, John Calvin, Tank and others.
Was held June 28, 2014 as part of a doubleheader titled "Royal Day of Death" at the Rustic Frog in New Albany, Indiana.
Competitors November 4, 2006 saw the first annual IWA Mid-South Double Death Tag Team Tournament, held at the Capital Sports Arena in Plainfield, Indiana.
Competitors The second Double Death Tournament took place on October 26, 2007, at the Capital Sports Arena in Plainfield, Indiana.
[9] Competitors October 18 and 19, 2008 saw the third annual IWA Mid-South Double Death Tag Team Tournament, held at the Hartman Recreation Center in Joliet, Illinois.
[11] Announced Competitors The fourth Double Death Tournament was held on April 3, 2021, at the Axl Rotten Memorial Hall in Connersville, Indiana.
Competitors Carnage Cup Tournament took place on December 1, 2007, at the Nick Gulas Sports Arena in Pulaski, Tennessee.
SeXXXy Eddy got a bye because Drake Younger was unable to compete Carnage Cup Tournament took place on October 4, 2008, outside the Red Barn Bar in Elkmont, Alabama.
In non-tournament action Freakshow defeated Chrisjen Hayme to become the new IWA-DS Heavyweight Champion, and Kornerstone won a 6-man Death Match Rumble.